Still, seeing how happy Growlithe was, this was a pretty good choice.
Once it was settled that Growlithe would become Su Bai's partner, Garchomp and Lucario exchanged a glance.
That evening, Su Bai cleared away the dishes and chatted with Cynthia for a while before they each went to their rooms to rest.
Cynthia still stayed in Su Bai's bedroom, while Su Bai slept in the study.
In the night, a crimson eye suddenly opened in the corner of the living room. Anyone caught off guard would have been scared half to death.
Garchomp had woken up.
Then Lucario opened its eyes too.
Spiritomb was next, though it hadn't slept at all.
Garchomp gently waved her fin. Spiritomb chuckled and opened the study door with Psychic, then cast Hypnosis on Su Bai and the two Pokémon to send them into a deeper sleep.
Next, Spiritomb used Illusion to move Growlithe outside.
The pup had been exhausted that evening and was sound asleep, completely unaware.
Lucario slung Growlithe over its shoulder, Garchomp carried Lucario on her back, and Spiritomb opened the window.
Just like that, Garchomp and Lucario abducted Growlithe.
When Growlithe felt the cold wind blowing against him and woke up, he found himself lying out in the wilderness.
Garchomp stood before him with a fierce look in her eyes, alongside a stern-faced Lucario.
Growlithe was so frightened that he nearly let out a howl, but Lucario reacted swiftly and clamped a hand over his mouth.
But this pup was such a goofball that he immediately bit down.
Pain shot through Lucario's hand, and it quickly pulled it back.
" Luca! (You're vicious, kid! You bit my hand numb!)"
If Su Bai had been there, he would have seen that the move his Growlithe had used on Lucario wasn't Crunch, but Fire Fang.
Seeing the flames filling Growlithe's mouth, Garchomp nodded in satisfaction.
"Chomp! (Little guy, how about we take you out fighting and help you level up?)"
"Woof! (Sure! Thanks, Auntie!)"
No sooner had Growlithe spoken than a brilliant white flash streaked past. The tree beside him, so thick it would take two people to encircle it, instantly toppled over, its cut surface smooth as a mirror.
"Chomp! (Call me big sis.)"
"Woof! (Big sis.)"
Garchomp eyed him menacingly as she patted his head.
"Chomp! (Good boy.)"
Garchomp declared that she would teach Growlithe Dig tonight. His task was to find every Rattata in this patch of wasteland, or he wouldn't be allowed to sleep.
After watching Garchomp demonstrate Dig once, Growlithe's eyes sparkled, as though he had awakened the traits of some ancient beast of wisdom. His gaze visibly grew more enlightened.
Looking at the pup's goofy expression and the dirt flying everywhere, Garchomp nodded in satisfaction.
This little one could be taught.
Garchomp's reasoning was actually quite simple.
She was very pleased with Su Bai.
Even with the bond she shared with Cynthia, Garchomp couldn't understand what sort of relationship Cynthia and Su Bai currently had. Still, she felt that since she ate his food, stayed in his home, and had even learned Dragon Dance with his help, she ought to repay him.
As it happened, this Growlithe was exceptionally talented and could learn ordinary moves after seeing them just once.
Then she would help him raise an outstanding, well-rounded Growlithe.
The Rattata in the area were the unfortunate ones, losing their homes in the middle of a good night's sleep.
When Su Bai woke the next morning and saw Growlithe lying in the corner covered in dirt, he froze.
Was my Growlithe always this dirty? Was it too dark last night for me to get a good look?
"System, show me Growlithe's stats."
[Ding! Scanning...] [Scanning randomizable target: Growlithe (Dragon Nation breed)] [Base stats: HP: 65, Attack: 70, Defense: 45, Special Attack: 90, Special Defense: 50, Speed: 60, Total: 380] [Individual values: HP (30), Attack (22), Defense (16), Special Attack (31), Special Defense (20), Speed (25)] [Level: 19 (Veteran level)], [Ability: Intimidate], [Held item: None], [Gender: ♂] [Known moves: Leer, Ember, Crunch, Fire Fang] [Taught moves: Dig]
Growlithe from the Dragon Nation had thirty more base stat points than ordinary Growlithe, with twenty going to Special Attack and ten to bulk.
This made the Dragon Nation's Arcanine better suited to staying on the field and using both physical and special attacks, filling a role that could both deal damage and take hits.
[Ding! The host currently has 1 free randomization. Forgo randomizing Growlithe?]
"Yes!"
You sneaky system, trying to trick me! If I hadn't read carefully, you might have randomized my Growlithe.
Even if I did randomize him, I'd wait until I had a chosen lucky one use.
"System, what do the ratings after the levels mean?"
[Ding! The system uses analysis of this world's current big data to assign brackets based on the target Pokémon's level.] [1-15: Novice level, 16-30: Veteran level, 31-45: Gym Leader level, 46-60: Elite level, 61-75: Elite Four level, 76-90: Champion level] [Above level 90: God level]
"Big sis System, could you check Cynthia's Garchomp's current level for me?"
[Scanning randomizable target: Garchomp] [Base stats: HP: 108, Attack: 130, Defense: 95, Special Attack: 80, Special Defense: 85, Speed: 102, Total: 600] [Individual values: HP (31), Attack (31), Defense (31), Special Attack (31), Special Defense (31), Speed (31)] [Level: 78 (Champion level)], [Ability: Rough Skin], [Held item: Haban Berry], [Gender: ♀] [Known moves: Brick Break, Dig, Dragon Rush, Giga Impact, Draco Meteor, Earthquake, Dragon Claw, Poison Jab] [Taught moves: Dragon Dance (secret technique), Swords Dance, Earthquake, Spikes, Stone Edge]
Garchomp suddenly opened her eyes and glanced at Su Bai.
What are you looking at?
Su Bai hurriedly averted his gaze.
Just then, a Dragonite suddenly appeared by the window, breaking the awkwardness.
The sudden appearance of Dragonite startled Su Bai. Then he saw Cynthia come out of her room holding her phone, open the window, and take what Dragonite was carrying.
"Sorry, I gave them your address without asking."
"It's fine. What would you like for breakfast? I'll make it."
"No rush."
Cynthia smiled and sat down on the sofa. She opened the package right away and beckoned Su Bai over.
Su Bai walked over to the coffee table and took a closer look. It was a Poké Ball made from an apricorn.
"Do you like it?"
Cynthia freely handed the Poké Ball to Su Bai.
"Mr. Steel in Azalea Town made it by hand. It's a present for you."
"Oh, you shouldn't have."
Su Bai was a little surprised. Even in the anime world, the handmade Apricorn Balls crafted by the Steel Master of Azalea Town were precious items that money alone couldn't buy.
In this world, although machine-made balls had long since replaced handmade ones, and pure apricorns had been replaced by inexpensive, eco-friendly blends of apricorns and other materials, handmade Poké Balls made from pure apricorns were undoubtedly the best.
That was because these handmade balls restored a Pokémon's stamina better and faster, and were more comfortable for Pokémon to stay in.
"Thank you, Cynthia. I really like this present."
"It's a shame you can only raise two Pokémon right now, so I only bought one ball. Pikachu will have to make do for now."
Cynthia felt a little regretful.
"I'm really looking forward to the day we can have a full battle."
Before you continue