Pokémon: Raising Abandoned Pokémon into Legends

Chapter 49: Mankey’s First-Tier Reward Unlock; Rio’s Panic

"I need to go on a trip soon—I have to leave this afternoon. So even if you offered me a million League coins, I couldn’t come right away."

Seeing that Rio had important business, James didn’t push. "Alright, I’ll wait for you."

They chatted for a while longer, until Rio said he needed to get going, and then ended the call.

"Young Master James? Are you really choosing him just like that? Don’t you think it’s too hasty? His guidance skills haven’t even been verified yet. Given your status, you should only hire the very best instructor," the butler standing nearby said with dissatisfaction.

James looked exasperated. He’d never had any say in this household, and he was sick of it.

"Butler, I know what you mean. But just this once, can I be stubborn?" James pleaded. "And my gut tells me he’s the best Pokémon guide out there. The fact that he used himself as a punching bag for Mankey and came out unharmed shows he really understands Pokémon."

"But—"

"Head Butler, the first round of test results are in! That guide was absolutely right—Staryu mastered Swift after exactly forty-five practices! It’s incredible!"

Before the butler could say more, another servant came running over excitedly. "Young Master James," the servant added respectfully upon seeing James.

James nodded, then turned to the butler with a smile. "See, Butler? I was right—he really does have the skills."

The butler’s eyes went wide with shock, as if he couldn’t believe that Rio’s one-glance assessment had turned out to be accurate.

On the other side—

After ending the call with James, Rio packed up, climbed onto Charizard’s back with Mankey, and headed for Vermilion City.

Two hours later, Rio arrived at Vermilion City’s port. Under the envious and astonished gazes of many onlookers, he leaped off his black Charizard with Mankey in his arms.

"You worked hard on this journey, Charizard. Get some good rest in your Poké Ball."

"Roaar~"

Rio patted Charizard’s head, recalled it, then joined the queue to board the ship with his online ticket. He’d originally considered taking a faster train, but with Mankey likely to have an outburst mid-journey and cause chaos on board, he’d decided against it. Instead, he chose a ship with private cabins—perfect for getting beaten up in peace. You have to admit, that’s forward-thinking, right?

"Ho-ja~"

And as Rio had predicted, after he boarded with Mankey, the little Pokémon was sleeping on the cabin bed when the ship’s departure horn irritated it—its anger flared up. With great restraint, it woke Rio, who had just fallen asleep.

Rio opened his eyes, saw Mankey’s furious expression, and frantically threw on his outfit. After another round of punches and kicks, Mankey’s friendship rose again—to 1, now just two points away from the capture threshold.

The commotion was so loud that other passengers thought a murder was happening and knocked on the door, but Rio shouted at them to stay out.

"At this rate, I should be able to unlock the reward by tomorrow at the latest," Rio muttered, lying on the floor after the beating. "I wonder what Mankey’s first-tier reward will be."

A day later.

Johto region, Olivine City.

Rio walked off the ship with Mankey in his arms, under the strange stares of the crew. He ignored them completely.

Why? Because late last night, Mankey had gone berserk again—even louder than the first time. It had even alerted the captain. The crew ignored Rio’s warnings and sent their Pokémon to break down the door.

Then Mankey, in its rage, had charged out.

After that, they were moved to a different cabin, and no one came within ten meters of that area for the rest of the voyage.

"Don’t blame me for this—I warned them! I said don’t open the door, don’t open the door, even if I die it’s none of your business, but they just wouldn’t listen," Rio sighed, glancing back at the bruised crew members as he stepped off the ship.

He then took out a Poké Ball and released Charizard, heading toward Cianwood City, near the Lake of Rage.

Half an hour into the flight, just beyond Olivine’s borders, Mankey tapped Rio’s shoulder.

"Ho-ja~"

Rio looked down—Mankey was about to lose it again.

"Charizard, quick—take us down!" he said urgently, while excitedly and swiftly pulling out his Ghost-type outfit.

He was excited because after this beating, he could throw a Poké Ball and unlock Mankey’s first-tier reward.

Ten minutes later, after Mankey had finished pummeling Rio, Rio threw the ball.

After capture, the system prompt sounded:

[Successfully captured Pokémon Mankey.]

[Mankey’s starting friendship was -27. Current friendship is 33. Increase of 60 points qualifies for First-Tier Reward Unlock.]

[Reward Unlocked: Mankey’s talent upgraded to Elite Four level. Acquired Ability: Huge Power. Acquired one Move Disk. ]

"Huge Power!" Rio’s eyes went wide at the reward.

He was immediately drawn to the Huge Power ability. A Fighting-type that hits with double physical attack—this thing is going to be a Fighting-type god!

[Would you like to use the Move Disk?]

"Yes," Rio said without hesitation, growing even more excited.

A disk appeared before him, visible only to him. As before, it displayed six moves: High Jump Kick, Submission, Focus Punch, Reversal, Crush Grip, and Foresight.

Rio scanned them one by one, deeply satisfied—especially when he saw Crush Grip. That was Regigigas’s signature move! If Mankey got that, it would be a one-punch man. Then he saw Foresight—and his grin nearly split his face. That was also great! If he rolled that, no Pokémon could ever evade Mankey’s attacks again. Ghost-types that could avoid his moves would become a joke.

But the next second, a chilling realization struck him, and his smile froze.

Foresight was good—it would let Mankey hit Ghost-types.

Which meant... it could also hit him while he was wearing his Ghost-type outfit?!

If Mankey got angry and used Foresight on him, he’d be beaten to death!

At that thought, Rio’s smile vanished completely, replaced by sheer panic.

Just then, the Move Disk began to spin.

"Not Foresight! Not Foresight! Please, anything but Foresight...!" Rio stared at the disk, screaming internally. He’d rather Mankey have an attack weakness than be flawless. Sure, it could evolve into Annihilape and gain Ghost typing to compensate, but that was a future problem. At least until he found a better solution, Mankey not being able to hit Ghost-types was safer—he didn’t want to become a trainer killed by his own Pokémon in the middle of the night.

With a flash of light, Rio even released Munchlax, whose luck was maxed out, to boost his own fortune.

A moment later—

The spinning stopped.