Pokemon: Master of tactics

Alex ended the conversation with Maria after he and she arranged the time and place for the meeting tomorrow.

After Alex sells the Fire-stones for her, both can spend a little time together and even have some joint training.

Even when Alex and Maria spend time together, neither of them neglects the training of their Pokémon.

After Alex finished training Pokémon for the day, Bastiodon came to Alex eagerly. The hope and enthusiasm were spilling over his pure face.

Alex had been giving the items that he had received from Steven for 50 million for more than 40 days.

Although he first wanted to give all the items to Bastiodon in the span of 20 days, he changed the schedule when Bastiodon told him that his body would require a longer time to fully absorb the item.

Alex immediately changed the plan from 20 days to 40 days. But when it was time to absorb the last 5 items—which are also the most important and valuable ones—he realized that 2 days were no longer enough.

The 5 combo items are as follow:

3x Combo of [Steel-Scale], reinforced with Steel-type Energy by an SS-rank Aggron on the Champion-level + [Top-Old Amber]

2x Combo of [Tooth] of an SS-rank Bastiodon at Champion-level reinforced with Rock & Steel-type energy + [Top-Old Amber]

These 5 combo items were too much to absorb in 10 days.

Alex didn't know if it was because the items were too good or because Bastiodon was on the verge of the SS-rank. Maybe it was both. But in any case, he believed in Bastiodon's assessment.

In addition, he doesn't have any evolution coming in the future, so there was no time pressure.

Bastiodon has already absorbed the 3 [Steel-Scale], reinforced with Steel-type Energy by an SS-rank Aggron on the Champion-level + [Top-Old Amber]. And today, Bastiodon was gonna get the first of two [Tooth] of an SS-rank Bastiodon at Champion-level reinforced with Rock & Steel-type energy + [Top-Old Amber] from Alex.

That's why Batiodon was almost jumping around. Bastiodon came to Alex, full of excitement.

Alex gave Bastiodon the item and hoped that Bastiodon would finally reach SS-rank.

He only had these 2 item combos left, and every day Bastiodon did not reach the SS-rank, he was getting a bad feeling.

If he does not reach the SS-rank this time, he has to put his hopes on the last item, which he doesn't like.

Bastiodon began to munch on the [Tooth] like it was chewing gum and started absorbing the collected energy in it.

While absorbing, Bastiodon suddenly felt a strange feeling wash over him that he could not fully describe. But it felt ecstatic.

He also noticed that he can now easily absorb the energy from the item and process it into his body.

Alex also noticed how he was munching faster, and he immediately looked at the information of Bastiodon.

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Pokémon: Bastiodon

LV: 45

Type: Rock/Steel

Abilities: Sturdy

Gender: Male

Potential: Shallow Diamond

Moves:

- Protect, Tackle, Metal Sound, Take Down, Iron Defense, Swagger, Ancient Power, Block, Endure, Sleep Talk [E].

- (Perfect Talent) Rock Polish [E], (Perfect Talent) Flamethrower [E].

- (TM) Taunt [E], (TM) Rock slide [E], (TM) Rest [E], (TM) Earthquake, (TM) Flash Cannon, (TM) Substitute, (TM) Bulldoze, (TM) Roar, (TM) Toxic, (TM) Ice Beam, (TM) Thunderbolt, (TM) Double Team.

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"Fuck YEAH!!!!" Alex yelled vigorously. After these 40+ days, Bastiodon had finally become a Shallow Diamond Pokémon.

Three SS-rank Pokémon and 2 Pokémon that will probably soon reach the SS-rank is simply a dream-like reality.

Although he was disappointed that [Flamethrower] stayed as a Perfect Talent move instead of [Sleep Talk], he wasn't going to complain.

As long as [Rock Polish] remains a Perfect Talent move, he is, at least, not completely unlucky.

All of Alex's other Pokémon, who heard Alex yelling, stepped out joyously and immediately understood what had happened.

Everyone appeared in front of Bastiodon and congratulated him with a happy expression.

Scizor and Crobat also looked happy. But Gardevoir immediately noticed that although they were both happy for Bastiodon, they were hiding the feelings of melancholy and frustration.

Gardevoir could understand the emotions of the two very well.

She went to the two of them and said telepathically, "Don't worry. Father will find a way for us to reach SS rank as well."

Crobat and Scizor said nothing but believed that their trainer would really do that.

Both remembered the words of Alex. 'Even if I can't find a suitable Full-Blood Legendary item for you, I will buy you so many items that you would reach SS-rank. Even if I have to spend hundreds of millions of money just to get one of you on the SS-rank, I'll do it anyway.'

Gardevoir felt that their mood had been uplifted.

Then she turned her attention to Ditto, who had its usual emotionless facial expression. Only she could see that it was experiencing a similar feeling—maybe a bit more on the intensity—like those two.

She went to Ditto and patted it as she said in her kind voice, "Ditto, you know that father will find a suitable Full-Blood Legendary item for you, right? Trust him; he will not disappoint you."

Ditto looked above at the face of Gardevoir and felt that Gardevoir's words had come from the heart and felt a little better.

Alex hadn't noticed the Gardevoir had a conversation with the three of them. He was worried about them too. But when he went to Gardevoir, Scizor, Crobat, and Ditto individually, he was perplexed by the reaction.

Although Alex felt that the four reacted a bit strange, he tried to tell them that with sincerity that he had not given up on them and that he would definitely get them on the SS-rank.

He had expected emotional responses, but all he got was "I know," "So you are telling me that the sun will rise tomorrow?" "Ok," & "I know, father."

Alex didn't feel that the answers were disrespectful because they showed the trust of his Pokémon in him, so he even received Crobat's unique reply with a smile.

...

1 day later.

Alex left the Celadon Shopping Center with a case full of money and Gardevoir next to him.

He quickly moved to a place where nobody could see him and teleported to Pewter City with the help of Gardevoir.

...

Alex entered the private room that he and Maria had booked with a grin.

Maria just looked at Alex and said, "Take off that average face."

Alex, "Ah~ Someone's impatient. Don't worry. Your mood will be lifted after hearing the good news I have brought."

Maria's face was painted with a tinge of scepticism when she said, "If I find out that you secretly added extra money, I won't accept it. I don't need anyone's pity."

"Where is your trust in your boyfriend? I promised that I wouldn't do that, didn't I? Just trust your boyfriend."

"Hmm... We'll see."

Alex wordlessly gave Maria the case full of money and said, "Congratulations, you are now 22 million rich."

Maria did not show any joy as she asked, "Isn't it a bit too much? This is almost near the market price!"

"I told you that Jack gives me the best prices. He gets a certain percentage of the profit. So he is willing to make a "smaller" profit as long as you bring enough to him. And believe me, 5% of 22 million is not a little amount."

Maria put away her scepticism and slowly walked towards Alex. She held him by his hand and dragged Alex to her apartment, which was not that far away.

This area is the private area of the Pewter city Team Rocket base. It has a large training room and two different apartments. So Maria didn't have to worry about someone seeing Alex's true face.

Alex followed Maria to her room with a smile.

As Maria locked the door of the room, Alex asked in a flirtatious tone, "Where is my thank you?"

"I'm still ungrateful. What are you going to do about it, big boy~?"

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