Lucas sat at the edge of the busy Pokémon Center, Growlithe stretched out on the floor beside his chair. The pup's ears twitched at every sound, but his tail moved first thumping once against the floor as a shadow fell across their table.
"Hey," a voice said.
Lucas looked up. A boy about his age stood there, holding a drink in one hand and a Pokéball clipped to his belt. He wasn't staring at Lucas he was staring at Growlithe, who had just barked at him as if greeting an old friend.
"That's… not something you see every day," the boy said with a crooked smile. "A Growlithe in Unova? You're not exactly trying to blend in."
Lucas blinked. "Is it that strange?"
"Strange?" The boy laughed and pulled out the chair across from him. "It's awesome. Most of us start with a Patrat or a Lillipup. You walk in with a fire pup straight out of Kanto. People are going to notice."
Growlithe barked proudly, chest puffed out, which only made the boy grin wider.
"See? He knows he's special," the boy said.
Lucas smirked as he reached down to scratch Growlithe's mane. "Yeah, he's got an ego already."
The boy leaned back in his chair. "Name's Ethan. Just started a few days ago, still trying to figure out which way is up. And you?"
"Lucas," he said.
"Nice to meet you, Lucas," Ethan replied, taking a sip of his drink.
Growlithe shifted closer, curious about the new face at their table.
Ethan set his drink down and leaned forward a little, his grin never fading. "So… you just walk in here with a Growlithe like it's nothing. Gotta ask—where'd you get him?"
Lucas hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "He was given to me. First partner."
Ethan whistled. "Lucky. I had to chase mine halfway across a field before he even let me throw a ball." He unclipped a Pokéball from his belt, pressed the button, and in a flash of red light, a small Patrat appeared on the floor beside him.
The scout Pokémon blinked up at them, rubbing its face with its paws before hopping onto Ethan's lap. Ethan scratched under its chin, smirking. "This little guy. Not exactly rare, but he's stubborn as hell. Nearly bit me the first day."
Patrat squeaked sharply, earning a laugh from Ethan.
Lucas couldn't help smiling too. "He looks… energetic."
"That's one way to put it," Ethan said. "Your Growlithe, though bet he's already strong, huh?"
Lucas glanced down at his partner, who was watching Patrat with sharp eyes, tail flicking in short bursts. "Yeah, he's strong. Stronger than I was ready for in my first battle."
Ethan's eyebrows rose. "You've already had one?"
Lucas nodded. "Ran into a wild Patrat in the forest. I won, but… let's just say I wasn't exactly calm."
Ethan chuckled. "Trust me, I get it. My first fight, I nearly dropped my Pokéball because my hands were shaking so much." He leaned back, stretching. "Want to test them? Not a serious fight, just a spar. Your Growlithe, my Patrat. Could be fun."
Growlithe barked instantly, eyes lighting up.
Ethan laughed again. "Looks like he's already in."
The two boys stepped out into the open training field behind the Pokémon Center. White boundary lines marked the ground, with a few trainers already battling on other courts. Lucas and Ethan claimed an empty one.
Ethan grinned, tossing his Pokéball into the air. "Alright, let's go, Patrat!"
The ball burst open in a flash of red light, and Patrat landed on all fours, squeaking loudly before raising itself upright, teeth bared and tail twitching.
Lucas reached down to Growlithe, who was already tense, eyes locked on his new opponent. "You ready?"
Growlithe barked once, sharp and confident.
"Okay then," Lucas said, taking a steadying breath. "Growlithe, battle stance!"
The pup bounded forward, flames already flickering faintly at the corners of his mouth.
A few trainers nearby paused to watch, murmuring when they saw the unusual fire-type. Lucas felt the stares but forced himself to focus.
Ethan was first to act. "Patrat, Tackle!"
The scout Pokémon charged low across the ground, fast and eager.
"Growlithe, meet it with Bite!" Lucas shouted.
Growlithe lunged, jaws snapping shut around Patrat's shoulder as the two collided in a blur of fur and dust. Patrat squealed and wriggled free, landing awkwardly before pulling back, panting.
Ethan didn't waste a beat. "Patrat, Leer!"
Patrat's eyes glowed red, its stare sharp and unsettling. Growlithe stiffened at the sudden glare, his ears flattening for just a moment.
Lucas clenched his fist. "Shake it off! Use Howl!"
Growlithe threw back his head, barking loud and fierce, his body trembling with energy as the sound echoed across the field. Patrat hissed, lowering itself again, ready to charge.
Patrat crouched low, eyes still glowing faintly from Leer. Across the field, Growlithe shook off the pressure with his Howl, his chest puffing as his spirit rose. The air between them felt heavy, every sound from the other battles fading as the two focused only on each other.
Ethan raised his arm. "Quick Attack!"
Patrat shot forward in a blur, kicking up dust.
Lucas forced his voice steady. "Growlithe, Flame Wheel—meet it head-on!"
Growlithe barked, fire bursting across his fur as he spun into motion. The two Pokémon collided mid-field with a crack of impact, sparks scattering as Patrat was flung backward. It tumbled, rolled, and dug its claws into the ground to push itself back upright.
"Not bad!" Ethan called, his grin sharp. "Patrat, Bite!"
Patrat lunged again, fangs flashing white.
Lucas clenched his fist. Don't mirror him. Range advantage—use it.
"Growlithe, Ember!"
Flames burst from Growlithe's jaws, a stream of small fireballs striking across the dirt. Patrat yelped as the heat clipped its side, forcing it to stumble. The crowd of onlookers murmured louder, impressed.
Patrat hissed and shook itself, stubborn eyes burning. Ethan's tone hardened. "Stay on it! Tackle, full power!"
The scout Pokémon sprinted, body low.
Lucas took a breath, heart hammering but mind clear. "Growlithe, Bite and hold!"
Growlithe leapt into the charge, jaws clamping around Patrat's shoulder mid-rush. The smaller Pokémon squealed, thrashing desperately before Growlithe shook once and let go. Patrat hit the dirt, panting heavily, struggling to rise.
Ethan's jaw tightened. "Come on, one more!"
Patrat pushed to its feet, swaying but refusing to stay down. It darted forward, slower now, a last desperate attempt.
Lucas didn't hesitate. "Finish it—Flame Wheel!"
Growlithe surged forward, fire engulfing his body as he spun. He slammed into Patrat with blazing force, sending the smaller Pokémon skidding across the dirt before collapsing, unmoving, but still breathing shallowly.
"Patrat is unable to battle!" one of the trainers watching called out.
The murmurs around the field rose, several impressed by the rare fire-type's display.
Growlithe skidded to a stop and trotted back to Lucas, chest high, flames fading from his fur. Lucas crouched to meet him, ruffling his mane with a grin he couldn't hold back. "That was amazing. You did great."
On the other side, Ethan knelt and recalled his fainted Patrat. He looked up and, instead of frustration, gave a crooked smile. "Strong and calm. You're better than I expected for a rookie."
Lucas chuckled nervously, still catching his breath. "I wasn't that calm. But… better than last time."
Ethan clipped the Pokéball back to his belt. "Good battle. Let's do it again sometime—next time, I'll be ready."