Wednesday, September 8th.
News had spread that Teacher Luke was going to hold an autograph session in Celadon City.
Officer Jennys from various cities across Kanto arrived on motorcycles, sporting a variety of styles, from dyed hair to motorcycle enthusiasts, and even a hint of perfume. What was initially intended as Luke acting as an instructor quickly evolved into a large-scale fan meeting.
The Officer Jennys from different cities were very enthusiastic. Teacher Luke sat for the whole day, and his hands and feet were aching.
The injured operator, still on crutches, arrived with Arcanine.
"Teacher Luke, thank you so much!" the operator bowed deeply.
"It was no trouble at all; it didn't get in the way," Luke patted Arcanine's head and smiled.
Arcanine affectionately rubbed its furry head against Luke.
"If it's not too much trouble, I hope you can accept this little fellow."
The operator looked at Growlithe beside Luke and said with a smile, "With you, it will surely become an exceptional Pokémon."
"ao wu!"
Growlithe stood beside Teacher Luke, emitting a proud and stern Howl.
Luke looked down at Growlithe with a perplexed expression. He had initially refused to accept Growlithe yesterday for two reasons: he already had three other little fellows to care for, and he doubted his ability to help Growlithe become stronger.
However, throughout the day, Growlithe had followed Luke wherever he went.
Luke rubbed his temples and sighed. "I'm not really good at training Pokémon."
"Leave it to me, and it will become less likely," the operator suggested, understanding Luke's hesitations.
"Getting stronger is just a bonus. The crucial thing is trust," the operator added with a gentle smile. "With your strength, even if you casually train it, it will become a formidable Pokémon."
Luke's eyebrows twitched. It felt like the operator was secretly cursing him.
"Of course, its nature is too docile and not suitable for combat," the operator lamented. "But even if you refuse, we have no other choice."
Luke was taken aback for a moment, sinking into thought.
Luke's philosophy regarding Pokémon training was to be a mentor and build strong bonds with his little fellows. The docile nature of Growlithe seemed like a reasonable choice. He imagined a household with both cats and dogs and chuckled, "I will seriously consider it."
The operator bowed excitedly and expressed his gratitude.
Sitting patiently, Growlithe wagged its tail and eagerly raised its head, grinning.
"ao wu!"
In the afternoon, Luke, accompanied by Miss Officer Jenny, chose a reward for his efforts.
Growlithe followed with excitement, wagging its tail.
Luke said, "Wait for me here; don't wander off."
Growlithe immediately lay down and gazed up at Luke with dark, trusting eyes, remaining completely still.
"It trusts you a lot," Officer Jenny noted with a slight smile.
"Trust can be quite a responsibility," Luke sighed.
They entered the police station's secure storage room, where Officer Jenny prepared a check.
"Including the bonus, the total comes to 200,000, plus the round-trip air ticket," Officer Jenny said with a smile. "The police station has many Move Secrets, but the higher-ups have prepared a more valuable token of gratitude for you."
Luke was cautious. "I would be content with just the money; there's really no need."
"You're too modest," Officer Jenny replied, and she showed him a wooden box containing a light blue glass object resembling sea water.
[Blue Flute: A whistle made of blue glass that can cure sleep (provided you aren't already a Legendary Trainer - can you even sleep?).]
Luke was momentarily baffled. The system seemed to have a knack for suggesting odd items!
Viewed from another perspective, the Blue Flute was a divine item for preventing wild encounters. It was the perfect counter to moves like Hypnosis and was essentially a low-profile version of the Pokémon Flute.
While Teacher Luke was a law-abiding citizen, he decided to accept it with good grace, having already played around with it.
The training mission had come to a close.
Luke walked out of the storage room, calling Haunter, "Let's go... we can head home."
"jie jie~..."
Haunter scratched his head, then pointed toward Growlithe, who was still lying obediently on the ground.
"ao wu!"
Seeing Luke, Growlithe's eyes lit up with excitement, but it remained still, lying obediently on the ground and grinning broadly.
Teacher Luke felt a surge of warmth. He had seriously considered the operator's and Officer Jenny's proposal.
However, he decided to let Growlithe, who had a strong desire to become stronger, follow him. It might not be the best choice for Growlithe, but after careful consideration, Luke leaned over and patted Growlithe's head.
"I'm leaving," he told the Pokémon.
"ao wu?" Growlithe whimpered and tilted his head in confusion as Luke's figure receded into the sunset.
For a moment, the trio secretly observed from the corner.
"Executive, it hasn't left yet!" Jessie exclaimed.
Luke, also hiding in the corner, muttered to himself, "Why hasn't it understood me? It's been half an hour."
"Growlithe is indeed a loyal Pokémon," Meowth commented, raising a finger. "Once it recognizes its owner, it won't change its allegiance."
"You're right. It's wonderful... it feels like someone is waiting," Jessie added while sitting on the ground and resting her cheeks in her hands.
Luke was taken aback for a moment but then smiled gently. Afterward, he walked toward Growlithe.
"ao wu!" Growlithe's eyes lit up upon seeing the familiar silhouette approaching.
Luke pressed the button on an enlarged Luxury Ball and held it in his palm. He squatted down, rubbing Growlithe's warm mane, feeling the heat of Growlithe's breath. A warm smile spread across his face.
"We'll be a family from now on!"
"jie jie~! (￣▽￣)/" Haunter happily raised a palm.
Sylveon glanced at Growlithe, recalling their sparring partner back at the landlord's house, and nodded gently.
"uirt~!" Squirtle pushed up its sunglasses, and a Water Gun hit Growlithe on the head.
"ao wu?" Growlithe looked a bit bewildered and soggy.
"This is the final step to joining the team!" Luke exclaimed, laughing heartily as he placed the Luxury Ball on Growlithe's head. "Welcome to the team, Growlithe!"
Growlithe responded by grinning broadly, shaking off the water droplets on its body, and transformed into a red light, flying into the Luxury Ball.
Dong!
Luke retrieved the Luxury Ball, poised for a dramatic moment, and said, "Growlithe, Get☆Daze!"
As the sun set, the trio couldn't help but flash satisfied smiles.
"Executive's evil plan worked, meow!" Meowth exclaimed excitedly.
"As expected of Executive, he captured the rare Pokémon with ease!" Jessie added.
Yellow, the high-ponytailed girl, may not have understood the trio's words, but she still watched Teacher Luke's silhouette with a bright smile.
The bond between people and Pokémon was a complex topic Professor Oak had been researching. Some saw Pokémon as tools, data, or wealth, while others regarded them as partners, friends, or comrades in battle. For Teacher Luke, the relationship with Pokémon was like that of a family member.
"Indeed, Teacher Luke is something else," Yellow said with a smile.
Before leaving the police station, Luke and his team received a farewell from Officer Jenny.
"Thank you so much!" Officer Jenny bowed gratefully.
The Team Rocket Trio felt a bit embarrassed and scratched their heads in a bashful manner.
As they left the police station, Jessie stood with her hands on her hips and proudly declared, "Well, after all, we are destined to reach for the stars above!"
James chimed in, "You almost blew our cover just now."
Meowth added, "Anyway... we successfully captured Growlithe, meow!"
"It's such a great feeling!"
"ao wu ——" Growlithe responded, emulating the trio's behavior and sending out a Growl.
Meowth was momentarily taken aback but then looked admiringly at the Pokémon. "What's it saying?" Luke asked curiously.
"It said it wants to become a hero like its mother, meow!" Meowth translated.
"Such great determination!" James knelt in front of Growlithe.
"Well, it seems like it has the potential to become a very powerful Pokémon!" Jessie added, rubbing her chin in contemplation.
Luke's emotions became somewhat complicated.
Why do you all want to become stronger?
I just want you to be a scumbag, obedient and honest.
You guys, one by one, are so eager to be positive!
However, after looking into Growlithe's resolute eyes, Luke sighed and glanced at Haunter beside him.
"jie jie~?" Haunter inquired.
"The training will be up to you," Luke said with a hint of helplessness. "Show it the ropes and make sure it doesn't destroy the house."
Haunter laughed triumphantly and patted Luke's shoulder. "jie jie~!"
"Don't worry; I've got it!"