We - that is, Archibald and I - were teleported to a...boxing ring? We were standing on both sides of a roped-in ring, facing each other.

Archibold puffed out his chest, pulling a trapper out of his purple vest. “You may have a Legendary Bearmon, but I and my Bearmon have been training for three weeks! Paws out, Grizzooka!”

A mouse-sized grizzly bear with red spikes lining its arms and legs popped out of the trapper. It carried a green bazooka twice its size but it placed the weapon on its shoulder with no problem. There was little tag floating above it that said: Level 5 Grizzooka

“That looks dangerous,” I muttered. “Ursapedia, Grizzooka.”

[Ursapedia: Grizzooka

This tiny Uncommon Grizzly Bearmon packs a serious punch with its bazooka. It may not have much HP, but it can deal enough damage to help out its ally Bearmon.

Body: Weight (0.83 oz/23.5 g); Height (2.8 in/ 7 cm)

Identity: Type (Fire); Species (Grizzly Bearmon); Evolutions (From: Griboom (Common); to Grissile (Rare)); Abilities - Sun Burst]

I didn’t like my chances of winning this thing. For one, all of Pando’s info was practically unknown, even to me. I didn’t know what its abilities were, its type, nothing. I was betting that it would, in fact, have a type weak against Fire since it was a panda.

“Pull out your Bearmon, Ronald!” Archibald leered. “Let’s see how well it fares against my Grizzooka!”

I pulled my lone trapper out of my pocket. “Fine, fine. Paws out, Pando.”

My lazy Bearmon formed in front of me, looking as nonresponsive as ever. His tag read: Level 1 Pando. I heard Archibald whisper, “Ursapedia, Pando” and then stomp his foot in frustration.

“There’s nothing there!”

“Welcome to my world,” I muttered. “So how are we doing this? I’m not experienced with this at all.”

Archibald gasped. “Don’t tell me you’ve never dueled before!”

“I got this thing, like, an hour ago maybe?”

“That can’t be true...Y-you shot up on the leaderboard. Just how strong is your Pando?”

“I wouldn’t know,” I said, exasperated. “Darn thing won’t tell me anything. Now, can we start this already? You’re the one who called me to this duel; why’re we just talking?”

Archibald straightened his tie and cleared his throat. “Oh, uh, right. Are you ready?”

“Sure.”

“Begin duel!”

At Archibald’s words, a tiny screen popped up in the corner of my vision.

[A duel has started with Trainer Archibald! What will Pando do?

Fight | Bag | Switch | Retreat ]

Duh, fight.

[The duel has started!]

The former screen was replaced by two new ones.

[{Pando - Level 1

HP: 55/55

EXP: 0/35}

{Grizzooka - Level 5

HP: 43/43

EXP: 23/70}]

Pando puffed his chest and glared at Grizzooka. The enemy Bearmon shuddered as a red glow encompassed it for a few seconds. Archibald frowned and pointed at my Pando, who was getting to its feet, and yelled, “Grizzooka, Kumabooma!”

The Grizzooka planted its feet, aimed, and cried, “Zooka!”

A miniature head of a bear shot out of the bazooka, hurtling toward Pando. I bit my thumb as my Bearmon lazily looked up at the oncoming projectile, not moving a muscle. Pando took the bomb like a champ, yawning as it slammed into its chest.

[Turn 1 - Grizzooka

Pando’s ability Warrior’s Gaze has struck Grizzooka! Grizzooka’s Attack has lowered by half!

Grizzooka used the move !

Pando took 3 Damage!

Turn End.]

I looked down at Pando’s HP, seeing it had dropped to 52. That’s pretty low. I’m guessing it would be a lot higher if not for Pando’s ability.

Pando’s attack screen came up in front of me

[Pando - Lvl 1

PP: 10/10; Accuracy: 90%; Type: Fighting; Category: Physical; Description: User jumps up high and then slams their leg down on the head of the enemy Bearmon. Applies ‘Stun’ effect to Target for one turn when landed or drops the user’s health by half when missed.

PP: 25/25; Type: Psychic; Category: Status; Description: Enhances the user’s both Attacks and both Defenses by 5%]

Some pretty nifty moves, Pando! Sorry I ever doubted you, dude.

Smirking, I folded my arms and said. “Pando, High Jump Kick!”

My Bearmon launched into action, sprinting toward the opposite side of the ring with its arms flailing behind its back. Both Grizzooka and Archibald’s eyes widened as Pando leaped into the air, did a little twirl, and came back down, its foot aiming straight at Grizzooka’s forehead.

All I could hear from my spot was a light tap, but the seemingly gentle collision created a shockwave that tossed me and my opponent against the ropes secured around the ring. Grizzooka had it worse; it bent at the weight of Pando stepping on its head and then flew backward and out of the ring.

It didn’t get back up.

[Turn 2 - Pando

Pando used the move !

Grizzooka took 16 Damage! Grizzooka has been Stunned for (1) turn!

Turn End.]

“Epic,” I whispered as Pando scuttled back over to my side, looking decidedly pleased with itself. I glanced over at Archibald, who was still staring at Pando in shock, his mouth forming words but no sound coming out.

“You alright there, buddy?” I called to him.

“I-yeah…” He managed to pull himself back together, fiddling with Grizzooka’s trapper. He was probably going to retrieve his Bearmon and end the duel. Grizzooka only had 27 health left; it wouldn’t survive 2 more .

I should probably get the duel over with and use my next turn for a . Grizzooka might be able to pull off one more shot, but it wouldn’t be enough to defeat Pando.

“Pando, High Jump Kick!”

My Bearmon hesitated for a slight second, its eyes darting back between me and the moaning Grizzooka. Finally, it shrugged and charged toward Archibald, who shrieked and ducked out of the way. Pando leaped out of the ring, twirling two, three times as its ascent reached his climax. Then it began to fall and stuck its leg out, aiming for Grizzooka.

But it was off; I could see it from my spot in the ring. Pando landed barely two inches away from Grizzooka, its foot touching the ground with a loud crack. The injured Bearmon howled in pain, rolling on the ground as it held its leg.

“Crap,” I hissed, running over to Archibald’s side. This shouldn’t be happening! The move had 90% accuracy; Pando should’ve hit it!

[Turn 3 - Pando

Pando used ! The move missed!

Pando received 26 damage in backlash!

Turn End.]

My Bearmon had 26 HP left, all due to some stupid game mechanics.

“Rookie mistake, Ronald,” Archibald leered, taking a red vial out of his vest. “Never use a Physical move when the opponent is out of the ring; that’s a guaranteed chance it’ll miss.”

Ears burning with rage and embarrassment, I watched in silence as he yelled, “Grizzooka, Health Potion!”

The vial floated out of Archibald’s hands and down to the slowly stirring Grizzooka. The health potion splashed onto its chest and the red liquid within seeped into its fur. Gasping, Grizzooka sat up, shuddered, and got to its feet, bazooka in hand.

[Turn 4 - Grizzooka.

Grizzooka has used a rank 2 Health Potion and recovered 16 HP! Grizzooka has been restored to full HP!

Turn End.]

I groaned as Grizzooka’s health bar shot back up to full. Now was not the time for healing cheats!