Chapter 19: How Wrong It Was to Abandon Charmander!
Chapter 19: How Wrong It Was to Abandon Charmander!
It finally happened.
As Hikaru stared at Kei Hoshino's flushed, disbelieving face, he realized this day would come.
Charmander's origins were bound to be revealed eventually. Hikaru had always intended to lead Charmander on a journey to become a champion. With such fame, it was inevitable that its original trainer might recognize it.
However, Hikaru hadn't expected it to happen so soon—let alone discover that Kei Hoshino attended the same school.
"Let's go," Hikaru said calmly.
He didn't need to explain anything. Kei Hoshino would soon understand just how gravely mistaken he had been to abandon Charmander.
"Char!"
Charmander's fighting spirit ignited at Hikaru's words. It stared at Kei Hoshino, its gaze full of fiery determination.
Charmander's journey with Hikaru had been one of acceptance and growth. It understood the difference between Kei's harsh treatment and Hikaru's kindness. Pokémon might be simple creatures, but they knew who truly cared for them.
The battle was set. Both trainers found a spot on the gym floor as Zhong Yue waved them off with a dismissive gesture.
"Sort it out yourselves," he said.
---
The battle began before they even finished positioning themselves.
"Growlithe, Flamethrower!" Kei shouted.
Without hesitation, a jet of fire roared toward Charmander.
Hikaru remained calm. "Charmander, Fire Punch!"
Charmander's flaming fist met the Flamethrower head-on. The force of its punch extinguished the fire like a candle flame.
Kei's eyes widened as his Growlithe, still recovering from the failed Flamethrower, was struck directly by Charmander's Fire Punch. Growlithe collapsed onto the ground, whimpering softly.
One hit. That's all it took.
"Well done, Charmander!" Hikaru praised, a proud smile on his face.
But Kei Hoshino was devastated. His Growlithe, which he had considered a strong partner, had been defeated so easily.
"This... This can't be!" Kei stammered, his voice cracking.
"It's impossible! This can't be that Charmander!"
His eyes darted wildly between Charmander and Hikaru, his mind refusing to accept the truth.
Hikaru looked at him coldly. "There's no such thing as a useless Pokémon. Only useless trainers."
Kei Hoshino stood frozen, his face pale as the truth began to sink in.
"Wait! Charmander, come back to me!" Kei shouted desperately.
But Charmander turned its head and shot him a dismissive glance before trotting back to Hikaru's side without hesitation.
Kei's words hung in the air, unanswered. Pokémon were not machines; they had their own thoughts and loyalties.
Charmander had chosen its true partner long ago.
---
After returning from the gym, Hikaru noticed something incredible: Charmander had reached level 15 and had learned Flamethrower on its own.
The battle with Kei Hoshino must have lifted a heavy weight from Charmander's heart.
The memory of that rainy night had driven Charmander to push itself harder every day, striving to prove its worth. Now that it had finally confronted its past, the emotional release spurred its growth forward.
---
On September 10th, Hikaru attended the school's official meeting for the High School League team.
The weekly Trait refresh was unkind, granting him a white-tier Trait: Clown Syndrome.
[Clown Syndrome]: After being rejected by a love interest, the user experiences emotional damage, reducing their ability to harm the opposite sex by 30%.
Hikaru sighed and quickly dismantled the Trait for five Trait Points.
He opened the shop to see if there was anything worthwhile.
His eyes lit up as he spotted a rare item:
[Mental Headband]: Increases mental power by 5%–30%. Cost: 75 Trait Points.
Though expensive, Hikaru didn't hesitate to buy it. He immediately released Ralts from its Pokéball.
"Ralts, this is a gift for you," Hikaru said, tying the headband carefully around Ralts' head.
The light blue headband seemed to adjust itself perfectly to Ralts' size, forming a delicate bow.
A subtle energy ripple filled the room as Ralts' mental power surged. The little Pokémon's eyes sparkled with excitement as it tested its newfound strength.
"Ralts!" it exclaimed, its voice full of wonder.
Hikaru smiled. "You look beautiful, Ralts."
Blushing, Ralts turned away bashfully. But when Hikaru chuckled, it playfully lifted him into the air using Psychic, spinning him around until he begged for mercy.
---
The next day, Hikaru arrived at the school's training field just in time for the meeting.
The High School League team consisted of six members: three boys and three girls. Among them was none other than Kei Hoshino.
Hikaru frowned. Why does he have to be here?
"You're late by a minute," said Luo Hoshino, checking his watch and glaring at Hikaru.
"Do you have your second Pokémon ready?"
"Yes, I've got it."
"Good. Then let's get started."
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