Growlithe spent the night in front of Lucian’s bedroom door.
He did not enter.
Nor did he return to the breeding center.
When Mara opened the door the following morning, she found the puppy asleep on the carpet with his head resting on his front paws.
One ear moved when he heard her, but he did not open his eyes.
Beldum floated behind Lucian.
The silver Pokémon’s presence caused Growlithe to awaken immediately.
The puppy raised his head.
Beldum descended slightly.
They stared at each other.
“Do not even think about starting another fight,” Lucian warned.
Growlithe stood and shook himself.
Beldum pretended he had never intended to attack.
“I know what you’re thinking.”
“Doesn’t know,” Beldum transmitted.
Growlithe barked as though agreeing with him.
Lucian narrowed his eyes.
“That was cooperation. Perhaps we’ll finish the mission sooner than expected.”
The system screen appeared after hearing the word.
[A Pack of Your Own]
[Objectives:]
[Obtain the recognition of the leading Arcanine.]
[Have Growlithe and Beldum cooperate voluntarily.]
[Understand why Growlithe chose you.]
[Overall Progress: 9%.]
Apparently, cooperating to mock him did not count.
That was reasonable.
Alaric was waiting for them in the dining room.
The elderly man drank coffee while reviewing a tablet filled with reports.
Atlas floated near a window, and Elena was attempting to feed a Pichu a slice of bread that was far too large.
“That isn’t suitable for him,” Lucian said.
Elena hid the bread behind her back.
Pichu tried to follow it.
“It was only a little.”
“You can give him one of the pieces of fruit.”
Elena exchanged the bread for a small piece of apple.
Pichu happily accepted it.
Lucian took his seat.
Beldum positioned himself on his right.
Growlithe sat on his left.
They both moved close enough to touch Lucian’s legs.
Alaric looked up from the tablet.
“It appears you have acquired an escort.”
“Growlithe stayed outside my door.”
“I know. His mother knows as well.”
The puppy lowered his ears.
“Is she angry?” Lucian asked.
“Vesta is not angry. She is waiting.”
That sounded worse.
Adrian entered the dining room.
He wore his work uniform and had a Poké Ball attached to his belt.
“The pack has gathered in the western field,” he reported.
“Vesta wants to know Lucian’s intentions.”
The puppy wagged his tail.
“My intentions?” Lucian asked.
“Growlithe was the one who decided to stay.”
“To a pack, a puppy’s decisions are also the responsibility of his elders. If he intends to leave the breeding center and become your partner, Vesta must be certain that you understand what you are accepting.”
Alaric placed his cup on the table.
“He is not a pet. He is a working Pokémon bred to protect, track, and battle.”
“I know.”
“Knowing his capabilities does not mean understanding his needs.”
Lucian looked at Growlithe.
The puppy was watching breakfast with far too much interest for someone whose future was under discussion.
“Then I’ll go and listen.”
Alaric nodded.
“After you eat.”
The western field was located beyond the Pecha and Rawst Berry orchards.
It was a wide grassland surrounded by low stone fences, with several open shelters and structures used for rescue exercises.
The pack waited near its center.
Lucian counted seven adult Growlithe, four puppies, and three Arcanine.
Vesta stood in front of them.
Growlithe’s mother was larger than the Arcanine Lucian remembered from the anime.
Her orange fur shone beneath the sunlight, while black stripes extended across her legs and sides.
A cream-colored mane surrounded her head and covered part of her back.
Adrian stood beside her.
He did not need to release a Pokémon from a ball.
Vesta was his primary partner.
Growlithe ran toward his mother.
Arcanine lowered her head and smelled him from top to bottom.
Then she dragged her tongue over his forehead with enough force to knock the puppy into a seated position.
Elena laughed.
Growlithe pretended nothing had happened.
Beldum watched from beside Lucian.
“Mother,” he transmitted.
“Yes.”
Beldum remained silent.
Lucian sensed an emotion that was difficult to identify.
It was not exactly sadness.
It was the involuntary comparison between that relationship and the one Beldum had once shared with the leader Metagross.
Lucian brushed a hand against his metallic surface.
“Your family loves you too.”
“Learning.”
“We’re all learning.”
Vesta raised her gaze toward them.
Her presence changed.
The atmosphere around the pack became heavy.
The younger Growlithe lowered their bodies while the adults remained alert.
Intimidate.
Lucian felt the Ability’s effect even though he was not its direct target.
His body warned him to retreat before a superior predator.
Beldum moved forward.
His eye began to shine.
“Calm down,” Lucian said.
“It isn’t an attack.”
Beldum did not appear convinced.
Lucian activated Analysis on Vesta.
[Arcanine]
[Name: Vesta]
[Sex: Female]
[Approximate Age: 12 years]
[Type: Fire]
[Ability: Intimidate]
[Potential: Purple High]
[Strength: Elite Low]
[Foundation: Excellent]
[Physical Condition: Excellent]
[Mental Condition: Protective and evaluative.]
[Detected Moves:]
[Flamethrower — High Mastery.]
[Extreme Speed — High Mastery.]
[Crunch — High Mastery.]
[Play Rough — Mid Mastery.]
[Morning Sun — High Mastery.]
[Agility — High Mastery.]
[Will-O-Wisp — Mid Mastery.]
[Additional moves not analyzed.]
[Special Traits:]
[Pack leader.]
[Advanced experience in rescue and protection.]
[Mother of the Growlithe bonded to the user.]
[Attitude Toward User: Neutral.]
Purple High Potential and Elite Low Strength.
She did not possess her son’s natural talent, but she had developed power that would take Growlithe years to reach.
Vesta was living proof of the difference between Potential and current strength.
She approached.
Her head was almost level with Lucian’s.
She smelled him for several seconds.
Then she turned her attention toward Beldum.
The silver Pokémon positioned himself in front of Lucian.
Growlithe ran between them and barked.
Vesta responded with a low sound.
Her son barked again.
Lucian could not understand the exact words, but the emotions were clear.
Growlithe was explaining that Beldum also belonged to the group.
Vesta examined the Steel-type.
Beldum held her gaze.
“Partner,” he declared.
The telepathy did not reach Arcanine directly, but Atlas stood nearby and transmitted the meaning.
Vesta reduced the pressure of Intimidate.
Beldum remained where he was.
Arcanine returned her attention to Lucian.
Adrian translated her next sound.
“She wants to know why you would accept Growlithe.”
Lucian considered the question.
He could mention Growlithe’s Gold Potential, his bloodline, their compatibility, or the route shown by the system.
None of those reasons truly explained his decision.
“Because he chose me,” Lucian replied.
“And because, although I hadn’t realized it, he has been accompanying me for a long time.”
Adrian waited.
Vesta continued watching him.
“That explains why you are willing to consider him,” the man said, “but not what kind of future you intend to give him.”
Lucian looked toward the puppy.
“I want him to grow into a partner capable of battling, tracking, and protecting. I don’t plan to restrict him to a single role. When I begin my journey, we will encounter cities, forests, mountains, and places we don’t know yet. His sense of smell and instincts will be important.”
Growlithe raised his chest proudly.
“He will also have to study, train, and learn to obey even when he believes he knows better than I do.”
The puppy lowered his head slightly.
“And I will not evolve him until his body, mind, and bloodline are ready.”
Vesta reacted to the final sentence.
“Why did you mention evolution?” Adrian asked.
“Because many Trainers use a Fire Stone as soon as their Growlithe learns several moves. An early evolution might increase his strength, but it could also prevent him from completing his development.”
Adrian slowly nodded.
“Vesta was six years old when she evolved.”
“He may need more or less time. I will not make the decision based solely on age.”
Arcanine walked around Lucian.
Then she stopped in front of Beldum.
She released a series of barks.
Atlas transmitted the general meaning.
“She does not recognize you yet,” Lucian explained to Beldum.
“But she will allow you to participate in the trial.”
“Trial.”
Adrian pointed toward the northern end of the grassland.
“Vesta has prepared an exercise. One of the caretakers hid three plates carrying his scent at different points within the western orchard. Growlithe must find them and return before noon.”
“That sounds like a test for Growlithe, not me.”
“Your task is to guide him without overruling his decisions. You must also return with Beldum while respecting both of their medical restrictions.”
Lucian understood.
They were not merely measuring the puppy’s tracking ability.
They wanted to observe how the three of them worked together.
“Is Elena coming?” the girl asked.
“No,” Adrian and Alaric answered simultaneously. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
She crossed her arms.
“Everyone says that too often.”
“You will stay with us and observe from the tower,” Adrian said.
That was enough to make her agree.
Rhea gave Lucian a map of the orchards and a small communicator.
“The plates are inside the marked area. You do not need to cross the river or enter the forest.”
“Are there any limits besides noon?”
“You cannot ask for help through the communicator unless it is an emergency. You also cannot use Atlas or request directions from the workers.”
Lucian put the map away.
“Can Beldum use telekinesis?”
“Only for tasks that do not require effort beyond the doctor’s recommendation.”
Beldum transmitted displeasure.
“That means basic control,” Lucian said.
“No attacks.”
Growlithe barked.
“And you will not attack anything either unless there is a genuine threat.”
The puppy stopped wagging his tail.
The trial began.
Growlithe lowered his nose to the first piece of fabric Adrian showed him.
It carried the scent used on the plates.
Then he moved toward the orchards.
Lucian and Beldum followed him.
The first rows consisted of low trees covered in Pecha Berries.
Several workers moved aside to let them pass, although some smiled at the sight of Lucian walking behind an overly enthusiastic puppy.
Growlithe kept his nose close to the ground.
Occasionally, he stopped, smelled the air, and changed direction.
Beldum floated above them.
“Left,” he transmitted.
“Growlithe is following the scent,” Lucian replied.
“Let him decide.”
“Scent left.”
Growlithe turned right.
Beldum descended in front of him.
The puppy growled.
“Do not start.”
Lucian examined the surroundings.
The wind was blowing from the left.
Beldum was probably sensing the metal plate through his magnetic field, while Growlithe followed a scent displaced by the wind.
They could both be correct.
“Beldum, can you sense metal?”
“Yes.”
“How far away?”
The Pokémon transmitted an approximate distance.
Fifty meters.
“Growlithe, we will check your path first. If the scent disappears, we’ll try Beldum’s direction.”
The puppy continued to the right.
After twenty meters, he found a piece of fabric tied to a branch.
It was not a plate.
Growlithe barked triumphantly.
Lucian examined the object.
“It’s a distraction.”
The puppy smelled the fabric before looking toward the direction Beldum had indicated.
The silver Pokémon said nothing.
He did not need to.
Growlithe walked to the left with as much dignity as he could gather.
They found the first plate hidden beneath an empty box.
Beldum extracted it with telekinesis without moving the surrounding objects.
[Voluntary cooperation detected.]
[Mission progress increased.]
“One,” Lucian said.
Growlithe smelled the plate.
Then he looked at Beldum and barked once.
The signal was brief.
Acknowledgment.
Beldum answered with a faint magnetic pulse.
They continued.
The second plate was more difficult.
The trail crossed several rows of Rawst Berries, passed near a pond, and ended in an area filled with the scents of different Pokémon.
Growlithe circled without finding the direction.
There were footprints from Oddish, Rattata, Pichu, and several workers.
Beldum attempted to locate the metal, but the irrigation pipes produced too much interference.
Lucian opened the map.
He could use Analysis on the environment, but that would turn the trial into an exercise for the system rather than the team.
He closed it.
“What do you need to eliminate the interference?”
Growlithe smelled each group of tracks.
Beldum rose several meters and examined the pipes from above.
Lucian observed the wind.
“Beldum, mark every large source of metal you can sense. Don’t search for the plate yet.”
The Pokémon obeyed.
He sent simple images through Synchronization: pipes, tools, a farming machine, and a fence.
“Growlithe, avoid those areas and search only for the scent.”
The puppy moved among the eliminated routes.
Five minutes later, he began digging beside the pond.
He found the plate inside a wooden container.
Growlithe took it between his teeth and ran toward Lucian.
Beldum descended.
The puppy placed the plate in front of him.
“For me?” the silver Pokémon asked.
Growlithe pushed the object forward with his nose.
Beldum used his magnetic field to hold both plates.
[Voluntary cooperation confirmed.]
[Objective partially completed.]
Lucian smiled.
“That was much better.”
Both Pokémon appeared satisfied.
The third trail led them toward the farthest edge of the orchard.
Growlithe moved more slowly.
The sun was high, and the heat interfered with his sense of smell.
Beldum also began showing signs of exhaustion.
Lucian checked his condition through Synchronization.
[Beldum’s Energy: 48%.]
[Recommendation: Rest.]
“We’re stopping for ten minutes.”
Growlithe protested.
“The trial ends at noon, but we will not lose because we rested. If we exhaust Beldum, we have failed even if we find the plate.”
The puppy looked at the silver Pokémon.
Beldum attempted to hide his fatigue.
“I’m fine.”
“That phrase is temporarily forbidden for every member of this team.”
Lucian led them beneath the shade of a tree.
He gave them water and a small snack.
Growlithe finished first.
Beldum absorbed a mineral tablet.
“Why does he have different food?” Growlithe asked through a combination of barks and emotions.
“Because his body is made of metal.”
The puppy looked at the tablet.
Then at his own meat biscuits.
He offered one to Beldum.
The Pokémon examined the food.
“Not compatible.”
Growlithe pushed it a little closer.
Beldum lifted the biscuit with telekinesis and placed it on the puppy’s head.
Lucian chose to interpret the gesture as friendly.
After the break, they resumed the search.
The trail of the third plate passed near the old storage area, a collection of low buildings that were no longer in use.
Growlithe followed the scent to one of the structures.
The door was closed.
“The map says the trial area ends here,” Lucian said.
Growlithe scratched the door.
The trail continued inside.
Beldum detected a piece of metal beyond the wall.
“Plate.”
“It could be another distraction.”
Growlithe insisted.
Lucian examined the lock.
It had not been forced, and there was no indication they were expected to enter.
The communicator released static.
Then a faint voice could be heard.
“Western post… we need… help…”
The signal vanished.
Lucian picked up the device.
“This is Lucian. Repeat your message.”
There was no response.
Growlithe stopped scratching the door.
He raised his head and smelled the air.
His behavior changed.
He was no longer searching for the plate.
He barked toward the northeast.
“What is it?”
The puppy transmitted an image.
Smoke.
Lucian could not see it, but Growlithe could smell it.
The trial stopped mattering.
“Let’s go.”
They ran between the buildings.
Beldum followed.
After circling the final warehouse, they found a maintenance vehicle tilted inside a ditch.
One of its wheels continued spinning in the air while dark smoke emerged from its engine.
A caretaker was trapped beneath a metal bar.
Several meters away, a small Rockruff barked desperately.
Lucian recognized the worker.
“Mr. Nolan!”
The man opened his eyes.
“Don’t approach the engine. It’s leaking fuel.”
Growlithe moved forward.
Lucian stopped him.
“No fire.”
The puppy understood.
Beldum approached the bar.
“Can you lift it?”
The Pokémon examined the metal.
“Heavy.”
Lucian could not use telekinesis without risking further mental exhaustion.
Beldum was also forbidden from exerting too much force.
They needed to work together.
“Growlithe, find a safe path to him. Avoid the fuel.”
The puppy smelled the ground and moved around the pooling liquid.
He marked a route with short barks.
Lucian followed it.
“Beldum, don’t lift the entire bar. Only reduce the weight on this end.”
The Pokémon surrounded the metal with psychic energy.
The bar trembled.
Nolan attempted to move, but one of his legs remained trapped.
Growlithe positioned himself beside the bar.
“You cannot bite through that.”
The puppy did not try.
He placed his body beneath the raised end and pushed upward with his back.
Beldum held the weight.
Growlithe used his physical strength.
Lucian took the caretaker by the arms.
“Now!”
The three of them acted.
The bar rose several centimeters.
Nolan freed his leg.
Lucian pulled him backward.
Growlithe jumped away just before Beldum lost control.
The metal struck the ground.
Beldum abruptly descended.
Lucian caught him with both hands.
“Are you all right?”
“Tired.”
“You did well.”
Growlithe approached.
He touched Beldum with his nose.
There was no challenge or growl.
Only concern.
Lucian activated the communicator.
“Emergency at the western warehouse. One caretaker is injured, and a vehicle is leaking fuel. Do not send Fire-type Pokémon.”
This time, he received an answer.
“Medical team on the way.”
Rockruff ran toward Nolan.
The man stroked his head.
“The third plate is inside my backpack,” he said.
Lucian looked at him.
“Was this part of the trial?”
“The plate was. The accident wasn’t.”
Nolan had driven to the warehouse to prepare the final stage when a section of the ground collapsed beneath the vehicle.
Growlithe found the backpack and removed the plate.
He did not celebrate.
He placed it beside the other two Beldum was carrying.
“You found all three,” Nolan said.
“The trial doesn’t matter anymore.”
A siren approached through the orchards.
Vesta arrived first.
She moved with Extreme Speed, appearing beside them like an orange blur.
Adrian, Alaric, Helena, and several workers arrived shortly afterward.
The doctor examined Nolan.
He had no broken bones, but his leg was injured.
Alaric checked Lucian.
“Did you use your powers?”
“No.”
“Beldum?”
“He only reduced part of the weight. Growlithe did the rest.”
Helena examined the silver Pokémon.
“He used more energy than recommended, but he did not damage his core.”
Beldum looked at Growlithe.
“He helped.”
The puppy wagged his tail.
Vesta approached her son.
She smelled him and examined every part of his body.
Then she looked at Beldum.
Arcanine had witnessed their cooperation through the workers observing the trial from a distance.
She could also smell the fuel, fear, and effort upon them.
Vesta lowered her head toward Beldum.
The silver Pokémon responded in the same manner.
[Objective Completed.]
[Growlithe and Beldum have cooperated voluntarily.]
Arcanine returned her attention to Lucian.
She approached until she stood directly before him.
Lucian held her gaze.
Vesta placed one enormous paw on his shoulder.
The weight nearly knocked him over.
A firm emotion traveled through the contact.
Responsibility.
It was not a question.
It was a demand.
“I will take care of him,” Lucian promised.
“I will not prevent him from returning to the pack, and I will not force him to evolve or follow a path he does not want.”
Vesta kept her paw on him.
“I will also allow him to contradict me when he has a good reason.”
Growlithe barked enthusiastically.
“When he has a good reason,” Lucian repeated.
Arcanine removed her paw.
Then she lowered her head.
[Objective Completed.]
[You have obtained the leading Arcanine’s recognition.]
Growlithe ran toward Lucian.
He rose onto his hind legs and placed his front paws against the boy’s chest.
Lucian managed to remain standing that time.
“There’s still one thing left.”
The puppy tilted his head.
“I need to understand why you chose me.”
Growlithe transmitted confusion.
Lucian knelt.
“You could stay with your mother, live with the pack, and train beside Adrian. Why do you want to come with me?”
The puppy observed him.
At first, only disorganized emotions arrived.
Warmth.
Safety.
Curiosity.
Then a memory appeared.
A stormy night almost one year ago.
Growlithe had been smaller.
He had become separated from the pack while chasing a Rattata near the orchards.
The rain erased the tracks, and the thunder caused him to hide beneath a cart.
Lucian found him.
The boy remembered that night, but he had not considered it particularly important.
He sat beside the puppy for hours because Growlithe was too afraid to come out.
He did not attempt to drag him free or call a stronger Pokémon to force him.
He simply waited.
Lucian read a book beneath the cart while the rain fell.
When Growlithe finally found the courage to leave, they walked back to the breeding center together.
To Lucian, it had been a small adventure.
To Growlithe, it had meant something different.
Lucian had not seen him as a weak puppy who needed to be rescued.
He had remained beside him until Growlithe could move forward on his own.
The memory changed.
Lucian walking through the orchards.
Lucian studying near the library.
Lucian stroking his fur without demanding anything.
Lucian observing wild Pokémon from a distance and respecting them when they did not wish to approach.
Growlithe had not chosen him because of his system.
Nor because of his family or psychic powers.
He chose Lucian because, from that night onward, he believed that walking beside him was where he belonged.
Lucian rested his forehead against the puppy’s.
“I should have understood sooner.”
Growlithe licked his nose.
[Objective Completed.]
[You have understood Growlithe’s choice.]
[Mission Completed.]
[A Pack of Your Own]
[Evaluation: Excellent.]
[Rewards:]
[Growlithe’s Development Plan unlocked.]
[Knowledge Obtained: Fundamentals of Cooperative Training.]
[Item Obtained: Purified Flame Core.]
[Special Reward: Team Affinity.]
[Growlithe can be recognized as a partner.]
Lucian ignored the rewards for the moment.
He removed an empty Poké Ball that Alaric had given him before the trial.
It did not possess the ceremonial design of Beldum’s ball.
It was an ordinary Poké Ball, although a small silver star had been engraved near the button.
He held it in front of Growlithe.
“You can continue living with the pack until you are ready to move into the mansion. This ball will not prevent you from returning.”
The puppy looked at Vesta.
His mother approached and touched his forehead.
Then Growlithe pressed the button with one paw.
Red light surrounded him.
The Poké Ball closed.
It did not move.
Lucian immediately opened it.
Growlithe reappeared and threw himself at Lucian again.
This time, the boy was prepared.
He caught him without falling.
Beldum approached.
Growlithe extended one paw.
The silver Pokémon touched it with a claw.
Neither bit nor levitated the other.
[Partner Recognized.]
[Growlithe has joined Lucian Starfall.]
Elena came running from the direction of the observation tower.
“Now you really have two!”
“Now I do.”
Beldum floated on his right.
Growlithe stood on his left.
Vesta remained before them.
The pack leader released a deep bark.
The other Arcanine and Growlithe answered from the field.
It was a farewell.
But it was also a welcome.
Growlithe no longer belonged only to the breeding center’s pack.
He had begun to build a new one.
Lucian stroked his head while touching Beldum’s cold surface with his other hand.
Fire and steel.
Impulse and patience.
Instinct and thought.
His first partners could not have been more different.
That was precisely why they might eventually complement one another.
Alaric approached and observed the three of them.
“Two Pokémon before turning six.”
“They both chose me.”
“That does not lessen the responsibility.”
“I know.”
“Your training will become more difficult. You will need to study their needs separately, develop compatible plans, and prevent them from destroying the mansion.”
Growlithe looked at Beldum.
Beldum looked at a nearby metal tool.
Lucian sighed.
“The last part might be the most difficult.”
Alaric allowed a small smile to appear.
“Welcome to the work of a Trainer.”