Just one bite, and Dragapult was completely conquered by the Energy Block.
There was no helping it.
To it, which had never eaten anything before, this was undoubtedly the most stimulating experience it had ever had.
Moreover, these were top-quality Energy Blocks, not the kind that were used to fool Togepi back then.
"Chaco Yee?"
'Tasty, right? Tasty, right?'
Togetic eagerly watched Dragapult, expecting an answer.
Dragapult didn't disappoint, nodding vigorously.
Delicious!
Of course, it was delicious!
Then it looked at Natsuhiko with an even more hopeful gaze.
That look was just like the little girl next door who, after tasting candy, hoped for a second piece with a fawning expression.
Natsuhiko smiled and took out another Energy Block.
It's good that you like it.
Sitting on the ground, he fed Energy Blocks to Dragapult while leisurely distributing food to the other Pokémon.
It was time for meals anyway.
Dragapult lay obediently on the ground, waiting for Natsuhiko to feed it.
But its appetite seemed insatiable, almost rivaling that of a Snorlax.
Constantly consuming top-level Energy Blocks like this was a bit much for Natsuhiko.
Luckily, when all the Pokémon stopped eating, the straightforward Dragapult assumed mealtime was over too.
It just clicked its tongue with a hint of lingering desire, reminiscing about the previous taste.
From this moment on, Dragapult's life, which was previously dull and monotone, finally added a few rich strokes of color.
This taste, it might never forget in its lifetime.
"Dragapult, do you want to leave here?"
'Yes!'
This time, Dragapult answered without hesitation. Its curiosity about the outside world and the lingering taste of the delicious Energy Blocks now completely occupied its mind.
"But these two chains..."
Natsuhiko showed a look of helplessness.
He had Doublade try previously, but it was ineffective.
Even using the "Sword of Universal Equality" wielded the same results.
If it could inflict even a little damage, they could slowly wear the chain away.
'Chains?'
Dragapult looked at the two black chains binding it and understood Natsuhiko's meaning.
Jingle jingle—
As Dragapult twisted, the chains made a crisp sound.
This was one of the few ways it could pass the time.
In this quiet stone chamber, only it and the chains could make any noise.
So it always thought these chains were its most precious possession, being very careful not to damage them.
But now.
It suddenly felt that these two chains were such an eyesore.
They had become the biggest obstacle to leaving here.
Fury rose in Dragapult's eyes, and it turned to bite down on the chain.
Seeing this, Natsuhiko shook his head helplessly.
These two chains were used by ancient people to restrain Dragapult, so how could it break free so easily?
He spoke up, "It's useless, Dragapult. These chains were specifically made to restrict you. Although I don't know what material they're made from, they're very sturdy, you'll absolutely..."
Crack!
Natsuhiko's expression froze.
He saw a very fine crack appear on the pitch-black chain where Dragapult bit, and as Dragapult's force increased, the crack continued to spread.
Could it actually break free?
Natsuhiko looked at it in astonishment.
It turned out Dragapult could escape its restraints; its growth had already exceeded the upper limit of his expectations for its strength.
It just didn't know these were what bound it, so it never tried biting before.
"Wait, Dragapult!"
Natsuhiko hurriedly moved to stop it.
If it truly broke free, then the subsequent plans couldn't be executed!
"Baluya—"
Dragapult released its bite, rubbing its mouth continuously.
'Really hard...'
Then it looked at Natsuhiko and softly called out again.
'You're right, I really can't bite through it.'
Natsuhiko's eye twitched as he discretely grabbed the chain, gently covering the crack with his hand.
"Ha-ha—isn't it?"
Dragapult nodded its head continuously.
"Actually, I have a simpler method, with a good chance of success. We can try it first, and if that doesn't work, we'll try breaking the chain."
"Baluya!"
Dragapult didn't think much about it. Since Natsuhiko said so, there must be a reason behind it.
"Like this."
As Natsuhiko spoke, he took a Super Ball out of his bag.
He really regretted it now, truly.
Because the Pokeballs he had prepared were either ordinary Pokeballs or these Super Balls.
Against regular Pokémon, or even Elite Level ones, as long as they were captured and the Pokeball was locked, it was foolproof.
But ordinary Pokeballs and Super Balls seemed somewhat inadequate when dealing with this Dragapult in front of him.
Natsuhiko even felt that even if he locked the Super Ball, as long as Dragapult wanted to, it could leave anytime.
The essential binding power was absent.
Looking at the Super Ball, Dragapult tilted its head.
What's this?
Can I eat it?
It said, about to bite it.
"This isn't for eating; it's a Pokeball, a tool used to carry Pokémon, like this."
He used another Pokeball to recall Tyrantrum.
Then opened the Pokeball to let it out again.
Tyrantrum looked helpless but didn't dare to say a word.
No choice, whether it was Natsuhiko or Dragapult, it couldn't afford to offend either.
Especially Dragapult.
Both were Dragon-type Pokémon, and with its Dragon-type lineage, it felt Dragapult's presence the most strongly.
In its eyes, this wasn't some cute, well-behaved Dragapult, but a complete prehistoric beast.
In front of Dragapult, Tyrantrum felt like it was just a chick, ready to be eaten with a couple of hops.
"Baluya!"
When Dragapult saw the Pokeball's function, its eyes lit up instantly.
'Fun!'
"Shall we try it?" Natsuhiko asked tentatively.
Dragapult nodded its head repeatedly.
Then he gently tapped the Super Ball on Dragapult's body, reminding it, "Don't resist."
As the Super Ball opened, the red light enveloped Dragapult, bringing it together into the Super Ball.
Jingle jingle—
Without Dragapult's support, the chains fell directly to the ground.
It proved Natsuhiko's guess was correct. Although these chains could limit Dragapult, they couldn't withstand changes in space.
Perhaps in ancient times, the chains could resist the sealing abilities of an Ancient Pokeball, but against modern Pokeball's spatial abilities, they had no defenses.
Thud!
Dragapult truly didn't resist. The Super Ball stopped shaking with a locking sound.
This meant that this Dragapult, whose exact strength was unknown but certainly very strong, had been captured!
Before he could show any sign of happiness, the Super Ball opened on its own; Dragapult appeared again, now free of chains.
"Baluya!"
Dragapult joyfully called out, spinning inside the stone chamber.
It really worked.
Natsuhiko's expression slightly stiffened.
Indeed.
Just a Super Ball wasn't enough to restrain this Dragapult, even when locked, it was the same.
The result might have been the Super Ball breaking directly, allowing Dragapult to return to freedom.
"Baluya?"
But before Dragapult could celebrate for long, its side wings trembled slightly, it straightened up, and its eyes looked towards a corner.
Or rather, it was looking in the direction far away from this ruin.
"What's wrong, Dragapult?" Natsuhiko asked.
"Baluya..."
'It seems like something is calling me...'
Dragapult hesitated, unsure if its feelings were accurate.
It felt like, from afar, there was a voice continually calling out to it.
Very faintly.
Previously, bound by chains, it couldn't sense it, but as soon as it was free, it "heard" it.
Upon hearing this, Natsuhiko slowly furrowed his brows.
A call?