Zhuqing Breeding Center.
Early in the morning, Li Wei received an unexpected guest—Zorro, the Section Chief of the Jubilife City Police Headquarters.
Zorro wore a brown bowler hat and a well-fitted brown suit, exuding elegance.
If he were a little shorter and plumper, he would resemble Inspector Megure from Li Wei's memories.
Li Wei had met Zorro before; he was the husband of Bell, who lived nearby, and was around forty-five years old.
"Mr. Zorro."
Although they had met, Li Wei wasn't very familiar with him compared to Bell, who often brought her Growlithe to visit.
"Li Wei, I apologize for disturbing you so early in the morning." Seeing Li Wei, Zorro removed his hat in apology.
It was indeed very early, not yet seven-thirty.
Li Wei shook his head: "It's fine, I was going to get up to train anyway."
Zorro got straight to the point: "Since I have to go to work at eight-thirty, I'll be brief."
Zorro was always busy with work, a true workaholic.
This was also why Li Wei rarely saw him.
"Please speak."
"I would like to ask you to help raise an Arcanine."
Saying this, Zorro took out a Poké Ball and placed it on the table.
Li Wei glanced at the Poké Ball on the table, feeling a bit confused, "Is it to learn a move?"
A hint of helplessness appeared on Zorro's face: "No, it's not about learning a move. This is a long story…"
"This Arcanine is an excellent graduate and has joined the most elite unit, but please forgive me, I cannot disclose the name of this team…"
"By the way, do you know Team Galactic?"
Li Wei nodded slightly: "I do."
Team Galactic was annihilated, Cyrus disappeared, the three executives seemed to have been captured, and now only the grunt remain, right?
Zorro immediately explained: "This Arcanine was ambushed during a battle with Team Galactic.
In a secluded cave on Mt. Coronet, it was hit by a flash bomb and a group of Electrode's Self-Destruct…"
"What?!" Comrade Leon couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, quickly covering his mouth.
Zorro didn't mind and continued to explain the situation:
"Fortunately, it was rescued in time. Joy and the Pokémon doctors treated the Arcanine."
"Initially, we all thought it was fully treated, but only its physical injuries were healed."
After that, whenever there was anything resembling a flash bomb, the Arcanine would become scared, even during combat exercises."
"Actually, we tried many treatments, as its aptitude is excellent and it's still very young, but…"
"After multiple Identifications, the Arcanine is no longer capable of serving as a police dog and can only be retired."
This was a regrettable story.
An Arcanine, an ace even within the police force's elite unit, was forced to retire at its peak.
Leon couldn't help but ask: "Why did this happen?"
Zorro shook his head: "Unfortunately, we don't know either."
Li Wei frowned, "Then why did you come to me? I don't think I can do it."
Li Wei could probably guess what was wrong with this Arcanine; it was suffering from a severe psychological illness.
PTSD, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
A mental illness often seen in soldiers returning from battle, and also in ordinary people who witness natural disasters or tragedies.
Li Wei had encountered patients with PTSD before.
They would seem normal usually, but upon hearing the sound of a machine drilling into the ground, they would cover their ears, hug their heads, squat down, and tremble all over.
Being able to guess the Arcanine's condition didn't mean Li Wei had the ability to treat it.
Li Wei was not a psychologist.
Just Feebas alone was enough to give Li Wei a headache; he really wasn't confident about the Arcanine.
Zorro gave an unexpected answer: "Actually, it was Mr. Qinglv's suggestion."
Qinglv was once a Champion and is now the Viridian Gym Leader. Even though Zorro was much older than Qinglv, he still respectfully addressed him as "Mr."
???
At this moment, Li Wei had a complete blank look on his face.
Li Wei was puzzled by this answer. What reason did Qinglv have to make such a suggestion?
Forget it, he'd ask later.
Zorro explained the reason to Li Wei,
"The thing is, the Arcanine's former Trainer, or rather, former handler, heard that ChampionQinglv had arrived and tried to find him…"
Zorro's path to finding Li Wei was very circuitous.
First, the Arcanine's former handler asked other Jennys for help, Jenny found Zorro, and Zorro found Qinglv…
Finally, Qinglv recommended Li Wei.
Because the Arcanine's former handler, Jenny, held an important position in a special unit and could not leave freely.
So, in the end, Zorro brought the Arcanine.
Zorro had no reason to lie to Li Wei; he knew Li Wei and Qinglv were acquainted, making it a lie that could be exposed at any time.
Since it was Qinglv's suggestion, Li Wei still needed to consider it, "What do I need to do? Treat it?"
Li Wei wasn't confident about this matter.
He didn't like to promise things he couldn't deliver.
If Zorro asked Li Wei to cure the Arcanine, then Li Wei could only say he was unable to Help.
Zorro shook his head: "Just let it recuperate here. The recuperation fees will be paid monthly according to the standard for retired police dogs."
Given that, Li Wei had no reason to refuse, "Alright, I accept."
At the same time, a mechanical female voice sounded in Li Wei's mind, [Ding, you have a new side quest—Arcanine's Treatment (Optional)…].
A genuine smile appeared on Zorro's face, "That's wonderful, thank you so much. I'm entrusting the Arcanine to you."
Comrade Leon, with tears in his eyes, grasped Zorro's hand: "Leave it to us!"
Zorro was not surprised; he felt Leon's determination, "I'm counting on you!"
Leon truly felt sorry for this Arcanine; he wanted to cure it.
"It's almost time, I should go to work. I'm entrusting the Arcanine to you."
Li Wei nodded: "Please rest assured, Mr. Zorro can also come to see the Arcanine anytime."
Zorro quickly drove away.
He had taken on the heavy responsibility of the Arcanine, but its treatment was not urgent; it was a long-term process.
Li Wei had good reason to think of PTSD, as he realized Feebas likely had it too.
Li Wei specifically looked up a lot of information for this.
Feebas's situation was more complex, most likely CPTSD, Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
There were two main triggers: first, long-term and recurring exposure, such as abuse or school bullying.
Second, feeling small, like a failure, or worthless.
These all matched Feebas's situation very well.
As the ugly duckling Pokémon, Feebas was a very unpopular Pokémon before evolving into Milotic.
Li Wei looked at the new side quest.
Arcanine's Treatment (Optional): Help Arcanine overcome its psychological trauma and become confident!
Reward: A segment of Arcanine's memory.
Hint: Related to Dialga and Palkia.
Li Wei chose to accept.