A dark green aura of Dragon-type energy swirled around Kangaskhan like a living coat. The faint wisps of Dragon Breath trailed from it, floating gracefully, almost like dandelions on the wind.
Its eyes burned scarlet.
Kangaskhan was consumed by a hysterical frenzy, its rage making it see Blaziken as an enemy who had stolen its child. With a furious roar, Kangaskhan charged forward, swinging its powerful arms. Sharp claws slashed through the air, striking with terrifying speed and force.
"Looks like it's living up to its old nickname, 'Pouch Dragon,'" John muttered, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Mastering a Dragon-type move like Outrage is technically fair, but it still feels a little illegal."
The irony wasn't lost on him. Kangaskhan, a Normal-type Pokemon, wielding a Dragon-type move as potent as Outrage? It was unusual, but not unheard of. Unlike Dragon-types that relied on scales or sheer ferocity for their Outrage, Kangaskhan drew its power from its own child. Its bond, perhaps even its maternal fury, gave it access to Dragon-type energy.
"Use Quick Attack to dodge!" John shouted.
With Kangaskhan's brute strength, its attacks weren't just fast—they were devastating. Blaziken needed more than reflexes to avoid being shredded.
Blaziken sprang into action, sparks erupting from its feet as it dashed away. Kangaskhan's claws missed by a fraction, swiping through empty air. Undeterred, Kangaskhan followed through, slamming its arm into the ground with all the force of its momentum.
The impact shattered the ground, cracks spiderwebbing across the battlefield as the shockwave rippled outward. Dust and debris flew in every direction. In seconds, the entire arena looked like a war zone.
Blaziken was quick, retreating to avoid the direct hit. But the aftermath? Unavoidable. The shockwave blasted through the battlefield, flinging Blaziken back like a rag doll. It crashed against the wall behind John, leaving a deep dent in the sturdy surface.
"Did the shockwave just hit harder than Bulldoze?" John gawked, his disbelief breaking his usually calm demeanor.
Kangaskhan's sheer power was something else. John couldn't help but compare it to his Garchomp. Even if Garchomp used Outrage, would it be this destructive? He doubted it. Kangaskhan wasn't just strong; it had been trained to channel its strength in ways that went beyond raw power. John made a mental note to grill Norman for training tips once this battle was over.
But there was no time to dwell on it—Kangaskhan wasn't done yet.
Like a massive bear, it dropped to all fours and charged at Blaziken. Its claws, still glowing with Dragon-type energy, were aimed at the now-recovering Pokemon.
"Quick Attack! Dodge again!" John commanded.
In a frenzied state, Kangaskhan's Outrage made it unstoppable. Its combat power surged, but the move came with a trade-off: once Outrage ended, it would fall into a state of confusion. John's strategy was simple—drag this out. If Blaziken could keep dodging, Kangaskhan would burn itself out.
Blaziken dodged skillfully, moving like a streak of fire.
Another miss. Another crash. Kangaskhan slammed into a wall, reducing it to rubble. A startled gym apprentice poked their head out from the adjoining room, eyes wide with shock before scrambling for safety.
"Does this gym have a renovation budget just for Outrage?" John muttered under his breath, watching another section of the battlefield disintegrate.
Norman, ever stoic, seemed unfazed by the destruction. He responded with a calm, almost fatherly tone. "Only special challengers get to see my Kangaskhan go all out."
John groaned. "Right, because being your son definitely means no special treatment."
Norman's faint smirk was all the answer he needed.
Blaziken's movements grew sharper with every dodge, its Speed Boost ability kicking in. Kangaskhan's attacks were powerful but increasingly erratic, each miss costing it energy. The chase stretched on for another twenty seconds, leaving behind a battlefield that now resembled a construction site.
Finally, the green aura around Kangaskhan began to waver, flickering like a dying flame. Its movements grew sluggish, its steps unsteady. The Outrage had run its course, and confusion set in. Kangaskhan swayed on its feet, its glazed eyes betraying its exhaustion.
"Now's our chance!" John shouted. "Blaziken, use Double Kick!"
Blaziken surged forward in a blur of red, landing a powerful kick squarely on Kangaskhan's jaw. The Normal-type reeled back, only to take another kick to the torso mid-air, sending it flying across the battlefield.
John smirked. Victory was within reach. But then, something unexpected happened.
Kangaskhan's baby popped its head out of the pouch, holding a vibrant green berry. The baby shoved the Lum Berry into its mother's mouth, and within moments, Kangaskhan snapped out of its confusion. Its scarlet eyes sharpened once more.
"What the—?" John's jaw dropped. "A Lum Berry? Really?"
Norman crossed his arms, unbothered. "Always be prepared. A good trainer knows how to cover their bases."
John cursed under his breath. Kangaskhan might've recovered from confusion, but it hadn't regained the stamina it burned through during Outrage. This was still a battle he could win.
"Blaziken, keep up the pressure! Use Double Kick again!"
Blaziken wasted no time, launching another series of rapid kicks. Kangaskhan braced itself, using Endure to weather the relentless assault. Despite the damage piling up, it refused to go down.
John narrowed his eyes. Something wasn't right. Norman wouldn't drag this out unless he had a plan.
And then Norman gave the command that made John's stomach drop.