《Pokémon: Pursuing Power》 Chapter One: Sneasel Stepping off a boat onto a beach with several kids around my age I couldn''t help but take note of several familiar faces. A few of them who died, some that got arrested, and one who was the top dog the last go around. He was granted a Royal Kanto Starter Pok¨¦mon with just below monstrous potential. No matter how you look at it, that Charizard ended up being a damn monster. They ended up as a Admin and in charge of most of us that survived this island the first go around including myself. Seeing his face again doesn''t exactly make me feel good either. I managed to get away from him and under Executive Arianna be proving I''m worth something to her. She had saved me from having to remain in the abuse he forced on me. If I find a chance I''m going to kill him, because on this island there is no real safety. While I was lost in my thoughts, just like before a Pok¨¦ball was thrust into my hand. Looking at the Pok¨¦ball a small blue screen appears as my eyes widen in surprise. Congratulations Cynthia, the Potential Boosting System has been unlocked! The screen then had something like a loading bar that ticked up from 1 to 10, then 35, to 70, then 100% in the matter of minute. Since the Team Rocket members are still passing out the balls I turn my gaze to the ball in my hands again. Pok¨¦mon: Sneasel Type: Dark/Ice Gender: Female Potential: Deep Green Ability: Pickpocket Held item: None Moves: Quick Attack, Scratch, Leer, Ice Punch, and Taunt. Egg moves: Bite, Counter, Feint, Fake out, and Ice Shard. TM''s: None. I took a deep breath to control myself. I can''t believe how stupid I was in my past life. Sneasel was this powerful and I had no idea. By the time I left this god foresaken island I Evolved Sneasel and when I checked her Potential using a machine she was Deep Green then too. Potential is color coded and it determines a number of things... I used to think it was like IV''s from the games but by the time I realized it wasn''t I was too far along to change anything. Potential from least to greatest is Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple, and finally Black. Most run of the mill Pok¨¦mon in the wild are Red, Orange, or Yellow... Finding a Green potential difficult but doable. Blue is quite a bit harder, I had one and it was a gift from Arianna. Purple and Black you may as well forget it. Getting your hands on one is like winning the lottery, not to mention the target you will have on your back for having one of those. Without the proper support or protection in Team Rocket is just asking to be killed and the Pok¨¦mon taken. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. The soft whispers of the several others around me grew quiet and I looked up from Sneasel''s ball to another familiar face. Sergeant Viper, he''s a muscled brute of a man with tanned skin and a terrible temper. His belt lined with six Luxury Balls. If there is one thing I give him credit for is that he has style and choose the best balls for his Pok¨¦mon. "Alright listen up brats! Welcome to Trial Island! This place will be your new home for a year! Personally I don''t think any of you are..." I tone out Viper''s grand speech as I had heard this the first time. Basically it boils down to we will live here on this island, and once we have been outfitted with a ball belt with a small storage space in the buckle that has a cube of space about three meters big. Each of us gets two hundred Rocket Points. With these Points we can trade them for essentials or amenities such as a safe place to sleep, or various tools and gear. We get these Points by finding treasures hidden around the island. Or even better by catching Pok¨¦mon, finding Pok¨¦mon eggs, or rare items and trading them in for Points. They have to make a profit however, so the trade ins are only worth 70%. After the speech we were led into the tropical jungle to a building with a huge clearing accompanied by a huge white stone. That white stone is called the Testing Stone. It is practically indestructible and is used to gauge the power of Pok¨¦mon attacks and one of the ways we will be judged. I walked confidently inside the building and to the exchange counter. The rocket behind the counter gives me a sneer but I ignore it. "I need a flashlight, sleeping bag, lighter, a combat knife, and 10 ration bars, a adjustable weighted vest, two potions, a Pok¨¦ball, and six bottles of moo moo milk." The grunt''s sneer melted off his face. I could surmise as to why. I just spent nearly all my points. I have only 5 left. Most of it was on the moon moo milk and vest but I need it to make Sneasel strong. I swiped the card that was in my belt and watched as my points bled away. I waited a few moments and was given all my gear. I checked everything to make sure it worked and stored it away before leaving as quick as I could. Once out of sight I sent out Sneasel. She looked at me, baring her fangs and claws only to drop them when I popped the top off of a Moo moo milk. I offered the bottle, sticking a straw in it to the Sharp Claw Pok¨¦mon. It snatched the bottle and began to drink from the straw looking at me attentively. "Sneasel, I''m Cynthia and you''re the Pok¨¦mon I was given to survive on jungle covered Island. I want to survive this and to do that we both have to get stronger than everyone else. We have to last in this place for a year. I need a partner like you if I''m going to do that. Can I count on you for that?" Sneasel who drank down the milk, tapped her claw against the empty bottle her eyes not leaving mine. She''s contemplating it. Sneasel are opportunistic, and I''m sure she''s debating if it''s worth it. I lift my hand closing it into a fist. Her eyes shift to my fist then to her claw, closing it she puts it against my fist. It was something we worked out over several months the last go around but this time we will start it from day one. "Okay Sneasel... Let''s get to work." Taking out the vest I size it right and help Sneasel into it and with the remote, I activate it at 5lbs. "This vest will help you get stronger and faster. I will have it active every second, even in battle. It''s only turned off when we sleep. I promise you''ll be happy with the results. Once you get used to it I''ll make it heavier." Sneasel nods, moving her body around trying to get used to the added weight. With our partnership established we headed into the jungle beginning our training. I did this one once already, but this time... I''m not holding back or showing mercy to my enemies like I did in the beginning. Anyone who crosses me won''t be forgotten or forgiven and I will destroy them one way or another. Chapter Two: The Use of Pickpocket. Marching out into a dense piece of jungle, knife in hand with Sneasel. Cutting out way through, me with my knife and Sneasel with her claws. There were at minimum a hundred other kids taking this trial. While I have a single advantage, by knowing about this Island it doesn''t change the fact I am at a disadvantage. Some of these kids are related to people already in Team Rocket. Meaning they have outside assistance I don''t have. This means I will have to gather everything I got last time and more. There is something I found near the end of my time on this island the last time. An old camp, about a day travel in this direction. It had some things... Namely, a Ultraball and two TM. The Ultraball isn''t a necessary as the TM are. TM Ice Beam and TM Brick Break, both are invaluable for Sneasel giving a ranged high-power ice attack for taking down pesky flying and dragon Pok¨¦mon. Brick Break for a firm handle on steel and rock Pok¨¦mon who''d have an advantage against her. Getting my hands on those TM will secure my place on this island and I can''t allow anyone else to find it before I do. They weren''t found before, but I can''t risk it. It was odd not encountering any Pok¨¦mon on the way, but I''ll count my small blessings while they last. Finally breaking from the brush and thick foliage into the old camp from my memories I take notice that it looked far more put together than I remembered. It was still abandoned, but it was a lot less destroyed. "Sneasel, lets dig around and see if we can find anything interesting, okay?" Sneasel met my eye and nodded beginning to look around as I headed to the place I remember getting the TMs before. They weren''t here and it made me click my tongue in annoyance looking up at the rock wall at the back of the small encampment. The tent even if it was old and tattered was still standing maybe they are in there? A call from Sneasel got my attention and in its claws sat something even better than just two TMs it was a whole League TM case! They were given to League Official Trainer upon leaving as a sponsored trainer. "Where you find it Sneasel?" I moved quickly to my partner and after she handed it over, she pointed at an extremely rough looking SilphCo brand backpack. The bag was still usable even if it looked rough and one of the straps was definitely destroyed. These things were way better than the standard issue rocket belts. I found out who this poor sap was while digging through his bag. His name was Jack Ketchum, as ironic as it sounds, I found Ash''s missing father. Rather sad but I am putting this guy''s things to use regardless of who these belong to. Inside the bag had a few other treasures, a few dozen regular Pok¨¦balls, three Greatball, and five Ultraball. A dead Pok¨¦gear Phone which may have some interesting things on it, as it was definitely league issued. Might even have a reason as to why Mr. Ketchum here was even on this island. There was one other thing, and it was extremely unfortunate. A locked Ultraball that had an unmoving Dratini inside. The system activated upon looking at the ball and I couldn''t help but let my jaw drop. The Dratini I thought was surely dead was alive even if barely. I quickly unlocked the ball and allowed the Dragon out of the ball its weak form opened a single eye to look at me. I knelt down next to it and gently lifted the poor thing into an arm taking out a bottle of Moo Moo Milk even though I heard Sneasel complain and let the poor thing drink from the straw. "You poor boy, being locked in there for who knows how long." Pok¨¦mon: Dratini Type: Dragon Gender: Male Potential: Light Purple (Warning: This Pok¨¦mon''s Potential has dropped from starvation and malnutrition. Original Potential: Black) Ability: Shed Skin Held item: None Moves: Wrap, Leer, Dragon Rage, Water Pulse, Thunderwave, and Twister. Egg Moves: Dragon Dance and Light Screen. TMs: None Current state: Nearing death due to starvation. Immediate action recommended! it''s resilience and will to survive this long is the only reason it''s still alive. Ultraball technology is a cut above the rest. The highest grade commercially bought Pok¨¦ball when locked has a kind of statis. It can keep a Pok¨¦mon in suspended animation for quite some time, even a normal Pok¨¦ball can do this but not nearly for as long as a Greatball or Ultraball can. Ultraballs can hold a Pok¨¦mon in that suspended state for a long time, but it will have a dramatic effect on a normal Pok¨¦mon absolutely destroying any Potential they might have had. It was uncertain how long the suspended state lasted for Dratini but it must have failed at some point for him to be in this state. I ended up going through three bottles of Moo Moo Milk before the Dratini seemed to close its eyes to rest. His breathing wasn''t as shallow as before and upon checking his condition with the system. It says he''s not going to die any longer, but he''s still in a fragile state. I looked at Sneasel who wasn''t too far away with her arms crossed watching me. "Sneasel, come over here. He''s sleeping." Sneasel came over and looked from me to Dratini and back. "He was trapped in that ball for so long he began to starve." Sneasel, I knew could tell that much but I continued talking. "He''s very young from what I can tell." I make sure I''m gentle as I run my fingers over his blue serpentine body. "I couldn''t let him die like that. It may not be ideal but he''s your little brother now. As a big sister I want you to help him until he''s strong enough to fend for himself." Sneasel lowered her gaze to the weakened Dragon type a look of contemplation on her black fur covered face. A small nod was the reply I got, and I would take what I could get. We ended up staying in the ''Dead Man''s Camp'' as I have dubbed it for the sake of keeping this place categorized in my head. Using the tent that has clearly seen way better days I made a place to rest for Sneasel, Dratini, and myself before it got dark and set up a fire. Sneasel was given some of my ration bars to eat. They weren''t exactly tasty but they would hold us over until we headed back to the Outpost tomorrow. Getting a full night sleep however, didn''t sit well with fates plans. Sneasel had woke me up and I used the remaining moo moo milk to feed Dratini who had woken up hungry. I fed him what I had and a small bit of a ration bar to see if he could stomach any solid food. He ate it even if his face screwed up at the taste of them. "Yeah they suck, I know... Sneasel and I don''t like them either. It''s what I have but I''ll get you something yummy later tomorrow okay?" Dratini only blinked weakly at my words but I got the feeling he was just happy to have food and water. After he went back to sleep I recalled him into the Ultraball and packed up the camp. According to my internal clock it was about three in the morning. Two hours earlier than I wanted to set out but that''s fine. I pulled a vest jacket out of the bag and pulled it on. It was a bit big, but I could hide Dratini''s Ultraball inside it. After a small strategy meeting with Sneasel on what we should do if we ever encounter a trainer and she can get close enough she should take their Pok¨¦balls. If she gets a hold of them the trainer becomes useless. Sneasel seems to approve if the devious smile that crosses her face is any indication. Since I had already cut my way through the travel back to the Outpost shouldn''t take more than an hour or two compared to the five or six hours it took before. Goes to show just how dense the foliage was and it took Sneasel and I both to get through it, one of us having literal claws for hands. Sneasel had a concerned look on her face as she looked around. She tugged a bit on the vest and I stopped to look at her. She stepped in front of me and raised her claws hissing threateningly. I raised an eyebrow and looked around. I wasn''t about to toss aside Sneasel''s instincts but I couldn''t see anyone or anything threatening. That was until someone came out of the trees. It was one of the few people I wasn''t equipped to deal with just yet. How bothersome, the god of fate must be snickering at me. If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. "That''s some nice stuff you got there... Why don''t you share? I''m sure you could spare a little bit of what you''ve found." He was eyeing the backpack and I scowled. "I''d rather not share with someone I don''t know... Let alone a competitor. Teaming up is for the weak and suckers who can''t handle themselves." He had opened his mouth to reply but what I said about teaming up had him closing it. His eyes narrowed as a rather large for it''s size Koffing came out from where he came from a moment ago with a wave of his hand. "You are right, but wouldn''t the strong benefit from one another? But where are my manners, my name is Felix. What is yours?" "I don''t have any inclination to give you my name, nor remember yours. What I found is mine and if you want it you''ll have to pry it out of my cold dead hands." I narrow my eyes with my intent to cause him harm. "Ya know... Speaking of cold. Sneasel Quick Attack into Ice Punch!" In a rush of movement Sneasel moved smashing a fist cloaked in a icy mist into Koffing sending it into a nearby tree. I ran forward pulling out my knife and and keeping it aimed towards Felix before getting a sizable distance. "Come on Sneasel let''s go we don''t have time for this. I want an actual breakfast." Sneasel ran to me as Koffing who was actually having a difficult time getting up off the tree it''s Potential page flickered before my eyes. Pok¨¦mon: Koffing Type: Poison Gender: Male Potential: Green Ability: Levitate Moves: Tackle, Poison Gas, Smog, Clear Smog, and Selfdestruct. Egg Moves: Screech and Curse. TM: Taunt. Note: Hasn''t eaten in three days. Is weakening from hunger. I frown at how he''s treating his Pok¨¦mon. I saw an extra Pok¨¦ball on his belt I''m not so stupid as to believe he hadn''t received the Houndour from his elder brother already. He can''t use it for the trials but most of not all his resources are going to that Greatball clipped to his belt. Pok¨¦mon: Houndour Type: Dark/Fire Gender: Female Potential: Light Blue Ability: Flash Fire Moves: Tackle, Bite, Howl, Ember, Leer, Roar, and Smog Egg Moves: Counter, Thunder Fang, and Sucker Punch. TM: Protect, Sludge Bomb, and Dark Pulse. Note: Is in excellent health, has yet to become loyal. Not yet loyal? That means he has yet to break or bond with the Houndour. It would be difficult but I could handle a third Pok¨¦mon since Dratini is in a state of recovery and will be for at least a week. As Sneasel was passing by Felix I spot Sneasel''s devious smile and it plucked the Greatball resting on his belt while he was focused on me. I didn''t react to her theft of the ball and shot Felix a glare. "I''m letting you off because I want to adjust your attitude in front of everyone else. You got time you should use it to make your Koffing passable enough to make top ten or I''ll leave you in the dust. Count on it." I turned slightly and started to jog down the path I made until he was out of sight and I reached my hand out for Sneasel to hand me the Greatball. I smirk putting it inside my jacket vest on the other side from Dratini. I don''t know if he''s interacted with the pup yet, but if he hasn''t it''s all the better for me. If he has them I can convince her that I''m a better master simple as that. Canine Pok¨¦mon like Arcanine, Growlithe, Houndoom, and Houndour are swayed by treats and belly rubs. It''s kind of hilarious that they are so easy to please but I''ll have to be prepared when I let the hound out of her ball. Arriving at the Outpost I find a secluded spot before slipping behind a tree and opening my rocket belt storage taking out the TM case and opening it. There was a dozen TMs in it I just had to figure out what to sell to get the points I need. The TMs are Ice Beam, Brick Break, Teleport, Hyper Beam, Thunderbolt, Charm, Toxic, Mega Drain, Shock Wave, Psychic, Double Team, and Rock Tomb. I don''t know exactly what each of these is worth but I do know handing them a TM for Hyperbeam, Thunderbolt, or Psychic will get me targeted and killed. Giving them Charm and Mega Drain should be okay. Maybe after a few days I can sell them Rock Tomb and maybe Shockwave. The Points I''ll need to help Dratini recover are more important than hording what I don''t have immediate use for. I take the TMs for Charm and Mega Drain out and replace the TM case back in my Rocket belt and go inside towards the exchange counter. Only one guy is working is the one who sneered at me when I showed up last time. He gave me appraising look. "What ya need kid?" I set the two TMs on the counter carefully in response. "Oh? Found yourself some TMs. Pretty good for your first day. I also see you found yourself the junk of some poor sap who died out there... Whatever you found is yours so long as you keep hold of it." I took that as an offer to keep him quiet so long as I gave him something decent. I gave him a winning smile and reached into the bag and placed a Greatball on the table rolling it to him. He nodded in acceptance of the little tribute to buy his silence on the matter. Greatballs in the Point store fo for a thousand points. Ultraball go for about three thousand, they aren''t cheap. It''s natural to give a little to get a little in return. "Alright let''s have a look at these babies." He scans the TMs and nods. "I''ll take it you want to trade these in for Points?" With a simple nod from me he nods back and types a few numbers in the machine. "Okay, TM Charm and TM Mega Drain total together to 100,000 points but with the reduction totals out to 70,000 points." I smile taking out my card I lean forward a bit and gesture for him to learn in with me. He leans in a bit. "I want some information on another contestant. If I pay say, ten thousand Points could you tell me anything you can dig up on him and any connects he''s got?" He backs up a bit and glances around the room nodding. He transfers ten thousand off the terminal leaving it at 60,000. He steps to the side and swipes his own card collecting the ten grand in points before moving back. "I know about Felix and his elder brother. His older brother is Carter he''s a Sergeant just like Sergeant Viper. He specializes in Fire type Pok¨¦mon, specifically Houndoom being a favorite. I saw that Felix got a Pok¨¦mon from his brother this morning after nearly everyone left into the woods to start training their Pok¨¦mon. If I had to guess he was given a Houndour. You and that Sneasel of yours should watch it around Felix. If he''s anything like his brother he may target you if he hasn''t already." I nod as he fell silent clearly unwilling or deemed that''s all the information I had purchased. "Could I get your name? I have to remember who to come back to if I have any more points burning a hole in my pocket should I need a little info." "The name is Vincent and yeah do come back around this time if your willing to have a chat. If anything I''ll give ya a discount on info if you manage to teach that uppity brat Felix a lesson. He was a real ass to a colleague of mine. Tell me about it if you do, and my lips are sealed." I adjust myself and open up the part of my jacket with the Houndour''s Greatball clipped inside making sure that. "I don''t think he''ll be so high and mighty for a good while Vincent." Vincents eyes nearly popped out of his skull. "Don''t worry I didn''t kill him, but my dear Sneasel decided to swipe it from him for interrupting our stroll trying to get me to hand over my stuff. So after Sneasel here nearly punched his Koffing''s lights out and I pulled a knife on him he must have forgot he had Houndour cause Sneasel managed to snag it when running past him." Sneasel puffed up a bit with pride at my praising of her actions and that I''m patting her head. "No shit? Well I''ll be damned. Good on ya kid. The rest of the morning shift will be here soon. You got anything you want to get?" I placed an order for 50 bottles of moo moo milk. Access to the ball transfer and TM room to hide the fact I have Houndour. I purchased vitamins, a bunch of nutritious general Pok¨¦mon and human food that should hold me over for a month or so, and a few packages of treats based on a subtle hint from Vincent would likely be Houndour''s preferred brand. I even got a few other sets of weights for Houndour and Dratini. When I got the one for Dratini I told Vincent I was planning ahead for when I got an Ekans. It seemed to convince him as he came back with my order and I stowed what I could fit into my Rocket belt before putting the rest in my backpack. I was allowed into the Ball transfer and TM room for the next ten minutes. I had to make the time count. I moved to the ball transfer machine quickly and set it up to transfer Houndour to one of my Ultraballs and did the same for Sneasel. I then moved to the TM learning device popping it open I placed Sneasel''s ball into the slot and popped in the three moves I need Sneasel to learn. Double Team, Ice Beam, and finally Brick Break. Once it was done I clipped all three balls inside my coat after letting Sneasel back out. I had to make tracks if I was going to bring Houndour to my side and feed Dratini in the next hour I have to get to a secluded spot away from everyone else. Chapter Three: Brought to Heel. I made an effort not to draw attention to myself as I left the Outpost, and I was successful due to Vincent making a bit of a distraction for me. He is definitely getting some Points for making my exit seamless. I gagged the direction of the coast and headed in that direction. There are a few caves over there that fill with water later in the year. Good spot for Sneasel to practice Ice Beam in private to gain control and power. Then to practice Brick Break by shattering the ice. It will also serve as a great spot to hide out to care for Dratini and potentially bond with Houndour. After two hours I made it to the coast and with another thirty minutes or so I found a cave that headed into an underground cove. Pulling out my flashlight I turned it on to keep myself from slipping on the slick rocky walkway. Upon getting deeper inside I found a spot that was dry a little way away from the water higher up. With Sneasel''s help I got our new camp set up in a few more minutes. Taking a seat on my sleeping bag I look to Sneasel who crosses her arms and tilted her head at me as if to say, ''What are you looking at me for? Get on with it!'' I grabbed the ball with Dratini and let him out. His eyes once again opened up a bit of sparkle had returned to them, and he seemed capable of moving a bit. He moved to me and laid his head in my lap. I gently ran my hand over his head and took out a few bottles of milk, a single vitamin out of a bottle of them, and a small amount of nutritional food. I had Dratini eat all of it. It''s truly amazing how well he''s recovering. My guess is still accurate as of now, but I am hoping with the vitamins it will speed up his recovery. Once he''s able to protect himself I''ll do my best to continue to nurture him into the powerful dragon he was destined to be. Sneasel even helped with Dratini''s care but I''m certain she was doing it to get her claws on a bottle of Moo Moo Milk. At this point I might want to invest in getting a Miltank. It seems only logical that the higher the Potential the better the milk, right? I should look for something good in any case. Can''t have a member of my family be unable to defend themselves. I let a bit of time pass petting Dratini until he''s been lulled to sleep. I want to join him for a nap, but I have other duties to fulfill. I let Dratini stay where he is with his head in my lap before grabbing Houndour''s Ultraball. I tossed the ball a little way away and Houndour appeared in a flash of light and the ball returned to me. The pup looked at her surroundings and then her gaze leveled at me with something akin to a glare. She wasn''t happy, and she was actively growling now, baring her fangs. Sneasel stepped up and leveled her claws at Houndour, her own hiss coming from her at the show of hostility. Sneasel wasn''t taking the threat to me and subsequently Dratini who was still slumbering on my lap. "I was hoping to do this the easy way, by offering food and treats. I suppose the only way to earn your respect is to make you heel. Sneasel punish Houndour with your new move Brick Break." Sneasel''s claws glowed menacingly as she charged at Houndour who met her charge with one of her own using Tackle. The attacks met and Sneasel was pushed back only a step while Houndour was thrown with a pain yelp nearly a meter. Sneasel''s heavier body due to the weighted vest was likely the reason she was able to retaliate with the Brick Break at all. Sneasel puffed up a bit, bringing her claws together and sharpening them against each other in a show of dominion and intimidation. The tackle did damage, and I could tell but it''s clear that Houndour didn''t. The pound pup wasn''t about to take such a showing laying down though. She bared her teeth again and fired off a few embers towards Sneasel. "Quick attack, then Ice Punch." Sneasel used Quick Attack to dodge the incoming Ember attacks and came down on Houndour''s head with the attack. It didn''t do as much damage due to the resistance to ice type but the increased speed on delivery still had Houndour seeing stars. She staggered on her paws trying to stay on them while Sneasel without my prompt prepared another Brick Break. The time was shorter by a mere fraction, but it is proof that battle is far more stimulation for growth than regular training is. I think it has something to do with how combat invokes a type of adaptive reaction in Pok¨¦mon that assists with their growth. Which gives credence to exp in the games I played in my first life. Without battle Pok¨¦mon will never reach the pinnacle of their strength. The second Brick Break struck Houndour across the face in a rather brutal right cross. The form of which would have looked more at home coming from a Fighting type Pok¨¦mon like Hitmonchan, than a Sneasel. Houndour was unconscious after that, and I could only sigh and shake my head. "Good job, Sneasel." Just like at the Outpost she puffed up with pride. It might be to her detriment later, but I can''t scold her for victory. I can only help her by making sure she''s not arrogant. "Bring Houndour to me." I grab Dratini''s ball and upon looking down at him noted he had slept through the exchange between Sneasel and Houndour without a care. They made quite a bit of noise, but I don''t know how he could sleep through it. I recall him and put the ball back inside my vest. Raising my eyes from the ground where Dratini was, Sneasel had dragged Houndour over and plopped the dog next to me. She had a smirk on her face, and I reached over to pat her head. "You did good I''m very proud of you. Just make sure to never give less than everything you''ve got to win. That way even if you should lose, you''ll never have any regrets. Understand?" Sneasel nodded and shifted to look at Houndour. I followed the action and sighed, "Yeah, I don''t know exactly what to do about this. I didn''t want to do it this way. I probably could have done better on my end." The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. I reached into my belt and took out a potion and began to treat Houndour that way she wasn''t at risk of further injury by moving around at the least. Her fur was actually pleasantly soft and well maintained. It was clear that she was well taken care of before ending up in Felix''s hands. I remember what happened to this Houndour in my past life. I witnessed her demise. Her right front leg was crushed, by Steven Stone''s Aggron. She managed to escape and returned to Felix. Upon returning to base he killed her, because she was no longer useful. He treated such a loyal Pok¨¦mon, who fought for him and protected him, like a broken tool. I could see the betrayal and hurt in Houndoom''s eyes when Felix ordered his Bisharp to remove her head. Arianna took me in soon afterwards. I don''t want such a loyal Pok¨¦mon to die like that again. I want that loyalty in the family I am building around myself to get the peaceful and quiet life I want this time. Sure, that would require eventually leaving Team Rocket. I can''t really go wrong by fleeing to Alola and hiding out there. The League''s presence hasn''t dug its claws in there yet. It''s one of the few places I could go and potentially be accepted should I run. They rate your bond with your Pok¨¦mon extremely highly there. So long as I treat them with love and kindness, they would likely leave me alone. During my trip down memory lane and some semblance of a idea as to where I want to go. I brought out a bowl and filled it with food for Houndour. I placed it near her so when she wakes up, she''ll have something to eat. Who knows she might have been angry because she was hungry but that is potentially wishful thinking on my part. I gently pet Houndour for a minute or two before moving to give her some space. The worst thing you could likely do is be near a previously hostile Pok¨¦mon when it wakes up after being knocked out. It may attack again regardless of if they believe you a continued threat to their life. I don''t want to risk that. I decided to spend my time training Sneasel in her new moves. Shooting Ice Beam into the ocean water is good training. The resulting chunks of ice that wash up as a result are good targets for Brick Break. To my surprise Sneasel accidentally hit a Magikarp and it washed up on the shore in a block of ice. Sneasel and I shared a look before breaking the poor fish out of its containment. I apologized and told Magikarp to be careful in the future. I even gave it a little bit of food before sending it on its way primarily because I felt bad. My system flickered in my eyes out of curiosity I checked it''s Potential. Pok¨¦mon: Magikarp Type: Water Gender: Male Potential: Dark Yellow Ability: Rattled Held Item: Pearl Moves: Splash and Tackle. Egg moves: None. TMs: None. Note: Is thankful you let him out of the ice and didn''t laugh at him. He will remember you. Rattled? That''s Magikarp''s hidden ability. Should he be one of the small percentages of Magikarp that have the luck to evolve will have the ability, Moxie. I hope he does well for himself and manages it. Having a chance of a Gyarados with a positive opinion of me out there in the world makes me smile. A slight shift of my gaze has me noticing Sneasel giving me an expectant look. She wants to get back to work and I don''t blame her. "Alright, alright let''s get back to work." Was what I said before I heard a bark. Sneasel''s face scrunched in displeasure as we both turned. Houndour had finished the food in the bowl I left for her, and she was looking at us both. She pawed her way over and stopped a few steps away looking up at me. I share a glance with Sneasel before stepping forward and kneeling down to be eye level with Houndour. "Do I have your attention now?" Houndour gave a sharp nod in agreement to my question. I kept my eyes locked on hers for a minute until she lowered her head slightly to break eye contact with me. Attentively, I reach up and gently pet her head. The feel of the smooth bone against my palm was slightly warm. "I want you to be part of my family. I will treat you with respect so long as you do the same for me."