Cynthia's eyes narrowed as she watched the chaos unfold in the courtyard. Ethan, however, only smirked at her expression before turning back to the raging Primeape.
The way it moved, the ferocity in every strike—it was dangerous, yes, but also brimming with potential. A beast like this could be conquered, Ethan thought. But the question is—how do you tame something that might break free in the middle of the night just to beat its own trainer?
The Gym students, shaken after Butterfree's crushing defeat, abandoned the idea of single combat. Instead, they called their Pokémon together and launched a coordinated assault.
Razor Leaves sliced through the air, Water Guns sprayed in arcs, sparks of Thunder Shock cracked, and gusts of Whirlwind churned dust into spirals. Dozens of attacks converged on the Primeape.
But the wild Pokémon refused to yield.
"Hoga~!"
With a roar, Primeape vaulted high, its tail coiling around the stick it carried, spinning midair like an acrobat. When it landed, the staff cracked across a Staryu's smooth body. The Water Pokémon staggered, disoriented, and Primeape shoved it directly into the path of the oncoming barrage, using it as a living shield.
Gasps rose around the field. Trainers stumbled back as their own Pokémon recoiled from the brutal counter.
"It's too clever…" Cynthia muttered in awe. "It fights like a warrior with years of training." For a moment, she glanced at her Garchomp, tempted to send it in. But Ethan's earlier warning echoed in her mind—the Primeape's uncontrollable rage could turn on its trainer in the dead of night. She hesitated, biting her lip, and stayed her hand.
Nearby, Hao barked orders, his voice sharp with frustration. "Don't let it play us like fools! Grass-types, use Stun Spore! Everyone else, keep up the pressure. If it vaults again, Pidgeot—Steel Wing, bring it down!"
The students rallied, attacks resuming in disciplined volleys.
Primeape, true to form, tried another vault.
"Now, Pidgeot! Steel Wing!" Hao shouted.
With a piercing cry, the bird Pokémon dove, wings gleaming silver as they hardened into steel. The strike slammed into Primeape mid-spin, knocking it from the air and straight into the cloud of Stun Spore.
The monkey hit the ground hard. Its limbs twitched as paralysis spread through its body.
"Yes!" Hao laughed triumphantly, voice carrying the arrogance of victory. "Let's see you jump again, you overgrown brute!"
Cynthia shook her head. "They're ganging up on it like bullies. And they're proud of it?"
Ethan only rubbed his nose and said nothing. They were his students, after all. Publicly scolding them would mean undermining himself.
The combined attacks hammered Primeape relentlessly. Pain twisted its features, and it roared in anguish. Ethan's system screen flashed a warning:
Intimacy has dropped: -23 → -24
If it fell to -30, the Pokémon's hostility would lock permanently. It would never be tamed. Ethan's chest tightened. He couldn't let that happen.
Again, Primeape attempted a desperate vault, body crackling with rage.
"Pidgeot, Steel Wing again!" Hao commanded eagerly.
But this time Primeape was ready. It hurled its stick aside mid-leap and lunged straight for the incoming Pidgeot. With a feral roar, it latched onto the bird's wings, tearing at its back with savage strength.
"Beeeep!" Pidgeot screamed in agony, thrashing as Primeape's claws ripped at its feathers. The two crashed together, tumbling headlong to the ground at Charmeleon's feet.
Pidgeot lay still, fainted. Primeape twitched weakly, one eye still burning with defiance. It needed only one more blow to fall completely.
Charmeleon turned to Ethan with questioning eyes. "Rua?"
Ethan's gaze sharpened. Don't waste the chance. He gave the signal with his eyes.
Charmeleon understood instantly. With a decisive strike of its claw, it finished the exhausted Primeape, tipping it into unconsciousness.
Cynthia exhaled sharply, then gave Ethan a flat look. "Shameless. Your students may be underhanded, but you—you're their grandmaster."
Ethan coughed and pretended not to hear. Experience points delivered right to his doorstep? Refusing them would've been the true foolishness.
Hao and the others rushed forward, elated.
"Primeape's finally down!" Hao crowed, puffing out his chest. "My Pidgeot did it!"
"Enough boasting," Ethan cut in. "Take it to the Pokémon Center. And use a stronger cage next time."
As the students bustled off with the unconscious Primeape, Ethan's thoughts lingered. This Pokémon was far from ordinary. Dangerous, yes—but valuable. He needed a plan to tame it properly.
Later, borrowing Cynthia's phone, he stepped aside and dialed a number.
"Who are you calling?" Cynthia asked curiously when he returned.
"Silph Co.," Ethan replied with a sly grin.
Cynthia's eyes narrowed. "And why Silph Co.?"
"Secret," he said simply.
She clicked her tongue in annoyance, then turned her focus back to the ongoing Eevee training displayed on Ethan's Pokégear.
Thirty… thirty-one… thirty-two… thirty-three… thirty-four repetitions.
On the thirty-fifth try, Eevee opened its mouth and spat out a dazzling spray of golden stars—Swift!
Cynthia's eyes widened. "Impossible…"
Ethan extended his hand with a smirk. "Time to pay up."
Her pride stung, Cynthia remained silent, replaying the impossible scene in her mind. Meanwhile, the girl's father, still on the call, was ecstatic.
"Sir, you were right! Exactly thirty-four attempts! Eevee's mastered Swift! How did you know?"
Ethan only chuckled softly. "Talent. Now tell me—do you think five thousand Alliance Coins is worth it?"