Compared to his previous two Pokémon, A-Huo’s Charmeleon carried a much stronger presence.
Charmeleon (Male)
Type: Fire
Ability: Blaze
Nature: Hasty (+Speed, −Defense)
Potential: Pseudo-Elite Four (high potential)
Current strength: Mid-Elite level
“Mid-Elite level… Even with the type advantage, this is still a water battlefield, which limits Charmeleon.
It’s also slightly weaker than Grovyle.
And Grovyle just recovered most of its stamina with Mega Drain—our chances aren’t low,” Tianlin analyzed calmly.
“Finish it in one go!
Charmeleon, use Flamethrower!”
A stream of flames shot forward.
“Grovyle, strike the water with Slam!”
Grovyle smashed the water’s surface, creating a massive wave like a wall, blocking the Flamethrower.
“A-Huo, like you said earlier—you have the type advantage, but we have the field advantage.
Grovyle, keep striking the water!”
As Grovyle continued, waves surged across the battlefield.
Water splashed onto both platforms.
Grovyle wasn’t affected, but Charmeleon struggled, dodging constantly.
“Charmeleon, use Fire Spin to surround yourself!”
A vortex of flames formed, protecting Charmeleon.
Tianlin’s eyes lit up.
Water counters fire—but fire can also evaporate water.
These waves weren’t true Water-type attacks, and they were neutralized by the intense heat.
“Hmph, now watch this—Charmeleon, use Scary Face!”
Combined with Fire Spin, the move formed a terrifying flaming dragon visage.
Even Grovyle flinched, its Speed sharply reduced.
Tianlin was genuinely impressed.
Fire Spin was being used for both offense and defense—this strategy would score highly even in Contests.
The situation flipped instantly.
Grovyle’s speed advantage was effectively gone.
“Charmeleon, use Dragon Rage!”
Grovyle tried to counter with water splashes, but Dragon Rage dealt fixed damage.
With reduced speed, Grovyle struggled to dodge—barely avoiding the first hit, but taking the second directly.
“Fire Spin for defense, Scary Face for control, Dragon Rage for offense… So this wasn’t reckless at all,” Tianlin said.
“A-Huo, I underestimated you.
I’ve been too smooth lately—and careless.
You’ve reminded me of that.”
“Since I can’t rely on speed anymore… we’ll fight head-on.
Grovyle—charge into the Fire Spin and use Leaf Blade!”
Without hesitation, Grovyle leapt into the flames.
“What?!
Are you insane?!
A Grass-type charging into a Fire-type move?” A-Huo shouted.
“Then I won’t hold back—Charmeleon, use Slash!”
Inside the vortex, the sound of claws and blades clashing echoed.
Grovyle was knocked out, its body scorched—but its eyes remained resolute.
It charged again, striking Charmeleon hard this time and knocking it out of the vortex.
“Big sis… when was the last time our Gym saw a battle like this?” Daisy murmured.
“I can’t remember,” Sakura replied softly.
“They’re far stronger than us—even stronger than Misty.
Pallet Town really produces extraordinary Trainers… I just hope Misty grows quickly.”
“Grovyle, cut the platform with Leaf Blade!”
The platform split in two.
Both Pokémon fell into the water, and Fire Spin was extinguished.
Charmeleon struggled desperately—its tail flame was at risk.
Grovyle was also hindered but far less so.
It used Slam repeatedly, dealing heavy damage.
“Grovyle, that’s enough.
Jump to another platform—and pull Charmeleon up too.”
Tianlin had no intention of winning cruelly.
Back on a new platform, both Pokémon were exhausted.
Charmeleon was heavily injured, and Grovyle was covered in burns.
This would be decided in one final exchange.
“Idiot!
You could’ve won just now—but I won’t be grateful!
Charmeleon, Dragon Rage!” A-Huo roared.
“Use Quick Attack!”
Before Dragon Rage could fire, Grovyle struck first—its lightning-fast movement overcoming its reduced Speed.
Charmeleon collapsed.
It tried to stand… but failed.
Its strength was gone.
It fainted.
“How…?
Wasn’t its speed reduced?” A-Huo asked in disbelief.
“Quick Attack isn’t about base speed,” Tianlin explained.
It’s a priority move.”
“…I lost this time,” A-Huo said quietly.
“But I’ll defeat you someday.”
“Please, Tianlin didn’t even use a third Pokémon,” Violet scoffed.
“You’re not on his level.”
“Hmph.
You wouldn’t understand what it means to be a Trainer,” A-Huo replied coldly.
“I admit defeat.
I give up on the Cerulean Gym Badge.”
He recalled Charmeleon and left without looking back.
Tianlin immediately caught the exhausted Grovyle.
“This is the first time you’ve been so badly injured since we started… We underestimated our opponent.
We’ll reflect on this,” he said softly.
Grovyle didn’t even have the strength to nod.
Tianlin returned it to its Poké Ball and turned to the sisters.
“Sorry—can we postpone my Gym challenge for three days?
Grovyle needs treatment.”
Sakura shook her head and took out a blue Badge.
“There’s no need.
We’ve seen your strength—you’re far beyond us.
Please, take this Badge.”
“Are you sure?
Without an official battle?”
“Oh, stop overthinking it!” Violet said.
“Do you really want to beat us too?
And who said there was no battle?
That match just now was intense enough!”
“…Alright.
Then I’ll accept it.
Thank you.
And about my earlier request…”
“We prepared it already,” Daisy said, handing him a disc.
“This is TM – Scald.”
“It’s a single-use TM,” Sakura added.
“Use it carefully.”
“Thank you very much.
I’ll head to the Pokémon Center now,” Tianlin said.
After bidding them farewell, he rushed off—holding both the Cascade Badge and a crucial step forward for his Feebas.