As it turned out, Chimchar had struggled to its feet with its fiery fighting spirit not because it wanted to keep fighting, but because it wanted to run away!
This turn of events surprised not only Cheryl, but left Xia You and May staring in disbelief as well.
They had never encountered a Pokémon that used its fiery fighting spirit like this.
Who could have imagined that a Pokémon filled with defiance and unwillingness to yield would get back up through sheer, flame-like tenacity, only to run away?
In that respect, just as when it had lured Froakie here and launched a sneak attack, this Chimchar really was a crafty little thing.
Xia You found it amusing, but he also saw Chimchar in a new light.
How should he put it? His Charizard and Blaziken were both die-hard fighters, the sort whose fiery fighting spirit would keep them battling an enemy until the very last second. Yet this Chimchar, despite possessing that same fiery fighting spirit, was quick-witted, giving him a refreshing change of pace.
That was good, too...
I'm missing just this sort of Pokémon!
At that thought, he signaled to Froakie, who was also somewhat dazed. Once it received his instructions, it snapped out of its stupor and hurried after Chimchar.
Earlier, Chimchar had been able to shake Froakie off with its nimble movements and familiarity with the terrain. Now, however, dragging its battered body along, it was easily caught after barely a dozen steps.
But just as Froakie was about to attack, Chimchar rolled to the side and into a rather well-hidden cave entrance. It was pitch-black inside, with sunlight unable to reach into the cave because of the angle. Without Xia You's orders, Froakie did not dare act rashly and could only stand there, looking back