"You'll go stand beside Garchomp and listen on its lessons. If you can absorb even a little, your strength will skyrocket."
Paul gestured toward the Garchomp pair as he spoke.
What kind of training best suits Chimchar? What path should it take to grow stronger, should it develop Blaze?
Paul had thought about this question extensively. In the anime, Chimchar's growth stemmed from Ash's care, emotional bond, and unwavering resolve. In the main universe, Ash's Infernape likely followed a similar path.
Unfortunately, Paul knew he wasn't good at expressing emotions. So rather than choosing the sentimental route, he planned to do the opposite—guiding Chimchar down a much more ferocious path.
On this violent path, three models would serve as cornerstones of guidance:
Garchomp's Bloodline Mode; Ursaluna's Awakened State; and Mewtwo's Wrath Amplification.
Combining these three forces, Paul believed that Chimchar had the potential to become the most explosively powerful Fire-type Pokémon in existence.
"Yaahh!"
The moment it heard the task, Chimchar was absolutely thrilled. It bounced its way over to the two Garchomps and obediently took its place, like a top student ready to learn.
At first, Professor Garchomp only lectured. Though Chimchar was completely lost in the theory, at least it remained normal.
But the moment "Paul's" Garchomp finished its explanation, its gaze suddenly shifted. The calm in its eyes was replaced by bloodshot veins and an overwhelming beastly killing intent.
In an instant, Chimchar felt its breath catch. Paralyzed by fear, it dared not move a muscle under the sheer pressure of that presence.
And this was still manageable. After all, "Paul's" Garchomp had only recently developed its Bloodline Mode, and it had just unleashed it once during a battle earlier. Chimchar quickly adapted after a few seconds.
But when Professor Garchomp personally demonstrated, an earth-shaking wave of killing intent erupted. A crimson aura surged and swirled like a blood mist, filling the space for several meters around.
Terrifying Dragon Pressure followed. Even wild Pokémon within a kilometer radius fled in panic.
Even "Paul's" own Garchomp, the one closest was so overwhelmed it couldn't move. Suppressed by ancestral instincts, it instinctively lowered its head and didn't dare make eye contact.
"Yah...."
Chimchar, utterly defenseless, couldn't even twitch. Its entire body turned ice cold like falling into a frozen abyss. In that moment, the towering Garchomp looked more terrifying than any monster, it felt as though one glare from it could bite Chimchar's head clean off.
Terror.
Despite receiving no attack, Chimchar was completely paralyzed by fear.
Its pupils dilated. Eyes lost focus. Limbs gave out as it collapsed to the ground, trembling. It tried to back away, but its limp limbs refused to move.
In that moment, Chimchar was overwhelmed with despair.
Its fear of Garchomp had reached its peak, even greater than the hopelessness it felt before being captured.
Surrounded by dread, Chimchar's eyes glazed over. Its overwhelmed mind simply crashed—head tilting to the side, it fainted cold.
"…Huh?"
Professor Garchomp was mid-demonstration when it noticed Chimchar lying unconscious. It froze and stunned.
'Little bro, what happened to you? Don't scare me like that! I didn't even do anything! You just flopped over, are you faking it?!'
A storm of thoughts clashed in Garchomp's head.
Turning its head, it saw the two Paul approaching.
"Gaaarr…"
With a casual shrug, Professor Garchomp raised its claws as if to say,
'Do whatever you want, this ain't on me.'
Paul didn't blame Garchomp. He crouched beside Chimchar to begin an inspection.
"No physical harm. It just couldn't handle the combined bloodlust and Dragon Pressure… fainted from fear."
After checking its condition, Paul gave his conclusion.
"Just a side-glance from the killing aura knocked it out. Not exactly promising." Said "Paul," who had also finished checking.
"Physically weak, low battle strength, subpar talent, and poor mental resilience.
If not for that special Blaze, I wouldn't take it even if you handed me the Poké Ball."
"It's fine. I'll raise it properly." Paul replied calmly.
A weak body can be strengthened. Skills can be honed. Mental toughness can be developed. Even talent, given the right circumstances can be improved.
As always, that special Blaze was Chimchar's greatest strength.
Theoretically, it was one of a kind—only one Chimchar with that power exists in any given world.
"Let's wait and see." "Paul" said, not arguing.
Anyone capable of training such a powerful team and developing so many unique training methods clearly had the credentials. No one had the right to question that.
"Keep training."
With a nod to Garchomp, Paul carried Chimchar to the side and gently laid it down.
With careful psychic channeling and some massage therapy, Chimchar's body soon regained warmth, and its breathing became steady again.
"…Too hasty. I'll have to take things slower."
The killing aura from Garchomp's Bloodline Mode is too intense. I'll let Aggron and Ursaluna assist with the training next time.
Paul thought.
It was his oversight that led to Chimchar's collapse. He had considered its physical condition but neglected its mental state.
Still, there was no abandoning this training. If it wanted to grow strong, it didn't necessarily need to defeat fear, but it had to be able to face it.
Running from fear is the path of the weak.
After making sure Chimchar was resting comfortably, Paul returned to his conversation with "Paul" and Torterra.
They discussed more than training—current global events, new discoveries, even perspectives on Legendary Pokémon… the topics were wide-ranging.
Nearby, Chimchar—resting after psychic therapy and massage slept soundly, a peaceful smile at the corner of its lips.
Though it had endured a fright, this was the most restful sleep it had experienced since birth.
"Yah…"
After a serene nap, consciousness gradually returned. Chimchar opened its eyes.
"You're awake?"
Paul, who had been watching attentively, deactivated the soundproof barrier surrounding them.
"Yah!"
Chimchar nodded obediently, this nap had felt great.
Paul smiled. "Now that you're up… ready to resume training?"
"Yah—?"
Chimchar was just about to respond enthusiastically, until it turned and locked eyes with Garchomp, whose eyes were still glowing with a terrifying red gleam.
Instantly, Chimchar froze, cold sweat returning.
Thankfully, Garchomp had dialed back the bloodlust this time, so it didn't immediately faint again.
Still, in Chimchar's mind, Garchomp's fearsome appearance had been permanently associated with that Zangoose that once hunted it mercilessly.
(End of Chapter)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you want to access the advanced chapters, please visit: patreon.com / PMadz_23