Brawly also took a Poké Ball from his waist and pressed the release button. A flash of red light streaked past, and his Blaziken appeared on the other side of the field.
This Blaziken was quite a bit taller than Xinhai remembered. Its muscles were more clearly defined, and several strands of dark golden sheen glinted amid its crimson feathers, making it look exceptionally imposing.
The two Blaziken stood silently facing each other across the field, their gazes colliding in midair. Crimson flames slowly rose around their bodies, and the air filled with a scorching, solemn tension.
"Two on two, stop at the right point," Brawly's voice came from across the field. "No problem?"
"No problem." Xinhai nodded.
The gym disciples at the edge of the field moved farther back, leaving more room for the battle.
Eevee leaped down from Xinhai's shoulder and crouched at the edge of the field, its large brown eyes fixed intently on the two figures in the arena.
After confirming that both sides were ready, the referee raised a hand, then sharply brought it down.
"Begin!"
Brawly's voice exploded the instant the referee gave the signal, crisp and decisive. "Blaziken, Flamethrower!"
Brawly's Blaziken's chest suddenly swelled, and crimson flames surged from its mouth, forming a thick pillar of fire that swept toward its opponent with a searing heatwave.
The flames were darker than an ordinary Blaziken's Flamethrower, nearly dark red in color, giving off an exceedingly dangerous feeling.
Xinhai's gaze sharpened as his voice rang out. "Blaziken, Flamethrower!"
Xinhai's Blaziken opened its mouth as well, and a crimson blaze erupted from within.
This flame was equally dangerous, but unlike Brawly's Blaziken's, it was gathered and compressed by Flying type energy the moment it emerged, condensing from a loose pillar of fire into a thin, blazing