"Alright, let's take a break."
It was impossible to tell time in the depths of the cave, but Maki's hunger served as a natural reminder. When he glanced at his phone, he was surprised to find that evening had nearly arrived. Without hesitation, he called out to the nearby Pokémon to stop their training.
Mt. Moon was home to a large number of wild Pokémon, especially as Maki ventured deeper into its winding paths. The further he progressed, the stronger the wild Pokémon became—perfect for strengthening his team, turning the cave journey into an ideal training opportunity.
Maki pulled out several PokéBlocks from his backpack and handed them to Charmeleon and the others. Today, he even summoned Dragonite—an unusual sight on this trip. Out here, away from prying eyes, there was no need to worry about anyone spotting his powerful companion.
Dragonite glanced at Maki, its expression laced with mild annoyance, as if blaming him for keeping it cooped up in its Poké Ball for so long. The dragon snatched the box of PokéBlocks without a word, tipped the entire container into its mouth, and gulped down the precious treats as if they were free samples.
Ah, that familiar taste.
"You haven't even burned any energy in your Poké Ball, so why are you eating so much?" Maki muttered, exasperated. Ever since their supplies had grown more abundant, Dragonite's appetite had spiraled out of control—causing Maki's food expenses to skyrocket.
Dragonite let out a satisfied belch. "Boo~"
The dragon gave Maki a look that seemed to say, It's a Pokémon thing. You wouldn't understand.
After eating its fill, Dragonite promptly returned to its Poké Ball without lingering, lest Maki assign it another task. The dragon's sheer laziness baffled Maki—he couldn't quite understand how such a slacker still managed to attract female Dragonite.
"Eats more than anyone else and does absolutely nothing..." Maki grumbled.
Travelers in the Pokémon world often relied on portable meals, and Maki had stocked up on self-heating rice packs—better than bread but bulky in his already cramped backpack.
While the team ate, Maki noticed something peculiar. Cottonee and Mawile were deep in conversation, getting along surprisingly well. In contrast, Charmeleon sat quietly, a cloud of gloom hanging over him.
Maki walked over and sat beside his first partner.
"Char?" Charmeleon only noticed him when he sat down, letting out a startled cry.
"What's wrong? You don't seem like yourself today."
Charmeleon glanced toward Mawile and Cottonee, then shook his head.
Ever since evolving, Charmeleon had become more composed—yet his competitive streak had only intensified.
Maki followed Charmeleon's gaze and immediately understood.
"You're feeling frustrated because Mawile seems stronger than you, aren't you?"
Charmeleon flinched, his reaction betraying his thoughts.
"No way!" he protested, waving his small claws in denial.
Maki chuckled softly, ruffling the fire-type's head.
"I know you're not jealous. You've always been the big brother of the team."
Charmeleon slumped, letting out a small, dejected growl. He'd been Maki's first Pokémon—his partner from the very beginning. But their recent battle against Graveler had made him realize that the newcomer Mawile wasn't any weaker than him.
It was like being the eldest child, only to watch your parents suddenly give all their attention to a new sibling—one who might even surpass you.
"Mawile's strength comes from her Sheer Force Ability—something incredibly rare. And Cottonee's Prankster Ability makes her deceptively useful in battle. But don't forget, your own Ability hasn't even awakened yet."
Charmeleon tilted his head, puzzled.
"You've never fully activated your Solar Power Ability in battle, have you?"
He nodded slowly, the realization dawning on him.
"When you learn to harness that power, your strength will skyrocket—just like theirs. Solar Power might not sound as flashy as Sheer Force, but its potential is even greater. You just need the right weather conditions."
Maki's words were a deliberate understatement. In his eyes, Solar Power—while situational—was ultimately more powerful than Sheer Force, provided the right strategy was in place.
He made a mental note: once they left Mt. Moon, he'd start teaching Cottonee Sunny Day. With that move, she and Charmeleon could form a devastating combination.
That was the plan for Cottonee's development. Other moves could wait—Tailwind and Sunny Day were top priority, even above Nature Power.
Cottonee floated over, perching lightly on Charmeleon's head.
"Nee!" (You're already amazing!)
Mawile shuffled closer, clearly unsure what to say. Like Maki, she was naturally quiet and awkward, struggling to express herself.
But her presence alone spoke volumes.
"And don't forget," Maki added, "you still have one more evolution ahead of you. When you become Charizard, your strength will soar even higher."
Mawile nodded earnestly, though she probably only half-understood the conversation. To her, Charmeleon was the big brother who always looked out for her.
Charmeleon was never the type to dwell on his emotions. His slump had been brief—a rare moment of self-doubt. But surrounded by his friends, he quickly bounced back, burying his face in his PokéBlocks out of embarrassment.
"Alright, let's all do our best together!" Maki declared.
"Nee!"
"Maw!"
Cottonee and Mawile cheered in unison.
Charmeleon looked up, eyes blazing with renewed determination.
"Char!"
Let's go!
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