Three days had passed since Maki left Cerulean City, and the journey had been surprisingly smooth. According to the map, Maki was already very close to the next town.
However, he couldn't help but feel that he was more on a leisurely trip than a journey. Charmeleon disliked staying inside its Poké Ball, Cottonee loved perching atop Maki's head, and Mawile preferred clinging to Maki's side — leaving him accompanied by three Pokémon at once.
Mawile had originally intended to hold Maki's hand while walking, but after realizing it was too short to reach, even on tiptoes, it reluctantly gave up and settled for clutching onto Maki's pant leg instead.
"Help! Someone help me!"
Maki, engrossed in his map, suddenly heard cries for help echoing from a distance.
He raised an eyebrow. The town was quite close, and wild Pokémon attacks should have been rare here—let alone ones targeting humans.
"Let's go check it out."
Hearing the plea, Maki decided to investigate. If nothing was wrong, he wouldn't mind playing the good Samaritan.
"Cotton~" [Whatever~]
Cottonee lazily yawned from its perch on Maki's head. Ever since discovering its prime resting spot, the little Pokémon had grown increasingly lazy, only moving during battles.
Before Maki could walk far, he saw an elderly man sprinting towards him, with a Beedrill hot on his heels.
The old man's eyes lit up when he spotted Maki and his three Pokémon. He continued to yell for help, showing remarkable stamina as he outpaced the Beedrill.
Seeing Beedrill instantly dampened Maki's mild curiosity. It was a common Pokémon, not particularly interesting. Still, he couldn't ignore someone in need.
"Mawile, Iron Head."
Maki's voice was calm and decisive. Judging by its movements, the Beedrill was nothing more than an average specimen — not even worth sending Charmeleon into battle. Letting Mawile get some training in was the better option.
Mawile had quickly mastered Iron Head and Play Rough after hatching, an impressive feat given how scarce powerful Fairy-type moves were. Its movepool was exceptionally diverse: Play Rough, Iron Head, Taunt, Growl, Fairy Wind, Astonish, Fake Tears, Bite, Sweet Scent, Vice Grip — along with inherited moves Power-Up Punch and Thunder Punch.
With its Sheer Force ability enhancing its attacks, Mawile's strength far exceeded the norm. It was a powerhouse in the making.
Despite its reluctance, Mawile obediently released Maki's pants and rushed forward. Its black head glinted with metallic light as it slammed into Beedrill, sending the Bug Pokémon crashing into a nearby tree.
"Hahaha! I'm saved!"
The old man collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air.
"Are you alright?" Maki asked, glancing at him. The man had run with surprising agility, but now he lay sprawled out, utterly exhausted.
In another world, Maki mused, this guy could have been a marathon champion.
"I-I'm fine… luckily, I trained in my youth," the old man wheezed.
"I can tell," Maki replied dryly. Most people would have been stung to death by now — or, better yet, wouldn't have wandered into the wild without a single Pokémon for protection.
Maki shifted his gaze back to the Beedrill, which eyed him and his Pokémon warily, especially Mawile. Despite its small size, Mawile's earlier blow had nearly knocked the Beedrill out cold.
Over the past few days, Maki had noticed Mawile's strength was abnormally high — far beyond what Nurse Joy had initially described in its report. Its power was consistent and well-controlled, likely a result of its Sheer Force ability. If not for that control, Maki would have ended up hospitalized the first time Mawile hugged him.
The strange strength reminded Maki of Brock's Happiny from the anime — except Mawile was a physical attacker by nature, making its power far more practical.
If Mawile ever underwent Mega Evolution, its Huge Power ability combined with its natural strength would make it one of the strongest Pokémon in Maki's team.
"Mawile!"
Mawile flicked its jaws as if tossing back long hair, glaring at the Beedrill.
[Leave now, or I'll knock you out for good!]
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