Bomb has been defused: Counter terrorists win

Marshadow calmed down and the burning green flames shrouding his body dissipated as he gazed up at Rex questioningly.

"I will keep my promise…" he paused, but during that pause, Marshadow began to dance and cheer with a lustful face. Rex grimaced at the sight and begged forgiveness from the people he will be harassing.

"But you need to be quick since I have a special, very important mission that can increase your strength by dozens of times." He mentioned with a wide grin. As expected, Marshadow froze on the spot and mechanically turned his head towards Rex with a starry gaze.

"Do you remember Machamp, Arcanine and Steelix? Their transformations?" he asked. Marshadow nodded immediately. How could he forget something so terrifying? But he also hungered for such power like all of Rex's other Pokémon.

"Good, well, I have found a way for you to achieve it," I said. he paused again as a solution to his headache appeared in his mind. A way to stop Marshadow from defiling some random woman on the street.

Again, as expected, Marshadow was shocked to his core before he began to tremble slightly. He was so excited he had trouble controlling himself.

"Calm down. There are some things I need to tell you. Now, do you want to go have your fun? Or would you rather we get back to the hotel where I can tell you how to get stronger?" he asked while holding back a smile.

Marshadow seemed to think about it seriously. After all, both things were important to him. But he decided to go against his perverted desires and seek to get stronger. Although Rex couldn't understand what decision he had made based on words, he could, however, understand based on the gazed Marshadow had. It was no longer playful, but serious. Rex sighed in relief inside his mind and couldn't help but praise his genius.

[a bit conceited of you,] the system chimed in pouring a bucket of cold water over Rex's happy mood.

'Dammit, can't you let me enjoy myself?' he complained.

[No]

'FUCK YOU!' he grumbled angrily.

As Rex and the system were having their little argument, Koga had already recalled his Pokémon and pulled out his badge case before picking out a purplish pink heart. He then walked towards Rex which caught the latter's attention, pulling him away from his intense argument with the machine.

"Here is the soul badge. Proof that you have beaten my gym. You have great potential and amazingly strong Pokémon." He said while gazing down at Marshadow. Rex naturally nodded. He was immensely proud of his team.

Then he thought of something and pulled out a Pokeball. With a pop, Victreebel came out and observed the surroundings carefully before standing by Rex's side. Koga was puzzled but focused on the killing intent Victreebel was exuding. This was a frightening Pokémon. That was his assessment of it anyway.

"I was wondering if you could give me your input on an idea of mine concerning Poison." He said with a smile. Koga was instantly intrigued. They spent an hour discussing the use of toxic and how the poison inside of a Pokémon can be augmented using different types of poisonous plants and materials to increase their potency even further. They even hypothesised whether different, specific materials, could add different properties. Like odourless, transparent.

And whether they could add paralysis effects through the poison or even sleeping effects where there are both poisoned and paralysed. The more they talked the more Koga was amazed at the depth of the subject. By the end, he even felt deeply ashamed of calling himself a poison expert.

The man before him could easily take the mantel without contest. But they both benefited from this. Rex got a more detailed hypothesis down that could serve to improve Victreebel's poison. And Koga found a new way to improve the lethality of his poison Pokémon.

After they were done with their chat, Rex walked back through the sliding doors and out the gym entrance with a hand around Elesa's waist. Koga didn't even pay attention as he began to madly pace around thinking of ways to increase to the potency of his Pokémon's poison. Koga's daughter couldn't help but sigh and walk away leaving her father madly mumbling to himself.

Rex walked down the street aimlessly enjoying Elesa's company.

"So, what are you going to do now?" Rex asked.

"I think I'll take care of my issue with my family and meet you in Viridian City." She said with a tinge of seriousness in her voice. Rex nodded, he wanted to get everything relating to Marshadow out of the way before heading to Viridian city himself and taking on the final gym.

That, and finally taking down Team Rocket once and for all. once they were out of the way, he would chase after Mewtwo since that was his final Pokémon for his Kanto team. The system had already determined the best way to cure Mewtwo of his illness. And that was his leverage. Well, that and beating the living crap out of it twice to assert his dominance to entice Mewtwo into joining his team. Who doesn't like the prospect of getting stronger?

With a solemn look, Rex took out a Pokeball and held it up to his face.

"You will be protecting Elesa until she is done with her business. Please listen to her instructions. But don't intervene unless she is in dire circumstances." He whispered. The Pokeball shook intensely as if consenting to his command. But Rex also felt unwillingness from it. Rex also didn't want to part, but it was necessary to protect the woman he loved.

He then looked at Elesa who was staring at him intensely. She had heard everything he said.

"This pokemon is strong enough to level a country. Only use him when you have no option left. He will protect you like an iron wall. An unbreakable shield. Please be safe on your journey. I will be awaiting your return in Viridian city." He said while handing the Pokeball over to her. She felt an incomparable weight.

Even though she understood it was all psychological, she couldn't help but have cold sweat run down her back when she heard the introduction. The Pokemon in this tiny Pokeball. Had the power to destroy countries. What sort of concept was that? But then an incomparable sense of warmth surged into her heart. To give her such a pokemon, even if it was only temporary, really demonstrated how much he cared for her.

And she couldn't let him down. She promised herself that she would not use this Pokémon. That she would prove to him that she was worthy of standing by his side as an equal. Or at least as close to it as possible.

Rex seeing her serious expression found it incredibly cute and couldn't help but play with her cheeks and ruffle her hair. Elesa pouted and inflated her sore cheeks and stomped her feet angrily.

"I have finished figuring out how to help boost your Zapdos." He said which instantly diffused the angry Elesa. She immediately brightened and smiled brilliantly.

"Great-great! Let's go!" she said quickly skipping in a random direction.

"Wrong way," he said pointing in the opposite direction.

Elesa laughed awkardly and turned before skipping in the direction he was pointing in. Rex couldn't help but be slightly scared. Her ability to change her mood on a whim was a spooky ability. Maybe he should push her to be an actress.

An: Cheers to Defiantsage and therummaster for the idea about enhancing the poison thing. very much appreciate it. please keep it going with the ideas. as you can see, I am more than willing to listen and incorporate them!