After Aiden Flint completely crushed the Camerupt clan, he deliberately chose not to place the defeated Camerupt and Numel into his System Space.
Since the two clans were already enemies, forcing them together would only breed resentment.
If both sides were unhappy, then what Aiden had just done would lose its meaning in Arcanine's eyes.
Compared to Camerupt, Pokémon like Arcanine held a far higher place in Aiden's heart.
After all, looks mattered too.
He loved Pokémon that were both powerful and handsome (or beautiful).
The Pokédex even called Arcanine "the Legendary Pokémon," which showed just how strong, rare, and mysterious its kind was.
And among these Growlithe, there was one with enough potential to become Aiden's main partner.
That alone made him extremely happy.
After the battle ended, Aiden recalled all his Pokémon.
Thanks to the intense fighting, Sceptile, Aerodactyl, Milotic, and Pidgeot had all reached Level 48.
Metang and Lairon were both Level 41, just one step away from evolving.
Kirlia, Umbreon, Glaceon, and Infernape were around Level 30–32, with Kirlia and Infernape nearing their own evolutions.
As for Bagon and the newly hatched Eevee, they were still far from being ready. The newborn Eevee hadn't even left its infant stage yet, so it wouldn't be trained for now.
To avoid making Arcanine misunderstand, Aiden approached her with only the Kirlia by his side.
As the Trainer who had just saved them, Arcanine and the Growlithe were naturally inclined to trust him.
But trust alone wasn't enough to make a wild Pokémon follow someone.
When Arcanine let out a low growl to warn him not to get closer, Aiden glanced at the Kirlia twins.
They acted as translators, using telepathy to convey his words.
"Arcanine, I know you and your children have been wandering because you couldn't find a suitable place to live. As a mother protecting her children, I truly admire you."
"But for the Growlithe… even a few strong Pokémon would be enough to wipe them out."
"I have a place—a paradise for Pokémon. The Pokémon you just saw all live there in clans inside my System Space."
"If you and your children go there, you can finally live happily, without worrying about powerful Pokémon attacking you or being forced to wander again."
Hearing this, Arcanine was still doubtful.
With her experience, she had encountered countless Trainers.
Some wanted to capture her.
Some wanted to sell her pups.
Some wanted only Arcanine and didn't care about the Growlithe at all.
No one had ever wanted all of them together.
Just as Arcanine hesitated, the Growlithe with the highest potential suddenly ran forward and stopped at Aiden's feet, wagging its tail and licking him.
It didn't want its mother to suffer anymore.
Seeing this, Aiden took out some Berries from the System Space and gave them to the Growlithe and Arcanine, gently patting the little Growlithe's head.
The pup looked overjoyed.
Arcanine's expression grew complicated.
Her children were clearly tired of wandering.
But was what this human said truly real?
If it was… then for her children's sake, becoming his Pokémon wasn't unacceptable.
Letting out a low growl, Arcanine stepped forward and stared straight into Aiden's eyes.
As an Arcanine, she had the instinct to sense human intent.
If she detected no hostility, she would accept.
After a long moment, Arcanine finally let out a howl toward the sky, signaling Aiden to take out a Poké Ball.
Aiden was overjoyed.
He captured Arcanine and all five Growlithe, bringing them into the System Space.
He then arranged a volcanic area for them to live together.
Although he had captured all of them, Aiden only planned to train the Purple-tier Growlithe.
He explained this to Arcanine, and after some discussion, she agreed.
The Growlithe would train and battle, and any injuries would simply mean it was growing stronger.
With a safe home and Rayquaza's presence, Arcanine finally felt at ease.
No mother would ever refuse a future where her children could become stronger and happier.
…
After capturing the Growlithe clan, Aiden continued searching Mount Chimney.
But it seemed his luck had run out.
After finding nothing else of value, he headed for Lavaridge Town.
Lavaridge was a hot-spring town at the foot of Mount Chimney.
Its springs were famous, and Aiden decided to enjoy one.
Unfortunately, all of his Pokémon had already found partners…
Leaving him to soak alone.
At times like this, he really wished he had a girlfriend to enjoy the hot springs with.
After arriving in Lavaridge Town and leaving his Pokémon with Nurse Joy, Aiden went to relax in the springs.
The volcanic hot springs were incredible—so good that he even considered building one inside the System Space.
After retrieving his Pokémon, he headed straight for the Lavaridge Gym.
The Gym Leader was a newcomer who had only taken the position recently—
Flannery.
A Fire-type specialist and, at the very least, an Ace-tier Trainer.
For this Gym battle, Aiden planned to send out Growlithe and Infernape.
The third Pokémon would depend on what Flannery used.
After his team had fully recovered, Aiden walked into the Lavaridge Gym.
"So you're today's challenger? I'm Flannery, the Lavaridge Gym Leader. I hope we can have a fiery battle today."
…
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