After securing the footage of Damian's abuse, Kazuki made a copy and handed it to Misty so she could take it to Nurse Joy for help.
He, meanwhile, set off to find Charmander.
When he arrived at the rocky outcrop, Charmander perked up instantly and wagged its tail happily in greeting.
"Pika!"
Pikachu, ever the diplomat, darted ahead and leapt onto the rock, eagerly chatting with Charmander to help Kazuki win him over.
"Still waiting for your 'Trainer'?" Kazuki asked gently.
Rawr…
Charmander glanced into the distance, his expression falling.
"You might not believe what I'm about to say… but take a look at this."
Kazuki played the video.
As Charmander watched, his eyes began to well up with tears.
Only now did he understand—after all those times he couldn't find Damian—it wasn't an accident.
He had been abandoned.
Rawr…
Charmander turned to Kazuki, his voice trembling, asking if it was because he was too weak.
Kazuki reached out and stroked his head gently.
"There's no such thing as a useless Pokémon—only useless Trainers."
"You have the potential of a Champion. Are you really going to let a man who tossed you aside bury all that strength?"
"If you're willing… we can fight side by side—toward the Hall of Champions."
Next to them, the video of Damian beating Pidgeotto continued to play.
The contrast was too stark.
In an instant, the gloom on Charmander's face vanished. He jumped into Kazuki's arms, full of determination and loyalty.
"Pika!"
Pikachu scrambled onto Kazuki's shoulder and cheered with a spark of excitement.
"Ugh, this day sucks!"
Right on cue, Damian appeared, brushing feathers off his clothes as he walked right into Kazuki's path.
Char!
Charmander immediately sensed his former Trainer's presence—not with yearning, but with a fierce, unwavering glare.
Kazuki glanced at the conveniently delivered Damian. He had been wondering how to complete the second half of the mission—and now it was knocking on his door.
"Charmander, want me to join you for your first real battle?"
Char!
Charmander's eyes sparkled as he nodded vigorously at Kazuki.
"Alright! Let's make that blind fool pay for not recognizing your worth."
Charmander hopped down and strutted forward with his head held high.
Damian frowned at the sight.
"Ugh, you again? What a pain! Get lost! I'm not in the mood today!"
"Charmander's not here for you anymore," Kazuki stepped forward. "He's here to prove which one of you is the real trash."
Seeing Kazuki appear, Damian immediately tensed. He had no lackeys around now, and if Kazuki beat him up out here in the woods, he'd have no one to complain to.
"Hey, uh… we're both Trainers here, y'know? We shouldn't resort to violence!" Damian instinctively took a step back, already preparing to flee.
"Fight you? Please, I wouldn't dirty my hands. Charmander's the one challenging you—to show you exactly who the trash is."
Hearing that it was a Pokémon battle, Damian relaxed.
"Ohhh, so you're fighting on behalf of that trash? Tch."
"And what, you like that weakling now?"
His eyes landed on the Pikachu perched on Kazuki's shoulder.
"Heh, another worthless yellow rat. You sure do like picking up garbage, huh?"
"Pika…"
Pikachu's cheeks crackled with sparks, red dots glowing with fury.
"Pikachu, today's not your battle. This is Charmander's redemption."
"Pika!"
Pikachu settled down obediently, merely glaring at Damian.
"What's the matter?" Kazuki taunted. "You flapping your mouth because you're scared of facing us?"
"Scared?" Damian scoffed. "Hah! You've got some nerve!"
"Perfect. I'm already pissed off today. I'll use this trash match to blow off some steam!"
"Let's go! Poliwag, come teach them a lesson!"
After getting beat by a Poliwag last time, Damian had used his connections to acquire one of his own.
Charmander, who already had a score to settle with Damian, now had the extra motivation of facing a Poliwag again. The flame on his tail burned even brighter.
"Charmander, don't rush in. Water-types are your weakness—we need to be smart."
Kazuki hadn't yet completed the task to obtain the Charcoal, so there was no bonus to Charmander's Fire-type moves. That made him extra cautious.
"Poliwag, use Water Gun!"
Damian mimicked the exact strategy that had beaten him before, aiming to humiliate Charmander again.
"Charmander, dodge and use Smokescreen!"
Kazuki wasn't about to make the same mistake Damian had.
A thick cloud of smoke billowed out, blinding Damian.
"Wha—? What the hell?! I can't see a thing!"
While Damian panicked, Kazuki kept a close eye on Poliwag's position.
"Now! Charmander—use Scratch!"
Charmander was only around level 10, and didn't yet know any powerful Fire-type moves. And facing a Water-type, Kazuki had opted for a reliable Normal-type attack.
In the cover of the smoke, Charmander launched his assault.
Poliwag tried to fight back, but its accuracy was shot. It flailed wildly, missing every time.
Then, as the smoke cleared, Charmander finished it off with a swing of his tail, sending Poliwag flying.
"Huh?!"
Damian's jaw practically hit the ground.
"That… That Charmander is that strong?"
His eyes flicked with calculation.
"Huh… didn't expect this little rejected pokemon to have something in him."
"Well then—guess I'll keep you after all!"
Trying to save face, Damian shamelessly pulled out a Poké Ball.
But before he could throw it, Charmander whipped his tail and smacked the ball right back into Damian's face.
Then, just for good measure, he exhaled a fiery blast, roasting Damian until he was blackened and smoking.
"AAAHHHH! Damn it! You—you two—I'm gonna destroy you both!"
Damian fumbled for more Poké Balls, but—
WEEEOOOO~!
The wail of sirens rang out, halting his movements in place.
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Next Goal:- 400 PS
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