"Nothing could be better!" Yozora nodded in agreement, accepting the battle. Charmander let out a fierce roar, its fighting spirit surging high.
Ever since the journey began, Yozora had rarely returned Charmander to its Poké Ball. Day and night they trained together, ate together, even slept side by side. The bond between Trainer and Pokémon was sharpening at a terrifying pace.
"Good! Scyther, seize the initiative—use Slash!"
The tall young man could faintly sense the deep connection between Yozora and his Charmander. He couldn't help but praise it inwardly, while his own fighting spirit flared even stronger. He launched the attack without hesitation.
"Scyther!!"
Spreading its wings, Scyther screeched as it raised its blades and lunged straight for Charmander.
Its speed was frightening—like a gusting wind blade tearing across the field.
Grass and leaves flew everywhere, a deep gouge carved into the earth where it passed.
"A Senior-level Pokémon? Be careful, Charmander!" Yozora felt the overwhelming pressure radiating from Scyther and quickly warned.
Charmander nodded in response.
After a week of accumulated training and growth, Charmander's foundation had grown even sturdier. Though still at Junior-level, it was only a step away from crossing into the Senior tier.
That solid foundation gave it confidence. Even when facing a newly ascended Senior-tier Scyther, Charmander's eyes carried no fear—only calm, steady focus.
It bided its time patiently until the last second, then slipped aside with a sharp sidestep. The deadly Slash whistled past, missing by inches.
"Nicely done."
The tall young man caught every detail of Charmander's clean, decisive movement. He gave an admiring chuckle before grinning: "Then how about this? Scyther, unleash continuous Fury Cutter!"
"Scyther!!"
The mantis Pokémon whirled midair, blades flashing as it dove on Charmander again, raining down blow after blow.
This time, Charmander had no room to breathe.
Backpedaling rapidly, it twisted and ducked to dodge as much as possible, but Scyther's relentless strikes left it battered and cornered.
Shua! Shua! Shua!
Scyther's attacks were simply too fast. Within moments, Charmander's body was covered in cuts and bruises.
Yet Charmander was no longer the frail Rookie from the beginning. Its defense and endurance had risen with its growth. Scyther's blades could not pierce its hide; the strikes left dark welts but drew no blood.
Still—
The pain sent Charmander into a furious frenzy.
"Fwoosh!"
The flame on its tail suddenly flared, swelling to three times its size, burning a fierce blue.
Charmander had once again ignited its Blaze ability. Its firepower spiked dramatically.
And with that ignition—
Its aura surged higher still, finally breaking through to the Senior tier.
"Senior-level!"
"And with Blaze fueling it… its flames are on par with a mid-stage Senior Pokémon!"
Yozora's chest trembled with excitement. He immediately shouted:
"Charmander, Flamethrower!"
"Rooaaar!!"
Charmander roared in fury, unleashing a torrent of searing flames. The blast engulfed Scyther entirely, leaving nothing but a charred husk tumbling to the ground.
"Ugh…"
The tall youth stood frozen in shock. Only after a long moment did he recall himself.
"Judging by your age, you're still just a Rookie Trainer, aren't you?"
He recalled Scyther into its Poké Ball, sighing deeply. "Terrifying… A Rookie Trainer, and yet you managed to raise a Charmander to this level in such a short time. I have to admit, I'm completely convinced."
"It's all thanks to Charmander." Yozora stroked the little dragon's head proudly.
His pride was twofold: pride in himself, and in Charmander.
Not even half a month since they'd set out, and his Charmander had grown from a mere Rookie to stand proudly at Senior-level strength.
Of course, Yozora's training had played its part—but Charmander's relentless effort and determination were what had made such rapid growth possible.
From the young man, Yozora learned the supposed habitat of wild Scyther.
After bidding him farewell, Yozora and Charmander set off again.
Two hours later, they arrived at the indicated location. But not a single trace of Scyther could be found—not even a shadow.
"What gives? Was that guy lying? …No, that doesn't seem right."
Yozora shook his head. More likely, Scyther simply didn't have a fixed nesting ground.
So he and Charmander began combing the area in search.
Passing a small lakeside, Yozora and his thirsty partner hurried over for a drink.
Just then, a cold northern wind swept across the water. Yozora raised an arm to shield his eyes.
When he opened them again, his breath caught.
A tall, shadowy figure stood upon the surface of the lake.
It moved on four legs, shaped like a great predator, yet somehow it stood calmly atop the water without sinking.
"Suicune…" Yozora's eyes went wide. He could hardly believe the dreamlike figure before him.
Even with trees casting shadows, obscuring details, he knew without question—that was Suicune.
The legendary Pokémon.
A certainty born of two lifetimes as a devoted Pokémon enthusiast left no room for doubt.
The silhouette lingered a moment, staring at Yozora. Then it flickered—and in an instant appeared on the far side of the lake.
"Suicune!"
Yozora sprinted after it. Unable to cross the lake, he was forced to circle around.
Reason screamed at him to stop.
It was Suicune.
Chasing it was useless. With his current strength, capturing it was a one-in-a-million impossibility.
And if he truly pushed his luck, he might invite disaster instead.
…But.
No matter how his mind shouted to hold back, his body raced forward of its own accord.
Perhaps that was the charm of Suicune—the allure of a legendary Pokémon.
It was irresistible, even knowing it was futile.
Strangely enough, the shadow ahead seemed to play along. Whether teasing or guiding, it slowed its pace deliberately, always letting Yozora close in—yet never too close.
Every time he gained a little, it would leap ahead once more.
Half an hour passed like that.
At last, Suicune's silhouette vanished completely, as though it had never existed.
But before Yozora stood another towering figure—
A Kangaskhan.
This one was clearly wounded, curled on the ground in pain. Its baby clung beside it, calling out anxiously, until Yozora approached. Then it darted back into its mother's pouch.
Yozora crouched to examine the Kangaskhan carefully. On its left leg, he discovered a purplish mark wrapped around like a band.
Poison.
"I see… Suicune led me here so I could treat this Kangaskhan."
Yozora smiled faintly.
He knew, without a doubt, that Suicune was still nearby—watching, observing his every move.
(End of Chapter)