That Pokémon looked like a small, juvenile shark.
It had a massive dorsal fin on its head, two protrusions on either side of its face, and a huge mouth lined with sharp teeth that took up nearly half of its head.
This Pokémon was none other than Gible—
the juvenile form of the pseudo-legendary Garchomp.
The moment he recognized it, Yi Yunfei immediately stopped the sightseeing vehicle and leapt out, sprinting straight toward Gible.
The commotion was quickly noticed.
Gible scrambled up from the ground and bolted, but Yi Yunfei instantly summoned his ace Pokémon—Dragonite—to intercept it.
Seeing this, Oliver's forehead broke out in a cold sweat.
It only stole a berry… and not even the most precious kind.
They're actually sending out an Elite Four's main Pokémon to catch it?
Good thing I didn't do anything stupid earlier…
Mu Xue stepped out of the vehicle as well and walked over, asking curiously,
"That Gible… isn't it the one that rejected you before?"
"Rejected?" Oliver blinked.
"Brother Yi, do you know that Gible?"
Mu Xue shot Yi Yunfei a teasing look, clearly enjoying his misfortune.
"He once tried to capture this Gible, but its personality is extremely mischievous—and it doesn't seem to like being caught at all. In the end, the capture failed.
"No matter how you look at it, a Dragon-type Elite Four failing to capture a juvenile Dragon-type Pokémon is… kind of embarrassing."
She smiled meaningfully.
"Not many people in the League know about it—but I just happen to know a little."
She didn't say how she knew, but Yi Yunfei already had a pretty good guess.
It had to be that loudmouthed muscle-brain again.
Yi Yunfei's face darkened.
"You little girl, what do you know?" he snorted.
"The situation back then was far more complicated than you think."
Oliver was about to ask more when Dragonite had already returned, gripping Gible by the scruff of its neck and landing in front of them.
Even while being held, Gible continued baring its teeth at Yi Yunfei, showing absolutely no fear.
Oliver asked curiously,
"Has this Gible stolen berries before? Aren't there punishments for that?"
Yi Yunfei sighed helplessly.
"If it were any other Pokémon sneaking out like this, it would've been assigned to a League investigator long ago. But this Gible's situation is… special."
Hearing Oliver's voice, Gible suddenly turned its head and glared at him.
Its expression was fierce—but paired with its round body, it actually looked rather cute.
However, the moment it looked at Oliver, a strange feeling welled up inside it.
An inexplicable sense of closeness.
As if… it should be close to this human.
The feeling confused Gible, leaving it momentarily stunned.
Oliver and Mu Xue were focused on Yi Yunfei's words and didn't notice Gible's abnormal reaction.
"Special?" Mu Xue raised an eyebrow.
"That, I didn't know."
Yi Yunfei explained,
"It's not really a secret. This Gible is actually the descendant of a Pokémon that belonged to a League hero who sacrificed their life.
"Because of that, when it makes small mistakes, we usually don't punish it too harshly."
Oliver nodded slightly.
Whoever that hero was—
they must have been someone even a Dragon-type Elite Four would sincerely respect.
Yi Yunfei continued,
"It hatched from its egg without ever seeing its parents. That's probably why its personality turned out so rebellious.
"And its talent is outstanding. That's why I wanted to capture it in the first place.
"Who knew it wouldn't give me the slightest chance?"
He looked at Gible with regret.
A Pokémon capable of sneaking out of the Breeding Zone multiple times without being detected—
that alone proved how extraordinary its talent was.
Unfortunately, it simply didn't want to be captured by humans.
But then Yi Yunfei noticed something strange.
Gible was staring blankly at Oliver, completely unlike its usual mischievous self.
"Gi!"
Gible suddenly let out a soft cry and stretched out a small claw toward Oliver, as if trying to touch him.
The three of them turned their heads at the sound, only to see Gible struggling fiercely in Dragonite's grip, clearly trying to break free.
"Could it be…?"
A shocking thought formed in Yi Yunfei's mind.
He immediately signaled Dragonite to put Gible down.
The moment Gible's feet touched the ground, it rushed straight toward Oliver.
Its short little legs pumped rapidly, making the scene oddly comical.
It stopped in front of Oliver and began sniffing him carefully, as if trying to understand why this human felt so familiar.
Oliver crouched down as well, curiously studying the little guy.
He slowly reached out and placed his hand on Gible's head.
"Be careful!"
Mu Xue immediately warned him.
Gible was known to be a particularly aggressive Pokémon—and this one had an even worse temperament. If it suddenly bit down with that massive, fang-filled mouth, the consequences would be disastrous.
"It's fine," Oliver said calmly.
"It seems to like me."
His palm rested firmly on Gible's head.
Not only did Gible not react violently—it actually looked… comfortable.
"Gi~ gi?"
Who are you?
Why don't I hate you at all?
Gible's skin wasn't smooth at all—it was rough, even a little abrasive.
Still, Oliver continued gently stroking its head, clearly enjoying himself.
With Evergreen Power, Oliver could sense a Pokémon's emotions.
He knew—
Gible felt relaxed.
It wasn't rejecting him.
Yi Yunfei stared at the scene, completely dumbfounded.
No way…
I, a Dragon-type Elite Four, couldn't get it to follow me—
and now it's smiling at a Pokémon researcher?!
With a sour tone, he said,
"Brother Oliver… I think this Gible really likes you."
Oliver turned serious and looked straight at Gible.
"Then tell me—
Gible, do you want to be my Pokémon?"
Gible tilted its head, thought for a moment, then nodded vigorously.
Truth be told, it had long grown tired of staying here—otherwise, it wouldn't have kept sneaking out.
And the sense of closeness it felt toward this human was something it had never experienced before.
It wanted to follow him.
To see the outside world.
"Alright."
Oliver took out an empty Poké Ball, gently touched it to Gible's forehead, and pressed the button.
In a flash of red light, Gible was absorbed into the Poké Ball.
Ding! Congratulations, Host, on successfully capturing Gible.
Rewards obtained:
– 10 Top-Tier Dragon-type Energy Cubes
– Cynthia's Garchomp Training Guide
Pokémon Information
Pokémon: Gible
Level: Intermediate – Late
Potential: Champion Class
Ability: Sand Veil
Moves:
Tackle
Sand Attack
Dragon Breath
Dig
Bite
Sand Tomb
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