"Combus!"
The elder Combusken roared, summoning eight Torchics to surround Growlithe.
"Combus. (Pup, I'll be fair. Escape their siege, and I'll let you go.)"
Growlithe's ears flattened. "Arf?? (Huh??)"
He could maybe take three or four Torchics in a straight fight—but eight? Trapped?
A low growl rumbled in his throat. He didn't care about getting hurt. But failing Su Feng? Unthinkable.
Find Blaziken. No matter what.
Zero to Rage
Without warning, Growlithe's body erupted in flames.
"ARF! (RAGING FURY!)"
The Torchics froze mid-charge as Growlithe lost all reason, lashing out indiscriminately. Trees splintered. Embers flew.
Blaziken, still hidden, grimaced. He'd seen this move before—Su Feng's 100,000-yuan backyard renovation.
Let him burn out first.
Carnage
"Combus!? (WHAT IS THIS DEMON!?)"
The elder watched in horror as Growlithe KO'd two Torchics instantly, then rammed a third into a stump.
"Combus! (FALL BACK!)"
Too late. By the time the dust settled, five Torchics were down. Growlithe, now targetless, began chewing through trees like twigs.
The elder's claws dug into the dirt. Just wait till he tires—
Then a Torchic screamed.
"COMBUS! (ENOUGH!)"
A Double Kick sent Growlithe flying—but the pup just shook it off and charged again.
Blaziken Intervenes
As the elder reared for another strike, a blur intercepted.
WHOOSH!
The Combusken soared through the air, landing hard. When his vision cleared, he saw:
A crimson-and-yellow giant cradling the exhausted Growlithe.
Eyes like smoldering coals.
"Arf... (Blaziken...)"
Growlithe's tail wagged weakly before he passed out.
"Blaziken. (Rest.)"
The Challenge
The elder scrambled up, feathers bristling. "Combus! (Who ARE you!?)"
Blaziken didn't answer. He hadn't been recognized.
A year ago, he'd been the exiled prince—too muscular to use Ember, deemed worthless. Now?
"Blaziken. (Leave.)"
"Combus! (He attacked my tribe!)"
A beat. Then Blaziken raised one clawed hand.
"Blaziken. (Fight me instead. One hand is enough.)"
Pride vs. Power
The elder's face purpled. Humiliation. But his tribe was watching.
Can I win?
The opponent was young—newly evolved, perhaps. Overconfident.
"COMBUS! (BRING IT!)"
Blaziken nodded. Show me what I once feared.