After taking that fierce hammer blow head-on, Tauros finally put away its earlier contempt and even began to feel a trace of fear.
Charcadet might be a relatively rare Pokémon, yet it could be found all over Paldea.
It seemed that as long as there was a place where spent charcoal finished burning out, this kind of Pokémon would always be born there.
Born from fireless ashes, yet possessing a blazing flame.
Tauros had met reckless Charcadet that challenged it before.
Those had always been opponents it could deal with easily.
Facing a Tauros (Aqua Breed) like itself, whether in typing or raw power, there was an insurmountable gulf between their strengths that could only be described as worlds apart!
"Moo~!"
"Tauros! Be careful! This Charcadet is really strong!"
Dendra's eyes were shining. At this moment, she firmly confirmed the guess in her heart!
To be able to travel together with this mysterious wanderer, to fight side by side with all those powerful Pokémon, and even to wear a battle-armor cloak… of course this Charcadet was different from the ones she had seen before!
"You're definitely thinking that it's different from other Charcadet, right?"
"In truth, it's the same."
"I'm the one who sewed its cloak for it, because the original cloak got burned away."
"Its armor is something it forged for itself, which is why it's all tattered and looks pretty ridiculous, but there's a strong conviction dwelling inside it."
"Just a few days ago, it was still a completely ordinary Charcadet with nothing outstanding about it."
Hikaru met Dendra's puzzled gaze, then turned to look at the Charcadet that had already grown. Looking at this disciple that had grown up, he couldn't help but feel a little proud.
"But unlike the other Charcadet, it has a dream, and it has a firm desire to realize that dream."
"So I brought it along and started this adventure belonging only to a brave one."
"Through fierce battles, and by accepting the guidance of its partners, it came to comprehend battle techniques it originally had no way of learning."
"Pokémon are warlike creatures. In battle, they will comprehend different moves, and some individuals will even undergo subtle changes compared to their own species because of the environment and the influence of battle."
For example, Archfield University had once researched a special breed of Magikarp that had learned Dragon Rage.
If even Magikarp could mutate…
Then what about every other Pokémon!
"So every Pokémon, even if they look the same, is in essence a different life!"
"Now then, are you ready, Dendra? We're going in!"
The flames on Charcadet's body suddenly flared up as well!
All I have is an indomitable spirit.
And that spirit is all I have!
Relying on nothing but its mortal body and plain iron, it had traveled through perilous lands and defeated powerful enemies!
As Hikaru began to command seriously, Dendra also focused her mind!
So he's getting serious now!
Dendra could indeed feel a strong fighter's aura coming from Hikaru, an aura that was hard to put into words!
"Could that be… true ki?!"
In Dendra's mind, an unbelievable answer flashed across.
Martial artists, after long years of training, would temper out a powerful aura. That was ki!
A martial artist with great skill could, relying on their body and ki, temper themselves to the point of being able to fight Pokémon directly, and exude a heavy sense of pressure!
So this was actually a martial artist who had cultivated ki. Dendra's heart was pounding, not only from the excitement of meeting such a powerful martial artist, but also from the intense pressure she felt!
She remembered what Hikaru had said earlier!
Could it be that this year's Iron Fist Tournament was full of people like him?
Ah… could her own level only get her knocked out in round one?
Damn… that was really frustrating!
"Tau… Tauros! Use Raging Bull!" Dendra clenched her fist tight!
That's right, there were still several months left. She could keep getting stronger!
"Moo!"
Now Tauros believed it too!
Maybe this Charcadet really could help it perfect its ultimate move!
Close Combat! Even this Tauros, which could learn Close Combat, still hadn't perfected that fighting technique yet. And it was even a dual-type Fighting + Water Pokémon!
Granted, the Close Combat of a humanoid Pokémon and the Close Combat of a "bull-shaped" Pokémon like itself were completely different things!
But the form of a Pokémon was hardly some inconvenient shackle!
Even non-humanoid Pokémon could focus all of their power into a single strike. That was also a kind of "Close Combat"!
A huge orange-red light gathered all over Tauros's body, pooling like rage and then erupting in a violent explosion!
Raging Bull. It gathered its fury and delivered a savage, raging tackle like a bull in berserk rampage!
The typing of this move would change depending on the form.
Even screen moves like Light Screen and Reflect, those kinds of barrier moves, could be smashed apart!
And since it was a Tauros (Aqua Breed), Raging Bull was, of course, Water-type when it used it!
"Raging Bull is basically a type-changing, power-boosted version of Brick Break."
"But I'll say it again: no matter how much you max out your rage, if you can't hit, it's useless."
"The light is still shining!"
Hikaru swept his hand. The glow around Charcadet still hadn't faded!
Sunlight was illuminating the way ahead, lowering the opponent's accuracy. Every flash of light made Tauros narrow its eyes, making the world before it blur!
And at that moment, Charcadet's eyes snapped wide open!
Stare, stare, flash flash!
This was how the Sun Warrior fought!
Sun Punch!
"Moo!"
Dropping Defense and Accuracy at the same time, this was just too much!
So the black-furred fighting bull began a wild, reckless charge!
Left or right?
Charcadet started rolling and tumbling, dodging left and right, then slammed its hammer back in counterattack!
Thud! Tauros's horns shook as its whole body swayed. Though it was getting more and more enraged, it suddenly felt that, in the midst of this left-and-right crashing battle, its own talent for fighting-type techniques seemed to be awakening!
That's right, this kind of rapid-fire collision training, these attempts to hit a nimble enemy…
They would absolutely come in handy next time!
Of course, it wasn't like every blow missed. It was just that this Charcadet was extremely good at evasion. The instant the horns connected, it would use that impact to escape, so while Tauros did land a few solid hits, the damage was only minor and didn't change the battle much.
Because the move still wasn't complete!
Tauros thought that it had to be the armor on the opponent's body that was helping it shed some of the impact!
"Tauros… that move is…?"
Dendra had noticed the change in Tauros. She watched in delight as Tauros's fighting technique grew smoother and more refined. Clearly, it was in the process of mastering Close Combat!
As long as it fought an enemy that also knew Close Combat and had high Speed…
Wait, was Charcadet really that fast?
"You noticed, right?"
"Every time it attacks, there's flame on its hammer!"
Hikaru pointed out to Dendra and explained her confusion. "That's Flame Charge! Every attack and every movement boosts its Speed!"
"Oh! So that's how it is! I really learned something today."
Dendra's gaze burned as she watched that Charcadet.
In the mouth of this mysterious traveler, this Charcadet might not sound that special, but in Dendra's eyes…
It was the strongest and most special of its species!
Maybe every Pokémon was ordinary at first, but because they lived through different experiences, they would each become the one and only existence in the world!
"It's so cool! You're really strong!"
Dendra gave Charcadet a heartfelt compliment. "As expected of a brave one!"
"But we need to get serious too!"
"If we keep fighting like this, we'll fall into a disadvantage and our stamina will just keep draining away! Let's settle it right here!"
"Tauros, if you can't hit a moving target, then hit the entire field!"
Water gathered at Tauros's twin horns. For Tauros (Aqua Breed), the horns were extra thick and large, storing massive amounts of water that could spray out as high-pressure jets like Hydro Pumps!
"Moo!"
Tauros obeyed its trainer's command!
Use it now?
Then let's use it!
Water burst from its horns, spraying out in torrents, and ultimately pulling on Water-type energy and the surrounding environment, calling forth a move…
It had just rained recently, so there were puddles and standing water everywhere. Under Tauros's call, countless streams of water gathered toward it!
Surf! A towering wave rose up, crashing down on every Pokémon on the battlefield!
"A Fire-type Charcadet will go down the moment it's hit by a Water-type attack!"
Dendra took a deep breath!
She stared at the battlefield without even blinking!
The water jets of Tauros (Aqua Breed) were tied to the local Running of the Bulls Into the Sea festival.
In that festival, the revelers had to taunt the bulls until both the bull and the revelers plunged into the sea together. In the end, boats would pull the bulls back up.
But a Tauros (Aqua Breed) could surface from the sea all on its own, carrying the revelers back up!
Holding the power of water, facing a Fire-type opponent, victory should be a given!
Shouldn't it?
"That way of thinking is naive."
Hikaru's offhand remark shattered Dendra's fantasy.
"Typing matters a lot in battles, but in a critical moment, a reverse-type situation can still come from behind to win."
Come from behind to win?
Dendra was utterly confused. Amid the surging wave, she could no longer see Charcadet's figure.
Had it been swallowed by the water? That would be perfectly normal!
"Isn't it obvious which is stronger, Fire or Water?"
Precisely because her Tauros was an Aqua Breed, there was no need to use Terastallization when it had type advantage!
That was something only a handful of acknowledged trainers were even authorized to use!
"Hm?"
"No, Tauros! Under your belly!"
Dendra suddenly noticed something under Tauros's abdomen, and Tauros too sensed an extra 'attachment' under its body once the water receded!
"Thunk!"
Taking advantage of the flashing light, Charcadet had darted under Tauros's belly the instant it lifted its hoof!
Surf did indeed hit every Pokémon on the field, but the move radiates outward from the user as its center!
Which meant that at the point where the wave first surged up, there was no water!
Lots of hair is weak to fire, metal is weak to lightning, giant bodies are weak to doors / backsides / groins!
When facing huge foes, a mentor of the "striking from beneath" school would always go for attacks like this!
Boom!
The rocket-like charge slammed straight into Tauros's abdomen!
Hikaru said, "A creature's belly is always soft. Aside from a small number of Pokémon whose bellies are specially hardened, it's generally considered one of their vital spots."
"So even if the typing is resisted, a direct hit there will still deal unbelievable damage!"
"That's right. The opening to reverse the situation is… a critical hit!"
At that moment, Hikaru couldn't help recalling Giovanni's teachings.
What Pokémon call a "critical hit" often corresponds to scars on their body or weak points that enemies can easily focus fire on.
Some of them are also the parts of a Pokémon that are the most "special" on their body or the parts they rely on the most.
At a higher level, even if a move is not one that naturally "lands critical hits," a master who has trained for many years can still concentrate all their power on a single point to achieve an effect similar to "striking a vital spot."
A place that doesn't look like a vital spot on the surface can still be turned into one.
But that level could only be reached by martial artists who had trained for many years.
In this world, there were very few moves that always landed critical hits. Among them, the only general-use move was "Ice Breath"; almost all the rest were exclusive or pseudo-exclusive moves.
Even he, with all the power he had, could only rely on limited tools like "Dragon's Roar Rally" and "Sacred Swordsman's Emblem" to ensure that he always hit the opponent's vital spots.
Dendra was utterly shocked.
"That was… Flare Blitz?!"
"Tauros!"
Tauros was blasted up into the air, and Charcadet went up together with it!
Then the two Pokémon crashed down together!
"Th-thud…"
Charcadet hit the muddy ground and its flames shrank, but it still forced itself to its feet!
The battle had been fierce, and it had taken a few horn hits from Tauros in the middle, but thanks to its flashing light and rolling evasions, it had finally managed to defeat its opponent!
Or so it thought, right until it saw Tauros open its eyes too.
"Moo!"
Tauros let out a cry. Its four hooves dug into the earth, trembling, but it couldn't stand up!
[You defeated Martial Artist Dendra. Newfound Power has grown stronger!]
[Charcadet's growth has increased. It learned a new move!]
[Learned: Disable!]
Dendra said, "Why… I clearly lowered its Attack with Intimidate…"
Hikaru answered, "A critical hit ignores all negative stat changes on the attacker, and even makes Reflect and Light Screen ineffective."
"Pokémon are pretty amazing, huh?"
"Ugh, so Intimidate isn't all-powerful either…" Dendra muttered, then hurriedly ran to her Tauros's side.
The black-furred fighting bull, however, seemed deep in thought, as if something in its head had finally clicked into place!
"Moo!"
The bull bellowed loudly.
It got it! That last missing piece, the final piece of the Close Combat puzzle, had fallen into place! If it were just "charging," then as a bull it was born knowing how to crash into things. But the move that went one step beyond that…
Was "assault"!
"Congratulations. You've learned Close Combat!"
Hikaru took out a berry and fed it to Tauros, and the bull quickly recovered its stamina!
A fighting bull's body was extremely sturdy. Just a little fruit and it would be back to being a spirited bull in no time!
"Thunk!"
Charcadet came clattering over, panting hard, but its spirit was bright and lively!
Master, I won!
Please award me my medal!
"We'll save that for when you place in the bullfighting competition."
Hikaru patted Charcadet's helmet. The little Pokémon bounced once, filled with anticipation.
Then, as if its stamina had suddenly bottomed out, it flopped over with a splat.
"Gaa-aow."
Suddenly, Aerodactyl came striding over in a comically awkward gait. In the sky it was the undisputed lord of the winds, but on the ground its movements were clumsy. But thanks to its Rock Head ability, it feared no one's sudden headbutts.
The bullfight between Tauros and Charcadet had totally captivated Aerodactyl.
What bullfighting?
They were just ramming each other with heads and bodies!
That, it knew a lot about. With Rock Head as its ability, head-on collisions were its favorite!
"Dore~"
Lilligant gently picked Charcadet up and set it on Aerodactyl's back.
Not bad, not bad. Fit it perfectly.
Lilligant happily patted Charcadet.
Dragon Knight Charcadet, now on the field!
Charcadet looked a little lost as it stared up at Lilligant.
[From here on, the trainer says we need to move faster, so you'll be riding Aerodactyl.]
Iron Valiant came clanking over and explained things to Charcadet. At the same time, data streams flashed in her eyes as she walked over to Hikaru and tugged on him.
[Listen to me.]
[The move just now, after analysis, isn't just Flare Blitz.]
[It contained 57.5% Psychic-type energy.]
[Comparing against Psychic-type moves in the database.]
[Confirmed that once the move fully awakens, it should be "Psyshock," a wave of psychic force made real by intense feelings!]
Even though her voice was flat and mechanical, you could still hear the desire to be praised in it.
Hikaru was genuinely surprised.
"That's seriously impressive!"
"But you can actually analyze what type of energy is contained in Charcadet's moves?"
[I can't analyze it perfectly, but Psychic typing is guaranteed.]
Iron Valiant raised her head. After getting praised, she was even happier. Her eyes shone brightly.
[Because I'm the strongest Psychic-type Pokémon! That's how I was originally designed, ma!]
Ma…?
That tone particle?
Hikaru stared at Iron Valiant thoughtfully, and she blinked once.
Then she suddenly looked away.
Hikaru understood!
"Ah, your mind has gotten more active!"
Iron Valiant didn't say anything.
But in her heart, she was filled with a powerful emotion called happiness.
"Phew! That was such a fun match. Even though I lost, I'm not discouraged at all, because I learned so much from this battle!"
"I'll see you at the arena. Next time we meet, I'll bring chili extract with me. Then I'll be counting on you to teach me cooking, sensei!"
Dendra waved, then ran off into the distance with her Tauros. Not far ahead was Cortondo Town.
After parting ways with Dendra, Hikaru looked further out. Even far away, he could see Mesagoza and that iconic massive academy building of Paldea rising there.
It really was like Anor Londo, the royal city, or the Academy of Raya Lucaria.
Thinking about it like that, it actually felt pretty cool. This place really was suitable for a Western-fantasy-style adventure.
Speaking of which, getting close to the academy in Mesagoza… there wasn't going to be some terrifying old man popping up with boss music to start a boss fight, right? Paldea's academy shouldn't have a character like that.
Charcadet was also pawing at Aerodactyl's back.
Watching this, Hikaru suddenly had a strange idea.
Dragon Knight Charcadet, huh?
Was this the script of the Nameless King?
Or maybe… if it one day stopped using a hammer and picked up a lance and shield…
Hm? Crimson Gallantmon?
Pretty sure you're Gallantmon Crimson Mode, actually!
"All right, time for us to pick up the pace too!"
Charcadet lay on Aerodactyl's back as the wind howled fiercely around it. It watched the ground grow farther and farther away beneath it!
Then it lifted its head again.
Above it stretched that vast and boundless, yet distant, blue sky!
(End of Chapter)
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