"Red, what about Charmander?" Gary asked tentatively.
"Professor Oak, could we use the arena in the backyard?" Red requested.
Professor Oak nodded and led Red and his friends to the backyard arena. Red released Charmander from its Poké Ball, and this time, Charmander refrained from using Flamethrower, opting instead to observe Red's actions. It seemed to have accepted him.
"Red, this Charmander is quite powerful. Stay on your toes!" Professor Oak advised.
"Don't worry, Professor Oak. I won't disappoint," Red assured, patting the Poké Ball on his waist. "It's your turn, Beedrill."
Without Red even tossing the Poké Ball, Beedrill emerged on its own, its sharp needles clinking menacingly.
"It really is Beedrill!" Leaf exclaimed. Beedrill was Red's starter Pokémon, and he deeply trusted its strength.
"That Beedrill is no ordinary Pokémon; I've never seen it lose!" Gary rarely looked so serious. He knew Beedrill well; three years of training had significantly boosted its abilities.
Charmander opened with Smoke Screen to obscure Beedrill's vision, relying on its strong instincts to sense Beedrill's power.
"Impressive combat instincts!" Red praised, signaling Beedrill to handle the situation independently. Beedrill's Swords Dance dissipated the smoke, revealing Charmander, which quickly used Outrage, entering a frenzied state to try and defeat Beedrill.
"Great talent, mastering Outrage already, though it's a pity you're so impulsive," Red commented, appreciating Charmander's skills but noting its rashness.
Beedrill smirked as Charmander used Outrage. Though it temporarily boosted Charmander's strength, its mindless fury turned it into an easy target for Beedrill.
"Waaah!"
Charmander spewed flames repeatedly, but Beedrill easily dodged with its agility. Charmander's energy waned.
Suddenly, the flames on Charmander's tail flared intensely. Activating its Blaze ability, Charmander prepared for a final, desperate assault.
Seeing Beedrill poised, Charmander charged. With Blaze and Outrage's enhancements, its Flamethrower rivaled that of a mature Fire-type Pokémon.
Beedrill evaded swiftly, avoiding burns. It aimed to teach Charmander a lesson in humility without suffering any damage.
"This Charmander's talent is incredible!" Gary exclaimed. Even an evolved Charmeleon might not breathe fire that fiercely, yet this was a hybrid Charmander.
"Red and Charmander were fated to meet," Leaf remarked. Had it been her or Gary, Charmander might have ended up back at the League's breeding center or released into Charizard Valley.
"Fate clearly brought Red to Charmander!" Professor Oak agreed, partly out of pride. He knew Red never turned away from powerful, unique Pokémon.
"Let's wrap this up," Red instructed. Beedrill, seeing Charmander exhaust its flames, circled behind and brought it down with a cross-shaped strike.
After the battle, Beedrill returned silently to Red's side. Seeing Charmander's injuries, Red applied a healing spray.
Charmander whimpered initially but soon purred happily as the cool spray soothed its wounds. Red stroked its head, and Charmander nuzzled Red's cheek, accepting him as its trainer.
"My instincts were right," Professor Oak said, relieved. He'd worried Red might dislike the challenging Charmander, but Red's satisfied smile eased his concerns.
"Return, Charmander." Red recalled a healed Charmander, but Gary stepped forward.
"Red, let's have a Pokémon battle!" Gary challenged.
"Alright!"
Red sent out Charmander, which mistakenly eyed Beedrill, thinking it was to battle again.
"Hey, little guy, your opponent's over here!" Gary corrected, releasing Squirtle. Squirtle, wary of Charmander's reputation as a 'tyrant,' was ready for battle despite its fear.
"Leaf, why not join with your Bulbasaur?" Red suggested, noticing Leaf's eagerness and proposing a two-on-one match.
"Hey! Red, don't underestimate me and Squirtle!" Gary protested. Squirtle, ready for battle, also seemed offended by Red's suggestion.
"Gary, Squirtle alone won't beat Charmander. Charmander is already beyond a typical starter's strength." Red reassured Charmander, "You'll soon see a new side of Charmander."
[Ding! Pokémon identified: Charmander. Would you like to add the Solar Power ability?]
The system's voice echoed in Red's mind. He quickly agreed to enhance Charmander with Solar Power.
[Stacking Solar Power!]
(Solar Power: Boosts Special Attack by 1.5 times in sunny weather, but loses 1/8 of max HP per turn.)
Under the trio's watchful eyes, Charmander's skin sparked, and its tail flames flared as if Blaze had activated. Yet, Charmander was far from exhausted.
Professor Oak eyed Red suspiciously but shook his head. Familiar with Red's psychic abilities, Oak assumed Red had enhanced Charmander's physique with his powers.
"I'm counting on you, Bulbasaur!" Leaf declared, sending Bulbasaur into battle.
Despite Squirtle and Bulbasaur's hostility, Charmander stood proudly, unfazed by their combined threat. They had once feared him, trembling at his presence, even under their trainers' commands.
Charmander glanced at Red, who exuded confidence in him; his trainer was far superior to these two humans.
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