Pokémon: Chronicles of Freedom

Understanding Cain's intentions, Miyamoto didn't hesitate. His life was in Cain's hands, and he had no intention of betraying him. To him, Cain's potential was quite promising. If he managed to secure first place in the trial, following him would ensure he'd be valued.

At that point, becoming an Officer would only be the beginning.

So, Cain and Miyamoto parted ways, each going off to search for points on their own. This way, efficiency could increase, though security would decrease considerably.

When Miyamoto disappeared completely into the forest, Cain gathered all his Pokémon.

"Let's go, Slowpoke, let's check the situation over there," Cain said.

"Yadon!"

Slowpoke's psychic energy began to flow intensely. Due to the long distance, it needed more time to fix the location and accumulate enough psychic energy to perform Teleport.

Cain extended his hand, placing it on Slowpoke's back, synchronizing the small amount of psychic power he had with his Pokémon's to minimize the effort needed for Teleport.

This time, Slowpoke needed ten seconds to prepare.

With a powerful surge of psychic energy, Cain and Slowpoke disappeared from the spot.

When Cain opened his eyes again, the first thing he did was release Murkrow and Sneasel to ensure safety before observing his surroundings. He realized they were in a dark cave, whose entrance was covered by a waterfall.

Indeed, they had returned to the cave where Cain captured Slowpoke.

"Yadon~~"

Slowpoke seemed exhausted. Teleporting such a long distance, while carrying another person, had nearly depleted all its psychic energy. If it hadn't grown recently, it would likely have passed out immediately.

"Slowpoke, meditate and recover," Cain said as he gave it some Pokéblocks.

Slowpoke nodded and closed its eyes to begin meditating. In fact, completely exhausting its psychic energy and then training in this state would help Slowpoke grow faster.

Murkrow and Sneasel didn't move, remaining alert to protect Slowpoke. Although theoretically, there shouldn't be any wild Pokémon in the area, they acted instinctively.

After waiting silently for half an hour, Slowpoke finished its meditation and regained some energy.

"All set, Slowpoke has recovered. Let's go," Cain said.

Slowpoke took one last nostalgic look at the cave before using its psychic powers to leave with Cain.

Now, Cain was sure that the nearby lake was connected to the river they had followed earlier.

"Remember the Golduck we encountered last time?" Cain asked Murkrow and Slowpoke with a smile.

Back then, Cain had just captured Slowpoke. While they were walking along the river, they accidentally entered the territory of a level 38 Golduck, who emerged from the water to attack them.

Only thanks to Murkrow's Protect and Slowpoke's Teleport did they manage to escape with their lives.

At that time, they all vowed to return for revenge.

Now that they were back, it was time to fulfill that promise.

Murkrow and Slowpoke also remembered that incident, their eyes gleaming with a fierce aura. Back then, they were humiliated when they were weak. Now, stronger, they had returned for revenge.

Although Sneasel wasn't present back then, seeing the determination of his trainer and teammates, he, too, was excited.

"Slowpoke, go into the water and find that Golduck. If it's still here, bring it to the shore," Cain said, a smile on his face but a cold look in his eyes.

Hearing Cain's words, Slowpoke entered the water to search for Golduck. With its current level, it would have no problem handling him alone, but Cain wanted Murkrow to have its revenge as well.

It didn't take long before a blue figure flew out of the water, crashing onto the shore. Immediately after, Slowpoke emerged from the water, floating above the surface with its psychic energy.

With a cold expression, Slowpoke looked at Golduck, who lay on the shore with a panicked expression. Murkrow flew over and looked at him with disdain, while Sneasel approached, eager to join the action.

Cain noticed that Golduck had barely changed in the three months that had passed, while Slowpoke and the others had grown tremendously, becoming far superior opponents.

Although Golduck likely didn't recognize Slowpoke and Murkrow, they remembered him very well.

"Finish him. Back then he was your goal, now that you've surpassed him, end it quickly," Cain ordered.

That Golduck had caused them so much stress in the past that, if it hadn't been for Slowpoke's Teleport, they would have been defeated.

In just three months, they had completely reversed the situation.

Did that mean Golduck hadn't improved?

No, he had grown, but at a much slower rate. The difference between his progress and that of Slowpoke and Murkrow was vast.

What made the difference? Having a trainer.

Wild Pokémon have to rely on their time and innate abilities to get stronger unless they have a special opportunity. But with a trainer who understands their strengths, a Pokémon can improve at an incredible rate.

Golduck didn't even have time to react before Murkrow and Slowpoke took him down.

Sneasel wanted to join, but Cain stopped him. This Golduck represented an important moment for Murkrow and Slowpoke, so it was better for them to finish it themselves. This victory would reinforce their confidence and determination.

After defeating Golduck, the confidence and power emanating from Murkrow and Slowpoke were even more noticeable.

Cain smiled and released Grimer, letting it absorb the remains of Golduck. While Miyamoto was present, Cain hadn't wanted to reveal Grimer's special nature and had missed many opportunities. But now, acting separately, there was no reason to hide it.

The two Grimer he bought in Vermilion City, one of light green quality and the other of green quality, now the light green one had reached green quality, and the green-quality Grimer was on the verge of evolving to an even higher quality, which Cain hoped to see in the coming days.

When that happened, he would need to assess how much time and resources would be required for Grimer to reach a superior quality.

(End of Chapter)