Pokémon: This Is Definitely Pokémon!

Growlithe's lively personality left Phoebe feeling a little helpless. She grabbed the Pokémon by the scruff of its neck, lifting it up. The mischievous Growlithe stuck out its tongue, gazing at Phoebe with a playful expression.

"This Growlithe has been with me for two years. It's not just a Pokémon to me; it's my partner," Phoebe said, smiling warmly.

Growlithe seemed to understand Phoebe's affection, its eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. Phoebe set Growlithe down gently and gave it a few pats on the head.

"Go play for a bit. I'll call you if I need you."

Growlithe nodded and bolted off, disappearing like a streak of lightning.

Antonio nodded in approval. Despite the misunderstanding when they first met, he had to admit Phoebe wasn't so bad.

"Gabriel, I actually came to find you for something," Phoebe began.

"Me? If there's anything I can help with, I'll do my best," Gabriel replied earnestly.

"Hahaha, that's all I needed to hear!" Phoebe's hearty laugh immediately caught Gabriel's attention.

"The truth is, I asked your dad to bring me here because I have a favor to ask."

What could Phoebe possibly need from me? Gabriel thought, puzzled.

Seeing the confusion on Gbariel's face, Phoebe got straight to the point.

"Here's the deal. I need some Dratini shed skin. I want to make something out of it as a gift for someone."

Dragonair shed skin! No wonder you're asking me for help.

"My little Dratini sheds a lot of skin. I can get some for you," Gabriel offered readily.

But before Gabriel could act, his Pokemon, Dratini, butted him with its head.

"Mu! (Don't give it to that awful woman!)"

What now?

Phoebe immediately noticed Dratini's hostility. With a resigned sigh, she tried reasoning with it.

"I'm sorry, Dratini, but I really need your shed skin. Please, could you spare some for me?"

Dratini turned its head away in disdain, refusing to even look at her.

That terrible woman hit Gabriel! Even though Gabriel forgave her, I never will, Dratini fumed internally. She hurt him the moment they met—unforgivable!

"Is it really a no?" Gabriel asked, feeling a bit torn. This was the first time Dratini had ever flatly refused him.

"Mu! (She hit you. She's a bad person!)"

Gabriel was both touched and helpless. It seemed Dratini still hadn't let go of the earlier misunderstanding. No wonder it attacked Phoebe before—it was defending him.

Phoebe could sense the tension. Despite Gabriel's support, Dratini was clearly unwilling to cooperate. This was an unexpected hurdle.

"I'm sorry, Dratini, but I really need that shed skin," Phoebe said earnestly. "Let's settle this with a battle! If I win, I'll apologize and promise to grant you one condition. But if I lose, I'll back off, and you won't have to give me anything."

"Mu! (Bring it on! Who's afraid of you?)"

Dratini's face was filled with determination, ready for the challenge. Phoebe grinned, clapping her hands. Growlithe reappeared in an instant, as if summoned by magic.

"My partner is Growlithe. Even though it hasn't evolved yet, it's incredibly strong!"

Gabriel's eyes widened. This Growlithe might look playful, but anyone could tell it was a seasoned battler. Dratini's chances didn't look good.

"Little Mu, if we're going to fight, I'll guide you. The opponent is no pushover—stay sharp!"

As a Pokémon Trainer, Gabriel knew he had to take part in the battle. Antonio, intrigued, offered to act as the referee.

"Ready? Three, two, one—begin!"

"Growlithe, use Agility and start running!"

In a flash, Growlithe became a blur, racing across the battlefield. Shadows of the Fire-type appeared everywhere, making Dratini dizzy.

"Mu, use Extreme Speed to get out of there!" Gabriel commanded.

Sensing danger, Dragonair activated Extreme Speed, narrowly dodging Growlithe's sneak attack from behind.

"Impressive, Gabriel! Your reaction time is excellent," Phoebe praised, her eyes lighting up.

Gabriel exhaled sharply. Growlithe knew Agility—a move that could rival an evolution with a Fire Stone.

"Phoebe, your Growlithe is amazing," Gabriel admitted.

"This is just the beginning! Growlithe, use Flamethrower to block its escape routes!"

Growlithe opened its mouth, unleashing a stream of fire. Dratini managed to avoid the attack, but the flames scattered across the battlefield, cutting off its paths of retreat.

"Good job! Now use Agility to close in and Bite to trap Dratini!" Phoebe commanded.

Growlithe charged like a streak of flame toward Dratini, its jaws ready to clamp down. Gabriel realized they were in trouble.

"Mu, run into the flames! Endure Growlithe's attack!"

What?! Everyone watching was stunned. Was Gabriel sending Dratini to its doom?

Gabriel's heart pounded. He was gambling on Dratini's hidden ability—Marvel Scale. If it worked, Dratini's defense would increase by 1.5 times under a status condition, giving it the resilience needed to survive Growlithe's assault.

Growlithe landed its attack, flames engulfing Dragonair. Dratini cried out in pain but remained conscious.

Gabriel's gamble paid off!

"Now, Mu, use Wrap to bind Growlithe! Don't let it escape!"

Dragonair coiled tightly around Growlithe, rendering it immobile.

"This is it! Use Dragon Rage!" Gabriel yelled.

Blue flames swirled in Dratini's mouth, building into a devastating blast. If Growlithe took a direct hit, it would surely be seriously injured.

"Growlithe, use Flame Wheel! Cover yourself in fire to break free!" Phoebe countered.

Flames erupted around Growlithe, burning Dratini and forcing it to release its grip.

"Hold on, Mu! Use Dragon Rage!"

Dratini roared, unleashing the powerful blue flames. But just as the attack reached Growlithe, a protective barrier appeared.

The move Protect—able to block any attack—completely nullified Dratini's effort.

Exhausted, Dratini collapsed to the ground. Despite its determination, it had lost.

So close, but in the end, it wasn't enough…

With a final look at its unscathed opponent, Dratini fainted.

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