When Chen Shi reached the cave where Garchomp and Salamence trained, he saw Drakloak tilting its head back, Dragon energy gathering at its mouth while Salamence barked teaching cues from the side.
A moment later, Drakloak roared—
A meteor of condensed Dragon energy launched into the sky.
Chen Shi's eyes lit up.
This was unmistakably the Dragon-type signature move—
Dragon Meteor.
But instead of exploding into a raining barrage, the meteor plummeted straight down—
BOOM.
A crater burst open on the ground.
A complete replay of that famous anime moment where Ash's Gible headbutted the earth with "Draco Meteor."
Chen Shi burst out laughing.
Drakloak spun around, mortified—its face flushing red.
"Chiyaa!!"
If it could, it would bury itself underground.
Why did Chen Shi have to show up exactly now—right at its most humiliating moment?!
Salamence watched with amused approval.
For a beginner, launching a meteor that size was already impressive—it had taken Salamence ages to reach this point.
Chen Shi stepped forward.
"Keep it up, Drakloak."
Drakloak glanced away, still sulking.
"You've already learned a major move on your first day training with Salamence. That's incredible."
"Chi—chia?"
Drakloak hesitated, unsure if it should accept the praise.
Chen Shi handed it the backpack Grandma packed.
"Your rations. Finish them and come find me. Learn everything you can from Salamence and Garchomp—I'm waiting for your full transformation."
Drakloak took the bag, nodding seriously.
"Dragon-sis, please take care of him."
Salamence waved a wing dismissively—training a talented youngster was entertaining.
"I'll head back."
Chen Shi left the back mountain, planning to check on Togepi's training.
Back at the villa, a tall Arcanine lay weakly in the living room.
Grandpa and Grandma were examining it.
Beside them stood a pale but strikingly beautiful woman in Senior Inspector uniform—
Junsha Muko, the rising star of the Junsha family.
Hearing the door, the three looked up.
Grandpa and Grandma kept working.
Muko forced a faint smile at Chen Shi.
"Shi'er—you're back? You've grown."
Chen Shi recognized her instantly—one of the rare elite Inspectors under thirty.
He moved closer to the Arcanine.
"Muko-sister, what happened to your Arcanine? Will it be okay?"
Data flashed before him.
Pokémon: Arcanine
Level: 67 (Late Super-Elite)
Potential:Elite Four
Gender: Male
Ability:Justified (Heart of Justice)
Moves (excerpt):Ember, Bite, Howl, Flame Wheel, Flamethrower, Leer, Protect, Take Down, Extreme Speed, Fire Spin, Charged Flame Assault, Sunny Day, Overheat, Substitute…
Chen Shi whistled inwardly.
The Junsha bloodline really did raise monsters.
Grandpa explained:
"The external wounds are treated, but there's massive foreign Fire energy rampaging inside it. Its own power is going berserk.
If we can't expel that invasive energy, the Arcanine won't survive."
Junsha Muko's expression tightened in fear.
"What?!"
A Fire-type being overwhelmed by fire energy?
Impossible—unless…
…unless the source was overwhelming beyond reason.
Grandpa continued:
"This looks like a Champion-class Camerupt attack."
Junsha Muko nodded miserably.
"Yes. A Champion-level Camerupt dealt the blow."
A chill crawled down Chen Shi's back.
Even a same-type Pokémon could be pushed to death from internal energy overload?
Champion-level truly was a different world.
Grandpa didn't pry about the mission.
Instead, he stated calmly:
"This Arcanine doesn't need a Revival Elixir. It needs an Energy Induction Elixir and a Stabilizing Elixir."
Then he named the prices plainly:
"Induction Elixir — 5,000,000 League Coins.
Stabilizing Elixir — 3,000,000."
"Will you use them?"
"Yes! Please!"
Junsha Muko responded instantly.
Money wasn't the problem—finding someone with such high-grade potions was.
Grandpa turned to Gardevoir:
"Bring boxes No. 53 and 74."
"Shaa-nai~"
Teleport. Return. Two boxes.
Grandpa took them and headed outside.
Junsha recalled Arcanine and followed.
Chen Shi trailed behind them.
Outside, Grandpa released Arcanine again.
He opened Box 53 and took out the Energy Induction Elixir.
Pressing the vial to Arcanine's mouth, he instructed:
"Drink this. Then force the intrusive fire outward through your mouth. Do you understand?"
Arcanine struggled, looked at Muko for reassurance, then swallowed the potion.
Grandpa immediately pulled Muko and Chen Shi far back.
Arcanine convulsed—
Dark red flames flickered violently across its body.
Muko panicked.
"Old Chen, is this safe?!"
Grandpa replied steadily:
"It will be. Trust me."
She clenched her fists, praying.
Arcanine's roars turned to agonized howls as the invasive fire energy surged.
The air grew hotter—
The ground trembled.
With a final, explosive roar—
Arcanine unleashed a colossal jet of fire, blasting it skyward.
"Holy—!"
Chen Shi swore as a furnace-like wave hit them from afar.
The pillar of flame tore through the sky—
Raw, savage, world-shaking.
Watching it, Chen Shi understood—
This was the difference between Elite and Champion.
Even residual energy from a Champion attack could unleash destruction at this scale.
This was power, unfiltered and absolute.