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"Pika pika? Pika pika~~~" (Really? You didn't lie to me, did you?~~)
Pikachu listened carefully to what Eddie had said. While the human's words stirred something hopeful within him, doubt still clouded his thoughts. It sounded too good to be true.
"Of course not. How could I lie to you about something this important?" Eddie replied earnestly, crouching down to meet Pikachu's gaze. "I'm planning to make you my partner. If you can't trust me from the start, how could we ever work together as a team?"
Eddie's words carried weight, though the unspoken meaning was clear to everyone present. If Pikachu discovered that Eddie had been deceiving him, it wouldn't just be a matter of whether they could cooperate—it would become a question of betrayal and abandonment.
The bond between Trainer and Pokemon works both ways. Trainers choose their Pokemon, but Pokemon also choose their Trainers. Simply capturing a Pokemon with a Poke Ball doesn't guarantee obedience or loyalty. Without genuine approval and trust from the Pokemon, no Trainer can expect their partner to listen to commands or fight alongside them willingly.
"Pika! Pikachu~~~" (That... that actually makes sense!)
Pikachu's ears perked up as he processed Eddie's reasoning. The logic was sound, and gradually, hope began to replace his wariness. His small face brightened with the first genuine smile he'd shown since Eddie's arrival.
Providing a safe home for his family had always been Pikachu's deepest wish. This forest served them well enough, but humans constantly disturbed their peaceful lives. Ordinary Trainers were manageable, but the thought of encountering Pokemon hunters—those ruthless individuals who captured Pokemon solely to sell them—filled him with dread.
The Pikachu clan's wariness toward humans stemmed from bitter experience. They had faced Pokemon hunters before, and if not for their strongest Pikachu's desperate battle during that last encounter, the entire colony would likely have been captured and sold.
"So, what do you say? Will you give me a chance?" Eddie asked, sensing the shift in Pikachu's demeanor and pressing his advantage while the moment felt right.
Instead of answering immediately, Pikachu scampered back to his family. Soon, a chorus of excited "Pika pika" voices filled the clearing as he shared Eddie's offer with the other Pikachu and Pichu. The sound of their laughter and chatter created a melody of hope that seemed to dance through the forest air.
These adorable creatures, who had spent their lives perfecting the art of being cute, clearly found the idea of Pallet Town very appealing.
"Pika pika~~Pika!" (Everyone agrees, but we only trust you. You'll need to take all of them with you when you go.)
Even a Pokemon like Pikachu understood the difficulty of such a massive relocation. This decision meant Eddie would need to capture every single Pikachu and Pichu in their Poke Balls, then transport them safely back to Pallet Town.
"You really trust me that much?" Eddie's mouth twitched in disbelief. He couldn't understand why Pikachu had such complete faith in him.
They had nearly come to blows just minutes ago, and while Eddie was pleased that Pikachu now believed his words, this level of trust seemed almost reckless. The entire clan was willing to put their lives in his hands based on a conversation and a promise.
"Pika~~~Pika pika pika~~~Pika pika!" (Someone was already targeting us before you arrived. If we stay here, we'll be in terrible danger.)
"Pika pika~~Pika pika~~" (Even if you're lying to us, it's better than dealing with those humans who would obviously hurt us. At least you've shown us kindness, so we choose to trust you.)
Pikachu's expression grew somber as he explained their reasoning. He spoke with the weight of someone who had already accepted harsh reality. The truth was simple: staying meant certain capture by those who meant them harm, while trusting Eddie offered at least a glimmer of hope.
If Eddie proved trustworthy, they would gain the safe haven they desperately needed. If he deceived them, well—they would have been captured anyway by staying put. Given those options, trusting Eddie was the only choice that offered any possibility of a better future.
"Someone's targeting you? Pokemon hunters, I assume?" Eddie's expression hardened as understanding dawned on him.
This explained their aggressive reaction when they first encountered him. They had probably mistaken him for another hunter. It made perfect sense now—Pokemon hunters would naturally target a colony of Pikachu and Pichu. While individual Pikachu might not be the most powerful Pokemon, they were incredibly valuable. Wealthy collectors would pay handsomely to own such charming creatures as exotic pets.
The market existed for both powerful Pokemon and adorable ones, and unfortunately, these little Electric-types fell squarely into the latter category.
"Alright then, if you're in immediate danger, we need to act now. There's no time to waste," Eddie decided firmly. "I won't capture you in Poke Balls just yet. Let me get your family settled safely first, and then we'll discuss your partnership. That way, you can see that my intentions are genuine."
Since Pikachu had chosen to place his trust in Eddie, Eddie felt compelled to honor that trust with concrete actions. By postponing Pikachu's capture until after ensuring the colony's safety, he could prove his sincerity through deeds rather than just words.
"Pika? Pikachu~~~" (Really? You'd do that for us?)
Pikachu's joy was unmistakable. Eddie's willingness to prioritize the clan's wellbeing over his own desire for a powerful partner spoke volumes about his character. This gesture convinced Pikachu that Eddie's promises might actually be genuine.
Unable to contain his happiness, Pikachu bounded over to Eddie and rubbed against him affectionately. The gesture was so heartwarming that Eddie couldn't help but smile. If Pikachu had been human, Eddie was certain he would have heard the sound of their friendship level increasing.
However, just as Eddie prepared to begin the delicate process of capturing the Pikachu colony and transporting them to safety, danger arrived.
"Hahaha! There they are! Just like our intelligence said they'd be!"
"Grab them all quickly! Once we complete this job, we can head back and show those other two what real success looks like!"
A man and woman wearing the distinctive black uniforms of Team Rocket burst into the clearing with loud, boastful laughter. Their intentions were crystal clear—they intended to capture every single member of the Pikachu colony.
"So you're the hunters who've been stalking these Pikachu?" Eddie stepped forward, positioning himself protectively between the Team Rocket agents and the Pokemon colony. "Just two Team Rocket grunts think they can handle a job this big? That's either incredible confidence or complete stupidity."
Eddie could easily identify these intruders by their uniforms, but something nagged at him. To successfully capture an entire colony of relatively strong Electric-type Pokemon, Team Rocket would typically send more experienced operatives. Why had they entrusted this mission to what appeared to be low-ranking members?
The two figures looked familiar, but Eddie couldn't quite place them. Perhaps they were more skilled than their appearance suggested?
However, Eddie's question seemed to activate some kind of automatic response in the duo.
"Since you asked so nicely who we are~~~"
Cassidy: "Prepare for trouble, we've got double the trouble!"
Butch: "Make it double, and make it double on the double!"
Cassidy: "To protect the world from devastation!"
Butch: "To infect the world with manipulation!"
Cassidy: "To denounce the goodness of truth and love!"
Butch: "To extend our wrath to the stars above!"
Cassidy: "Cassidy!"
Butch: "And Butch!"
Cassidy: "We're Team Rocket, circling Earth all day and night!"
Butch: "Surrender to us now or you'll surely lose the fight!"
After delivering their theatrical introduction, Cassidy and Butch struck what they clearly believed were impressive heroic poses.
"Wait... aren't you just knockoff versions of Jessie and James?" Eddie asked, scratching his head in confusion.
Both Team Rocket agents immediately crashed to the ground in comedic fashion.
"Knockoffs?! I'm Cassidy! Don't you dare compare me to that failure Jessie!" Cassidy shouted indignantly as she scrambled back to her feet.
"That's right! I'm Butch, not some second-rate James wannabe!" Butch added, equally offended by the comparison.
The two agents argued with Eddie as if getting their names wrong was some sort of unforgivable crime against their professional reputation.
"Oh, my mistake. You're the other Team Rocket duo that nobody remembers," Eddie said with a shrug.
Once again, both agents collapsed in exaggerated fashion, their pride thoroughly deflated by Eddie's casual dismissal of their importance within the organization.