The caves of wild Pokémon, especially carnivorous ones like Tyrantrum, are always dirty, foul-smelling, and chaotic.
Natsuhiko wasn't disappointed with Tyrantrum's cave.
The deep part of the cave was scattered with numerous bones, and the stench of decay and mold was overwhelming.
After enduring the discomfort in his heart, and with the help of several Pokémon, he cleaned it multiple times until it was finally clean.
Luckily, the automatic spray system of Sharpedo made the cave look brand new.
He lit a campfire.
Released all the Pokémon to relax a bit.
Since it was too late to go out looking for food, the Pokémon's dinner consisted only of Energy Blocks, while Natsuhiko settled for some dry food.
Luckily, he always prepared plenty of dry food when going out.
However, he didn't bring much water, so he chose a living place near a water source.
This was flowing water, so he didn't worry much about water quality; just boiling the water should solve most issues.
"Snorlax."
The Snorlax lying by the campfire opened its mouth, showing no intention of moving, just hinting at Natsuhiko sitting on its belly in a daze not to forget feeding it.
Natsuhiko snapped back and continued tossing a bit of Energy Block into Snorlax's mouth.
Luckily.
He had enough low-grade Energy Blocks on hand to sustain Snorlax's appetite for a while.
He gently stroked the soft fur on its belly.
"Snorlax, cooperate with me later, okay?" Natsuhiko negotiated.
"Snorlax?"
Snorlax squinted its eyes, which were like mere slits, at its long-time "meal ticket."
Say what you will, Snorlax was quite pleased with this very "appropriate" meal ticket, no longer needing to hunt for food itself, and what it consumed had decent taste and were filled with energy-filled Energy Blocks, allowing more sleep time.
So, Snorlax would pay attention to Natsuhiko's words.
If it were someone else, Snorlax wouldn't care and would just close its eyes to continue sleeping.
"Later, don't hold back your aura, let it all out, and move a bit if I ask you to," Natsuhiko said.
"Snorlax..."
Snorlax showed a conflicted expression.
Revealing its aura was fine. It often did that before to scare off those wild Pokémon from interrupting its meal.
But moving... well...
"I'll give you an extra meal today."
"Snorlax!" Snorlax nodded decisively.
No problem.
Natsuhiko chuckled and stroked its belly again.
Handling such Pokémon was pleasant; there was no nonsense, just ensure it was fed enough.
With Snorlax's reply, Natsuhiko took out two Pokeballs.
Inside were the Yanmega and Tyrantrum he caught today.
With a flash of red light, two Pokémon, whose conditions hadn't fully recovered, appeared in the cave.
Tyrantrum's size was considerable, so the cave was large enough for both Pokémon plus Snorlax, otherwise, they might not all fit.
When the two Pokémon emerged, they saw Natsuhiko sitting on Snorlax's belly.
Just as they were about to look fierce, their attention was caught by Snorlax underneath him.
Instantly, their expressions froze.
If someone took a picture now, they'd notice Yanmega and Tyrantrum had similar looks.
Both were equally awkward and reserved.
Natsuhiko bounced off Snorlax's belly, while Beedrill, Yujira, Togetic, and Doublade gathered around.
Yanmega's eyes fell on Beedrill, while Tyrantrum's fell on Doublade.
With a hint of apprehension.
"Snorlax."
Snorlax shifted its body, pushing off the ground to slowly stand, towering like a wall behind Natsuhiko, its squinted eyes seeming harmless, but its aura was anything but friendly to Yanmega and Tyrantrum.
Moreover, at over three meters tall, Snorlax was pretty huge compared to the two-meter Yanmega and Tyrantrum.
"I'm not going to waffle; I need a Flying Pokémon and a Land Pokémon as transportation, and they might occasionally join in battles. Do you think you can handle that?" Natsuhiko calmly asked the two Pokémon.
Yanmega and Tyrantrum exchanged glances.
What does he mean?
Mounts?
"Snorlax!"
Snorlax cooperatively called out, slowly lifting its leg, almost as thick as Natsuhiko, which gleamed with a metallic sheen, and lightly stomped the ground.
Boom!!
Suddenly, the entire cave shook violently, the ground cracked layer upon layer, broad fissures surfaced, sending rock fragments smashing against the walls, leaving sizable holes.
Technique, Heavy Impact!
Natsuhiko: ...
Snorlax was still too earnest; he nearly thought this hard-found cave wouldn't withstand and would collapse.
Even knowing Snorlax was "performing," he felt like that, let alone Yanmega and Tyrantrum, directly facing Snorlax.
Gulp—
Tyrantrum's throat moved.
Steel-type Technique Heavy Impact, if it got hit by that.
It would die, wouldn't it?
Yanmega was more or less the same, considering its weight difference with Snorlax.
"Of course, I'm a good person; everyone says I'm a 'nice guy,' so if you don't want to, I won't force it."
Natsuhiko's smile remained unchanged.
He added, "However, in that case, your role might only be as sparring partners for Snorlax, it ate too much and still needs daily exercise."
Yanmega and Tyrantrum both looked at Snorlax.
Sparring partner?
Is that sparring?
That's making a Snorlax-sized sandbag, isn't it?
It would die, wouldn't it?
"Alright, as a merciful person, I give you the freedom to choose."
Natsuhiko spread his hands.
The cave fell into silence.
"Snorlax..."
Snorlax gave a long yawn, tears squeezed from its eyes.
Acting for a while made it sleepy.
It called out to Natsuhiko again.
"Snorlax."
'This is taking too long, let's finish up quickly, shall we?'
Finish up?
Yanmega reacted the fastest, stepping forward cautiously, extending a limb and gently placing it on Natsuhiko's hand, indicating its stance.
If someone could discern Yanmega's change in expression, they'd recognize its current awkward smile.
Seeing Yanmega make a stance, Tyrantrum didn't hold back either and hurried forward, stretching out its short forearm onto Natsuhiko's palm, no longer keeping its previous imposing demeanor.
Meanwhile, they comforted themselves internally.
Yielding to strength isn't disgraceful.
Snorlax obeys Natsuhiko, so obeying Natsuhiko means obeying the strong.
Living in a wild environment free of human interference, they're very receptive to survival of the fittest, weak being preyed upon ways.
Thinking this, their bottled-up feelings of grievances vanished.
"Very good."
Natsuhiko nodded in satisfaction.
He first took out a box of Energy Blocks and fed it to Snorlax.
Snorlax didn't mind the box cover, taking a mouthful then lying down, chewing and swallowing a few times before steady breaths came.
Then Natsuhiko handed some Energy Blocks to Yanmega and Tyrantrum.
"These are for you."
Giving a carrot after a stick is quite effective for taming wild Pokémon like these.
Sure enough, after eating the Energy Blocks, Yanmega and Tyrantrum showed intoxicated expressions.
It was their first time tasting something this good.