The warm afternoon sun cast a golden glow over Pallet Town, its rays filtering through the canopy of trees that lined the dirt roads. The air was thick with the scent of fresh grass, the faint hum of a nearby stream trickling through the lush countryside. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, carrying with it the sounds of distant Pokémon calls and the occasional chirp of a Pidgey in flight.
The small town, as always, was serene, a place where time seemed to slow down. People strolled along the narrow streets, some headed to the local Poké Mart, others simply enjoying the quiet calm. The houses, simple and humble, stood side by side with their neatly tended gardens, the flowers blooming in a riot of colors—reds, blues, yellows—all in perfect harmony with the environment.
Near the heart of the Town, the Professor's lab stood proud.
The afternoon sun spilled into the cozy living room of Professor Oak's lab, casting long, golden rays across the hardwood floors. It was a quiet, peaceful moment in Pallet Town, the calm before the excitement of the quarter-final battles at the Indigo League. Oak moved around the room, carefully arranging snacks on a tray while his partner, Alakazam, floated beside him, taking the tray and levitating it towards the couch with his telekinetic skill.
The match was about to begin, and Oak couldn't help but feel a twinge of excitement. Alexander had proven himself capable of remarkable things during this tournament, his growth rapid. While Oak had never had doubts about the Boy's talent since their meeting, his growth had surprised even him.
"Gary! Daisy!" Oak called out from the bottom of the stairs, his voice carrying through the house. "The match is starting! Get down here!"
Gary, ever the eager child, was the first to respond. He appeared at the top of the stairs, "You really think Alexander can pull it off, Grandpa?" he asked, excitement and nervousness in his voice.
Daisy, more reserved, followed shortly behind. Her gaze was thoughtful as she approached the couch. "Do you think he has what it takes, Grandpa?" she asked, settling into her seat.
The Professor smiled gently, his voice calm. "Alexander's made it this far for a reason. He's got the heart of a true Trainer. He's shown resilience, something that can't be taught in a classroom."
Gary dropped onto the couch beside Daisy, eyes already glued to the screen as the opening of the match flashed before them. Oak took his seat beside them, his own attention focused on the unfolding battle.
Alakazam floated over with the tray of snacks, setting it down on the coffee table with a precision. Oak picked up a sandwich and took a bite, eyes never leaving the screen. On the battlefield, Alexander stood.
Oak had followed the boy's rise in the tournament with a sense of quiet pride.
As the match was about to began, the Professor's mind drifted for a moment, remembering his own youthful days as a Trainer. Yet, this wasn't his battle. It was Alexander's.
The air in the room grew thick with anticipation as the battle unfolded, and Professor Oak leaned forward slightly. As he watched the Boy adjust his gloves before looking at his Partner, a determined gleam in his eyes, he recalled that night a year ago.
The forest outside Pallet Town was quiet, too quiet. As Professor Oak walked through the trees, he stumbled upon an alarming sight that made his blood run cold.
A young boy—no older than 15—lay on the ground, his face bruised and pale, barely conscious. A group of grunts from Team Rocket stood over him, their cold, calculating eyes watching his every move. The boy seemed to have been beaten and was unable to defend himself.
In front of him stood a Pokémon—Charmander. Despite its small size, the Charmander flared its tail high and tried to stand its ground, flames flickering wildly in an attempt to ward off the grunts. It was clear, however, that it was outmatched.
Professor Oak's eyes widened in surprise as he took in the sight of the Charmander, its scales a rare black hue, with fiery red flames flickering from its tail. He had never seen a Charmander with this type of Coloring. He suddenly understood what was going on here.
"Get out of the way, little lizard," one of the grunts said. The boy weakly pushed himself up but was clearly too hurt to stand properly.
"Pathetic," another grunt growled. "This kid thinks he can protect this Pokémon? It's worth a fortune, and he's only making things harder on himself."
"We were gonna sell it," a third grunt added, his voice dripping with greed. "But now this idiot has ruined our plan. All we want is the Pokémon, and this brat's just in the way."
Without any more words, the grunts reached for their Poké Balls. They released their Pokémon: a Weezing and a Rhyhorn, both ready to fight.
" Deal with this," the leader of the grunts said, nodding at the Pokémon.
Charmander's flame flared up as it prepared to face the two Team Rocket Pokémon. But it was clear the odds were against it. Weezing launched a toxic cloud of gas toward Charmander, its Smokescreen clouding the air and making it hard for the small Pokémon to see. Rhyhorn charged in with a powerful Tackle, knocking Charmander off its feet and sending it tumbling backward.
The boy, still trying to rise, reached out. "Charmander, no!" he cried, his voice weak but filled with concern. "Get up, please!"
Despite its injuries, Charmander struggled to get back on its feet, its flame flickering weaker with each passing moment. The toxic gas from Weezing choked the air, and Charmander could barely keep its balance.
The grunts laughed, seeing their plan working. "Pathetic little thing. It's over."
Oak, who had been silently observing from the underbrush, felt a surge of anger at the sight. These grunts were using the boy's desperation against him, and they were hurting Charmander for nothing more than greed.
It was time to intervene.
Stepping forward into the clearing, Oak's voice rang out. "Enough!"
The grunts froze, eyes widening in recognition. "Wait a minute... You're... You're Professor Oak!" one of them stammered.
The mention of his name seemed to rattle them. The grunts exchanged nervous glances, but the leader quickly recovered. "What are you going to do, old man? You think you can stop us? We've got the advantage here!"
Oak's eyes hardened as he surveyed the scene, noting how weak and vulnerable Charmander had become. He wasn't going to let this go on any longer.
"Charizard," Oak called calmly, his voice unwavering. "Come out."
A mighty roar echoed through the forest, and within moments, the ground shook as a massive, flame-tailed Charizard swooped down from above. Its wings stretched wide, blocking out the sunlight with its massive form as it landed between Oak and the grunts.
The grunts took an instinctive step back, visibly intimidated by the intimidating presence of Charizard. The fire on Charizard's tail burned even brighter as it faced the grunts, who knew they were now outmatched.
"You're not going to get away with this," Oak said, his voice cool but firm. "Leave the boy and his Pokémon alone."
The leader of the grunts sneered, clearly trying to act unfazed. "This Pokémon isn't even his," he spat. "We stole it for its real owner. This kid broke the cage and ran off with it—tried to escape, but we chased him down. He's nothing but a nuisance."
Without another word, Oak called to his Charizard. "Flamethrower!"
Charizard, its eyes gleaming with fiery rage, unleashed a torrent of flame that engulfed the grunts' Pokémon in an instant. Weezing and Rhyhorn both staggered back, unable to withstand the powerful blast. The toxic gas of Weezing dissipated in the heat, and the rocky Rhyhorn collapsed with a heavy thud, knocked out cold by the sheer force of the attack.
Charmander, still standing protectively in front of its injured trainer, stared in wide-eyed awe at the display of power. Its small flame flickered in astonishment as Charizard's fire continued to burn bright.
The grunts, now terrified, stumbled backward, eyes wide with fear as their Pokémon lay unconscious. They didn't dare make another move.
But before they could react further, a sudden gust of wind swept through the forest, carrying a soft, floral scent. A fluttering figure emerged from the trees—an Butterfree, drawn in by the commotion. With a graceful flurry of its wings, the Butterfree scattered a fine dust into the air.
"Sleep Powder," Oak muttered under his breath, realizing the Pokémon's intent just as the grunts began to slump to the ground, their eyes growing heavy.
One by one, the Team Rocket members dropped to the floor, unconscious, their earlier threats silenced by the powerful Sleep Powder.
Charmander blinked in surprise, still awestruck by the sudden turn of events. Oak, with a slight chuckle, nodded at the Butterfree.
"Thank you," he murmured, watching the Pokémon disappear back into the trees.
Alexander—the young boy—looked horrified, pushing himself further back into the dirt, instinctively pulling Charmander behind him, trying to shield it from Oak's Charizard.
"Stay behind me, Charmander!" Alexander cried, his voice trembling with fear. The boy, terrified by the sight of Oak's Charizard, tried to protect his injured Pokémon, not realizing that the immediate danger had passed. His instinct was to keep Charmander safe from anyone—friend or foe.
Oak, seeing the boy's reaction, softened his stance and approached slowly, his voice gentle as he knelt down to Alexander's level. "It's alright, young man. I'm here to help."
But Alexander was too frightened. His eyes widened as he stared up at Oak, his face pale with fear. "Y-you're Professor Oak.... I... I didn't mean to..."
"Calm down," Oak said softly. "You don't need to be afraid of me. I'm not here to hurt you or your Pokémon."
The boy continued to shake, still not fully trusting Oak. "I-I didn't know who you were... I just wanted to protect him..." Alexander said, voice cracking as he held Charmander tightly.
"I... I didn't mean to cause trouble. I just didn't want to lose him..."
"You didn't cause any trouble," Oak reassured him.
With the grunts being heaved up by Charizard, Oak helped Alexander to his feet, the boy now standing tall—albeit a bit shaken.
"So, what's your name, young one?" Oak asked as he looked over the boy. He had some cuts around his arms and a bite mark around his hand. The charmander licked his friends hand around the bite mark, a guilty look around his eyes.
"My name is Alexander." The boy said as he lifted his other hand which seemed completely fine before patting the charmander on the Head.
Oak nodded before turning to Charizard, "Charizard, take these people to Viridian city's police center and give them to Officer Jenny." Charizard nodded before spreading his wings and taking off in one big gust of wind.
He turned to look both the boy and the charmander looking at the distant shape of his charizard with awe.
"So, Alexander, would you follow me to my lab?" Oak turned and looked at Alexander as he asked Alexander to follow him.
The vivid memory of that day with Alexander and Charmander faded as the voice of the stadium announcer blared over the loudspeakers.
"Welcome back, folks! We're entering the quarter-finals of the Indigo League, and the match is about to begin!" the announcer's voice echoed, cutting through Oak's thoughts like a sharp breeze.
Professor Oak straightened up in his seat, the memory of that encounter still fresh in his mind. He turned his attention to the screen, where the live broadcast of the battle between Alexander and his opponent began to unfold.
"And now, ladies and gentlemen, let's introduce our first contestant of the quarter-finals!" the announcer boomed, his voice filled with excitement. "A young Trainer who has made a name for himself in the Indigo League despite his age—he's just 16, but he's already proven himself to be a force to be reckoned with!"
The crowd erupted in cheers as the spotlight shifted to the arena's entrance.
"Please welcome... the rising star, Alexander Blaze!"
The cheers grew louder, and Oak couldn't help but smile as Alexander stepped into view, his confident stride unmistakable. His warm brown eyes burned with determination as he walked toward the battle stage.
"Alexander Blaze has taken the Indigo League by storm, demolishing all of his opponents with ease!" the announcer declared, his voice rising with anticipation. "What's even more impressive? He's never been forced to use his final Pokémon, his Famous Black Charizard—only five of his team has been used in battle up to this point!"
The crowd erupted in Cheers.
"That's right, ladies and gentlemen!" the announcer continued. "This young Trainer's power and strategy have been so overwhelming that he's yet to call upon his final Pokémon, and now, here in the quarter-finals, we might finally get to see the full extent of his team!"
Oak leaned forward, watching intently as Alexander took his place, the memory of that first encounter—when Alexander had nothing but a Charmander—flooded back, and Oak couldn't help but feel a sense of pride.
The announcer's voice rang out again, full of excitement and anticipation. "Now, let's take a look at the five Pokémon that have helped Alexander make it this far in the Indigo League!"
As the large screen above the arena flickered to life, the first image appeared: A Raichu stood poised, its cheeks crackling with electricity as it unleashed powerful Thunderbolts that left opponents unable to react. The crowd cheered, impressed by the speed and agility Raichu brought to every match.
Next, the screen shifted to Blastoise, the powerful Water-type, standing tall and confident as its cannons glowed with energy. The crowd marveled at its strength as it effortlessly dominated opponents with its Hydro Pump and Rapid Spin attacks.
Following Blastoise, Gogoat appeared, its grassy, four-legged form charging across the screen with a wild, untamed energy.
The crowd's enthusiasm grew louder. Most people knew Gogoat as a common Pokémon, typically used in the farming and milk industry, a Pokémon often overlooked in battle. Its reputation as a reliable, but seemingly weak Pokémon had been turned on its head by Alexander's training.
Now, here it was, on the big screen, its hooves planted firmly as it displayed an aura of raw power. With each victorious battle, Gogoat had surprised both fans and opponents alike.
The crowd loved it. A Pokémon so often underestimated had now become one of Alexander's most formidable assets, and the fact that a Gogoat, had risen to such heights in the world of competitive battles made it all the more inspiring.
The fourth Pokémon to appear was Golem, its rocky, imposing form an unmovable force in battle. The crowd cheered as the Ground/Rock-type sent shockwaves through the arena, its Earthquake attacks shaking the ground beneath its opponents' feet.
The screen displayed Pidgeot, soaring high with its wings spread wide, ready to strike with precision and speed. Its gusts of wind created an imposing whirlwind, and with every battle, Pidgeot's aerial superiority became undeniable.
A new clip appeared on the screen, and it was unmistakable—Charizard. The cheers of the Crowd reaching new levels as the Rare Pokemon appeared on the screen.
The clip came from his intense battle at the Viridian Gym against Giovanni, the leader of the gym.
Charizard stood tall, Red flames burning brightly on the tip of its tail, its black wings spread wide as it faced Giovanni's Rhydon. The video showed a moment where Charizard unleashed a Flamethrower.
As the crowd's excitement buzzed through the stadium, the announcer's voice boomed once again, filled with anticipation.
"And now, to complete the moment—let's take a look at the Trainer behind these incredible Pokémon!" the announcer declared.
The large scoreboard above the arena flickered to life, displaying an image of Alexander Blaze, standing tall with a confident yet determined expression. His brown hair, hinting at a fiery red in the sunlight, framed his face, and his warm brown eyes burned with the same intensity as his team.
Below him, a row of images appeared, showcasing his Pokémon: Raichu, Blastoise, Gogoat, Golem, and Pidgeot, and Charizard.
The announcer's voice carried a note of admiration, "Alexander Blaze, ladies and gentlemen!
As the deafening cheers slowly faded, the atmosphere in the stadium remained electric. Alexander took his place in the red tower, the elevated platform overlooking the vast field, his eyes scanning the arena. The crowd was still buzzing with excitement.
The announcer, standing at the edge of the field, let the applause settle, his microphone hovering in the air, waiting for the crowd to calm. He allowed the energy to build, the anticipation palpable as the moment to announce Alexander's opponent approached.
Finally, as the cheers died down, the announcer cleared his throat and addressed the eager crowd.
"And now," he said, his voice strong and filled with excitement, "let's find out who will face off against the incredible Alexander Blaze in this quarter-final match!