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Liam walked out of the small park with a cold expression. He glanced at the street sign by the roadside, compared it with his navigation map, and quickly figured out the direction to Goldenrod City's Pokémon Rescue Center. Without lingering, he turned and headed straight there.
But he hadn't gone far before Max caught up from behind.
"Liam! Stop! What do you mean by that?!"
Max rushed up, grabbed Liam's shoulder, yanked him back forcefully, and shouted at him angrily.
Hearing the demand, Liam stopped, turned around, and frowned at Max's furious face. His hands shot out, grabbing Max by the collar and pulling him close.
"What do I mean? Exactly what I said. I made it very clear—I want strong opponents. Are you one? Look at your Charizard! It's half-dead, yet you still send it out to battle! Do you not care about Charizard's life at all? A trainer like you doesn't deserve to be my opponent…"
Liam was much taller and stronger than Max. Lowering his head, he spoke icily while holding Max firmly by the shirt.
"Let go! Charizard is my Pokémon! Whether it battles or not is my choice! It's none of your business!"
Furious at being grabbed, Max glared back with equal defiance, trying to pry off Liam's hands.
Liam froze at Max's retort, momentarily speechless. To him, Max's actions went against a trainer's code. His words just now had been infuriating—but the truth was, Charizard was Max's Pokémon. Liam had no right to interfere.
With that thought, Liam suddenly pulled harder, tearing open part of Max's shirt and revealing a savage scar beneath. Fixing Max with a sharp stare, he spoke with barely contained anger.
"…Fine! I can't interfere between you and Charizard. But what about this? What's the story behind that scar you and Charizard share? What are you hiding from us?"
"…"
Faced with Liam's sharp question, Max fell silent. He shoved Liam's hands away, adjusted his clothes, and returned to his usual indifferent look before answering.
"Just an accident. I got hurt once, but it's healed now. Nothing for you to worry about."
He said it lightly, as though it were just a scratch.
Liam let out a cold laugh at Max's evasive answer.
"Fine. You won't tell me, but someone else will. Professor Oak and Aunt Fumiko don't know they're about to become grandparents, do they? I'm sure when they hear the news, they'll rush here right away. You can explain it to them personally then."
Sneering, Liam turned and headed toward the Pokémon Rescue Center, leaving Max stunned in place.
...….
Goldenrod City's Pokémon Rescue Center was just across the street from the park Liam had left. After abandoning Max, he soon arrived inside.
"Hello, Nurse Joy. My Pokémon just finished a battle. Please help restore their health and stamina."
Liam walked to the counter and placed the PokeBalls containing Steelix and Pupitar onto the tray Nurse Joy handed over, nodding politely.
"Of course. No need to be so formal. Please wait in the lounge—it shouldn't take long."
Nurse Joy smiled warmly and gestured toward the waiting area.
"Thank you."
Liam nodded and turned toward the lounge. But just then, the doors of the Rescue Center burst open again. Max hurried inside, head lowered, face unreadable, and walked quickly to the counter. He pulled out three PokeBalls.
"Nurse Joy… please take care of th—"
He didn't even finish before Nurse Joy's furious shout cut him off.
"You again, Max?! This PokeBall… isn't this Charizard's? How many times have I told you—Charizard's body can't handle battles anymore! You're draining its life away, don't you understand?!"
Her sudden roar left Max completely stunned. Liam, too, flinched, turning back to watch in silence.
"Uh… this… actually…"
Max's face flushed with guilt and embarrassment. He stammered, clearly trying to explain, but Nurse Joy cut him off again.
"Enough! I don't want to hear it! This is the last time, Max—there won't be another! Now move aside and wait! I'll call you when it's ready!"
This Nurse Joy in Goldenrod had quite a fiery temper. Grabbing the tray of PokeBalls, she stormed off with Chansey, leaving Max and Liam standing awkwardly at the counter.
"…Ahem. Come on, let's sit over there for a while."
Finally, Liam broke the silence with a cough. He turned toward the lounge, and after a moment's hesitation, Max followed.
Perhaps because it was late, the Rescue Center was nearly empty. In the waiting room, only Liam and Max remained. They sat down in silence, the atmosphere heavy.
"Uh… ahem… so…"
Unable to take the awkwardness any longer, Liam coughed again, trying to find something to say.
"Liam, do you know about the Hunter Group?"
Before he could speak, Max suddenly blurted out the question.
Liam frowned immediately, his tone dropping.
"I know. They're an illegal poaching group. Why? Were they the ones who hurt you?"
Hearing the name, Liam instantly assumed that the scars on Max and Charizard had been caused by the Hunters. His expression darkened with anger.
"Uh… no. Someone else hurt me and Charizard. It had nothing to do with the Hunters."
But Max quickly shook his head, waving his hands to dismiss the idea.
"…"
Liam froze, his face twisted in exasperation. After a moment, he gave Max a look of disbelief, his tone irritated.
"…Are you messing with me?"
"…Why would I mess with you? I haven't even explained yet. You're just jumping to conclusions."
Max frowned back in confusion.
"…Fine. Continue."
Expression stiff, Liam leaned back, clearly in no mood to say more.