Elf: No, it's because he was made the gym leader!

Why are this person's clothes fireproof?

???

Makes sense!

I want to know too!

Ash hugged Infernape and cried out at the top of his lungs, "Infernape, remember! Remember our promise, the promise to get stronger together!"

"Ouch!!"

"Infernape, you can't let the power of fire consume you. I believe you can do it, you can overcome this power!"

"Let's get stronger together!"

"Ouch!!"

The flames continued to burn, thrilling the spectators in the stands—what a moving bond!

Will you overcome the scorching flames to keep your promise to the spirit?

This is the true spirit of a fighter!

However, not everyone thinks so, including Lu Yuan and Gastly.

Gastly scratched its head, puzzled, and asked, "What are they saying in their gibberish? Are they still fighting?"

Fighting is definitely not a big deal now, considering there are so many people watching.

"Is this all the power you have? Don't disappoint me again..."

"Little Chimchar, you must let go of the past and seize the present; you must live for the days to come, meow..."

"Let's go together, little fire monkey..."

Infernape's eyes seemed to flash back to all the past events: Shinji's mockery, the promise with Meowth, and Ash's outstretched hand in the darkness.

Gradually, gradually its eyes regained their light.

"Infernape, you're back to normal!" Ash exclaimed with delight.

"Awoo!" Infernape responded.

"Alright, in that case, let Master Lu Yuan have a good look at you now that you've become stronger!"

"Ouch!!"

The fiery monkey roared to the sky, and the flames soared into the heavens once more.

Second stage of intense fire, open!

Chapter 118 Burning, Burned Out

"Beep~ Infernape, Fire-type, Fighting-type, Naughty Pokémon"

Feature: Fire

Techniques: Sonic Punch, Grab, Glare, Spark, Taunt, Wild Grab, Flame Wheel, Feint, Taunt, Flame Vortex

Inheritance: Focus, Flame Fist, Lightning Fist

Description: It intimidates attacking enemies by elongating its fiery tail to appear larger.

Looking at the description of Infernape in the Pokédex, the young fighter in the audience glanced at the Infernape next to him.

???

As if unable to understand, it asked its own spirit, "Are you two the same species?"

"Look at them, they can even activate the second stage of Fierce Fire, while you can't even activate Fierce Fire."

Infernape: ? ? ?

No, why don't you go and see what other trainers are like? They only got minor scratches from withstanding the flames.

Are you human?

The young fighter's Infernape picked its nose.

Inside the arena, Ash's Infernape continued to burn, unleashing intense heat that seemed to envelop the entire arena.

"Why is Infernape constantly losing stamina?" Dawn asked from the audience.

Bogaman, dressed in a cheerleader outfit, looked worried.

"The more you push your physical limits, the more you can unleash Infernape's power," Brock explained from the side.

"In terms of physical strength, isn't it a race against time, where the winner has to be decided in one go?" Xiao Guang asked worriedly.

If Lu Yuan keeps using Protect and Substitute, wouldn't he be able to wear down Infernape until it dies?

Ash smiled as he watched Infernape, whose stamina was about to run out.

"Go, Infernape, use Flame Wheel!"

"Ouch!!!"

Infernape's body blazed with intense flames, the unparalleled heat blinding Gastly.

"Swoosh (* /ω＼*)"

Stop burning it! Stop burning it! If you keep burning it, you'll really be exorcised!

Gastly looked utterly dejected.

"What are you afraid of? Have you forgotten what I taught you last night?" At this moment, Lu Yuan's voice came from behind.

"Scratching?"

Yes.

To prevent Xiao Zhi from suddenly "cheating," Lu Yuan had already prepared countermeasures last night.

Lu Yuan's lips curled into a slight smile as he said, "Ghost, switch abilities!"

Ability Swap: A Psychic-type status move that uses psychic powers to swap abilities between the user and the opponent.

That is to say...

"Swoosh!"

Gastly let out a joyful cry, as if an invisible chain was connecting it to Infernape.

In an instant, their characteristics were swapped.

The raging flames around Infernape diminished at a visible rate until they went out.

Then, Infernape floated up as if it were weightless.

Infernape: ? ? ?

Gastly grinned, feeling the heat coursing through its body.

interesting.

"What are you standing there for? Attack now! Use Shadow Fist!" Lu Yuan shouted anxiously.

Instead of striking while the iron is hot, you're just standing there grinning like an idiot. The villains in TV dramas are all as pathetic as you!

"Swoosh!"

Haunter nodded emphatically, clenching its fists, gathering Ghost-type energy within them.

Swah——

Gastly swung its fist, aiming at Infernape, which was floating in the air and had not yet regained control of its body.

"Ouch!"

The Infernape cried out in pain and fell heavily to the ground...

Silence, dead silence.

The fiery monkey that had just been burning is gone just like that?

The crowd was unable to accept this fact for a while.

This feeling is like you've already taken your pants off, only to find that... it's already over.

I don't know who was the first to stand up and shout, "Infernape, you have to win!"

Influenced by that person, the fighters in the audience also stood up, shouting with great enthusiasm.

"Infernape, I know your limit isn't here, stand up!"

"It's just a minor fatal wound, you can definitely overcome it, right? Get up now!"

"I know you can still fight, don't let me down! Stand up and turn the tide!"

"stand up!"

"stand up!"

"..."