POKEMON : STARTING WITH FLASH METAGROSS

If distributing the three starter Pokémon was considered within Professor Yamanashi's duties, offering to let Rax deposit his Pokémon at the research institute was a completely different matter.

This gesture signified that Professor Yamanashi had essentially marked Rax as someone closely associated with him—a shared fate of rise and fall in the future.

Even Uesugi was surprised. He hadn't expected his teacher to place such high expectations on Rax.

Perhaps Professor Yamanashi truly believed Rax was the best choice for Scorbunny. If so, Rax's significance in the professor's eyes was likely much greater than Uesugi had imagined.

"Congratulations! We're practically family now. If you ever need help, just let me know," Uesugi said warmly, offering his support.

"Thanks! I'll hold you to that," Rax replied with a grin.

"Rax!" Professor Yamanashi suddenly called out, his tone serious.

"Yes, Professor!"

"People who yearn for the light, even if they have been in darkness, will one day be embraced by the light. I hope you will truly live up to your name, Rax."

Rax was stunned for a moment, but he quickly nodded. "Yes, Professor. Thank you."

With a small nod, Professor Yamanashi turned and left.

Uesugi smiled. "You know your way around here, so I'll skip the farewells. Take good care of Scorbunny."

"Got it."

As they left, Rax took a deep breath and slowly exited the institute.

---

Though his joy from obtaining Scorbunny was somewhat tempered by the realization that Professor Yamanashi knew about his ties to the underground forces, Rax also felt a sense of relief.

If the professor wasn't afraid of associating with him, then what was there for Rax to fear?

With these thoughts, Rax headed to the airport and boarded a plane back to EMI City, accompanied by his energetic new partner, Scorbunny.

---

Back in EMI City, Rax refocused his attention on the gym challenge. EMI Gym specialized in Grass-types, and its higher-level challenges required three Pokémon—just what Rax had.

However, since his Metang wasn't ready for battle yet, Scorbunny would need to step up.

---

In the intermediate fire-type training room of the Devon Hotel, Scorbunny was undergoing intense training.

Rax had fitted it with weighted socks, making each jump heavy and challenging. Even so, Scorbunny persevered, leaping to catch the bouncing ball that Rax kicked its way and returning it with impressive precision.

This training was designed to improve Scorbunny's leg strength and accuracy.

When Scorbunny was thoroughly exhausted, Rax stopped the session and rewarded it with MooMoo Milk, Berries, and Energy Cubes.

But before Rax could even rest, Scorbunny eagerly motioned for more practice.

"Come on, Trainer! Let's go again!" its eyes seemed to say.

Rax sighed. Why was his Pokémon so full of energy? And to make things worse, his other Pokémon—Skiploom, Metang, and Marowak—were inspired to train harder too, unwilling to be outdone by the new teammate.

---

A week later, Scorbunny's training had paid off. Its leg strength and ball control had improved significantly.

Rax smiled. "Alright, Scorbunny. Take off the weights; it's time for the next stage of training!"

Scorbunny looked at him with excitement. "Mito!?"

"Yep, we're still playing soccer—but now, you'll need to score with a single shot!"

Eagerly, Scorbunny kicked off its weighted socks. Feeling as light as a feather, it leaped high into the air, its jumping power dramatically increased.

Rax laughed as Scorbunny looked down at him, surprised by its newfound strength. "Alright, let's see if you can control that power!"

The first shot missed completely.

Scorbunny froze. "Mito???"

"Power's great," Rax said, "but if you can't control it, it's not yours yet. Let's keep working!"

Nearby, Metang practiced its Bullet Punch with steady focus. Marowak watched quietly, holding its bone staff, the green energy around it glowing faintly. Skiploom floated lazily, manipulating powders in the air with invisible wind currents.

---

Another week passed, and Rax stood before the EMI Gym, which resembled a massive forest greenhouse.

"Challenger Rax, you'll need to defeat two gym apprentices before facing the gym leader. Are you ready?" the receptionist, a kind woman in a long dress, asked with a smile.

Rax nodded. "I'm ready."

He was led to a small battle arena, where his first opponent, a young woman with a headband, awaited. After a quick introduction, the referee explained the rules: a 2v2 round-robin battle.

This was a senior-level challenge, meaning the difficulty was higher from the start.

The gym apprentice released her first Pokémon—a Roserade with an elegant, poisonous beauty.

Rax's choice? His newly-trained Scorbunny, now brimming with confidence and determination.

Despite the level difference, Scorbunny stood tall, its fiery spirit unshaken.

"Fire Pokémon," Rax thought with a smile, "never afraid of a fight!"

The gym apprentice eyed Scorbunny warily. She didn't recognize the Pokémon but assumed it was a Fire-type.

The battle was about to begin.