Pokemon: Lord of Fear

[Rustboro City Pokémon Care Center]

Edward stood at the familiar entrance gate, gazing at the quaint building before him with a hint of a smile on his face.

"Caw!" A sharp cry echoed as a Murkrow perched atop the gate screeched harshly before diving swiftly toward Edward, its sharp claws carrying a faint chill.

Edward naturally extended his arm, and the Murkrow landed steadily on his forearm. It eagerly leaned closer until Edward stroked its head, prompting the Murkrow to close its eyes in satisfaction.

"As soon as I heard Blacky's cry, I knew it was you." A middle-aged woman cheerfully opened the gate, carrying a large bucket filled with various berries that emitted a delightful fragrance.

"Headmistress Lillian." Edward warmly greeted the woman.

To Edward, the Rustboro City Pokémon Care Center was more like an orphanage. The Pokémon here had all been abandoned by their trainers.

However, Headmistress Lillian insisted on calling it a Pokémon Care Center, never using the term "stray." She believed she was merely caring for these abandoned Pokémon temporarily, making it easier for the clever creatures to feel at ease.

"Edward, congratulations to your brother on becoming the Champion," Headmistress Lillian said, pulling a berry from her pocket and handing it to Edward. He accepted it—it was a Mago Berry.

The berry tasted similar to a mango but sweeter, and Edward enjoyed it quite a bit.

Headmistress Lillian handed another berry to Q, Edward's companion, who accepted it with a bow before sitting by Edward's feet and nibbling on it.

"Thank you, Headmistress," Edward said with a grin. The berries Lillian cultivated were not only delicious but also far more effective than store-bought ones. Many juice bars and upscale restaurants in Rustboro sourced their berries from her, which helped sustain the center.

"How's Greeny's recovery going?" Edward asked, taking the bucket from Lillian and walking with her into the center. As they walked, he pulled a piece of jerky from his pocket and tossed it to the Stufful guarding the gate.

The Stufful, affectionately named Big Bear, waved its paws in thanks before closing the gate. It was both a guardian and a resident of the center.

Meanwhile, Blacky, the Murkrow, flew off Edward's arm, resuming its duty as the care center's vigilant overseer.

"Greeny's doing better. Nurse Joy came by and gave it an injection. The poor thing cried so much it nearly paralyzed Nurse Joy," Lillian said with a chuckle, her good mood infectious.

Edward laughed too, his gaze falling on a green bundle hiding in the bushes. He tossed a berry, which bounced off the green lump and rolled onto the ground.

The green lump—a Shroomish—turned its head in confusion.

"Greeny, stop picking fights with Ruckus all day!" Edward teased. The round Shroomish angrily bounced in place, releasing clouds of spores as it moved.

"This little one…" Lillian shook her head, smiling as she knelt to greet Q. Q, done with its berry, leaned forward with its Pikachu doll, playfully touching noses with Lillian.

Lillian rang a small bell, and the once-quiet care center suddenly became lively as Pokémon from all directions came rushing over. Seeing Edward, they hesitated for a moment before dashing forward with even more excitement.

Every Pokémon in the center knew that Edward's visits always brought delicious canned treats, making his arrival the highlight of their day.

However, there were two exceptions.

Greeny stayed in place, untouched by other Pokémon. Its unusual condition—or talent—set it apart. Its spores, abundant and potent, carried effects like paralysis, poison, and sleep, spreading uncontrollably with the slightest movement.

Many Pokémon couldn't resist the spores and would collapse. Even Nurse Joy had admitted there was nothing she could do, and research from a Pokémon professor had yet to yield answers.

The second exception?

Edward shook his head as he looked at the excited group of Pokémon. "That little tyrant is the reason they're too scared to eat."

As if summoned by his words, faint tremors shook the ground. A Shelgon emerged, its body encased in a sturdy shell. Its small eyes radiated an intimidating presence.

"Ruckus has been getting lazier lately," Lillian remarked, smiling. Edward raised an eyebrow, understanding her implication.

Shelgon tended to conserve energy before evolving into its final form, Salamence—a majestic dragon soaring through the skies.

But to see a Bagon abandoned was something Edward hadn't expected. A Dragon-type Pokémon, destined to become a Salamence, was undoubtedly powerful. Even so, Ruckus had been discarded.

The reason? Edward didn't know.

Lillian had never mentioned it.

Nevertheless, Ruckus had become the tyrant of the care center, reigning at the top of its hierarchy. Its eventual evolution would only further bolster the center's safety—though attacks on the center were already unlikely, given the proximity of the police station.

"!" Ruckus's small eyes lit up at the sight of Edward. It wobbled over, affectionately nudging Edward's leg.

"Edward, I really think Ruckus belongs with you," Lillian said, watching the scene unfold with a soft sigh.

(End of Chapter)