The favorability of Mimosa rose from 0 to 5, but it was still far from being fully subdued.
Based on Albus' understanding, Mimosa belonged to a species of Pokémon that was naturally shy and docile. They typically lived near clear bodies of water, such as ponds and streams.
Unlike territorial Pokémon like Beedrill, Mimosa did not have strong territorial instincts. This meant they were usually friendly toward both other Pokémon and humans, provided there was no aggression toward them.
The 5 points of favorability Mimosa had toward Albus were merely its natural baseline for friendly humans.
After a night of dedicated effort—watering, feeding, and sunbathing—the favorability increased again. Mimosa's affection toward Albus rose from 5 to 15.
Upon checking its stats, he noticed changes in both its emotions and physical condition:
[Species: Mimosa ♀]
Type: Grass, Poison
Ability: Leaf Guard
Base Stats: 280 (HP: 40, Attack: 30, Defense: 35, Special Attack: 50, Special Defense: 70, Speed: 55)
Moveset: Absorb, Stun Spore, Seed Bomb
Current Mood: Happy
Physical State: Relaxed (`)
Friendship: 15 ("Feels comfortable around you.")
"Little one, do you want to stay like this forever?" Albus asked as he squatted in front of Mimosa, holding out a Poké Ball to tempt it.
Pokémon were highly intelligent creatures, and there were several ways to subdue them.
The first method was the most common: using strength to battle wild Pokémon, defeating them until they were weak enough to be captured inside a Poké Ball. This was, without a doubt, a forced form of subjugation.
Albus had seen enough of the anime to notice how Pokémon captured this way seemed to accept their trainers almost instantly. It always made him wonder if Poké Balls had some kind of mind-altering effect.
A prime example of this was a certain "one-ball superman" from New Unova Adventures.
The second method involved proposing a capture to a wild Pokémon, who would then evaluate the trainer's strength. If the Pokémon recognized their power after a battle, it would willingly follow them.
The third type was when Pokémon actively sought out strong trainers to grow and evolve alongside them.
And finally, the fourth method was the most harmonious and mutually beneficial—what Albus called the "influence method."
For example, when Ash first obtained Pikachu, he protected it from harm despite Pikachu's initial reluctance. Touched by Ash's selflessness, Pikachu grew attached to him, and they became lifelong companions.
This was a two-way choice kind of subjugation.
"Nini?" Mimosa tilted its head in confusion, staring at the red-and-white sphere in front of it.
Albus explained gently, "That means letting me be your trainer and living with us from now on."
Mimosa now understood. It turned toward the window, gazing at the Amazon Forest beyond, recalling everything that had happened over the past day.
"Nini..." It hesitated. The human's voice was tempting, but could it really leave the forest behind?
Albus smiled. "I can make you stronger—help you evolve into a Roserade."
Mimosa's hesitation wavered slightly.
"You'll also get to bask in the sun as much as you want and have clean water to drink every day."
"Nini..." That sounded nice, but still...
"And," Albus continued, his voice playful, "I'll prepare lots of delicious food for you—things you've never tasted before!"
That was the final straw. Mimosa's small eyes sparkled with excitement. "Nini?"
Albus could sense its thoughts. He smiled. "That's right, even better than what you had last night."
Last night, Albus had brought back an extra portion of Pokémon food from the cafeteria. It was a mixture of honey, flour, and berries—not as nutritious as high-grade Pokéblocks, but much tastier than wild berries.
"Nini!" Mimosa chirped happily.
"Alright, then—I'm going to capture you now!"
Albus pressed the button on the Poké Ball, enlarging it. A red light shot out, enveloping Mimosa and pulling it inside the sphere.
The Poké Ball trembled slightly as the Pokémon inside adjusted to its new environment. After a few moments, it stopped moving, indicating a successful capture.
"I can't believe this little one was convinced by food." Albus chuckled.
Of course, he had no intention of deceiving Mimosa. He fully intended to fulfill all the promises he had made.
Caring for Pokémon wasn't just about battling—it was about meeting their needs and ensuring their happiness. Providing good food wasn't just about nutrition; it contributed to a Pokémon's overall well-being.
Looking at the Poké Ball in his hand, new information suddenly appeared in Albus' mind:
[Name: Mimosa]
Type: Grass, Poison
Original Trainer: Albus
Possessions: None
Notes: Shy Personality
Date Captured: September 15, 208
Location: Amazon Forest
Likes: Clean environments
Medals Earned: None
Albus froze for a moment.
Wasn't this similar to the status screen from the Pokémon games?
Most of the information was standard, but what caught his attention was the Notes section.
In the games, different natures affected a Pokémon's stats, but the anime never really delved into such details.
Could Pokémon in this world really be described by a single personality trait?
After all, real-life Pokémon weren't as static as their game counterparts. Their personalities evolved, just as they did physically.
Perhaps this "shy" descriptor was just a simple way to summarize Mimosa's temperament at this moment, without affecting its Special Attack stat.
As for the "Medals" section, in the games, this tracked a Pokémon's achievements—such as winning League battles or participating in contests.
A minor feature, but a helpful one nonetheless.
Albus dismissed the information panel and carefully pressed the white button on the Poké Ball. Instead of throwing it, he activated it manually to avoid damaging the sphere—it wasn't cheap, after all.
A white light flashed, and Mimosa appeared on the desk once more.
"Nini!" It chirped, clearly happy with its new home.
Albus felt a sense of satisfaction. He had finally captured his first Pokémon.
Will Young, who had been watching from the side, let out a cheerful "Quack!" clearly sharing in the excitement.
PS: This story won't include game mechanics like stat boosts from personalities—it's purely for characterization.
PPS: This novel follows the traditional Pokémon adventure formula. After two years at school, the protagonist will embark on a journey. Expect ancient ruins, legendary Pokémon, rare encounters, and a climb to the top of the League.
Also, this story has no heroine—I don't write romance.