Su Feng: "..."
All that worry for nothing—Combusken snuck off to fight in an arena?!
Watching Combusken clash fiercely with Houndoom on the stone platform, Su Feng decided not to interrupt. Fire-type Pokémon crowded around, cheering wildly. He found an empty spot and sat down.
[Is that Combusken on stage?!]
[Bro really made himself at home!]
[Go Combusken! Kick that mutt's ass!]
[But Houndoom looks tough… Not an easy fight.]
Magmar arrived, concerned. The crowd parted respectfully.
"Mag? (Found your partner?)"
Su Feng nodded toward the arena.
"Mag. (Your Combusken's got guts challenging Houndoom.)" Magmar sat beside him.
"You set this up?" Su Feng asked.
"Mag. (Yep. The village's only legal battleground.)"
"Mag. (Fire-types need to vent energy. This keeps things peaceful.)"
Suddenly, a Braixen sashayed through the crowd, holding a tray of glowing red stones.
"Vulpix~! (Place your bets! Will the rookie win his fourth streak, or will Lord Houndoom reign supreme?)"
"Growl! (All-in on Houndoom! That chick's toast!)"
"Hmm… (Houndoom's safer. But the rookie's got spark… small bet.)"
"Mag! (Houndoom for sure! No contest!)"
Braixen's tray quickly piled with Flame Coins and food.
"Those are Flame Coins—our currency," Magmar explained.
Spotting Magmar, Braixen brightened. "Vulpix~! (Boss! Care to bet?)"
Su Feng side-eyed Magmar. "Your side hustle?"
"Mag. (…Passive income.)"
Su Feng facepalmed. This village runs on capitalism?!
Magmar waved Braixen off, but Su Feng stopped her. "I'll bet."
He pulled out a jar of Fire-type Poké Puffs. "All on Combusken."
Braixen hesitated, glancing at Magmar for approval. After a nod, she summoned a Simisear to test the goods.
The Simisear popped a puff into its mouth—then exploded into dance. "Simi! (Sis! This stuff's FIRE!)"
Braixen skeptically sniffed a puff before tasting it. Her eyes widened. "Vulpix! (Premium grade! Worth 200 Flame Coins!)"
Su Feng shrugged. "Deal."
Magmar raised a brow. 200 Coins? That's half a year's savings. But he trusted Braixen's judgment.
As Braixen retreated to tally bets, the match began.
"Torchic!"
Combusken instantly activated Swords Dance, red energy swirling around it.
Houndoom retaliated with Bite, dark energy clamping down on Combusken's shoulder. Gritting through pain, Combusken completed its buff.
Empowered, it launched a Double Kick at Houndoom's head—only for the Dark-type to smirk.
Dogs have iron skulls but weak backs, Houndoom seemed to say. This won't—
THUD!
The kick connected. Houndoom sailed through the air… and crashed lifelessly into the ground.
Silence.