When Feng Che returned to the residential zone, he saw a constant stream of Rocket menial laborers moving in and out. Many of them carried stretchers, hauling out cold, stiff corpses.
He noticed a recurring pattern: most of the bodies had turned an unnatural, sickly blue-grey. It was clear they had died of poisoning.
These must be the candidates who failed to tame their Ekans, Feng Che thought. Ekans might not be a constrictor, but its 'Poison Sting' is no joke.
He noted that several of the bodies still had purple needles embedded in their skin.
Ekans venom contains neurotoxins. These people clearly didn't use proper protection. An Ekans in a new, strange environment is incredibly volatile; the lighting, the noise—anything can set them off. Taming a Pokémon really is the first major hurdle. Without innate talent or preparation, this is the result.
Feng Che didn't linger on the "losers." He walked toward his dorm, but as he passed a certain section, he saw laborers pulling countless black plastic bags out of a room that had been scorched pitch-black. The smell of burnt protein filled the air.
What a waste. Someone used the wrong approach and pushed a Koffing to use 'Self-Destruct.' Koffing might look dim-witted, but they possess a sort of 'great wisdom in simplicity.' If they feel truly threatened or cornered, they'll choose to go out in a blaze of glory, taking their tormentor with them.
Some of these 'newborn calves' aren't afraid of tigers. They think taming is easy. Rest in peace.
Feng Che understood that many of these recruits were the dregs of the League's society—people forced into underground organizations by the sheer hopelessness of their lives.
"That guy was so pathetic," he overheard a passing Rocket member say. "I heard some veterans swindled him out of all his credits, so he had to try taming a Koffing without any protective gear. The Koffing is fine—it just needs a day in the infirmary—but the guy is gone."
"Sigh, it happens every year. Haven't you realized yet? In Team Rocket, naive 'honest' people don't survive. I heard the failure rate for the next round is being capped at 10%."
"What? Why is the mortality rate so high this year?" Member A asked, visibly shaken.
"Word is they're looking for 'Seeds' this year. Anyone who passes will be fast-tracked for elite squads and classified missions," Member B whispered.
Feng Che ignored the rumors. He only knew that things were about to get much harder.
I'm lucky I chose Ditto. It can adapt to almost any extreme environment.
However, he had a major weakness: he only had one Pokémon. If Ditto's stamina ran out, he would be completely defenseless. He spent the last of his credits at the market on two more Thunder Shells and two Frost Shells.
He then used his remaining points to rent the training room for a full twenty-four hours. He stocked up on dry rations and water—partly for the island, and partly so he wouldn't have to leave the training room for the next day. The facility had a washroom, and if he got tired, the floor would suffice as a bed.
"Ditto, I think you have too many 'memory slots' filled with useless forms. You don't need to transform into Raticate or Fearow," Feng Che said to the blob. "They don't increase your combat power; they just clutter your mind. We'll keep Ekans, Weezing, Muk, Golbat, Gyarados, and Voltorb."
"By the way, can you shift straight into Arbok?"
In response, the Ditto rippled and expanded into a massive, three-meter-long cobra with a terrifying, hooded pattern.
Pokémon: Arbok (Ditto Disguise) Gender: Male Potential: Outstanding (Yellow) / Excellence (Green) Ability: Intimidate Level: 10 Type: Poison Moves: Wrap, Poison Sting, Acid, Leer, Glare, Haze, Iron Tail, Fire Fang, Thunder Fang, Dig, Earthquake Status: Joyful
In Arbok form, its move pool expands, and its coverage is much better.
"Good. After the island trial, you'll stay in Arbok form permanently," Feng Che decided. He didn't have the scientific equipment to fully test the limits of its mimicry, but he knew enough.
"I need you to master Arbok's movements. Of all your forms, this one has the highest consistent DPS. Gyarados is too large for most environments—save that for the open sea. Now, let's see if your power has scaled up with the form."
"Arbok, use Iron Tail!"
The Arbok slammed its silver-glowing tail into the target. The metal dummy was snapped clean in half—the force was so great it exceeded the threshold of the junior testing equipment.
"The power is there, but your speed is terrible," Feng Che critiqued. "From my command to the hit, it took you ten seconds. A real opponent would have dodged five times over by then."
"You're currently just a hollow shell of these powerful Pokémon. Anyone with experience will tear you apart. For the next three days, don't just mimic the shape—mimic the 'soul.' Mastery of the form means mastery of the speed. When you can fire off these moves instinctively, that's when you've truly won."
Feng Che continued his "serious nonsense" pep talk, knowing that for Ditto, the path to power lay in basic drills and building physical stamina.
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