I Have a Pokemon Mystery Dungeon System in a World with Pokemon

"So, Mr. Dante and Mr. Eric have volunteered to be the first match! Students, watch their battle closely. You'll have to write your insights regarding each match today and pass it tomorrow!"

After hearing about the assignment, the students groaned. Professor Tim professionally ignored them and had everyone stand on the sidelines. 

Taking out a Pokeball from his pocket, he pressed the button in the middle and released a Wobbuffet.

"Wobuffet, get ready to protect everyone in case of a stray attack."

"Wobbbuffet!"

At this time, Dante and Eric were standing on opposite sides of the battle arena. In the middle, Professor Tim was there, acting as the referee.

"Both Trainers, release your Pokemon!"

"Come on, Pikachu."

"Heh, let's show them what we got, Rhydon!"

Professor Tim raised his eyebrows, surprised after seeing Rhydon. He knows Eric. As one of the assistants of the school's varsity team, he had studied the profile of students with promising potential.

Eric Baguinda, a quarter-finalist in the Cavite Rookie Competition. At the time, he still had a Rhyhorn as his Pokemon. He didn't expect it to evolve just after a month. 

Of course, he also knew Dante Zulueta, the winner of the Manila Rookie Competition. When the Dean invited him into their school with the highest possible offer, many teachers were confused and protested against it. 

It wasn't until his battle against Erika a month later that they praised the Dean for his amazing insight.

Even though Dante is using Pikachu against a Pokemon immune to Electric moves, Tim has no doubts that he will win. With Pikachu's faster speed, as long as he maintained sufficient distance, Rhydon wouldn't pose much of a threat.

"Are both Trainers ready?"

""Yes!""

"Then let the match begin!"

"Rhydon, Drill Run!"

"Rhydonn!!"

Rhydon's body was coated in brown energy as he started to gallop, his horns pointed toward Pikachu.

Dante remained silent on the opposing side, leisurely watching Rhydon charge towards Pikachu.

"What's wrong, Dante? Are you surprised after seeing my Rhydon? Hahaha, you can tell the coach you gave up before Pikachu is seriously injured."

Eric was trying- and failing- to hide his joy at his plan's successful completion. Dante must be regretting his decision not to use Azumarill right now. 

All their classmates on the sidelines were also confused as to why Dante issued no command. Is it true that he got scared after seeing Eric's Rhydon?

Is Dante really just a hoax? Did he only get lucky in capturing a Shiny Azumarill?

And while his classmates were looking at him with confusion, Dante yawned out of boredom. Before the battle began, Pikachu told Dante to leave the battle to himself. He wanted to replicate Azumarill's feat and become famous like him.

Hearing Eric's provocation, Dante just crossed his arms and smiled, not even bothering to respond.

When Rhydon was halfway to reaching Pikachu, Pikachu finally moved.

His tail was coated in silver energy as he jumped and met with Rhydon for a physical confrontation. His tail smashed Rhydon's head. Brown and silver energy collided at the point of contact, with neither side able to gain an advantage.

"Pika!!"

"Rhy!!"

Everyone looked with bated breath, wanting to see who would win this confrontation. 

Rhydon was the first to be unable to hold on and had to take a step back, then another, and another. The brown energy on his horn was gradually getting smaller with each step. 

Eric had a confused expression. Did Rhydon not eat well this morning? His Rhydon has more than 100 Attack and Defense, how could it lose to Pikachu in a physical confrontation?!

When Rhydon was about to reach the edge of the arena, the energy on his horn finally dissipated, and Pikachu's tail hit him directly on the forehead.

"Boom!"

Rhydon fell flat on his face with a bang. Pikachu used the counter-force of his attack to somersault backward and into Dante's side.

"Pikachu?" (How was that, Dan? Was I cool enough?)

"Hah! You looked cool, but you failed to finish him off with only one attack. And with your opponent not even being a Gym leader, your performance certainly fell behind Azumarill."

"Pika!?" (Nani!?)

Pikachu turned towards Rhydon on the opposite side. Sure enough, just as Dante said, Rhydon was still able to move.

"R-Rhy…" (I-I won't fall...)

"Rhydon, stand up! Stop playing around!"

Eric couldn't understand. His plan was perfect! His Pokemon had already evolved. And with Rhydon's strength, he was even confident in winning if he participated in the Rookie Competition again. How could he be losing against a Pikachu?

Rhydon pushed his body off the ground and stood up, stumbling and almost falling out of balance. 

Because Pikachu wanted an 'epic fight scene', he deliberately weakened his attack so that the two could prolong their confrontation.

Pikachu felt guilty, seeing Rhydon trying so hard in their battle while he only saw this as a chance to perform. 

He knocked Rhydon down for good this time with a Quick Attack before returning to Dante's side with his tail slumped.

"Impossible...."

Seeing Rhydon fainting and Professor Tim declaring Dante the winner, Eric stared in disbelief. Feeling the gloating eyes of his classmates, he took Rhydon into the Pokeball and ran towards the healing center.

Everyone looked in amazement at Dante, who, from the beginning to the end of the battle, kept his arms crossed without giving a single command.

They had to admit that, even without Azumarill, Dante with Pikachu was still much more powerful than them.

"Hey, what's wrong bud?"

"Pika pika…" (Dante, am I a bad Pokemon now?)

"Huh? Why do you think so?"

As they walked off the stage, Pikachu told Dante his earlier thoughts. 

"Do you think you can show more respect if you instantly defeated Rhydon?"

"Pika." (No. But I think holding back against him is also wrong.)

"When we're fighting against the other Pokemon in the wild, you always hold back. Do you think that's wrong too?"

"Pikachu!" (No! I held back because I didn't want them to get permanently hurt.)

"So it's not that holding back is wrong, it's the intention behind it. You feel guilty because you held back to make the battle look more 'epic'."

"...Pika pi." (...you're right. What should I do, Dan?)

"Hah! Just control your strength better. Would you regret it if you knocked down Rhydon in one attack?"

"Pika!" (You're right!)

Dante smiled and rubbed Pikachu's head, who cheered up after hearing his words. Their conversation finished just in time for Dante to reach Shinobu and the others.

They congratulated him for his win, with Shinobu taking Pikachu from his shoulders and rubbing his head.

"Hey, Dan. Why didn't Pikachu just use Grass Knot? Wouldn't it have been less troublesome?"

"Well, according to Pikachu, it's 'uncool' to win by simply attacking from far away. He's debuting as an online celebrity, so you know, rep and all that."

"Pika!" (No, I'm not! I only want to become famous and meet other celebrities!)

"...I don't know what to say about that. Anyway, just be careful and don't underestimate your opponents in the future. Otherwise, you'll capsize against weaker opponents."

"Alright, alright. You sound like my mom sometimes."

Dante tousled Shinobu's hair under her glare, making him chuckle and pull her into a hug.

"W-Dan! There are so many people here!"

"It's fine~ We're not doing anything indecent anyway."

Focalors and Candice looked at the couple flirting beside them, awkwardly meeting each other's eyes.

"H-hey. You want to have a battle?"

"Sure. Let's apply before the others."

Their challenge was quickly approved and soon, the both of them were on stage. 

Seeing who was up for battle next, everyone was excited. Focalors was another candidate for the strongest in their class, with her Pseudo-Legendary Dragonair, as well as the identity of Furina's sister.

"Wait, isn't Lady Furina the daughter of a champion?"

"Huh, so is Focalors also?"

"Stupid! They're sisters, of course she is!"

Focalors and Candice ignored the commotion below the arena. With Professor Tim's signal, the two released their Pokemon.

"It's up to you, Dragonair!"

"Snover, let's win this!"

Dante and Shinobu finally stopped flirting and watched the battle between their friends.

"Hey Dan, who do you think would win?"

"It's most likely Focalors. Although Snover has an advantage in terms of typing, Dragonair is just faster and stronger than her."

The battle proceeded according to Dante's words. After Snover set foot on the arena, hail began to fall on the battlefield. 

Candice, who knew her Snover was at a disadvantage in speed, decided to use Icy Wind first to slow Dragonair down. But after using Extremespeed, Dragonair dodged the attack and arrived in front of Snover.

He gathered Fire-type energy in his mouth and under Focalors' command, let loose a Flamethrower towards Snover. 

Snover, who has 4x weakness to Fire and has lower stats, was unable to withstand the attack and directly fainted.