Evening settles over Celadon City, casting long, purple shadows across the manicured hedges of the gym. I make my way to the entrance to fetch Exeggcute from its first day of intensive apprenticeship. Erika meets me near the scented fountains, her expression unreadable but professional. She informs me that Exeggcute managed to learn the mechanics of Mega Drain within a single day, a testament to its raw psychic aptitude. However, she notes that it still lacks the fluid mastery required for high-stakes combat. For the next two days, her lead Pokémon will continue the drill, pushing it to integrate the grass-type energy more naturally and exploring any other techniques the seeds can absorb.

  I thank her, return Exeggcute to its ball, and head to the Pokémon Center. The lobby is quieter now, the hum of the healing machines providing a rhythmic backdrop to my thoughts. After a quick check-up from Nurse Joy, I release the team in a private rest area to introduce our newest member. Meowth steps out of its ball, shaking its fur and looking around with a street-hardened gaze. Exeggcute hovers in place, its six heads bobbing in a silent, collective appraisal before finally dipping in a nod of approval.

  I sit on the edge of a bench and look Meowth in the eye. "You're a Normal-type, which means your ceiling for versatility is higher than almost anyone else on this team," I tell it. "I'm keeping you out of your ball as much as possible. I need your eyes on the ground—use that Pickup ability to scan for anything useful, and don't hesitate to use Thief if the situation calls for it."

  I recall Joy's earlier report mentioning a "locked" Technician ability. It's a specialized trait that boosts the power of weaker, technical moves, but "locked" implies it's a latent talent that requires specific stimulation or growth to manifest. I make a mental note to consult a specialist later to see if Meowth can alternate between these abilities or if it just needs a trigger to unlock its full potential. For now, I lay out my vision: "My goal is the top. I'm going to be the strongest, and I'm taking you there with me." Meowth listens intently, then glances at Axew. There is a flickering look of respect there; it seems to recognize Axew as the undisputed pack leader.

  Once the moon is high, we head to the outskirts for light night training. The darkness brings out unusual spawns—a pair of aggressive Nidorans lunges from the tall grass. It's the perfect live-fire test. Exeggcute executes a jagged green beam of Mega Drain, siphoning the life force from the first Nidoran to replenish its own energy. Meowth follows up, moving like a blur of white light as it uses Night Slash to precisely strike the second.

  "Meowth, use Pay Day," I command. A flurry of shimmering coins pelts the wild Pokémon, ending the skirmish. I gather the scattered coins and head to a nearby 24-hour convenience store to test their value. They aren't real gold—the store only offers about 10 Poké-dollars for the lot—but it's a start. If I can farm 100 to 200 dollars a night, it covers the basic expenses.

  We spend the next few hours drilling. Shellder's ice energy is becoming noticeably colder, the frost creeping further along the grass with every Icy Wind. Axew is beginning to "abuse" the Strength HM, his movements becoming heavier and more deliberate, turning his slashes into bone-crushing impacts. Exeggcute continues to push its telekinetic limits with Confusion, hovering stones the size of small crates.

  I focus on Meowth's development next. "Axew, show him the flow of Night Slash. Meowth, I want you to refine Fury Swipes. If we can layer your Slash technique into the rapid-fire Swipes, we create a shredding attack that's impossible to block." I then set up a coordination drill: Shellder pelts Meowth with Icicle Spears while Meowth has to use its nimbleness to either dodge or parry the ice with its claws. It's a brutal way to train evasiveness, but the white cat takes to it with a desperate, hungry energy.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  The next morning, I visit the Pokémart to secure Meowth's specialized diet. I'm surprised to find that Normal and Bug-type growth foods are only 1,500 Poké-dollars. The manager explains it's a simple matter of supply and demand—the ingredients are common, and the types are abundant. I buy a month's supply, refusing to show partiality to my team based on their species.

  After a two-hour morning session and a hearty meal—which Meowth devours as if it still fears the hunger of the streets—I drop Exeggcute off at the gym and head toward Route 16. The day is productive. I tear through eleven trainers, accumulating 5,600 Poké-dollars. Two battles stand out: a tense match against a Gloom and a surprisingly fierce encounter with a girl's Houndour.

  Meowth proves its worth immediately. By the time we loop back, its Pickup ability has netted me five Pokéballs, three Antidotes, an Escape Rope, and a single Ultra Ball. I sell most of it, keeping the rope and the Ultra Ball for emergencies. I'm hoping it eventually finds something rarer—a King's Rock would be a godsend for Shellder. The way the ability works is fascinating; Meowth isn't just "finding" things; it's scanning the environment as we walk, swiping lost items or hidden treasures from the brush with a thief's intuition. I buy a small utility bag specifically for its hauls.

  I've always been interested in catching a Normal-type because of their versatility. Snorlax or Ursaring were my first thoughts, but the problem that immediately came to mind was how to feed them. Ash manages because Professor Oak feeds his giant bear, and Paul manages because Reggie is a breeder. That's why I settled on Project M, though Kangaskhan is still on my list. The problem is they are incredibly rare, found only in the higher layers of the Safari Zone which I can't access until I have six badges. For now, Meowth will do. Even Giovanni has a Persian that is an absolute menace, and I want to take my Meowth to even greater heights.

  Seeking a greater challenge, I move toward Routes 7 and 8 near the underground tunnel. I find a "Gentleman" named Richards who pays out a staggering 5,000 Poké-dollars after his Growlithe and Purrloin are dismantled by Axew and Meowth. A Lass with a Nidorina gives Shellder a run for its money, but she can't find a way past the spinning Counter-Shield.

  Then, I meet Derek. He's a senior Ace Trainer with a weathered jacket and a gaze that misses nothing. He's surveying the area, mentioning that the wild Pokémon have been acting "mad" lately. My mind immediately flashes to Team Rocket's frequency emitters. I mention the possibility to him, and a light goes on in his eyes.

  "A logical theory, kid. That could certainly benefit an organization like theirs." He agrees to a battle as thanks for the tip, but his voice carries a warning. "I'm a lot further along than those trainers on the route. Don't expect a win."

  He releases a Charizard. The sheer presence of the flame-tailed beast is suffocating. Axew steps up first, his eyes wide with the thrill of the challenge. He tries a Cross Slash, but the Charizard simply scoffs, taking the hit head-on without flinching before breathing a plume of fire that overwhelms Axew instantly.

  I'm shaken, but I send out Shellder. "Counter-Shield! Use the water!" Shellder spins, creating a vortex that actually manages to stall the Charizard's Flamethrower. Derek looks impressed, but the gap in raw power is too wide. The Charizard closes the distance, ignoring a barrage of Icicle Spears. Shellder tries to defend, but the heat is so intense the water evaporates into a blinding steam. Only the spinning shell remains, scorched and vulnerable. With a lightning-fast Thunder Punch, the Charizard shatters the defense and beats Shellder in a single blow.

  I stand there, devastated. It was so clean. So effortless.

  "Good match," Derek says, recalling his Pokémon. He asks how many badges I have. When I tell him two, he whistles. "You're one of the best I've seen this season. Most two-badge trainers wouldn't have lasted ten seconds. I've been an Ace for years, kid. Losing to me isn't a failure—it's a lesson."

  He refuses my money, citing the Team Rocket tip as payment enough. He trades numbers with me, offering to help if I ever have questions. "You've got the smarts and the drive. Don't let this beating get to you, but keep it in your heart. The world is big, Grey. Don't get comfortable."

  I head back to the city to heal the team and pick up Exeggcute. It has made incredible progress, even starting to grasp the foundations of Grassy Terrain. But as I walk home, the image of that Charizard bulldozing my best tactics haunts me. Strategy is a tool, but Derek showed me that sheer, evolved might can simply walk through it. I realize now that I can't stay in these basic forms forever. I need to find stones. I need to find the power that only evolution can provide.