Pokemon: Rising From The Dark

"What do you mean?" The Kaitou asked warily.

With her current strength, she could rely entirely on herself, and she hadn't thought about which organization to join or who to follow.

"It's very simple. You grew up as a commoner, right? I did too. Both of us are hunters. We capture Pokemon in exchange for resources and improve our own strength. So why don't we join forces? Work together!" Aoki explained.

Originally, he hadn't considered this, but the idea had suddenly come to him.

If he wanted to form a hunting group, who would be in charge when he wasn't around?

Miyamoto? Alec? Skye?

None of them were realistic options.

Those three could survive in the wild and fight others without issue, but Pokemon hunting wasn't just about strength. Sometimes, it depended on luck and keen eyesight.

Otherwise, what if they encountered a Pokemon but didn't even recognize its value?

People who weren't seasoned hunters wouldn't be able to tell right away.

And more importantly, even with good eyesight, what if luck wasn't on their side? What if they couldn't find the Pokemon they wanted?

Just like when Aoki had searched for an Onix earlier—he had spent an entire day wandering around and found nothing. It was a wasted day. Yet the Kaitou had stumbled upon two in no time. What did that mean?

It meant luck.

And she had even found an Absol as soon as she wanted to.

As a commoner, she had been acting alone, and to have grown this much without any external help was beyond just talent and hard work.

She didn't have the advantage of a fresh start like Aoki did, nor did she have the system assisting her.

The Kaitou had been ready to get angry, but Aoki continued speaking.

"I know you're not used to working with others. I saw it this afternoon while we traveled. And I also know how difficult it's been for you to rise from a commoner to where you are now. But have you ever thought about the future? Do you really think you can keep climbing alone?

What happens if your luck runs out?

Will you just stop progressing?"

Aoki's string of questions left the Kaitou unsure how to respond.

But she didn't deny that his words made her think deeply.

It was true—while her progress seemed fast now, she knew her own limits. Even if luck had favored her recently, her growth had begun to slow down in ways she couldn't control.

The resources and effort required to train Pokemon only continued to increase.

"Joining a faction can provide protection and more resources, as long as you prove your worth. But in return, you have responsibilities, restrictions, and sometimes, you'll have to face enemies you don't want to fight.

But what if you created a faction yourself?

Not something huge—just a hunting group. More people can gather resources, and we take a fair share. Isn't that more efficient than searching for Pokemon alone?

And hunting group missions offer generous rewards. Haven't you considered it?

You're already a four-star hunter."

The Kaitou was silent.

When she had become a four-star hunter, she had briefly considered forming her own hunting group. But as a loner, she had no friends to join her.

If she started from scratch, with her personality, who knew how long it would take to build a proper team?

"So, you've already established a hunting group?" she asked.

Aoki was excited. Asking such a question meant she was interested.

But he couldn't tell her he hadn't become a four-star hunter yet. She would probably be furious.

Stay calm!

It's almost a done deal!

"Not yet,

But soon. I've already gathered a group of people. Once I set up the hunting group, they'll join immediately. It'll be fully operational overnight. I'll make you the deputy leader. Isn't that better than joining a faction?

No one can give you orders except me, and you'll be able to command others." Aoki continued.

The Kaitou was intrigued. She had been a lone ranger for so long—what would it be like to have subordinates?

Just sitting back, drinking tea, and issuing commands?

"What do I need to do? If I join your hunting group, what do I have to give? And what do I get?"

But she wasn't naive. Surviving in the wild was all about benefits.

"It's simple. While I'm away, you lead the team and help it grow. You'll be in charge of the hunting group. You can take the team wherever you want, as long as you continue developing it.

And in return, you get exactly what I said—subordinates will contribute a portion of their earnings to you.

More importantly, you won't be a rootless hunter anymore. You won't have to sneak around when hunting Pokemon, or back down when others try to steal your catch.

You can fight back, because from that moment on, you'll have a team behind you.

You'll have real confidence!"

Convincing.

Aoki continued to persuade her.

It wasn't just about getting the Kaitou to join the group right now.

Even if she didn't agree today, Aoki wouldn't go after Absol and its child again.

But he was making valid points.

And the Kaitou admitted she was tempted.

Her instincts, which she had always trusted, weren't giving her any sense of danger or warning.

The two sat in silence, with Absol watching them quietly.

After ten minutes, the Kaitou finally nodded.

A smile appeared on Aoki's face—he had successfully recruited a reliable deputy leader.

Even if the hunting group wasn't officially formed yet.

But soon!

"Then you're not allowed to harm the Absol mother and child," the Kaitou reminded him.

Aoki smiled and nodded, keeping the truth to himself.

He knew why Absol's mother had brought them here.

The Absol likely sensed something—perhaps that Aoki and the Kaitou wouldn't harm them in the end.

Or maybe she even believed they could help heal her Shiny Absol's congenital defect.

"Can you understand me, Absol?" Aoki asked Absol's mother. She had completely calmed down now.

She no longer felt any malice from the two trainers in front of her.

The Absol nodded.

"If you want me to help your child, I need to examine it first." Aoki said.

Because he had suddenly thought of something—if he wanted to develop the mountain behind him, didn't he need a Pokemon strong enough to keep others in check?

One that could protect the growing forest?

If poachers entered, wouldn't that be a disaster?

And the Absol in front of him was the perfect candidate.

It could sense danger before it happened!