"And now what?"
"What am I supposed to do?"
Ethan Black held the Protector item in his hands, locking eyes with the Rhyhorn. The scene quickly turned somewhat awkward, neither side knowing what to do next.
Since it was confirmed that Rhyhorn was interested in the Protector item, what was supposed to be the next step?
Was he supposed to give it to him?
"Rhyh, rhyh!"
While Ethan Black was overthinking, Rhyhorn had no such concerns. It suddenly let out a couple of excited grunts and ran over to his side. To his surprise, it lay down on the ground with its eyes half-closed, as if greatly enjoying the moment.
"Looks like Rhyhorn just enjoys the energy emitted by the Protector item," Ethan Black murmured, relieved that it didn't try to snatch it away. He looked down at the item in his hands and reflected.
Since Rhydon could evolve using this item, it must contain some kind of energy that allowed evolution. But current human technology still couldn't detect such energy.
"How obedient," Ethan Black smiled, watching Rhyhorn lying at his feet.
He put the Protector back into his backpack and sat beside it. During all that time, Rhyhorn didn't make a single move, and soon began to snore lightly, already asleep.
"What a fine Rhyhorn specimen!"
Ethan Black stroked Rhyhorn's skin, as hard as steel, and couldn't help but exclaim. The parents of this Rhyhorn were very powerful Pokémon, so its potential had to be exceptional.
Moreover, Professor Harris was an expert in Ground-type Pokémon, recognized as an authority in their breeding. Under his tutelage, this Rhyhorn had developed outstandingly—without a doubt, one of the best among its species.
A Rhyhorn like this was Ethan Black's dream. He could imagine that, if he obtained it and trained it using Professor Harris's methods, and later evolved it with the Protector item, it would become a pillar of his team, a Pokémon so strong that it could face any challenge.
"Maybe I could think of a way to convince Professor Harris to give it to me," Ethan Black considered, but quickly shook his head and sighed.
He realized that even if the professor did give it to him, he probably couldn't afford to keep it. He already struggled to feed his three current Pokémon! And if he added a glutton like Rhyhorn, he'd be bankrupt in no time.
Besides, it was well-known that the Rhyhorn evolutionary line had an enormous appetite. It would ruin him!
"Better for Professor Harris to keep raising it," Ethan Black decided. "He's much better at raising Pokémon than I am."
"Besides, if one day I get rich overnight, then I'll make sure to get it," Ethan Black concluded.
He glanced at Rhyhorn, then at Professor Harris and Hippopotas in the distance, feeling a little guilty.
It was already shameless enough that he let his Pokémon eat for free with the professor—and now he also wanted his Pokémon!
"Professor Harris, someday I'll repay you for all this. Sorry," Ethan Black thought to himself, as he looked back at Rhyhorn.
Although he didn't plan to capture it immediately, at the very least he could get along with it starting now. That would make things much easier if he decided to make it his in the future.
...
When one is focused on something, time flies.
During that time, Professor Harris and Alex Baxter were fully dedicated to their research. Ethan Black, who knew nothing about research, and the young Rhyhorn, became the most idle pair of the group.
From then on, Ethan Black and Rhyhorn were inseparable. He even personally took care of feeding it, greatly strengthening their bond.
Rhyhorn, perhaps attracted by the energy of the Protector item Ethan Black carried, acted very affectionate, following him everywhere like a personal bodyguard.
During that period, Ethan Black also consulted Professor Harris's manual titled "Breeding Methods of the Rhydon Evolutionary Line", which gave him many useful ideas for Rhyhorn's training.
One of Rhyhorn's training methods was simple but rough: it revolved around the move Smack Down. Originally, this move consisted of wrapping objects in Rock-type energy and throwing them.
But Professor Harris had taken it further: Rhyhorn used Smack Down on itself, covering its whole body in Rock-type energy, and then charging forward. This way, the energy fused directly with its body.
After seeing this method, Ethan Black began studying it seriously. He was already thinking about adapting it for his Sandslash and designing a similar version.
"Ethan, since when are you so close with Rhyhorn?" asked Alex Baxter, surprised to see the Pokémon following him so closely.
"Close? Maybe it's just that we clicked instantly," Ethan Black replied with a smile, avoiding mentioning the Protector item.
"Clicked? Don't lie to me. Tell me the truth—are you interested in this Rhyhorn?" Alex Baxter shot him a sidelong glance, looking very serious.
"Is it that obvious?" Ethan Black blushed slightly.
"Actually, if you want to become its trainer, there's no problem," Professor Harris suddenly cut in, appearing with a smile.
"Really?" Ethan Black was thrilled.
"Of course, I don't mind. You just need the consent of its parents," the professor replied with a mischievous smile, making Ethan Black's face instantly darken.
He turned uneasily and saw the two Rhydon staring at him with very unfriendly eyes. It was clear: if he wanted to be Rhyhorn's trainer, he had to pass its parents' test.
And the test was simple: defeat them!
Only then could he prove that he had the ability to train it.
"So if I defeat them, I can become its trainer?"
"Don't worry, I won't make you wait long!"
Ethan Black took a deep breath, looked at the two Rhydon, and showed a confident smile.
(End of chapter)