In the original storyline, Chimchar had once been driven to the edge of a cliff while being hunted by a pack of Zangoose. Cornered with no way out, it had awakened its Blaze state for the first time—unleashing a single Flame Wheel that swept through multiple Zangoose and scorched the ground black.
It was precisely because of that moment that Paul became convinced Chimchar had the potential to become the strongest Fire-type Pokémon. Ever since, he had relentlessly pushed it in training, trying to recreate that near-death scenario to trigger Blaze again.
But unfortunately… Paul lacked emotional understanding.
Instead of drawing strength from trust and support, Chimchar was constantly afraid of disappointing him. It fought not with fearless resolve—but with anxiety.
And so, despite all the pressure, it never managed to unleash that terrifying flame again.
Paul's patience… was wearing thin.
After all, his philosophy was simple:
Why nurture a weak Pokémon from the ground up, when you can choose one with extraordinary talent from the start?
…
With Group A matches concluded, it was time for Group B's draw.
Thanks to Peter's presence, Group B had already been dubbed the "Group of Death" by viewers online.
"The Group B matchups are as follows—"
"Dawn & Conway VS Aiden & Giant…"
"…Peter & Whitney VS Draak & Daryl…"
"…Valric & Tony VS Mulder & Piet…"
As soon as the results were announced, Draak approached with his partner.
"Peter, didn't expect we'd run into each other this soon!"
Peter smiled. "Yeah."
The boy beside Draak stepped forward, gripping his Poké Ball tightly.
"Peter… I'll avenge my brother today!"
"Brother?" Whitney tilted her head.
Peter thought back to the boy he had seen earlier and nodded. "Your brother is Goblin, right?"
"Mm." Daryl nodded, releasing his Pokémon—a Hippopotas. "In this battle, I'll prove to everyone… that Hippopotas is the strongest Pokémon!"
Seeing his serious expression, Peter chuckled softly. "Maybe one day, you will."
With that, he pulled Whitney along and walked away.
Behind them, Daryl stared at his back, eyes blazing with determination.
Draak patted his shoulder. "Relax. I've got plenty of doubles experience—just follow my lead later…"
…
Group B's first match began.
Dawn and Conway sent out Piplup and Slowking, facing Scyther and Koffing.
With Slowking expertly using Protect, Dawn was free to attack without pressure. One Peck took down Scyther, and a super-effective Psychic from Slowking finished Koffing.
A perfect offense-defense combination.
Conway adjusted his glasses with a flourish, a smug smile forming. "The outcome… was already decided before the battle began."
Dawn's eyes sparkled. "That was amazing! Please teach me all your strategies—my Contest performances will be unstoppable!"
Conway: "…(°ー°〃)"
…
At the same time, Peter and Whitney's match began on Court No. 2.
"Peter has teamed up with his partner—Miss Whitney—and their opponents are Draak and Daryl!"
Thunderous applause erupted as nearly all eyes turned toward their battlefield.
Whitney shuffled her feet shyly. "W-What do you mean 'partner'… I'm not mentally prepared for that yet…"
Peter grinned. "Come on, Babe—time to send out our Pokémon."
"Ugh… you're annoying…" she shot him a playful glare before tossing her Poké Ball alongside his.
Two Teddiursa appeared on the field.
The commentator chuckled, "What an enviable choice! Both trainers sent out the same Pokémon—and rumor has it these two Teddiursa are actually a couple!"
Across the field, Draak smirked. "Peter, get ready for the surprise I've prepared."
He and Daryl threw their Poké Balls together.
"Mightyena! Hippopotas!"
A fierce gray-black wolf Pokémon with glowing red eyes appeared alongside the sand-colored Hippopotas.
[Mightyena Lv.45 (Elite Mid)]
[Hippopotas Lv.36 (Advanced)]
"Graaaah—!"
The moment Mightyena entered, it let out a terrifying roar.
Both Teddiursa flinched as their Attack stats dropped.
Intimidate.
A field-wide debuff.
"Mightyena, use Snarl!" Draak commanded immediately.
Snarl—a Dark-type special attack that damages and lowers Special Attack.
His strategy was straightforward: weaken physical attackers with Intimidate, then cripple special attackers with Snarl, leaving the opponent completely neutered.
Dark sound waves rippled across the battlefield, reducing both Teddiursa's Special Attack.
Whitney frowned. "Ugh… I should've brought the Clear Amulet…"
Peter remained calm. "Ignore that. Take out the other one first. Teddiursa—Mega Kick!"
Whitney followed instantly, "Teddiursa, use Helping Hand!"
With Helping Hand boosting its partner's power by 50%, icy energy surged through Teddiursa's limbs as it charged forward.
A 120-power Mega Kick, amplified by Helping Hand, Life Orb, and STAB—even after Intimidate—still reached a terrifying 234 effective power.
Hippopotas couldn't possibly withstand it.
But just as the attack was about to land—
"Mightyena, Protect!"
Mightyena lunged forward, a shimmering barrier forming as it shielded Hippopotas.
At the same time—
"Hippopotas, use Bulldoze!" Daryl shouted.
Boom—
The Mega Kick slammed into the barrier, barely held back. Before Teddiursa could follow up, the ground beneath it exploded.
Caught off guard, it was pushed back several meters, its Speed dropping.
Meanwhile, Mightyena's Protect had blocked both attacks flawlessly.
The commentator exclaimed, "What coordination! Protect combined with Bulldoze—perfect teamwork that shuts down Teddiursa's momentum!"
Whitney's Teddiursa rushed forward to help its partner up.
Peter's Teddiursa steadied itself, its eyes sharpening with determination.
It had just embarrassed itself in front of its girlfriend.
Unforgivable.
Peter smirked slightly. "Teddiursa—charge again."
"Binee!!"
With an angry roar, the little bear leapt forward once more.
Draak shook his head. "It's useless. Mightyena—Snarl again!"
"Hippopotas, Sand Tomb!"
A swirling vortex of sand erupted, trapping Teddiursa's path.
At the same time, another wave of dark sound energy surged toward it.
The battlefield was tightening…
And the real fight—was only just beginning.
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T/N:
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