The Charmander Who Couldn't Breathe Fire

After spending a million on two Metal Coats, Chen Shi wandered around the Black Market.

The League actually knew about the Black Market. In fact, it operated under their supervision.

The League allowed places like this to develop because shutting down one Black Market would only lead to another springing up.

Where there was light, there would always be darkness. Such things were unavoidable.

So as long as people didn't go too far, the League would turn a blind eye.

Just as Chen Shi was about to turn and leave, an underdeveloped Charmander locked in an iron cage caught his attention.

Pokémon: Charmander

Level: 34 (mid Advanced tier)

Potential: Near-Champion (deteriorating)

Ability: Blaze

Sex: Male

Moves: Scratch, Ember, Smokescreen, Dragon Breath, Slash, Dragon Claw, Dragon Rush, Ancient Power, Dragon Tail.

Well, well. Near-Champion potential, and he still hadn't evolved despite being over level thirty.

And he'd inherited three Dragon-type moves.

This little guy's father was something special. He had to be a purebred Dragon-type Pokémon.

Chen Shi walked up to the cage and looked into the little guy's eyes.

The stallholder behind it was a middle-aged man with a hooked nose. Seeing Chen Shi's interest in Charmander, he immediately launched into his pitch.

"Have you taken a liking to this Charmander, young man?"

"He's one of Kanto's Fire-type Starter Pokémon. We went to a lot of trouble to get him."

"If you're interested, shall we discuss the price?"

"I'm just looking," Chen Shi said softly.

His gaze never left Charmander's eyes.

At that moment, Charmander looked up at him from inside the cage, then paid him no further attention.

Charmander had already been bought and sold several times. He was used to people inspecting him like merchandise.

Those people would buy him, discover that he couldn't evolve or breathe fire, then sell him again.

Thinking of his past life, Charmander's eyes dimmed, but a trace of defiance lingered deep within them.

Why couldn't I learn to breathe fire? Why couldn't I evolve?

Why couldn't I do things other Charmander managed so easily, even when I gave it everything I had?

But Charmander didn't notice the boy's eyes light up, as though he had discovered a flawless piece of jade.

Chen Shi wasn't afraid of Charmander having a weak body or a bad temperament. His only fear was that he had lost his spirit.

Chen Shi immediately called to the hook-nosed man behind the cage, "I'll take this Charmander."

The hook-nosed man was delighted. He loved rich young men like this.

As long as they liked something, they generally wouldn't haggle.

Then he hesitated briefly and tentatively named a price.

"One million!"

"No problem." Chen Shi agreed immediately, without the slightest hesitation.

A million for a Charmander with Near-Champion potential? That was an absolute steal!

The hook-nosed man was overjoyed, but seeing how readily Chen Shi agreed, he couldn't suppress his greed.

"Young man, I quoted the wrong price just now."

"We went to a lot of trouble to bring this Charmander back from Kanto. Three of our brothers died. One million isn't enough."

"It'll have to be two million."

Chen Shi paused, then chuckled. "Where's this little guy's Poké Ball?"

Thinking he had agreed, the hook-nosed man eagerly pulled out a Poké Ball from behind him.

Without hesitation, Chen Shi took the Poké Ball and recalled Charmander.

Then he took another Poké Ball from his waist and released Garchomp.

"Chomp~"

Garchomp played along perfectly, unleashing his peak Elite King aura.

The overwhelming pressure blanketed the entire Black Market, slamming into everyone's hearts like a sledgehammer. In an instant, the whole market fell deathly silent. Not a single person dared to speak.

Some of the more timid people had even wet themselves in terror.

Looking at the hook-nosed man, whose face had gone pale with fear, Chen Shi said, "I'll give you one chance to reconsider your words."

"Tell me. How much is it this time?"

The hook-nosed man's lips trembled. "Y-young man... one million... just one million will do."

Chen Shi shook his head, took out a hundred-League-Coin note, and tossed it in front of him.

"I'm very sorry!"

"You wouldn't take it when I was willing to give you a million. Now I'm only willing to give you a hundred."

With that, Chen Shi recalled Garchomp and walked away.

Once Garchomp was recalled, the pressure weighing on everyone vanished, and the people in the Black Market finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Someone sneered. "What an idiot. If that young man dared to stroll around this place so openly, he obviously had something backing him up."

"You even dared to provoke someone like that. You really have a death wish."

Someone else chimed in. "Exactly!"

"I was right here the whole time. This guy asked for a million himself, and the young man agreed. Then he actually raised the price to two million."

"Well, look what happened. He ran into someone he couldn't handle. Now he doesn't even have his million, just a hundred."

"That's hilarious!"

The hook-nosed man's face flushed red, but he didn't dare argue. He hurriedly packed up his things and fled.

When they reached the front of his house, Chen Shi hurried to leave.

After all, he still had a Charmander waiting in his pocket.

But Garchomp wasn't having it. He grabbed Chen Shi by his clothes.

"Chomp~"

(What's this supposed to mean, little bro?)

Didn't you promise me another bottle when we got back?

I even put in overtime along the way, playing along with you at the Black Market.

Now you're turning your back on me like you don't even know me.

You can't treat me like this!

The corner of Chen Shi's mouth twitched. He took all three bottles of liquor from his backpack and gave them to him.

Only then was Garchomp satisfied. He had expected just one bottle, but now he had two extra.

Was this overtime pay?

At that thought, Garchomp patted Chen Shi on the shoulder.

"Chomp~"

(Little bro, call me next time something like this comes up.)

"Sure, sure. I've got something to do, so I'm heading inside."

Chen Shi waved, dashed into the villa, and ran straight up to the second floor.

This left Grandpa Chen and Grandma Chen baffled.

What was he up to now, rushing around like that?

After returning to his room, Chen Shi released Charmander and held out his hand.

"Hello, Charmander. My name is Chen Shi. From now on, I'll be your Trainer."

Looking at the boy's gentle smile, Charmander obligingly shook his hand.

But a moment later, he pulled his tail around and pointed out its tiny, flickering flame to Chen Shi.

Then he opened his mouth and strained with all his might to breathe something out, but only a few wisps of black smoke emerged.

Chen Shi nodded thoughtfully. "Are you trying to tell me you can't use Fire-type moves?"

"Char~"

Charmander nodded, confirming it.

"Then are you content to stay like this?"

"Do you want to become strong?"

"In this world, you have to fight for everything good. Sometimes it takes sincerity. Sometimes it takes strength."

"Are you really willing to remain a Charmander who can't do anything?"

"Char~"

Charmander's eyes dimmed.

But some things don't happen just because I want them to.

I've already worked so hard.

I train tirelessly every day, but it still doesn't do any good. I just can't breathe fire.

I'm bought again and again, then abandoned again and again.

What else can I do?

Suddenly, a warm hand rested on his head.

"Trust me, Charmander. You're no worse than any other Pokémon. I'll help you."

"I'll cure your illness, then help you become stronger. One day, I'll take you to battle on the greatest stage in the world."

"I'll make it so that everyone who looks down on you can only look up to you."

"What do you say? Will you be my partner?"

Charmander's tears flowed uncontrollably.

When he heard that final question, Charmander let out a fierce roar.

"Char~mander!!!"

(I will!)