POKEMON : STARTING WITH FLASH METAGROSS

"Meow~"

The old Persian let out another cry, but the distressed Snubbull obediently gathered the scattered dried fruits and jerky, swallowed hard, and placed them in front of Rax. Its meaning was clear: return the items to their original owners and leave them alone.

Rax shook his head. "The items don't belong to me," he said, turning to leave.

After confirming his direction, he realized this was just the outskirts of the village. Heading west would return him to his planned route. With one last glance at the dilapidated house, Rax resumed his journey.

---

Ten Minutes Later

"You're so idle that you have time to deal with all this nonsense!" Rax muttered to himself, walking briskly back to the small village with skiploom.

At the only store in the village, he saw the young store clerk again. Her parents were still absent, and she remained at the counter, glancing at the road every so often.

Thinking about how she had secretly helped Snubbull multiple times and how her family could afford to run the village's only store, Rax made a decision. She seemed like a good person to entrust Snubbull to.

"It's worth trying, whether it works out or not," Rax thought as he approached her.

"Big... Big..."

"My name is Rax, not Master," he interrupted.

"Hello... Hello! My name is Muzi!" she stammered, clearly nervous.

Rax continued, "The Snubbull that was stealing earlier—is it your Pokémon?"

Muzi's expression immediately turned anxious. "She was just hungry! She didn't mean to... Okay, she stole, but she's still young and doesn't know better!"

"Then why haven't you taught her better, as her trainer?" Rax pressed.

"I'm not... I didn't…" Muzi's voice faltered, and her head lowered as tears welled up in her eyes.

"I'm not her trainer. Snubbull is a wild Pokémon that wandered out from the nearby forest."

Rax feigned realization. "Ah, I see. Then do you know why she's been stealing?"

Muzi shook her head, looking at Rax curiously. "Do you know?"

Instead of answering, Rax asked, "Do you like Snubbull?"

Muzi nodded without hesitation.

"But if Snubbull were yours, the villagers would hold you responsible for everything she's stolen. Just like I misunderstood you earlier, no one would listen to your explanations then."

Rax's stern tone made her follow his reasoning, and her expression became conflicted.

"If that happens, what would you do?"

"I'd make Snubbull apologize to everyone and compensate the uncles and aunts for their losses," Muzi replied earnestly.

"But Snubbull is still young and doesn't know better. What if she stole just to survive?" Rax interrupted.

Muzi froze, her eyes reddening again.

Rax remained silent, waiting for her response.

Finally, she said in a tearful voice, "Then I'll apologize on her behalf, pay for the damages, and teach her the rules."

Hearing this, Rax nodded. "Not the best answer, but it'll do."

He handed her a Poké Ball. "Snubbull had her reasons for stealing. Take some soft bread and go to the half-collapsed house west of here. Snubbull is there. I hope you'll become her trainer someday."

Muzi stared at the Poké Ball in shock, holding it tightly as Rax left the store.

---

Leaving the village, Rax returned to his predetermined route.

If Persian hadn't been so old and reliant on Snubbull's care, Rax might have captured it instead. A rare Pokémon like Persian could fetch a good price or even serve as a powerful ally.

But Persian's act of entrusting Snubbull to him had left an impression, and he chose to give Muzi a chance instead.

"I sound like Team Rocket," Rax muttered with a wry smile, shaking his head.

---

A short while later, Rax's voice echoed across the forest.

"Beldum, stop messing with that Stunky!"

Beldum obediently floated back, its red eye blinking innocently.

"Stunky isn't hard to handle, but if it sprays you, you'll stink for days. Just run from them in the future, okay?"

"Be?" Beldum tilted its head, confused.

"Trust me, beating it won't make you stronger."

Satisfied, Beldum nodded and floated off to find another opponent.

Rax sighed, watching it go. "For a pseudo-legendary, and a shiny one at that, you sure are reckless. But I guess it's all for the sake of getting stronger."

Moments later, a loud explosion rang out.

When Beldum returned, it was covered in soot, its silver sheen dulled.

"That was a Pineco, wasn't it? They self-destruct when startled. Next time, attack from a distance," Rax scolded gently, wiping Beldum clean with a towel.

No matter how many times he saw it, Beldum's gleaming silver body never failed to impress him.

"How long until you evolve?" Rax wondered silently.

---

Half a month later, Rax and his team arrived at the southeastern foot of Mt. Coronet.

Though tired and dirty from the journey, their spirits were high. Jumpluff had fully integrated into the team, taking on the role of caregiver. Even Beldum, usually carefree, was more cautious when near skiploom.

As they climbed, Rax couldn't help but chuckle at Marowak's new habit of picking wildflowers for skiploom. "You're turning into quite the romantic," he teased.

Finally, after another week, they reached the mountainside. From there, they could see Oreburgh City in the distance, its smokestacks billowing.

"We made it," Rax said with a smile.