Chapter 8: The Undaunted Charmander

Chapter 8: The Undaunted Charmander

A flash of red light—the Poké Ball snapped open again.

[Pokémon: Ralts]

[Ability: Telepathy]

[Gender: Female]

[Potential: Champion]

[Level: 9]

[Moves: Growl, Confusion, Double Team]

[Description: A displaced Ralts, separated from a Gardevoir in an accident. It has been wandering and is severely malnourished.]

Champion-level potential!

For a moment, Hikaru Saito doubted his luck. Was he destined to stumble upon Champion-level Pokémon?

And this wasn't just any Pokémon—it was a Ralts, one of the rarest species around.

Watching the cautious Ralts devour the energy cube like it hadn't eaten in days, Hikaru felt slightly dazed.

If someone had told him before that he'd stumble across a Ralts on the street, he'd have laughed.

But now, as the Poké Ball in his hand glowed faintly, Hikaru had to accept the reality of his fortune.

"Alright, little one. Take your time; no one's going to take it from you."

Hikaru's words calmed the hungry Ralts, who continued munching happily.

Nearby, Charmander observed its trainer feeding Ralts without showing any jealousy.

"Ralts~ (So good~)"

When Ralts finished eating, it looked up at Hikaru, its red eyes glowing with gratitude beneath its green hair.

"This human gives such delicious food. I'll stick with him from now on!"

The thought emerged faintly in Hikaru's mind.

Telepathy, Ralts's innate ability, made communication almost seamless.

One energy cube to win over a Ralts? What a deal! Hikaru thought, chuckling to himself.

But a suspicion lingered in his mind.

For a Ralts to appear in the outskirts like this, there were two possibilities:

1. It escaped from a breeding facility.

2. A new Mystery Dungeon had recently opened nearby.

The first possibility was quickly dismissed.

The system had already indicated that this Ralts had been separated from a Gardevoir, ruling out any breeding facility.

That left only one answer: a newly opened Mystery Dungeon.

Hikaru's eyes lit up. A new Mystery Dungeon was excellent news.

Newly opened dungeons meant untapped resources and rare Pokémon.

"Ralts, can you show me where you came from?"

Ralts paused for a moment but nodded.

"Of course," it responded through its Telepathy.

Having just been fed, Ralts saw no reason to refuse.

It cautiously led the way, glancing back every few steps to make sure Hikaru was following.

Reassured by Hikaru's presence, Ralts grew more confident and began walking with a lighthearted bounce.

---

The summer sun beat down as Hikaru and Ralts traversed quiet streets. Eventually, they reached a desolate area.

Hikaru recognized the place.

Years ago, a nearly Master-tier Salamence had rampaged here for unknown reasons, destroying buildings before being subdued by trainers from the League.

Since then, the area had been abandoned.

"Ralts~ Ralts~"

Ralts seemed in high spirits, humming softly as they approached a crumbling structure.

It finally stopped in front of a dilapidated house, its red eyes peeking out from behind its green fringe.

"Here!"

The building was surrounded by rubble, with only a lone red door standing upright amidst the ruins.

Hikaru picked up a small rock and tossed it at the door.

The moment the rock hit, ripples spread across the surface like water disturbed by a stone.

Hikaru's heart raced.

A Mystery Dungeon!

His suspicions were confirmed.

---

In the Pokémon world, the League heavily rewarded individuals who reported new Mystery Dungeons:

1. Discoverers were allowed to select three treasures from the dungeon during its initial exploration.

2. Monetary rewards ranged from 30,000 to 5 million credits, depending on the dungeon's size and resources.

3. They would also receive a Lifetime Pass to the discovered dungeon.

4. Finally, they would be granted a "Discoverer of [Mystery Dungeon Name]" Certificate, a prestigious title.

While Hikaru wasn't particularly interested in the certificate, the other rewards were crucial for him.

"Ralts, you're amazing! I promise, you'll get the first pick of the treasure!"

Hikaru lifted Ralts and kissed its forehead, making the little Pokémon blush.

---

After calling the Mystery Dungeon Bureau, Hikaru waited with Charmander while Ralts rested inside its Poké Ball.

Before long, a massive shadow loomed over him.

Hikaru looked up to see a Charizard, its vibrant orange wings and intimidating face making it impossible to ignore.

The powerful creature landed gracefully, revealing a rugged man with a full beard and a scar across his arm.

Hikaru instantly recognized him:

The Fire Gym Leader, Zhong Yue, a former Pokémon soldier who retired to become a gym leader.

"Not bad, kid. Choosing Charmander as your starter," Zhong Yue said, his deep voice filled with approval.

His gaze lingered on Charmander, whose muscular build and bright, determined eyes spoke of careful nurturing.

Even in the presence of a mighty Charizard, Charmander showed no fear, only curiosity.

Charizard, noticing this, snorted flames from its nostrils. Its previously nonchalant expression hardened into one of dominance.

How dare this little one not fear me?

Charmander glanced at Hikaru, who gave it an encouraging nod.

With newfound confidence, Charmander stared back at Charizard, its small body exuding unshakable resolve.

It wasn't just standing up to Charizard—it was declaring its future.

It would someday surpass this evolved form and become a true champion.

The sheer confidence radiating from Charmander momentarily matched Charizard's imposing presence.

Zhong Yue watched in awe.

"Amazing. Even against its evolutionary superior, this Charmander's spirit doesn't falter."

For a moment, Zhong Yue's competitive instincts stirred.

---