Michael and Rodnick locked eyes, sparks practically flying between them as they stepped toward the battlefield. It wasn't just a rematch—it was the rematch. Revenge, pride, and possibly a semester's worth of bragging rights were all on the line.
Lucian stood at the back of the audience area, arms crossed, surveying the chaos with an amused glint in his eye.
"Anyone wanting to battle, step into the arena with your chosen opponents," he announced through the overhead mic. "Feel free to nominate friends as referees—but do try to keep the explosions to a minimum."
Rodnick and Michael didn't wait. The moment the words left Lucian's mouth, they exploded forward like twin Quick Attacks, bolting toward Arena One. Several other students had the same idea but skidded to a halt upon seeing the two lunatics charging full tilt.
All around the dome, Trainers scrambled for open spots, clutching Poké Balls, arguing over turn order, and dragging reluctant classmates into 2v2s. Once the frenzy settled, Lucian gave a nod of satisfaction.
"Alright. Begin your battles."
As Michael and Rodnick took their places on opposite sides of the polished combat platform, a lanky figure emerged from the crowd. Marcus Camby. The school's self-declared master of commentary, dramatic flair, and questionable career choices.
"Gentlemen," Marcus said, rubbing his hands together like a villain prepping a monologue, "do you mind if I do the honors of calling your glorious rematch?"
Rodnick blinked. "Do as you wish, dude."
Marcus grinned and scaled the same wobbling referee stand like a Spinda with ambition. He whipped out a megaphone made from paper, duct tape, and what suspiciously looked like a recycled Poké Puffs box.
Lucian watched with a neutral expression that conveyed both judgment and mild intrigue.
The arena quieted. The air thrummed with tension.
Marcus adjusted his sunglasses—indoors—and raised the megaphone.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMON! Trainers of all ages, delinquents of various grades, and fellow students who came for blood but stayed for drama—I welcome you to the bout of the century! In the left corner, the scaly boy wonder with dreams too big for his baby dragon—MICHAEL and his raging BAGON! And in the right corner, the prince of pettiness, the flamethrower of fury—RODNICK and his tenacious CHARMANDER! LET THE SMACKDOWN COMMENCE!"
Rodnick tossed his Poké Ball high. "Charlie! Burn it down!"
Charmander landed with a fiery flourish, spinning into a low crouch, tail blazing like a Moltres feather on a volcanic espresso. He gave a battle cry and punched the air twice, eyes locked on his draconic rival.
Michael stepped up, voice low and firm. "Bagon. Your stage."
Bagon stomped into the ring, cracking his neck with a smug smirk. His armored skull gleamed under the dome lights, and when he saw Charmander, he let out a gruff snort that said, Ready for round two, flame-Lizard?
The bell rang.
"Dragon Breath!" Michael commanded.
Bagon inhaled, then unleashed a stream of crackling violet-blue energy.
"Dodge and Bite!" Rodnick shouted.
Charmander cartwheeled aside—his tail catching a lick of the breath—and lunged with teeth bared, chomping down hard on Bagon's tail.
Bagon screeched, flailed, and flung Charmander across the field like a furry Pokédoll. The lizard tumbled, did a flip, and somehow stuck the landing.
Marcus screamed into his megaphone. "TAIL SNATCH! A bold move from Team Flame! And Bagon's dignity just took 50 points of emotional damage!"
Rodnick raised his arms like a victorious coach. "Classic schoolyard revenge, baby!"
Michael's eyes narrowed. "Twister!"
Bagon spun rapidly, whipping up a vortex of wind and dragon energy.
"Smokescreen! Counter that cyclone with chaos!"
Charmander belched a thick, choking smog. The twister collided with it, exploding into a swirling mass of smoke and gales. Visibility dropped to zero.
Gasps erupted as shadows darted through the mist.
"Scratch!" Rodnick cried.
A blur of orange lunged.
CLANG!
Charmander's claws struck Bagon's skull.
There was a pause.
Then Bagon... purred. A deep, vibrating hum of contentment.
Marcus leaned so far forward the stand creaked. "Is that—are those head scritches?!"
Charmander froze, eyes wide in horror.
Rodnick's jaw dropped. "Did we just... give him pets?!"
Michael bent over wheezing with laughter. "Oh no! You activated his comfort zone!"
"HEADBUTT!" Michael roared.
Bagon launched like a cannonball, slamming into Charmander's gut and sending him flying into a rock pillar. Pebbles flew.
Marcus shrieked, "AND THE SNUGGLE TURNS TO SMACKDOWN! The Fluffy Trap has backfired!"
Rodnick groaned. "Okay, Charlie. Fire Fang! Let's get serious."
Charmander's jaw ignited. He charged, weaving like a boxer.
"Dragon Rush!"
Bagon surged forward, engulfed in deep blue aura.
They collided.
BOOM.
A shockwave rippled out, making the protective shield shimmer. Students ducked. One kid dropped their Oran Berry juice.
"DID SOMEONE CRANK THE GRAVITY? MY BONES JUST RETIRED!" Marcus howled.
Both Pokémon tumbled, scorched and bruised—but on their feet.
"Iron Tail!"
Charmander's tail gleamed with metallic sheen and whipped around.
Bagon ducked—partially. The blow clipped his shoulder.
"Bite!"
Bagon chomped down on Charmander's arm.
Charmander yelped—and retaliated with a blast of Ember straight to the face.
A flash of fire and smoke burst between them.
The combatants separated, panting. The floor was scorched, the tiles cracked, the air thick with smoke and pride.
Rodnick took a breath. "Flamethrower. C'mon. Now's the time."
Charmander opened his mouth. A flicker of flame.
Then… a cough. Puff. Nothing.
Marcus wheezed. "FLAME FAIL! The moment was hot, but the nozzle was not! Somebody get that boy a Pecha smoothie!"
Rodnick clutched his face. "Why—why do you betray me in my hour of glory?!"
Michael grinned, raising a hand. "Let's end it. Dragon Breath."
"NO! We end it! Charlie—DRAGON RUSH!"
Charmander erupted in draconic light. Bagon answered with a roar.
They met at the center.
Fire. Energy. Force.
BOOOOM!
The dome shook. Light flared. Dust rose.
Silence.
Then—
Bagon lay on his side, twitching. Charmander was upright, one knee down, breathing hard—but victorious.
The bell rang.
Marcus leapt like a Sawsbuck in mating season. "VICTORY! CHARMANDER CLAIMS THE CROWN! THE ROCKHEAD HAS BEEN ROASTED! RODNICK AND TEAM FLAME RISE FROM THE ASHES!"
Students roared in applause.
Michael knelt beside Bagon, rubbing the tough blue head gently. "You were awesome. We'll get 'em next time, buddy."
Rodnick lifted Charmander and spun him in a circle. "You absolute legend. That was all you."
Charmander gave a little puff of smoke, grinning.
Marcus swaggered over with his mic like a League announcer. "Rodnick, any words for the crowd?"
Rodnick grinned and lifted Charmander. "Told you we'd toast that rockhead."
Charmander raised his tiny fist triumphantly.
Marcus sniffled theatrically. "And so concludes the legendary battle of burn versus bone. Until next time, my little dragon tamers—keep your tails lit and your skulls thick!"
Michael and Rodnick made their way back to the stands, the echoes of cheering students still reverberating through the dome. Their footsteps were a bit heavier now, mostly due to fatigue, partly from adrenaline withdrawal. As they approached their usual seats, they spotted Sersi—arms crossed, brow furrowed, and aura radiating absolute grump.
She was sulking, and for good reason.
"Lost to a Luxio," she muttered under her breath without looking at them. "Of course she had a Luxio. I should have brought my Ralts instead of Staryu," she grumbled, kicking at the floor. Then, as if arguing with herself, she added under her breath, "Even though Staryu's the higher level... stupid type disadvantages."
Rodnick snorted. "Hah! What happened? You zigged when you should've zapped?" He plopped down beside her, beaming like a victorious Pyroar. "Guess I'm the only champion at this school today."
Sersi slowly turned to him. Her eye twitched.
Michael, sensing danger like a well-trained Growlithe, decided to stay quiet and made himself very interested in his boots.
Rodnick, unfortunately, did not possess such instincts. He puffed his chest. "You know, it's not your fault. I mean, she probably had help. Maybe her Luxio was secretly two Luxio in a trench coat. Or maybe—"
THWACK.
Sersi's fist landed clean in Rodnick's stomach.
The boy doubled over with a spectacular oof, the wind rushing from his lungs like a deflated Drifloon.
Sersi turned away with a dramatic pout, stood up, and marched off to join a cluster of her female classmates—who were already whispering and giggling.
Rodnick wheezed as he collapsed next to Michael. "Dude... why is she so violent? That wasn't a punch, that was a Sky Uppercut."
Michael blinked, but didn't respond. His gaze was fixed on something in front of him.
Hovering silently in midair was a translucent, flickering holographic panel.
"Yo?" Rodnick said, waving his arms dramatically in front of Michael's face, then poked his cheek with a finger. "Hellooo? Earth to dragon nerd. Did that hit knock you out too or did you just unlock Ultra Instinct?"
Michael didn't answer.
[Ding!!]
A gentle chime rang out, bright and sharp—clearly coming from the hologram floating before him.
The hovering interface stabilized, glowing faint blue around the edges. A circular insignia resembling a rotating Poké Ball emerged at the center, then split into three concentric rings of data.
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Finally, our boy got the SYSTEM, guys! How's the story so far? If there's anything you think I can improve—plot, pacing, character moments—please let me know.
Also @Izuna_lavu, I will definitely be using those two templates, so no worries there.
And if any of you have submissions for OCs, feel free to send them my way! I'd love to include more reader-created characters in future arcs.
Yes, I know I missed the regular schedule... so if any of you are mad, feel free to throw stones at me. I'll humbly accept my punishment with grace .
Also, a huge thanks to everyone who's been following, reviewing, and commenting. Your support seriously fuels this story. But we still need more reviews! Your feedback means a lot—criticism, praise, suggestions—I read it all and use it to make the story even better.
Please post more reviews, guys. We need reviews.
Now, real talk :
What's your favorite Pokémon?
More importantly… should Micheal catch it? (≧∇≦)ﾉ
Got a cool idea? Toss in your fav Pokémon with a backstory, quirks, weird habits—heck, even give it a dramatic slow-mo entrance if you're feeling spicy. If it fits the vibe, I'll totally try to weave it into the story!
Enjoying the ride?
Hit that Add to Library button so you don't miss the next chapter!
Got theories, feedback, or just wanna geek out about Dragon-types and dratini eggs? Drop a comment—I read 'em all.
And lastly...
POWERSTONES.💎💎💎
Feed 'em to this story like they're Rare Candies and help it mega evolve!
( •̀ ω •́ )✧