Chapter 81: The Handsome Man

Zhao Fang felt the hand gripping his own was powerful, effortlessly twisting his arm behind his back. At the same moment, the other hand reached for the spot where he had just attempted to touch the Pokédex. In that instant, Zhao Fang's heart sank with despair.

If this person were an enemy, Zhao Fang realized he wouldn't even have the chance to press the emergency button on his Pokédex before being captured.

"Pokédex? Are you a Pokédex holder?" The voice behind him grew much gentler, but Zhao Fang remained silent, still unsure of the stranger’s identity.

"Don't be nervous, young trainer. I am Handsome, an international police officer, currently investigating Team Magma and Team Aqua." His hand was released, and Zhao Fang turned to look. The man was somewhat mature, his face marked with deep lines. Though his appearance differed slightly from the anime, Zhao Fang recognized him as Handsome, the international police officer.

Relief washed over Zhao Fang at last. He had been wondering what fate awaited him if the person holding him was an enemy, but this experience made him realize that Pokémon battles tested not only the Pokémon but the trainer’s abilities as well. If he had faced a member of Team Magma or Team Aqua, he wouldn't have even had time to take out his Poké Ball before being captured.

"You have to be strong yourself," Zhao Fang resolved to train himself.

"Hello, Officer Handsome." But training could wait; now, Zhao Fang had to cooperate with Handsome to deal with the two villainous organizations in front of them.

Just as Handsome was about to speak, a wave of heat suddenly erupted nearby. A member of Team Magma had released a Numel, attacking a Team Aqua member. The Team Aqua member retaliated by throwing out a Golbat to counter.

"Quan Mei, why aren’t you Team Aqua fish staying in the ocean, drying out like salted fish? What are you doing on our land—are you waiting to die?" The familiar voice drew Zhao Fang’s attention; it was Flame, the Team Magma officer he had met earlier.

"Heh, mud-slogger, what’s a volcano dweller doing in this icy wilderness? The intel I collected says you’re here to make a fortune with an Awakening Stone. Shouldn’t that money be shared with Team Aqua?" On Team Aqua's side, a woman looked at Flame with disdain.

Zhao Fang was surprised. These two were actually officers from Team Aqua and Team Magma, and from their conversation, he could confirm his suspicion: they had come here for the Awakening Stone behind Froslass. Zhao Fang had only guessed as much, but the Team Magma officer seemed certain of its existence.

"Enough nonsense, salted fish! If you want a share of the spoils on land, you’ll have to fight for it!" Flame threw out his Poké Ball, and a Mightyena and Golbat appeared on the field. Yet Zhao Fang didn’t see the Numel’s evolution, Camerupt, and wondered if Flame was hiding it for some reason.

Watching the battle begin, Zhao Fang felt his fingers itch. If he released his Gyarados now, he could probably sneak attack one or two in the chaos.

"Don’t make a move. If you act now, they’ll shift their focus to you and unite against an outsider." Handsome had noticed Zhao Fang’s intent and shook his head.

Zhao Fang didn’t understand why the international police officer was merely watching, but he figured Handsome had his own mission, so he didn’t argue. Following Handsome’s advice, Zhao Fang hadn’t pressed the emergency button either.

"Aren’t you going to arrest them? This is the perfect opportunity to profit from their conflict," Zhao Fang asked, puzzled.

"My target isn’t these two officers. I need to find their hideout." Handsome shook his head. Two officers were tempting targets, but even if he attacked by surprise, it wouldn’t change much. Notice how neither had sent out their ace Pokémon—they were both on guard for an ambush.

Zhao Fang nodded. He had one virtue: he never meddled in things outside his expertise. Let professionals handle professional matters; as an outsider, it was best not to intervene.

And so, Zhao Fang and Handsome lay in the snow, watching Team Magma and Team Aqua battle fiercely. Despite Team Aqua’s elemental advantage, the snow-covered terrain, devoid of water, limited their power. Team Magma gained the upper hand, and both sides eventually retreated, wary of each other.

"How many Gym Badges do you have?" Handsome asked quietly as he lay in the snow, remaining vigilant even though their opponents had departed.

"One, but my strength is still quite formidable." Zhao Fang revealed the number of badges he held and showed Handsome his Pokédex.

"The rest is beyond your scope. That Team Magma officer has strength equivalent to five badges or more." Handsome shook his head. Although Zhao Fang’s Gyarados met his needs, the officer reconsidered involving someone so young in his investigation.

Zhao Fang felt a twinge of helplessness, but he wouldn’t trouble Handsome further. He decided to return to Rustboro City, find a boat, head to Dewford Town, and earn his second badge.

After bidding Handsome farewell, Zhao Fang set out for Rustboro. Though the snow had stopped, the cold kept it from melting completely, making the trek manageable. As he walked, he observed his surroundings, remembering that Meteor Falls was nearby, home to some impressive Pokémon.

Walking, Zhao Fang took out his notebook and wrote down his current goals. He had already recorded information on the Kommo-o; the unique Kommo-o had captivated him, and if given the chance, Zhao Fang hoped to catch it one day.

Lost in thoughts of his future journey, Zhao Fang suddenly glimpsed a shadow flit through the woods ahead. He paused, stunned, but even with only a fleeting glance, he recognized the figure—it was Froslass.

"Froslass?" Zhao Fang felt a surge of joy. This place was entirely opposite to where Handsome had just departed—why was Froslass here?

Zhao Fang considered two possibilities: either Froslass had been frightened by Team Magma and fled here, or this was actually where the Awakening Stone lay.