Treasure Hunter Michael

"Yo!!"

After Larvitar shattered a man-high rock wall with Rock Smash and the Sandstorm Move, he immediately let out a roar. He almost seemed to have the makings of a Dark-type Pokémon already.

Of course, that also had something to do with Snarl, the Dark-type move Drapion had taught him.

After Dian and Misdreavus set him straight, Drapion had come to understand his mistakes and was willing to spend the rest of his life making up for them. Well, in plain terms, Dian had used threats and promises to make him understand that he was a prisoner, and Drapion had obediently started working for him.

His job was to teach Larvitar Dark-type moves, serve as Beedrill's sparring partner, and guard the entrance to keep outsiders out of the oasis.

Beedrill had gained a reliable source of venom, too. Everyone was happy.

Dian had checked Drapion afterward and found that his Ability was Battle Armor. The plates covering his body had fused together as he grew, leaving almost no weak points. He was tough as nails, which explained why he was so good at playing dead.

None of his moves stood out, but he had no particular weaknesses either. He had developed his Poison-type and Dark-type abilities evenly.

Beedrill could also learn from the way Drapion used Toxic Spikes and master the move sooner.

Thinking this over, Dian glanced at the sky, found a shady spot, and started eating the lunch Yue Jifei had prepared.

He had the desert's average temperature to thank for keeping his lunch warm through the day. He appreciated that much, though eating in such heat was hardly pleasant.

Dessert, of course, was a Sour Berry.

Suddenly—

Larvitar came racing back, delighted, with a large, unconscious scorpion in his hands. "Yo!!"

He ran up and held out