"Grr! (How is this possible?!)" Turtonator struggled to stand, disbelief etched across its face.
But the murmurs of the crowd and the sight of Combusken still standing on the platform confirmed its defeat.
"Arf! (I lost so much money!)"
"Hmph... (Lucky I'm broke...)"
"Mag. (Boys, meet me at the crater.)"
Turtonator had been the undefeated champion of this arena since its inception. No one had imagined it would fall to a Combusken—a Pokémon that had only evolved once. Yet here it was, defeated by an outsider whose strength rivaled even fully evolved Fire-types.
In stark contrast to the dismay of the crowd, Braixen was overjoyed.
"Vulpix! (Yes! Not only did I recover my losses—I made a profit!)"
Flame Coins were the local currency, used primarily to trade for rare volcanic delicacies. The winnings from this match would sustain her for years. Of course, a portion had to be paid to the human who had placed the winning bet, but Braixen was more than satisfied.
With Simisear's help, she began counting out Su Feng's earnings.
"Arf! (That was amazing!)"
A small Growlithe, who had been quietly watching from the sidelines, stared at Combusken with stars in its eyes. The way Combusken had outmaneuvered Turtonator left an indelible impression.
"Arf! (Can I ever be as strong as you?!)" It bounced excitedly on its tiny paws.
Hearing the voice, Combusken turned and noticed the little pup. His right leg still dripped blood from the battle, and shards of Turtonator's explosive shell were embedded in the wound. Every step sent sharp pain shooting through him.
Yet, despite the pain, Combusken limped over and gently patted Growlithe's head.
"Torchic. (Of course. Train hard, and you'll surpass me one day.)"
Then, as if remembering something, he shook his head with a wry smile. "Torchic. (And honestly... I'm not even that strong.)"
To Growlithe, though, Combusken was already invincible.
"Combusken." Su Feng called from below the platform.
Hearing his trainer, Combusken limped back, each step a struggle.
"You did great." Su Feng ruffled Combusken's feathers with genuine pride.
A rare, childlike smile spread across Combusken's face. Somehow, Su Feng's praise meant more than defeating Turtonator.
"Arf? (A strong Pokémon can smile like that?)"
Growlithe had always assumed strength meant being fierce and stoic—like Turtonator. Yet here was Combusken, grinning like a happy child in front of his human.
Su Feng overheard the pup's muttering and turned his attention to it.
Ah, this must be the Growlithe Magmar mentioned—the one who noticed Turtonator's weakness.
[So cute! I want one!]
[So many dog Pokémon on this volcano! This one's adorable, but I still prefer Houndour.]
[Different strokes for different folks! Both have their charm.]
[Feng-ge, what's this pup called?]
Seeing the questions, Su Feng began his explanation.
"This is Growlithe, a pure Fire-type known as the Puppy Pokémon."
"Its fur is primarily orange-yellow, with cream-colored markings on its muzzle, chest, tail, and mane. The black stripes add to its striking appearance."
"Loyal, intelligent, and obedient, Growlithe surpasses even Houndour in discipline. Once it recognizes you as its trainer, it will follow every command flawlessly."
"Its sense of smell is extraordinary—it never forgets a scent and can even detect human emotions through odor."
Removing his glove and mask, Su Feng crouched and stroked Growlithe's fluffy head.
So soft.
"Being strong doesn't mean losing your emotions. Even the mightiest Pokémon can be affectionate."
"Torchic! (I-I'm not affectionate!)" Combusken protested, his face flushing.
[Oh? Why's your face red?]
[Looking refreshed! (Loud!)]
[Shouldn't the next line be Let me see?]
[Tsundere Combusken is adorable too.]
Growlithe felt an odd warmth in its chest at Su Feng's touch.
Unaware of the pup's thoughts, Su Feng re-equipped his gear and sat down, pulling the flustered Combusken closer. From his backpack, he retrieved medical supplies.
Carefully, he removed the shrapnel from Combusken's wounds and sprayed them with a Potion. The injuries would heal completely within hours. To prevent further strain, he recalled Combusken into his Luxury Ball.
"Goodbye, little one."
With the battle concluded, it was time to search for Moltres. If possible, Su Feng hoped to obtain a fragment of its flame—a resource that might prove invaluable for future projects, like establishing a Pokémon League.
"Magmar! Let's go!"
Magmar blinked. "Mag? (Aren't you taking your Flame Coins?)"
"I'll collect them later." Su Feng waved dismissively. "You wouldn't cheat me, right?"
Magmar shrugged. "Mag. (We run an honest business here.)"
As Su Feng walked away, Growlithe stood frozen.
If it had once admired Combusken for his strength, now it envied something else entirely—the bond he shared with his trainer.