Ash's Charizard had bulked up solid through training—taller, broader—but next to the wild ones forged in endless valley brawls, it still looked compact.
The gatekeeper loomed half a neck higher, shoulders like boulders, scars etched from years of unchallenged rule.
"Straight to that one?" Jiko murmured, reading the standoff.
Valley Charizards didn't just open doors—they chose their foes.
"Ash, your Charizard okay?" Misty edged up behind him, eyes on the size gap.
"More than." Ash's grin cut sharp, unflinching.
His Charizard strode forward, locking stares. The crowd parted slightly, wings folding in silent watch.
Tension coiled hot in the center. Then every surrounding Charizard jetted flames skyward—pillars scorching air, signal given.
Collision.
Boom.
Both lunged chest-first, horns locking, muscles straining in raw deadlock.
"Your Charizard's got real power," Jiko said, impressed.
She knew these beasts inside out. That brute specialized in brute force, obsessed with raw lifts and clashes. Yet Ash's smaller one held even—unyielding.
Ash smiled silent. Power Bracer didn't build half-measures.
Boom.
They shoved apart in sync, Dragon energy crackling wild around them.
"Dragon power like that..." Aura caught the clash—raw force sparking void lightning.
Ash's Charizard's claws ignited green blades. The big one's tail sprouted azure scales—Dragon Tail.
Jiko's eyes widened at Dragon Claw again.
The sweeping tail lashed like a siege ram. Ash's Charizard crossed claws, blocking clean.
"ROAR!"
It countered, slashing the brute back. Wings beat; pursuit dive, claws arcing for the skull.
Clang.
Metal sheen flashed—a Steel Wing from a second Charizard, intercepting. Speed blurred it in.
Ash's gaze hardened. Fast.
"Charizard—one comes, one falls. Two? Double down!"
Charizard smirked. Dragon Claw lingered, swinging seamless at the Steel Wing savior.
"Huh?"
Jiko's focus never left Ash. That command synced—a faint red-blue glow shimmered over boy and dragon, twin pulses.
Steel Wing dodged sharp, but the brute's roar pulled it back—no interference.
"ROAR!"
Ash's Charizard nodded. Continue.
Claws crushed down. Big one's flashed white—Slash meeting Dragon Claw.
Blades locked.
"Wild as them," Jiko breathed. Primal—claws, tails, teeth. Beasts pure.
"Why no Flamethrower?" Misty asked.
"Fireplay's for later," Ash half-joked.
Charizard: 250 / 255
Last five.
"Again?"
Jiko caught it—red-blue flicker over Ash and fighter.
"ROAR!"
Power detonated inside Charizard. Dragon Claw erupted, hurling the brute airborne.
"Got it!" Misty cheered.
Charizard: 251 / 255
Boom. Heat wave blasted. Flames engulfed Charizard whole—a roaring inferno shell.
"Hahaha—Charizard! Stronger! STRONGER!" Ash threw his head back, howl echoing wild.
Jiko pieced it. He knew that glow. Waited for it.
"ROAR!"
Charizard bellowed earth-shaking. Something ancient stirred within.
"Charizards—two-on-one, three-on-one, bring it! Fight my Charizard!" Ash roared. Four points left.
Make it fierce.
Chaos erupted—Jiko couldn't rein it.
Next instant, a titan rocketed from depths. Matched the brute's bulk but dwarfed in presence—raw dominance.
Jiko paled.
"Didn't think it'd show," she said.
Ash locked eyes. "Strong one."
"Beyond strong. Valley's king—Charizard King." Her voice shook, unnoticed.
Ultimate guardian. Order keeper. Fights stayed civil under it. Now? Personal challenge. Ash's Charizard earned that gaze.
"ROAR!"
Ash's met it fearless—battle cry surging.
Charizard: 252 / 255