After lunch, Charmander was bursting with energy, not the least bit interested in resting.
So Yozora set out with it once again.
As for Beedrill—It had already met Charmander earlier, and since the two Pokémon were now acquainted, Yozora returned it to its Poké Ball.
After all, Beedrill was powerful. To Yozora, it was more of a trump card than a partner to display openly, so he had no intention of exposing it casually.
"Charmander, use Ember!"
At Yozora's command, a string of tiny flames shot from Charmander's mouth, instantly blasting an Ekans by the roadside into retreat…
Afternoon.
Yozora and Charmander traveled onward toward Viridian City, battling every wild Pokémon along the way to sharpen their skills.
Within just one afternoon, Charmander had defeated over a dozen opponents, its growth remarkable.
Not only had it smoothly reached the Junior Level, but its Embers had increased from three bursts to five—brighter and hotter than before.
It wouldn't be long before it could unleash Flamethrower.
By evening, Yozora and Charmander found a small river and decided to make camp there.
After the morning's training and an afternoon of nonstop battles, the exhausted Charmander lit up with joy at the sight of water, its face breaking into a wide smile.
Without hesitation, it leapt into the river with a splash, sending up a spray of water.
Floating on the surface, Charmander looked utterly content as it began to swim.
Any trainer who witnessed such a scene would have been stunned.
Impossible!Charmander was supposed to be terrified of water—how could it possibly swim?
And yet…
Yozora's Charmander was special.Because it had the Water Absorb Ability.
Not only did it fear no water, but being close to water actually restored its strength—far more effective than any potion or medical treatment!
"This must be the place where Ash and Misty first crossed paths in the original story, right? Though by now, they should already be gone…"
Ash, chased by that flock of Spearow, would have moved much faster than usual.
Yozora, on the other hand, traveled leisurely, enjoying himself.
This was exactly the kind of journey Yozora wanted. Even if Ash and the others had long left him behind, he didn't mind in the slightest.
"Charmander looks so relaxed… come to think of it, I haven't gone swimming in ages either. Perfect chance to stretch a bit."
Watching Charmander swim, Yozora couldn't resist diving in himself. Trainer and Pokémon swam together, even diving beneath the surface to explore.
Charmander dove as well, completely unfazed.
Studies claimed that the flame on Charmander's tail was its very life force—that if the fire went out, the Pokémon would die.
But Yozora had another view:The tail flame represented its life force; when Charmander died, the flame would extinguish—not the other way around.
The fire was a result, not the cause. Its changes simply reflected Charmander's condition, whether healthy or weak.
Even submerged, Charmander's flame refused to go out. In fact, it blazed brighter than ever!
Thanks to its Water Absorb Ability, it thrived in water, and its life force burned all the stronger, feeding the tail flame.
Soon after, Yozora and Charmander caught a few river fish—not Pokémon, just ordinary fish.
"Good work, Charmander. Looks like we'll be eating well tonight."
Together they built a fire and cooked. Before long, a steaming pot of fragrant fish soup was ready.
Late that night.
Yozora was suddenly roused from sleep by the cries of Pokémon.
Opening his eyes, he spotted a group of Psyduck paddling across the river toward him.
Such a sight was rare.
Though Psyduck weren't particularly strong, they weren't common either, and seeing a whole group at once was unusual.
"Hm? Did I see that right? The one leading them doesn't look the same…"
Yozora froze. Normally, Psyduck had yellow skin, but the one at the front was larger and its body was an unusual shade of blue.
Blue skin—the same color as Golduck's hide…
"A Shiny Psyduck!"
Yozora snapped fully awake, excitement rushing through him.
Though he had spent much of his life in Pallet Town, Yozora had also traveled the world at times with Professor Oak.
But never—never once—had he seen a Shiny Pokémon.
That alone showed how rare they truly were. And rarity meant value beyond measure.
Pokémon: Psyduck
Type: Water
Ability: Swift Swim (Speed doubles in rain)
Level: Senior Level, Low Tier
Potential: Champion
Description: This Psyduck was born a king among its kind. In addition to its superb Water-type talents, it possesses remarkable Psychic power.
"You've got to be kidding me… wild Champion potential?"
Reading its status, Yozora was floored.
His own Charmander, even with dual Abilities, only had Elite potential. (Granting it Water Absorb had raised it from Gym Leader potential to Elite.)
But this Shiny Psyduck was naturally Champion potential…
Yozora's pulse raced. If he hadn't seen it, fine. But fate had put them here together—how could he let it go?
"Rooaar!"
Charmander had already woken.
Sensing Psyduck's extraordinary aura, it burned with fighting spirit, leaping to the riverbank and roaring a challenge.
"Psyduck!"
Provoked, the Shiny Psyduck snapped back with equal ferocity, its cry sharp and unwavering.
Unlike the usual vacant expression Psyduck wore, its eyes gleamed with intelligence, its face sharp and alert.
That alone was shocking. Psyduck, not dumb and dazed? That was practically unnatural.
But all the more, Yozora was convinced—this one was a true prodigy. A king among Psyduck. And he had to capture it.
"Splash!"
Before Yozora could act, Psyduck struck first, blasting a Water Gun straight at Charmander.
Charmander smirked, standing its ground. Confident in Water Absorb, it took the hit head-on.
But—
This Water Gun was unlike any other. Its power dwarfed the norm.
"Ugh!"
Charmander staggered backward several steps, claws digging grooves in the earth, breath coming in gasps.
One strike, and it was already struggling!
(To be continued…)