Pokemon: Helping Pokemon Pays Off

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"What's this 'Four Kings' about? You mean like the Elite Four of the Pokémon League? Or…"

"The Four Kings are just the Four Kings. Pretty simple, right? Humans sure like to overthink things. You'll understand—if you're lucky enough to meet them and live to tell the tale."

"That's not what I meant!"

Just when Hoshino thought he was starting to understand things, he was confused again. Why Four Kings? One thing was certain—they definitely weren't human.

Considering they were in the Alola region, the only thing that came to mind was the four Island Guardians. If it was them, it would make sense—they could definitely protect a place like Kabukicho.

As that thought crossed his mind, Hoshino felt a pang of self-awareness. Talking to Pokémon like this made him feel like a total idiot… the absolute, undeniable kind.

"Hey, Boss Slowking, are you sure it's okay to tell me all this? I feel like I'm the only human in this whole Kabukicho…"

"That's why I said if you live to tell the tale."

"…???"

"This place, you see, isn't too bad if you run into domesticated Pokémon. They'll mostly ignore you. But the busiest part of Kabukicho? That's wild Pokémon—especially the ones who've been abandoned by Trainers, left to fend for themselves out here."

Hoshino was listening carefully, trying to absorb the strange reality of Kabukicho, when suddenly—a chill crept up his spine.

Before he could turn around, a cold flash of light streaked past his face, carrying with it an eerie, heatless flame.

A massive sword, shimmering with ghostly fire and steel, was pressed right against his throat.

"HEY!!"

Out of the corner of his eye, Hoshino spotted the sword's wielder.

It was a Pokémon clad in ancient, battle-worn purple armor seeping with malice. Its knight's helmet was adorned with flickering blue-purple ghost flames.

Despite its undeniably cool appearance—like something out of Mega Man—its emotionless gaze screamed instant death.

"Ceruledge?!"

Hoshino froze. He hadn't expected to see that Pokémon here. Ceruledge was known for its ruthless nature, unafraid to use underhanded tactics to win, striking fast and without warning—a natural-born assassin.

Just as the blade seemed ready to slice his throat, a blur of motion crashed into the scene.

BAM!

Cyclizar lunged from nowhere, trying to tackle Ceruledge out of the way.

But Ceruledge effortlessly sidestepped, and Cyclizar crashed face-first into the floor.

Apparently, after waking up and realizing Hoshino was missing, it had tracked his scent to the izakaya—only to find him moments from decapitation.

"Cyclii…?"

"Cyclizar!"

Hoshino scrambled to his feet, only to find Ceruledge already swinging again. Its sword left a burning trail in the air as it aimed straight for his neck.

But before it could strike, Slowking slammed its fin on the table with a loud THUD.

"Alright, that's enough. My stuff's expensive."

"… …"

The flames on Ceruledge's blade instantly dimmed, shrinking down to a harmless short sword. Without a word, it turned and walked away, leaving the onlookers—Machoke and the others—to resume drinking like nothing had happened.

Slowking casually explained, "That's one of my employees. Quiet most of the time, never leaves the bar. Gets a little excited when it sees humans, though."

"A little?! It almost killed me!"

"Don't be dramatic. You still owe me a ton of money. Why would I let you die before you pay up?"

"…Huh?"

Hoshino blinked, then helped Cyclizar up—only to hear Slowking crunch down on a lollipop, spitting the stick out as it continued,

"Didn't you know? All the food your Cyclizar grabbed earlier was on credit. I've got it all written down."

"…???"

Slowking then pulled out a contract from behind the bar, slapping it onto the counter.

"Oh, and by the way, the room upstairs? Rented to your Cyclizar. Full-year lease. Contract's signed and sealed."

"According to Alolan regulations, Trainers are responsible for their Pokémon's financial obligations. So the rent's on you—unless you officially renounce ownership. Don't forget utilities, either."

"… …"

Hoshino's hands trembled as he picked up the contract. Sure enough, Cyclizar's paw print was right there. Probably stamped when they first entered the bar earlier.

His face darkened. He slammed the contract back onto the counter.

"This is fraud! You're scamming it because it doesn't understand contracts!"

Slowking shrugged, popping another lollipop into its mouth. "You're the Trainer, right? If you can't manage your Pokémon properly, how's that my problem? You stepped into this street—you deal with the consequences."

"… …"

"The izakaya business has been slow lately. Can't let a customer like you leave without paying your dues. Can't afford the rent? Well, you've got kidneys, haven't you?"

"… …"

"Oh, and don't think about running. I've got the contract. Even if you flee Alola, I'll track you down. So be a good boy and pay up—before you accidentally die. Slowking~"

At this point, Slowking's cheerful face had morphed into that of a cunning loan shark, sharp and ruthless—nothing like its usual goofy self.

"… …"

Hoshino was stunned. Is this really the Pokémon world I thought I knew?

What happened to the friendly creatures from the games? These guys acted more like humans wearing Pokémon costumes.

The so-called "free dinner" and "free room" were all traps. Once you stepped in, there was no easy way out.

Unless…

The contract had a loophole: if he disowned Cyclizar, he wouldn't be liable.

Technically, he wasn't even Cyclizar's Trainer. There'd been no capture, just a casual agreement—and they'd only known each other for two days.

Anyone else would've cut ties without hesitation.

But not Hoshino.

He wasn't from this world. Alone in a place both familiar and strange, lost and disoriented.

And then he met Cyclizar—a kindred spirit, a companion in this strange new life.

Two days or not, to him, that bond mattered.

If Cyclizar saw him as its Trainer, then that's exactly what he'd be.

"Cyclii!"

Motor Lizard growled, stepping protectively in front of Hoshino, ready to charge Ceruledge again.

Ceruledge didn't even bother looking their way. It calmly served drinks to Machoke at the next table, as if the scuffle had never happened.

Hoshino clenched his fists, then tossed the contract back onto the bar, eyes locked on Slowking.

With a serious expression, he declared,

"There are things in this world I will never abandon!"

"…Huh?"

"I'm staying here. Not even Arceus can make me leave. You hear me?"

His gaze drifted to Ceruledge, their eyes briefly meeting. Then he turned back to Slowking, a determined grin on his face.

"I didn't come to this street just to find a place to sleep. If this city is filled with Pokémon struggling with life's hardships—then I'll help them!"

With that, he grabbed Cyclizar and stormed out of the izakaya, leaving Slowking momentarily stunned by his bold declaration.

But the surprise faded quickly.

Staring at the door, Slowking muttered,

"What a strange human… He could've just said the Pokémon wasn't his and walked away."

"…Helping the Pokémon of Kabukicho? Big talk… Eh, whatever. As long as he pays rent, I don't care."

Slowking shrugged, carefully tucking the contract away, then went back to reading the newspaper.

Ceruledge continued serving drinks like nothing had happened.

The only thing that changed… was that Kabukicho had gained one more human resident.

Nearby, a Slowpoke lazily wiggled its tail on the bar, letting out a drowsy yawn.

"Slow~…"