"Thanks. Here's Garchomp back, safe and sound. Remember to take him to the Pokémon Center."
Baimu handed Silver Horse the Poké Ball containing Garchomp.
Compared with his own Pokémon, Garchomp had clearly experienced very few clashes of moves this intense. He still hadn't recovered after the battle and had to return to his Poké Ball to rest.
His endurance really needed work.
For a Dragon-type Pokémon to go down after one battle was downright embarrassing.
Silver Horse took the Poké Ball. After a brief hesitation, he asked, "Boss Baimu, how... how did you do it?"
"Which part?"
"...All of it."
"If you're asking why Garchomp listened to me, there are two reasons: genuine goodwill and 'bloodline.' Draconids have a natural affinity with Dragon-type Pokémon. When I showed Garchomp goodwill, he could feel it."
Baimu raised one finger, then a second. "If you're asking why Garchomp could win under my command but not yours, there are two reasons for that too: battle experience and the trust I kept talking about. Both matter equally. Neither outweighs the other."
Trust...
Silver Horse turned the word over in his mind, but he was still confused.
What kind of relationship counted as trust?
Was it the kind Kendall had shown, daring to run onto the field and call for Mamoswine to charge?
Seeing the confusion written all over his face, Baimu asked helplessly, "What do you think is the most basic requirement for a Trainer?"
Silver Horse considered it before venturing, "The ability to... give commands?"
"It's knowing your own Pokémon!"
Baimu gave up on leading him to the answer and explained, "If you don't understand your Pokémon, you can't do your best at raising them, battling with them, or even spending time with them. Besides knowing their species' instincts, individual personalities, and daily habits,