Strongest Lottery System in Pokémon World

Chapter 14: Viridian Forest at Night

Question: After a Pokémon is tamed, can ownership be transferred before the current owner releases it?

Answer: Yes.

Humans rely on Poké Balls to establish a bond with a Pokémon upon capture. This creates a link between the Poké Ball and the Pokémon, allowing the trainer to retrieve it at will.

However, this bond isn't permanent. If the mark created by the Poké Ball can be erased, the Pokémon can be released from its original binding and recaptured using a new Poké Ball.

This process is precisely why criminal organizations like Team Rocket often target trainers' Pokémon for theft and reuse.

As a former League enforcer, Marcel had learned all about these methods during his time at the academy. He was also aware that there were devices designed specifically for severing the connection between a Pokémon and its original Poké Ball.

Now, standing before the defeated Slowking, Marcel pondered whether he should capture it. Slowking was undoubtedly a rare Pokémon and an enticing prospect for most trainers.

After a moment of deliberation, however, he shook his head and dismissed the idea. "Nah, too much trouble," he muttered.

Rare as Slowking was, it wasn't a Pokémon he had trained personally. A Pokémon raised by someone else often lacked loyalty and could fail to follow critical commands in the heat of battle.

Sham's earlier loss was a glaring example of this—her Pokémon had outright ignored her orders.

In Marcel's eyes, a trainer's bond with their Pokémon was everything. Only through that bond could true trust and coordination in battle be achieved. Besides, Marcel had a soft spot for the simpler, goofier charm of Slowpoke and Slowbro. Slowking's regal intelligence just didn't appeal to him.

Instead, Marcel contacted Officer Jenny. He turned over the Slowking, using it as evidence of his victory over the Team Rocket cadre. By doing so, he also claimed a hefty bounty from the Viridian Police Station.

With his business in Viridian City concluded, Marcel took advantage of the cover of night to slip away, heading toward his next destination.

---

Viridian Gym – Team Rocket's Secret Base,

"Sham was defeated? She even lost a Pokémon?" Giovanni's voice held a rare note of surprise as he listened to Matori's report. The normally composed leader's expression darkened.

"Yes, the operation failed," Matori confirmed, her tone calm. "She managed to escape with the help of Teleport."

"Hmph. It seems this Marcel's strength exceeds my expectations."

Giovanni had believed that sending a mid-level Team Rocket operative and her subordinates would be more than enough to handle a young trainer with a single Metagross. But now, it was clear he had underestimated his target.

"Boss, should we continue to pursue him?" Matori asked.

Giovanni tapped his fingers on the desk rhythmically, lost in thought. Finally, he shook his head. "No, there's no need."

"Why not?" Matori frowned, puzzled by his decision.

"Because it's unnecessary," Giovanni replied, reaching down to stroke the Persian lounging beside him. "An enemy in the shadows is a threat. But one who has stepped into the light and revealed their strength? There's nothing to fear from them."

As long as Marcel refrained from covert interference, Team Rocket's resources and manpower could handle any direct confrontation.

"Yes, understood," Matori acknowledged.

"Oh, and have those three idiots been released on bail?" Giovanni suddenly inquired, recalling the troublesome trio of Jessie, James, and Meowth.

"They've been bailed out," Matori reported with a hint of reluctance. "They caused significant damage to the Pokémon Center, so the costs were substantial."

Matori, who oversaw much of Team Rocket's financial operations, couldn't hide her dismay. To her, spending money on bailing out those three was an outrageous waste of resources.

"Let them know this is their last chance. Any further bail costs will come out of their salaries," Giovanni declared firmly.

"Yes, sir!"

---

Marcel, unaware that the bumbling Rocket trio had just been released on bail, was making his way through the Viridian Forest. Not that it would have mattered to him even if he did know.

The forest at night was a stark contrast to its daytime vibrance. During the day, it was alive with the chatter of Bug- and Flying-type Pokémon. But at night, those creatures gave way to nocturnal predators like Rattata and Ekans, as well as the occasional Ghost-type drifting silently through the trees.

"The Viridian Forest at night is no joke," Marcel muttered, commanding Bulbasaur to dispatch an Ekans that had lunged at him from the shadows.

This marked the eleventh wild Pokémon he'd encountered and subdued during his trek.

"No wonder Officer Jenny warned me before I left," he mused.

It didn't matter what world you were in—traveling at night always carried its dangers.

As he continued walking, Marcel suddenly heard a strange, high-pitched laugh. He stopped in his tracks, turning toward the source of the sound.

Hovering just behind him was a dark, gaseous figure with a mischievous face. Its sharp grin and glowing eyes added to the unsettling aura it projected.

"Huh? A ghost?" Marcel murmured, his initial reaction one of curiosity rather than fear.

"A Ghost-type Pokémon, huh? Bulbasaur, use Razor Leaf!"

The loyal Pokémon, though visibly nervous, obeyed its trainer's command. With a determined cry, it unleashed a flurry of razor-sharp leaves toward the spectral figure.

Swish, swish, swish!

As he expected, the razor leaves passed harmlessly through the ghost's vaporous body, creating faint ripples in its gaseous form but dealing no damage.

"Kakaka!" the ghost cackled as it floated closer, clearly amused by the ineffective attack.

Bulbasaur froze in terror, then bolted straight into Marcel's arms, burying its face in his chest. The small Pokémon trembled violently, refusing to come out.

"…Seriously?" Marcel groaned, wincing as Bulbasaur's panicked leap nearly knocked the wind out of him. "At this rate, you're going to do more damage to me than the ghost!"

The ghost continued to drift closer, the air around it growing colder with each passing second.

Finally, Marcel raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Alright, cut it out. I'm not falling for your tricks." He crossed his arms confidently.

"Stop pretending—I know you're a Gastly."

════════════════

Marcel's Pokémon:

1. Bulbasaur

[Seed Pokémon.]

[Grass and Poison Type.]

[Bulbasaur can be seen napping in bright sunlight. There is a seed on its back. By soaking up the sun's rays, the seed grows progressively larger.]

[{Bulbasaur} → Ivysaur → Venusaur]

2. Metagross

[Iron Leg Pokémon.]

[Steel and Psychic Type.]

[Metagross has four brains in total. Combined, the four brains can breeze through difficult calculations faster than a supercomputer. This Pokémon can float in the air by tucking in its four legs.]

[Beldum → Metang → {Metagross}]

3. Eevee

[Evolution Pokémon.]

[Normal Type.]

[Eevee has an unstable genetic makeup that suddenly mutates due to the environment in which it lives. Radiation from various stones or causes this Pokémon to evolve.]

[{Eevee} → ???]

Marcel's Skills and Abilities:

1. Pokémon Breeding Knowledge (Elementary)

Marcel's Items:

1. Metal Coat

[An item that allows specific Pokémon to evolve.]

[When held by a Steel-type Pokémon, will increase the power of its Steel-type Moves.]

[Held by: Metagross]