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Liam, Takeshi, and a few other Team Rocket members returned to the waterfall base, while the remaining members stayed behind at Mt. Silver to guard the captured poachers.
Due to the large number of prisoners, the waterfall base wasn't equipped to hold them all yet, so their Pokémon had been confiscated, their hands cuffed with electromagnetic restraints, and they were kept under close watch until Team Rocket's reinforcements arrived.
The Team Rocket members Liam had brought back were those skilled in operating the base's healing equipment. Their job was to help restore the injured Pokémon.
Weavile's minor injuries had already healed after resting and didn't require any medicine. The real problem was the Rapidash that Black Ape had severely wounded. Watching the grunts sweat over treating it, Liam couldn't help but feel a surge of irritation.
If Black Ape hadn't actually been a Johto League spy infiltrating the poachers, Liam would've been tempted to beat him senseless.
As night fell, the treatment for Rapidash was finally completed. Liam peered through the glass of the recovery pod, confirming that the Pokémon was sound asleep before finally relaxing and heading back to his room to rest.
At this point, Liam already had Arcanine, not to mention the Moltres he'd made a pact with. A Fire-type like Rapidash was more of a luxury than a necessity. He'd only captured it to save its life, not because he actually planned to use it.
Besides, keeping it would be a hassle—Rapidash looked like the type to have a huge appetite, probably too picky to even eat dried roadside grass. As someone already scraping by financially, Liam couldn't afford another high-maintenance Pokémon.
Not every Pokémon could be like a Geodude, perfectly fine even if left alone for years.
He spent a long time agonizing over what to do with it but still couldn't decide.
Giving it to Takeshi was an option, but he'd already handed him a Sneasel earlier. Too many Pokémon at once might be hard for Takeshi to manage. Still, this Rapidash's stats were solid—not exceptional, but definitely above average.
.....
[Ding!]
Pokemon: Rapidash
Type: Fire
Species: Fire Horse Pokémon
Ability: Run Away
Nature: Docile
Gender: Female
Moves: Fury Attack, Quick Attack, Growl, Ember, Tail Whip, Flame Wheel, Stomp, Flame Charge, Fire Spin, Agility
Egg Move:Low Kick
Base Stats: Total 491/500
HP: 65
Attack: 100
Defense: 64/70
Sp. Atk: 80
Sp. Def: 77/80
Speed: 105
Evaluation: Good. Reportedly capable of reaching speeds up to 240 km/h, its explosive power and offensive strength make it a formidable combatant. Recommended for training."
.....
Aside from slightly weaker defenses, this Rapidash had excellent potential. But after a whole night of deliberation, Liam still hadn't settled on a solution. For now, he'd just keep it with him.
Morning came quickly, and Liam's door was abruptly knocked on. He groggily got up to answer—only to recoil in shock the moment he opened it.
"What the—?! Who are you?!"
He instinctively leapt back, staring warily at the person in front of him—their face covered in scratches.
"...It's me. Takeshi."
Takeshi's expression was so pitiful it was almost tragic.
"Takeshi?! What happened to your face?! Who did this to you?!"
Now recognizing him, Liam's brow furrowed in anger. But the more he asked, the more miserable Takeshi looked.
"It was that Sneasel you gave me... Last night, I let it out, and the little demon attacked me on sight! You could've warned me how vicious it was! Do you know how hard it was to finally calm it down?! And now... well, you see the results."
"Pfft—HAHAHAHA!!"
Liam burst into laughter, doubling over until he was wheezing.
"...Laugh all you want. I'm only letting it slide because I actually like the little menace. Anyway, I came to tell you—the reinforcements HQ sent are almost here. So... I was hoping you could go meet them instead."
Takeshi glared at Liam, barely resisting the urge to strangle him.
"PFFT—Sure! HAHA! Yeah, you're in no state to show your face right now! I'll handle it... cough Okay, okay, I admit this one's on me. I didn't realize that Sneasel was so wild—it acted totally tame when I caught it. But since it's my fault, I'll make it up to you."
Wiping tears from his eyes, Liam clapped Takeshi on the shoulder like a sympathetic brother—though his grin never faded.
"Huh? Make it up to me? With what? If it's something dangerous, forget it!"
Takeshi was done getting tricked.
Liam: "..."
"No, seriously, this is a real bonus. It'll even help bond with your Sneasel. Check this out—Weavile, come on out!"
The PokeBall on Liam's bedside opened automatically, and a flash of light materialized into Weavile, who crossed its arms and gave Takeshi an aloof glance.
Before Takeshi could ask what the point was, his own PokeBall burst open—his Sneasel popping out with starry-eyed excitement. The moment it spotted Weavile, it dashed over, nuzzling against it with shameless admiration.
"Snea! Snea-la-la~!!"
"Weavile!!"
Weavile, sweating, shoved Sneasel's face away with one claw, but the smaller Pokémon kept stretching its stubby arms forward, undeterred.
Liam: "... You know what? I've got a nickname idea for your Sneasel. How about... Subby? Fits perfectly!"
Takeshi: "The hell?!"
"Ahem. Anyway, my Weavile evolved from a Sneasel. Faster, stronger, and way smarter now. So, as compensation, I'll tell you how to evolve yours—get a Razor Claw, have it hold the item, then level it up at night. Simple, right?"
Liam explained the evolution method, leaving Takeshi to track down the Razor Claw himself.
"Quit making up weird names for my Pokémon... But fine, I'll keep an eye out for a Razor Claw. For now... I'd better go get this idiot treated."
Takeshi sighed as he picked up his Sneasel—now KO'd by an exasperated Weavile—and turned to leave.
Liam paused, then called after him with sudden enthusiasm:
"Oh! If you don't like Subby, how about Shadow? That's even more accurate!"
"..."