Is this guy really human?!
This was Gray Tauros's subconscious thought; he was more inclined to believe that Red was a humanoid Pokémon, not a weak, ordinary human. Just the aura subtly emitted from Red's direct gaze was enough to make Tauros tremble all over, deflating his proud spirit.
"Lose to me and become my companion," Red said indifferently, taking out a Safari Ball from his waist to show Tauros his intention.
Tauros nodded. As the leader of his family, he had no reason to refuse Red's challenge. If he chose to turn and flee at this moment, he would no longer be the Gray Tauros whose name struck fear in the Wilderness Area.
Seeing someone dare to challenge their leader, the other Tauros became restless, each wanting to step forward and teach Red a lesson on behalf of their leader. However, they were quickly stopped by Gray Tauros, who wanted to defeat Red with his own strength.
(You probably can't even beat him with one finger…)
This wasn't Tauros belittling his companions, but rather out of safety considerations. After all, Tauros himself wasn't entirely confident he could defeat Red.
"Everyone, come out."
Red threw out five Poké Balls from his waist, first letting Tauros see his current travel team.
Big Steelix, Blood Red Gyarados, Scizor, Milotic, and Cubone appeared before the many Tauros.
Beedrill, Charizard, and Pidgeot—these three Pokémon, after reuniting with the initial team and resting for a day, were sent back to Professor Oak's Laboratory by Red, replaced by Milotic and Cubone.
As soon as Blood Red Gyarados appeared, it let out a roar, using Intimidate to forcefully lower the Attack of the many Tauros. Some Tauros with the Intimidate ability tried to retaliate, but due to the vast difference in strength compared to Blood Red Gyarados, their collective Intimidate effect could not counter it.
"Don't worry, Tauros, these are your future companions. Let me introduce them to you first; they are all very welcoming to newcomers," Red said leisurely, telling Tauros not to be too nervous.
(Is this really welcoming me?)
Tauros snorted in a questioning manner. Blood Red Gyarados's eyes clearly wanted to kill him. Was this called welcoming?!
'Newbie, I advise you to obediently join the team, don't make the master personally teach you a lesson!' Blood Red Gyarados thought disdainfully, considering Red dealing with a small fry like Tauros a waste of time.
How could Tauros, as a leader, be willing to be so belittled by Blood Red Gyarados? Angrily, he used Take Down on Blood Red Gyarados. Seeing this, Blood Red Gyarados disdainfully used Aqua Tail, sending the charging Tauros flying with one move, showing no mercy.
"Roar—"
To clear the battleground, Blood Red Gyarados let out a roar, intimidating the other Tauros into fleeing.
Some weaker Tauros were so scared they immediately turned and ran, while those who trusted Gray Tauros chose to stay put. Although their legs trembled with fear, they still mustered the courage to look into Blood Red Gyarados's eyes.
"As a leader, your subordinates are excellent," Red praised, appreciating Tauros's outstanding leadership ability.
Tauros struggled for a moment, then reprimanded his subordinates, ordering them to leave quickly. He didn't want his subordinates to get hurt because of him and intended to face Blood Red Gyarados's attack alone.
"Tauros, I've been saying from the beginning that I'm battling you. Don't be too nervous."
Red gestured for Blood Red Gyarados to retreat, then walked in front of Tauros and assumed a battle stance.
Although he didn't understand Red's actions, the cautious Tauros didn't choose to attack immediately. Instead, he moved back and forth, trying to observe Red's weaknesses.
"Since you're not attacking, don't blame me for being impolite."
As soon as he finished speaking, an Aura Sphere accurately hit Tauros's body. Tauros looked at the Aura Sphere forming again in Red's hands with surprise, momentarily stunned in confusion.
"During a battle, never relax and expose weaknesses. Even a slight distraction can lead to a fatal mistake!" Red reprimanded, telling Tauros to raise his guard.
Gulp!
Tauros swallowed, increasing his focus. If Red had chosen to ambush him just now, he might have fallen right there.
Rather than simply using brute force to overwhelm, Red preferred to use this battle to make Tauros want to join his team.
In Red's view, the Tauros in front of him was no ordinary Pokémon; staying in this small Wilderness Area was truly a waste of his talent. Rather than being bound here for the sake of his family, Red hoped Tauros could see a wider world.
To attack Red from a distance, Tauros used Rock Blade. Numerous Stone Edges floated around Tauros, and after being controlled by Tauros, they swiftly attacked Red.
Without even needing to use Teleport, Red moved back and forth, avoiding the Stone Edge attacks. The Aura Sphere forming in his hands once again attacked Tauros.
Seeing this, Tauros's forehead glowed purple, and he charged in front of the Aura Sphere, using Zen Headbutt to break its power.
'A guy who can be the leader of a family is indeed not simple!'
Also being a family leader, Big Steelix was very satisfied with Tauros's performance and looked forward to Tauros agreeing to join Red's team.
'With proper training, his strength might become even better,' Scizor echoed.
Seeing that his old partners recognized Tauros's strength, Blood Red Gyarados stopped talking nonsense. Milotic and Cubone, the two juniors, wisely kept their mouths shut and quietly watched Red's battle, hoping to learn some small details about combat from it.
"It's time to get serious," Red muttered, his eyes emitting blue light as he used Psychic to control Tauros's body, restricting his movements.
Tauros surprisingly moved his stiff body, trying to break free from the Inner Focus control, but this action was also blocked by Red. An Aura Sphere once again hit Tauros's body, and the powerful impact made Tauros fall to the ground.
"Do you think being a local overlord is so great?" Red questioned, using words to break Tauros's restless arrogance. "Is reigning in this small Wilderness Area truly something to be so proud of?"
Tauros was reprimanded by Red's words to the point of being unable to retort. He indeed had a hint of arrogance, after all, most of the Pokémon residing in this Wilderness Area were dispirited and unwilling to battle. Tauros could indeed be considered a local overlord of the Wilderness Area.
"Follow me, Tauros! Travel with me, broaden your horizons, and grow stronger. I don't want you to be foolish enough to stay here, gradually wasting your talent. Is being a frog in a well your lifelong pursuit?!"
"Roar—""Roar—"
"Thump!"
Big Steelix, Blood Red Gyarados, and Scizor simultaneously extended an invitation to Tauros, hoping he wouldn't miss this rare opportunity.
'But I still have my family…' Tauros struggled internally.
'If a family is reduced to being unable to survive just because its leader changes, then that family has no reason to exist!' Big Steelix said coldly, reprimanding Tauros's naivety.
Big Steelix once busied himself as the Onix leader of Mt. Moon, but what of it? Could the family reason restrict Big Steelix's determination to become stronger? This was clearly impossible. Not to mention that the family would elect a new leader, Big Steelix also did not want his life to be bound by that false sense of moral responsibility.
"If you are willing to become my companion, then enter this Safari Ball. I will leave it here, waiting for your addition."
After speaking, Red placed a Safari Ball in front of Tauros, letting Tauros make his own choice.
[Chapter Complete]
***
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