Wanderer of the Pokémon World

Chapter 267: Something Happened!

"By the way! I want to ask why you let Vileplume use Energy Ball just now? It should have skills like Stun Spore." Xiu asked, recalling the brief spar.

Rinko looked a little embarrassed. "Well~ I didn't know what to do at the time, I just yelled randomly." She remembered the moment clearly; if Abra hadn't protected Vileplume, it would have been injured.

"I see it's very proficient in this move. It must use it often, right?" Xiu observed.

"Yes." Rinko gestured around the botanical garden. "The plants here are growing so well, thanks to the energy Vileplume provides."

Xiu was surprised. She's telling me this? This kind of cultivation technique is a Murasame family secret!

Rinko, however, didn't seem to think much of it. "This is just a very basic application. Many people do this when cultivating plants. Of course, I have a unique method, such as…"

"Stop!" Xiu quickly interrupted her. "There are some things that are inappropriate for me to hear." If she continued, he'd learn things he shouldn't.

"I believe in you, Xiu," Rinko said with a sweet, casual smile.

"Of course, I'm happy that you trust me so much," Xiu replied, "but some things will lose their value if given to others. You have to be more vigilant and don't trust others blindly." He didn't know if she knew about her parents' situation, but he felt he had to remind her.

The Alliance likely kept her around for her Stun Stem and other unique materials. Without that leverage, her value might diminish. He didn't want their relationship to become complicated by such secrets. Besides, he wouldn't be able to use the information anyway.

"Um…" Rinko fell silent, the smile fading from her face.

The conversation ended there. The slightly awkward atmosphere only lifted when they walked out of the botanical garden.

"Let's go," Xiu said. "Our lessons today need to be more focused; we don't have much time."

Back at the villa, Xiu began the lesson, starting with Vileplume's performance. He explained fighting methods, training design, and the preparation of rations and nutritional supplements in depth.

This time, with Daisy and Gary gone, his words were more direct, more truthful.

Rinko listened, stunned at times, clearly still adjusting to the harsh realities of Pokémon battling as Xiu described them. He centered the discussion around the training notebook he'd given her, answering her questions.

"Okay, it's about time," Xiu eventually said, checking the clock. "I need to go back. You should digest today's information." He took out a few more books from his backpack and placed them on the table. "These are all related texts, so understanding this shouldn't be too difficult." After outlining her subsequent study direction, Xiu left.

Rinko watched him go, then sank onto the sofa, the notebook in her lap. She felt exhausted. Living alone, she was used to the quiet. Xiu's visits, however, had broken that fragile balance.

Vileplume needs to get stronger, she thought, remembering Xiu's earlier suggestion that her Pokémon wasn't suited for fighting. Xiu's words were hurtful, but true. 

Vileplume was fully evolved, but had never experienced combat. Training it now would take more effort than raising a new Pokémon. But Rinko wouldn't give up on Vileplume; it was family.

"We must work harder!" she said to her Pokémon, full of new resolve. "We'll show him!"

"Kesha!" Vileplume responded.

Life continued at its steady rhythm for Xiu. Until one night, he found himself summoned to the second-floor laboratory.

"What's going on, Doctor?" Xiu asked, puzzled. He'd been busy with Scizor's training and hadn't been up to the lab much recently.

"Look for yourself." Professor Oak, looking tired, pushed a computer screen towards him.

The screen showed an aerial video. Below was a vast forest, then suddenly a cloud of dust erupted, and black, flying Pokémon filled the sky. The scene was chaotic. Xiu stared, his pupils contracting. Something's happened!

"Team Rocket has already taken action," Xiu said, his voice flat. It was a statement.

"That's right." Professor Oak confirmed. "Something big is happening in Viridian Forest..." He quickly briefed Xiu.

League Rangers in Viridian Forest had reported several large groups of Pokémon moving out of the forest. Their numbers were constantly expanding, and the situation was now beyond the League's control.

One group was heading towards Viridian City. If Viridian couldn't hold, the surrounding towns, including Pallet, would be affected.

"So what do you plan to do now?" Xiu asked, his expression serious.

"Look here first." Professor Oak pulled up a map of Kanto on the computer, marking the rioting Pokémon teams. Six teams were spreading from Viridian Forest. The largest and most powerful was heading west, towards Viridian City. It was slower, but massive. Oak estimated contact within three days, and conflict was highly probable.