Pokemon: I Transmigrated Twice [43]

"Apologies, apologies, Mr. Aldus..."

As the host of the banquet, Ritsuki rushed over, drenched in sweat. The composed, suave demeanor he usually projected was nowhere to be seen. Frustrated and at his wit's end, he scolded his daughter sharply,

"Rihua, why are you still holding onto that thing? Hand it over to me now!"

Originally, Ritsuke had planned to use this banquet as an opportunity to establish strong connections with influential figures from the Johto region. But now, the situation was spiraling out of control.

To make matters worse, just as the commotion was about to subside, this damn dog had to stir up more trouble!

"Mr. Ritsuke, is that Houndour your daughter's Pokémon?" inquired Goodshow.

"No, no, absolutely not!"

Ritsuki quickly distanced himself from the Houndour, turning back to his daughter with a stern voice.

"Why are you still standing there? Hand it over, now!"

"No!"

Rihua's loud shout was filled with defiance.

She knew full well what would happen if she handed over Houndour now. Not only was her father fuming, desperately looking for an outlet for his anger, but the dog had just bitten one of the Elite Four—a key figure her father was trying to curry favor with.

If she surrendered Houndour now... Rihua didn't even want to imagine the consequences.

Without further thought, she quickly returned Houndour to its Poké Ball, turned around, and ran away.

"You—!"

Ritsuki tried to stop her, but it was already too late.

Due to the commotion, more and more people had gathered around, forming a large crowd. Rihua disappeared into the throng before long.

"Master Elder Dragon, when will Elite Four Lance apprehend these criminals?"

"Sir Goodshow, why would Joker say such a thing? Does Gym Leader Altair have any secrets?"

"Gym Leader Altair, can you explain how Joker managed to escape?"

A large crowd of onlookers and reporters swarmed the villa, bombarding public figures like Master Elder Dragon, Goodshow, and Altair with countless questions.

...

Meanwhile, at the Indigo Plateau League headquarters, inside Lance's room, a news replay was playing on the television.

The screen showed a fleeting image of Joker's playful and mocking smile amid the blinding flash.

["If I'm a skilled artist, then your cousin is nothing more than a nitpicking critic,"] Joker had said to Clair before vanishing.

Crack!

The remote control in Lance's hand split under his grip. Rising abruptly, he grabbed his cape from the wall and donned it, his voice chillingly cold,

"Very well, let me show you the power of a critic."

Perfect. He hadn't even gone looking for Joker, yet Joker challenged him in front of the entire world.

Fine, just fine!

He would personally deal with this insolence.

When he arrived in Johto, Joker would have no escape.

...

Late at night, on the desolate streets, Rihua staggered forward, clutching the Poké Ball to her chest.

"The... Pokémon Center... how much farther..."

Thud!

At last, her strength gave out, and she collapsed to the ground.

The Poké Ball she had been cradling rolled free, and Houndour emerged. Hearing Rihua's faint voice, it hesitated momentarily before lowering its body, allowing her to climb onto its back.

Fortunately, Rihua was a petite young girl, barely ten years old. If she had been an adult, there was no way the injured Houndour could have carried her.

"Arf!"

Just as Houndour was about to collapse from exhaustion itself, it heard familiar barks in the distance.

Turning its head, it saw its brothers, three other Houndours, rushing over with wagging tails.

"Arf! Arf!"

One of them barked excitedly, speaking in its canine language,

"The masked human helped us escape. We're free now! Come with us and leave this city!"

Houndour glanced at the unconscious Rihua on its back, then replied,

"Do me a favor..."

...

Over half an hour later, there was a knock at Stephen's door.

Stephen and Will, who had just returned, froze.

Giovanni had left, and they didn't know anyone in this city. The timing was too coincidental—could someone be onto them already?

Exchanging a glance, Stephen and Will released Umbreon and Xatu.

Stationing their Pokémon on either side of the door, they prepared for any possible attack.

Once everything was set, Stephen nodded to Will, who signaled Xatu to use Psychic to turn the door handle.

As the door swung open, Umbreon's Shadow Ball was fully charged, ready to launch. But as she saw the visitors, the attack dissipated instantly.

Umbreon: "'Umbre? (It's you?)'"

Both Stephen and Will were momentarily stunned.

Crouching at their doorstep were the three Houndours they had freed earlier—and another one, collapsed. Beside them lay an unconscious Rihua.

"What the heck?! Why did you bring them here?"

Will exclaimed, startled.

"Unbelievable," Stephen muttered, staring incredulously at the Houndours.

"Arf, arf..."

One of the female Houndours approached Stephen, whining plaintively and pawing at the injured Houndour beside Rihua.

It didn't take a translator to understand her plea.

"Arf, arf..."

The other two Houndours also began pleading, their pitiful eyes wide and shimmering.

Even Stephen felt a pang of exasperation.

"Seriously, stop looking at us like that."

Will crouched to check on Rihua and exclaimed in surprise, "Stephen, this girl's current state is bad!"

"Thud!"

The injured Houndour next to Rihua made a faint growl before losing consciousness entirely.

Stephen placed a hand on its back.

A voice echoed faintly in his mind,

"Save... save her... I know you don't think much of me... but... please, save her..."

The voice cut off abruptly as the Houndour fainted completely.

"What do we do? Dump them in the sea?"

Will joked, pointing toward the ocean just a hundred meters away.

Carrying the unconscious Houndour by the scruff of its neck, Stephen turned toward inside the house and said, "We'll ask for payment when they wake up. Get ready for surgery."

"Guess we're not bad enough yet," Will remarked wryly.

Xatu used a Psychic to lift Rihua, carrying her to the operating room.

The three other Houndours wagged their tails happily, following close behind.

The last one even made sure to close the door as it entered.