Chapter 190: Aerodactyl and Charmeleon

A Clash of Power

Misty let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

Pikachu stood beside Ash, still panting from its battle with Aerodactyl, but it was clear that their fight wasn't over yet.

Misty's eyes shifted to the new battle unfolding before them.

Charmeleon and Aerodactyl stood facing off, their gazes locked in a fierce standoff.

She couldn't help but murmur in awe, "This Aerodactyl… it's unbelievably strong."

She knew Pikachu's power firsthand, yet Pikachu had exhausted itself quickly just trying to hold its ground.

It wasn't just because of Aerodactyl's raw strength—

It was something more.

Brock adjusted his stance, arms crossed, his gaze sharp with focus.

"It's the oppressive force of its ability," he analyzed.

Misty turned to him, listening intently.

"Thunderbolt is already a high-energy move," Brock continued. "But with Pressure in effect, Pikachu had to use double the usual stamina to execute it. That kind of strain adds up fast."

Misty frowned.

"That means any Pokémon facing Aerodactyl will tire out twice as quickly…"

Brock nodded grimly.

"And don't forget—this Aerodactyl is Gym Leader-level."

At those words, Misty recalled what the Kanto Alliance guards had said at the cave entrance.

"A Pokémon that strong… it's no wonder it's the ruler of this cave."

But right now—

Ash wasn't backing down.

His attention was locked onto Charmeleon and Aerodactyl, and he was ready for round two.

---

Provoking the Predator

Charmeleon let out a low growl, the flame on its tail flickering aggressively.

Despite the difference in size, it stood its ground, glaring up at Aerodactyl with a cocky smirk.

That smirk—

Aerodactyl's eyes narrowed in irritation.

Even a Pokémon as ancient as Aerodactyl could recognize it—

A challenge.

With a deafening roar, Aerodactyl launched itself forward, white translucent energy coating its body.

Ash's eyes flashed with recognition.

"That's Take Down!" Brock called out from the sidelines.

The Normal-type move boosted Aerodactyl's speed and force, turning it into a living missile.

Ash didn't hesitate.

"Charmeleon, Smokescreen! Dodge it!"

"Fire—!"

Charmeleon exhaled a thick cloud of black smoke, its figure vanishing into the dense cover just as Aerodactyl barreled through.

For a split second, it looked as if the move had worked.

But—

Aerodactyl didn't slow down.

With its incredible speed, it plunged directly into the smoke, not even hesitating.

And then—

"Bang!"

A powerful impact shook the cavern as Charmeleon was suddenly sent flying out of the Smokescreen!

The Fire-type slammed hard against the cave wall, the force cracking the stone on impact.

A trail of dust and debris followed as Charmeleon slid down the rock face, wincing in pain.

Misty gasped.

"It still hit even inside the Smokescreen?!"

Brock's expression hardened.

"Aerodactyl isn't just attacking randomly. It's using its instincts and speed to target Charmeleon even when it's hidden."

Aerodactyl hovered midair, watching Charmeleon struggle back to its feet.

But it wasn't giving Charmeleon a moment to breathe.

With another roar, Aerodactyl rushed forward again.

It wasn't just trying to win—

It was trying to establish dominance.

Aerodactyl wasn't just fighting for victory.

It was fighting to prove it was the true ruler of this cave.

---

Flames Against the Ancient Beast

Ash's eyes sharpened.

There was no time to dodge this time.

"Charmeleon! Flamethrower, full power!"

Charmeleon gritted its teeth, gathering every ounce of strength it had left.

With a deep breath, it unleashed a massive torrent of fire—

But this wasn't just any Flamethrower.

The flames glowed with a brilliant gold, flickering like molten sunlight.

A flicker of something deep within Charmeleon stirred—

A dormant strength, waiting to awaken.

Misty's eyes widened.

"That flame… it's different!"

Even Aerodactyl—

For a split second—

Hesitated.

But then—

It charged forward anyway.

With the same Take Down attack, it tore straight through the golden flames, its translucent energy repelling the fire.

"Bang!!"

The impact sent shockwaves through the cave as Aerodactyl smashed into Charmeleon, pinning it against the stone wall.

Charmeleon let out a pained growl, its body slumping slightly—

But its eyes were still burning.

---

The Unyielding Flame

Aerodactyl finally pulled back, its wings beating as it gained altitude again.

The cave wall where Charmeleon had been slammed into was now shattered, leaving a deep crater.

Misty's hands clenched into fists.

"Charmeleon can't take another hit like that…"

Even Brock looked worried.

"Ash… you need a different strategy."

But Ash—

He was focused.

He could see something in Charmeleon.

Despite the pain, despite being pushed to its limit—

The flame on its tail was burning hotter than ever.

"Charmeleon, can you keep going?" Ash asked, his voice steady.

For a moment—

Silence.

And then—

Charmeleon slowly lifted its head.

Its tail flame flared up brighter, its eyes locked onto Aerodactyl with a fire that refused to die out.

Misty's breath caught in her throat.

"It's still standing…!"

Even Aerodactyl looked mildly surprised.

But it wasn't going to stop now.

With another roar, it began to dive once more.

And as it did—

The golden flames in Charmeleon's eyes flickered even brighter.

This battle wasn't over.

Not yet.

To Be Continued…