Chapter 441: Do You Not Like Me Anymore?

Chapter 441: Do You Not Like Me Anymore?

"Isn't this pretty good now?" Hikaru said cheerfully.

"But now, it makes me feel like I'm a terrible trainer," Xue Nai lamented. "You help with everything."

Before Hikaru could think of what to say, her tone shifted, "Never mind. It's good that you're helping. If they get stronger, they can help you in the future, right?"

"So, let's battle!"

In Hikaru's eyes, she suddenly seemed full of fighting spirit.

...

At dusk.

Athena was awakened by the aroma of food. She wanted to move but found her feet bound by psychic power. The injury on her right hand had also mostly healed.

"You're awake?" Hikaru said without turning his head. He had already set up a simple wooden shelter and a tent.

The beach and the sea area served as the training grounds for the Pokémon.

His senior's Pokémon were actually quite easy to train.

Goomy just needed to store energy and try to evolve into Goodra sooner.

As for Greninja, his own Greninja would take it under its wing, mainly to learn a series of moves like Dark Pulse and Water Shuriken.

These two, although they had looks of disgust on their faces, both said they could accept it for their trainer's sake when Hikaru asked if they were willing.

For Togekiss's psychic abilities, Latias and Gardevoir could help.

Delphox was a pure stationary attacker; Charizard could help with the explosive power and duration of its flames.

On the other hand, for Pokémon like Delphox and Goodra, what they also needed their trainer to work on was their evasion ability. After all, you need to create distance to deal damage.

In short, the last ones needing attention were Alolan Ninetales and Absol.

Regarding Alolan Ninetales's Fairy-type moves, to be honest, not even Gardevoir was very proficient... He would have to find a trainer who specializes in Fairy-types to consult in the future!

This was quite necessary. A provincial-level Fairy-type Gym might have deeper knowledge of Fairy-type Pokémon than even a Champion-level trainer.

"Why didn't you hand me over to the League?"

Looking at her surroundings, Athena asked in a low voice. In the last moments before she lost consciousness, she had seen the League trainers arriving.

"Keeping you is definitely useful. A Team Rocket Elite Four member has to be worth something, right? Handing you over to the League would be such a waste," Hikaru replied without hesitation.

Although he said that, his hands didn't stop moving.

He was making Pokéblocks.

Bulbasaur was battling Delphox.

The fiery Flamethrower occasionally cast a glow in the twilight.

Bulbasaur would also periodically retaliate with its most practiced move, Razor Leaf.

Charizard stood to the side, roaring "Ang, ang," instructing Delphox on how to sustain its flames.

Xue Nai was commanding Alolan Ninetales in a battle against Gabite.

Alolan Ninetales was slightly stronger, at level 49.

Gabite was level 48.

Coupled with the type advantage, and without a trainer's guidance, Gabite was almost completely suppressed.

The little shark and Dragonair had never faced any real hardship, and Gabite also wanted to catch up to Charizard and the others.

So, sometimes, taking a beating like this was acceptable.

The visual shock of seeing this whole circle of Pokémon was incredibly stunning to her.

The pseudo-legendaries Dragonair and Gabite.

The other Pokémon, Lucario, Charizard...

"Wooo wooo~"

With another cry, Athena's expression completely froze.

A small Lugia with pink dorsal fins flew over from the sea, landed next to Hikaru, and then returned to its Poké Ball.

Another Legendary Pokémon?

And this technique for making Pokéblocks...

As a member of Team Rocket's Elite Four, even if her status was slightly lower, she wasn't so unobservant.

This method of making Pokéblocks was at least at the expert level.

"What do you want to trade me for with Team Rocket?"

In her shock, Athena couldn't help but ask.

Hikaru replied casually, "We'll see if I can get anything first."

He wanted to see how much influence this Elite Four member had in Team Rocket. If her influence was significant, he might actually be able to get something for her. If not, then he'd just hand her over to the League sooner rather than later. Getting resources from the League in exchange for her wouldn't be bad either.

"..."

With her feet bound, Athena knew she was a fish on the chopping block and could only assess her surroundings for now.

Following the source of the psychic power, she soon saw a red-haired girl sitting alone on the beach.

A psychic?

No...

She quickly recognized that this girl was not human.

Then, according to the file Landa had uploaded, this must be that Elite Four-level Latias.

At that moment, Latias was sitting on a mat, staring blankly at the sea.

Two Legendary Pokémon...

What charm does this teenage boy possess?

How can I escape?

Before fainting, Athena remembered Hikaru putting her Poké Balls in his dimensional backpack.

Although she was a top-tier Elite Four trainer, she had no way of breaking free from Latias's restraints.

And he also had Aura...

The young man's voice came from nearby,

"If you're thinking of escaping, don't bother. I change locations every time I contact Team Rocket; they won't find us. Given our history, you should be glad I haven't dealt with you directly."

This dispelled Athena's thoughts.

Looking at the finished Pokéblocks, Hikaru stood up, glanced at the bound Athena, and after a thought, took out some instant biscuits from his time exploring secret realms and tossed them in front of her. "Don't starve to death."

"What about my Pokémon?"

Her legs were bound, but her hands were free. Looking at the biscuits within reach, Athena didn't pick them up immediately but first asked about her Pokémon.

"Don't worry, they won't starve."

Stretching, Hikaru said without turning back.

For a prisoner, getting biscuits to eat was already very good treatment.

"..."

Watching Hikaru walk over to Latias, Athena finally picked up the biscuits.

She still cherished her life...

...

...

"Do you miss Manaphy?"

Walking up to Latias, Hikaru sat down with a plop and asked softly.

Even Athena could sense Latias's low spirits, so of course, he could too.

"A little."

Latias replied, following his lead.

But in reality, she wasn't missing Manaphy that much; it was just that after he asked, she felt like she did.

"Let me see if it's nearby. If it is, we'll go find it and play!"

"Oh..." Latias replied distractedly.

Then she asked, "Hikaru, do you not like me?"

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