Lucario's plan was simple: he'd bring in customers himself.
Show off his strength, show how well he'd been trained, and let that reputation draw people to the Breeding House.
And their first target? Growlithe.
He assigned the opening act to Agni.
Agni shot down the road like a runaway tank before slamming the brakes, skidding to a dusty stop.
"Since when was there an Arcanine around here?"
The elegantly dressed noblewoman—Bell—lifted her Western-like hat slightly, puzzled rather than alarmed. This Arcanine didn't look threatening at all; if anything, it looked friendly.
Its tail swayed, tongue lolling, and its fur gleamed from meticulous grooming.
Despite its enormous size—larger than any Arcanine she'd seen—it moved with startling speed.
Her husband was a Police Superintendent, section chief of Jubilife City's headquarters. She had seen countless Arcanine… but none trained quite like this, and judging from its features, it was a male.
"Hello there, Arcanine. Is something wrong?"
"Canine~"
Agni crouched low, hind legs straight, tail wagging eagerly.
A clear invitation: Let's play.
Lucario, hiding in the shadows, pressed a paw to his face.
(This is not the script…)
Pokémon resemble their Trainers, and Lucario, after spending enough time with Austin Black, had perfected his impulsive tendencies, but it looked like Agni, the ball of energy, needed more time.
The plan was for Agni to show off his move set and catch Bell's interest.
Agni had other ideas.
Beside him, Metang's red eyes blinked, processing.
(Analyzing… calculation complete. Success rate: 99.9999%)
Lucario manifested an auric question mark into the air.
Before long, Bell's Growlithe—sitting quietly by her side—began wagging its tail too.
Bell blinked, looking back and forth between the two.
"Do you want to play together?"
"Nine! Nine!"
Agni agreed enthusiastically.
Seeing Growlithe's tail wag faster, Bell hesitated only a moment before untying the leash.
"It's still a child, okay? So don't bully it."
"Arcanine!"
Even if Agni did anything odd, Bell's Poké Ball was in her bag—she was confident she could intervene.
"Go on, Growlithe."
Growlithe mirrored Agni's stance, crouching with its tail wagging wildly.
The two touched noses.
Ding.
Match successful.
Agni: A++ performance.
Lucario's script: Complete failure.
While the two Pokémon played, Bell relaxed. Her hand slipped away from her bag.
"Canine~"
(Learn from me, kid!)
"Lithe?"
Growlithe tilted its head.
Agni arched his back, orange-red embers gathering along his fur. Flames formed in his mouth—massive, glowing fangs.
Growlithe attempted to imitate him… and failed.
It drooped in disappointment.
A big paw landed gently on its head.
"Arcanine!Nine! Nine!Canine!"
(Don't worry. Follow me. Focus the flame on your back first!)
Bell's eyes widened.
"That's Fire Fang… Is it actually teaching a move?"
If she didn't know for certain this Arcanine wasn't Growlithe's parent, she would've assumed she'd stumbled onto a touching family reunion.
"…I really need to cut down on those melodramas."
Still, she couldn't understand why an Arcanine would suddenly appear just to teach a stranger's Pokémon.
"I'll ask my husband later."
Ryu and Metang slipped away—Agni clearly had things under control.
If the script didn't work, Lucario would write a new one.
Their next target: wild Pokémon.
"Luca, Luca."
Lucario signaled: they'd challenge strong wild Pokémon nearby.
Good for showmanship. Good for training Metang.
"Me."
(Analysis complete.)
And so began the Lucario–Metang village bully arc.
Wild Pokémon often fought among themselves, and many were eager to challenge others to grow stronger.
Lucario spread his Aura outward, scanning for nearby battles.
Two wild Nidoran♂ were fighting fiercely over a Nidoran♀. Just as tensions peaked—
A silver blur shot between them.
Punch.Punch.
Each got one.
Even Nidoran♀ wasn't spared.
"Metang!"
(No early romance!)
Before the three could process what happened, Metang casually dropped three Oran Berries and drifted off.
The trio stared after it, baffled.
"Ran?"
(What was that supposed to mean?)
"Lucario. Luca"
(Do you want to get stronger? Come visit our Breeding House!)
Lucario nodded from the shadows, satisfied.
He did not realize one glaring flaw:
"Nido-ran?"
(But it didn't say where the Breeding House is…)
Their campaign continued. Every battle, every show of strength, every wild Pokémon they bullied inspired Metang further.
Spotting a Beedrill swarm, Metang's eyes gleamed.
It charged straight into them.
The Beedrill fired back immediately, stingers flashing.
"Beeedrillll!"
Moments later—
The entire swarm fled in panic, scattering in every direction.
Metang flexed its arms, roaring triumphantly.
"Metaang!"
(Who's next?!)
By four o'clock, Lucario and the others returned.
Austin Black immediately noticed the scratches on Metang's body.
"You went out battling?"
"Met."
(Yeah.)
Metang had always enjoyed a good fight, ever since their days in Celestic Town.
"Where's Agni?"
(It should be back soon.)
Right on cue, Agni bounded through the gate and ran straight into Austin's arms.
Austin stroked his soft fur—then paused.
"…Did you eat something?"
"Arcaaninee~" ٩(๑＞◡＜๑)۶
"You have to be careful eating random food outside," Austin warned. "Some of it can be dangerous."
Agni blinked innocently, tail swaying.
"Arcanine!"
. . .
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