The blast of flames pushed Pikachu back before it could land Iron Tail on Charmeleon's face.
"Charmeleon, move forward with Slash, then follow up with Flamethrower!"
Seizing the opportunity, Gu Yuan ordered Charmeleon to counterattack. Even though touching Pikachu could trigger its Static ability, Gu Yuan would not miss this perfect chance.
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"
No matter how fast Rina reacted, Pikachu was too close to dodge and was hit before it could release the move.
Slash struck Pikachu's back perfectly, leaving three bloody claw marks. Immediately, Flamethrower followed, hitting Pikachu's wounds, quickly stopping the bleeding but adding unbearable pain.
As Pikachu cried out in pain, Charmeleon launched another attack under Gu Yuan's orders. Flamethrower hit Pikachu mid-air, sending it flying even further.
Flames gathered again, and Pikachu heard Rina's anxious voice.
Struggling to stand, Pikachu saw the flames growing larger in front of it. Its eyes shone with determination.
"Pika!"
With a roar, Pikachu unleashed its final attack. Electricity surged, disrupting Charmeleon's Flamethrower, but that was all Pikachu could manage.
As the flames faded, Pikachu collapsed.
"That was an excellent battle. I look forward to facing you again."
The battle ended, and Gu Yuan stepped forward to speak to Rina, the first time he had addressed his opponent.
It wasn't Rina's looks that impressed him, but her unyielding fighting spirit alongside Pikachu. Someone with that kind of will could go far as a Trainer, and maybe they would cross paths again someday.
"You're strong too. Pikachu and I didn't get a single chance, but I won't give up. One day, we're going to fight again and win!"
Rina pumped her little fists as if cheering herself on.
"All right, I need to heal my Pikachu first. I'll leave now."
Quickly adjusting herself, Rina didn't wallow in defeat but was full of energy.
"Okay, goodbye."
Watching her leave, Gu Yuan didn't linger either. He returned to the Pokémon Center to rest, knowing his next match would be in the afternoon.
So far, the battles had only gotten tougher, which made Gu Yuan look forward to them. Of course, that was only if his next opponent wasn't a Senior Rank Trainer.
If the gap in strength was too wide, even all of Gu Yuan's skills wouldn't matter. In the face of absolute strength, all tricks and schemes were useless.
It seemed Gu Yuan's fears were valid. The afternoon match order showed his next opponent was a Senior Rank Trainer. The others, who hadn't drawn a Senior Rank opponent, breathed a sigh of relief.
Stepping onto the battlefield, Gu Yuan could hear people talking about how long it would take before he got eliminated.
That annoyed him, but also awakened his competitiveness. Even if he couldn't win, he wouldn't make it easy for his opponent.
Fueled by that resolve, Gu Yuan released Charmeleon, who responded in kind, igniting its fighting spirit.
"Focus, Primape. This opponent is different from the ones we've faced before."
Feeling Gu Yuan's resolve, Ryo whispered to Primape.
"Charmeleon, Flamethrower!"
"Primape, use Cross Chop to charge!"
Flames erupted, but they couldn't stop Primape's advance. With a swing of its arms, Charmeleon's Flamethrower was shattered.
As a Fighting-type Pokémon, Primape's physical prowess was exceptional. In just a few breaths, it closed the distance.
Following Ryo's instructions, Primape unleashed its full strength immediately.
"Charmeleon, fall back and use Dragon Breath to disrupt!"
Sensing Primape's speed and power, Gu Yuan hoped Dragon Breath could stall his opponent before close combat began.
The greenish Dragon Breath shot out but was effortlessly destroyed by Primape's Brick Break.
"Charmeleon, after Dragon Breath, use Slash!"
Judging the distance, Gu Yuan realized there wasn't time for Dragon Breath's follow-up effect. Close combat was imminent.
Dragon Breath struck again and was destroyed by Brick Break.
Seizing the moment, Charmeleon lunged with a quick Slash aimed at Primape.
Primape didn't dodge, but countered directly with Brick Break, pushing Charmeleon back. Its mastery of Brick Break had clearly reached Advanced.
"Charmeleon, use Dragon Breath up close!"
Seeing Primape attempting to press the advantage, Gu Yuan commanded quickly.
"Primape, Cross Chop!"
Ryo provided crucial reminders, helping Primape at the key moment.
Cross Chop struck, shattering Dragon Breath, and even Charmeleon's Slash couldn't resist the force. The attack hit Charmeleon square in the chest.
"Charmeleon, Flamethrower!"
Pain and Gu Yuan's command hit simultaneously.
With incredible willpower, Charmeleon endured the pain and launched its attack. The flames surged, and at such close range, Primape couldn't dodge or counter, getting burned in the face.
Charmeleon was affected too, but that no longer mattered.
"Charmeleon, use Slash to push Primape back, and keep the Flamethrower pressure up!"
Grabbing the only opening, Gu Yuan prepared a fierce follow-up.
"Hang in there, Primape! Cross Chop counter, then Brick Break!"
Commands fired back and forth. Flames erupted, but Primape quickly recovered its ground.
With a Cross Chop it destroyed the flames coming in its direction, and after getting close it hit Charmeleon with a Brick Break.
Under the onslaught of hits, Charmeleon fell into a passive position. Many times it tried to release flames on its opponent, but even with Blaze activated, there was nothing it could do against the stronger fighting-type opponent after the fight turned into a brawl.
Finally, under Brick Break, Charmeleon fell reluctantly.
Primape's victory wasn't easy either. Its fur was scorched, and it bore many wounds, showing how much trouble Charmeleon had caused.
"It's okay, Charmeleon. You performed perfectly."
Gu Yuan gently recalled Charmeleon into its Poké Ball.
Quickly moving through the crowd, he rushed to the Pokémon Center to restore Charmeleon as soon as possible.
After Gu Yuan left, the battle continued, but it no longer involved him. The system's voice announced that his challenge mission ended with his defeat.