"As long as you understand. Also, what should we do with this fragment?"
"Keep it for yourself. Didn't you just receive a Charmander from that old coot, Professor Oak? Give it to him. You should already know how to use a tablet fragment."
"Understood."
Maki nodded. While the tablet fragments were precious, they weren't of particular significance to Team Rocket. The mysterious tablet they had acquired earlier still hadn't revealed its secrets, and the best use for this fragment was to enhance a Pokémon of the corresponding type. Additionally, carrying it over time could gradually increase a Pokémon's potential.
Logically, the best course of action would be to hand the fragment to a Team Rocket executive specializing in Fire-type Pokémon. However, Giovanni had chosen to let Maki keep it, knowing full well that even if he had ordered otherwise, Maki would have obeyed without question.
Just as Maki was about to hang up the call, Giovanni interrupted him.
"Wait, there's one more thing—almost forgot to tell you."
"Oh? What is it?"
Maki paused. What could be more important than the tablet fragment?
"Make sure to call Sabrina more often! I've got enough Team Rocket matters on my plate—keep her from constantly bothering me!" Beep...
The call ended abruptly, Giovanni having practically shouted his frustration before hanging up.
"Sabrina... what has she been up to lately?"
Maki's lips twitched slightly. He never expected to see Giovanni so close to losing his composure.
Shaking his head, he pushed those thoughts aside and turned his attention back to Charmeleon.
"This is quite the treasure."
Maki placed the tablet fragment in front of Charmeleon, unable to help but marvel at it.
While no one knew the actual size of a complete Arceus tablet, this fragment was about half the size of his palm—certainly not small.
"Here, Charmeleon. Place your hand on it, just like last time. Feel the energy radiating from it."
Maki smiled as he set the tablet fragment on the ground in front of Charmeleon.
"Char...?"
Charmeleon hesitated, glancing at Maki as if asking for confirmation. Was this really okay?
"Cotton! Cotton!"
[Hurry up! Stop stalling!]
Cottonee, seeing Charmeleon hesitating, immediately put on a bossy attitude and scolded him, despite being younger than him.
Seeing Maki's encouraging expression, Charmeleon no longer suppressed his instincts. He extended his claw and firmly grasped the fragment.
"Char?"
Charmeleon looked up at Maki in confusion. Nothing had changed.
"Just wait a little longer."
Maki's voice carried confidence.
Moments later, a brilliant red light engulfed the area, blinding not just Charmeleon but also Maki and Cottonee.
Maki, however, was well-prepared, shielding his eyes with one hand while covering Cottonee's eyes with the other. He had been blinded too many times during Team Rocket's experiments—he knew better now.
Cottonee initially struggled, thinking Maki was keeping something good from her. She wriggled, trying to break free, but as soon as the bright light flared, she froze in place.
"Cotton!?"
[What's so bright!?]
As the glow faded, the fragment had disappeared from Charmeleon's claw. He stood there, visibly stunned.
"Char...?"
Charmeleon raised his claw, examining it. He could feel something had changed within him. The sensation was similar to when he evolved, yet subtly different.
"That fragment is now a part of you. It will not only enhance your Fire-type moves but also strengthen your Fire-type affinity."
This was the true power of the tablet fragments. While Team Rocket couldn't derive much direct value from them—certainly not as much as something like a Mew eyelash—for a trainer, they were invaluable.
Especially for a trainer specializing in Fire-types.
"Let's keep moving. We've still got some distance to cover before reaching the next city."
Maki spoke to Charmeleon and Cottonee. The two Pokémon were visibly excited about Charmeleon's newfound strength, but Maki himself felt a weight settling in his chest.
A Charmander evolving and acquiring a tablet fragment—both were tremendous events, yet something about it all felt... off.
"Arceus..."
The name echoed in Maki's mind. Compared to Sinnoh's twin deities that Arcanine revered, Arceus was undeniably more powerful and unfathomable.
Even Dialga and Palkia, alongside the equally mighty Giratina, were but children before Arceus.
Giratina's exile to the Distortion World—rather than punishment, it seemed more like a parent grounding an unruly child.
And as for the infamous incident of Arceus being struck by a meteor? It had since been proven that it was merely an avatar, not its true form.
The string of strange events surrounding him made Maki wonder: was Arceus pulling the strings from the shadows?
Yet, he smirked in self-mockery. Even if his suspicions were correct, what difference would it make? Not even Giovanni could stand against Arceus—the true Creator.
Understanding this, Maki decided to accept things as they were. Whether this fragment was truly connected to Arceus or not, he had no way of changing the outcome. He might as well make use of it.
Charmeleon, still adjusting to his new form, struggled with his newfound strength, especially when using Fire-type moves. He often lost control over the size and intensity of his flames.
Perhaps thanks to the Flame Plate fragment, he had instinctively mastered Flamethrower upon evolving—an unexpected but welcome surprise.
"Charmeleon, use Flamethrower—but be careful not to set the trees on fire."
Maki turned his gaze toward the Arbok in front of them, giving Charmeleon his command.
For now, he chose not to have Cottonee use Helping Hand. He wanted to see Charmeleon's current power level.
The Arbok before them was formidable—by Poké Ball standards, certainly an elite opponent. Before evolving, Charmander would have stood little chance against it.
Arbok's face contorted into a menacing expression, its intimidating aura causing Charmeleon to momentarily freeze.
Intimidate.
Seeing its ability take effect, Arbok lunged at Charmeleon, seizing the perfect moment to strike.
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