Facing Cynthia's challenge left Ethan Carter with a mix of emotions. Part of him was excited—this was the kind of battle he craved—but another part recognized the danger. Cynthia might not yet be the Sinnoh Champion he knew from memory, but her Garchomp was already formidable.
A quick glance at his system display confirmed it:
Pokémon: Garchomp
Level: 40
Potential: Elite
Ability: Sand Veil
Gender: Female
Moves: Sand Tomb (70%), Dragon Rage (69%), Sandstorm (69%), Muddy Quicksand (70%), Earthquake (68%), Slash (70%), Dragon Claw (69%), Dig (68%)
Ethan's heart sank. His Charmeleon was only Level 24. A gap of sixteen levels—wider than his last desperate fight against a Golbat. Worse, Garchomp's training was frighteningly well-rounded. This was no ordinary opponent; this was a future Champion's partner.
But all his Gym students were watching. The Gym had only just been established. To decline now would mean humiliating himself in front of the very trainers who looked to him for guidance.
"I accept," Ethan said finally, steadying his voice. "But Charmeleon has been training since this morning. He's tired. Miss Cynthia, may we battle later?"
"Of course," Cynthia answered easily, smiling. As long as he didn't refuse, she was patient.
From across the grounds, Reina's voice rang out: "Grandpa, it's time for lunch!"
"Perfect timing," Mr. Fuji said warmly. "Let's eat first, then discuss the battle afterward."
The crowd began to disperse. Ethan looked down at Charmeleon and Munchlax beside him. Both Pokémon stared up, waiting. He whispered, "What do we do? Losing the first Gym battle would crush everyone's expectations."
He hesitated, then his gaze lingered on Munchlax. Last time, Charmeleon's first reward had saved them against Team Rocket. Maybe… maybe Munchlax's first-tier reward could tip the scales here.
"Charmeleon, Munchlax," Ethan said, crouching to stroke their heads. "How about a big meal this afternoon?"
Charmeleon's eyes lit up. Munchlax nearly toppled over in his eagerness, nodding furiously.
"Then let's go to town," Ethan said with a smile. "Eat until you're full."
An hour later, Ethan leaned back in his chair at the restaurant, watching Munchlax devour plate after plate. When at last the Pokémon sat on the floor, patting his belly with a blissful sigh, a system notification appeared:
Munchlax's intimacy increased. Current Intimacy: 9 (-21 → 9).
Ethan's eyes flashed. He pulled out an unused Poké Ball. Unlike Charmeleon, Munchlax had never had one.
"Munchlax," he said seriously, "will you be my partner? I can't promise a feast every day—but once a week, we'll dine like kings."
Munchlax blinked. The words seemed to sink deep. Slowly, with a broad grin, the Pokémon pressed the Poké Ball button himself. Light engulfed him, and in an instant, he was captured.
The system chimed in Ethan's mind:
Pokémon captured: Munchlax
Starting intimacy: -21 → Current intimacy: 39 (+60)
First reward unlocked!– Qualification upgraded to Elite-tier– Item obtained: Lucky Stone
Lucky Stone: A stone blessed by Arceus, the God of Creation. The Pokémon that carries this stone will experience extraordinary fortune.
Ethan's pulse quickened. He hurried outside, found a quiet clearing, and released Munchlax again. The Pokémon was slightly larger now, the change from its boosted potential subtle but undeniable.
"What about the Lucky Stone?" Ethan asked.
Munchlax scratched himself, then reached into his fur and pulled out a glowing stone shimmering with divine light. Ethan's heart hammered. Something tied to Arceus itself… this was no ordinary trinket.
"Keep this hidden," he ordered firmly. "Never let it out unless I say."
"Ka~," Munchlax agreed, tucking it deep inside, beside the strand of Entei's hair it still carried.
Ethan rubbed his palms together. "Alright. Let's test it. Munchlax, use Metronome."
Munchlax wiggled his stubby fingers. Ethan quickly pulled Charmeleon back to safety, bracing himself. For a moment nothing happened—then Munchlax's eyes shone with divine light. He opened his mouth, and a frigid gale burst forth, spreading across the land.
The air froze solid in seconds. Houses, trees, even distant hills glistened under a sheet of frost. The ice spread farther, faster—hundreds of meters, then kilometers—an endless frozen plain where moments ago there had been life.
Ethan stared, dumbstruck. "That… that's Kyurem's Glaciate!"
Panic shot through him as the wave of frost continued to expand. "Munchlax, stop! Stop now!"
The divine glow faded instantly. Munchlax collapsed, panting heavily, drained from the exertion. Ethan rushed forward, feeding him energy cubes until his breathing steadied.
"It costs him everything to channel moves like that," Ethan thought grimly. Then he looked at the miles of frozen landscape stretching before him. "And he has no way to undo it."
He exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Great. Just great. Now what do we tell Lavender Town?"