Chapter 2: Battle Against the School Belle
Renjiro turned at the sound of the voice, his gaze settling on a figure approaching from the crowd.
A girl about his age, dressed in a flowing white dress, walked gracefully toward him. Her long, jet-black hair framed a delicate face that seemed to glow under the sunlight. Her confident steps drew every eye, and a quiet murmur spread among the onlookers.
"I'll be your rival," the girl said softly, her voice clear yet commanding.
Renjiro's heart skipped a beat—not out of nervousness, but because he immediately recognized who she was. Li Mengxue. The school belle of Shuangyang No. 11 Middle School. A name known to every student, admired by boys and respected by girls. She was as famous for her beauty as she was for her intelligence. On top of that, she was a gifted Pokémon trainer, the daughter of a well-known gym leader in Shuangyang City.
Her mere presence seemed to brighten the area, and the crowd instinctively stepped back, giving the two trainers space.
"It's her!" thought Renjiro, a flicker of intrigue lighting his eyes.
The information about Li Mengxue surfaced in his mind, thanks to his Eye of Insight. He knew much about her, though she had no idea who he was. To Renjiro, she was just another opponent—albeit a skilled one, who could give him the challenge he desired.
"Of course. I accept," Renjiro replied, his tone calm and steady.
He welcomed the chance to measure himself against one of the top talents in Shuangyang. After all, he needed to push his limits before the National Pokémon College Entrance Examination, which loomed just seven days away. He couldn't afford to hold back.
Li Mengxue said nothing more. She simply nodded, walked past him, and took her position on the opposite side of the battle arena. Her movements were elegant and confident, like a seasoned trainer used to commanding attention.
More spectators gathered, eager to see this matchup. The park was now buzzing with excitement. After all, battles involving the school belle were rare—and here she was, facing off against a boy most didn't recognize.
"My Pokémon is this Beedrill," Renjiro announced, gesturing toward the insect warrior beside him. The Beedrill hovered silently, its twin stingers gleaming under the sun, its wings a blur of motion.
The crowd began whispering.
"That Beedrill again? The same one that took down that Pidgeotto in one hit?"
"Yeah… but Beedrill's going up against Li Mengxue now. It won't be so easy this time."
Li Mengxue's gaze was steady. She unclipped a Poké Ball from her waist and, with a flick of her wrist, sent it sailing onto the field.
"Go, Xiaohua!"
The Poké Ball burst open with a flash of red light. A Charmeleon appeared, its orange scales gleaming, the flame on its tail burning bright and hot. The fire-type Pokémon let out a low growl, its claws flexing as it eyed Beedrill.
"Charmeleon! And at level 22, too!" someone in the crowd called out after checking their trainer watch.
"That's three levels higher than Beedrill… and Fire beats Bug. This should be over fast."
"Go, beautiful girl! Crush him!" others cheered, though some looked on in curiosity, recalling Beedrill's surprising strength in the previous battle.
Renjiro didn't need to glance at a device. His Eye of Insight provided all the data he required.
---
Pokémon: Charmeleon
Type: Fire
Gender: Female
Level: 22
Ability: Blaze (Fire-type moves gain 1.5x power when HP is low)
Moves: Ember, Fire Spin, Scratch, Smokescreen, Growl
---
A tough opponent, no doubt. Charmeleon's level and type advantage made this battle an uphill climb. But Renjiro wasn't intimidated. He trusted his Beedrill. Species Strength and unique abilities would close the gap.
"Ladies first," Renjiro said politely. "You can have the opening move."
Li Mengxue raised an eyebrow at his confidence but didn't argue. "Xiaohua, use Growl!"
The Charmeleon stepped forward, letting out a threatening growl aimed at Beedrill. The sound echoed across the park, lowering Beedrill's attack as intended.
"She's playing it smart," thought Renjiro. "She saw how Beedrill crushed Pidgeotto and wants to weaken him first."
The onlookers commented as well.
"Huh? Why use Growl? She has the level and type advantage. Shouldn't she attack right away?"
"No, she's cautious. That Beedrill is dangerous. I would do the same."
Renjiro's eyes narrowed slightly. A clever move, but not enough.
"Beedrill, Twineedle!" Renjiro commanded.
With a buzz that reverberated across the battlefield, Beedrill launched itself at Charmeleon, twin stingers flashing in the light.
Li Mengxue's response was immediate and calm. "Smokescreen!"
Charmeleon exhaled a thick cloud of black smoke, quickly blanketing the battlefield. The acrid haze filled the air, forcing even some spectators to step back, coughing.
The arena disappeared in darkness. Renjiro could no longer see Charmeleon. Beedrill hovered uncertainly, unable to locate its target.
But the reverse wasn't true. Charmeleon could hear the distinct buzz of Beedrill's wings—a sound impossible to mask.
"She's trying to turn Beedrill's strength against him," Renjiro realized. "But we're not that easy to trap."
"Beedrill, gain altitude! Circle the smoke cloud!"
Beedrill rose above the haze, its sharp eyes scanning for any movement.
Li Mengxue smirked slightly. "Charmeleon, Fire Spin—aim for the sound!"
From within the smoke, Charmeleon let out a roar, and swirling flames shot toward the source of the buzzing noise.
"Dodge!" Renjiro snapped.
Beedrill twisted in mid-air, narrowly avoiding the spiraling inferno. The crowd gasped at the display of speed and precision.
"He dodged it?!"
"Wow, that Beedrill is fast…"
Renjiro's mind raced. He couldn't let this battle drag on. The longer it lasted, the more opportunities Charmeleon would have to land a decisive hit.
"Beedrill, Double Team!"
Suddenly, multiple Beedrill copies appeared, darting around the field at blinding speed. The smoke began to dissipate, but now the arena was filled with a swarm of Beedrill illusions.
Li Mengxue's eyes narrowed. "Ember! Hit the real one!"
Charmeleon fired small bursts of flame, striking down copy after copy—but the real Beedrill evaded, weaving between his doubles.
"Now! Twineedle!"
With the confusion at its peak, the true Beedrill dove at Charmeleon, stingers poised.
Charmeleon barely had time to react before the attack landed—one, two precise strikes that forced the Fire-type back, eyes wide in surprise.
"Charmeleon, hang in there!" Li Mengxue called, concern flickering in her voice for the first time.
Charmeleon growled, the flame on its tail burning fiercer, Blaze activating as its health dipped.
"Ember, point-blank!"
Renjiro knew what was coming. But he was ready.
"Agility, now!"
Beedrill shot upward like a bullet, the Ember grazing harmlessly beneath him. From the sky, he circled back for another strike.
The audience watched, spellbound. This wasn't just a clash of levels or types. This was a contest of strategy, timing, and sheer will.
The battle raged on, each trainer giving their all. Renjiro's Beedrill, though outmatched in type and level, displayed incredible skill and resilience. Charmeleon, fueled by Blaze and guided by Li Mengxue's quick thinking, refused to yield.
Finally, after a final exchange—Beedrill landing a critical Twineedle, Charmeleon's Ember scorching Beedrill's side—the two Pokémon stood, breathing hard, both on the verge of collapse.
Li Mengxue raised her hand. "Enough, Xiaohua. You've done well."
Renjiro nodded. "Beedrill, return."
The crowd erupted into applause, not for the victor—for in truth, it was a draw—but for the incredible battle they had just witnessed.
Li Mengxue approached Renjiro, a smile on her lips. "You're stronger than I expected. I hope we battle again sometime."
Renjiro smiled back. "Count on it."
---