Chapter Eleven: Little Fire Dragon

When Zhao Fang first saw the Charmander, his immediate thought was that Asha was training again. After all, the last time Zhao Fang came here searching for the tower that the cuckoo had mentioned, he had encountered Asha’s Charmander right here and ended up wasting a Poké Ball. So, upon seeing the little Charmander now, Zhao Fang instinctively called out.

If Asha had been around, she surely would have heard him. But as the Charmander nervously wagged its tail and slipped into the grass, Zhao Fang saw no one emerge. This surprise deepened—this Charmander was wild!

At that thought, Zhao Fang couldn’t help but touch his Poké Ball, then quickened his pace to follow, eager to see if he could capture it.

The Charmander’s escape wasn’t swift. Soon, Zhao Fang caught sight of it again. It seemed to realize it couldn’t get away and hastily crouched low in the grass, trying to hide. Yet, the flame on its tail still flickered visibly, betraying its position. Zhao Fang couldn't help but smile wryly—what was this, an ostrich?

After some thought, Zhao Fang released his Gyarados. Though facing a tiny Charmander, it was still a Pokémon, and rushing in without caution could be dangerous unless he were following a script scripted by Gou Hao. Otherwise, chances were the Charmander’s fiery tail might singe him.

“Roar!” The Gyarados, sensing its trainer’s intent, let out a fierce roar and glared menacingly toward the Charmander.

Gyarados was naturally fierce, and Zhao Fang’s in particular had been well trained, radiating an even greater aura of intimidation. The Charmander trembled noticeably, its tail flickering in fear after the roar.

Zhao Fang stayed calm, surveying the surroundings. If this Charmander had a trainer, they would have surely confronted him by now. But since no one appeared, the conclusion was clear—it truly was a wild Pokémon.

“Charmander, want to travel together?” Zhao Fang asked kindly as he approached.

The Charmander kept its head down. But then Zhao Fang noticed something amiss—the little Pokémon seemed injured. There was blood staining the grass ahead.

“Gyarados! Come here!” Zhao Fang called his Gyarados over and directed it to press down the grass with its tail. Then he saw the Charmander clearly. Just as he suspected, it was injured—its body was covered in countless claw marks and some bite wounds. Zhao Fang frowned deeply. What had this little Charmander endured?

As Zhao Fang pondered, the timid Charmander suddenly opened its mouth and spat a fireball toward him. Startled, Zhao Fang quickly reacted. He wasn’t some rookie; being hit by a Pokémon’s attack could be deadly. Fortunately, Gyarados was nearby and swished its tail to block the fireball.

“Roar!” Gyarados glared at the Charmander angrily. How dare this little creature try to harm its trainer right in front of it?

“It’s alright, it’s alright. I didn’t expect this little guy to be so sly,” Zhao Fang said with a frown, observing the Charmander carefully. The little Pokémon’s attack was clearly deliberate; Zhao Fang detected a hint of viciousness in its eyes.

This puzzled Zhao Fang. What was going on with this Charmander? It had seemed so timid, but now it revealed a hidden, cunning nature.

His curiosity piqued, Zhao Fang found this Charmander quite interesting.

Just as Zhao Fang contemplated making Gyarados teach the Charmander a lesson to improve his chances of capture, a roar echoed from above. Zhao Fang looked up and saw a Charizard glaring down at him.

“So you can fly, huh? And you dare fly over Chimney Mountain?” Zhao Fang sneered. Capturing a Pokémon was proving to be no simple task. This Charizard was clearly the elder of the Charmander.

Still, with Gyarados by his side, Zhao Fang wasn’t too worried. At worst, he could fight it and send out his Frostwyrm to keep an eye on the Charmander, preventing its escape.

The Charizard roared and blasted a stream of fire. Zhao Fang hastily ordered Gyarados to counter with a Water Pulse. The water and fire collided, creating a cloud of steam. Undeterred, the Charizard burst through the mist and swooped down, claws extended.

Zhao Fang responded fiercely, commanding Gyarados to strike back with Iron Head. The Charizard staggered from the powerful blow, retreating swiftly while eyeing Zhao Fang warily.

Glancing at the cowering Charmander beside Gyarados, Zhao Fang pinched his brow. Capturing a Pokémon was evidently no easy feat.

As he contemplated his next move, the Charizard above called out repeatedly. Zhao Fang suspected it might be using the move “Roar” when two more Charizards appeared in the distance, equally furious.

Zhao Fang’s lips twitched. Fighting one Charizard was manageable; with Frostwyrm’s help, two might be possible. But three?

Unless Mewtwo was here, handling three Charizards unscathed would be a huge challenge.

The three Charizards called out together, then dove down—two aiming at Zhao Fang, one at the Charmander. Zhao Fang sighed. It seemed he was destined not to capture this Charmander today. With three Charizards present, there was no chance to seize the little one.

He stepped aside, but what happened next widened his eyes in disbelief.

The Charizard swooping toward the Charmander did not protect its weaker companion. Instead, it clawed the little Charmander viciously. The Charmander screamed, flames flickering from its mouth, and bit back fiercely.

The attacking Charizard, now enraged, opened its jaws and bit the Charmander with a Flaming Fang. Meanwhile, the two Charizards intercepting Zhao Fang did not intervene; instead, they howled in delight.

Zhao Fang was baffled. How could this be? This was indeed a Charmander, yet it was being attacked by its own kind?

Looking at the battered Charmander, covered in wounds from bites and scratches, Zhao Fang formed a grim hypothesis.

Could it be that all these injuries were inflicted by its own kind?