Pokémon Center of Ironvale City's Pokémon University.
After finishing the battle, Alex Baxter immediately took Charizard to be treated.
"Relax, Charizard will be fine," said Ethan Black, handing a cup of coffee to Alex Baxter while looking toward the treatment room with a complicated expression.
It was evident that when Charizard evolved, it had learned the move Outrage, and that was why the scene in the battlefield had unfolded like that.
However, although that move was powerful, it also caused heavy strain on the Pokémon. All the more considering that Charizard had just evolved and wasn't ready to endure the side effects.
"Sigh... Charmeleon is too stubborn," said Alex Baxter painfully, clutching his hair.
"It hadn't been long since he evolved from Charmander, and now he forced himself to evolve again and on top of that use the move Outrage! I'm afraid his body won't be able to handle it."
"Actually, I had already noticed something was off with him. During these battles, he has been bottling up an inner rage... I should've paid more attention!"
"Don't worry. If Charizard managed to learn the move Outrage, it means dragon blood runs through his veins. His body is much stronger than we think. He'll be fine," Ethan Black sat down beside him, trying to comfort him.
At the same time, his gaze flashed with a faint memory: that scene of Charmeleon forcing himself to evolve mid-battle reminded him of Ash's Charizard in the anime.
Ding ding ding!
At that moment, the bell rang to indicate the treatment was over. Seeing the emergency room light switch from red to green, both Alex Baxter and Ethan Black sighed in relief and hurried over.
"Doctor, how's my Charizard?"
Alex Baxter rushed ahead, nervously asking the doctor.
"Charizard is no longer in danger," the doctor replied as he removed his mask. "But his body wasn't ready to evolve. Forcing the change caused him great harm."
"So for a while, he must focus only on recovery. No training or intense battles," he warned seriously.
Both of them nodded firmly, finally relieved.
...
"So we're the champions?" shouted Alex Baxter exaggeratedly in his dorm.
"That's right! Thanks to Charizard, my Sandshrew and I won without lifting a finger," replied Ethan Black with a shrug, as he told him everything that had happened after his withdrawal from the match.
"What a shame! I missed the best part... just when we were about to shine!" Alex Baxter pouted, but soon opened the school forum and smiled when he saw that everyone was talking about Charizard.
This time, both he and Charizard had gained fame—though at a steep price.
"Well, it's time to divide the spoils," said Ethan Black, rolling his eyes. He carefully took out a small cloth box and opened it: inside were two stones, the prizes of the Sun and Moon New Challengers Tournament.
"I feel the Sun Stone suits you more... so I'll take the Moon Stone," said Ethan Black with a bright gleam in his eyes.
"The Moon Stone?" Alex Baxter raised an eyebrow. "Even if there isn't much information about evolutionary stones online, I know exactly what it's for."
"The Moon Stone is a rare item that allows Nidorina and Nidorino to evolve! Meanwhile, the Sun Stone only works on a few Grass-type Pokémon..."
He shot him a don't underestimate me look, clearly annoyed by the attempt to trick him.
"Huh? Really? I'm just a commoner! I don't know anything about these things... hahaha!" Ethan Black laughed nervously.
Alex Baxter stared at him, then sighed.
"Fine, keep the Moon Stone. Your Sandshrew already masters the move Sandstorm. Having a Ground-type Nidoqueen or Nidoking will be more useful for your team."
"And take this Sun Stone too. Consider it repayment for that time you helped me with your research work."
Ethan Black was stunned, and immediately gestured to refuse.
"The Moon Stone is enough. You should keep the Sun Stone. You know well that an evolutionary stone isn't cheap!"
"Do I look like someone who needs money? If I tell you to take it, you take it," Alex Baxter replied disdainfully.
Ethan Black hesitated for a moment, but then suddenly seemed to recall something.
"Alright, I'll keep it. But I just so happen to have something I need to discuss with you," he said seriously.
"What is it?" asked Alex Baxter with curiosity.
Ethan Black fell silent for a few seconds, organized his thoughts, and began explaining his discovery about the method of evaluating the power of the move Gyro Ball.
(End of chapter)