The Renegade Trainer

There were two trainers in a standoff. One was using a Mareanie, another had a Bibarel out on the lush clearing surrounded by trees harmoniously dancing with the breeze.

"Mareanie, use [Infestation]!"

"Use [Dig] Bibarel!"

The beaver-like Pokémon escaped through a hole, avoiding Mareanie's attack.

"Ho? Then, we'll use [Stockpile]!"

Energies surrounded Mareanie and bolstered its defenses as it stored some of it as well.

Waiting for Bibarel to resurface, it managed to get in another [Stockpile] before tanking a super-effective dig.

Maguro wasn't one to let an opportunity to counter attack slip by as well, "[Poison sting]." he commanded. They didn't have each other for a long time, but Mareanie got along well with its trainer.

Like a sniper, it was precise in shooting its venomous needles. Six out of the eight projectiles landed on its target, two of which hit Bibarel's legs.

Bibarel's trainer, Rey, was unaware his opponent's ploy and continued his offense. "[Dig] once more."

This not only dealt negligible damage as Mareanie has now stockpiled its defenses four times, but also left Bibarel open for another attack.

"[Poison sting], then [Venoshock]."

This time, Mareanie lunged itself in retaliation after firing off [Poison sting].

Rey tried to respond by going for [Defense curl] and [Rollout], but Bibarel started taking residual damage from poison after the second barrage of needles landed.

If in the Pokémon games, poison only dealt damage over time. In this world, it does that while weakening the part that got hit with poisonous attack, which was Bibarel's lower body and legs in this case.

This severely hindered it's mobility, which was what Maguro was aiming for.

However, Rey caught on too late and his Pokémon fainted to a boosted [Venoshock].

'That was underwhelming... I only accepted this challenge because I sensed that Bibarel's talent was on par with Mareanie, but I guess regular rookie trainers are weaker than wild Pokémon.' 

"Thank you for the battle." though dejected, Rey was humble. Maguro accepted the cash and went on his way to Eterna forest.

'I should try racking in some more cash while I'm at it too...' he thought about a particular place as he entered the woods famed for its biodiversity.

He didn't have any plans to add a new team member, nor was he about to hunt Pokémon in an area heavily monitored by rangers.

This time, Maguro was planning to find some useful items that can come in handy against the Eterna city gym leader.

Two kinds of items are under his radar, Power-up items and held items. Both self-explanatory, but the former are generally consumables that could either help a Pokémon learn a new move or gain exp, and in extremely rare cases, improve its potential. 

Evolution stones are also categorized as Power-up items and are just as rare potential-improving items.

Murkrow was sent out, being Maguro's best recon Pokémon, it excelled at finding valuables and other stuff that would pique its trainers interest.

"We're looking for rare items this time." he whispered like the devil, and Murkrow was tempted effortlessly.

As it soared above the trees, Maguro figured he should test Turtwig as well and see how much it had grown after following his training routine.

And if Murkrow had a knack for finding treasure, Maguro's eyes never fail to determine a Pokémon's potential no matter what. Even without a Psychic type, these are the traits made them first class hunters and scouts.

After a few minutes, Maguro and Turtwig came across a decently talented Buneary and challenged it in exchange for berries if it won.

 But before they could initiate battle, "HEY! THAT'S MY BUNEARY!"

The bushes rustled, and out of it emerged a blonde boy in a sweater as a green muffler hanged onto his neck. 

A Piplup accompanied him, and Maguro recognized this little one.

"You must be Cyrus." 

"Eh? Who's Cyrus?"

"Are you not the third placer for this year's batch of new trainers?"

"No. I am Nicolas and I'm fourth."

Maguro tilted his head in perplexion. "So why do you have a royal starter?"

"Because I got lucky. One of the top three decided to passed up on a royal starter so prof. Rowan offered me one." The blonde boy said with a bright smile.

"I see, then that means you're Harry."

"Wait, why do you take note of the names of the top rookies anyway?"

"Because I expect the top 10 to be a rival and a worthy opponent." Maguro turned back to Buneary, "Regarding this one, don't worry. I'll let you catch it if you really want it."

He released Turtwig "But I've booked a battle with it you see!"

The battle begun without a word as the fluffy Bunny charged in using [Quick Attack]. 

"[Withdraw]!" Maguro knew he wouldn't be outspeeding Buneary, so he started with defense.

Buneary felt like hitting a hard concrete wall when its third [Quick Attack] struck Turtwig. It was to the point where it was the one getting blown away by Turtwig's sturdiness.

"[Leech seed]." Though the damage was significantly decreasing, that didn't mean Turtwig was unscathed. 

Buneary is quite strong after all.

It tried avoiding the seeds, but was eventually bound by [Leech seed]. This was checkmate.

[Leech seed] was a move that not only immobilizes and seeps the opponent's energy, it also revitalizes its user. Unlike in the games, its effects would vanish once the user is switched out.

There were multiple ways to cancel this move, but Buneary cannot cut nor burn [Leech seed].

"[Shell Smash], then [Headbutt]."

After bashing itself against a rock using [Tackle] almost everyday, Turtwig had gotten tougher and even learned [Headbutt], a move that the average Turtwig line won't learn unless taught by a move tutor or TM.

This was the effect of intensely training purple and black potential Pokémon.

Because of the speed boost, Turtwig's attack power was higher as it launched itself at high speeds to the entrapped Buneary.

The match ended with the bunny succumbing to one attack.

'What kind of monster is this guy?' Harry was terrified watching from the sidelines. His Piplup shared the sentiment too, wearing the same agape expression with its trainer.

"So, you're catching this?"

"I-I think I'll pass on that. I gotta return to the Floraroma to resupply."

'Well, he's a scaredy cat.' 

Maguro didn't even get the chance to speak when both Piplup and Harry ran away.

'Oh well' he tended to Buneary's wounds, making sure it was fully healed before continuing his trek through Eterna forest.

"Caww! Caw!" Right on time, Murkrow reported something to Maguro.

"Perfect timing!"

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[TO BE CONTINUED]