"Wait a minute."
As they passed by a clothing store, Natsuhiko suddenly stopped in his tracks.
Lance looked at him curiously.
Just moments before, the two had agreed to go to the Poke Center's public area in Goldenrod City for evening training.
Natsuhiko initially wanted to head straight to the Silver Pokémon Battle Club, as he was more familiar with that place.
However, he later realized that the club might have ties to Rocket Team. Lance wasn't an investigator or an Elite Trainer Champion yet, so he wouldn't be concerned with Rocket Team's affairs. But if he remembered later and associated it with innocent Natsuhiko, it wouldn't be good.
Besides, he also wanted to visit the Poke Center to give Weedle a comprehensive checkup and treatment to see if the high-intensity training had left any hidden issues, and whether the two Tree Fruits had any adverse effects.
Since Weedle had been with him, it had never undergone the most comprehensive treatment at the Poke Center.
So he agreed to Lance's suggestion.
"Wait for me a moment."
After saying this, Natsuhiko turned around with Weedle and entered the clothing store.
Very soon,
he came out with something resembling a black curtain in his hands.
"What's this...?" Lance was taken aback for a moment.
Natsuhiko didn't answer but instead grabbed both ends of the curtain with his hands and gave it a light shake. It was actually a black cape.
Under Lance's surprised gaze, he draped the cape over Lance's back.
Instantly, the already righteous-looking Lance took on more of a hero and superhero vibe with the added cape.
Looking at his work, Natsuhiko nodded in satisfaction. "This way, there won't be any misunderstandings."
"Misunderstanding?"
Lance touched the cape on his back. The fabric wasn't great, but for some reason, he found he really liked this look.
It coincided perfectly with some of his deep-seated thoughts.
He always felt he was missing something but couldn't figure out what it was. Now he knew.
A cape.
A Dragon Tamer looks only truly cool with a cape!
And in Natsuhiko's impression, Lance's entrance should always be with a stylish cape. He must be the kind of person who likes capes.
"It's nothing, just a thank-you for the information you shared with me, consider it a return gift." Natsuhiko said.
He couldn't just say that without this cape, he sometimes subconsciously felt that the person in front of him was actually Master Ash wearing Lance's skin, could he?
"A return gift?"
Lance nodded, accepted the gift, and felt a deeper sense of recognition towards Natsuhiko.
"Let's go."
They were already in the city center of Goldenrod, so the way to the Poke Center wasn't long.
Very soon,
the two reached the Poke Center.
It was Natsuhiko's first time visiting such a highly Alliance-themed place like a Poke Center.
The lobby wasn't lavish but very simple and efficient. Various trainers with Pokémon in their arms or Pokeballs came and went. Professional nurses and Chanseys pushing medical carts filled the scene.
The only person standing behind the counter was Miss Joy, while the rest were ordinary nurses.
The Poke Center is a representation of the highest medical level of the Alliance and a benefit and safeguard for registered trainers. Only registered trainers can enjoy free basic medical services here, while non-registered trainers like Natsuhiko have to pay by themselves.
But even so, people never stopped coming to the Poke Center because only here could their Pokémon receive the most comprehensive and reassuring medical care.
Lance led Natsuhiko through the bustling lobby to the training and battle grounds behind the Poke Center.
This area is also free for registered trainers to use.
After Lance showed his trainer certification, Natsuhiko followed him to a corner of the training ground without any hindrance.
The training equipment and facilities here might not be as comprehensive as those in a club, but the bustling training environment provides a different kind of experience.
Lance nodded to Natsuhiko.
Natsuhiko understood.
Since it was just training, the two would just go about their own business.
They saw Lance open a Pokeball, and with a flash of red light, a deep orange Pokémon resembling a bipedal Western dragon with a strong tail burning with flames appeared on the ground.
Seeing this Pokémon, Natsuhiko's eyes lit up.
Charizard!
Affectionately nicknamed "Old Zard."
The final evolution of the Kanto Region's Starter Trio Pokémon Charmander, a Fire Type and Flying Type Pokémon that carries Dragon Type lineage and can learn several Dragon-type Techniques.
This Charizard of Lance's was evidently exceptionally well-trained, with robust limbs, vigorous flames, and eyes full of confidence—all hallmarks of an excellent Pokémon.
Patting Charizard, Lance asked proudly, "How's that? My Charizard is excellent, isn't it? It's my first partner."
Natsuhiko nodded affirmatively.
Everyone only knows Lance as the Dragon Champion, with Dragonite as his trump card. They don't know his initial Pokémon, Charizard, is also very strong and excellent, contributing significantly on his path to becoming a champion.
At the same time, Natsuhiko was inwardly glad he hadn't agreed to Lance's battle request.
Charizard versus Weedle?
What was he thinking?
Seeing Charizard, Natsuhiko suddenly remembered that as a future Dragon-type Elite and eventually a Dragon Champion, Lance had a Fire Type and Flying Type Charizard, a Rock Type and Flying Type Aerodactyl, a Water Type and Flying Type Gyarados...
They all have "Dragon" in their names but not in their types. Quite a unique feature.
It'd be more apt to call him the Flying-type Elite...
Lance the Dodo lives up to his name.
"Weedle, let's start training," Natsuhiko said to the Weedle on his shoulder.
"Woo!" Weedle responded.
In its eyes, full of admiration as it looked at Charizard.
So cool...
"Stop daydreaming. You'll be even cooler when you evolve into a Beedrill." Natsuhiko flicked its little head.
Weedle shrunk back a bit, embarrassed, and immediately jumped down to start training.
"As usual, warm-up with running."
Natsuhiko took off the little suit and hat he had just bought, moved his joints slightly, and prepared to train with Weedle.
After the incident of snatching Tree Fruit, he was even more convinced of the need to also enhance his own training.
"Woo!"
Then the two started running around the training ground for warm-up.
The training ground is 400 meters per lap, with a target of 20 laps before officially starting the training.
Lance was surprised to see Natsuhiko running with Weedle.
What startled him more was Natsuhiko and Weedle's training volume.
Until Natsuhiko was drenched in sweat, the warm-up was not done.
Though Weedle was panting, it didn't seem noticeably worn out, as if it still had energy to spare.
Immersed in their training, Natsuhiko and Weedle ignored the outside world's attention. Lance's questioning look went unanswered as Natsuhiko spoke to Weedle:
"Your body has undergone significant changes after eating those two Tree Fruits. Our training now aims to test your physical limits; knowing the upper limit lets us dig deeper into it."
"Woo woo!"
After warming up, Weedle clearly felt the change in its body.
There seemed to be endless energy, an inexhaustible strength.
"Then keep running until you can run no more," Natsuhiko said, panting.
"Woo?"
What about you?
Weedle blinked its eyes and looked at him.
"Me? I've hit my limit."
Weedle: "???"
So it's supposed to run by itself?
"I need to spend some time researching the development of Poison Attribute. Once we've determined your stamina limit, we'll begin skill training. Each skill would need to adapt to your current bodily changes. But with your foundation, it shouldn't take too long.
Off you go."
Gently urging Weedle on.
Hearing this, even Weedle didn't hesitate anymore. Compared to its current stamina, Natsuhiko indeed couldn't keep up.
It surged out, focusing on its training.
Lance, observing Natsuhiko and Weedle's training, looked increasingly amazed.
Seeing Weedle running laps swiftly around the field, seemingly inexhaustible, a thought flashed through Lance's mind.
Is this really a Weedle?
Are you sure it's not a Pikachu wearing a Weedle disguise?