Species: Honchkrow, Male
Market Price: 200,000 Credits
Once partnered with a now-executed mob boss. Took over a local flock after the execution and began murdering rival Pokémon and trainers attempting to tame it. Has a documented history of dive-bombing humans who make eye contact. No successful bonds since its first trainer. Price reduced due to ongoing risk assessment.
Alex released Honchkrow, who took on a strict posture as he assessed his surroundings. He regarded Alex briefly before continuing to look around and locking eyes with Hydreigon. He narrowed his eyes before looking away, as Hydreigon simply continued to stare at him, making him uncomfortable.
From this exchange, Alex could tell Honchkrow was intimidated and likely looking for a way to escape. He clearly valued being at the top of the food chain rather than being ordered around. Still, there was a possibility of cooperation.
"Work for me and I'll let you have your own flock to order around," Alex said, grabbing Honchkrow's interest. "All you have to do is protect your territory, and I'll mostly leave you alone."
Honchkrow threw a side-eye at Alex while considering the offer. It was how he already planned to live, just with a bigger boss on top.
"Run from a fight and I'll personally hunt you down and skin you alive," Alex added.
Honchkrow bared his chest and spread his wings in defiance, clearly insulted.
"Then we have no problems. What do you say?"
He thought for a moment, then looked up at Hydreigon with narrowed eyes. As a former mob boss, he knew he'd be sleeping with the Magikarp if he refused. And if he fled, Alex would make good on his promise. Either way, he didn't have much of a choice.
"Krow," he replied.
"Good. Let's shake on it," Alex said, holding out his hand.
Honchkrow stepped forward, placed a wing on Alex's hand, and shook, snapping their bond into place.
Alex could feel it was thin, Honchkrow was still a flight risk, but stronger than self-interest was his pride and sense of honor. Even mob bosses had their own code, and since they shook on it, they had a deal he would keep.
Once Honchkrow stepped aside, Alex checked the next Pokemon on the list.
Species: Krookodile, Male
Market Price: 210,000 Credits
Raised in the desert by poachers who used the subject to dispose of human corpses and erase evidence linked to trafficking operations. Killed its handlers during a routine supply run and vanished. Later discovered leading a pack of Sandile, presumed to have been influenced by the subject's behavior. Currently held in reinforced containment under continuous tranquilizer protocols.
Alex released Krookodile, who immediately bolted for him without hesitation. He was radiating bloodthirst, likely due to the fact that he hadn't eaten a human in days.
Alex shook his head as Hydreigon and Raticate both fired Ice Beams, freezing Krookodile in place. Arcanine finished him off with a Heat Wave that simultaneously thawed him.
"I was hoping he'd show the same tendencies as Gardevoir at most, but I suppose that was just wishful thinking. If he was this addicted to human flesh, there was nothing more to be done," Alex said, storing the corpse and checking the next Pokémon on the list.
Species: Sharpedo, Male
Market Price: 160,000 Credits
The subject was trained in a naval security program for targeted underwater assassinations. Decommissioned following an incident in which it attacked and killed a civilian tourist who entered restricted waters during a routine patrol demonstration. Bonding attempts failed after the subject bit off a therapy trainer's arm during reconditioning. Offered only to handlers with advanced marine experience.
Alex released Sharpedo, who flopped onto the ground and immediately began thrashing, aggressively searching for something to sink his teeth into. It took a while before he finally noticed Alex and seemed to remember what it was like to be trained back when the program had just started, before he was condemned for a single mistake.
He calmed down noticeably, prompting Alex to step closer, risking the loss of a hand. But the moment he managed to touch Sharpedo, a strong bond snapped into place. It clearly placed Alex in the role of trainer, rooted in obedience and trust.
"Don't worry. I won't have you do anything different from what you already know," Alex said as he stroked Sharpedo's rough scales. "Just protect the territory and you'll do fine. But make sure you don't attack my people, okay?"
"Sharp," he replied.
"Good," Alex said, returning Sharpedo to his ball and checking the next Pokémon on the list.
Species: Mandibuzz, Female
Market Price: 175,000 Credits
Originally used by a grave robber to desecrate burial sites. Now nests in cemeteries and attacks anyone displaying mourning behaviors. Responds aggressively to grief pheromones. Seven bonding attempts resulted in disfigurement. Market price lowered due to high containment and behavioral management requirements.
Alex released Mandibuzz, who looked around before quickly losing interest. She seemed more interested in finding a cemetery to terrorize. That was before she noticed Honchkrow, who was staring at her with hearts in his eyes. She appeared to share the sentiment, shyly covering her face. She didn't have her best bone necklace with her, due to the captivity.
Alex watched the romance blossom with mild interest. So long as they both guarded the skies of the territory, he had no complaints about letting them mate. They just had to learn to play nice with the Golbats the Crobat couple were raising.
"I see you two have gotten off to a good start," Alex said. "If you want to be together, however, you'll need to bond with me."
Mandibuzz held out a wing for Alex to hold, snapping their bond into place. It was a thin connection that promised to turn on him if he ever showed grief in front of her. It also placed her loyalties with Honchkrow above Alex's own.
"It's not ideal, but it'll have to do. I really need an air force. Let's just hope their children have better loyalties."
After Mandibuzz started cuddling up to Honchkrow on the side, Alex checked the next Pokémon on the list.
Species: Cacturne, Male
Market Price: 195,000 Credits
Captured in a remote desert region after multiple trainers were found dead along a commonly traveled route. Victims were discovered partially buried in standing positions with their gear carefully arranged, suggesting deliberate ritualistic behavior. Subject displayed extreme territorial aggression and killed two retrieval specialists before being subdued. Ultimately captured after its territory was sterilized.
Alex released Cacturne, who immediately attacked without prompting. Protects flew up as disabling moves like Charm, Thunder Wave, Will-O-Wisp, and Snarl overwhelmed him. He lay on the ground, half-dead and rendered mostly immobile.
Alex leisurely walked over and placed a hand on him, but no bond snapped into place. It seemed Cacturne had a strong conviction and a powerful sense of self. He didn't want to surrender his beliefs or ideals.
Alex signaled to Arcanine, who stepped forward and finished Cacturne off with a sweeping burst of Heat Wave.
"Too strong-willed to bond. His ritualism must have been that important. Too bad he needed human sacrifices for it, " Alex said as he stored the corpse before checking the next Pokemon on the list.
Species: Shiftry, Female
Market Price: 140,000 Credits
Found in a national park where it had been silently shadowing hikers for days at a time. Trainers reported hearing whispering at night and feeling watched, though no direct attacks were recorded. Displays signs of severe social dysfunction, avoiding eye contact and exhibiting mimicry behaviors under stress. Bonding attempts have failed due to complete emotional shutdown during interaction. Low market value reflects poor responsiveness and zero bonding success.
Alex released Shiftry, who immediately stiffened upon noticing the stares. She closed her eyes and stood still like a tree, pretending no one noticed her take a quick look around.
Alex chuckled before stepping closer and placing a hand on her trunk. No bond snapped into place, but he could sense a flicker of interest, curiosity gently probing at the edges. She was likely overwhelmed by the sudden attention, hesitant to act under so many eyes. But now, with Alex so near, she could finally focus on the calm, steady comfort his aura offered.
"Don't worry. I won't hurt you. Do you want to be friends?" Alex asked, using the kindest voice he could muster.
She opened her eyes before looking up at Alex and nodding slightly. The bond instantly snapped into place before she hugged him, terrified of her surroundings.
"It's okay. Why don't you rest in your ball for now? I'll introduce you to the others later, one at a time. Alright?"
She nodded before Alex returned her to her ball and checked the list. Two more Pokémon remained before he could begin their training.
So far, he had met 10, and 3 had proven untrainable. Still, he had reached his personal goal of bonding with 10 Elite ranked Dark type Pokémon, enough to control the 4 square kilometers of spare land.
He could already feel the strain of the added bonds pushing him toward his limit. Any more and he might start feeling more violent.
As he looked over the remaining profiles, however, he realized he probably didn't need to worry about reaching his limit at all.
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