Slowpoke sat in front of Chu Xin. Usually so vacant and dopey, Slowpoke now wore a surprisingly expressive look, frowning and rubbing its head as though pondering something.
(I really have forgotten a lot of things, and my instincts tell me they were all important. So I have to get them back. If I don't recover my memories, something terrible might happen.)
Slowpoke's words left Chu Xin puzzled. What had it forgotten?
Then Slowpoke raised its head to look at Chu Xin, its expression resolute.
(I really do have the ability to foresee the future, but I've forgotten everything I foresaw. There's one thing I remember very clearly, though: I had to find you. My instincts tell me that following you will help me recover my memories.)
After hearing Slowpoke's explanation, Chu Xin looked puzzled. Something about this felt off. So he hadn't been the one to choose and catch Slowpoke-Slowpoke had chosen him as its Trainer.
Chu Xin shook his head and pushed those thoughts aside. Whatever the case, Slowpoke was his Pokémon now, and as its Trainer, he had to take responsibility for it.
Fortunately, Slowpoke had excellent potential. Its battle against Electrike had made that clear: it had held its own and even briefly suppressed Electrike with its tactics.
Although Slowpoke was a sluggish Pokémon, and this particular one was still sluggish in everyday life despite its unusual traits, it was a different story in battle. Its talent for combat let it stand up to Electrike. It was fair to call it a very strong Pokémon.
But however great Slowpoke's potential was, potential was still only potential. Until it became actual strength, it was no use in battle.
What Chu Xin needed to consider was how to turn Slowpoke's potential into strength. For now, though, he had