Battling Growlithe

Growlithe's lively personality left Lei Xiao feeling rather helpless. She grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and lifted him up, leaving him staring at her with his tongue hanging out.

"This Growlithe has been with me for two years. He's always been my companion, and I've never treated him as a monster. He's my partner."

Growlithe could feel Lei Xiao's affection for him, too, and gazed at her warmly.

Lei Xiao set Growlithe down and patted his head.

"Go play over there. I'll call you if I need you."

Growlithe nodded and vanished from the spot in an instant, as though he had been let off his leash.

Chu Lian nodded. Although their meeting had involved a little misunderstanding, they were getting along well enough.

"Chu Xin, I came here because I need your help with something."

"My help? If there's anything I can do, I'll definitely help."

"Hahaha, that's all I needed to hear!"

Lei Xiao's hearty laughter instantly drew Chu Xin's attention.

"Actually, I asked your dad to bring me here. There really is something I wanted to ask you."

What could she need my help with? I don't feel like there's much I can do for Lei Xiao.

Seeing the confusion on Chu Xin's face, Lei Xiao explained why she had come.

"Here's the thing. I'd like some of Dratini's shed skin. I want to make a few things with it to give as gifts."

Dratini's skin! No wonder she came to me.

"Xiao Wu has shed plenty of skin. If you need some, I can bring it over."

Just as Chu Xin agreed, Xiao Wu bumped him from behind with its head.

"Mu!" (Don't give it to that bad woman!)

Wh-what am I supposed to do now?

Lei Xiao immediately noticed that the Dratini behind him had a serious problem with her, and sighed helplessly.

"I'm sorry, Xiao Wu. I really need your shed skin, so please let me have some."

Xiao Wu was completely unmoved by Lei Xiao's request, turning its head away without even looking at her.

That bad woman had slapped Chu Xin on the shoulder. Although Chu Xin had forgiven her, Xiao Wu had not.

Damn it! Even at my angriest, I never hurt Chu Xin. This woman hurt him the moment they met. Bad woman!

"Is it really out of the question?"

Chu Xin was a little torn, too. This was the first time Xiao Wu had said no to him.

"Mu!" (She hit you! She's a bad woman!)

Chu Xin felt both touched and helpless. Apparently, Xiao Wu still hadn't let go of that earlier misunderstanding. No wonder it had attacked Lei Xiao. So that was why.

Lei Xiao could also see how much Xiao Wu disliked her. She hadn't expected to meet no resistance from its owner, only to run into trouble with Dratini itself. It looked as though Xiao Wu wasn't going to give her its shed skin.

"I'm sorry, Xiao Wu, but I have to get that shed skin. Let's battle! If you win, I'll apologize and agree to one condition of yours. But if you lose, you have to give me the shed skin!"

"Mu!" (Bring it on! Who's afraid of you?)

Xiao Wu's face filled with anger, and it looked eager to fight.

Lei Xiao smiled and nodded, then clapped her hands. Growlithe, who had just run off, appeared before them again.

"My partner is Growlithe. He hasn't evolved yet, but he's very strong!"

Seriously? That Growlithe might look flighty, but anyone could tell he was a battle-hardened veteran. Xiao Wu's chances of winning were slim!

"Xiao Wu, if you're going to fight, I'll direct you from the sidelines. Our opponent is no pushover, so be careful!"

Since they were going to battle, Chu Xin had to take part as well. That was the most basic responsibility of a Pokémon Trainer!

Chu Lian was interested, too, and stepped in to act as referee.

"Are you ready? Three, two, one, begin!"

"Growlithe, Agility! Get moving!"

In an instant, Growlithe became a streak of light, racing across the field. His afterimages were everywhere, leaving Xiao Wu dizzy.

"Xiao Wu, Extreme Speed! Get out of there!"

A sudden sense of danger swept over Xiao Wu. Before it could locate its opponent, Chu Xin's voice reached its ears. It activated Extreme Speed, and that instantaneous burst of acceleration let it dodge Growlithe's attack from behind.

"Not bad, Chu Xin! Nice command!"

Lei Xiao's eyes lit up, and she praised Chu Xin's quick reaction.

Chu Xin, who was directing Xiao Wu from the sidelines, sucked in a sharp breath as well. He hadn't expected Growlithe to have mastered Agility. With a Fire Stone, he could probably evolve already.

"Lei Xiao, isn't your Growlithe a little too strong?"

"You haven't seen anything yet. The real battle has only just begun! Growlithe, use Flamethrower on Dratini and cut off its escape routes!"

Growlithe opened his mouth wide and sent a jet of flame straight at Xiao Wu. Although Xiao Wu stopped in time to dodge the attack, its escape routes had been cut off. Embers left by Flamethrower were scattered everywhere.

"Well done! Now use Agility to close in, then use Bite to keep Dratini from escaping!"

Growlithe charged straight at Xiao Wu like a streak of fire.

No! At this rate, Xiao Wu is sure to lose. I have to think of something!

"Xiao Wu, move into the flames and Endure Growlithe's attack!"

What? Isn't that sending it to its death?

Both the referee and Lei Xiao froze. There was no way Xiao Wu could withstand Growlithe's attack!

Chu Xin's heart was in his throat as he watched from the sidelines. He was gambling, too-gambling that Xiao Wu could hold on through Growlithe's attack!

Growlithe's attack struck Xiao Wu amid the flames. Xiao Wu cried out in pain, but remained conscious.

Chu Xin's gamble had paid off!

Marvel Scale increased a Pokémon's Defense to 1.5 times its normal value when it had a status condition. It was thanks to this Hidden Ability that Xiao Wu had withstood Growlithe's attack.

"Now, Xiao Wu! Use Bind to wrap around Growlithe. Don't let him escape!"

Xiao Wu coiled tightly around Growlithe's body. Even Growlithe was unable to move for the moment.

Chu Xin thrust his hand forward. "Now! Use Dragon Rage!"

Blue flames swirled inside Xiao Wu's mouth, brimming with power. If Growlithe took this attack, he would definitely be badly hurt!

"Growlithe, use Flame Wheel! Cover your whole body in flames and break free of Dratini!"

Trapped in Xiao Wu's coils, Growlithe instantly enveloped himself in scorching flames, burning Xiao Wu.

"Hang in there, Xiao Wu! Use Dragon Rage!"

Xiao Wu glared angrily at Growlithe beneath it. Despite the flames continually burning its body, the blue fire in its mouth finally erupted, stronger than any attack it had unleashed before!

After releasing Dragon Rage, Xiao Wu finally loosened its coils and collapsed weakly onto the ground, only to see its opponent standing before it completely unharmed.

The move Protect had a chance of blocking any attack.

Did I still lose in the end?

With that helpless thought, Xiao Wu finally lost consciousness.