Pokémon: Simultaneous time travel, this Ash is too versatile!

Chapter 280 Transforming Flames into Power: Evolution, Infernape!

Scorching flames burned across the field, and a ferocious gaze appeared in Infernape's eyes. As Mega Blaze was activated, Infernape's rationality began to be gradually consumed.

Although Infernape managed to control the power of Mega Blaze with Ash's help after its first activation, it still goes berserk when it actively unleashes the power of Mega Blaze later on.

When Infernape's stamina is below 50%, it can choose to actively trigger Super Blaze. Although this power can be used when stamina is halved, the difficulty of controlling it is inexplicably increased exponentially.

Even with Ash's help, the probability of controlling that power is only fifty-fifty. The passively triggered Super Blaze, which occurs when Infernape's HP drops to thirty percent, is relatively easy to control.

After that, the human and the monkey kept trying, and finally concluded that there was a 50% chance of triggering Super Blaze, and a 50% chance of being able to control it. The other 50% was that Ash couldn't wake up Blaze at all. Blaze went berserk until it was completely exhausted before it could return to normal.

After their stamina drops to 30%, they have a more than 90% chance of controlling the power of Blaze. If Blaze Monkey increases its strength by one level, it should be able to reach 100%.

The reason Infernape can control Mega Blaze is because of Ash's power. Ash can use Aura Fusion to infuse the power into Infernape, preserving its rationality.

The stronger Infernape's power, the stronger the power Ash can infuse into it. Therefore, as long as Infernape's level is high enough, Ash can keep Infernape conscious even if it triggers a Mega Infernape with 50% HP.

However, this is only a temporary measure. In the future, Infernape will definitely need to control this power itself. But at the Indigo League, it is already very fortunate to be able to use the power of Mega Infernape like this. It is better than not being able to use it at all.

Besides Ash's Aura, Infernape's ability to challenge opponents of higher levels relies on its super-powerful flames.

When facing a Gym Leader-level opponent, Ash's Aura alone is simply not enough to deal with that level of strength, so Infernape must quickly unleash its Mega Blaze.

Although it was only grazed by Flare Charge, Infernape's stamina was reduced to less than half, so it already had the basic conditions to activate Mega Blaze. The problem was that Infernape itself was a little scared.

On one hand, this is not practice, but real combat. If he goes berserk in real combat, he can't defeat an opponent of the level of a dojo leader just by acting rashly and irrationally.

On the other hand, Shinji was facing them. Infernape wanted to prove itself in front of Shinji, not to embarrass itself, so it was even more afraid of activating Infernape.

But when Ash's encouraging words rang out, Infernape felt that nothing else mattered. As long as it believed in Ash and believed in itself, it would show its greatest strength and leave no regrets.

He wanted to prove himself to Shinji—but that was only a secondary goal. His primary goal was to help Ash win this battle!
"Whoosh!!" Fierce flames swirled around Infernape, forming a vortex that enveloped it. The heat of this flame was only slightly less than that of Magmar's Flame Charge.

"So you finally used it? This is the capital you're so proud of for challenging opponents of higher levels, huh? Let me see just how far you can unleash this power." Facing the Super Blaze, Shinji's expression remained indifferent and calm. It was something that Ash would use this power, which was something that could have been expected long ago.

If it weren't for this power, Ash wouldn't have had the confidence to put Infernape on the final stage. However, Shinji still believes that even with this power, Infernape wouldn't be able to reach the current stage.

The future belongs to him, but not now...

"Mammoth, Flamethrower!" Shinji still started by using Flamethrower to test the waters. Blazing flames erupted from the two barrels of the Magmoth, engulfing the Infernape's figure.

At this moment, Infernape's eyes were still flashing with rage and struggle. Clearly, it had not yet been able to fully control this power. But the opponent's attack had already arrived. If it were hit by those two flame jets, Infernape's chance to activate Blaze would be completely wasted.

The purpose of activating Super Fire is to conserve more stamina to use this power. However, if you are hit by the opponent's attack because you activated this power, and your stamina is depleted even more, wouldn't that be putting the cart before the horse?
Just as Flamethrower was about to hit, the ferocity in Infernape's eyes finally disappeared, and at the same time, a sharp light flashed in his eyes—he saw through it!
Just like before, the two flames passed over Infernape's body, eventually colliding and exploding behind it.

This time, Shinji finally understood that this move was the same one Ash used against Bellsprout in the fourth match of the preliminaries.

This move is less of an elf's move and more of a martial art among humans. Its principle is to use minimal force to overcome great strength, and it is called Tai Chi.

Tai Chi emphasizes using the opponent's force against them. When one force attacks, you can use skillful force to deflect it. When two forces attack, you can directly deflect their trajectories, causing them to collide and neutralize each other.

This is why Infernape could not dodge those two attacks, but it still used Foresight. Only by using Foresight could it use that technique to avoid all the attacks.

Otherwise, at Infernape's current level, it simply wouldn't be able to dodge Flamethrower, and even if it could see through it, it wouldn't work. And if it used Protect, it would still be hit by Flamethrower.

When the gap in strength is too large, the so-called absolute defense is nothing but a joke.

Since the opponent uses softness to overcome hardness, then we'll add another layer of hardness, making it impossible for him to utilize the power of softness: "Duckbill Flame Beast, Flame Charge."

Magmortar's best move is actually a special attack move, and the reason Shinji keeps using Flare Blitz is to ensure that it hits Infernape accurately, just like before.

If Shinji uses Flamethrower and Flamethrower, it will only be evaded by Infernape's special techniques, giving it an opportunity to counterattack. Shinji doesn't intend to give Infernape that chance.

"Fire!!" The Magmar was once again enveloped in blazing red flames, and then its body shot out like an arrow. Burning with flames, it was like a giant meteorite, ready to crush the little rock that was Infernape!
"Infernape, use Flare Charge!" Ash's voice echoed across the arena, startling the surrounding spectators. Flare Charge? This move is essentially a super-weakened version of Flare Blitz. It's still a charge move, but its power is less than half. However, the advantage is that it has no side effects and can increase the user's speed.

On its own, the move itself seems fine, but since Magmar used Flare Blitz, Ash still chose to have Infernape use Flare Charge. What's the difference between that and suicide?
Even though the flames on Infernape's body looked very fierce, the level difference between the two was an insurmountable wall. Did Ash really think that Infernape could overcome such a huge level difference just by relying on the Blaze ability?
Two blazing red flames rapidly approached each other. Just before they were about to collide, Infernape dodged, lightly touching the ground and brushing past Magmar. Thanks to the Energy Flame Strike enveloping its body, Infernape was not burned by Flame Charge's flames.

This dodge caught the Magmamon off guard, but it quickly recovered and unleashed the power of Flame Charge, just like its first attack.

Shinji had Magmortar use Flare Charge so that it could accurately hit Infernape. No matter how good Infernape's agility was, it was impossible for it to dodge Magmortar's Flare Charge at such close range.

This is practically treating Flame Charge like a massive self-destruct.

The explosion of Flare Blitz spread outwards, but Infernape's speed was further enhanced by Flare Charge. In addition, Infernape was prepared and concentrated all its fire power behind it. Therefore, the explosion of Flare Blitz not only did not harm Infernape, but even sent it a greater distance away.

"Now! Flamethrower!" Ash had clearly anticipated this situation, and as he was blown away by the blast wave, his command followed immediately.

That's right. From the very beginning, he never intended for Infernape to go head-to-head with Magmortar. He certainly wouldn't do something so suicidal, even if Infernape activated Mega Infernape.

Therefore, Ash plans to win by speed. Mega Blaze can only increase Infernape's fire power. It does have some effect on boosting Infernape's own strength and speed, but the effect is relatively limited.

Compared to Ash's all-around enhanced Aura, it's still a bit lacking. Therefore, Ash plans to increase Infernape's Speed ​​so that it will have a chance to fight Magmortar.

Now, Infernape not only successfully avoided an attack from its opponent, but also gained a speed boost, and even turned around to breathe fire on its opponent, achieving three goals with one move!
Infernape puffed out its mouth and then suddenly spewed out a mouthful of scorching flames. The temperature of the flames was no lower than that of Magmar, but in terms of energy, it was still somewhat inferior to Magmar – a gap that even Mega Infernape could hardly close.

"Boom!!" The flames hit the Magmar solidly. Since the Magmar had just blasted away with Flame Charge, it had no protection and the damage from the flames was poured into it without reservation.

"Flamethrower." Despite being outmaneuvered by Infernape, Shinji remained unfazed and calmly continued to have Magmar use its moves. Magmar turned around and, while being hit by Infernape's Flamethrower, showed no sign of pain, aiming its twin pistols at Infernape.

"Stop the jet flames, use the charged flame attack!"

"A terrifying face." As Shinji finished speaking, the expression on Magmortar's face became extremely frightening, and a strange energy emanated from it. Infernape, which was using Charged Flame Attack, met Magmortar's gaze and stopped in its tracks.

Scary Face is a skill that can significantly reduce the opponent's speed. Moreover, when facing Scary Face, the opponent will be momentarily stunned by fear, just like Infernape now.

The Magmar seized the opportunity, aimed its twin pistols at Infernape, and unleashed two jets of fire that struck Infernape's face!
By the time Infernape came to its senses, Flamethrower was already in front of it.

"Boom!!" The blazing flames engulfed the Infernape, and the dazzling firelight shone on Ash and Paul's faces. The latter remained expressionless, while Ash's expression was solemn with a hint of pain.

As the flames gradually dissipated, the Fire Monkey reappeared before everyone, looking even more miserable than before. Not a single part of his body was intact; his entire body was covered in black soot.

Despite being a fire-type Pokémon, it was injured to this extent by the flames, which shows how fierce the opponent's flames were.

The good news is that Infernape has not lost its ability to battle yet. The bad news is that, judging from Infernape's current condition, it probably doesn't even have the strength to lift its arm. Being able to stand up is already its limit.

"A butterfly cannot fly across the ocean, so who can blame it? Infernape has been able to stand here until now, and its performance is enough to make the audience cheer and applaud for it. But unfortunately, this is Infernape's limit!" The host's impassioned voice rang out, and his words had already determined Infernape's fate.

He is a professional host who has hosted countless matches. Under these circumstances, there is absolutely no chance for Infernape to turn the tide. Based on his professionalism, the verdict can be reached now.

With his stamina waning and a skill level two levels below his opponent, there seemed to be no way for him to turn the tide, even if his trainer was Ash, a legend.

"Give him the final blow." Shinji's eyes narrowed slightly, a certain emotion seemingly flickering within them, but he still decisively commanded Magmortar to deliver the final blow to Infernape.

"Infernape, turn the flames into power, make that flame your own!!" When everyone was in despair over Infernape's situation, Ash had no intention of giving up, and his voice remained as passionate as ever.

His words left everyone baffled. What did he mean by turning flames into power? Did Infernape not yet unleash its full potential?
The next second, the previously dormant Infernape suddenly raised its head, its eyes seemingly burning with raging flames. At the same time, wisps of fire began to flicker on its body, eventually transforming into a towering blaze that engulfed the entire arena!

The dazzling red light blinded everyone, and Shinji's brows furrowed tightly. Infernape actually possessed such power? Was his power inexhaustible?

As the flames subsided, a figure completely different from Infernape stood on the field. It was a completely new form of Infernape, no, it should now be called—Infernape!

(End of this chapter)