Pokémon: I’m Really Not a Team Rocket Spy

Half an hour later.

Maki wiped the sweat off his forehead. Making Pokéblocks was no small feat; the process required constant stirring while maintaining just the right strength and direction. Any deviation could result in a batch of lower-quality Pokéblocks.

The freshly made Pokéblock was a vibrant orange-red, translucent, and slightly jelly-like. It gave off a refreshing aroma that filled the air.

After removing the large block from its container, Maki carefully sliced it into standard portions. He picked up one piece and stored the rest neatly in his backpack.

"That smells amazing!"

The fragrance wafting from the Pokéblock was irresistible, and Maki couldn't help but sniff the air twice. Unfortunately, Pokéblocks had no effect on trainers. While they didn't have any adverse effects, eating one wouldn't magically grant him the strength to kick an Onix or punch an Incineroar.

Besides, since Pokéblocks were tailored to Pokémon tastes, they often had peculiar flavors when consumed by humans. Especially those made for Rock- or Ground-type Pokémon—it was akin to eating dirt.

Don't ask Maki how he knew this. Let's just say... he had his sources.

Reaching for a Poké Ball at his belt, he released his Charmander.

"Charmander, it's mealtime!"

"Char~!"

The moment Charmander emerged, it caught the scent of the Pokéblock in Maki's hand. Unlike trainers, Pokémon had little resistance to its allure.

Charmander placed a tiny paw near its mouth, staring unblinkingly at the Pokéblock. Drool threatened to escape the corners of its mouth.

"If you're hungry, go ahead and eat."

Maki smiled as he handed the Pokéblock to Charmander.

"Char?"

Charmander carefully took the Pokéblock, looking up at Maki as if to ask, Is this really for me?

"Yes, yes. I've got plenty more. Go ahead and eat, but don't overdo it," Maki said reassuringly.

Based on his calculations, one Pokéblock was more than enough to satisfy Charmander for now.

Gurgle.

Maki's stomach suddenly growled. He realized he hadn't eaten all day, having been too busy to notice.

"Char~!"

Charmander extended its paw, offering the Pokéblock back to Maki as if inviting him to eat first.

"I'll grab something outside later."

Maki patted Charmander's head and watched as it happily devoured the Pokéblock.

"Is it good?"

"Char!" (´◊ω◊｀)

With one bite, Charmander's eyes lit up as though it had just tasted the best meal of its life.

"Once you're done, we'll start some training. Let's not waste the energy from that Pokéblock."

For a Pokémon like Charmander, even a small Pokéblock could count as a full meal.

"Char!" (Got it!)

Maki led his still-licking-its-paws Charmander to the training field behind the Pokémon Center. On the way, he stopped at a vending machine to grab some bread, which he munched on as they walked.

Charmander watched this scene closely, its determination visibly rising. It vowed to train hard and live up to Maki's expectations.

"Char!" (｀Δ´) Let's do this!

Since it was mealtime, the training field wasn't too crowded. Most of the trainers present were beginners with Pokémon like Pidgey, Caterpie, or Rattata. Few had starter Pokémon like Charmander.

Maki found a quiet spot and couldn't wait to assess Charmander's abilities.

"Charmander, show me the moves you know—excluding the two you used at Professor Oak's lab this morning."

Charmander had already opened its mouth, ready to demonstrate, but Maki's added remark made it stop.

Though slightly disappointed it couldn't show off Crunch again, Charmander obediently began showcasing its moves.

First, it raised its tiny claw. Hidden claws extended, glinting faintly in the light.

Scratch.

A basic move, but far from insignificant. Charmander's ability to learn powerful moves like Dragon Claw made this a foundational skill worth perfecting.

Next, Charmander demonstrated Ember, Growl, and Smokescreen, followed by Dragon Dance and Crunch. In total, six moves.

Maki nodded approvingly. This was about what he'd expected. For now, starting with fire-type moves seemed logical. Until Charmander evolved into Charizard, it would remain a pure Fire-type Pokémon.

"Charmander, use Ember on the ground."

Maki gave precise instructions, wary of the nearby trees. The last thing he needed was an accidental wildfire blowing his cover.

Charmander inhaled briefly, gathering energy before releasing a small burst of flames onto the sandy ground. The flames dissipated quickly, leaving only a faint blackened mark.

Maki frowned. The move lacked power. However, he quickly refocused and encouraged Charmander.

"Let's focus on practicing this move for now. As a Fire-type, you'll rely on fire moves a lot in the future. Mastering Ember will help you control fire energy better."

Charmander nodded, not fully understanding but trusting Maki completely. It continued firing Ember at the ground as instructed.

After observing a few attempts, Maki spoke again.

"Try gathering energy in your mouth for longer this time. Speed isn't important yet—just focus on building up power."

"Char."

Following Maki's guidance, Charmander opened its mouth and carefully concentrated its energy. A small flame began forming, growing steadily larger.

This process posed no danger to Charmander—its body was naturally resistant to its own flames. However, prolonged energy buildup could potentially overwhelm its control.

"Charmander, now use Ember!"

At Maki's command, Charmander released the built-up energy. A much larger fireball shot forth, landing in the same spot as before. This time, the impact left a visible burn mark on the sand.

"Char!" (⊙o⊙)

Charmander stared at the result, astonished.

Did I do that?

"Great job! Keep it up and practice a few more times."

Maki smiled in satisfaction.

Now that's more like it!

In battle, opponents wouldn't give Charmander the luxury of building energy at its own pace. Continuous practice would improve its speed and precision, vital for mastering higher-level fire moves like Flamethrower or even Inferno.

Seeing Maki's approval, Charmander beamed with excitement. Fueled by their growing bond, it trained with even greater determination.

In these small, shared moments, the bond between trainer and Pokémon grew ever stronger.

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