Encounter

------5 months later-------------------------------------------------------

Training had become a much more intensive affair when we began to finally undergo the pressure training and by we, I meant I could only do my routine perfectly underwater just a month ago while the others had a much higher success at their tasks much earlier. The Abra duo as I theorized had more troubles than even me in the beginning thanks to their less-than-ideal body constitution but they preserved and now they're doing the same training they were doing before, of course there is a considerable increase in all of our bases

Growlithe can now call upon her energy more easily and is now easily pushing off the training duration time upwards with every two weeks, her command of attacks has also seen a considerable increase. When the lady joined us, she knew Leer, Howl, Ember and Bite. We even discovered she could even do a very powerful bite attack, which we learned was because she had the egg move Crunch which she wasn't able to successfully perform yet. The problem as the lady put it was that she couldn't control the energy

There are only two reasons for that

She doesn't have much experience in handling dark type energy

Her body can't handle it

We still haven't been able to see major accelerated growth for her yet but we hope to see it soon. I mean the principle of big growing to be bigger is pretty much the deciding factor of size when it comes to Pokemon evolution

She did gain enough within these three months that she did learn Crunch and has then on become much more helpful with the training of Abra duo to work around or overwhelm the dark type energy. The pack has started to slightly lower walls to me, very slowly and a very small window

' But I'll take it '

The pack has also started her on Fire Fang and Flame Wheel after she had mastered the earlier teachings of fire spin ' Which I asked for ' and Flamethrower which we learned on our own after doing the elemental training

I'll admit seeing her breathing with the candles only to produce a weak version of Flamethrower a few weeks into the elemental training was hilarious, I mean sure it's awesome cause it means the training is working but still pretty hilarious

Normally she would have learned a few more moves within these months, but I put my feet down and told each of the Pokemon that we were only learning new moves when we had mastered a move to the point it was very viable in combat situations

Some might think that it's stupid, but I would rather they be capable of doing one move expertly than know how to do three moves that do the same thing on an average level. I mean at this point without access to TMs she can only learn from the pack, which means fire moves and some physical attacks and Swift from Psy

' I honestly wanted her to learn Swift but Psy deemed her not ready for it, why that was, I don't know but as he did, Swift is currently shelved '

So I had them focus on their type energy mastery alongside physical training and then move mastery and then new moves. So far it has been looking good. And they did understand my stance and trained according to it ' I thought my decisions would be challenged but they agreed with me '

The Abra said that their entire life they had to this point could be considered training to be proficient in Teleport, which is frankly true. Growlithe also agreed when I told her that aside from the power and intensity Ember was more suitable for hunting than Flamethrower.

Flamethrower would just badly burn her meals or just burn them in general and not only does she have to slow down while fighting until she grows proficient in it, but as she is now it would just be a slowly lose drainage of stamina. Ember on the other could potentially herd her prey towards her desired location, more energy conserving and dodging it is more complex than dodging a Flamethrower

' I mean that's the weakness of beam attacks. When they're within your sights it's okay but when they move you have to fight in such a way that the beam points to them and keep the move active till it hits, though I guess that's only if they want to win using only that beam attack. '

Now when I first met her I decided that she should be groomed every week and considering her bravery when it came to training underwater I thought that grooming her would be a quick if not joyful experience.

The truth was slightly distant from that ideal. Oh, she didn't fear or hate grooming, nor the shampoos and brushes, She just didn't care for it. Hell the Abra duo was more interested in it than she was ' They surprisingly enjoyed it and then I changed it into delicate training of their psychic powers when I couldn't groom them '

Though I still groom them every week, sometimes they like to groom themselves before sleeping and speaking of them, while the lady did her best and continues to meet my expectation, the Abra duo constantly surprises me with their success

I mean the Abra duo can't train as long as Growlithe can but nonetheless, they are matching her in power if not being slightly stronger than her. The Abras with their constant training when awake have informed me that they have begun to experience a much higher form of comprehension than usual about two weeks ago

' Psy believes that it's a sign of evolution, I am somewhat doubtful but I do think that if it is indeed a sign of evolution it's due to the continuous training which develops their control and reserves much more than if they were to do it by simply meditating or training in the wild '

This makes sense because that time they remain awake they have to ensure the food and safety of their current dwelling and then train. Naturally, the duo doesn't have that much of an issue as they stay with me

Their training also included several moves mastered like Calm Mind, Teleport, Reflect and Light Screen. The next move we decided they would learn was Protect, which Psy knows and Psy has been fired up more than usual for it

Though with what happened to this point in his life, I can see why he's fervent about the Abra's mastering this move

Though their only mode of attack is still psychic energy which is not an attack, yet. It is a great flaw on our side but I was advised to train them in attacking moves after they evolve by almost all articles I read, one of which was by Professor Rowan

' Sure I remember Sabrina's Abra throwing down but apparently that's off the table for my duo '

The Abra's have also grown larger, their frames are so far as I have learned larger in comparison to the other Abra's I found.

The fact that the Pokedex only showed what was supposedly the average size a healthy Pokemon should be made me realize that I indeed have to resort to Pokenet for a much higher variety as far as size is concerned, it also resolved me to learn more because there might be things I thought to be true that might be false

As far as my growth is concerned I've gained acceptable height and weight but not too shocking gains. I have maintained the same grade and rank though, even if I had hoped to advance. Because I'm still struggling to advance to be the highest student in my grade in my community school, I have begun to wonder what my chances for acquiring Oak's Ranch sponsorship truly is

' I'm kind of glad that I did plan ahead for the team and ranch '

Financially speaking I'm now capable of supporting the duo, the lady and myself. Hopefully, I will be able to tide over enough money over the years that I can comfortably spend at least one-year training on the road without that much worry

The Flock also left two months ago and I remain hopeful that they bring back new companions for me in a manageable quantity

It was on such a day when we were going to visit the pack that we ran into an unexpected scenario. Psy warned us that there was a fight going on ahead and we should go around it, we agreed and would have continued to our destination if the lady hadn't informed us that she had heard her kind calling for help

So with some apprehension on my side, we set ourselves on a rescue mission with haste, I had known that Celadon had a hidden infestation named rockets, I had known it. So it shouldn't have surprised me at all to see one but I was nonetheless slightly shocked when I saw a grunt and his Pokemon attacking a Growlithe

' Psy knock the grunt out, others take care of the opposing Pokemon'

The grunt unaware of us coming at him was easily knocked out and his golbat and mankey were easily restrained by the lady and abra duo

Looking at the grunt and his uniform in distaste I spoke to Psy while tying my kerchief around my face even if only for the slightest security it would give me

" Psy, Ask them if the bastard is alone here "

Psy's gem flashed as he fell back to his information-gathering training, which wasn't needed as the two Pokemon folded at the slightest pressure but then again why have loyalty to abusers?

' I can use that '

They revealed to us that there were 4 more rockets in a hidden base 7-minute walk east of our location. I held my gaze on the two Pokemon, a Gloom and Geodude as I kneeled and took the pokeballs the grunt had, after finding the two which wasn't shrunken or inactive I walked upto the two and spoke in a calm tone

" Tell me what I want and I'll give you a chance to hit these rockets back, I'll let you free. Answer my questions, Give me reasons "

After a few moments of hesitation, they folded like I knew they would and Psy made his approval of my decision known to me. The 4 grunts left at the base had at least 12 or so Pokemon between them, they were here to hide some packages and capture some Pokemon for taking back. They had already captured several denizens of the forest including another Growlithe at which point the one we rescued told us that they were here to find that one.

Obviously, now that I'm here and have done what I have, I can't stand back anymore ' Especially seeing as the lady is now fully invested in the case and the grunts are expecting this one back '

As the clock ticked on I had pressure from all sides. The abra duo wished to leave this to the pack, the lady wished to do it ourselves and Psy would not allow a plan in which I may come to harm

So I delegated as quickly as I could, The male Abra who didn't have that much combat aptitude was sent with the injured Growlithe to the pack where they would inform them of this detail and either return with the pack or alone while we survey the situation up close. While Psy didn't quite like the plan, the fact we could teleport out if everything went to shit calmed him

So we crept closer all the while looking out for traps and grunts and lucky we did as there was a Fearow that was ostensibly a scout, Psy showed his expertise as he was able to silently bring it down with Abra supporting him and we were able to turn him as well and with Fearow came our improved intelligence of the people who we were going to assault

The grunts had with them 13 pokemon but Fearow believed that aside from three Pokemon most would turn like they had, while I nodded outside I still told my Pokemon to be ready for a fight with all of them after all, loyalty easily brought can also be easily lost

Between the three temporary allies, we concluded that these Pokemon would not be that much of a herculean task to defeat. Especially as the three Pokemon- Voltorb, Weezing and Golbat weren't treated that well in terms of sustenance and healing. What worried me somewhat was that Fearow described a psychic that could speak with the rockets which implied the psychic could also be talented in teleportation. Fearow said that they would turn as well but I remain slightly worried

What I stressed the importance to others was the fact the rockets could not be allowed to call for backup in any way, if that meant cold-blooded murder so be it.

I know it might be vain of me to hope for a deathless victory for us but I remain hopeful for the best and prepared for the worst

After a minute of deliberation between me and Psy we advised Fearow to go ahead and indicate that there was no problem to ensure there was no doubt in the rockets. I also asked Fearow to try and lead a single rocket towards us so that we could thin out the crowd with the psychic's help

I spoke the next backup plan in case the psychic was unagreeable with Fearow

" But if the psychic is not on our side ensure it's knocked out and flee, the rocket will come after you and we will deal with the aftermath together "

Fearow simply nodded its beak with a glint in its eye and left and we pressed on. Thankfully Abra came back with the information that the pack was waiting for us to start and during the window he provided I spoke with the original group

' Knock the trainers out and the Pokemon will fall easier, do not overextend and keep an eye on our new introductions '

With a mental nod from all of them, I strode forward with far less hesitation but with reasonable caution the situation bided. Abra left quickly so that the pack could soon join us

Fortunately the psychic turned as Fearow said it would as Psy told us of the psychic warning us that they would soon be upon us, furthermore this trainer had one of the three Pokemon which we had to fight

So we hid ourselves as best as we could and waited for the rocket to enter and when he did enter unaware with grumbles and curses out of his mouth, we gave him further reason to be unhappy

Psy immediately wrapped him in a psychic wrap and immediately knocked him out with blunt-force trauma while others engaged the Voltorb and the poor bastard didn't even have the time to spark up a charge before the lady showed her prowess with ember while positioning herself being followed up by the Abra and the new entree Hypno holding it in psychic wrap long enough for the others to mob on it

Naturally, it lost and after recalling it to its Pokeball I got an idea which had me smiling and with what was probably a deranged grin I hoisted the rocket up and then I spoke with a smile

" Let's do 'Get Help' "

After a discussion which wasn't that flattering of me, we still did 'Get help' which went down as could be expected. I stepped into the clearing with the rocket hoisted between me and Hypno and shouted in a panicked voice

"Help, Get H-Help "

" What the? "

" What the fuck happened? "

Two grunts immediately ran out of the bunker-looking place while the last rocket power walked towards us, while there were Pokemon with them we still waited for our definite targets and as soon as Weezing and Golbat were visible to us, we sprang into action

The closest grunt could only let out a surprised noise before Hypno had him completely out of the fight, the other two immediately composed themselves but they didn't even have time to fully utter commands before the rest of the Pokemon piled on them, literally in the case of the pack that came behind the power walker

I held my finger to my mouth and quietened the Pokemon before they let out any other victory noises and gestured at Psy to connect us mentally

' Tell Hypno to check if the grunts or the bunker has any surveillance devices, take a member of the pack just to cover our bases '

The grunts didn't seem to have any body cameras or microphones and neither did the bunker but there was a communication radio inside and as such I decided to act as if we were on another time limit

After finding and recalling the two Pokemon I began to systematically tell what the next action was going to be

" The pack came for their member, allied by an unloyal Pokemon of one of the grunts they found the location and took care of the rockets and their base. This must be what the Rockets be led to believe "

I looked towards my Pokemon and spoke " Lady will have to go with the pack " At her irritated growl I stopped to stare at her but continued on with my decision

" Lady, if they see you they might take you and you will not be with me or the pack, hence it's better all around if you stay with the pack and I will come to pick you up in our usual place "

The pack, practical as they were more than approved of my paranoia and indicated that they would follow the plan

' Should we hide as well? ' I looked at the duo

" We are back to our visiting days, in the basement and if we aren't alone teleport to the lake and wait for Psy's signal to return home "

Then I spoke to the rest of the Pokemon present

" How many of you actually want to be free in the wild and how many of you want to be freed of just this organisation? "

' As most of the Pokemon aside from the lone Geodude and a Meowth, none would upset the ecosystem here '

At that question six of them including Fearow and Gloom wished to be set free and I did so without hesitation, especially for the newest captures from the forest. After all, they kept to their end of the deal.

" The league usually after obtaining information either release the Pokemon as I did or absorbs it to themselves, either assigned to forces or assigned as league-sanctioned Pokemon for trainers. Are you confident in your decision? "

After setting free two more Pokemon I was left with five unconscious grunts and 5 pokemon

" Now let's set the stage "

After checking the bunker, most of the packages were just pokeballs and potions but they were some TMs and other tools and alongside that were some files.

I ripped off some Rocket logo and other inconsequential papers and left some pokeballs and TMs inside some boxes and had the pack carefully create a scene with scorch and claw marks on the walls. Hope it portrays what I want it to

The pack left though Brightburn and another Arcanine stayed behind to ensure that I would not be in danger, they hid themselves and after a final check amongst us to ensure we had our stories straight I had Psy teleport to bring Ramsey and Elaine alongside the officers he trusted, which wasn't that much and soon enough Psy came back with the league