My name is Houndoom.
But that's just my species. I have my own name:
Little Seven.
I was my late mother's seventh child, so naturally, I got the number seven.
Where the numbers come from or how we know them isn't important.
What matters is, I left home young, joined my current group, and under the boss's lead, fought openly and secretly with the nearby Salazzle group.
Through constant battles, I gained experience, improved my strength, and evolved as a matter of course.
As a Houndoom, I could beat three Salandits at once and became the boss's right hand, leading my own little gang.
With more underlings, we'd sometimes chat about the past when basking in the sun.
The name Little Seven wasn't fierce enough, so with a twinkle in my eye, I gave myself a new name:
Dire Tiger.
Now that's fierce.
I was very pleased with myself, strutting around as my underlings admired me.
But it didn't last. One sunny afternoon, I suffered my first big defeat.
It was just routine—chasing away a wild Pokémon from our territory—but I ran into Serperior.
Its dancing, dragon-like roots were imposing—no matter how much fire I spat or how hard I pushed, I couldn't budge it.
Faced with such overwhelming power, far above even the boss, I made an unthinkable decision:
To defect to Serperior, stay in the group as a "spy," and even dreamed of becoming the boss myself.
But—
Before I could use Serperior's power to become boss, I had a little problem.
I glanced at the human before me, checked to make sure none of my underlings were around, then my eyes lit up as I lowered my head to the meaty bone I'd been eyeing.
Pokémon can handle a little seasoning, so Lucas didn't just boil or steam the bone—he marinated it!
Just watching me gnaw away, you could tell how delicious that bone was.
Lucas looked kindly at me, and before he realized it, his hand had landed on my head.
My appearance is like the hellhounds of legend, realistically modeled after Dobermans—not exactly "friendly" to strangers.
Luckily, I just paused my chewing, didn't react, and kept gnawing.
So Lucas started petting my head, even stroking my big, cold, curved horns—strangely smooth, kind of like a Gogoat's.
"Puppy, how are things going?"
Finished with petting, Lucas got down to business, asking about my situation.
I just twitched my ears at his nicknames—didn't mind as long as my underlings didn't hear.
Back to the bone—so good.
When I'd finally cleaned it, I reluctantly got up to lead Lucas on.
Worried the boss would notice, we'd set the meeting at a crooked tree halfway up the hill, where Tinkatink had once been attacked.
Arriving, Lucas was surprised to see not just me, but another Houndoom and a bunch of Houndour.
About twenty Houndour plus another Houndoom—the group made up a fifth of the whole Houndoom clan.
If things kept up, even the boss's base would be taken over.
Lucas only wanted to know the group's intentions.
Three choices: a new territory, working as police dogs (with tough training), or working on the farm (but Lucas would select who).
After all, betraying their boss was a big deal—he had to be clear about the terms.
He didn't ask them to decide immediately, but gave them time to consider and a deadline.
…
Today was October 12th. They had until October 19th to finish the coup, take over the Houndoom group, and then the Salazzle group.
Compared to the excited Houndour, the Houndooms' expressions didn't change.
They'd seen Serperior's strength—there was no doubt the plan would succeed.
In their view, even if they didn't defect, their boss would lose to Serperior anyway.
As for the Salazzle group, Serperior had been seen with a beautiful snake-like Pokémon recently, likely making progress there.
But could the current Houndoom group beat the Salazzle group? After all, they'd been rivals for ages.
Lucas just smiled mysteriously, telling them to focus on their own plans.
They would handle the rest.
There was nothing else special to say—Lucas set the deadline to ensure the farm expansion and the first apple orchard would be done before November and the snow.
Before leaving, Lucas handed out marinated bones as gifts to each Houndour and Houndoom.
For wild Pokémon, nothing beats good food as a reward.
Seeing those tails wag, you could tell how happy they were.
After a while, Lucas left.
Back in Tinkatink's home—or rather, the cave that was now also his—Lucas called on Ogerpon, who'd been playing with Tinkatink, to return to the farm.
Yesterday, Geeta had contacted him, saying someone was coming to visit and had asked for the farm's address.
That person was Wallace, the Hoenn League Champion and Contest Master.
Lucas was puzzled—why would Wallace visit? Was it for Milotic?
…
3 PM.
After arranging the furniture and adding some potted plants and flowers from the greenhouse, Lucas welcomed Wallace to his new home.
In daily life, Wallace didn't wear his usual flashy, midriff-baring outfit that would make people wonder if he'd catch a cold in this weather.
Instead, he wore a light-colored wool coat, shirt, and pants—plus his signature white hat.
Less artistic, more homely.
"Please enjoy some tea."
As always, Oranguru served farm-grown hot black tea.
In Hoenn, where there are no Deerling, Wallace probably rarely drank this kind of tea—perfect for a guest.
"Thank you."
Wallace politely thanked him, savoring the rich aroma with a look of delight, then sipped the tea.
"Such an unusual, rich aroma, with a full flavor and lingering sweetness. Is this made from the tea leaves of a summer Sawsbuck's antlers?"
"That's right. I'm surprised you could tell just from the scent and taste."
Lucas looked amazed.
"Hmph, tea is an art too. My mentor, Juan, knows a bit, so I've learned a lot from him."
Clearly, Wallace enjoyed the praise.
"I see." Lucas nodded, joking: "What a coincidence—you're the first guest since I arranged the new house. Haven't even bought appliances yet."
"No wonder, I saw another three-story house with the marks of time on the other side."
Wallace smiled, stood up, and bowed gracefully.
"It's my honor to be the first to visit such a beautiful home."
Some artistic types are big on ceremony. Like Wallace, their behavior might be dramatic, but their intentions are good.
Lucas knew this thanks to Brassius and Hassel.
Wallace sat down again, enjoying tea and the sweets Alcremie brought, and chatted about Oranguru.
"That Pokémon just now seemed like an elegant butler, with impeccable manners and even telepathy. Did you train it yourself?"
"I hired it from the 'Pokémon Butler Academy' in Kalos."
Lucas answered.
"Oh, from there?" Wallace clapped his hands with a charming smile. "That's a famous academy. Even my mentor Juan hired a Gardevoir butler from there."
They chatted about ordinary things that nonetheless deepened their understanding of each other, until the tea cooled and only crumbs remained.
Wallace admitted half the reason he came was because he'd seen Lucas and his team's Rayquaza ice sculpture and Ninetales' performance in the Naranja Academy contest livestream, and decided to work with the Paldea League after taking the championship.
Lucas was stunned.
He knew the Hoenn League changed champions easily.
But Wallace's behavior—using official business to pursue his own interests—was enviable!
After Lucas voiced this, Wallace openly stated his intentions:
Since the Naranja School Contest, he'd been longing to see the evolved Milotic and Ninetales in person, and especially to view the Rayquaza ice sculpture up close.
Yesterday, besides dealing with the contest's aftermath, he'd also, as Champion, discussed cooperation with Geeta.
Hoenn, being across the sea from Paldea, Kalos, and Galar, would benefit from cooperation, and Paldea, as a young League, could learn much from Hoenn's experience.
Wallace's requests were easy to fulfill. Whether because Lucas got along with him, or just to help Paldea, Lucas had no objections.
Wallace wanted to see the Rayquaza sculpture and meet Milotic and Ninetales—no problem.
First, Lucas took him to the ice cellar.
Before going in, Lucas joked that at least Wallace's clothes were warm enough or he'd freeze.
Opening the heavy door, they walked down into the chilly, underground stairway.
Soon, a whole new world appeared.
"This is…"
Wallace's eyes widened—he hadn't expected such a vast, snowfield-like space underground!
But what really shocked him—
Not far ahead, sitting on a rock, was Regice, one of the three ancient giants from Hoenn legend, quietly admiring a frozen flower.
Wallace's eyes nearly popped out as he looked at Lucas, unable to hide his shock.
That… that's the legendary giant, Regice!?
…
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