Returning to the base was only necessary if Silas needed additional supplies.
His personal PC could store up to 50 Pokémon at a time. Its greatest advantage was that Pokémon placed inside entered a state of suspended animation, eliminating any threat to their health while they remained stored.
Silas placed all the captured Pokémon inside the PC except for 1 Carbink, Hippopotas, and the 3 Dragon-type Pokémon.
After everything that had happened during the recent mission, Silas vowed never to place genuine trust in any Rocket members besides those he had personally recruited.
Returning to the base now would be unwise.
Victor had already turned against him, and there was a chance that Viper had played some part in it.
Silas could no longer trust any of the Rockets. He was even beginning to feel wary of Archer and Percy.
Victor had initially presented himself as a strict but fair leader, only to turn around and attack Silas and Jason once he saw an opportunity to profit.
Getting even was an absolute necessity, but they would have to bide their time.
After settling the matters involving his captured Pokémon and newly acquired items, Silas, Jason, and their Pokémon enjoyed a meal together.
They located a hilly area and had Excadrill, Hippowdon, and Hippopotas excavate a cave. Vibrava then used Earth Power to reinforce the walls and prevent the structure from collapsing.
"Jason, I intend to remain away from the base until I feel strong enough to contend with the top-tier threats. I refuse to let anyone bully me like that again. What do you plan to do?"
"Naturally, I feel the same way. We can stay together and train. Both of us need to increase our strength quickly, or others will continue stealing from us."
Jason sighed.
"It's a shame you had to surrender that miraculous water. We could really use a resource like that right now."
Silas smirked when he heard this.
"What would you say if I told you that what I gave them was only a fraction of what I actually acquired?"
"I watched them search you thoroughly. How did you prevent them from finding the rest?"
"Don't worry about that. All you need to know is that we won't be lacking resources."
Hermes had already finished producing the 1st few batches of enhanced Pokéblocks, so Silas generously shared some with Jason.
The amount he provided was enough to last Jason and his Pokémon for the next several days.
"Okay, that's good enough for me. Anyway, I have a proposition."
Jason pointed toward Gabite.
"I want that Gabite. In exchange, I'll teach you every sword technique I know and include a high-quality blade. It can conduct both aura and psychic energy."
Silas initially intended to reject Jason's proposal.
However, after hearing about the special sword, he reconsidered.
Although Gabite was a pseudo-legendary Pokémon, it had not developed any true loyalty toward him yet. Silas also possessed more Pokémon than he could reasonably train at once.
His original intention had been to give Altaria to James and Druddigon to Jessie while keeping Gabite for himself.
"Since you are my loyal servant, I suppose I can agree."
Jason immediately threw a punch, which Silas caught in his hand.
"Hahahaha! I'm joking. Relax."
"Mhm. You play too much. No true warrior will tolerate being called a servant, even in jest."
Silas nodded after seeing that Jason was completely serious.
His reaction confused Silas slightly because Jason had no problem being referred to as a subordinate, which was fairly similar.
Still, there was no reason to argue over something so minor, so Silas simply agreed not to make that joke again.
Silas released Gabite from its Poké Ball and explained the situation.
"So, not even 1 day after making an agreement with me, you're already selling me?"
"It isn't as bad as it sounds. This man is a member of my faction and one of my closest allies. He won't mistreat you."
Jason approached Gabite, lowered himself to its eye level, and leaned in close.
"Your days of slavery are over. Now begins our camaraderie, if you are willing."
Jason stared directly into Gabite's eyes.
"Gabite, I want to help you become the most powerful Garchomp in existence."
At the mention of Garchomp, a sharp gleam appeared in Gabite's eyes.
"It isn't as though I have much of a choice. I accept."
Telepathy was truly convenient.
Most people lacked the ability to reason directly with Pokémon because they couldn't fully understand one another.
As a result, taming Pokémon that had previously belonged to another trainer was usually far more dangerous.
The following morning, the members of Spartan began an intense training regimen.
Their schedule started with physical conditioning, followed by combat practice, a short break, and then move refinement.
Silas and Jason also spent a significant amount of time developing their personal combat abilities.
Jason handed Silas the blade he had promised him.
It was a beautiful katana with a black hilt decorated by red flames. Its sheath possessed a matching design.
Silas quickly became absorbed in his sword training, occasionally becoming so focused that he neglected to supervise his Pokémon's training.
This routine continued for nearly 2 weeks.
After the 1st 4 days, the surrounding wild Pokémon began avoiding the area entirely.
To continue their combat training, Silas divided his Pokémon into pairs and had them battle one another.
With the assistance of the new healing Pokéblocks and various medicines, his Pokémon could fight at full strength without worrying about suffering lasting injuries.
The most effective training exercise Silas introduced was known as the gauntlet.
A single Pokémon would participate in consecutive battles against the others to see how far it could progress before being defeated.
Monferno was the current champion.
He had managed to defeat Ursaring, Vibrava, Frogadier, and Hippowdon in succession before finally losing to Electabuzz.
The effects of the Vitamin Pills were clearly beginning to show in Monferno.
His level had not increased, but his overall combat power had improved significantly.
Despite the intensity of their daily training, only Hippopotas made a major leap in level, reaching Level 28 under the guidance of its parent.
Vibrava continued absorbing the abundant Dragon-type energy contained within the Dragon Scale, allowing him to reach Level 45.
He was now approaching the highest level of combat power within the group.
Vibrava had even begun showing signs of evolution, but he managed to suppress the transformation.
Now that 2 weeks had passed, it was time for them to move on to a more dangerous region.
A mountainous area was located only a few days away.
With Monferno and Electabuzz both increasing in strength, Silas believed they could now enter the region safely.
He had been warned that the mountains were filled with Pokémon nearing the peak of the pseudo-advanced class.
The area would serve as the perfect training ground for his current team.
They departed immediately.
As usual, Silas returned everyone to their Poké Balls except for Frogadier and Espeon.
Silas and Jason then used their aura to travel through the forest at high speed.
As they leaped from tree to tree, Silas suddenly came to a stop.
"I sense trouble nearby. We should stop and observe the situation before moving forward."
They had unknowingly entered the territory of a Pokémon tribe.
Fortunately, they had not yet been detected, but Silas knew it was only a matter of time.
"Zan! Zan! Zan!"
Silas frowned when he heard numerous cries echoing all around them.
Without warning, a loud cracking sound erupted beneath them.
Silas felt the tree they were standing on beginning to fall. He leaped toward a nearby tree and finally spotted their attackers.
It was a large tribe of Zangoose.
These Pokémon were notoriously aggressive toward anything that trespassed within their territory.
Silas counted 18 Zangoose before searching among them for their leader.
He quickly found what he was looking for.
A larger and far more menacing Zangoose stood near the center of the group.
Its imposing presence made it obvious that it was the tribe's leader.
Silas scanned it without hesitation.
Zangoose (M) — Level 50
Ability: Toxic Boost
Potential: B-
Moves: Rank B Slash, Rank B Crush Claw, Rank B Quick Attack, Rank B Fury Cutter, Rank C Pursuit, Rank C Taunt, Rank C Detect, Rank C False Swipe, Rank C X-Scissor, Rank C Night Slash, Rank C Belly Drum, Rank C Double Kick, Rank C Counter, Rank C Swords Dance, Rank C Close Combat, Rank C Power Trip, Rank C Hone Claws
The remaining Zangoose ranged from Level 40 to Level 48.
The relentless Pokémon continued using Crush Claw to destroy every tree Silas and Jason landed on.
Eventually, they had no choice but to descend to the ground and brandish their blades.
They quickly released their Pokémon.
Silas selected Monferno, Espeon, Ursaring, Electabuzz, and Vibrava.
He could sense that all 5 were close to leveling up, making this battle the perfect opportunity for them to advance.
Jason released Scyther, Krokorok, and Gabite.
"Show no mercy. These Pokémon intend to rip us apart, so let's return the favor. Everyone else, leave the leader to Monferno."
Without waiting for further instructions, Monferno sprang into action with Mach Punch.
He flashed toward the Zangoose leader at blinding speed and drove his fist directly into its body.
The Zangoose endured the attack head-on before retaliating with a powerful Crush Claw aimed horizontally toward Monferno's head.
At that moment, Monferno ignited his Flame Aura and leaped backward while enduring the edge of the attack.
A Crush Claw from a Level 50 Zangoose wasn't easy to avoid completely.
A wide but shallow wound appeared across Monferno's body.
"Stay calm, Monferno. You can still win."
Until now, Monferno had been extremely confident in the defensive power provided by his Flame Aura.
He believed that very few Pokémon near his level could injure him while he was fighting at full strength.
Monferno turned toward Silas and raised a thumb, signaling that he remained calm.
"Since Zangoose wants to endure your attacks directly, let's give him a pleasant surprise. Infuse your aura into Mach Punch and combine it with Thunder Punch."
Silas delivered the commands telepathically to prevent Zangoose from anticipating their strategy.
Once again, Monferno flashed toward the Zangoose with one fist glowing brightly and crackling with electricity.
This time, the Zangoose didn't even have enough time to brace itself.
Monferno's fist crashed directly into its body, launching the tribe leader through several trees before it finally struck the ground with tremendous force.
The other Zangoose stared in horror as their leader was sent flying.
All 17 of them pounced toward Monferno simultaneously, their claws glowing with the energy of Crush Claw.
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Thanks for the continued support on my first fanfic!!
Moving forward, every 50 Power Stones, I will release a bonus chapter.
I will also be releasing bonus chapters for milestones. The next ones are 200k views and chapter 200.
Finally, I will be releasing 3 extra chapters once we reach 10 reviews. 5 star reviews are appreciated but not required, I want honest feedback so I can improve.
Once again, thanks for all the support and feedback!