Charizard1 stood on the ground, one leg planted firmly on Charizard's neck. It opened its mouth, and fire began to form.
It was poised to deliver the final blow to Charizard. Charizard's body was too injured to escape its grasp, and pain resonated throughout its entire being.
In that moment, Charizard resorted to a move that Axel had forbidden it to use since birth.
A dark purple glow surrounded Charizard's entire body. Charizard1's instinct urged it to move away, and it did so just in time. However, it wasn't spared from the effects of that dark energy. The energy transferred to Charizard1, resulting in a massive explosion.
BOMMMMMM.
Charizard was sent flying backward, seeking respite. It roared towards Venusaur, signaling its need for healing. Venusaur wasted no time and wrapped its vines around Charizard. A green glow enveloped them, gradually mending Charizard's injuries.
The explosion was far greater than the previous one caused by Charizard1's 'Flamethrower'.
The move that Charizard used was 'Dragon Energy'.
This move was the signature move of the legendary Pokémon Regidrago. It converted a Pokémon's life energy (HP) into a devastating attack. The power of this move should not be underestimated.
Axel had forbidden Charizard from using it because Charizard had been too weak until now. As it was a signature move of a legendary Pokémon, Axel didn't want to risk it.
Charizard's HP was currently very low, so the full power of this move couldn't be utilized. However, it was still a sight to behold.
None of them knew what had happened to Charizard1. When the debris settled, Axel could see Charizard1. It was alive but seriously injured.
Charizard1 lacked a defensive move like 'Flame Armor' to protect itself. It had taken that attack at point-blank range.
After this, the battle intensified at a rapid pace.
Charizard1 began pounding its chest with its hands and claws while roaring. It was enraged that a rare rank Pokémon was fighting it with equal force.
Charizard mirrored Charizard1's actions, beating its own chest with its hands and claws.
---
Ding!
Charizard has learned Belly Drum.
---
How many surprises would Charizard bring to this battle? Its hidden potential was revealing itself.
Then, they clashed once again. Charizard used 'Iron Tail', and Charizard1 countered with 'Dragon Tail'. It was surprising that Charizard held its own against such a powerful elemental rank Pokémon, but it was still at a disadvantage.
Charizard knew that it was one rank below Charizard1. It understood that it wasn't strong enough. But it refused to submit. It was CHARIZARD. How could it give in?
Then...
A red fiery glow enveloped Charizard, with a hint of blue within it.
---
Ding!
Charizard is ranking up. Do you want to extend the rank up?
---
"Whoa! It's ranking up during the battle?"
"No."
---
Ding!
Charizard is ranking up.
---
Axel hadn't set any conditions for its rank-up. All of its stats were now at the S rank. Three of them had been upgraded during this fight. One of its moves had reached level 40. Its ability and hidden ability mastery were satisfactory, and it had learned two new moves.
Furthermore, Axel wanted Charizard to win this battle on its own, so he chose to allow it to rank up.
When Charizard1 saw the glow, it already knew that Charizard was ranking up. A Pokémon is most vulnerable during this process, but it understood the laws and its own pride wouldn't allow it to interrupt the rank-up.
So, it prepared itself. It used 'Dragon Dance' twice and 'Roost' once, preparing to end this battle.
The rank-up process took five minutes. During the rank-up, Axel gave it a Charcoal, a natural type-enhancing item that was 300 years old.
ROARRRRR...
The flames in the surroundings seemed to intensify. With its commanding presence and that roar, Charizard resembled an ancient dragon.
---
Ding!
Charizard has ranked up to elemental rank.
---
This might be the strongest elemental rank Pokémon Axel had ever had since their first rank-up.
Its power was overwhelming for Charizard1. All of its injuries and wounds had been healed during the rank-up. It was now as good as new.
Charizard spread its 'Flame Wings'. The flames within its wings appeared more coordinated than before. It also used 'Wing Attack' to enhance the power of its wings.
Then, it flew directly at top speed. Its fiery wings struck Charizard1's chest, bisecting it from the force of the attack.
---
Ding!
Charizard's Wing Attack has reached level 40. It is now sharper, resembling a blade.
---
ROARRRRR...
Charizard roared in victory. It had proven to others that it would never submit. It was the KING.
---
Ding!
Charizard's agility has been upgraded to C+.
Ding!
Charizard's Special Attack has been upgraded to B++.
Ding!
Charizard's defense has been upgraded to B++.
Ding!
Charizard's Special Defense has been upgraded to C++.
Ding!
Charizard's attack has been upgraded to B+.
Ding!
Charizard has learned a new passive move: Flame Control.
---
"System! What the hell is happening here? Why such a massive upgrade?" Axel asked in shock.
Since it had just ranked up, all of its stats were at the F rank, but they had jumped to Cs and Bs. This had never happened before. It usually took a long time for a stat to reach the S rank.
---
Ding!
When a Charizard fights to the death and defeats another Charizard, there is a probability that it will receive a huge power boost. The host's Charizard is experiencing it now.
---
Drunk on power and victory, Charizard began losing its rational mind. It was quickly brought back to reality when Axel shouted at it.
It had won a challenging battle, thanks to Axel's training. It had once promised to follow Axel to the ends of the earth, and a dragon would never break a promise, even if it wasn't a Dragon-type Pokémon.
Since Charizard was fully healed, it was ready to battle again. Axel instructed it to assist Beedrill, as Beedrill was experiencing some difficulties.
Axel looked at Charizard's stats: