Chapter 158: Charizard vs. Tauros
The low-level tournament battles continued, one blurring into the next. Xiu found his attention drifting away from the predictable, simplistic clashes on the field. He started observing the audience instead, finding their reactions far more compelling.
'Fascinating,' he noted internally. Social class, wealth, age, gender – none of it seems to matter in this context. They're all swept up in the same collective fervor, shouting, cheering— venting with raw emotion. It was an almost primal display, far more intricate and revealing than the clumsy Pokémon battles below. The theatre of life is often more interesting than the stage itself.
The commentator's voice, which had been maintaining a baseline level of manufactured excitement, suddenly spiked several octaves, cracking with forced intensity like a distorted trumpet call.
"And now, the moment you've all been waiting for! Entering the arena... the one, the only... KIBA!"
The reaction was instantaneous and deafening. The ambient roar of the crowd surged into an explosive wave of sound, a physical force that washed over the arena. Xiu flinched involuntarily, momentarily stunned by the sheer volume. People leaped to their feet, unfurling banners emblazoned with Kiba's name and image, screaming his name with manic intensity.
Xiu frowned, observing the near-hysteria with detached bemusement. 'This is... crazy.'
Amidst the pandemonium, the blond-haired trainer Xiu recognized from the square strode onto the battlefield, basking in the adoration. His opponent, a nondescript young man who looked utterly overwhelmed, entered from the opposite side, barely noticed by the Kiba-fixated crowd. 'Like an ant facing a giant,' Xiu thought dryly. He shook his head slightly, his expression returning to its usual impassive mask.
The match setup began. Kiba, playing to the crowd, struck a dramatic pose, holding his Poké Ball aloft. The fans responded with another wave of deafening cheers. A practiced, perfect smile fixed on Kiba's face, he dramatically threw the Poké Ball with a flourish.
"Go! My magnificent Charizard!"
A flash of red light, and a powerful Charizard materialized mid-air, its leathery wings beating strongly, creating downdrafts that ruffled the hair of those nearby. It tilted its head back, unleashed a tremendous roar, and punctuated it by blasting a head-sized fireball high into the air, where it exploded with a concussive boom that temporarily drowned out even the crowd's noise.
The commentator seized the moment, launching into a breathless, hyperbolic recounting of Kiba's supposed achievements – championships from minor leagues Xiu had never heard of, various meaningless titles, all delivered with maximum hype. The only credential Xiu noted with any interest was a reported Top 16 finish in a previous official League Conference tournament.
Meanwhile, almost as an afterthought, the opponent released his Pokémon. Xiu spared it a quick glance – a Tauros – before his attention snapped back to Kiba's Charizard.
'Now, this is interesting.' Setting aside the trainer's theatrics, the Pokémon itself was impressive. Xiu's eye critically assessed the Charizard. It was well-muscled, radiating power and vitality. Its scales had a healthy sheen, its claws and teeth looked sharp and well-maintained. Faint scars, barely visible, hinted at significant battle experience. The flame on its tail burned fiercely, large and bright – a clear indicator of peak physical condition and high energy levels.
This Kiba clearly knows how to raise a Charizard, or pays someone who does. It explained some of the hype; a powerful, well-raised Charizard was always a crowd-pleaser.
The Charizard landed heavily on the field, its sharp eyes immediately locking onto the Tauros across the battlefield. Compared to the imposing draconic figure, the Tauros looked… tame.
Stocky and powerful, yes – bulging muscles were evident beneath its hide – but lacking the Charizard's raw presence. Its three whip-like tails lashed restlessly, and thick fur protected its neck. Its sharp, metallic-looking horns gleamed under the arena lights, and bony protrusions on its forehead suggested devastating charging power. It pawed aggressively at the ground, its iron-shod hooves digging into the dirt, showing no fear despite the intimidating opponent, only a primal eagerness for combat.
"Battle begin!" the referee signaled.
"Charizard, Flamethrower!" Kiba commanded immediately, pointing dramatically.
The Charizard inhaled deeply and unleashed a torrent of fire. The initial stream erupted from its maw, rapidly expanding into a roaring column of flame, thick as a water barrel, surging towards the Tauros.
"Dodge it! Horn Attack, close the distance!" the opposing trainer yelled.
The Tauros, already coiled like a spring, lowered its head, sharp horns aimed forward, and exploded into motion. Its acceleration was startling, like a high-performance engine kicking into gear, transforming it into a brown blur, a living battering ram. It veered sharply, the pillar of fire scorching the ground where it had stood moments before, leaving behind a blackened, smoking patch.
The Tauros thundered across the field, closing the distance rapidly. But the Charizard remained airborne, watching the charge with almost casual indifference. Just as the Tauros reached striking distance, the Charizard beat its powerful wings, easily ascending out of reach of the Horn Attack.
A cheer went up from the crowd, appreciating the effortless evasion.
The Tauros skidded to a halt near the boundary line, kicking up dust, preparing to wheel around for another pass. But it never got the chance. The Charizard, instead of maintaining altitude, folded its wings and dove sharply. Its claws flashed, raking across the Tauros's back as it swooped past. Then, in a stunning display of aerial agility and strength, it hooked its claws under the Tauros, lifted the heavy bovine Pokémon momentarily off the ground, spun, and slammed it back down onto the field with brutal force.
Thump!
The impact resonated through the arena. The Tauros groaned, clearly stunned, but struggled gamely back to its feet, shaking its head. Deep, bloody gouges were visible on its back where the Charizard's claws had torn through hide and muscle. Dirt and blood mingled on its coat.
The sight of blood seemed to ignite the crowd further, their cheers becoming more frenzied, almost feral. The Tauros, perhaps fueled by pain and the electric atmosphere, seemed to enter a rage state. Its eyes turned bloodshot, its breath came in ragged snorts, and it began pawing the ground with even greater ferocity, ignoring the bleeding wounds on its back.
It charged again, faster, more ferociously than before, the ground seeming to tremble under its pounding hooves.
And again, the Charizard simply ascended, effortlessly evading the predictable, ground-based assault.
Xiu watched the exchange, his initial flicker of interest fading into resigned certainty. 'This is completely one-sided.' The Tauros has no way to effectively engage the Charizard in the air. Kiba is just playing with his opponent now, drawing it out for the crowd.
The spectacle continued, but the outcome felt predetermined.