Pokémon: Starting with a Bound Entry System

Chapter 96: Charizard, I Have High Expectations for You...

This was Hikaru's first thought.

Facing an unbeatable enemy too early can inevitably create a sense of inferiority.

This was especially true for Charizard.

Charizard deeply cared about Hikaru's opinion of it.

This wasn't surprising, considering its history. As a Charmander, it had been abandoned, leaving it particularly sensitive to feelings of inadequacy.

With Aura Force sensing Charizard's emotions, Hikaru felt a pang of sadness.

"Charizard, come down here," Hikaru called out.

The two Pokémon stopped their sparring and descended to stand by Hikaru.

"Today's energy cubes are designed for recovery. Let me know how you like them."

"Roar!"

Charizard gulped down the cubes in a few bites and immediately tugged on Greninja, ready for another sparring session.

Greninja looked at its own aqua-blue energy cube and hesitated.

"Wait, Charizard. Come here," Hikaru called.

Even with the Effort Will Make You Stronger trait equipped, this wasn't the kind of relentless effort Hikaru had envisioned.

Charizard's emotions were clearly in turmoil.

"Roar?"

Charizard landed beside Hikaru, folding its wings and lowering its head.

"Is something bothering you?" Hikaru asked.

Sometimes, addressing things directly was better than letting them fester.

"Roar?"

"Don't worry, Charizard. You've been with me the longest. If you can't talk to me, who can you talk to?"

Charizard's emotions rippled visibly, its fiery tail flickering erratically.

Hikaru activated his Verdant Power, sending waves of calming energy toward Charizard.

"Roar..." (I'm sorry...)

"What are you sorry for?" Hikaru pressed gently.

"Roar!"

Despite its towering, imposing figure, Charizard now resembled a lost child.

"Roar..." (I wasn't strong enough... I couldn't protect you...)

As Hikaru had suspected.

Not only Charizard but also Gardevoir seemed weighed down by this failure.

Twice now, they had failed to protect Hikaru, and to them, this was an unacceptable shortcoming.

"All right," Hikaru said, gathering the team.

He even brought Larvitar over to join the discussion.

Using his Verdant Power, Hikaru created a soothing atmosphere.

"Charizard, I don't think you're not strong enough."

"From our rookie training days in Mizuki City, to the High School League, to the challenges in secret realms, facing Torterra, Pidgeot, or any of the others—were they not formidable foes?"

He paused for a moment to let the memories sink in.

"Even the Tyranitar we faced recently—could we have beaten them easily when we started?"

"Ribbit?"

Greninja recalled that Pidgeot.

Back then, it was nearly invincible to them. Now, Greninja felt it could defeat that same Pidgeot with a single strike.

Such was the transformative power of growth.

"Gardevoir..."

Gardevoir, always perceptive, seemed to grasp the direction of Hikaru's words.

Charizard, however, still appeared confused.

"Powerful foes will always stand before us," Hikaru continued.

"Unless you become the strongest in the world, there will always be a higher mountain to climb."

"Remember that Arbok? One day, it might just be another 'Pidgeot'—perhaps even less threatening than a Pidgeot."

"Are you going to let this shake your resolve?"

"Charizard, I have high expectations for you," Hikaru said firmly.

Charizard lowered its head in shame, falling silent.

Hikaru glanced at Latias.

He didn't know how powerful Latias had been in the past, but considering its ability to infuse the Soul Dew with energy capable of controlling the entire water flow of Alto Mare, it was certainly formidable.

Latias returned his gaze with a warm smile.

"Roar!"

"Now, just because an Arbok shook you doesn't mean you should forget about Kyogre—the one that defeated it."

"Isn't Kyogre's power something you should aspire to?"

"Roar..." (You're right, Hikaru!)

Finally, Charizard's guilt began to dissipate.

Hikaru moved on to phase two of the conversation.

"But don't be too hard on yourself. Charizard, you say you didn't protect me, but I think that's unfair to yourself. And the same goes for Gardevoir and Lucario."

"Every secret realm exploration—it's always you standing in front of me."

"Charizard, you were the main force against Tyranitar. And Gardevoir, how many attacks have you blocked with your Protect?"

"Garde..."

"Roar..."

Gardevoir's flowing white gown seemed to shimmer as it gracefully sat down, looking like a pure, serene lily.

Hikaru playfully tugged at the edge of Gardevoir's gown, appreciating its soft texture.

Almost everyone fell silent, deep in thought—except for Larvitar.

It looked around at its teammates, then puffed out its chest proudly.

"Larvi! Larvi!" (Don't worry! I'll take the hits for everyone in the future!)

The tense atmosphere instantly broke.

Hikaru chuckled and ruffled Larvitar's head.

"We'll be counting on you then. Grow up strong like your parents and protect us all!"

"Roar!"

This time, Charizard's eyes burned with renewed determination.

The discussion was drawing to a close.

Standing up, Hikaru patted Charizard's head.

"Eat well. After this meal, we'll work on refining your Mega Evolution."

"Roar!" (Understood, Hikaru.)

---

Watching Charizard obediently eat its energy cubes, Hikaru sighed in relief.

Pokémon had emotions too.

They weren't just tools for battle.

Hikaru understood Charizard's feelings, particularly its sensitivity after facing failure.

He couldn't help but draw parallels to Ash's Charizard in the anime, which had grown haughty after evolving.

It took time, understanding, and partnership to mend that bond and grow stronger together.

---

As Hikaru's thoughts wandered, he turned to Latias, curious about its former strength.

"Latias," he called.

"Hm? What's up, Hikaru?"

"Latias, back then... Could you have beaten that Arbok at full power?"

Latias picked up a Psychic-type energy cube, pondering the question.

"Probably," Latias answered.

How strong had it been? Two moves, maybe?

"Stronger than an Elite Four?" Hikaru asked, intrigued.

"If I make you higher-quality energy cubes, will it help you recover faster?"

"Of course!" Latias beamed.

"Got it," Hikaru said with a knowing smile.

To Be Continued...

---

Read up to 20 Chapters ahead on patreon.com/Fanglin

[Please leave a 5 Star review and power stone for this novel]

*Thank you*