Pokémon: Chronicles of Freedom-Chapter 658 - 657: The Mighty Combusken and the Little Glutton

"Ha ha, it seems your post-evolution state is pretty good! That Double Kick wasn't bad!" Cain said, laughing.

But just as he finished speaking, Combusken collapsed to the ground, exhausted. It was the side effect of the quality enhancement potion.

Combusken had just evolved and wanted to show off its new abilities, but it hadn't expected that a single kick would leave it so drained. Cain shook his head in resignation, picked it up, and gave it some Pokéblocks.

While doing so, he activated his system to scan Combusken's data:

Pokémon: Combusken (Quasi-Purple)

Gender: Male

Level: 16

Type: Fire + Fighting

Ability: Speed Boost

Held Item: None

Egg Moves: Flame Burst, Agility, Last Resort, Feint

Basic Moves: Scratch, Growl, Ember, Sand Attack, Peck, Double Kick

Learned Moves: Heat Wave

TM Moves: None

Combusken had reached the threshold of purple-quality, landing in a very complex intermediate stage.

The quality enhancement potion had a significant effect, but the gap between dark blue quality and light purple quality was vast. That Combusken reached a "Quasi-Purple" level was already an impressive result.

After all, the barrier between blue and purple qualities was far more difficult to overcome. Cain was confident that, with time, Combusken would reach light purple quality, as long as no unexpected deterioration occurred.

However, even Slowking, despite having returned from Mythical Island over a month ago, had yet to surpass this same obstacle, even with Pokéblocks designed by Cain to gradually improve its quality. So Combusken, too, would need time.

But Combusken could afford to wait. As long as it successfully improved its quality to light purple before evolving into Blaziken, it would be sufficient.

With Combusken's evolution, Cain was also able to confirm that the aptitude medicines worked, even on Pokémon with dark blue quality. This alone was satisfying for him.

Combusken still had one more opportunity to evolve and could use another quality enhancement potion in the future, increasing the chances of reaching purple quality or, with a bit of luck, even dark purple quality.

Imagine a Blaziken with purple quality and the Speed Boost ability, combined with its Mega Evolution! It would be capable of defeating any rival with ease.

After its evolution, Combusken gained the Fighting type in addition to Fire. While this made it more vulnerable to Flying- and Psychic-type moves, it also removed its weakness to Rock type. Overall, it gained only one new weakness.

Combusken now held a type advantage over six other types, though some aspects had changed. Its resistance to Bug-type attacks had increased from two times to four times, offsetting the new weakness it gained.

Adding a Fighting-type Pokémon to the team was a significant strategic advantage.

After giving Combusken some Pokéblocks, Cain returned it to its Pokéball. The medicine's side effects would last for a while, so it was best for it to rest.

Cain then summoned Larvitar, who carried its little backpack. Poliwag had a level advantage, but the environment wasn't favorable for its type. Larvitar, despite its low level, could use this time to train.

"Crack!"

As soon as it came out of the Pokéball, Larvitar made a crunching sound. It noticed it had been summoned and, with a bit of awkwardness, revealed that it was holding a diamond in its tiny hands, from which it had bitten a piece.

Larvitar looked slightly embarrassed, but Cain couldn't help feeling a bit exasperated at the sight.

"Am I raising a glutton?" Cain wondered. "I've given it so many diamonds, yet it still isn't satisfied."

This meant the rate at which it consumed the diamonds in its backpack would be faster than anticipated.

When Larvitar saw Cain and Aron, it grew excited and quickly offered them the diamond it had been chewing on, looking happy. It was clear it wanted to share.

"..."

Before Cain could say anything, Aron stepped forward and snatched the diamond with a bite.

"Ha! I knew you were hiding snacks. Now I've caught you," Aron thought as it chewed on the diamond, unbothered by the fact that Larvitar had already bitten it.

Realizing what had happened, Larvitar pulled out another diamond from its other hand and offered it to Cain, showing that it didn't have any more left.

Cain couldn't help but facepalm. "Alright, eat it quickly. We've got a battle to fight."

Hearing this, Larvitar's eyes lit up, and it immediately swallowed the diamond. It clenched its tiny fists, signaling it was ready, though it continued chewing on the diamond.

Aron stood beside Larvitar, having finished its diamond. Larvitar also sped up its chewing.

Cain, Aron, and Slowking patiently waited for Larvitar to finish eating.

A minute later, it was finally ready for battle, but just as Larvitar turned around excitedly, a small diamond fell out of its red backpack.

"..."

The scene turned awkward once more. The small backpack that once only held a Fragment of Groudon's armor was now bulging, full of diamonds.

Sweat appeared on Cain's forehead. "I've definitely raised a glutton."

He held out his hand. "Larvitar, give me the diamonds. I'll return them after the battle if you perform well."

With some reluctance, Larvitar emptied its backpack, which contained more diamonds than expected.

"If you don't fight well, I'll cut your food in half," Cain added.

Larvitar's eyes widened, and it suddenly displayed a hostile attitude toward the surrounding forest, causing small sand particles to rise from the ground.

"I'll fight! Nothing will stop me from eating properly!" Larvitar thought, ready for battle.

Cain smiled, realizing that raising a little glutton wasn't so bad after all. At least it had great motivation to fight: food!

(End of Chapter)