Tem's bellow was still echoing when he jabbed a finger toward the younger Rocket operatives.
"Takashi! Heihua! Teach them a lesson—they're not leaving here in one piece!"
The two moved instantly, years of drilled obedience snapping them into motion. Houndoom and Arbok surged forward with a chorus of snarls, cutting off Ethan and Charmander from both Lena and the Poké Ball.
Ethan's eyes narrowed, his system interface flickering across his vision:
Pokémon: Houndoom — Level 24 (Qualification: Normal)
Moves: Ember (26%), Bite (18%), Smog (15%), Leer (24%)
Pokémon: Arbok — Level 22 (Qualification: Normal)
Moves: Wrap (23%), Poison Sting (18%), Glare (17%), Acid (15%)
Both were above Charmander in level, but their proficiency numbers told the real story—they weren't trained to perfection. A clean strategy could close that gap.
"Charmander—Smokescreen!"
"Rua~!" Charmander spun, spewing a thick black cloud that rolled between them and the advancing Pokémon.
"Don't let them stall—Houndoom, Ember!" Takashi barked.
The fire cut through the smoke, a sizzling orange bolt streaking toward Charmander's silhouette.
"Dragon Breath, now!" Ethan countered.
From the haze came a jet of scorching black energy, intercepting the Ember mid-air. The collision erupted in a blast of heat and sparks, scattering the smoke enough for Arbok to burst through.
"Wrap it!" Heihua ordered sharply.
The serpent lunged, coils whipping forward—
"Scratch and pivot!" Ethan snapped.
Charmander's claws flashed, slashing across Arbok's head. The force of the blow halted the Wrap long enough for him to roll aside, tail flame flaring.
Off to the side, Lena was edging toward the fallen Poké Ball. Tem's Golbat swooped low, hissing, its Confuse Ray flashing like strobe lights.
"Not today," Fuji growled. Without hesitation, he hurled a Poké Ball from his coat.
"Hypno—Barrier!"
A flash of light, and a Hypno appeared, instantly raising a shimmering psychic wall that blocked Golbat's dive.
Tem's eyes went flat. "You're interfering, old man? Then you can watch me crush your little friends."
Back in the main fight, Ethan's gaze tracked Houndoom. "Charmander—Smokescreen again, then close on Arbok!"
"Rua!" Another cloud billowed, covering their advance. From within, Ethan's voice rang out—
"Ember, point-blank!"
The sudden flare lit Arbok's scales, drawing a screech of pain. But Takashi wasn't idle.
"Houndoom—Bite!"
The dark canine lunged through the smoke, jaws closing around Charmander's tail flame. The Shiny roared in pain.
"Smokescreen—straight in its face!" Ethan barked.
With a cough, Houndoom staggered back, blinded. Ethan seized the moment.
"Dragon Breath on Houndoom—now!"
The jet-black blast slammed into the dog's chest, sending it skidding across the grass. Its trainer cursed.
Meanwhile, Lena finally dove for the Poké Ball. Her fingers brushed it—
A blur of wings. Golbat was back, slamming her aside with a Wing Attack. The Poké Ball rolled across the dirt.
Ethan's eyes snapped to it.
"Charmander—cover Lena! Smokescreen on Golbat!"
The little dragon bolted, trailing smoke. Golbat shrieked, banking hard to avoid the choking cloud.
"Good—now grab it!" Ethan called.
Charmander scooped the ball into his claws, sprinting back to Ethan. As soon as it touched his palm, the system chimed:
Shiny Charmander registered as official partner.
Intimacy +30. Current: 40.
First Partner Reward unlocked.
Ethan didn't have time to check the details—the battle was still raging.
Tem had seen enough. "Golbat—finish them! Air Cutter!"
The large bat's wings scythed the air, sending a razor-sharp crescent straight toward Ethan and Charmander.
"Dragon Breath—full power!" Ethan shouted.
The black flame met the air blade in mid-flight, both attacks detonating in a shockwave that ripped up the grass and staggered everyone nearby.
Takashi swore under his breath. "Boss, police reinforcements will be here any minute!"
Tem's jaw tightened. He pointed toward the treeline. "We're done here—fall back!"
With practiced precision, all three Rockets recalled their Pokémon and vanished into the forest.
Silence settled over the hill. Lena let out a shaky breath, gripping Ethan's arm. "You… you really did it."
Ethan grinned faintly. "Told you nothing would go wrong."
Charmander, still panting, pressed against his leg, eyes shining with pride.
Fuji stepped forward, clasping Ethan's shoulder. "You've saved my granddaughter… and proven yourself beyond doubt. From this day, Charmander is yours, officially."
Ethan looked down at the Poké Ball in his hand, the flame's reflection dancing in its polished surface. "Yeah," he said softly. "He's mine."
And in the back of his mind, he was already wondering—what exactly is that First Partner Reward?