Chapter Nineteen: The Water Fleet in the Forest

Zhao Fang had imagined many ways he might reunite with Dreepy. Perhaps a cinematic scene where, filled with joy, the trainer and Pokémon would call each other’s names, sprint toward one another, embrace, and dissolve into tears. Or perhaps a cold, angst-ridden reunion where, after a long separation, he would find that Dreepy’s personality had become eccentric, aloof, or perpetually dissatisfied. Yet, Zhao Fang never expected the actual reunion to be like this—should he be surprised that the little glutton stayed true to its nature?

Zhao Fang shook his head with a smile and continued preparing Pokémon food. He had set up a camp to cook for his team, a promise he had made to Dreepy to host a party, which the little Pokémon clearly adored.

It had first shared an intimate moment with its big brother, Gyarados, before strutting around Amaura with an air of seniority. When the exasperated Amaura finally unleashed an Ice Beam to calm it down, Dreepy shifted its focus to Charmander. It was hard to tell what it had done, but it simply stood there, inviting Charmander to use Scratch against it.

Since Normal-type moves have no effect on the Ghost-type Dreepy, Charmander didn’t give up. Instead, it grew more spirited with every attempt, its arms moving with increasing speed.

Zhao Fang brought the finished food to his team and urged them to eat. He sat nearby, lost in thought, pondering a remark Gengar had made before they left the mansion.

"That little girl with you is truly remarkable. I have rarely seen a human with such outstanding talent." Those were Gengar’s exact words. Zhao Fang naturally understood who Gengar meant, as Dawn was the only one with him. What puzzled him was why Gengar would praise her talent.

What kind of talent? Zhao Fang couldn’t fathom it. Whenever he asked, he was met with a roll of Gengar’s eyes. Gengar had then affectionately draped an arm over his shoulder and whispered that it was best not to pry into other people's secrets when they didn't want to share them—that being a bit dim-witted was a good thing.

Though Zhao Fang suspected Gengar was calling him an idiot, he took the advice to heart.

Once the Pokémon finished eating, Zhao Fang packed up the camp, called for Dawn, and continued toward the edge of Petalburg Woods.

"Dawn, would you like to have a battle with me?" Zhao Fang was bored. The main path through Petalburg Woods was incredibly peaceful, with only the occasional glimpse of a wild Pokémon darting through the brush. He finally understood why people in this world loved Pokémon battles; they were a way to kill time and a chance to gauge whether his training methods were on the right track.

"Eh?" Dawn blinked, looking at Zhao Fang in surprise before shaking her head.

Zhao Fang felt a pang of disappointment. He wanted to see how Charmander performed in a real battle; only by facing a trainer’s Pokémon could he refine his training plan and identify its strengths and weaknesses. Since Dawn declined, he didn’t press the issue and instead led her down a shortcut.

If they followed the League-approved route, it would take two or three days to reach the exit. Taking the shortcut meant they could arrive by nightfall, though it required caution, as some of the rock faces were slippery.

Once they left the main path and entered the deeper woods, the density of wild Pokémon increased significantly. Zhao Fang released Charmander to let it get some exercise, as Petalburg Woods was teeming with Grass and Bug types. Dawn followed silently behind him, so quiet that if Zhao Fang didn't look back to check on her, he might have thought she’d gotten lost.

"Wait." Zhao Fang frowned and raised a hand to signal Dawn to stop. He crouched down, watching the path ahead vigilantly.

He had just heard a cry from a Pokémon. It was unusual; it meant either a battle was taking place or another trainer was nearby.

Zhao Fang crept forward and peeked from behind a tree trunk. Two figures stood there, and their attire looked strangely familiar.

"Team Aqua?" Zhao Fang was startled. The blue uniforms were unmistakably those of Team Aqua. He remembered them well, having helped Officer Jenny arrest two of their members recently. What puzzled him was what they were doing here.

It wasn't as if the game's plot was unfolding; there was no reason for Team Aqua to be intercepting Devon Corporation employees in Petalburg Woods to steal packages.

He soon realized their purpose. He watched as two Mightyena combined their efforts to wound a Beautifly, which was then captured in a Poké Ball. Team Aqua had no use for Bug-type Pokémon; the only reason to catch them was to sell them.

Pokémon trafficking was not uncommon in this world. Many dark organizations engaged in it because the profits were astronomical. They sent out powerful Pokémon to defeat and capture others, then sold them. What was the cost? Just the price of a few Poké Balls and the expense of training their own "thug" Pokémon. It was a high-yield, low-risk business. Even though the League cracked down on it strictly, greed always drove people to take the risk. Zhao Fang once heard a saying that he felt was very apt: given three hundred percent profit, capital would dare to trample all laws.

"Dawn, do you see those two?" Zhao Fang whispered.

Dawn nodded, appearing much calmer now.

"Those guys are catching Pokémon to sell. When I give the signal, we attack together. Aim for the trainers first, then take out their Mightyena." Zhao Fang kept his voice low.

Wild battles were not as polite as League matches, where trainers took turns. In the wild, everyone fought at once, and attacking the trainers themselves was not unheard of. Zhao Fang felt no moral hesitation in targeting the Team Aqua members.

Just as he reached for his Poké Balls to release Gyarados and the others, he felt his sleeve being tugged.

Zhao Fang looked back, surprised to see Dawn shaking her head.

"There’s someone else."