[Rustboro City Pokémon Care Center]
Vincent Stone stood at the familiar courtyard gate, looking at the somewhat aged building before him, and couldn't help but smile slightly.
"Kaa!" A sharp cry rang out as the Murkrow perched atop the gate let out a rough call, then swiftly dove toward Vincent, its sharp claws carrying a hint of coldness.
Vincent naturally extended his arm, and the Murkrow landed steadily on his forearm, eagerly pressing close to him. Only after Vincent patted its head did the Murkrow finally close its eyes in satisfaction.
"As soon as I heard Little Dark's call, I knew it was you," a middle-aged woman said cheerfully as she pushed open the gate, carrying a large bucket filled with various berries that emitted a pleasant fragrance.
"Director Lilian," Vincent greeted the woman warmly.
The Rustboro City Pokémon Care Center—Vincent preferred to call this place an orphanage, because all the Pokémon living here had been abandoned by their trainers.
However, Director Lilian always referred to it as the Pokémon Care Center, never adding the word "stray." She said she was only temporarily caring for these abandoned Pokémon, as it made the clever little ones feel better.
"Vincent, congratulations on your brother becoming the Champion," Director Lilian said, taking a berry from her pocket and handing it to Vincent. He accepted it casually—it was a Mago Berry.
The taste was somewhat similar to a mango, but sweeter. Vincent quite liked it.
Director Lilian then took out another berry and handed it to Little Mimi. Little Mimi accepted it, bowed politely, and then crouched beside Vincent's feet, nibbling on the berry quietly.
"Thank you, Director," Vincent said with a smile. The berries cultivated by Director Lilian were exceptionally flavorful and more potent than those sold commercially. Some juice shops and high-end restaurants in Rustboro City sourced their berries from her, which was how Director Lilian managed to keep the care center running.
"By the way, has Lil Shroo's injury improved?" Vincent asked, picking up the bucket of berries from Director Lilian's hands as they walked into the courtyard together. As they moved, he casually took a piece of jerky from his pocket and tossed it to the Bewear behind the gate.
The Bewear, now holding the jerky, waved its formidable claws amiably before closing the gate. It was the care center's gatekeeper and also one of its residents. Vincent always called it Lil Bewear.
Little Dark flew off Vincent's arm—it was the care center's diligent surveillance camera.
"It's all better now. Nurse Joy came by to give it an injection. That little one cried so much during the shot it nearly paralyzed Nurse Joy," Director Lilian said cheerfully, laughing heartily.
The joyful laughter echoed through the care center.
Vincent laughed too.
Then, he suddenly spotted the green blob hiding in the grass. He picked up a berry and tossed it over. The berry hit the green blob and bounced off, rolling a couple of times on the ground.
The green blob turned around in confusion—it was a Shroomish.
"Lil Shroo, stop picking fights with Lil Shelgon every day!" Vincent waved cheerfully. The round Shroomish angrily bounced up and down, its soft body jiggling as it scattered copious amounts of spores with each movement.
It was clearly not convinced.
"That little one," Director Lilian shook her head, then smiled and crouched down, extending a finger toward Little Mimi. Having finished its berry, Little Mimi pressed the head of its Pikachu doll against Director Lilian's finger in greeting.
Director Lilian then picked up a bell and rang it. Instantly, the previously quiet care center became lively as Pokémon of all shapes and sizes rushed over from every direction.
When they saw Vincent, they paused briefly but then charged even faster.
Every Pokémon in the care center knew that whenever Vincent visited, he always brought delicious canned food. So, his arrivals were always the most exciting times for them.
However, there were two exceptions.
Lil Shroo stayed where it was, and no other Pokémon dared to approach it. That was because Lil Shroo had a peculiar condition—or perhaps a talent.
Its spores were abnormally abundant, to an almost incomprehensible degree. Even the slightest movement would release large amounts of spores with paralyzing, toxic, or sleep-inducing properties, spreading everywhere.
Pokémon without sufficient strength or resistance to such spores would be affected and collapse, unable to move.
Nurse Joy had examined it but admitted she couldn't do anything—this condition had never been recorded at any Pokémon Center.
Later, a Pokémon Professor came to study Lil Shroo's symptoms, but so far, no new discoveries had been made.
As for the other exception...
"That Lil Shelgon..." Vincent shook his head as he looked at the Pokémon gathered around him, their eyes practically glowing. Without the little tyrant making an appearance, they truly didn't dare to eat.
Just as Vincent spoke, the ground began to tremble slightly. Then, a Shelgon encased in a hard shell walked out, its small eyes radiating an intimidating aura.
"Lil Shelgon has been moving around less and less lately," Director Lilian said with a smile. Vincent raised an eyebrow—he understood what she meant.
Before evolving into their final form, Salamence, Shelgon tended to become lethargic, preferring to sleep and accumulate energy for the final breakthrough into the mighty dragon that soared through the skies.
However, Vincent couldn't understand why a Bagon would be abandoned. This was a Dragon-type Pokémon, capable of evolving into the powerful Salamence. Yet, despite this, Lil Shelgon had been abandoned.
The reason?
Vincent didn't know.
Director Lilian had never mentioned it.
But that didn't stop Lil Shelgon from becoming the little tyrant of the Rustboro City Stray Pokémon Care Center. It had already dominated the care center, standing at the top.
Once it evolved into Salamence, the care center's safety would be even more assured—though most people wouldn't be foolish enough to attack it anyway.
After all, the Officer Jennys' station was right next to the care center.
"Gon!" Lil Shelgon spotted Vincent, and its small eyes instantly brightened with joy. It wobbled over and affectionately rubbed against Vincent's leg.
"Vincent, I really think Lil Shelgon would be a perfect fit for you," Director Lilian remarked, sighing as she watched the scene.
(End of Chapter)