"Haha, it seems the state after evolution is still relatively good! The Double Kick move is impressive!" Aoki said with a smile.
But as soon as he finished speaking, the Combusken seed to wilt, slumping to the ground. This was the side effect of the aptitude-boosting dicine. The Combusken had just evolved and wanted to showcase its new form, but after a single demonstration of Double Kick, its legs gave out.
Aoki shook his head helplessly, helped it up, and fed it a few Pokéblocks. At the sa ti, he activated his scanning system to analyze the Combusken's updated data.
Pokémon: Combusken (Quasi-Blue)
Gender: Male
Level: 16
Type: Fire / Fighting
Ability: Speed Boost
Held Item: None
Innate Moves: Ember, Quick Attack, Focus Energy, Feint
Basic Moves: Double Kick, Scratch, Growl, Ember, Sand Attack, Peck
Taught Move: Heat Wave
TM Moves: None
The Combusken's aptitude had reached the threshold of blue tier, but like the Slowking, it lingered at the awkward quasi-blue level. Though the aptitude potion had a noticeable effect, bridging the gap between dark cyan and light blue was far harder than overcoming the hurdle between dark green and light cyan. Aoki was confident that with steady training, the Combusken would eventually reach light blue—so long as its condition didn't abruptly decline.
Yet after over a month since the Slowking returned from Neverland, it still hadn't progressed from quasi-blue to light blue, despite Aoki's specially formulated Pokéblocks designed to gradually improve aptitude. The process was clearly slower than anticipated.
For the Combusken, ti wasn't an issue. As long as it achieved light-blue aptitude before evolving into Blaziken, the results would justify the effort. Quasi-blue was more than sufficient for its current stage.
This also confird Aoki's theory: the aptitude potion worked even on Pokémon with dark cyan potential. The Combusken would have another chance to use the potion upon evolving, potentially reaching blue—or even dark blue—aptitude. Imagining a Speed Boost Blaziken with blue-tier stats, further amplified by ga Evolution, was a thrilling prospect.
The Combusken's new Fighting typing added weaknesses to Flying and Psychic-type moves but removed its prior vulnerability to Rock-types. Overall, only one new weakness was introduced. Its resistances adjusted slightly, with its forr double resistance to Bug now quadrupled—offsetting the new disadvantage. The typing balance was favorable, making the Combusken a valuable addition to Aoki's team.
After feeding the Combusken more Pokéblocks, Aoki recalled it. The side effects of the potion would linger, and rest was its priority.
Hesitating briefly, Aoki sent out Larvitar, its tiny red backpack slung over one shoulder.
Poliwag might have a level advantage, but the environnt here didn't favor its Water typing. Larvitar, however, was underleveled—perfect for grinding experience.
Crunch!
The mont Larvitar materialized, a crisp sound echoed. Caught mid-bite, the Larvitar froze, clutching a half-eaten diamond the size of its fingertip. It chewed awkwardly, the noise betraying its guilt.
Aoki stared, mortified.
Had he raised a glutton? Despite the daily diamond rations, Larvitar was still sneaking snacks inside its Poké Ball. At this rate, Aoki's diamond stockpile would vanish sooner than expected.
Larvitar, noticing Aoki and the nearby Aron, brightened and eagerly offered the bitten diamond, eyes sparkling.
Want so?
Before Aoki could decline, the Aron lunged, snatching the diamond straight from Larvitar's claws.
Got you! it seed to sneer, crunching the stolen prize triumphantly.
Larvitar's smile faltered. Panicking, it yanked another diamond from its backpack and thrust it at Aoki, then spread its empty hands in surrender.
Last one, promise!
Aoki massaged his temples. "Just eat. We're battling right after."
Larvitar's eyes lit up. It tossed the diamond into its maw, fists raised in readiness—though the vigorous chewing ruined the fierce pose.
The Aron, having already swallowed its loot, lood beside Larvitar, who hurriedly finished chewing.
Aoki, Aron, and Slowking waited in silence.
A minute later, Larvitar finally swallowed—only for another diamond to tumble from its overstuffed backpack.
The scene turned painfully awkward.
The once-flat backpack, ant to hold only a fragnt of Groudon's armor, bulged obscenely. Aoki's eye twitched.
Definitely a glutton.
"Larvitar," he said sternly, holding out his hand, "hand them over. You'll get them back after the battle—if you perform well."
Grudgingly, Larvitar dumped out a small mountain of diamonds.
Aoki's jaw dropped. How did it even fit these?!
"And if you slack off," he added, "your rations are halved."
Larvitar's pupils shrank to pinpricks. It whirled toward the forest, dust swirling at its feet, exuding murderous intent.
Nothing would stand between it and its next al.
Aoki smirked. Maybe raising a food-obsessed Pokémon wasn't so bad—it certainly knew how to fuel its own motivation.
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