The bright lights illuminated the stadium of the Pokémon University of Duskwell City.
Even though it was already nighttime, the place was still bustling with noise.
Especially because the exchange competitions were still being held, so it was common to see students from other universities going back and forth everywhere.
On Ethan's head rested a Shuckle like a helmet, in his arms he carried a Charmander, and in his hand he held a Vibrava-shaped balloon. It was his usual time to take his Pokémon out for some fresh air.
Due to the restrictions of the exchange tournament, he could only release six Pokémon at once, so the other three hadn't been able to come out for days. This was, therefore, their "compensation time."
"Chaarrr, Chaarrr!" Charmander had its arms crossed and turned its head away, clearly expressing, "I'm very upset!"
"All right, all right..." Ethan raised his hands, smiling helplessly. "I promise I won't do it again. But today was a special case, we had to compete, right?"
The boy apologized quickly, assuring it wouldn't happen again.
But instead of calming down, the little Charmander got even angrier. It grabbed its own tail and began spinning it like a pinwheel.
"Anyone else who wants to challenge me?" At that moment, a firm voice echoed from one of the free-battle areas of the stadium.
Ethan looked over and saw a student calmly counting money, gazing indifferently at the others.
In front of him he had placed a sign that read "10,000 Pokédollars per match." He had set up his own improvised ring!
"That visiting student is way too arrogant. Someone from our school should teach him a lesson!" indignant murmurs spread among those present.
Apparently, he was a student from another university who had come looking for a fight.
"Chaarrr, Chaarrr!" Just as Ethan shook his head, ready to leave, Charmander jumped eagerly from his arms and ran straight onto the battlefield.
"Huh? Charmander?" The young man on the other side frowned. "Whose Pokémon is this? Does someone want to challenge me using a Charmander?"
"Sorry, that Charmander is mine." Ethan was forced to walk over and pick him up, trying to pull him away.
"Chaarr!" Charmander began struggling forcefully, refusing to leave.
"I see..." Ethan looked at him silently for a few seconds and nodded slowly. "So you want to fight, huh?"
Perhaps he was angry about what he'd said earlier. In truth, his little Charmander wasn't quite ready for serious battles yet.
"First of all, let me introduce myself. My name is Arthur," the rival student said as he put the money away in his backpack. "You know the rules, right? If there's no problem, we can start."
"No problem," Ethan replied with determination.
If his Charmander wanted to battle, as his trainer, he had to support him. Besides, it was time for the little one to start formal training. This fight would be a good chance to measure his current strength.
"Charmander, huh?" Arthur observed him for a moment and added, "Your Pokémon seems to be in the juvenile stage, so I won't take advantage. I'll use one of similar level."
He opened his Poké Ball, and a young Rhyhorn appeared on the field.
"Rhyhorn?" Ethan murmured, immediately recalling the one that belonged to Professor Harris. In his backpack he still kept the Protector item, almost forgotten, which he'd gotten for that Rhyhorn.
For a while he had thought about catching one, but the mother Rhydon was too protective. Even his Slowking couldn't beat her.
Still, with his team's recent progress, he felt the rematch was getting close.
"Hey! Rhyhorn has a type advantage over Charmander!" someone in the crowd shouted.
"And he says he won't take advantage! Then use something that's not Rock-type!" protested another.
The students of Duskwell City's Pokémon University, seeing Ethan facing the insolent visiting student, immediately sided with him.
"Sorry, all my Pokémon are Rock-type," Arthur replied seriously, unfazed by the comments.
"It's fine," Ethan answered with a smile. "I hope it'll be an interesting match."
He took the Shuckle off his head, tied the Vibrava balloon string around himself, and adjusted it so it wouldn't float away.
"Chaarrr!" Charmander stared forward, eyes blazing with excitement.
"How dare you underestimate me?" the little Charmander thought. "This will be my battle of redemption! I'm going all out!"
"Let's begin. Be careful," Arthur announced, pointing at his Rhyhorn, which started running at full speed.
"Rhyh!"
Even though it was still young, the Pokémon's weight and strength made the ground shake with every step.
"Chaarrr!" Without waiting for orders, Charmander stomped the ground and charged straight toward his opponent, surrounded by blazing flames. It was Flare Blitz, a powerful Fire-type move!
Boom!
The two bodies collided with a deafening impact.
Despite the difference in size, the power of Flare Blitz allowed Charmander to withstand the hit, leaving both in a brief stalemate.
"Rhyyyhh!"
The flames enveloping the little Pokémon scorched Rhyhorn's rocky skin, making it let out a pained groan as it staggered backward.
"Incredible! He managed to push back Rhyhorn in a direct clash!"
"What strength!"
"That was Flare Blitz!"
"If he inherited it genetically, this Charmander has amazing talent!" several spectators exclaimed, stunned.
"Chaarrr!" Seeing his opponent recoil, Charmander roared excitedly. His body began to glow faintly red, releasing a wave of heat that made the surrounding air grow hotter.
Boom!
He suddenly opened his mouth and unleashed an intense stream of flames straight at Rhyhorn.
The attack engulfed it completely; it had no time to dodge. A second later, black smoke began rising from the field.
When the flames finally faded, Rhyhorn was lying on the ground, completely charred and unable to stand.
It had lost the ability to battle.
(End of chapter)