"Hmm?"

  Paul turned his head and saw a small green turtle Pokémon standing before the fainted Mankey and Geodude. Its head sprouted a fresh seedling, and its shell resembled soil. The little Turtwig stood with a mix of seriousness and indignation, gring at him.

  "A wild Turtwig? Iing."

  Reizing the Pokémon instantly, Paul's thoughts drifted to his own Torterra. A faint smirk tugged at the er of his mouth.

  In this world, Paul couldn't obtain a starter Turtwig as he did before. Yet here was one, vely delivered to him shortly after setting out.

  Fate had brought them together, but…

  "Let's see if you're worth it."

  Paul recalled that his Torterra, though obtained as a starter, was renowned for its exceptional potential. This wild Turtwig, however, was a different story.

  "Twig!"

  Sensing Paul's critical gaze, the previously indignant Turtwig became even mitated.

  Fueled by aurtwig charged at Paul, its stubby legs carrying it forward with surprising speed. The air around it stirred, indig the power of its Tackle.

  Paul, however, remained calm. He waited until the st possible moment before sidestepping with ease.

  "Attag me? Hah," Paul scoffed, shaking his head dismissively. His gaze turned sharp. "Elekid, Thunder."

  "Elek-elek!"

  Elekid swung its arms, unleashing a golden torrent of electricity that streaked toward Turtwig.

  "Twig!"

  Turtwig initially braced itself to ehe attack, but the sheer force of the Thunder made it resider. With a burst of agility, it leapt baarrowly dodging the strike.

  "Thunder Punch!"

  No sooner had Turtwig evaded the Thuhan it noticed Elekid closing in. Its electrified fist crackled as it swung down.

  "Bam!"

  Turtwig attempted to dodge, but it was too te. The Thunder Punch struck, sending it flying into a tree before tumbling to the ground.

  "Thunder."

  Paul's cold voice rang out again. The iurtwig opes eyes just in time to see aronger and faster bolt of lightning desding upon it.

  "Twig!"

  The Thunder hit its mark, and Turtwig's cries echoed amidst the goldericity.

  As the electricity dissipated, the battered Turtwig struggled to stand. Despite its injuries, its eyes burned with determination.

  "Twig-twig!"

  Lifting its head, Turtwig began abs sunlight through the seedling on its head. A soft yellow-white glow enveloped its body as its wounds started to heal.

  Synthesis.

  "A meaningless effort. Brick Break."

  Elekid's hand glowed white as it used its speed to close the gap. Turtwig, locked in pce by its healing process, could only watch as the glowing fist came crashing down.

  "Twig!"

  "Thud!"

  The impact sent Turtwig flying into aree. This time, it y still, eyes closed.

  "Poké Ball, go."

  Paul casually enrged a Poké Ball and tossed it at Turtwig. The ball struck, verting the Pokémon into red light and capturing it.

  "Ding… Ding… Ding… Pop!"

  The Poké Ball shook several times before dimming.

  "For now, I'll keep it. I'll decide after cheg its potential with the Pokédex."

  Paul retrieved the Poké Ball and slipped it into his pocket.

  Some people in this world possessed the ability to assess a Pokémon's potential by its appearance, color, abilities, and other traits.

  Paul happeo have this ability, but to use it fully, he he Pokédex from Professor Rowan.

  Without it, he couldn't determine if this Turtwig met his standards. No matter—he would reach Rowan's b tomorrow. If the Turtwig didn't meet his expectations, releasing it wouldn't cost him anything.

  Stowing the ball, Paul and Elekid resumed their jouroward Saown.

  Before long, they came upon a ke with a small wooden nearby.

  Paul ighe , instead finding a spacious spot by the ke to rest. He released Turtwig from its ball.

  "Take a break."

  He pulled out two bowls, filling them with Pokémon food, aured to his panions before taking out a sandwich for himself.

  "Elek-elek!"

  Having trained all m on only a few Oran Berries, Elekid was starving. It eagerly dug into its bowl of food.

  After a while, Elekid noticed something odd. The other bowl of food remained untouched.

  Where was Turtwig? It hadn't even had the ce to bully the little turtle yet.

  "Elek?"

  fused, Elekid called out t.

  "Twi-ig!"

  Turtwig ignored Elekid, gring at Paul instead. When Paul looked its way, it huffed and turs head.

  "Do you have a problem with me?" Paul asked ftly, biting into his sandwich.

  "Twi-ig!"

  Turtwig snorted, looking away like a child throwing a tantrum.

  Paul stared at Turtwig silently. The tensioweehied.

  "Elek!"

  Elekid, seeing Turtwig's defiance, bristled. No one disrespected its Trainer like that!

  "You must have done something it finds uable," came a soft, elderly voice.

  Paul turo see an elderly woman with white hair stepping out of the keside . Despite her age, she exuded a graceful air and a warm smile.

  "Normally, Turtwig wouldn't act like this. It must believe you've done something wrong. Even if it's been captured, it won't obey you if it disagrees with your as."

  Paul's expression darkened. "So you're mad because I had Elekid defeat that Mankey and Geodude?"

  To Paul, defeating wild Pokémon was trivial—on even.

  "Twig!"

  Turtwig gred at him.

  "Elekid, we're leaving."

  Without another word, Paul packed up and walked away, leaving Turtwig behind.

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