[Ding!]
Pokemon: Excadrill
Type: Ground / Steel
Species: Subterrene Pokémon. The evolved form of Drilbur. It skillfully uses the drills on its head and both hands to burrow underground at incredible speed. Its drills are powerful enough to pierce thick steel plates, and depending on where it digs, it can even damage the foundations of buildings or underground tunnels.
Ability: Sand Force
Nature: Rash
Gender: Male
Base Stats: Total 508
HP: 110
Attack: 135
Defense: 60
Special Attack: 50
Special Defense: 65
Speed: 88
Moves:Rapid Spin, Hone Claws, Mud-Slap, Fury Swipes, Metal Claw, Dig, Hone Claws, Slash, Rock Slide, Earthquake, Swords Dance, Drill Run, Horn Drill.
Egg Move:Head Smash.
TM Moves: None.
Evaluation: Excellent! Possesses a powerful body and an indestructible drill. Excadrill is an outstanding physical attacker with excellent potential. Highly recommended for training.
.....
"Very nice stats. Although I didn't find a Snivy this time, catching this Excadrill is still a pretty good haul. This trip through the grasslands wasn't a waste."
Sitting atop a massive boulder in the grasslands, Liam finished checking the stats of the Excadrill he had just captured. Seeing how impressive it was greatly eased his disappointment over failing to find a Snivy.
At the moment, both Liam and little N were resting on the rock, with little N wrapped in a large blanket.
Earlier, after little N had fallen into the mud pit, all of his clothes had become filthy. Taking advantage of the break, Liam had asked him to change out of the dirty clothes. Then he had Empoleon use Whirlpool, turning it into a giant washing machine to thoroughly clean the clothes. Since he didn't have a Fire-type Pokémon to dry them, Liam simply hung the clothes on the tent frame under the sun and waited patiently.
Fortunately, summer was just around the corner. The sunlight was warm enough that in less than half an hour, little N's clothes had completely dried.
After little N, who had nearly fallen asleep waiting, changed back into his clean clothes, Liam and he left Wellspring Cave Meadow behind and resumed their journey toward Nacrene City.
Since there was quite a long distance between Striaton City and Nacrene City, they passed through a forest. By the time Liam noticed that dusk had fallen and it was no longer suitable to continue traveling, he found an open area at the edge of the woods and pitched a tent for the night.
Liam and little N simply ate some bread for dinner. Having walked all day, little N was already exhausted and quickly fell asleep while hugging Purrloin.
Seeing that little N was asleep, Liam dimmed the camping lantern hanging from the top of the tent to its lowest setting. Looking down at the sleeping child, an odd smile slowly spread across his face.
"Hehehe... Should I try the Dream Ball?"
Lying on his side beside little N, Liam somehow had a Dream Ball in his hand. His eyes sparkled with curiosity as he slowly moved it closer to little N.
There had always been rumors that N was actually the child of a human and a Pokémon. According to those rumors, that was why N loved Pokémon so deeply while remaining distant from humans. His mysterious ability to communicate and befriend Pokémon also seemed to lend those stories a certain degree of credibility.
If N really were the child of a human and a Pokémon...
...then perhaps a Dream Ball—whose capabilities rivaled those of a Master Ball—might actually be able to capture him.
With that thought, Liam quietly brought the Dream Ball closer to little N...
However, just before it touched his body, Liam suddenly pulled his hand back.
"Heh... Just kidding. I'd never do something that pointless. Time to sleep—we still have a long journey tomorrow."
He casually tossed the Dream Ball back into his storage space, folded his hands behind his head, and before long drifted off to sleep as well.
The night passed peacefully.
In the blink of an eye, it was already the next morning.
Having already washed up, Liam was preparing breakfast with his portable cooking utensils. On the clearing in front of the tent, little N was directing his Purrloin in a battle against the Excadrill Liam had captured the previous day.
"Go, Purrloin! Teach that bully from yesterday a lesson! Use Fury Swipes!"
Little N was clearly still upset about falling into the pit yesterday. Now that he had the chance, he was determined to show off his skills and give Excadrill a proper beating.
"Meow!!"
Ever since little N had rescued it, Purrloin had stayed faithfully by his side. Although little N had never caught it in a PokeBall, Purrloin still listened to all of his commands.
Upon hearing the order, its sharp claws immediately gleamed with a cold light. Letting out a loud meow, it charged straight toward Excadrill.
"Hehe. Excadrill.. let's use Fury Swipes too."
"Drill!!"
While cooking breakfast, Liam calmly issued the command.
With a low roar, Excadrill rushed forward. Its steel claws also flashed as it met Purrloin head-on.
For a while, the two Pokémon exchanged blow after blow, making it seem as though they intended to fight for hundreds of rounds.
In reality, given Excadrill's strength, Purrloin wouldn't have lasted long at all. The only reason the battle looked evenly matched was because Liam had instructed Excadrill before the fight not to take it seriously and simply play around with little N and Purrloin.
Although Excadrill was rather dissatisfied with such a playful battle, it obediently refrained from using its full strength.
Excadrill: "...Well, obviously! That Pokémon that spits water is standing right behind me! Do I dare disobey?"
With tears practically welling in its eyes, Excadrill glanced at Empoleon standing not far behind it.
In the end, it could only endure the humiliation.
Just then—
"Alright, little N, breakfast's ready! Come eat before it gets cold. We'll be setting off as soon as we're finished. Empoleon, Excadrill, Purrloin—you three come over too. Your Pokémon food is ready."
Carrying a plate in each hand, Liam called out to them.
"Meow!!"
"Hey! Purrloin! Wait for me!"
The moment Purrloin heard there was Pokémon food, it immediately forgot all about the battle. Abandoning Excadrill without hesitation, it sprinted toward Liam.
Little N froze for a second before realizing what had happened, then hurried after it while shouting.
Since it was a rare peaceful morning, Liam took the opportunity to release Garchomp, Lolo, and Deoxys.
Deoxys was an extraterrestrial Pokémon that very few people even knew existed. Even if someone saw it, they wouldn't recognize it. Naturally, little N had never seen a Deoxys before. He was only briefly surprised by its unusual appearance before accepting it.
As for Rayquaza, its emotions still hadn't completely stabilized, so Liam decided not to release it.
Thus, after a cheerful breakfast, Liam and little N packed up their camping gear, brought Purrloin along with them, and continued their journey toward Nacrene City.