Pokémon: Sandstorm Sovereign

Chapter 77: Bronzor's Loyalty

That was over a million Poké Dollars. If the treatment didn't work, Basalt felt like he might just tear the Pokémon Center down himself.

"Bronz..."

Just then, a soft sound came from the bed.

The "actor" Bronzor was online. It put on a show of just waking up, pretending to be weak. It opened its small, soybean-sized eyes and looked around with fake, timid confusion.

"Bronzor, you're awake? That's great! The surgery was a success!" Seeing Bronzor finally conscious, Basalt was overjoyed. "My five days and nights of watching over you weren't for nothing..."

It seemed this Pokémon Center wasn't a scam after all. His million-plus Poké Dollars had been worth it.

"Drilburr!" (ω)

Drilbur was roused from its sleep. Perhaps because its dream had been so vivid, it seemed to have a much better impression of Bronzor now. After all, in its mind, it was the big boss, and Bronzor was the little subordinate. It had to be magnanimous; it had just gained a new underling.

"Bronzz..."

Seeing Drilbur's friendly demeanor, the anger that had been simmering in Bronzor's core began to dissipate. It was just a dream, after all. It probably shouldn't take it so seriously. Besides, before it had passed out, it had been planning to "borrow" stamina from Basalt and the Numel. It had even launched a Hypnosis attack. Being mistaken for an enemy was, in a way, understandable.

Unconsciously, Bronzor had already begun to reflect on its own actions. Basalt had not only saved its life but had also cared for it for five whole days and nights. That was a debt that had to be repaid. And from the looks of it, Basalt seemed like a good person. A bit of a daydreamer, maybe, but he seemed easy to get along with.

Basalt's subsequent wave of concerned questions and gentle care solidified Bronzor's thoughts.

This Basalt... he's a truly good person!

Here, in this strange world, it was all alone. Perhaps... following Basalt would be a good choice.

"Bronzor, you're still very weak. Don't move around too much. I'll go get the doctor to give you a full check-up." With that, Basalt left the room.

With the help of a Chansey, the doctor spent a full hour giving Bronzor a comprehensive examination. The conclusion was that its psychic energy was now very active, and everything seemed normal.

"But Doctor, Bronzor still looks so weak. Are you sure there's nothing wrong?" Basalt asked, worried. He didn't want there to be any lingering side effects or hidden injuries.

"Well... it's likely due to the severity of its previous injuries. It lost a lot of its vital energy. It would be best to have Bronzor stay here for observation for a little while longer," the doctor advised. To be safe, she recommended a week.

"A week?" Basalt's brow furrowed. Today was the last day of his vacation. The Metro City training camp started tomorrow. What was he supposed to do? Ask for leave?

He was conflicted. Would it be a good idea to ask for time off right at the beginning of the camp? Even if the person in charge agreed, would they hold it against him later?

Worst case scenario, they'll just tell me to pack my bags and not come back, right? Basalt felt a wave of insecurity. He was the champion of Seaside County, but what did that mean in a major city? He wasn't so naive as to think the world revolved around him. The world was a big place, full of talented trainers.

"I should talk to Ms. Anya first," he decided, and called his teacher.

But this was something even Ms. Anya couldn't decide. A Professional-Rank trainer was a big deal in a small county, but not so much in a major city. Since she couldn't handle it, she had to go higher up the chain. After hanging up, she called Headmaster Albright.

Five minutes later, Ms. Anya called back. "Headmaster Albright pulled some strings. Your leave has been approved, but for one week at most. If you can't make it to the training camp by next Monday, you'll lose your spot."

"Don't worry, Ms. Anya. I'll be there next Monday even if I have to crawl," Basalt said, wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead with a sheepish grin. He had finally sorted it out.

At noon, his aunt brought lunch. She was delighted to hear that Bronzor had woken up.

That afternoon, worried that Bronzor would be bored, Basalt stayed by its side the entire time. Drilbur, on the other hand, had gone off to find a place to practice Bulldoze. It was not a Pokémon that could sit still for long; that would be worse than torture. With the Ground Gem and the new move data, it was impossible for it to resist training. Basalt knew, without even needing to check, that Drilbur was close to mastering the move.

At its core, Bulldoze was just another application of Ground-type energy. While Dig was a sustained output of energy for tunneling followed by a sudden burst of power for an attack, Bulldoze was a single, massive burst. It involved instantly channeling a huge amount of Ground-type energy into the earth to cause a violent tremor. The principle was simple and brutally effective. With Drilbur's talent, learning it wouldn't be a problem.

Seeing Basalt fall for its "weak" act and cater to its every need, Bronzor's "eyes" narrowed. It decided to make a move for the mysterious metal in Basalt's pocket.

"Bronzz..." (￣︶￣)

A tendril of psychic energy reached out from Bronzor's mind, and the mysterious pendant floated out of Basalt's pocket, wobbling in mid-air.

"Bronzor, you want this pendant?" Basalt asked, scratching his head. He had no idea why it was so interested in a cheap souvenir he had forgotten to throw away.

"Bronz..." Bronzor nodded obediently, though it was incredibly nervous. It had no idea if Basalt would give it something so important to help it heal. This pendant must be very important to him, right?

"If you want it, you can have it," Basalt said with a warm smile, getting up to give Bronzor a gentle pat on its "head."

"Bronzz?!" ( * )

Bronzor was stunned. He agreed... just like that? So easily? It had thought it would have to go to great lengths to get it. This Basalt... is he too nice to me?

Using its psychic power, it brought the pendant closer. Feeling the mysterious energy within, Bronzor was overcome with a powerful emotion, a feeling akin to a knight willing to die for a worthy lord. Basalt had not only saved its life but was also treating it with such kindness, giving away this precious metal without a second thought. A person this good was impossible to find.

In that moment, Bronzor decided. It would follow Basalt.

If you do not forsake me, I shall never forsake you!

Tears suddenly welled up in Bronzor's "eyes," leaving Basalt completely baffled. How sheltered is this Pokémon? It's getting this emotional over a cheap souvenir?

I should have grabbed a few more of those at the park, Basalt thought to himself, feeling like he had discovered the secret to getting along with Bronzor. So, it liked fancy little trinkets.

That night.

After Basalt and Drilbur had fallen asleep, the feigning Bronzor's eyes snapped open. Its psychic energy enveloped the pendant. After telekinetically stripping away the unnecessary decorative parts, it swallowed the mysterious metal core in one gulp.

"Bronz..." it hummed softly. That taste... is simply divine!

It then began to channel its psychic power, rapidly digesting and absorbing the energy contained within the metal. At the same time, the massive wound on its back began to quietly heal.

By dawn, the gash on its back had completely vanished. Not only that, but its body was now covered in tiny, star-like specks. More importantly, Bronzor could feel that its physical durability had reached a whole new level.

Its psychic power had broken through yesterday, and its physical strength had broken through today. It was a double blessing. And it seemed this man was the cause of it all.

Bronzor looked at Basalt, who was sleeping soundly and drooling on the bed, and its gaze softened with affection.

Suppressing its excitement, Bronzor returned to its spot on the bed. It was still early. It would use the time to familiarize itself with Calm Mind.

While its personal grudge against Drilbur was gone, the battle for dominance within the "family" was unavoidable.

I, Bronzor, will not be a subordinate to anyone!

A battle between it and Drilbur was inevitable.

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