Leon kept an eye on the two as they interacted, trying to gauge how best to help Rasca connect with Superior. After a moment, he smiled, watching the small purple Pokemon retreat into its Pokeball, albeit unwillingly. “Try not to take his antics too seriously, Rasca,” he commented. “Male Nidorans are meant to be a bit hot headed. It’s normal for them.” He glanced down at the smaller blue Pokemon that he had managed to befriend. “I have a slight advantage over you. Nido and Superior both saw me defend them from the Mankey that attacked. I’ve earned their respect quickly. As painful as that respect was to earn.” He rubbed the arm that had been hit with a sheepish grin. “The problem is, I can’t tell you how to connect with Superior, exactly. They have general characteristics that stay constant, but they are as different as you and I. You just have to work at it and, eventually, I’m sure he’ll see your intentions and come to your side willingly.”

With that said, he turned back to face the road, walking alongside Nido. “Not saying you need to send him back out. You can punish him if you want. Just telling you that you should try to be open minded with him,” he added as an afterthought, glancing back to smile at her. Easy for him to say. Nido was practically best friends with him in a matter of minutes.

While it almost looked like Leon had taken an easy way out, taking the more reserved and stable Pokemon as his own, the boy knew what he was doing. His personality was a direct clash with that of a male Nidoran, or more effectively, a Nidoking. Rasca was fiery, hot-headed, and could hold her own in a fight. She had already done so for him a number of times. He was positive that Superior would see her strength and come to respect her. Just the same, he knew Nido would get the most use from being with him, being one who needed to be nurtured and helped into her stage as a Nidoqueen. His efforts would pay off, but the way Leon had arranged things was the only way he saw this group working out. It was the best match of personalities and skills, despite how it looked at first glance.