League Champion. If Ethan Carter could claim that title, he'd finally know whether the black lockbox in his bag truly connected to Mewtwo. Just thinking about it set something alight in his chest. His steps down the road to Lavender Town's park were lighter than they had been in days.
The lockbox felt heavier than its size should allow—weight measured not in steel, but in possibility. Still, anticipation alone didn't solve the two problems already brewing in his mind.
First problem: money. Raising a Shiny Charmeleon wasn't a charity project; from here on out, every expense was on him. Rent at the Pokémon House, food, training gear… and in the future, when he inevitably brought Munchlax onto the team, the cost would spike again.
A broke trainer didn't get far in the League.
Ethan mentally listed the fastest ways a trainer could pad their wallet:
Capture and sell rare wild Pokémon or high-value items at the Pokémon Auction House.
Battle for prize money—tournaments, bounties, or gym challenges. Winning at a Gym meant not only a badge but a hefty payout, which was why so many trainers queued for them.
Offer coaching and sparring services—training other people's Pokémon for a fee.
The third option was the most realistic right now. He could earn quickly, leverage his system's unique edge in guiding Pokémon, and build a reputation at the same time. But there was a catch—Lavender Town's trainers were already tapped out. He'd nearly bankrupted them in friendly matches; they'd be future allies, not a sustainable income stream.
Which meant going online.
He pulled out his Pokégear and started searching. Sure enough, there was a formal registration to become a certified Pokémon instructor. The sticking point? Proof of strength. The platform required Gym Badges—the more badges, the higher your credibility, the bigger the orders, and the better the pay.
Ethan slid the lockbox back into his bag. "Guess I'll have to challenge a Gym first."
Second problem: defense.Team Rocket wouldn't let go of this lockbox—not if it truly had anything to do with Mewtwo. Next time, they'd come in force. And if Ethan was away, who would defend the Pokémon House?
A loose network of volunteers wouldn't cut it. He needed something more formal, more united. A local force that could mobilize fast when trouble came knocking.
…Or maybe, Ethan thought, slowing his pace, a Gym.
It was an elegant solution. Gyms didn't just symbolize the strongest trainer in an area—they trained and rallied the local talent. Most trainers would answer a Gym's call without hesitation.
He wasn't the strongest in Lavender yet, but he was certain he'd get there soon. With the system backing him, he could raise the skill ceiling of every trainer in town, creating a defense network in the process.
The only flaw? He couldn't award League-recognized badges. Yet. But it wasn't illegal to operate an unofficial Gym. And one day, when he earned official recognition, the structure would already be in place.
His eyes sharpened. "It's promising. I'll test the waters today—see if they'll follow my lead."
By the time he reached the park, Charmeleon's flame-tail was burning bright against the afternoon light. Clusters of trainers dotted the field, engaged in their own training drills. As soon as they spotted Ethan, several jogged over.
"Why did you call us out to Route 8 earlier?" one asked. "We waited over an hour, then got told to go home."
Another trainer fanned himself. "And what was with the heat at the end? Thought I was going to pass out."
Ethan didn't sidestep. "Team Rocket kidnapped Lena. I went after her. I called you as backup—but I didn't need it in the end. I took them down."
The reaction was instant and loud.
"Team Rocket? Like, the Team Rocket from the news?"
"Don't joke, man. Those guys are monsters."
Ethan lifted an eyebrow. Their reactions told him more than their words—the Rockets had a kind of mythic danger in these trainers' minds.
"What if I told you there were only three of them?" he added.
A snort came from his left. "Three Rockets? And you still expect us to believe you won?" It was Hao, the Poliwag trainer Ethan had met on his first day here. Hao slapped a hand on Ethan's shoulder and laughed. "C'mon, you're starting to sound like a braggart."
A ripple of agreement ran through the group. They might not be able to beat Ethan themselves, but against three Rockets? They couldn't picture it.
Beside him, Charmeleon's tail lashed irritably. "Rua!" He didn't understand why no one believed what was plainly true.
Ethan crouched to meet his eyes. "It's fine. Let them think what they want. One day, they'll see for themselves."
The Shiny's posture eased at his calm tone.
"Lena!" Hao's voice carried as he spotted her arriving at the park entrance. "Is it true? Did Rocket kidnap you?"
She froze, then scanned the crowd until her eyes landed on Ethan. "Yes," she said clearly. "Ethan and Charmeleon saved me."
The chatter cut off like a switch. Dozens of eyes turned to Ethan.
Charmeleon stood taller, puffing his chest. "Rua!" The timing couldn't have been better.
Hao's brows drew together. "You're saying they took down three Rockets? Alone?"
"That's right," Lena said. "One was even a mid-level executive. Charmeleon fought under Ethan's command and beat him. First, he defeated a Houndoom and evolved, then used pure tactics to take down an Arbok, and finally finished a Golbat with Dragon Breath." She folded her arms. "It was the most incredible battle I've ever seen."
Charmeleon beamed. "Rua—keep going."
But her words only ignited fresh disbelief.
"Sounds made-up," someone muttered. "Houndoom, Arbok, Golbat? Against just a Charmeleon?"
"Yeah. Rockets aren't that easy. Last month, they nearly threw Saffron City into chaos before the League stepped in."
The pushback made Lena's hands clench. She opened her mouth to argue, but Ethan stopped her with a shake of his head.
He knew the psychology at work—the Barnum effect. People believed what fit their worldview. Right now, their worldview was that Team Rocket was untouchable. Without seeing the fight themselves, they wouldn't change their minds.
And then, almost as if the universe had decided to help him prove a point, the sound of tires on gravel turned heads.
Officer Jenny coasted into the park on her bike, her Growlithe trotting beside her. In the sidecar sat Takashi—the crew-cut Rocket grunt from earlier, cuffed and glowering.
Ethan's smile was small, but it was there. Sometimes, the best evidence was delivered right to your audience.