In the end, the rescue station staff had no choice but to write to Professor Oak, a leading figure in Pokémon research, and ask for help.
When Professor Oak received the letter, its description of "a Dragon-type Pokémon born without a vital part" caught his interest. He immediately decided to bring the Pokémon to his lab.
He knew raising a Dragon-type Pokémon would be difficult for a small rescue station in the forest.
"The little one usually hides in the trees and won't come out. Only a Trainer battle draws it over."
"Don't let its timidity fool you. It longs to battle. I'd planned to have you heal it with your power and become its Trainer, but now I can't ask that of you."
Professor Oak had originally thought that someone with the Viridian Force would feel close to nature and have little interest in battling. Perhaps, after healing Applin, Ye Lan would be willing to take in the timid little Pokémon.
But things hadn't turned out as expected. Ye Lan's power was geared toward battle, and he was a talented Trainer to boot. Asking him to take in a timid Pokémon with a disability would only hold him back.
Raising a Dragon-type Pokémon already demanded enormous resources. If that investment brought no return in battle, it might even hinder the training of Ye Lan's other Pokémon.
At Professor Oak's words, Ye Lan fell silent. No one knew what he was thinking.
He took out a piece of candy and held it before the curled-up Applin. He gave it a gentle shake, but Applin stayed curled up and trembling. Ye Lan frowned.
He was sure the candy was no less tempting. Applin's fear simply outweighed its desire for food.
"Far too timid..." Ye Lan shook his head. A Pokémon with