From the moment the Electirizer was revealed, Electabuzz felt an overwhelming desire to possess it. His eyes never left it.
James smiled before handing the Electirizer directly to Electabuzz.
Silas quickly fashioned a makeshift satchel so Electabuzz could wear it instead of carrying it in his hands.
Electabuzz happily admired his new accessory.
"If you use some of those Normal-type gems on the Electirizer, you can raise its grade from medium to supreme with enough energy. Since the energy isn't a perfect match, there will be some loss during the conversion. You could also return to that electrically charged mountain, but that sounds considerably more dangerous than simply using the crystals you already possess. Thunder Stones would work as well. Unfortunately, you only have 550 BP, which isn't enough to purchase a medium-grade Thunder Stone. Those cost 750 BP. High-grade costs 1,500, while supreme costs 3,000."
Hearing Hermes' suggestion, Silas found himself in agreement.
He already knew the Ursaring tribe possessed a reserve of Thunder Stones.
Raiding them would not only secure valuable resources but also earn a substantial amount of BP.
If everything went well, one battle could solve multiple problems.
Once he finished planning, Silas prepared dinner for everyone.
With extra hands available, the work went much faster.
While cooking, Silas continued practicing his psychic control by manipulating the utensils with his mind.
The process demanded tremendous concentration.
One careless mistake would shatter everything.
He also prepared a large batch of diluted Pokéblocks, allowing every Pokémon to indulge without worrying about energy backlash.
Politoed, in particular, absolutely loved them.
The next week passed peacefully.
While Jessie, James, Meowth, and all of their Pokémon recovered from their injuries, Silas trained his own team relentlessly.
Monferno and Electabuzz pushed themselves the hardest, sparring against one another every day.
Without Aura enhancing Monferno, the two were almost perfectly matched.
Whenever Monferno wanted to improve his Aura techniques, he trained alongside the 2 Poliwrath.
Their guidance significantly refined his close-quarters combat.
Much to Silas' surprise, Monferno learned Mega Kick from them.
That happened on the third day.
During the remaining 4 days, Monferno focused exclusively on mastering the move.
What made Monferno truly frightening was his natural combat talent.
His instincts bordered on genius.
In only a week, his mastery of Mega Kick had already reached Rank C.
He even developed his own variation.
Instead of using Mega Kick solely as an attack, he utilized it as a burst movement technique, allowing him to speed blitz opponents.
At the moment, the technique placed tremendous strain on his body.
Silas wasn't concerned.
It would only be used to finish battles. The recoil-like damage was an acceptable tradeoff.
Even Politoed and Poliwrath incorporated Monferno's variation into their own fighting styles. Ironically, Politoed mastered it better than anyone.
It could unleash Mega Kick with almost no warning. To Silas, it looked almost identical to Teleport.
Once Jessie, James, and the rest had fully recovered, Silas decided it was finally time to leave the pond.
His next destination was the forest where they had previously fought the Zangoose tribe.
More specifically, the nearby Ursaring tribe.
As Silas began packing their belongings, Politoed approached him.
"Would you be willing to leave some of those Pokéblocks behind? My tribe loves them. We can compensate you with several Water Stones."
Silas had been waiting for this opportunity.
"I can leave enough to supply your tribe for about 3 months."
"Anything beyond that would be difficult."
"And I won't charge you."
Politoed fell silent before speaking again.
"I'll be honest."
"I feel like I'm approaching a breakthrough."
"I want to know just how strong I can become."
Silas answered immediately.
"Politoed, this island has a restriction. You've felt it before. No matter how much you train, you'll never break through it while you're here."
Politoed looked a little worried for a brief second but returned to normal.
Silas didn't miss the quick expression and he smiled.
"If you leave this island with me, you'll be able to pursue strength without limits. You can even bring your entire kingdom."
Politoed stared at him.
"We can bring our home with us?"
Silas smiled.
"Does that mean you agree?"
Throughout the conversation, Politoed had quietly used his psychic abilities to probe Silas' emotions.
He detected no deception whatsoever.
Silas genuinely believed every word he was saying.
Thinking back, Politoed had indeed sensed an invisible limit while training countless times before.
Until now, he had simply ignored it. Every Pokémon desired greater strength and Politoed was no exception.
At the same time, he wanted peace and prosperity for his people.
Silas seemed capable of providing both.
"We agree. There is much to plan.Silas, follow me."
Politoed led Silas beneath the surface of the pond before swimming toward the bottom.
Hidden beneath a dense patch of aquatic plants lay a narrow underwater tunnel.
After swimming through it, they emerged inside a vast underground cavern illuminated by dozens of glowing Water Stones.
"This is where we train. It is also where our strength comes from."
Politoed pointed toward a crystal-clear pool.
Dozens of Water Stones rested beneath the water, causing the entire pool to glow with a deep blue light.
Without hesitation, Silas stored everything inside his System Space; The water itself, the Water Stone, everything.
Some of the Water Stones were even supreme grade.
Silas had just made a fortune.
5 supreme-grade, 20 high-grade, 30 medium grade,, 50 low-grade.
Silas intended to sell every low-grade stone.
Ungraded Water Stones were relatively common.
They could evolve Pokémon but offered no improvement in aptitude.
Low-grade stones, however, at least offered a chance of increasing potential by a small letter grade.
That alone made them incredibly valuable.
Sensing Silas' overwhelming greed, Politoed almost regretted bringing him here.
"These resources belong to my clan. Please don't steal them."
Silas immediately smiled.
"Politoed, we're allies. I'd never rob you. That said, would you be willing to let me keep half of the low-grade stones? I have no interest in taking the truly valuable ones."
Politoed nodded.
"That seems fair. Consider them payment for helping us leave this place."
Once everything had been stored away, Silas distributed Poké Balls throughout the tribe.
Naturally, Politoed and both royal guards received Ultra Balls.
Silas considered himself fortunate.
Every defeated enemy since leaving the desert base had replenished his Poké Ball supply.
Otherwise he might have been forced to leave these Pokémon behind.
That would've been a tremendous waste.
Just before receiving his own Poké Ball, one of the Poliwag approached Silas.
Unlike the others, he had already awakened his psychic power.
Establishing a mental connection, he spoke directly to Silas.
"I want to explore the world with you and Frogadier while I get stronger. I wanna be the strongest Poliwrath in the world."
Silas smiled.
He liked the little Poliwag's spirit.
"As long as your father agrees, I'd be happy to have you."
Silas already suspected this was the prince of the tribe.
Even so, he activated his scanner.
Poliwag (M)— Level 20
Ability: Swift Swim
Potential: B-
Moves: Rank C Psychic, Rank C Bubble Beam, Rank D Hypnosis, Rank D Double Slap, Rank D Water Gun, Rank D Pound, Rank D Mud Shot, Rank D Water Pulse, Rank D Ice Beam
Seeing the scan only reinforced Silas' decision. This talented Poliwag absolutely deserved a place on the team.
Politoed readily approved. Over the past week, Poliwrath had thoroughly reported how well Silas treated every one of his Pokémon.
Combined with Politoed's own observations, he trusted Silas completely.
Silas was merciless toward his enemies but remarkably compassionate toward those he considered allies. Politoed lived by much the same philosophy.
"Welcome to the team, Poliwag."
Poliwag immediately greeted Frogadier as his new teammate.
The two excitedly began chatting.
In many ways, this friendship had been what first allowed Silas to earn the trust of the entire tribe.
Once everything had been packed away, Silas released Corviknight.
The massive steel bird landed before him.
"Your previous trainer is dead. If you perform well, I'll release you after we leave this island."
Corviknight remained still as it watched Silas cautiously.
"If you resist, I'll either kill you or sell you. The choice is yours."
At the same time, Silas tossed several Pokéblocks onto the ground.
Corviknight hadn't eaten properly in quite some time.
It eagerly devoured them before letting out a satisfied chirp.
Silas established a psychic connection.
"I'll follow you. For those energy blocks and good treatment."
Silas blinked.
"I didn't expect it to be that simple. You followed Sam loyally so why would you willingly join the people who killed him?"
Corviknight answered without hesitation.
"Sam treated me well. That is until he obtained Haxorus. After that, the rest of us became second-class Pokémon. I was nothing more than transportation and a living shield. I don't mourn his death. Besides, survival of the fittest is what I believe in."
"I can confirm he's telling the truth."
Politoed joined the psychic conversation.
Hearing that, Silas immediately relaxed.
He understood exactly how Politoed had verified Corviknight's honesty.
A psychic of Politoed's caliber could read thoughts without weaker Pokémon ever realizing it.
Especially one already exhausted.
"Corviknight, from now on, James is your trainer. I've placed a psychic imprint on you. If you betray us, I'll find you no matter where you run. I trust we understand one another."
"That is acceptable. So long as you all hold up your end of the bargain. I refuse to be under another tyrant, I'd rather death."
Silas nodded.
Clearly, Corviknight had some trauma but he could be won over. More importantly, James needed greater strength.
An advanced-tier Pokémon would significantly elevate the Rocket trio's standing. With Corviknight joining them, travel became considerably easier.
Once everyone returned to their Poké Balls, Silas mounted Tropius while Jessie and James rode Corviknight using Sam's saddle.
Throughout the journey, Silas maintained a psychic connection between James and Corviknight, encouraging them to get to know one another.
The Aura of an advanced-tier Pokémon discouraged almost every wild attacker they encountered.
Although they stopped several times so Corviknight could rest, the overall trip remained smooth.
The return journey took 3 days.
During that time, James slowly built genuine trust with Corviknight.
Corviknight could sense James' sincerity.
James was naturally the more compassionate member of the trio. That was precisely why Silas had paired the two together.
Given the previous hostility between Jessie and Corviknight, that partnership would've been considerably more difficult.
The convenience of having Corviknight quickly became obvious.
They could now travel almost anywhere without worrying about aerial attacks.
"Prepare to descend. We'll make camp here."
Silas guided the group down toward the former burrow of the Zangoose tribe.
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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 300k 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!