"ROAR—!"
Accompanied by a resonant dragon cry, an orange-red figure soared through the skies above the arena.
The wildly popular Pokémon, Charizard, had finally appeared!
Charizard, a bipedal Pokémon resembling a Western dragon.
In Guo Yi's past life, online fans had teasingly called Charizard "the official favorite child."
As for why it gained this title:
Mainly because Charizard was the only Pokémon, besides Mewtwo—the strongest artificially-created Legendary—to possess two Mega Evolution forms.
Perhaps due to ridicule brought on by Lance's Dragonite, Charizard had always faced criticism for bearing a dragon's name and appearance but lacking the Dragon-type.
In response—
Later on, the official creators directly introduced Mega Charizard X, making it a true dragon in both name and type.
With Dragon/Fire typing, Mega Charizard X was even more versatile in type matchups.
Its other form, Mega Charizard Y, was given the Drought ability.
At once—the status of Sun-based teams instantly soared.
Such special treatment was never granted to other dragon-like Pokémon, such as Aerodactyl and Gyarados.
Although both had Mega Evolutions, neither gained the Dragon-type.
Coupled with its anime version's portrayal of a Charizard immune to water attacks due to "water absorption"—such favoritism clearly indicated it was the official's beloved child.
If such a Pokémon wasn't a "favorite child," then who else could possibly be?
[Charizard (Fire/Flying)]
[Gender: ♂]
[Level: Lv80 (Elite Four)]
[Ability: Blaze]
[Moves: Flame Charge, Air Slash, Heat Wave, Inferno (commonly used)]
[Tutor Moves: Solar Beam, Swords Dance, Overheat]
[Egg Moves: Outrage]
[Held Item: Charcoal (Champion-grade)]
[Potential: Elite Four]
This Charizard before everyone's eyes was Lie Ke's very first Pokémon.
From Charmander at the beginning to Charizard now, it had fought alongside Lie Ke through countless battles.
It was Lie Ke's greatest support.
Had it not been limited by its own potential, perhaps it could have already reached Champion tier.
But right now—
Whether Lie Ke could save even a tiny shred of his dignity completely depended on this Charizard.
At this moment—he only hoped to defeat the Beedrill before him and avoid a complete wipeout.
As for victory?
That was already beyond his wildest dreams.
Of course—even defeating Beedrill felt desperately improbable to Lie Ke.
But just then—across the battlefield, Su Qingxue suddenly recalled Beedrill into its Poké Ball.
This action left everyone in the stadium dumbfounded.
Yao Bin, still standing atop Braviary, was the first to voice his thoughts:
"Could it be that Miss Su doesn't want her opponent to suffer a total defeat, so she's intentionally holding back?"
"It seems Miss Su has a compassionate heart!"
In Yao Bin's view—even if this Charizard was Lie Ke's strongest Pokémon, it still couldn't withstand even a single blow from Beedrill.
After all, Beedrill had already maxed out its attack power through Fell Stinger.
Not to mention Charizard hadn't even broken into Champion tier—even if it had, its fate of being instantly defeated was sealed.
Thus, in his eyes, Su Qingxue's choice to switch Pokémon was clearly to let Lie Ke save face.
The various bigshots present essentially shared Yao Bin's interpretation.
The Tang family's Grand Elder smiled slightly, nodding:
"It appears the Azure Dragon Society doesn't want a complete fallout with the Flying Eagle Gang."
"They want to leave room for reconciliation."
As he spoke—The Grand Elder turned smilingly toward Tang Hong beside him:
"Second brother, I recall your daughter Rong recently emerged from seclusion and went to meet Ye Qing."
"Indeed, our Tang family should associate closely with a polite and sensible force like the Azure Dragon Society."
"Once we return home, second brother, you must reward Rong properly."
Upon hearing the Grand Elder's words, Tang Hong felt a chill in his heart.
When others were weak, this old fox sought to cut all ties immediately; yet once they found a powerful backer, he immediately changed his face.
Such hypocrisy deeply disgusted Tang Hong.
However—since this man was the Tang family's Grand Elder, Tang Hong had no power to openly contradict him.
Therefore, Tang Hong could only force a smile onto his face:
"You're right, Elder Brother. I'll certainly praise Rong thoroughly when we return."
"Mm!"
Satisfied with this response, the Grand Elder showed an approving look.
Then, suddenly changing his expression, he turned toward Tang Hu and scolded sharply:
"Third brother, I've warned you repeatedly—be cautious when making friends!"
"How could you possibly become deeply involved with an outsider group like the Flying Eagle Gang?"
"If word of this spreads outside, won't it utterly shame our Tang family?"
"When we return, immediately sever all ties with the Flying Eagle Gang! Do you understand?"
Upon receiving this rebuke, Tang Hu's face instantly filled with displeasure.
Back then, when he'd first become involved with the Flying Eagle Gang, he'd specifically discussed it with this very Elder Brother.
So now, why had it suddenly become entirely his fault?
Yet facing the Grand Elder, Tang Hu didn't dare utter a single word in rebuttal.
He could only respond bitterly:
"Yes, Elder Brother, I understand. When we return, I'll break off contact with the Flying Eagle Gang immediately!"
His emotions openly betrayed themselves through his voice.
Seeing this attitude from his younger brother, the Grand Elder felt thoroughly exasperated.
If only this brother of his had half the intelligence of Tang Hong, he wouldn't need to waste so much effort suppressing Tang Hong.
However, when he considered the future rise of the Azure Dragon Society, the Grand Elder's headache only grew worse.
It seems I'll have to find a way to send Tang Rong out of the Tang family.
Otherwise, who knows whose voice will dominate the Tang family in the future…
Looking toward the battlefield below, the Grand Elder's thoughts drifted silently, plotting something unknown to anyone else…
...
Shu Xinni frowned as she watched Beedrill being recalled into its Poké Ball.
"So the little princess of the Azure Dragon Society is still too green, after all!"
"The Azure Dragon Society and the Flying Eagle Gang are already like water and fire—what's there left to 'save face' for?"
As the CEO of Shanghai Pokémon Technology Corp, Shu Xinni was hardly a soft-hearted woman.
So Su Qingxue's move rubbed her the wrong way.
More importantly—she had been waiting to witness Beedrill's glorious one-against-six sweep.
Now that it wouldn't happen?
She was furious!
Only, beside her, Bai Cai murmured softly:
"Save face?"
"That doesn't sound right. Even if Su Qingxue wanted to, I doubt Guo Yi would ever allow it."
With what she knew of Guo Yi, he was definitely not the indecisive type.
He would never let his disciple spare an enemy out of sentiment.
At that, Shu Xinni protested, "If it's not about saving face, then why recall Beedrill?"
"Don't tell me something could be more shocking than Beedrill sweeping six in a row!"
Shocking—
"Actually… there is."
A spark flashed in Bai Cai's eyes as she recalled that captured Pokémon.
At her reminder, Shu Xinni immediately caught on.
"You mean—the one she's sending out next is Zapdos?!"
If we're talking shock value—what could possibly be more earth-shattering than the appearance of a Legendary Pokémon?
For a moment, the three women just stared at each other, eyes wide.
If it really was Zapdos…
Then tomorrow, all of Shanghai would be in an uproar!
Right then.
Hearing Yao Bin's commentary praising her "compassion," Su Qingxue's expression turned oddly amused.
"Compassionate?"
"You think too much. I just want this battle to be a little more interesting."
Her lips curved into a strange smile as she looked down at the Ultra Ball in her hand.
Perhaps sensing its imminent release, faint arcs of electricity crackled across the ball's surface.
BOOM!
Suddenly—
A deafening clap of thunder split the skies above.
Without warning, dark thunderclouds began to form over the Pokémon Battle Arena.
Crackle—crackle—!
Countless electric serpents writhed within the clouds,
each flicker of lightning followed by a bone-shaking roar of thunder.
"What's going on? Why did the sky change so suddenly?"
"That's weird! The forecast said it'd be clear skies today—where'd all these thunderclouds come from?"
"Hah! You really trust the weather forecast?"
For a moment, the spectators below were whispering, pointing at the ominous heavens.
Even Yao Bin didn't dare stay aloft on Braviary any longer.
In weather like this, it was best to play it safe.
If lightning struck, Braviary might still survive—but his own fragile arms and legs definitely wouldn't be so lucky.
Even Charizard, facing those terrifying clouds, had to fold its wings slightly, flying lower to the ground.
Charizard's thought:I'm not scared—just keeping myself battle-ready!
And yet—
Charizard failed to notice that its trainer's expression had already sunk into sheer terror.
"These thunderclouds…"
"There's no mistaking it. The next Pokémon to appear must be that one."
Lie Ke had never expected this.
He'd come here seeking to capture a Legendary.
But before even finding it—
He was about to fight one.
Su Qingxue, sensing the perfect atmosphere, grew more flamboyant than ever.
Though the Pokémon wasn't one she had personally caught—at this moment, she was the one who commanded it.
So, unable to resist her own surge of theatricality, Su Qingxue raised her voice, almost shouting:
"Divine beast that commands the thunder—Zapdos, unleash your power!"
As she spoke, she flung the Ultra Ball high into the stormy air.
BOOM!
A lightning bolt tore through the darkness, striking the Poké Ball directly.
The next instant—
"Skreeee—!"
A cry like that of an ancient beast of legend pierced through time itself.
Every spectator who heard that cry felt their hearts tremble.
The Pokémon on the field were even worse off—some crouched low, others clung to their trainers' legs, trembling uncontrollably.
Humans might not feel the full difference—but Pokémon could sense it:
The divine might that rippled through that lightning.
This was a power far beyond what ordinary Pokémon could endure.
And at the very front, Charizard bore the full brunt of that overwhelming aura.
If not for the fact that it was a step away from the Champion tier—and a battle-hardened veteran besides—it might not have even had the courage to stand.
Now, Charizard's draconic eyes locked firmly on that blazing bolt of light above.
It wanted to see—what kind of creature could make its very soul tremble like this!
"Skreeee—!"
As the thunderlight faded, a second cry resounded through the heavens.
And finally, everyone saw it clearly.
For a moment—
The entire arena stood, as one, in stunned silence before erupting in chaos.
That yellow silhouette, wreathed in thunder, was one every person here knew all too well.
"Th-that's… Zapdos!!!"
A single cry broke the silence—
And instantly, the entire audience erupted into madness and awe.
---
T/N: I DONT THINK ANY OF YOU READS THE THOUGHTS SECTION SO IM GONNA JUST TRY POSTING IT HERE
...
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say thank you to Girantina for that thoughtful message