Pokémon: Raising Abandoned Pokémon into Legends

Chapter 98: Froakie (Two-in-One with Bonus Chapter)

"Boss, I’ll take all the Electric-type Pokémon in these cages," the man said.

The vendor, who had been about to send Rio’s reserved Electric-types to the front desk, froze. What’s going on today? Big spenders one after another—and they’re all after Electric-types.

"Sorry, sir—you’re too late. The Electric-types here were just reserved by another gentleman. I was about to send them to the front desk," the vendor apologized.

"Someone reserved them already?" The Tyranitar-masked man paused, then said in a low voice: "Whatever he’s paying, I’ll double it."

The vendor stared at him in shock.

Meanwhile, Rio, who had reserved dozens of Electric-types, suddenly stopped in front of a non-Electric cage. Inside was a Froakie, which glared at him with hatred—or rather, glared at every passerby with the same hostility.

[Pokémon: Froakie (Shiny)]

[Level: 15 (Consumed by hatred; leveling speed is doubled. Time until next level: 261 days.)]

[Talent: Quasi-Elite Four]

[Friendship: -25]

[Ability: Protean]

[Gender: Male]

[Moves: Pound (26%), Growl (20%), Quick Attack (20%), Lick (18%), Water Pulse (18%)]

[Description: This Froakie is consumed by hatred. Originally from the Kalos region, it witnessed its kin being accidentally killed by a hunter organization. Due to its shiny coloration, it was sold to the Johto region by the hunters.

Rio sighed inwardly—this Froakie had been through hell.

"Boss, how much for this Froakie?" Rio asked the vendor.

"Handsome, this Froakie is 43,000 League coins. For you, I’ll knock it down to 40,000," the vendor said cheerfully. Rio had already bought five Electric-types from him.

"Fine—add it to the others," Rio nodded, continuing to browse without showing any reaction.

After another half hour of browsing, confirming that he’d reserved all the Electric-types in the black market, Rio arrived at the checkout counter on this floor. He saw many of the vendors he’d reserved from earlier—but they all avoided his gaze like mice avoiding a cat.

Rio was confused but still addressed them: "Everyone, I’m here to pay." He pulled out his phone. What was money for if not to show off by paying in front of a crowd?

None of the vendors responded.

What’s going on? Don’t they want to make money? Rio frowned.

Finally, one vendor mustered the courage to speak: "Sorry, handsome—the Electric-types you reserved were bought by another gentleman. He offered double your price."

Hearing this, Rio’s frown deepened. "The rest of you too?" He scanned the other vendors, who all looked embarrassed.

"Sorry, handsome—he offered way too much."

"Yeah, we can’t say no to money."

"I wanted to refuse, but he just offered too much."

Listening to their nonsense, Rio’s face darkened. "So ’reserved’ means nothing to you? Or even if I paid a deposit, you’d still switch buyers if someone offered more?"

Damn it—I spent all that time browsing for nothing. One or two vendors, fine. But all of them? This is just messing with me. Black market—living up to its name.

Shamed by Rio’s words, the vendors hung their heads. One said: "Handsome, how about coming back in half a month? I’ll have more Electric-types then—I’ll give you the best discount."

The others quickly chimed in: "Yeah, yeah—I’ll have more too. Best discount for you."

"Same here."

"Me too—best discount, guaranteed."

Half a month? By then, the hunters will have caught Raikou already... Rio mentally cursed these idiots.

Just then, a voice came from behind him: "Sorry, buddy—in business, it goes to the highest bidder. If you can’t offer more, step aside. I’m ready to pay."

Rio turned to see a man wearing a Tyranitar mask. Though he couldn’t see the face underneath, through the eyeholes he seemed to catch a dismissive, contemptuous glare. Behind him stood several vendors Rio had just visited, who offered awkward smiles.

One vendor approached Rio with a Poké Ball. "Sorry, handsome—those Electric-types were bought by this gentleman. He didn’t buy the Froakie, so I brought it for you."

Before Rio could respond, the Tyranitar-masked man laughed: "That’s right—I’ll leave that Froakie for you. At least you won’t leave empty-handed, hahaha..."

Rio frowned at him, then at the vendors. I’ll hold my temper—catching Raikou is what matters right now. He took a deep breath and said coldly: "I’ll add another ten thousand per Pokémon on top of his offer."

The vendors’ eyes lit up—this was exactly the kind of buyer they loved. The Tyranitar-masked man’s laughter stopped abruptly.

"Really, handsome?" the vendors asked eagerly.

"Yes—pay up," Rio said flatly.

The vendors stepped forward, but before they’d taken two steps, the masked man raised the bid: "I’ll add fifty thousand per Pokémon on top of my original offer."

The vendors froze and turned to the masked man, who smirked at Rio: "Kid, you’re way out of your league. I’ve never been short of money since the day I was born—"

"One hundred thousand," Rio cut him off coldly.

The vendors’ heads swiveled back to Rio. Meanwhile, other vendors nearby gathered around, and upon learning that two rich buyers were competing over Electric-types, they kicked themselves for not having any in stock.

"Two hundred thousand—I’ll add two hundred thousand per Pokémon!" the masked man shouted, his tone now laced with irritation.

"Kid, go ahead—top that! I’m the heir of the Goldenrod Department Store—bring it on! Whatever you bid, I’ll match it!"

The crowd gasped. The vendors stared in awe at the masked man, who then tore off his mask to reveal a handsome young man with long hair.

"That’s right—I’m Saurion, heir of the Goldenrod Department Store!" Saurion declared, thumping his chest, then smirked at Rio: "Go on, bid higher! Where’s that arrogance now? I dare you to outbid me in Goldenrod City!"

Rio frowned at the arrogant Saurion. After a moment’s thought, he chose not to continue bidding. He bought the Froakie from its vendor, pocketed the Poké Ball, and turned to leave.

"Poor loser! Scared, are you? Don’t you dare bid against me again!" Saurion’s taunts followed him out.

Just before leaving the second floor, Rio paused and glanced back at Saurion, who was paying with a smug grin.

Rich, huh? Good. I like your arrogance. I hope you can keep it up.

"Ravian—want to make some money?" Rio asked the young guide, Aconite, once they reached the first floor.

"Yes," Aconite nodded, curious but not questioning.

"Keep an eye on Saurion—let me know where he goes," Rio said.

"Sir, are you planning to..." Aconite’s eyes widened behind his Charmander mask. He glanced around and lowered his voice: "That’s too dangerous—he’s the heir of the Goldenrod Department Store!"

"Two hundred thousand League coins. Right now," Rio said flatly.

Aconite hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "Alright—I’ll do my best to keep tabs on him." He pulled out his phone.

Rio shook his head inwardly—this guy caved too easily. For a big fish like this, Rio’s ceiling was a million. If Aconite had hesitated a few more seconds, he’d have raised it to five hundred thousand.

A few minutes later, Rio left the black market alone and surfaced above ground. Night had fallen. He scanned his surroundings and walked toward the woods on the right. After a few dozen meters, he released Charizard, flew for about a kilometer, and landed in a secluded area.

Rio took out the ancient Poké Ball. He twisted the switch, and moments later, Haunter emerged.

"Liar! Liar! You’re all liars!!!" it screamed in rage, immediately ready to hurl a Shadow Ball.

"Haunter—I have a way for you to see Gus again," Rio said.

Haunter froze, the Shadow Ball dissipating. It stared at him intensely.

"You can let me see Gus again? You’re not lying to me again, are you?"

Its voice echoed in Rio’s mind.

"I’m not lying. You must know that some Pokémon have the power to travel through time—like Celebi, the mythical Pokémon, or Dialga, the Time God of Sinnoh. If we find them, you could go back to the past and meet Gus again," Rio explained calmly.

Haunter was taken aback. Rio could hear it muttering Celebi’s and Dialga’s names in his mind—clearly, it was considering the idea.

"That’s easier said than done. Celebi and Dialga aren’t easy to find," Haunter said after about five seconds.

"You’re right—they’re not easy to find. But do you have any better ideas?" Rio countered.

Haunter fell silent again, seeming more rational. After a moment: "So you’re saying you’ll help me find them?"

"Yes." Rio nodded, then shifted his tone: "But I’m not doing this for free. I need you to follow my commands when I need your help."

"And if you never find them? Do I have to follow your orders forever?" Haunter refused outright—its instincts told him this human was a cunning liar.

"Do you have any other choice?" Rio didn’t bother with pretense. "Besides, I’ll tell you now—I have something coming up that requires your help. It involves a legendary Pokémon—Raikou. I’m going to catch it."

"Raikou!" Haunter was surprised—it remembered seeing a Raikou with Gus once during a thunderstorm.

"That’s right—Raikou. Since I’m going after it, you should trust that I’ll also seek out other legendaries—including Celebi and Dialga," Rio said.

Haunter fell silent again. After a long pause, Rio pressed: "If you still don’t believe me, you can just stay in your Poké Ball."

"I believe you—I believe you," Haunter finally relented.

Rio’s lips curled upward. Finally—this stubborn mule has been swayed by my persuasive talk.

"But you should give me a timeline," Haunter added. "What if you die of old age without finding Celebi or Dialga?"

Living for a hundred years sure makes you sharp. Rio raised an eyebrow: "If I reach old age and still haven’t found them, I’ll set you free before I die, and you can search on your own."

"Fine—if you haven’t found them by then, I’ll find them myself," Haunter agreed.

Sharp, but not sharp enough. Once I’m dead, what does it cost me to set you free? Rio laughed: "Deal. From now on, you follow my commands, and I’ll search for Celebi and Dialga for you until I die."

"Yes—it’s a deal," Haunter nodded. "What do you need me to do?"

"Not yet—just follow me for now," Rio smiled. So this is how it talks once it’s been convinced.

Just then, his phone buzzed. He checked it—a message from Aconite, telling him the whereabouts of the Goldenrod Department Store heir.

"Now—follow me."