"Blaze, huh?"
"That was incredible. I didn't expect you to unleash your potential at such a crucial moment. I lost fair and square."
After recalling his Raticate into its Poké Ball, the Youngster walked over, speaking with genuine sincerity.
"Not at all, it was just a stroke of luck." Yozora remained humble.
"Haha," the Youngster chuckled, giving Yozora an admiring look. "You're far too modest. In truth, your Charmander alone defeated all three of my Pokémon. Your strength… it's unfathomable!"
Yozora: "…"
The Youngster suddenly added, "But this forest is vast. Aside from rookie trainers like us, there are also far more experienced Senior-level Trainers. You'd better be careful."
"Thanks for the warning." Yozora nodded, took his leave, and continued forward with Charmander.
Pokémon possessed astonishing vitality.
During the earlier battle with Raticate, Charmander had been badly injured.
After treatment, however, its wounds had already healed into scabs, leaving it nearly fully recovered.
Of course, you get what you pay for.
Yozora had used a premium Spray Potion, one that cost over a thousand yen.
Such fine medicine was far beyond what most ordinary folk could afford.
Though Yozora himself was from humble origins, his years working as Professor Oak's research assistant had allowed him to save up a decent sum.
"Charmander, Flamethrower!"
For the past several days, Yozora had been training in the forest, defeating countless opposing trainers.
Through these battles, Charmander's body had grown sturdier and taller. Its strength, stamina, speed, and even the intensity of its flames had all increased significantly.
This was the mark of transcending the ordinary. With every passing day, Charmander was becoming more extraordinary.
The greater the difference between it and average Pokémon, the closer it came to reaching the Senior tier.
"Another Pidgey? How many does that make today? Could this be a nesting ground?" Yozora muttered as he and Charmander pressed onward.
Sure enough, he was right.
The deeper they went, the more they discovered—tree after tree filled with Pidgey, with the occasional Pidgeotto mixed in.
"Hm? That one's… massive. Is that the leader?"
Suddenly, Yozora spotted a particularly robust Pidgeotto perched atop a tall tree.
It was enormous, standing over 130 centimeters long, towering over the other Pidgeotto beside it.
As for the Pidgey, compared to it, they looked utterly insignificant.
Pokémon: Pidgeotto
Type: Normal + Flying
Rank: Senior (Initial)
Potential: Elite Four…
"An Elite Four–level potential? Perfect. That Pidgeotto is mine."
After glancing at its status screen, a smile spread across Yozora's face.
Wild Pokémon with such high potential were rare. Now that he'd found one, how could he possibly let it go?
"Come on, Pidgeotto!" Yozora shouted.
Charmander roared in unison, its intent clear.
Sensing Charmander's fierce fighting spirit, the Pidgeotto spread its wings, preparing to dive—when suddenly, another trainer stepped into the clearing.
"Wait! That Pidgeotto is mine too!"
The newcomer wore a blue jacket and trousers, a cap pulled low over his head. He looked like another rookie trainer.
Yozora didn't recognize him, though there was something faintly familiar.
"Hey, I'm Ritchie. I've known this Pidgeotto for a long time, tried to catch it many times but failed…"
Ritchie rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, then straightened with determination. "But this time, no matter what, I'll capture it!"
Yozora shook his head. "Even if you've known it longer, I found it first. I have no obligation to give you the chance."
Ritchie nodded. "You're right. But wild Pokémon are free for anyone to pursue!"
Neither side was willing to back down.
Glancing at Charmander, Ritchie's eyes flashed with admiration. Then he smiled. "Since we're trainers, let's settle this the trainer's way. A battle. The winner gets the right to catch Pidgeotto. How about it?"
Yozora found that fair and agreed.
"Good."
Ritchie quickly pulled a Poké Ball from his belt and hurled it forward. "Go, Sparky!"
A flash of white light revealed… a Pikachu.
So this was a nickname—Ritchie had given his Pikachu a personal name: Sparky.
This Sparky was male, distinguished from other Pikachu by a tuft of fur standing up on his head.
"Sparky? Pikachu?" Yozora blinked.
"No wonder he seemed familiar… Ritchie! He's Ash's greatest rival from the original anime!"
Recognition dawned.
The reason Yozora hadn't realized right away was because this world differed from the one in the source material.
Here, rookie trainers began their journeys at fifteen. Naturally, a fifteen-year-old Ritchie looked quite different from the ten-year-old version Yozora remembered.
Still, Ritchie was remarkable in his own right—his personality resembled Ash's, but he was sharper and more reliable.
It was said he, like Ash, had been inspired by Red's prototype. He might not have Ash's overwhelming protagonist's aura, but he carried some of that same spark.
"Well then… let's see just how much potential your Sparky holds." Yozora smirked inwardly and opened his system to scan Sparky.
Pokémon: Pikachu
Type: Electric
Rank: Advanced
Potential: Elite Four…
"Elite Four potential? Hm, impressive indeed."
Nodding to himself, Yozora suddenly thought of a very particular strategy.
"Take a rest, Charmander."
Though Charmander was eager, Yozora recalled him and smiled, drawing out another Poké Ball. "This time, it's your turn. Go, Psyduck!"
"Psy-duck!"
Psyduck emerged with a sharp cry. Its cold, commanding expression, kingly presence, and unusual coloration made everyone's eyes widen.
Ritchie's heart skipped a beat.
First, Yozora had a Charmander with blue flames—already a rare sight.
And now, he revealed a shiny Psyduck?
"What a surprising guy…"
Ritchie gave Yozora a deep look before smirking. "Hmph. A Psyduck is still just a Water-type Pokémon. No matter how special, the typing means Sparky has the absolute advantage!"
Excited, Ritchie immediately ordered the attack.
"Go, Sparky—use Thunderbolt!"
Sparky leapt into the air with a fierce cry. His small body lit up, releasing a crackling surge of electricity that lashed out toward Psyduck at blinding speed.
Thunderbolt was one of the fastest Electric-type techniques, perfect for striking first.
In the blink of an eye, the attack landed squarely on Psyduck.
Electric light flashed across Psyduck's entire body…
Yet Psyduck remained calm, face utterly impassive—showing no sign of pain at all.
"What? How? That Psyduck isn't affected by Electric attacks? Is the level difference really that great?"
Ritchie froze, unable to believe what he was seeing.
…
…
(End of Chapter)