Rivals

"What exactly is going on here?" An frowned.

Carver speculated: "The wounds on Zangoose were probably caused by this Seviper. They had a battle in the forest last night, and the result was Zangoose fleeing with heavy injuries."

"Seviper tracked Zangoose's scent all the way here to completely defeat its rival."

The facts were exactly as Carver had guessed.

Seviper's eyes locked coldly onto Zangoose.

Today, it would definitely defeat this guy completely!

Without need for words, these two ancient mortal enemies only needed one look to launch into fierce battle.

Although it was a snake, Seviper's movements were exceptionally agile.

It violently swung its blade-like tail that was both sharp and highly poisonous, striking toward Zangoose.

Zangoose immediately crossed its sharp claws in front of its body, barely blocking Seviper's attack.

The blade tail collided with the claws, producing a strange ringing sound. In the intense competition, sparks flew.

But Zangoose had just drunk the Max Potion after all—its injuries hadn't fully healed, and facing Seviper's attacks, it was ultimately at a disadvantage.

A cold gleam flashed in Seviper's eyes. It keenly noticed this and immediately launched an attack. Its powerful serpentine body instantly moved to strangle Zangoose.

"Dangerous!" An couldn't help but shout.

Fortunately, Zangoose wasn't without the ability to resist. It swung its claws and scratched forcefully. Seviper felt pain but coiled even tighter.

At the same time, it opened its gaping maw and launched a surprise attack on Zangoose.

"Isn't there some way for them to coexist peacefully?" An asked anxiously.

But Carver shook his head: "There's no way. Zangoose and Seviper are natural enemies. As long as they're together, they'll keep fighting endlessly."

The forest ranger guidelines told Carver that as a ranger, he could treat Pokémon when they were injured, but should try to avoid interfering in battles between Pokémon.

Otherwise, it would cause resentment from one side and lead to consequences like revenge.

But this kind of thing was really hard to endure!

Humans were also part of nature, so if they intervened, it wouldn't count as interference, right?

However, before Carver could act, the girl nearby had already thrown out a Poké Ball.

"Sceptile, stop them!"

White light flashed, and an agile Pokémon appeared ahead.

That was the final evolution of Treecko, the Grass-type starter from the Hoenn region!

At the command, Sceptile swung its right hand, and pure Grass-type energy immediately condensed into sharp leaves that struck the entangled Seviper and Zangoose.

Third-party intervention finally separated the two Pokémon.

"Seviper, please stop and leave here. Zangoose is already injured—this isn't fair!" An intervened.

Seviper cast its cold gaze toward this human girl and the powerful Sceptile.

Having taken Seviper's attack, Zangoose painfully collapsed to its knees, gritting its teeth.

Seeing this, Seviper decisively turned and left. Its figure quickly disappeared into the grass.

"Zangoose, it's okay now!" An stepped forward to comfort it.

Zangoose looked at this human, then turned its head away and tried to leave.

But its injuries were too severe. Before taking two steps, it collapsed to the ground.

No, it couldn't fall yet!

It had to get stronger, had to defeat Seviper!

However, Zangoose still collapsed.

When it opened its eyes again, it found itself back in the familiar breeding house.

Still the same human who had saved it.

"You're awake?" Carver observed this Zangoose's data and said helplessly: "Your strength doesn't seem to match that Seviper."

Zangoose: "..."

So it had to get stronger!

Seeing that Zangoose's description had changed, Carver asked with interest: "Have you considered cooperating with humans? You know, there's a profession among humans called trainers—they cultivate Pokémon and make them stronger."

Zangoose immediately looked at Carver.

But Carver shook his head: "I can't. I have no way to do that."

Helping Zangoose get stronger to attack Seviper would violate the forest ranger guidelines.

Zangoose fell silent again.

"However, there's someone who might be able to help you." Carver stepped aside.

An immediately came forward and asked: "Zangoose, you're awake? How do you feel?"

She had already sensed Zangoose's determination to get stronger. She wanted to help this Zangoose complete its mission!

Zangoose immediately recognized this human who had saved it from Seviper.

Just then, another customer entered the shop.

Carver got up to serve them.

When he returned, he was surprised to find that Zangoose had already become the Pokémon of the girl named An.

"Successful capture?" Carver asked.

An nodded: "Yes!"

"In that case, I'll entrust this Zangoose to your care," Carver said.

"I'll definitely take good care of it!" An replied.

Carver smiled. Perhaps after being captured by a human and forming bonds with humans, Zangoose might not be so obsessed with fighting Seviper anymore.

This might be a good thing for both sides.

He didn't delay further. That evening, he taught An's Altaria to use Dragon Dance.

Before leaving the breeding house, Zangoose looked deeply toward the forest.

Seviper seemed to sense something—it too stood in distant grass looking in this direction.

The two Pokémon faced each other across the clearing.

At this moment, Carver saw that Zangoose's description had changed again.

As if speaking to that Seviper:

Before I defeat you, you better not fall first!

Seviper didn't respond, just watched Zangoose from afar.

"Alright, Zangoose, we should go!"

An's voice came from behind.

Only then did Zangoose turn around.

Before leaving, it looked at Carver again.

This time, it pulled out a sharp claw from its fur.

Carver looked down.

[Razor Claw: A broken claw from Zangoose. Although broken, it's still very sharp. When held by a Pokémon, moves are more likely to land critical hits.]

"For me?" Carver was slightly stunned.

Zangoose nodded, then turned and left with a cold expression, looking just like an assassin.

At the same time, a line of information appeared before Carver's eyes.

[Zangoose's mood improved. Joy Level +80! Received Zangoose's gift: Forest's Gift]

[Forest's Gift: You selflessly helped a wild Pokémon living in this forest and gained the forest's attention. Nature, to thank you for rescuing its children, has bestowed upon you a gift "Viridian Power Fragment x3". Help more wild Pokémon and gain the forest's attention—perhaps it will give you more gifts.]

[Viridian Power Fragment: A gift containing the power of nature. Legend says those who obtain this power receive the forest's blessing, can sense Pokémon's inner thoughts, communicate with them, and borrow nature's power to heal their injuries. Collect 100 fragments to synthesize complete Viridian Power. Current collection progress: 5/100.]