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The ability to earn a Pokémon's trust and loyalty was indeed a fundamental quality of a Trainer...
Roy agreed with this statement completely.
He looked at the Beldum before him and reached out to touch its metallic head.
The power of Aura surged, allowing Roy to convey his thoughts, letting Beldum know he harbored no malicious intentions.
"Bel?" Beldum's struggles gradually weakened as it regarded Roy suspiciously with its single eye.
This human... why does it seem so kind?
Between Roy's natural Pokémon affinity and his Aura abilities, he could make any Pokémon view him favorably—innate likability +30, at least enough to reach a level of friendliness.
Even the cautious Beldum couldn't help but lower its guard.
Not careful enough...
Roy joked inwardly while maintaining a serious expression. "Beldum, what is your dream... or what do you most want to accomplish?"
Beldum, having been born only one month ago, was merely cautious by nature rather than having developed complex intentions. When Roy asked this question, it didn't question why it should answer but immediately fell into deep thought.
Soon, it provided an answer.
"Bel! Dum!"
"Oh?" Roy was surprised and sought confirmation. "You want to protect your clan, so that one day no Pokémon would dare invade or threaten your clan's territory? So every member can live peacefully?"
"Bel!" Beldum nodded emphatically.
This was the first time Roy had encountered a Pokémon with such a "guardian" heart. This kind of will was reminiscent of a natural leader and protector.
Only born a month ago, yet already possessing this sense of responsibility...
Looking at Beldum's unusual off-white coloration, Roy pondered.
Initially, he had thought that 'Shiny Pokémon' might be discriminated against due to their unique coloration, perhaps facing rejection...
But scientific research and statistics revealed that Shiny Pokémon weren't rejected at all. In fact, they possessed obvious advantages in courtship, being extremely attractive to potential mates, and had a higher probability of becoming clan leaders compared to ordinary members of the same species.
This was reflected in various documentaries and media.
The female Butterfree that Ash's Butterfree pursued was a pink Butterfree.
This demonstrated their advantage in courtship.
As for clan leadership...
The Red Gyarados, the Green Onix, and the Light Blue Lapras were all leaders of their respective species. Even the leader of the Genesect army was a Shiny Pokémon.
Apparently, being distinctive received special treatment everywhere, and the Pokémon world was no exception.
Embraced by their clan, Shiny Pokémon born with different colors could easily develop the mindset of "I am special, I am unique."
Some Shiny Pokémon contentedly accepted this preferential treatment.
Others felt compelled to protect everyone, developing a sense of responsibility akin to royalty.
Beldum was clearly the latter.
Roy suddenly declared, "But your clan doesn't need your protection."
Beldum: "???"
"This area has always been under Ho-Oh's jurisdiction. Your clan, as well as those 'enemies,' are actually living according to Ho-Oh's rules. Haven't you noticed? As long as an enemy falls into a weakened state, your companions cease attacking... These are the parameters established by Ho-Oh."
Roy explained slowly.
Beldum would naturally realize this if it lived longer; Roy simply accelerated the revelation.
"Precisely," Ho-Oh interjected in a timely manner.
The Sacred Fire once again displayed images of the Metagross group. Under Ho-Oh's command, the two sides were forced to make peace, departing the battlefield with their wounded.
"I did not prevent the conflict between you, as it provides a means to channel your emotions, which is more conducive to governance."
Beldum, realizing the truth of its world, was immediately shocked. Its eye drooped in despair, as if life had lost all meaning. It emitted a sorrowful "Bel, dum, dum!"
A bitter truth, harshly delivered.
"You are caged birds under Ho-Oh's rules. Even if you became the clan leader, you couldn't change the status quo, as you cannot resist Ho-Oh." When others heard such words, they would likely pale with fright, hastily seeking Ho-Oh's reaction.
But Roy disregarded this concern and calmly continued:
"Unless... your strength surpasses Ho-Oh's."
"At that point, you could win true freedom for your kind."
Beldum froze.
This was a path it had never envisioned.
Pokémon were born with an innate reverence for "Legendaries"—an instinct encoded in their genes.
When imprisoned by the Sacred Fire, Beldum had experienced a profound fear, both mental and physical, robbing it of any fighting spirit.
This human is so bold...
Roy turned to look at the Sacred Fire containing Ho-Oh's will. The Legendary's reaction was as composed as Roy had anticipated.
He smiled slightly and said, "The potential of a pseudo-legendary Pokémon, in exchange for one that might ultimately match your power—is this not a favorable trade?"
A simple agreement with the Pokémon Alliance wouldn't make Ho-Oh go to such lengths, using its power every twenty years to select Trainers.
Though Roy didn't know the reason, Ho-Oh was clearly anticipating the emergence of a "Master" level Trainer, and this anticipation seemed urgent.
Roy couldn't fathom how powerful a Master-level Trainer's Pokémon might be, but they must at least equal or exceed Ho-Oh's power. The logic was simple—if a Master couldn't even challenge Ho-Oh, why would the Legendary bother with selection?
After all, second-tier Legendaries like Suicune, Raikou, and Entei were all created by Ho-Oh.
"Clever and fearless human," Ho-Oh observed, confirming Roy's theory with ironic acknowledgment.
Roy didn't mind and turned back to Beldum, entering persuasion mode.
"Beldum, I'm recognized by both Ho-Oh and the Pokémon Alliance as one of the most promising trainers of the younger generation. If I train you, I can't guarantee we'll successfully reach Ho-Oh's level, but we'd have the highest probability!"
"The world is vast, and you shouldn't remain confined to this small spiritual realm, spending your days constrained by rules set by others."
"You and I both have bright futures! We were born to be free!"
Roy extended his hand and spoke words that had cost countless lives:
"Together, let's fight for freedom!"
At this moment, Beldum recalled the fear of being dominated by Ho-Oh and the shame of being caged.
Something ignited within it.
Despite its metal body, Beldum was indeed ignited with fiery fighting spirit, having found purpose to dedicate its life to.
Perhaps others of its kind didn't mind spending their entire existence in the spiritual realm, satisfied with food and shelter—but how was that different from domesticated animals?
It needed to grow stronger.
Strong enough to rival Ho-Oh.
One day, this false paradise would be torn apart.
One day, it would challenge Ho-Oh's dominion.
One day, all enemies would be driven away!
It would fight! Fight! FIGHT!
Beldum nodded vigorously, regarding Roy with firm, respectful eyes.
At that moment, familiar panel information appeared before Roy:
[Pokémon: Beldum (Shiny)]
[Gender: None]
[Type: Steel + Psychic]
[Ability: Light Metal]
[Moves: Take Down, Iron Defense, Zen Headbutt, Iron Head]
[Comprehensive Evaluation: D]
[Popularity: None]
"This..."
Roy's emotions in that moment were akin to the surprise of drawing an ultra-rare character... No, more precisely, like drawing five ultra-rares in ten consecutive attempts.
Light Metal was a hidden ability with the effect of halving a Pokémon's weight—
In the previous scene, when Beldum had charged at an astonishing speed far exceeding its peers, Roy had vaguely suspected this, but he hadn't expected confirmation.
Not only was its ability extremely rare, but Beldum also possessed exceptional move potential.
Ordinary Beldum could naturally master only Take Down.
Other moves were either taught through TMs, learned through leveling up, or acquired through breeding...
This Beldum was only a month old and had never interacted with humans, immediately ruling out the first two possibilities.
So many moves acquired through inheritance...
This proved its genes had strong compatibility and adaptability.
In pure talent and potential, Beldum surpassed any other Pokémon in Roy's current team.
Lucario, did you see that?
Despite his excitement, Roy didn't forget to muse internally.
That's a Pokémon worthy of a Champion.
Roy took out a Poké Ball, lightly touched Beldum's body, and captured it.
The Poké Ball didn't even wobble once—a perfect capture.
Shortly after, Beldum's psychic energy emanated from within the ball. Understanding its meaning, Roy smiled and nodded, saying, "Don't worry, I'll accompany you to bid farewell to your clan."
Seeing that Roy had successfully bonded with Beldum, Ho-Oh couldn't resist adding:
"Human, I hope you'll return promptly next time, but not too late. Otherwise, I'll mercilessly mock you..."
It was the first time Ho-Oh had encountered such an unawed human.
Of course, this 'lack of awe' referred to the typical reverence humans showed... In truth, Roy hadn't been disrespectful; he hadn't been rude, and what he'd told Beldum was simply the truth.
But this 'equal' attitude was exceptionally rare.
Equal to a Legendary.
Such an approach might be considered arrogant by some.
Ho-Oh's subtext was straightforward:
I hope your talents and abilities justify this confidence.
I look forward to your next visit—don't keep me waiting too long.
Roy understood.
The next time he would face Ho-Oh would be when he became an Elite Four member.