Pidgeotto let out a sharp cry as the power blasted from Pelipper's beak slammed it brutally into the ground. The arena floor instantly cracked like a spiderweb, and Pidgeotto collapsed into unconsciousness.
"Pidgeotto is unable to battle!" the referee declared.
"In just a single move, Pidgeotto was completely knocked out! As expected of Miss Sherry's Pelipper—the power is simply overwhelming!" The announcer's voice rang with astonishment, and the crowd erupted in cheers, their praise for Pelipper's strength resounding through the stadium.
"Yozora… too bad. He doesn't have an Electric-type Pokémon," Ritchie sighed quietly.
In his eyes, no matter how strong Pelipper was, a single Thunderbolt could have decided the match.
But Yozora lacked any Electric-types, and that alone placed him at a severe disadvantage.
Silently, Yozora recalled Pidgeotto into its Poké Ball.
"That Pelipper is certainly stronger than I expected," he thought. "But Charmander will be enough to handle it!"
The moment Yozora sent out Charmander, the crowd roared in disbelief.
"What? Against Pelipper, Yozora's second choice is Charmander? Has Pelipper's strength broken his fighting spirit already?" The announcer's voice carried doubt, and many spectators nodded in agreement.
To them, Yozora still had Psyduck and Nidorino. Why would he send out a Pokémon that was at a type disadvantage?
Across the field, Sherry's eyes flickered as she looked at the small Fire-type. "Yozora… could it be that your Charmander has already mastered Thunder Punch?"
Her words instantly set off a wave through the crowd. Even the announcer's eyes lit up as they turned toward Yozora.
Yes—Thunder Punch.
While Charmander's typing left it weak to Pelipper, that weakness was only doubled.
But Thunder Punch against Pelipper? That was quadruple effective.
The difference was night and day.
"No. Not yet," Yozora answered honestly.
Charmander wasn't an Electric-type. Forget mastering Thunder Punch—just absorbing the energy from the Thunder Stone necklace was slow and inefficient.
How could it possibly be that easy?
"I see." Sherry gave a faint smile, her muscles, which had unconsciously tensed, relaxing once more.
She had expected a fierce, grueling battle against Yozora. Though she felt confident, she had never thought it would be simple.
But now…
She had already claimed victory once. And with Yozora sending out Charmander as his second choice, she felt her nerves ease completely.
"Pelipper, set up Rain Dance!" Sherry ordered, her voice brimming with confidence.
"Peliiiii!"
Pelipper raised its head and let out a resonant cry. Dark clouds instantly gathered above the battlefield, and rain began to pour down in sheets.
The downpour completely engulfed the arena. Both trainers and their Pokémon were drenched, though the spectators remained dry thanks to the protective barriers.
This was the power of Drizzle. Swift, absolute—able to alter the battlefield in an instant.
Sure, the move Rain Dance could also call forth the weather. But it required time to gather moisture in the air, condense it into clouds, and slowly form the rain.
And during that process, the Pokémon casting the move was completely vulnerable—an open target.
Unless one had the endurance to withstand an opponent's full-force assault, recklessly using Rain Dance or Sunny Day was no better than suicide.
That was the difference between a move and an Ability.
That was why Yozora longed for a Pokémon with Drizzle. Rain Dance alone wasn't enough.
Battles shifted in the blink of an eye. Timing was everything. A single heartbeat too late could already cost victory.
As the rain poured down harder, Sherry's smile widened.
In rain, Water-type moves grew stronger, while Fire-type moves weakened drastically.
The contrast was immense.
"Nidorino's Poison Point would have been troublesome, and Psyduck could also benefit from the rain as a Water-type. But against Charmander…"
Her expression softened with confidence. "I've already won this match."
The downpour drenched Charmander's small body. Droplets gathered on its scales and snout before sliding off in streams.
"…Hm?" Sherry frowned. Something felt off.
Even in the heavy rain, Charmander's face showed not the slightest trace of pain.
Perhaps its level was high enough to resist? Perhaps it was simply strong?
But then… why did it look excited?
The crowd stared in shock. A Fire-type Pokémon, in pouring rain, should have been miserable, struggling just to endure.
Yet Charmander… was thrilled.
"Shhh!"
At that moment, a brilliant white light burst from Charmander's body.
Its frame expanded, its energy erupting upward. Life force surged, transforming.
"Rooaaarrr!"
When the light faded, Charmeleon roared with authority, its cry shaking the arena.
The sheer force of its voice sent a wave of air blasting outward, scattering the falling rain.
Sherry, standing closest, widened her eyes, raising an arm to shield herself.
"It evolved at this moment… such terrifying pressure! Senior level… peak?!"
The aura radiating from Charmeleon left her stunned.
Pokémon: Charmeleon
Type: Fire
Abilities: Blaze + Blaze + Blaze + Water Absorb
Level: Senior PeakPotential: Tier 3 Deity
Moves: Tackle, Slash, Flamethrower, Fire Spin, Fire Blast, Flame Charge, Fire Punch, Flare Blitz, Scary Face
Description: A Charmeleon with astonishing potential. Once it enters Blaze state, its power surges to explosive levels.
Bond Achieved: Additional Ability Slot unlocked.
Senior Peak!
Whether because of its deep foundation, immense potential, or both—Charmander's evolution had caused it to leap forward by two entire levels.
And in the process, it had instinctively mastered three new moves: Slash, Scary Face, and Fire Blast.
Fire Blast, a high-power Fire-type special move, was among the strongest in its category.
Slash, a Normal-type move, was fundamental—many Pokémon could learn it once they reached a certain level.
And finally, Scary Face. Likely born from Charmeleon's own natural ferocity, its menacing glare could freeze opponents in fear, drastically lowering their speed.
The rainstorm continued, but the battlefield's atmosphere had changed completely.
The match was no longer the same.
(End of Chapter)