On the surface of the sea, Lance had finally shaken off the Team Rocket pursuit. However, his Dragonite, still unable to master its newfound speed, crashed head-first into the ocean waves. With no other choice, Lance recalled the dragon and released his Gyarados.
"Let's go, Gyarados. We're heading back to the Dragon Clan. I need to find out who's trying to sabotage me." Lance patted the trident-like crest on the Gyarados's head, and the beast dove deep into the abyss.
Viridian Forest: Team Rocket Base.
A dozen helicopters descended, landing in the heart of the fortress. Instructor Viper and his adjutant stood waiting to receive the survivors. Viper had left the archipelago early to report the "Lance Situation" to Giovanni.
"Attention! The rules for this evaluation have changed," Viper announced to the weary recruits. "Due to unforeseen incidents, we are switching to a tournament system. First, congratulations—you are all now formal members of Team Rocket."
"However, only the best will rise. Each person will choose one Pokémon for a challenge. Those who lose gain nothing. The winner will be personally rewarded by Boss Giovanni himself."
Viper sighed inwardly. The original plan to rank them by points was scrapped because of Lance's interference. "Your Death Island points will be converted into internal Rocket Credits as a bonus for the terminated trial. Tomorrow, the tournament begins. Go process your paperwork."
Alice waved to Feng Che. "I need to tell my father I made it." She left immediately.
Tianchen followed suit. "I need to contact my sister. See you at the tournament, Feng Che."
Feng Che didn't head to the registration desk. Instead, he made his way toward the trade market. Passing the Life-and-Death Arena, he spotted a familiar figure: August, drinking heavily.
Feng Che noticed August's body trembling slightly. He was clearly suppressing intense pain. His Feraligatr watched him with worried eyes.
[Feraligatr: Oh no, August's old injury is acting up and he's out of medicine. We can't buy League-controlled herbs here. If he didn't lose his arm and leg in that 'accident,' he'd be a High Executive by now, not a broken old man with the power of a King hiding in the shadows.]
A King? This crippled gatekeeper is an Elite Four-level trainer? Feng Che was stunned. They really are a dime a dozen in this world.
He remembered August helping him out before. I'll pay him back.
Feng Che stepped into the arena. The Feraligatr lunged, baring its fangs, but Feng Che flicked a small pellet of specialized Cheri-syrup into its mouth. The gator's body went limp as the mild paralytic took hold.
[Feraligatr: Crap... ambushed...]
"In the end, I have to use the Gracidea flowers," Feng Che sighed.
August opened his bleary eyes. "Haha... kid, it's you. Passed the trial, did you?" He gritted his teeth, trying to hide his weakness.
"Stop drinking. It's making it worse," Feng Che said. He handed over three vials of orange elixir. "This will dull the pain. I can cure the underlying infection, but I'll need rare materials. Try these for three days. If they work, come find me."
"Rocket doctors couldn't fix me. You think your juice will?" August laughed bitterly.
"If it doesn't work, you can twist my head off and feed it to your alligator," Feng Che said, his eyes firm. "And consider limb-grafting technology. Rocket's tech is mature now. If you cooperate, you can walk again."
Feng Che left. August stared at the vials. The boy's confidence reminded him of his old friend, Feng Lu, who had been executed by the League years ago. August bit the cork off a bottle and gulped it down. A cool, refreshing taste spread through him. Within minutes, the stabbing pain in his stumps receded.
"The kid wasn't lying..." August whispered. He pulled out a specialized communicator with only one contact: Giovanni. He pressed the button.
Appraisal Center.
Feng Che found "Old Hu" (Alakazam) floating in a cloud of smoke, puffing on a pipe made from Bodhi-fruit leaves—a leaf known to boost psychic power.
"Congratulations, boy. You made a killing in the trial," Alakazam chuckled. "I have some 'private stock.' Want to test your eyes? If you identify these three items correctly, I'll give you one for free."
Three items appeared on a velvet tray.
A silver-white fang: "A Dragon Fang from a King-rank Salamence," Feng Che said after a quick inspection. "Likely harvested from a fossil. The bone structure at the root is too clean for a living harvest."
A jade-green scale: "A Life-Scale (Enraged Scale) from a Shiny Dragonite," Feng Che replied. "This is the hardest part of the dragon, near the core. Grind this into powder for energy blocks, and a dragon's growth rate doubles."
A rainbow-colored fruit: "A Rainbow Berry from a tree at least a thousand years old. It's the primary ingredient for Psychic-Potential elixirs."
Alakazam clapped his spoons together. "Impressive. You didn't fall for the color traps. Most people think a green scale belongs to a Rayquaza or a Tyranitar."
Alakazam's eyes twinkled. "You aren't just here for a test, are you?"
Feng Che smiled. "You caught me. I need specific herbs, and I think you're the only one who can get them without raising eyebrows."
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