[Telepathy I]
[You can sense the thoughts of your Pokémon, increasing your bond with them. Upgrades based on proficiency.]
It was raining heavily on the Cobalt Coastlands. Xu Li lay in a hole Axew had just dug. A campfire had just been lit in the cave, warming him thoroughly.
Xu Li tried out his newly acquired ability, Telepathy, sensing Axew's thoughts.
Xu Li felt Axew's joyful emotions. No matter where they were, being with Xu Li and fighting alongside him was Axew's happiest time. He wanted to be Xu Li's most reliable partner.
He couldn't help but hug Axew's grass-green body tightly.
"My Tooth General is the most reliable!"
"Axew~!"
Axew felt a bit ashamed. Before coming to Hisui, he hadn't been able to protect Xu Li yet... Immediately, he stuffed the Oran Berry he had just found into Xu Li's hand and jumped out of Xu Li's embrace.
"Haha, cute, Axew."
Xu Li's mood brightened. He took out an energy cube and put it into Axew's mouth, then released Paras and Growlithe from their Poké Balls.
The Growlithe was still unconscious, perhaps it hadn't rested like this in a long time.
As soon as Paras came out, it instantly recalled the pain of being attacked before losing consciousness. Its body trembled, and it desperately shrank into a corner, covering its eyes with its two relatively large pincers, appearing very frightened.
"Paras~ Paras~~ (Don't kill me~ Don't kill me~~)"
Seeing this, Xu Li offered an energy cube to Paras, rubbing the outer surface of one. Instantly, a fragrant aroma of the energy cube wafted out.
He said softly, "Don't be afraid. Here, want some?"
Paras was instantly drawn by the aroma of the energy cube, staring wide-eyed at it.
Although still scared, its four small legs involuntarily walked towards the energy cube. It first tried a small Bite, its eyes lit up, and it immediately began to devour it, completely abandoning its previous reluctance to interact with Xu Li.
Xu Li curiously leaned in and touched Paras's orange-red body. The moment Xu Li's hand touched Paras, Paras's body trembled violently.
But even though Paras's body was trembling, its gaze never left the energy cube, and its mouth kept chewing.
Paras felt it had never eaten anything so delicious in its life. Even if it were struck down the next second, it would be worth it.
Seeing how tempting the energy cube was to Paras, Xu Li gently said, "How about it, little Paras? Come with me. With me, you'll have endless energy cubes, and I can guarantee you won't get hurt easily. You just need to follow my commands!"
"Paras~ (Really?)"
Hearing about endless energy cubes and not dying, Paras's gaze left the energy cube and turned to Xu Li, its eyes sparkling.
"Absolutely true, even Dingshen isn't as true as me."
Although it didn't know what Dingshen was, the naive Paras was already fantasizing about its future life, completely without doubting if Xu Li was lying to it, appearing very excited.
"Paras Paras~ Paras~"
[Paras ♦
Level: Lv18
Ability: Damp
Moves: Absorb, Poison Powder, Stun Spore, Spore, Sleeping
Affection: 73 (Has good, delicious things)]
————
After a long while, listening to the rain outside, as Xu Li was dozing off, the Growlithe's body stirred.
Axew, who was watching the Growlithe, immediately patted Xu Li and pointed at the Growlithe.
Hmm~ Xu Li opened his eyes.
"You're awake. Have something to eat."
Saying that, Xu Li also offered an energy cube to the Growlithe.
Having witnessed the allure of energy cubes to Hisui Pokémon, Xu Li continued with the energy cube's temptation.
The moment the Growlithe opened its eyes and saw Xu Li, it immediately jumped up and watched Xu Li warily.
"Woof~"
"Don't be nervous, don't be nervous. We treated you, and you can't beat us anyway. Come, you can eat something first."
"Woah~!"
Hearing Xu Li's words, the Growlithe instantly became a little unconvinced. Its gaze turned to Axew, seemingly wanting to battle again.
"Alright, alright, Growlithe, you haven't recovered yet. If you push yourself too hard, you'll have lingering effects."
"It's not scientific to push yourself so hard to improve your strength; your strength might even weaken. Come, eat!"
It seemed to have hit a nerve with the Growlithe. The Growlithe obediently lowered its head and furiously ate the energy cubes. Xu Li also took the opportunity to stroke the Growlithe's thick fur.
The fur, which should have been soft, felt rough to the touch, tough and coarse, giving a primitive and wild sensation.
What had the Growlithe experienced? Why did it want to increase its strength so much? As Xu Li thought this, he unconsciously activated Telepathy.
Soon, Xu Li felt a pie chart of emotions from the Growlithe: three parts relaxation, five parts unknown hatred, and two parts hidden sadness.
As his mind became more focused, Xu Li suddenly felt himself entering a series of images.
It was a scene of the little Growlithe living with its mother, also a Growlithe, in Aipom Hill. There seemed to be no traces of other Growlithe.
Then, the scenes gradually shifted, and various key memories of the Growlithe appeared.
There was a scene under the sunny sky with white clouds, where the mother Growlithe taught the young Growlithe how to patrol their family's territory.
There was a scene where the mother Growlithe severely punished the little Growlithe for making a mistake.
There was a scene where the mother Growlithe taught the young Growlithe its first move, Flame Wheel, and various techniques.
There was also a scene in a warm nest piled with grass, where the mother Growlithe licked the little Growlithe's fur, and the little Growlithe slept peacefully.
But finally, the scene froze on a massive, out-of-control Drapion breaking into the little Growlithe's home. Its huge body, crimson eyes, and swinging Cross Poison struck down the mother who bravely fought to protect the little Growlithe.
And in the nest filled with withered grass after the battle, the little Growlithe watched helplessly as its mother's body glowed purple, covered in wounds, and died.
Xu Li could clearly feel the indignation and sadness on the Growlithe.
So the Growlithe was so eager for strength? To defeat the Drapion and get revenge? Thinking of the wounds on the Growlithe when he first saw it, Xu Li lovingly stroked the Growlithe again.
Since he had caught the Growlithe, he naturally had to help the Growlithe fulfill its wish. Xu Li earnestly said to the Growlithe.
"Growlithe, I will help you increase your strength!"
"To defeat Drapion, you, who only foolishly use Flame Wheel, are not enough."
"I can guide you in battle, and your rear can be completely entrusted to me and your companions."
"Food will be plentiful, and I even have a Fire Stone for you to evolve when you've accumulated enough!"
"So, just trust us…"
Under the effect of Telepathy, the Growlithe could also feel the sincerity in Xu Li's words.
Its mouth, which had been eating the energy cubes, slowly stopped as Xu Li spoke. Feeling Xu Li's emotions, its square ears twitched, and it looked at Xu Li, its eyes flickering.
Slowly after.
"Woof~"
"It's a deal then. We are now companions fighting together."
"Woof!"
————
The next day.
Scattered Rock Beach. Xu Li and his Pokémon, having come from Aipom Hill, no longer had time to enjoy the sea breeze, because the battlefield about to arrive was three Machop and one Machoke.
Xu Li picked up Paras and commanded,
"Axew, Growlithe, prepare for battle."
"Axew, Aerial Ace!"
"Growlithe, Rock Slide!"
As soon as the words fell, before the Machop noticed, Axew kicked its small legs and came to the side of one Machop, gathering its Aerial Ace arm and fiercely striking one Machop.
The Machop slammed into another Machop, both flying backward, and at their destination, Growlithe's Rock Slide awaited them.
Machoke watched the scene unfold in such a short time, furious, but before it could act,
Xu Li held up Paras and tossed it into the air,
"Aim at Machoke, Spore!"
Paras, in mid-air, was stunned for a moment before hurriedly launching the sleep-inducing Spores at Machoke.
Even unwillingly, the strongly hypnotic Spores still brought drowsiness to Machoke, causing it to fall asleep.
"Paras, and, Stun Spore, Poison Powder, use them on the remaining Machop. Oh, and also sprinkle some on the rock pile over there where two Machop are buried."
Xu Li, who had caught Paras, tossed Paras up once more.
Soon, the three Machop, affected by the powder, were dealt with by Axew and Growlithe. With Paras's double powder and Spore assistance, Machoke also fell after a slight resistance.
Xu Li threw out four Poké Balls, capturing Machop and Machoke one by one.
Xu Li lifted Paras high, praising, "Simple tactics successful! Paras, you were very useful!"
Paras also excitedly raised its two pairs of pincers.
"Paras~"