Viridian Forest
Alex—wearing his Ditto mask—was together with Lars in the beginning part of the forest.
Viridian Forest's outer area is very safe and a good training place for rookie trainers. But that does not mean that there are no powerful Pokémon in this forest.
If you go deep enough into this forest, you can even come across Elite Pokémon. So it is a good training place for people with limited strength, like Lars.
Alex said with an unconcerned tone, "Okay, let's get our Pokémon out."
Lars and Alex hadn't exchanged any words so far, so the atmosphere was rather strange because of that.
Although it's a bit weird, Alex prefers this to Lars talking to him. He had no interest in talking to Lars and thought that it would be best if this situation stays the same.
Alex felt he understood Lars's character relatively well or at least a few traits of it.
According to Alex, Lars is a hot-headed person who will easily swallow his pride in front of a stronger person. But if he is against a person he thinks is inferior to him, then his ego would flow like the Amazon river.
There is only one thing that Alex didn't quite understand before today. Why did it seem like Lars was head over heels in love with Lisa?
He couldn't understand the attraction of being beaten, insulted, and mistreated. Why would you still like the person who does this to you?
But after he saw the care Lisa takes of Lars today, he could understand it... a little bit.
But even if he had a guess, he couldn't really understand how the relationship between Lisa and Lars works.
'Well, it doesn't matter. I just have to know that Lisa really has feelings for him in order to take advantage of it if such a situation arises,' Alex thought as he got half of his Pokémon out of their Pokéballs.
He got Gardevoir, Crobat, Bastiodon, and Umbreon out of their Pokéballs.
Alex didn't want to reveal too many of his Pokémon when he is out with a Team Rocket member and has worn his Ditto mask.
Although Lars was wearing regular trainer's clothes, Alex wanted to be on the safe side just in case something unexpected happens.
Alex had also prepared a plan for the plausibility of this being a trap by Lisa. In such a case, he wanted to remain flexible.
Alex didn't think Lisa would really try to lay a trap for him since she has no reason for it. But for a very slim chance, Alex wants to be guaranteed.
Lars checked the surroundings once more before taking out two Pokéballs from his belt, throwing them on the floor.
A Crobat and an Alakazam appeared on the ground. Alex didn't waste time and checked their information.
Pokémon: Crobat
LV: 27
Type: Poison/Flying
Ability: Inner Focus
Gender: Male
Potential: Shallow Silver
Moves:
- Absorb, Supersonic, Astonish, Bite, Wing Attack, Confuse Ray, Swift, Haze, Leech Life, Mean Look
- (Innate Talent) Cross Poison [E]
- (TM) Protect, (TM) Toxic [E], (TM) Sludge Bomb
Pokémon: Alakazam
LV: 32
Attribute: Psychic
Ability: Inner Focus
Gender: Male
Potential: Shallow Gold
Moves:
- Disable, Kinesis, Teleport [E], Psybeam, Ally Switch, Psycho Cut, Recover, Psyshock, Role Play, Future Sight
- (Innate Talent) Future Sight [E], (Innate Talent) Reflect [E], (Innate Talent) Psychic [E]
- (TM) Protect, (TM) Calm Mind
A surprised look crept its way on Alex's face.
Crobat was at such a low level despite being Shallow Silver Pokémon. After more than half a year, a good trainer with enough money can bring a Shallow Silver Pokémon to LV 30 or even LV 35.
This Crobat was only level 27 despite Lars not having any money problems. It shows that he doesn't really spend much time training him.
Level 27 within six months is fantastic for ordinary trainers. But only if you have a Bronze Pokémon and not a Shallow Silver Pokémon while having enough financial support.
But what really impressed Alex is Lars's second Pokémon.
A Shallow Gold Alakazam reminded Alex a lot of the Alakazam from Lisa.
It had two out of three of the exact Innate Talent moves and even looked relatively young. This third Innate Talent move—not similar to Lisa's Alakazam—probably came from Lisa's Alakazam's partner.
Alex was pretty sure that this Alakazam was the child of Lisa's Alakazam. Mainly because he had heard a long time ago how Lars had gotten a good Pokémon from Lisa.
Although this is an S-rank Psychic-type Pokémon, it should have been a Silver Pokémon or, at max, a Deep Silver Pokémon at its birth.
But even if that's the case, this Pokémon is still extremely valuable.
Alex also suspected that Lars was spending most of his time with Alakazam during the training. His neglect towards Crobat was visible.
Other than that, he couldn't explain why a Pokémon that Lars got later—still very young—is stronger than his starter Pokémon.
Although trainers in this world often do that, Alex doesn't like this type of behavior.
Though he can understand why some trainers would choose to do that. When the survival rate for trainers under the Elite rank is grim, and you have little money, it is not irrational to make such a decision.
But why Lars, who doesn't have this problem, still neglects his start Pokémon is not understandable to Alex.
Alex stopped thinking about this pointless topic and suddenly saw how Bastiodon had a confused face as he was looking at Lars.
Alex asked telepathically, "Bastiodon, what's going on?"
Bastiodon looked at Alex and said with a puzzled face, "Umm... that person seems to have some kind of steel thing between his legs. This is the first time I've felt steel in a place like this. What is that?"
'A steel thing between his legs?', He couldn't but be a bit surprised when he thought, 'Is that a gun or a piercing?'
"Bastiodon," Alex asked seriously via telepathy, "What shape is this Steel thing between his legs?"
Bastiodon paused a few seconds before he said, "Uh... it has a strange shape. It reminds me of armor, but it is much smaller and only protects a very small part of the body. There is also a tiny steel lock on it. It really is awful armor, if you ask me."
Alex started to put the pieces together that Bastiodon had given him and facepalm inwardly.
'I think I know what that is, but I wish I didn't know. I should never have accepted this stupid assignment,' thought Alex as he reflected upon his life decisions.