Chapter 333: The Farmer's Three Punches
While helping his teammates adjust their mentalities and styles, Arthur never neglected his own Pokémon's training.
Every evening, before sunset, he would take Old Flame's daughter to her classes.
He could handle teaching her combat techniques himself, but learning new moves was much more efficient with an instructor and supplementary tools.
The advancements of modern technology did have their merits in some areas.
Two months after arriving at the Starlight and Frost team, Old Flame's daughter finally learned the move she had always longed for: Rock Slide.
From now on, she too would have a brokenly powerful move for her clan's civil wars.
But besides being useful against other Fire/Flying Charizard, the Rock-type Rock Slide's utility in competitive play was just so-so.
It was mainly to fulfill Old Flame's daughter's own wish and to broaden her move pool.
But after that, it was time for Arthur to start planning for the long term.
That evening, Old Flame took the initiative to find Arthur.
"Don't you need to spend time with your wife tonight?" Arthur teased with a smile.
To outsiders, this Charizard was a new Pokémon he had just captured. Old Flame hadn't even made his debut in a match yet.
But in reality, this man and this dragon had been side-by-side for many years. Their relationship was like that of old, inseparable comrades-in-arms.
Old Flame just shook his wings at Arthur's teasing, completely unbothered.
"She's recovering very well. She's very happy every day now," Old Flame replied through their mental link.
"That's good."
"I mainly came to talk about my daughter. I want you to keep her with you for a while longer."
Although Old Flame had been a bit of a failure at raising his child in the past, he still cared deeply for his daughter. He had noticed Arthur's recent planning of her training.
But Arthur had a different opinion on the matter.
"I think we should respect her own wishes. Hasn't she always wanted to go back to the valley and be the clan leader? You don't have to worry about my combat strength. This era has been peaceful for many years. I'll be fine with one less Pokémon."
After being promoted to a main singles player, Arthur did need to expand his roster, but he still didn't like the idea of Old Flame forcing his own daughter's will just to help him.
Don't be fooled by how harshly Arthur had been treating Old Flame's daughter lately—that little delinquent needed to be disciplined! In truth, Arthur cared a lot for his old comrade's offspring.
He could slowly build up his own strength. There was no need to forcibly keep his old friend's daughter.
However, to his surprise, Old Flame actually smiled at his words.
"Don't worry about that. She, ah, she wouldn't be a good leader."
"What do you mean?"
"That girl… she wanted to be the leader, firstly, to lead the clan to get revenge for her mother. And secondly, well, she just enjoys the thrill of having all the other dragons bow down to her. In reality, with her personality, she wouldn't be a good leader for the clan. Back when she was getting beaten up, I secretly went to find the new leader in the valley. That dragon had the same thought as me. That's why he never went easy on her."
This was a path Arthur had never considered.
So there was another layer to this story. No wonder Julian's Charizard had been so blunt.
Old Flame then sighed and continued his mental conversation.
"So, keep her with you. Let her enjoy the cheers and applause of victory more. It would be best if you took her to the post-match interviews after a win. Over time, she'll naturally grow to like the arena. That way, when her mother and I go back to the valley, we can live a more peaceful life."
"..."
At first, Arthur had been moved by the depth of Old Flame's love for his daughter, thinking how well he understood her personality. But after hearing the last sentence, Arthur was speechless.
"Why do I feel like you're just dumping a burden on me? Are you worried she'll go back and turn the valley upside down?"
"Ahem."
For a rare moment, Old Flame let out an awkward cough, his tail guiltily shifting to the other side.
"I can still handle her now. But in another two years, when she's stronger and I'm older, if she goes back to the valley then, I might really not be able to control her."
Arthur squinted at Old Flame.
So you also know that your daughter will cause trouble if she's not controlled, and you're just dumping her on me?
Old Flame's tail twitched even more guiltily. "I believe you can teach her well. After all, you're my trainer."
Fiiiiine…
Arthur nodded, accepting his old comrade's parenting request.
"Alright, then. I'll try my best to guide her."
Only then did Old Flame unfurl his wings again, the flame on his tail flaring up.
Seeing this, Arthur grew even more suspicious that Old Flame was tricking him, but he had no proof…
In the following days, Arthur became even more dedicated to guiding Old Flame's daughter, and he began to think about a more long-term training plan.
Previously, he hadn't thought too much about it, assuming she might return to the valley at any time. But now, he needed to fill in that part of the plan.
On this day, after another class, Arthur asked her.
"Are you interested in Mega Evolution?"
Old Flame's daughter answered with frank honesty.
"Of course! That power is so cool!"
A very delinquent-like answer, indeed.
Then Arthur asked, "So do you prefer your dad's Mega form, or your mom's?"
This question was, in fact, asking about her preferred fighting style.
The Charizard species doesn't have a fixed combat style. They have strong bodies and sharp claws and fangs, giving them an advantage in close combat.
But at the same time, their speed and affinity for energy are not bad either. In the professional circuit, there are also Charizard who choose a long-range, caster-like fighting style.
And among Fire-type moves, energy-based attacks are more common than physical ones.
These two combat styles correspond to the two different evolution forms, X and Y.
Charizard X, with its Tough Claws ability, is better at physical combat, while Charizard Y, with its higher energy affinity, excels at long-range damage.
Old Flame's daughter thought about this question for a long time.
Finally, she answered with a conflicted expression, "I… I like Mom's more. Mom's evolved form is beautiful. But…"
Alright, hearing that "but," Arthur already understood.
"Then starting tomorrow, we'll learn Thunder Punch."
Old Flame's daughter already knew the Fire-type Fire Punch. The next step was to consider the second of the Farmer's Three Punches.
"Hey! I just said Mom's form is more beautiful! Mom doesn't punch!" Old Flame's daughter said angrily.
But Arthur just gave a perfunctory nod.
"Yes, yes. But your dad's punches have a lot of form."
"I don't like him! That guy, he's clearly strong, but he was always so timid before! He wouldn't help me fight for the leadership. I hate him!"
Arthur just smiled.
"Then do you like Dragon Claw and Fire Punch?"
Old Flame's daughter became even more conflicted.
"…I don't particularly like them. Just… I don't dislike them. Just… okay, I like them a little bit. Just a little."
"Got it. Tomorrow we'll start learning Thunder Punch."
"Hey! You annoying human, are you even listening to a dragon speak?! I clearly said—"
"So are you going to learn it or not?"
"I… I'll learn it!"
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