One hour later.
Pokémon Tech office.
Just as Silas was starting to get impatient, Takashi finally returned.
There was a hint of exhaustion on Takashi's face, which prompted Silas to raise an eyebrow and ask with a smirk, "Old man, you didn't just go off to do something that would corrupt public morals, did you? Seriously, at your age, you really need to know your limits. With weak kidneys and a bad back, you might end up bedridden."
"Pfft…" Takashi had just sat down and lifted his tea for a sip when Silas spoke, causing him to spit it out in surprise. Then, sputtering with anger, he snapped, "Nonsense! I'm strong as steel—I could go seven times in a night without breaking a sweat—ugh, what am I even telling you this for? I was out handling business! What kind of person do you take me for?"
"A pervy old creep," Silas answered plainly.
It wasn't really Silas's fault for asking. Inside the League, Takashi's reputation as one of the two infamous dirty old men was well-known. The other was Blaine. The only real difference: Blaine wasn't picky—as long as it was a woman and not terribly unattractive, he was satisfied. Takashi only went after young, pretty girls—but always the willing kind.
"Rubbish!" Takashi shot to his feet, fuming. With an air of self-righteousness, he declared, "I, Takashi, have lived my life with integrity! Never once have I stooped to sneaky business. And here you are, sullying my good name? Outrageous!"
"Enough!"
Watching Takashi rant and rave, Silas cut him off before he could ramble on. "Why did you call me here, anyway?"
"Two things!" The moment Takashi got to the point, his demeanor grew serious. "First: your fiancée will be coming to Kanto within at most two months. She'll be preparing for an upcoming event, and you'll be in charge of welcoming her."
"I refuse!" Silas shot back without a second thought. He was well aware of his arranged marriage and so-called fiancée, but coming from the twenty-first century, nothing irked him more than the idea of being married off. He didn't even know her name, so the chances he'd play along were zero.
"You sure you don't want to?" Takashi asked, a sly grin curling his lips. "Do you even know who she is?"
"Does it matter?" Silas shot back.
"Heh…" Takashi let the subject drop, picking up on the next item: "Second: since you're out traveling, it's only right for me, as an elder, to give you a little something. I'd like to send you off with a Pokémon. How about it?"
"Ninetales?" Silas immediately perked up. He'd had his eye on Takashi's Ninetales for ages. That Ninetales had been at peak Elite Four level for years, with exceptionally solid abilities. If Takashi handed it over, he'd have another Champion-class Pokémon in no time!
"Dream on." Takashi dismissed the idea with a single word, then grumbled, "Ninetales has been with me for decades. It's practically family. Send it off with you for a life on the road? I'd have to be insane."
"Pfft." Silas shot Takashi a disdainful look—the excitement vanished utterly. "If it's not Ninetales, what else do you have that's any good? And even if you do have something, let's be real, it's probably just something my grandpa gave you."
"Tyranitar!"
Unfazed by Silas's sarcasm, Takashi calmly spoke the name—and those three words made Silas's eyes go wide.
Tyranitar!
A pseudo-legendary Pokémon!
Destined for peak Elite Four power!
Normally these Pokémon only live near Mt. Silver. Silas had thought about raising a Larvitar from scratch, but the cost was just too much to manage. Plus, he didn't want to keep bothering Professor Oak, so he let the idea drop.
Seeing Silas's stunned look, Takashi grinned to himself but kept a perfectly straight face. "I happen to have a pretty good Tyranitar. Its abilities are solid. Are you interested?"
"I am!" Silas nodded instantly.
"Ask nicely."
"Bite me!" Silas shot back without missing a beat.
"You little—!" Takashi was livid, jabbing a finger at Silas. "Aren't you afraid I'll just keep it for myself?"
"Oh, please." Silas gave him another withering look. "You already made up your mind to give it to me, whether I say please or not. And if you want me to beg, at least act like an elder."
"Hmph." Takashi scoffed, clearly disgruntled. "I'll give it to you, but only if you can win its approval. If you can't earn its acceptance, I can't give it to you at all."
"Fine." Silas didn't bat an eye. "Winning its approval just means a battle, right? With a Champion-class Charizard on my side, I don't see how a Tyranitar could turn me down."
"Follow me." Seeing Silas so nonchalant, Takashi allowed himself a sly smile.
...
Pokémon Tech, base of the rear mountain.
Takashi pointed up at the summit of a nearby mountain. "That Tyranitar lives up there. Go on—climb up yourself."
"Hm?" Silas looked puzzled. "You're not coming?"
"Can't be bothered," Takashi called over his shoulder, already heading back toward the academy. "I already told Tyranitar: if you beat it—or earn its respect—it'll follow you on its own."
If?
Earn its respect?
Takashi's choice of words made Silas frown.
He'd already admitted to Takashi that his Charizard was Champion-class, yet Takashi still talked like there was something to worry about. Clearly there had to be a catch. But Silas had always believed in solving things with brute force anyway—he'd know soon enough. So he simply headed up the mountain...
Half an hour later.
Silas finally understood why Takashi had said what he did. And he kind of wanted to curse.
Because he'd found Takashi's so-called "pretty good" Tyranitar. The thing was at least three times taller than a regular Tyranitar, and judging from its appearance, at least five times heavier—easily around 1,000 kilograms...
How was this just "pretty good"?
This was obviously a Champion-tier Pokémon, wasn't it?!
Silas stared in disbelief at the Tyranitar before him, mentally ranting non-stop, five words echoing through his mind: Guardian of Kanto!