Team Rocket's Second-in-Command!

"Trainer Luo Yuan versus Bug Catcher Yūjiro!"

"The battle will be a 2-on-2. Each side can use two Pokémon."

"Pokémon switching is allowed during battle, and the first to knock out both of their opponent's Pokémon wins!"

Misty recited the agreed-upon rules.

Originally, the Bug Catchers had wanted a 3-on-3 match. However, since Luo Yuan only had two Pokémon ready, they had to settle for a 2-on-2 to keep things fair.

"Let's go, Venonat! Show them what we're made of!" Yūjiro called, tossing his Poké Ball.

With a flash of light, a purple-bodied Venonat with red compound eyes appeared on the field.

Unlike Yūjiro's excitement, Luo Yuan remained calm. "Charmander."

If not for wanting to help Dratini get some payback, Luo Yuan wouldn't have been interested in this battle at all.

At his command, Charmander leapt forward, fixing Venonat with a daring glare and shooting a small burst of flame into the air as a taunt.

"Be careful, Venonat!" Yūjiro called, his expression serious.

As the leader of the Bug Catchers, he knew a fair amount about Pokémon—more than your average rookie like Ash. And he knew the threat of a Fire-type all too well.

"Fire-types might have the advantage over Bugs... but it's just a recently caught Charmander. How tough could it be?" Yūjiro thought to himself before shouting, "Venonat, use Supersonic!"

He planned to confuse Charmander with Supersonic right out of the gate, thinking he could gain an easy advantage if the attack landed.

But with his experience, Luo Yuan could read Yūjiro's moves like an open book.

Luo Yuan snapped his fingers. "Charmander, Smokescreen!"

"Char!"

With Luo Yuan's Fire Affinity boosting their bond, Charmander responded faster than Venonat could.

Before Venonat could even begin its attack, thick black smoke poured from Charmander's mouth, engulfing the field almost instantly.

To top it off, the wind was in Luo Yuan's favor, blowing the smoke directly toward Venonat.

"Cough! Be careful, Venonat!" Yūjiro choked, tearing up as the smoke blew his way.

Despite the warning, Venonat wasn't fast enough. It had just opened its mouth to release Supersonic when the Smokescreen filled its lungs.

Cough, cough... "Nnat!"

As the smoke cleared, Venonat was doubled over, coughing up wisps of smoke.

"Charmander, Ember! Finish it!"

The flame on Charmander's tail burned like a torch, blazing brightly as it released a large volley of embers far stronger than most starters could manage.

"Venonat, dodge it!" Yūjiro called, still flustered.

But if the Trainer was flustered, what chance did the Pokémon have?

A brief yelp escaped Venonat before the Embers struck, knocking it out instantly.

"Venonat is unable to battle! Round one goes to Luo Yuan!"

Yūjiro and the Bug Catchers fell into stunned silence.

"Next round, please," Luo Yuan said, giving Dratini a pat as it seemed visibly pleased to see its pursuers beaten.

"Darn it, that was just a lucky shot! It won't happen again!" Yūjiro muttered, trying to keep face in front of his gang.

With a determined look, he recalled Venonat and reached for his ace.

"Go, Pinsir!"

"Ka-yah!"

Pinsir appeared, its brown, rock-like shell and massive pincers snapping with a menacing crunch.

This Pinsir was Yūjiro's pride and joy, raised since childhood as his partner for the day he'd set out as an official Trainer. He was certain it could handle a Charmander.

"A well-trained Pinsir. Worthy of a battle with my Charmander," Luo Yuan said with a small nod.

"Arrogant!" Yūjiro felt belittled, his temper flaring.

"Show him, boss! Knock him out!" the other Bug Catchers cheered, waving their nets and chanting encouragement.

With his gang's support, Yūjiro felt a surge of confidence. "Get ready to pay up!"

He threw out his hand. "Pinsir, Quick Attack!"

He wouldn't make the same mistake as before—this time, he'd strike first.

Pinsir lunged, powerful legs kicking up dust as it charged. Its pointed pincers cut through the air with a sharp whistle, turning it into a brown blur racing toward Charmander.

"Fast!" Misty gasped in worry.

Even she'd have trouble with such a fast Pinsir. Could Luo Yuan really handle this?

She glanced at Luo Yuan, but to her surprise, both he and Charmander looked perfectly calm.

"Charmander, dodge!"

Against the blistering speed of Pinsir's Quick Attack, Luo Yuan called for the universal counter: the evasive dodge.

Charmander, a top-tier starter bred by the League for new Trainers, already had exceptional qualities. With Luo Yuan's Fire Affinity enhancing its reflexes and bond, it had reached a surprising level of agility.

Charmander's sturdy legs tensed, and, in a flash, it sprang upward, twisting in mid-air like a coiled spring. It sailed past Pinsir, narrowly dodging the charge.

Thud!

Pinsir's pincers hit the ground, embedding themselves in the dirt and leaving a small crater.

"W-What? Impossible!" Yūjiro stammered, his face twisted in disbelief.

But it wasn't over.

"Charmander, use Flamethrower!" Luo Yuan commanded, a slight grin on his face.

For a moment, Charmander hesitated, blinking in confusion. It didn't know Flamethrower yet—it only knew Ember. But then, catching Luo Yuan's encouraging look, Charmander understood his intent.

"Give it a try."

That was the message Luo Yuan conveyed with his gaze.

He wanted to test just how far his Fire Affinity could push Charmander's potential.

Reassured, Charmander focused, calming itself as it gathered energy.

Mid-air, it took a deep breath, feeling heat well up in its belly as its tail flame flared.

Huff...

A reddish glow appeared through its stomach, hinting at the fire building within.

"Char-aaaar!"

A jet of flames burst from Charmander's mouth, a blazing stream that rained down from above, striking Pinsir squarely.

---

T/N: ez win for charmander