In the end, the massive Onix fell first, losing all its will to fight. Although Charmander staggered, it stood firm. After a careful check, the difficult and powerful opponent was finally defeated.
A crescent-shaped smile appeared on Charmander's face. It spread its small arms wide and ran excitedly toward Kiyomi, asking to be picked up.
Kiyomi Tsugumi crouched down and opened his arms to welcome his little fire Pokémon, celebrating their hard-earned victory together.
Huh?
The joy on Kiyomi's face quickly turned to surprise as he noticed bursts of white light beginning to glow around Charmander as it approached.
"Is this... an evolution!?"
As Charmander reached him, the white light faded, revealing a completely new form.
Its forelimbs and hind limbs were longer, claws sharper. A small horn-like bulge appeared on its head, and its tail had grown longer. Its red body color deepened, the flame at the tip still burning brightly. Its mouth now resembled a bird's beak.
When Kiyomi hugged it, the evolved Pokémon was bigger and stronger, nearly knocking him off balance.
"You little guy," Kiyomi said with a mix of helplessness and joy, gently patting the newly evolved Pokémon.
"Thanks for your hard work, Yan. Let's get you back in the Poké Ball—I'll take you to the Pokémon Center soon." He pulled out the ball and gently recalled Yan.
In the distance, Brock had already returned his unconscious Onix to its Poké Ball, then walked over to Kiyomi.
"Congratulations, young trainer from Zhenxin Town," Brock said. "Your wisdom in these unpredictable battles and your spirit of never giving up truly impressed me. Now, I present to you this badge." He extended his hand, clenched it into a fist, and slowly opened it to reveal a small, polygonal gray badge.
Each gym's badge is unique, and those from different cities vary in design.
The badge lay quietly in Brock's palm, seemingly unremarkable—but to Kiyomi, it was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen, shimmering as if lit from within.
Carefully, Kiyomi took the badge and placed it gently in a small corner of his backpack. He decided to wait until Charmander was fully healed at the Pokémon Center before investing in a protective case.
"Well, my Onix and Geodude are both injured too," Brock offered. "Need a hand getting to the Pokémon Center?"
"It would be an honor," Kiyomi replied with a polite smile.
On the way back, Brock couldn't hold back his curiosity. "How did you manage to seize that opportunity? After all, Charmander is just as afraid of water as my Onix."
Kiyomi didn't answer directly. Instead, he smiled politely but awkwardly. What could he say? At that moment, he'd just done whatever it took to win.
Brock shook his head with a wry smile and said, "Alright, I get the gist."
At the Pokémon Center, Kiyomi handed Charmander over to Nurse Joy and said a polite goodbye to Brock.
First, Kiyomi headed to the store to restock supplies: canned bread, juices, drinks—enough to last about two weeks. He also bought a protective case for his precious badge.
The case and other essentials cost 235 alliance coins. His backpack was still full of medicine, so he planned to restock on those in the next city.
After shopping, he picked up Charmander from Nurse Joy, then spent the afternoon wandering the city. This was a journey, after all—no need to rush. Though it might dent his wallet, he figured he could do some part-time work along the way.
As night fell, Kiyomi returned to the Pokémon Center satisfied, with Charmander happily by his side.
The next morning, after a good night's rest and feeling upbeat, Kiyomi set off again.
Their destination: Hualan City, reached by passing through a cave that led to Yuejian Mountain. Climbing over the mountain would bring them quickly to the city.
The cave was home to annoying Zubat swarms that sometimes attacked suddenly from the shadows. Occasionally, a few wild Sandshrews appeared as well.
Apart from the troublesome Zubats—easily handled by a quick Ember attack—the other challenges were manageable. The Sandshrews proved useful for Charmander's close combat practice, helping it get used to fighting.
Before entering Moon View Mountain, Kiyomi also rescued a Pipi Pokémon surrounded by a swarm of Zubats.
Grateful, Pipi led Kiyomi to its tribe's camp, where a massive Moon Stone was beginning to darken. Kiyomi decided to rest there for the night.
Under the moonlight, the Pipis danced a strange, rhythmic dance around the big Moon Stone for Kiyomi.
Everything felt calm, peaceful.
So, what do you want to see next, boy? Disappointed you didn't meet Team Rocket or uncover some huge conspiracy?
In the real world, it's not so easy to run into Team Rocket. Do you think the League's existence is free? And about my evolution—did you expect it? I didn't evolve during the battle, but afterward.