Daemon and his Pokémon spent two weeks training in the same spot before he realized it was time to move on.
Kirlia had gotten the psychic focus under control, while Charmander, after intense training plus [Heal Pulse] combo, was a lot more physically stronger than it had previously been.
The fights the Fire-type had been part of, with the local Pokémon living near their camp site, he had dominated them all.
Even against Pokémon that had a type advantage, Charmander was exceptional and, through sheer grit, tanked hits before landing several [Dragon Claws].
It was slowly and steadily becoming his favourite move to use.
Kirlia, on the other hand, did not participate in any fights other than the ones with Deino, while the dragon was soon bored of beating the local Pokémon that were not up to his standards.
Deino had tried to pick a fight with Charmander, but Daemon had stopped him from doing so.
For one, Charmander still could not take on Deino despite all the training...yet.
Secondly, Daemon had plans for their first-ever fight.
Kirlia could never truly motivate Deino to train because she had such a massive type advantage over him. But what if someone he always considered weak suddenly beat the shit out of him?
Daemon planned to use the first battle between Charmander and Deino to teach the dragon a lesson. It would also serve as a way to make the dragon put some faith in the training Daemon wanted to put him through.
Through all this, he never forgot to train himself as well.
The benefits of [Heal Pulse] could not be ignored, as it massively increased the training efficiency.
"Maybe I can get as strong as Bruno using this?" He had wondered. The Fighting-type Elite Four of the Kanto Region was a monster who could fight other Pokémon with his fists... albeit the weaker ones. Truly strong Pokémon could easily steamroll through any human.
Once all of his objectives were completed, Daemon decided it was a good time to move towards Mount Moon and then trek it to reach Cerulean City.
Every other gym he would challenge from here on out was on the other side of this massive mountain range.
'We need to get past Cerulean Gym as soon as possible if I want to participate in that tournament.' Daemon looked at the pamphlet he had grabbed in Pewter City. 'But the minimum requirement for it is two badges to a maximum of four and at least four Pokémon.'
It was a tournament held by a breeding company every year for new trainers. This attracted a lot of new trainers since the rewards were quite lucrative.
Such tournaments happened all across the region, but Daemon was not strong enough to participate in all of them as of now.
This not only brought a lot of publicity to the party that was hosting these tournaments, they also gathered a large crowd of trainers. And where there were trainers, money would be spent. The profession was a pit that devoured the most amount of money...
These tournaments, organized across the region, helped trainers make money and could be quite lucrative if won. However, it was not so easy.
The number of trainers who aimed for the top spot were...A LOT.
Daemon knew it would be difficult since trainers who would join would be quite skilled, but it was also the best way of making a large sum of cash.
'I should focus on getting to Mount Moon for now.' He sighed and walked on the route that led to the ranger station at the foot of the mountain's entrance.
Any first-year rookie who did not check in at the station, if found later, would be heavily penalized.
"Char?"
"We will not reach it before tomorrow."
The Fire-type sulked but followed along as the duo kept walking for the whole day. Of course, Charmander had the weights on, and so it was part of his training, and whenever they stopped for breaks, he would be "greeted" by a [Heal Pulse].
Kirlia had stayed in her Poké Ball for the first Pokeball for so long, but she was enjoying the peace inside. From what she had told him, Pokeballs were like mini pocket worlds.
She had enough room to move around and relax.
They were quite comfortable, at least the ones Daemon was currently using, compared to regular Pokeballs. Moreover, she could meditate but not use her psychic focus.
A mysterious energy always prevented her from using any moves or letting her psychic energy leak out of her body.
Daemon had no idea how these things were created, but as long as they worked fine, he did not need to know about them.
Soon, it was starting to get dark, and Daemon could tell they were getting closer to the ranger station by the lack of wild Pokémon that randomly challenged them for a fight.
He had kept an eye out for anything that caught his eye, but so far, tough luck.
"Let's find a place to camp, shall we?"
Charmander started looking for a spot with him, and they soon found a clearing. It seemed to be previously used by another trainer since there were signs of activity. But the embers were long dead, and everything was neat, which meant the person had already left.
"Let's start preparing our..."
His words were left unsaid as a red convertible came roaring towards him and Charmander before stopping a little distance away.
~Screech~
It skidded to a stop, and a familiar brown-haired boy looked at him from the driver's seat.
The spiky-haired boy jumped out of the car, and one of the cheerleaders took the wheel and drove away after saying goodbye to him.
Daemon watched them leave before his eyes landed on the boy.
"You don't mind if I share the space for the night? Names Gary Oak, future Pokémon Master."
For a moment, he was speechless at the randomness of what had happened before he greeted. "Daemon Aragon, future champion of all the wannabe Pokémon Masters."
"You got a bite."
"Says the guy moving around in a convertible." Daemon rolled his eyes before asking the obvious. "They're not coming with you?"
"They are too delicate to trek Mount Moon," Gary shrugged before taking out a Pokeball as his eyes landed on the Charmander beside the black-haired boy. "I will see them on the other side, though."
Daemon noticed him taking out a Pokeball and he knew the universal rule of being a Pokémon Trainer.
Our eyes met, so we must battle.
"Three vs Three with one switch?"
"Sure."
They sent a challenge to each other, and once accepted, Daemon decided to make the first move.
"Drop the weights, buddy." He ordered his Fire-type, and Charmander happily removed the bands around his limbs before throwing them to a side. He jumped on his toes a little, getting used to the feeling of not having such heavy weights weighing down on him.
Daemon had at least tripled the weight since Charmander had used [Dragon Claw] that day.
A few more days of this, and the Fire-type would stop feeling them altogether.
'Pokémon sure are built differently.' He thought before pointing forward. "Charmander, I choose you."
"Squirtle, front and center."
The other Kanto starter landed before the two trainers, opposite to the Charmander, who was waiting in anticipation.
"I don't remember someone named Daemon getting a Kanto Starter this year. What's your deal?"
"Got lucky with it."
Gary raised an eyebrow before smirking. "Water-type vs Fire-type, looks like this one's in the bag for me. Sorry for that, kid."
"Keep the talking for later, will ya?" Daemon rolled his eyes and then ordered. "Rush it with [Quick Attack]."
Charmander's body lit up in silver light as he charged forward. The Fire-type was so much faster than it had been before.
"Dodge with [Aqua Jet] and then use [Water Gun]."
Squirtle gave a similar smirk to his trainer and dodged to the side before releasing a torrent of water.
"[Ember]."
Charmander released an attack of his own that collided with the [Water Gun] before creating a thick cloud of water vapour.
"[Dragon Claw], on your left."
Charmander reacted immediately and slashed to his left, where he was met by Squirtle, who had used the vapours as a cover to come closer. Its right fist was covered in Fighting-type energy.
'That's [Brick break].'
Daemon recognized the move and watched as Charmander used the boxing techniques taught to him for dodging and sending out [Dragon Claw] of his own every once in a while.
~Whistle~
"Your Charmander can move." Gary praised before he swiped his arm to the right. "But don't let them take the momentum. Use [Aqua Jet]."
Squirtle ignored the [Dragon Claw] coming for its head and rammed right into Charmander's chest.
Both Pokémon were sent flying backwards.
"[Water Gun]."
"[Ember]."
Once again, the two attacks met, but this time Charmander's [Ember] could not evaporate all of Squirtle's [Water Gun] like last time. The earlier [Aqua Jet] had done a number on him.
The jet of water hit Charmander square in the chest, dealing super-effective damage.
It was soon followed by another [Aqua Jet].
"Crouch and [Dragon Tail]."
Charmander was in pain, but he gritted his teeth at the incoming Squirtle before dipping low and swishing his tail, covered in draconic energy, upwards.
"[Brick Break]."
Squirtle took the [Dragon Tail], but then twisted its body and landed a [Brick Break] right into Charmander's face.
~Bang~
The Fire-type was sent pummeling into the ground and lay unconscious.
"Charmander is unable to battle; Squirtle is the winner, this round is therefore won by yours truly." Gary gave a proud smirk as Squirtle ran over to his side.
"That Squirtle can take hits." Daemon eyed the tiny turtle Pokémon who had taken a [Dragon Claw] as well as [Dragon Tail] and still looked ready to fight the next round.
"Says the guy whose Charmander took super effective damage and still landed that nasty [Dragon Tail]." Gary rolled his eyes. He could see the bruise left behind by that last attack from the Fire-type. It would surely affect Squirtle's next battle.
Daemon returned the downed Charmander and whispered to the Pokeball. "You were great. Now rest."
He knew his Charmander could not win against that Squirtle. Heck, even Kirlia would have a hard time against it.
From what he could see, the Squirtle was close to its evolution and was among the strongest of its kind he had ever seen.
'Gary must have dumped a lot of TMs, but he has not neglected the training of his Squirtle, unlike Cross.' Daemon thought to himself as he decided upon his next Pokémon to use.
Gary was the son and grandson of former Champions.
There was no way he was not warned about the downsides of using TMs. Which meant, while the boy might have surely used them, he knew of a way to work around the disadvantages.
For a moment, Daemon felt jealous of all the methods and resources available to the spiky-haired boy. But then he shook his head.
Not using what you had was foolish, and if he were in the other boy's shoes, he would have done the same.
'I am better than this.' He was not a sore loser, and the battle was not yet finished.
Daemon tossed a pokeball in his hand before catching it midair and then pointing it forward.
"He is a rowdy one, but I hope you can beat the shit out of it."
Gary raised an eyebrow before his eyes widened in surprise at the Pokémon that had appeared in front of him.
~ROAR~