"A battle?" Zhang took a deep breath. He touched his chest; for some reason, his heart was pounding. A fervent, belligerent energy surged through him, a fanaticism born from the desire for victory.
"Am I this eager for a fight?" The corners of his mouth lifted as he thought back to his former self.
Why did he love playing Monster Hunter and Pokémon? Because in those games, he wasn't just an ordinary student. He was a world-saving hunter, a celebrated Champion. He could take up his sword and face down terrifying monsters. He could command his Pokémon to defeat one powerful foe after another, climbing his way to the top.
He still remembered the fear he felt when he first encountered Magnamalo. It was too big, its damage too high. The sense of pressure was immense. But when he finally defeated it, he was filled with a profound sense of accomplishment. He felt like he was no longer an ordinary teenager, but a hero.
"I love to win," he realized. "I enjoy the process, the joy that comes after defeating a strong opponent. I remember being that spirited, even if it was just in a game. My heart was free then. When did I forget that? I guess the heavy schoolwork buried it, until I couldn't even play games anymore. But that's the real me."
As he continued to reflect, the weary, jaded aura that had clung to him for years began to melt away like ice in the sun. The moment it vanished, he felt sharp, like a newly unsheathed sword.
Is this what they call an epiphany in those cultivation novels? he wondered, a smile spreading across his face.
"Then let's do it!" he said, his voice filled with an excited, fanatical energy as he looked at Cynthia. Whether it was an epiphany or something else, he didn't care. All he wanted now was victory. Victory over the future Champion.
Seeing this sudden, intense change in him, Cynthia involuntarily took half a step back. The Zhang from a moment ago had been ordinary, a bit youthful but also strangely world-weary. Now, he was sharp, aggressive, radiating an aura of invincibility and a pure, unadulterated love for battle.
"Alright, then let's begin." A surging fighting spirit rose in her own heart. This was not the mature, gentle Champion of the future. This was a young Cynthia, filled with the aggressiveness and competitive fire of youth.
They made their way to the battlefield in the center of the square. Pokémon battles were so popular in this world that even the area outside the airport had a dedicated field. Using it wasn't cheap, costing several thousand yuan per match, but it was understandable. Battles could easily damage the grounds, and repairs, even with the help of Pokémon, cost money.
"Are you two battling? If you need a referee, I can be yours," a girl with tanned skin and a smart, martial artist's uniform called out as she walked over from the crowd.
Bea, Zhang recognized her. She was the Fighting-type Gym Leader from the Pokémon Sword and Shieldgames.
"Thanks, we'd appreciate that," he said.
"Yes, thank you for your trouble," Cynthia nodded.
"You two both seem like skilled trainers, so I'll skip the rules and start the countdown," Bea said. "10, 9, 8..."
"Someone's fighting!"
"They're so young. Are they this year's new traveling trainers?"
"One's a foreigner. That's rare."
A small crowd of onlookers gathered around the field, eager to watch the free Pokémon battle.
"0!"
The moment Bea's countdown finished, Zhang and Cynthia threw their Poké Balls in unison.
"Come out, Great Izuchi!"
"Garchomp! It's up to you!"
Red light flared, and two Pokémon appeared. Their emergence caused a ripple of gasps through the crowd.
"A pseudo-legendary!"
"It's really a pseudo-legendary!"
"What a huge Pokémon! What is that? I've never seen one before."
"And what a murderous aura! It looks so vicious!"
"Such a large Pokémon, such a heavy scent of blood, such a wild temperament," Bea thought, her eyes wide with shock. The Great Izuchi, born of the hunt, radiated a brutal, dangerous energy that was completely at odds with the typical style of a Pokémon.
A Pokémon I've never seen before, and it's huge. He's no ordinary trainer, Cynthia thought, her gaze fixed on the 3.8-meter-tall creature that was as tall as a one-story house.
"ROAR!" The Great Izuchi let out a deafening roar, its blood-red eyes locking onto the Garchomp. It was a masterpiece of nature, a dangerous predator, brutal and untamed.
"GRAWR!" Garchomp roared back, not to be outdone, but compared to the Great Izuchi, it seemed like a well-behaved child. It had a powerful presence, but it lacked the raw, dangerous ferocity of its opponent. It was like the difference between a zoo tiger and a wild one.
Garchomp
Type: Dragon/Ground
Level: 49 (Gym Leader Tier)
Ability: Sand Veil (+20% reaction power in a sandstorm. In-game effect is +20% evasion, and immunity to sandstorm damage.)
Held Item: Dragon Fang (+20% power to Dragon-type moves)
"Agility!" Without a verbal command, the Great Izuchi used the move as it charged.
At the same time, Garchomp used Sandstorm. A terrifying vortex of yellow sand rose, engulfing the entire field.
"Great Izuchi, Garchomp is weak to Dragon-type moves. Try to use them," Zhang called out. His verbal command came a moment after the Pokémon had already acted.
Almost simultaneously, Cynthia gave her own order. "Garchomp, the opposing Pokémon is likely a Dragon-type. Try to use Dragon-type moves!"
"Roar!" The Great Izuchi charged through the swirling sand, its speed now doubled from Agility. In reality, the sharp stones whipped up by a Sandstorm could cause continuous damage. A Pokémon with high enough defense could withstand it, but it was a constant assault.
So fast. That Pokémon's base Speed must be at least 120, and it must be holding a Light Ball, otherwise it couldn't be this quick, Cynthia analyzed.
(Light Ball: Halves the weight of the Pokémon holding it.)
Seeing the Great Izuchi charge, Garchomp leaped into the sky. Its wings might look small and decorative, but a Garchomp could indeed fly.