Paul: "..."
His partner for the doubles match turned out to be Ash.
No matter how he looked at it, Paul hadn't expected this outcome.
Taking a deep breath, he tried to keep his emotions in check.
He wasn't about to argue with Ash's taunts. He knew that, at this moment, Ash was stronger than him.
If he surpassed Ash in the future, then he would make sure to prove his superiority.
"I know you don't approve of my way of training Pokémon. We can completely—"
Before Paul could finish, Ash cut him off with just two words:
"Chimchar."
Chimchar?
"Hah. So you really did capture that useless thing. What, you plan to use it in this doubles match? That kind of weakling isn't worth your time. If you really wanted a strong Fire-type, you'd be better off catching an Infernape instead."
"Come out, Chimchar."
Ash didn't even acknowledge Paul's words. He simply released Chimchar from its Poké Ball.
Pikachu perched on Ash's left shoulder.
Chimchar leaped onto his right shoulder.
"Chaa!"
The little Fire-type nuzzled against Ash's cheek affectionately before locking eyes with Paul.
Paul stared back at Chimchar.
It was… different.
Paul frowned.
He prided himself on being able to judge a Pokémon's strength with pinpoint accuracy.
And right now, he could tell—Chimchar had undergone a drastic transformation.
"You… what did you do to it?"
Paul couldn't believe it.
He had pushed Chimchar to its limits, trained it in every way possible, but no matter what he did, he could never make it reach its full potential.
Yet Ash had somehow accomplished what he couldn't—in such a short time?
If that was the case…
Then maybe… maybe Ash really could help Chimchar control that special Blaze.
What Paul didn't realize was that Ash hadn't just helped Chimchar control Blaze.
He had already mastered it.
"Chimchar," Ash spoke with a smirk, "today's match is your chance to prove to him just how wrong he was about you. Show him how foolish he was to rely on brute force alone. Training that disregards a Pokémon's potential and instincts is nothing but a shortcut to self-destruction."
"Chaa!"
Chimchar's eyes burned with determination.
It nodded firmly.
The Doubles Tournament Begins!
The first match for Group A started!
Four trainers took their positions—one side sending out a Rapidash and a Feraligatr.
The other side fielded a Bibarel and a Mothim.
"And now, the first match of Group A begins!"
Announcer voice echoed through the arena.
The participants not currently battling took their places in the stands, watching the action unfold.
Before long, it was Anabel's turn.
She sent out Espeon, while her partner—a young girl—chose Flareon.
Two Eeveelutions on the same team caught the attention of the crowd.
Their opponents were two young men using a Luxray and a Chimecho.
Anabel, a Frontier Brain, had no trouble at all securing victory.
Her partner followed Anabel's lead, and Espeon and Flareon flawlessly outmaneuvered their opponents, taking down Luxray and Chimecho with precise coordination.
Next was Dawn's turn.
Ash's eyes lingered on her partner.
He recognized this guy—Conway.
Conway was an analytical battler, someone who had done extensive research on different trainers.
He paid special attention to anyone who had participated in Pokémon League tournaments.
And his ace? Slowking.
A Pokémon with incredibly high intelligence.
Their opponents were a girl with a Scyther and a muscular man with a Weezing.
With a combination of Slowking's defensive tactics and Piplup's offensive prowess, Conway and Dawn easily secured a victory.
Both Anabel's and Dawn's teams advanced.
Ash and Paul were in Group H—the last group.
As the battles progressed, the tournament quickly reached its final first-round matchup.
It was finally their turn.
Paul crossed his arms. "Ash, let's make this interesting. Let's see who can take down an opponent first."
Ash smirked. "Fine by me."
Paul immediately grabbed his Poké Ball. "Electabuzz, get ready!"
His goal was simple—use this tournament to give his Pokémon more battle experience.
He had already obtained the Electirizer he needed.
After this match, he would evolve Electabuzz into Electivire.
That meant Electivire would soon become his second-strongest Pokémon, right behind Torterra.
On the opposing side, their opponents chose a Rhyperior and a Magmortar.
"Alright, this is it! The last match of Group H! The battle begins now!"
Announcer voice signaled the start of the match.
Chimchar stood beside Electabuzz, eyes locked on its target—Rhyperior.
Paul glanced at Ash but said nothing.
He knew that Rhyperior's Lightning Rod ability would absorb any Electric-type attacks.
But that didn't matter to him.
He wasn't planning on using Electric-type moves anyway.
Paul saw Chimchar eyeing Rhyperior.
He scoffed.
Even if Chimchar had improved, there was no way it could take down a powerhouse like Rhyperior.
Paul had already decided.
He would deal with Magmortar first.
"Rhyperior, Drill Run!"
"Magmortar, ignore Electabuzz's attacks! Charge forward with Fire Punch!"
Their opponents made the first move.
Paul saw that Ash hadn't given a command yet.
"Tch. Electabuzz, Thunder Punch! Watch out for Rhyperior's attack!"
Ash grinned.
He met Chimchar's eyes.
"Now's your chance. Show them your power."
Chimchar crouched.
It was ready.
"The rage inside you, the frustration, the desire to prove yourself—let it all out now! Use Quick Attack to close the distance, then Mach Punch!"
"CHAA!!"
Chimchar vanished.
A streak of red light shot across the battlefield—faster than ever before!
Before anyone could react, Chimchar was already right in front of Rhyperior!
A single Mach Punch—strengthened by the momentum of Quick Attack—slammed into Rhyperior's gut!
BOOM!
A dull, explosive impact echoed through the stadium.
Rhyperior, despite its massive size, was sent flying like a cannonball!
It crashed into the arena's reinforced walls, shaking the entire stadium.
Gasps erupted from the crowd.
"What the hell?!"
Even Paul's eyes widened.
That wasn't normal.
That was something else.
Ash didn't let up.
"Now, Chimchar! Flamethrower!"
"CHAA!!"
A roaring inferno erupted from Chimchar's mouth, swallowing Magmortar whole!
Under normal circumstances, a Flamethrower wouldn't do much to another Fire-type.
But this wasn't a normal Flamethrower.
Chimchar's fire… was different.
As the flames intensified, Chimchar's mind flashed with memories—
Memories of Paul's brutal training.
Memories of being pushed past its limits.
Memories of being treated like a mere tool.
A cold fire burned in Chimchar's eyes.
The flames from its mouth raged even hotter.
And for the first time…
Paul felt an unfamiliar sensation rising inside him.
A feeling he never expected.
Unease.
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T/N:
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