Team Rocket’s Second-in-Command!

Some battles are planned, others are unexpected—but a true Champion embraces them all. Consider this bonus chapter one of those surprises.

---

Ampharos—before advanced technology, it was often used as a lighthouse to guide ships at sea.

From Mareep to Flaaffy, and finally to Ampharos, the evolutionary line's design highlights consistent features like their tails and head orbs.

The primary difference is their skin color, posture, and the extent to which their wool is sheared.

In essence, the Ampharos line depicts a sheep progressively losing its wool: Mareep is fully woolly, Flaaffy partially sheared, and Ampharos completely bare.

"Ash is in trouble," Gary said, eyeing the Ampharos on the battlefield.

While Ash's Charizard had managed to take down Ferrothorn in a fiery display, Charizard's strength had its limits.

"I disagree," Luo Yuan said, watching Charizard closely.

"Huh? You're saying Ash's Charizard can defeat Ampharos?" Gary sounded doubtful.

The earlier defeat of Kingler had already demonstrated the futility of reverse-type strategies. Gary didn't think Charizard would be an exception.

Luo Yuan merely smiled, saying nothing.

It wasn't about type advantage.

Through his psychic senses, Luo Yuan could feel the intense aura radiating from Charizard.

Charizard was burning with energy—both literally and figuratively.

As they spoke, the battle began.

Charizard let out a low growl and charged at Ampharos.

"Roar!"

It unleashed a stream of Flamethrower.

"Ampharos, use Thunderbolt!"

"Awoo~!"

Electricity crackled from Ampharos' body as Thunderbolt clashed with Flamethrower in midair, creating a fiery explosion.

Ampharos, undeterred, swung its arms, releasing a Thunder Wave aimed at paralyzing Charizard.

But Charizard was quicker.

Just as Ampharos began to lift its arms, Charizard soared high into the sky.

"Roar!"

From above, Charizard unleashed a swirling vortex of flames.

Fire Spin descended, trapping Ampharos within its fiery confines.

"Ampharos!" Nock called out, visibly alarmed.

He hadn't expected such seamless coordination between Charizard and Ash.

Ash hadn't even uttered a command, yet Charizard executed the move perfectly.

Despite the searing flames, Ampharos remained composed, a testament to its battle-hardened experience.

"Find the weakest point in the Fire Spin and use Dragon Pulse!" Nock ordered.

Ampharos opened its mouth, gathering purple energy before releasing a pulsating beam.

Rather than targeting Charizard, Ampharos aimed at the fiery walls.

The Dragon Pulse tore through the flames, collapsing the Fire Spin into harmless embers.

Charizard, still in the air, retaliated with another Flamethrower.

This time, Ampharos chose not to meet it head-on.

Having raised its altitude to avoid electric attacks, Charizard's distance gave Ampharos enough room to dodge.

Ampharos deftly sidestepped out of the Flamethrower's range.

"Use Electric Terrain!"

Crackle, crackle.

Electric currents surged from Ampharos into the ground, forming a web of energy that electrified the battlefield.

The air was thick with the acrid scent of static.

"Ampharos has set up Electric Terrain! Nock's Ampharos is gaining a significant advantage!" the commentator announced, his voice tinged with awe.

Electric Terrain was a rare move, only learnable through breeding. Its ability to amplify Electric-type moves made Ampharos even more formidable.

Under these conditions, a single well-placed attack could severely cripple Charizard.

Ash's concern was evident, but he knew Charizard wouldn't listen to him.

Besides, he wasn't sure his commands would be better than Charizard's instincts.

So, Ash stepped back and let Charizard handle the fight.

With confidence surging through it, Ampharos raised its head and let out a taunting cry toward Charizard.

Charizard's temper, already notorious, flared instantly.

If this were an anime, angry veins would be popping out of Charizard's forehead.

Charizard's response was simple.

"Roar!"

Its fierce expression made Ampharos flinch.

"Scary Face!"

Ampharos hesitated, thrown off by the intimidating display. Before it could recover, Charizard spat out a massive Fire Blast from the sky.

The flaming kanji-shaped attack descended with ferocious intensity.

Ampharos, realizing the danger too late, tried to dodge.

However, the Scary Face effect slowed its movements just enough to seal its fate.

Boom!

The Fire Blast landed where Ampharos stood, engulfing it in flames.

The blast caught half of Ampharos' body, sending it tumbling to the ground.

"Awoo!"

Ampharos cried out in pain, its voice laced with both agony and fury.

Electricity surged across its body, and it retaliated with a much larger Thunderbolt, aiming directly at Charizard.

What happened next stunned everyone.

Instead of dodging, Charizard flew straight at the oncoming Thunderbolt.

"Is Charizard trying to... self-destruct?!" the commentator exclaimed, momentarily forgetting his earlier grievances with Charizard.

The crowd gasped.

In a flash, Charizard approached the Thunderbolt.

At the last second, it performed a tactical barrel roll, skimming past the electric attack.

Whoosh!

Charizard's wings created a powerful gust as it dove toward Ampharos, fire igniting at the tip of its tail.

"Unbelievable! Charizard dodged the Thunderbolt mid-charge and is now diving straight for Ampharos!"

Nock, panicked, had Ampharos release more electricity to halt Charizard's descent.

But Charizard was undeterred.

Even as arcs of electricity struck its body, it pressed on, the flames on its tail burning brighter.

"Awoo!"

In a blur, Charizard closed the distance, landing directly in front of Ampharos.

It unleashed another Fire Blast at point-blank range.

Boom!

The explosion was so close that Charizard couldn't avoid being caught in it.

Both Pokémon were consumed by the fiery blast.

"True Fire (Self) Blast!"

When the flames subsided, the battlefield was silent, shrouded in smoke.

---

T/N: heh

A true Champion knows that every battle, every choice, and every unexpected twist shapes the path to mastery. Consider this bonus chapter a rare encounter—one that wouldn't be possible without the right support.

That's why you should support WiseTL at [patreon.com/WiseTL]—where every pledge helps bring more high-quality translations to life, staying true to the original while flowing naturally in English. After all, excellence is in the details.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have more to prepare for. But you? You should take this opportunity—you never know what rare finds await.

Until we meet again—stay sharp, stay determined, and never stop striving to be your best.

—Cynthia