I made an effort not to draw attention to myself as I left the Outpost, and I was successful due to Vincent making a bit of a distraction for me. He is definitely getting some Points for making my exit seamless. I gagged the direction of the coast and headed in that direction. There are a few caves over there that fill with water later in the year. Good spot for Sneasel to practice Ice Beam in private to gain control and power. Then to practice Brick Break by shattering the ice. It will also serve as a great spot to hide out to care for Dratini and potentially bond with Houndour.

  After two hours I made it to the coast and with another thirty minutes or so I found a cave that headed into an underground cove. Pulling out my flashlight I turned it on to keep myself from slipping on the slick rocky walkway. Upon getting deeper inside I found a spot that was dry a little way away from the water higher up. With Sneasel's help I got our new camp set up in a few more minutes. Taking a seat on my sleeping bag I look to Sneasel who crosses her arms and tilted her head at me as if to say, 'What are you looking at me for? Get on with it!'

  I grabbed the ball with Dratini and let him out. His eyes once again opened up a bit of sparkle had returned to them, and he seemed capable of moving a bit. He moved to me and laid his head in my lap. I gently ran my hand over his head and took out a few bottles of milk, a single vitamin out of a bottle of them, and a small amount of nutritional food. I had Dratini eat all of it. It's truly amazing how well he's recovering. My guess is still accurate as of now, but I am hoping with the vitamins it will speed up his recovery. Once he's able to protect himself I'll do my best to continue to nurture him into the powerful dragon he was destined to be. Sneasel even helped with Dratini's care but I'm certain she was doing it to get her claws on a bottle of Moo Moo Milk. At this point I might want to invest in getting a Miltank. It seems only logical that the higher the Potential the better the milk, right? I should look for something good in any case. Can't have a member of my family be unable to defend themselves.

  I let a bit of time pass petting Dratini until he's been lulled to sleep. I want to join him for a nap, but I have other duties to fulfill. I let Dratini stay where he is with his head in my lap before grabbing Houndour's Ultraball. I tossed the ball a little way away and Houndour appeared in a flash of light and the ball returned to me. The pup looked at her surroundings and then her gaze leveled at me with something akin to a glare. She wasn't happy, and she was actively growling now, baring her fangs.

  Sneasel stepped up and leveled her claws at Houndour, her own hiss coming from her at the show of hostility. Sneasel wasn't taking the threat to me and subsequently Dratini who was still slumbering on my lap.

  "I was hoping to do this the easy way, by offering food and treats. I suppose the only way to earn your respect is to make you heel. Sneasel punish Houndour with your new move Brick Break." Sneasel's claws glowed menacingly as she charged at Houndour who met her charge with one of her own using Tackle. The attacks met and Sneasel was pushed back only a step while Houndour was thrown with a pain yelp nearly a meter. Sneasel's heavier body due to the weighted vest was likely the reason she was able to retaliate with the Brick Break at all. Sneasel puffed up a bit, bringing her claws together and sharpening them against each other in a show of dominion and intimidation. The tackle did damage, and I could tell but it's clear that Houndour didn't.

  The pound pup wasn't about to take such a showing laying down though. She bared her teeth again and fired off a few embers towards Sneasel. "Quick attack, then Ice Punch." Sneasel used Quick Attack to dodge the incoming Ember attacks and came down on Houndour's head with the attack. It didn't do as much damage due to the resistance to ice type but the increased speed on delivery still had Houndour seeing stars. She staggered on her paws trying to stay on them while Sneasel without my prompt prepared another Brick Break. The time was shorter by a mere fraction, but it is proof that battle is far more stimulation for growth than regular training is. I think it has something to do with how combat invokes a type of adaptive reaction in Pokémon that assists with their growth. Which gives credence to exp in the games I played in my first life. Without battle Pokémon will never reach the pinnacle of their strength.

  The second Brick Break struck Houndour across the face in a rather brutal right cross. The form of which would have looked more at home coming from a Fighting type Pokémon like Hitmonchan, than a Sneasel. Houndour was unconscious after that, and I could only sigh and shake my head.

  "Good job, Sneasel." Just like at the Outpost she puffed up with pride. It might be to her detriment later, but I can't scold her for victory. I can only help her by making sure she's not arrogant. "Bring Houndour to me." I grab Dratini's ball and upon looking down at him noted he had slept through the exchange between Sneasel and Houndour without a care. They made quite a bit of noise, but I don't know how he could sleep through it. I recall him and put the ball back inside my vest. Raising my eyes from the ground where Dratini was, Sneasel had dragged Houndour over and plopped the dog next to me. She had a smirk on her face, and I reached over to pat her head. "You did good I'm very proud of you. Just make sure to never give less than everything you've got to win. That way even if you should lose, you'll never have any regrets. Understand?" Sneasel nodded and shifted to look at Houndour. I followed the action and sighed, "Yeah, I don't know exactly what to do about this. I didn't want to do it this way. I probably could have done better on my end."

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  I reached into my belt and took out a potion and began to treat Houndour that way she wasn't at risk of further injury by moving around at the least. Her fur was actually pleasantly soft and well maintained. It was clear that she was well taken care of before ending up in Felix's hands. I remember what happened to this Houndour in my past life. I witnessed her demise. Her right front leg was crushed, by Steven Stone's Aggron. She managed to escape and returned to Felix. Upon returning to base he killed her, because she was no longer useful. He treated such a loyal Pokémon, who fought for him and protected him, like a broken tool. I could see the betrayal and hurt in Houndoom's eyes when Felix ordered his Bisharp to remove her head. Arianna took me in soon afterwards. I don't want such a loyal Pokémon to die like that again. I want that loyalty in the family I am building around myself to get the peaceful and quiet life I want this time. Sure, that would require eventually leaving Team Rocket.

  I can't really go wrong by fleeing to Alola and hiding out there. The League's presence hasn't dug its claws in there yet. It's one of the few places I could go and potentially be accepted should I run. They rate your bond with your Pokémon extremely highly there. So long as I treat them with love and kindness, they would likely leave me alone.

  During my trip down memory lane and some semblance of a idea as to where I want to go. I brought out a bowl and filled it with food for Houndour. I placed it near her so when she wakes up, she'll have something to eat. Who knows she might have been angry because she was hungry but that is potentially wishful thinking on my part. I gently pet Houndour for a minute or two before moving to give her some space. The worst thing you could likely do is be near a previously hostile Pokémon when it wakes up after being knocked out. It may attack again regardless of if they believe you a continued threat to their life. I don't want to risk that.

  I decided to spend my time training Sneasel in her new moves. Shooting Ice Beam into the ocean water is good training. The resulting chunks of ice that wash up as a result are good targets for Brick Break. To my surprise Sneasel accidentally hit a Magikarp and it washed up on the shore in a block of ice. Sneasel and I shared a look before breaking the poor fish out of its containment. I apologized and told Magikarp to be careful in the future. I even gave it a little bit of food before sending it on its way primarily because I felt bad. My system flickered in my eyes out of curiosity I checked it's Potential.

  Pokémon: Magikarp

  Type: Water

  Gender: Male

  Potential: Dark Yellow

  Ability: Rattled

  Held Item: Pearl

  Moves: Splash and Tackle.

  Egg moves: None.

  TMs: None.

  Note: Is thankful you let him out of the ice and didn't laugh at him. He will remember you.

  Rattled? That's Magikarp's hidden ability. Should he be one of the small percentages of Magikarp that have the luck to evolve will have the ability, Moxie. I hope he does well for himself and manages it. Having a chance of a Gyarados with a positive opinion of me out there in the world makes me smile.

  A slight shift of my gaze has me noticing Sneasel giving me an expectant look. She wants to get back to work and I don't blame her. "Alright, alright let's get back to work." Was what I said before I heard a bark. Sneasel's face scrunched in displeasure as we both turned. Houndour had finished the food in the bowl I left for her, and she was looking at us both. She pawed her way over and stopped a few steps away looking up at me. I share a glance with Sneasel before stepping forward and kneeling down to be eye level with Houndour. "Do I have your attention now?" Houndour gave a sharp nod in agreement to my question. I kept my eyes locked on hers for a minute until she lowered her head slightly to break eye contact with me.

  Attentively, I reach up and gently pet her head. The feel of the smooth bone against my palm was slightly warm. "I want you to be part of my family. I will treat you with respect so long as you do the same for me."