Chapter 10: Who Commands My Arcanine?
Renjiro closed his eyes, standing still in the chaos as the battle raged on. A subtle energy invisible to ordinary people extended outward from him, gently surrounding the powerful Arcanine that clung to Salamence's leg with unwavering determination.
"Help me, Arcanine," Renjiro called out—not aloud, but deep within the connection that bound his spirit to Pokémon through the power of Evergreen.
Arcanine, still fiercely gripping Salamence's foot, froze for just a moment as a strange voice echoed in his mind. His dark eyes flickered with confusion as he glanced around, searching for whoever had called to him. But apart from the battered Beedrill, who struggled in midair against Salamence's furious attacks, there was no one else nearby who could have spoken.
"I'm Beedrill's trainer," Renjiro continued silently, focusing all his will into his mental message. "I need your help. Please, mighty Arcanine."
This was the true power of Evergreen—the ancient gift granted once every ten years to those chosen by the Evergreen Forest. It allowed Renjiro a bond of extraordinary closeness with Pokémon, an affinity that transcended the usual barrier between humans and these incredible creatures. Even though Arcanine wasn't his Pokémon, Renjiro hoped his plea would be enough to inspire cooperation.
"Woof...woof..." (You're not my trainer,) Arcanine's voice resonated in Renjiro's mind, filled with confusion but not hostility.
"I know I'm not. But listen, Arcanine... I need you. Your master would want you to protect the innocent. We're on the same side," Renjiro pressed, pouring all his sincerity into the connection.
Nearby, Liu Shuyun watched in bewilderment as Renjiro stood motionless amidst the destruction. Salamence roared, its claws tearing the air apart. Beedrill dodged desperately, his breathing ragged. His slender form trembled from exhaustion.
"What is he doing?! Beedrill's on the verge of collapse!" she cried, wanting to shake Renjiro out of whatever trance he seemed to be in. In her mind, Beedrill wouldn't last another second against Salamence's rage.
Arcanine hesitated, memories surfacing from his days as a Growlithe pup. He recalled the warmth in his trainer's voice—the day she first took him in, promising they would protect the people together. That promise had guided him through countless battles.
"Yes... my master would want me to help..." Arcanine's thoughts shifted. His eyes burned with renewed purpose.
"What do you need me to do?" he asked silently, his resolve hardening.
Relief washed over Renjiro. "Good. Listen carefully. Follow my orders. Together, we can bring Salamence down."
Above them, Salamence roared again, twisting his powerful neck to unleash a blast of Dragon Breath at Beedrill. The searing stream of energy crackled through the air. Beedrill flapped his wings frantically, barely managing to twist aside, his thin body avoiding the worst of the blast.
But Salamence wasn't done. With a vicious snarl, it lashed out with its gleaming Dragon's Tail. Beedrill, drained of strength and breath, could no longer react fast enough.
"No!" Liu Shuyun gasped, covering her mouth in horror. The onlookers froze. Some shielded their eyes, unable to bear the sight of the smaller Pokémon about to be struck down.
At that instant, Arcanine moved.
"Now!" Renjiro commanded.
Using the grip of his fangs on Salamence's leg, Arcanine pushed off with all his might, becoming a blur of white light as he launched himself with Extreme Speed. In a heartbeat, he smashed into Salamence's belly.
The dragon howled in agony, its wings faltering. It tumbled through the air, crashing toward the ground below.
"Arcanine!" someone cried out. The crowd erupted in astonishment.
"Arcanine saved that Beedrill!"
"That was Deputy Zhong's Arcanine!"
Zhong Ling herself, rushing to the scene, slowed as she witnessed the incredible sight. Her loyal partner had acted on his own—no, that wasn't right. Someone had commanded him. But who?
Liu Shuyun turned to Renjiro, wide-eyed. "How did you do that?" she asked in disbelief.
Renjiro didn't answer. His focus remained locked on Arcanine.
"Now, use Flame Charge!" he ordered.
Arcanine's magnificent coat burst into roaring flame. With the force of a meteor, he plunged after the falling Salamence, smashing into it with the full power of his momentum and fire combined.
A deafening boom shook the street as Salamence crashed into a row of buildings, sending rubble and dust into the air.
In Renjiro's mind, the voice of the system chimed:
> Ding! Growlithe and Beedrill under your command defeated Level 51 Salamence. Each gained 2450 experience points.
You have obtained 77 combat points. Current combat points: 110.
Beedrill's level surged to 21 as energy from the battle washed over him.
The crowd was stunned into silence, then erupted into cheers and disbelief.
"That Arcanine's moves were so clean! First Extreme Speed, then Flame Charge—perfectly chained!"
"He used the momentum of the fall to make Flame Charge even stronger. That's insane!"
Yet Zhong Ling's heart pounded in confusion. She knew her Arcanine—the proud "Mighty General"—would never act without her command. The first bite on Salamence's leg was by her earlier instruction. But the follow-up? The combo attack? That had come from someone else. But who?
Renjiro, without pause, recalled his exhausted Beedrill. "You did well, partner," he whispered.
"We need to go," he urged Liu Shuyun, supporting her as they slipped away into the side streets. Every second counted now. The enemy's plans had failed, but danger still lurked. He couldn't risk staying.
Liu Shuyun leaned on him, her heart filled with gratitude and confusion. This young man—where had he come from, and how did he do these things?
Behind them, the battle's aftermath settled.
A Charizard soared into view, carrying a middle-aged man in a long coat. He dismounted smoothly, his sharp eyes scanning the scene. This was Li Tian, leader of Shuangyan Gym, father of Li Mengxue. His Charizard let out a low growl, still on alert.
"Looks like I was too late," Li Tian said, surveying the wreckage. Salamence lay unconscious, buried in debris, its mighty form beaten.
Zhong Ling saluted him respectfully. "Thank you for coming, Master Li."
Li Tian shook his head. "I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help. But I see you handled it."
He exchanged a look with Zhong Ling's Arcanine, who stood quietly beside her, head bowed, still puzzled by what had happened.
"If there's nothing else, I'll return to the gym. I have challengers waiting," Li Tian said.
"Of course, Master Li. Thank you again," Zhong Ling replied.
Li Tian climbed back onto Charizard, the two flying off into the sky.
As quiet returned to the street, an investigator approached Zhong Ling. "Captain, we couldn't locate the trainer of that Beedrill."
Zhong Ling sighed, rubbing her temple. "Understood."
The evidence pointed to remote control of Salamence—an earpiece found shattered near its head. Clearly, this was no accident. Someone had used Salamence as a weapon, and someone else had the skill to command both Beedrill and, somehow, her own Arcanine.
Who was this mysterious trainer who could do what no ordinary person could?
Why had so much unfolded in this quiet third-tier city?
And what would happen next?
Zhong Ling's eyes narrowed as she stared at the horizon, determination burning within. She would find out.
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