Chapter Thirteen: Taming the Little Fire Dragon

“If you don’t come with me now, it’s going to die!” Zhao Fang’s voice trembled with urgency as he anxiously watched the Charizard. Without the Charmander, this Charizard should have been able to escape, right?

Those words seemed to move the little Charmander. It stretched out its paw and placed it on Zhao Fang’s hand. In an instant, Zhao Fang understood its meaning. He hurriedly threw a Poké Ball; it didn’t even wobble before the light flashed, signaling a successful capture. At the same time, Zhao Fang ordered his Glaceon and Gyarados to attack the creature biting Charizard’s neck.

Charizard broke free from its restraints, glanced at Zhao Fang with a complex expression, then spread its wings and took to the air, heading toward the direction where two other Charizards were flying. As it flew, it unleashed fiery blasts against its own kind, swiping its tail at the other Charizards on the ground.

The other Charizards were enraged and charged forward, chasing and biting the one that had just escaped. Zhao Fang realized the Charizard was using itself as bait to allow its offspring to escape with their trainer.

Clenching his teeth, Zhao Fang recalled Glaceon and mounted Gyarados, racing forward. If he left now, the Charizard would likely be torn apart by its kin. So Zhao Fang decided to fight. When Gyarados reached the lower ground, Zhao Fang commanded it to use its secret weapon: Dragon Rage!

Feeling the fury burning in Zhao Fang’s heart, Gyarados’ own rage surged, almost tangible. At the command, Gyarados’ eyes turned blood red. It opened its massive jaws and unleashed a powerful storm. The swirling wind immediately disrupted the Charizards’ flight formations. Then, from its mouth, ominous red beams erupted, striking the Charizards before them. Grass and foliage whipped up by the gale, and flying Pokémon scattered in panic.

Gyarados’ wrath made the wild Pokémon tremble on the ground, while only a few stronger ones showed disdain.

After six consecutive blasts of red light, Gyarados collapsed, utterly exhausted. Zhao Fang quickly recalled it, then had Glaceon use Ice Beam to freeze the ground, creating an icy path. Together, they slid swiftly down the slope to escape.

The combined storm and Dragon Rage disrupted the Charizards’ pursuit, allowing the fleeing Charizard to survive. However, the Charizards turned their attention to Zhao Fang. Once stabilized, they angrily charged him, hurling columns of fire that surrounded him, terrifying him to no end.

Fortunately, Zhao Fang was on a downhill slope, aided by the icy path and Glaceon’s snow-making ability. He narrowly avoided the fiery attacks. But he knew this couldn’t last; once he reached the bottom, there’d be nowhere left to flee swiftly.

“What should I do? What should I do?” Zhao Fang anxiously scanned his surroundings. It was too late to call for help now; he had to figure out a way to save himself.

Soon, Zhao Fang spotted a small cave not far ahead. As he rushed down the slope, he recalled Glaceon and dove into the cave. The fire columns struck the entrance, causing it to tremble. Without hesitation, Zhao Fang hurriedly crawled deeper until he no longer felt the heat behind him, finally exhaling in relief.

“Where am I?” Zhao Fang took a deep breath and pulled out his flashlight, illuminating the space around him.

He was inside a cave of modest size, but what puzzled him was the multitude of tunnels branching inside. It reminded him of the cave he had encountered while searching for Dracozolt on a previous mission.

However, lacking any proper exploration tools, Zhao Fang had no intention of venturing further. Getting lost here could mean writing his own epitaph.

He pulled out his Pokédex and pressed the emergency call button. Soon, a response came—Junsha from Greenleaf Town was on her way.

Zhao Fang felt a wave of relief. With Junsha’s arrival, dealing with the outside Charizards would be manageable. Thinking this through, he retrieved the Poké Ball and released the little Charmander. It was barely alive, motionless upon emerging, its tail flame faint and flickering.

Zhao Fang quickly applied the best healing balm he had and bandaged the two bleeding puncture wounds on Charmander’s body. The little Pokémon stabilized, and its tail flame grew slightly stronger.

But Zhao Fang knew this wasn’t enough. Charmander’s injuries were severe; it needed urgent treatment at a Pokémon Center, or it could relapse into a critical state at any moment.

Junsha’s arrival was swift. Soon, Zhao Fang heard the sounds of Pokémon battles outside. He quickly retraced his path, climbing out of the cave. After confirming the Charizards had been driven off, he finally emerged.

Outside stood three women named Junsha, the eldest leading them. Upon seeing Zhao Fang, she inquired if he was the one who sent the distress signal and asked why he had done so.

Zhao Fang earnestly explained the situation and emphasized the urgent need to get Charmander to a Pokémon Center. After the routine questioning, Junsha led him to a vehicle, speeding toward Greenleaf Town.

“This is strange. Why would these Charizards attack a Charmander?” one of the Junshas in the police car looked puzzled.

“There must be some special circumstances. The Charizard clan is usually very united, unless this Charmander did something,” the elder Junsha replied as she drove.

Zhao Fang shook his head, equally bewildered. The situation had been too dangerous earlier for him to examine his own secret ability. Now that he had time, he took out the Poké Ball, holding it tightly.

The Pokédex displayed a message: “Ancient bloodline flows within, yet its strength is insufficient to bear this atavistic blessing.”

Zhao Fang blinked in surprise. Ancient bloodline? Atavistic blessing? What did that mean?

He had always thought his special ability was fine, except the mysterious riddles it offered were headache-inducing. Couldn’t it just say, “Riddler, get out of Gotham”?

“What on earth does this mean?” Zhao Fang pondered deeply.