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Chapter 182: The "Finders Keepers" Rule, Reversed
🕑 Added 2025-09-05 14:03:31 +0000 UTCChapter 182: The "Finders Keepers" Rule, Reversed
"Huh?"
Basalt was taken aback. His opponents' skins were even thicker than he'd imagined.
"So you're really willing to call a truce?" he asked, a smirk playing on his lips as he looked at them.
"Yes, yes!"
"We're willing!"
The arrogant trio had transformed into a flock of obedient children, nodding their heads like pecking Pidgey. Even their leader, Sterling, had lost his haughty demeanor and was now forcing a sheepish grin.
"Gravel..."
"Golbat..."
The Graveler, which had been sent tumbling, rolled back into place. It and the Golbat both looked at Excadrill with expressions of pure terror. They were completely and utterly outmatched. They might have stood a chance against Bronzor, but against Excadrill, they had lost all courage to fight.
Basalt nodded slowly. Just as the trio let out a collective sigh of relief, he said one word: "Meteor."
WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!
In an instant, another hail of massive boulders materialized in the sky. The trio and their Pokémon were caught completely off guard. At the same time, Bronzor's Gravity activated. Without the Lunatone's Imprison to interfere, it was free to unleash its full power.
"Damn it!" Sterling roared, but it was too late.
The Golbat was pelted by the super-charged rocks, unable to dodge or resist, and was knocked out of the sky. The Graveler took less damage, but it was now the only Pokémon left standing. What could it possibly do?
An Earthquake from Excadrill shattered its footing, and a follow-up Flash Cannon from Bronzor finished it off.
"Sorry," Basalt said, strolling over to Sterling after confirming there were no more threats. "A truce is a fine idea. But I prefer to negotiate when my opponents have no ability to fight back." He smiled. "I find it's more... conducive to a friendly agreement."
"You!" Sterling's mouth twitched, but he didn't dare to lash out. He had been so arrogant before because he saw Basalt as an outsider. Now, the tables had turned. All three of them were completely defenseless, lambs to the slaughter. And it was clear Basalt was no ordinary trainer. Even if he tried to use his family's influence later, it would be useless.
"Gentlemen, I'm sure you've found plenty of good things since you've been in here," Basalt said cheerfully, clapping each of them on the shoulder like an old friend. "And you know the rule: finders keepers, but we all found this place, so we all get a share. Now, hurry up and open your bags. Let's see the loot."
Excadrill and Bronzor flanked him like two imposing bodyguards, just in case of any "accidents."
"This..." Wally was speechless. Basalt was throwing their own trash talk right back in their faces. And with his overwhelming power, there was nothing they could do about it.
"Is there a problem?" Basalt's smile was still friendly, but to the trio, it was more terrifying than a Gengar's grin. "If you're having trouble, I'm sure Excadrill would be happy to help."
The trio exchanged a look. Finally, Sterling spoke. "Basalt, you win. The bags are here. You can take whatever you want. But please, leave us our Potions and Poké Balls."
He had conceded completely. They couldn't steal the bags themselves, or a Pokémon's held items, or food. But medicine and Poké Balls were in a gray area. Without them, they wouldn't be able to catch any new Pokémon, and they wouldn't be able to heal their own. It would effectively cripple them for the rest of the trial.
"No rush, no rush. Let's see what you've got first," Basalt said, patting Sterling's shoulder reassuringly.
"Okay," Sterling nodded, his smile more pained than a grimace.
Basalt took the three spatial bags and opened Sterling's first. Inside, besides the standard issue items, was a small pile of berries and a few black rocks. The berries were common varieties, worthless. The rocks, however, were unfamiliar.
"What are these?" he asked, holding one up to the light.
"That's Iron Ore," Sterling explained quickly, not daring to hide anything. "It's a rare, high-density ore. Rock and Steel-type Pokémon can consume it to increase their defense. I found it in a cave and took it from a few Aron."
"Increases defense? Sounds good," Basalt said, pocketing the ore without a second thought. "An Aron den? You didn't catch one?"
"Their talent was average. I wasn't interested. And the main den was guarded by a Lairon. I didn't want to risk it," Sterling explained. As the grandson of a Gym Leader, he could get an Aron easily. What mattered was its potential.
"No Aggron?" Basalt asked, spotting a hole in his story.
Sterling looked at him, baffled. Isn't that common knowledge? Weren't we all briefed before we came in? Professional-level Pokémon aren't allowed to interfere.
"The Aron line requires a massive amount of energy to evolve," he explained patiently. "Once they evolve into an Aggron, they usually reach the professional level very quickly. So... they're being restricted by the League for the duration of this trial."
"Restricted by the League?" Basalt's eyes widened, and then it all clicked into place. "So, does that mean the League has assigned a guardian Pokémon to each of us, to prevent accidents?"
"That's the standard procedure, yes," Sterling nodded. "Usually a Ghost or Psychic-type, something that can stay hidden but intervene in an emergency."
"I see," Basalt said, a wave of relief washing over him. The League was much more thorough than he had thought.
He continued his inspection. Ron's bag was completely empty. Wally's, however, held a small surprise. It was a walnut-sized, golden-yellow seed, covered in a hard shell.
"What's this?" Basalt asked, looking at Wally.
"It's just a seed," Wally said, trying to look innocent. "I thought it looked interesting, so I picked it up."
"Oh," Basalt said, pocketing the seed. He then rummaged through Wally's bag. "Looks like you're out of Poké Balls and medicine."
"Wait!" Wally panicked. "Okay, I'll tell you! Just please, don't take my stuff."
Basalt stopped and just looked at him.
"It's a Custap Berry seed," Wally said, his voice filled with despair. "I got lucky. I was teleported right next to a Custap tree. The League had already harvested all the fruit, but my Hitmonchan spotted this seed in a corner. They must have missed it. I was going to try and take it out..."
