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Hearing Lucas's desperate call for help, Nurse Joy immediately came to greet him.
Observing Gardevoir's swollen abdomen, Nurse Joy asked, "Is she in labor?"
Lucas quickly explained, "She's been in pain like this for hours, but the baby simply won't come."
Nurse Joy nodded with understanding. "I see." She beckoned to her assistant, "Chansey, please take Gardevoir to the delivery room." Then, turning to reassure Lucas and the anxious Kirlia, she added, "Don't worry. I'm here now, and everything will be fine. Please wait outside—the baby will arrive soon."
"Please help her, Nurse Joy," Lucas implored, grasping her hand earnestly, as though he were the expectant father himself.
Nurse Joy gave Lucas and Kirlia a calming look before quickly following Chansey into the delivery room.
Lucas waited in the reception area with Komala and Kirlia for several minutes before suddenly remembering that Honchkrow was still outside. "Kirlia," he said, "I need to check on Honchkrow. Would you prefer to stay here, or come with me?"
Kirlia shook its head firmly and gestured toward the delivery room, indicating its desire to remain nearby. Until Gardevoir was confirmed to be out of danger, it had no intention of leaving her side.
"Alright then. I'll be back shortly," Lucas assured it.
Kirlia nodded. In truth, it felt extremely nervous and intimidated, facing so many humans for the first time, but thinking of Gardevoir undergoing treatment inside gave it the courage to remain.
Like Kirlia, Honchkrow also felt distinctly uncomfortable. Despite its outwardly composed appearance—head held high, chest puffed out, projecting an air of majesty and vigor—internally, it was experiencing considerable anxiety.
Such an impressive Honchkrow standing at the Pokémon Center entrance naturally attracted attention, with passersby inevitably glancing its way.
This unwanted scrutiny only amplified Honchkrow's discomfort.
Moreover, Honchkrow had limited exposure to humans and harbored a certain wariness toward them. Its wild counterparts differed significantly from those living alongside humans, which were often regarded as formidable presences in the Pokémon world.
Cunning, domineering, ruthless, aloof—these were common perceptions of Honchkrow and its kind, stereotypes that persisted regardless of individual temperament.
"Honchkrow!" Lucas called out as he exited the Pokémon Center. To Honchkrow at that moment, Lucas seemed like a divine presence arriving to provide relief.
"Honch~ Honchkrow~"
Honchkrow hopped several steps toward Lucas, finally revealing a hint of its underlying unease.
Lucas immediately noticed Honchkrow's nervousness and gently patted its wings. "It's alright—everything's fine. I'm here now."
In that moment, Honchkrow genuinely felt a measure of reassurance.
A thought suddenly occurred to Lucas. "By the way, Honchkrow, are you hungry? I should get you something to eat."
Honchkrow shook its head firmly. How could it possibly consume human food?
Lucas, however, disregarded this refusal. "Come on, even if you're not hungry, Kirlia has been anxious and frightened throughout this ordeal—it must be famished. Besides, won't Gardevoir need nourishment after delivering? Childbirth is incredibly taxing."
After such a comprehensive justification, how could Honchkrow continue to decline?
Lucas inquired at the Pokémon Center and located a nearby specialty shop that sold Pokémon supplies, including food items.
"Welcome!" A cheerful attendant greeted Lucas as he entered. "How may I assist you today?"
Lucas gestured casually. "I'll just browse for a moment, thank you."
The attendant maintained her pleasant demeanor. "Of course. Please let me know if you need any assistance."
Lucas nodded appreciatively, then turned to Honchkrow waiting at the entrance. "Wait here for me, please."
Honchkrow nodded obediently.
Lucas explored the store and quickly found the Pokémon food section.
After careful observation, he discovered that the Pokémon food generally fell into two categories.
The first category was designed for Trainers to carry while traveling. Most prominent among these were Energy Cubes, which contained highly concentrated nutrition. Even a small portion provided substantial sustenance, making them exceptionally portable.
The second category was intended for Pokémon to enjoy at home, with Pokémon Cookies being the most common example. These treats were characterized by their appealing taste and varied shapes. Standard varieties were cylindrical, approximately the size of a child's thumb, while premium versions came in squares, diamonds, circles, hearts, and even miniature Pokémon forms—all designed to be visually enticing.
Regarding pricing, the first category generally commanded higher prices.
After deliberation, Lucas selected items from both categories.
Energy Cubes came in a palm-sized box priced at 500 Alliance Coins. According to the shop assistant, this quantity would feed a Pokémon for two to three days.
Rather expensive! Lucas thought.
He also purchased a large container of Pokémon Cookies—a cylindrical jar standing one meter tall and one meter in diameter—for a hefty 800 Alliance Coins.
Not exactly economical either.
Lucas exited the store carrying his purchases and told Honchkrow, "Let's head back to the Pokémon Center for dinner."
Honchkrow nodded, gently flapped its wings to become airborne, and followed closely behind Lucas.
Lucas balanced the substantial cookie jar in his arms with the smaller Energy Cube box positioned on top, and placed Komala atop the jar's lid.
So heavy!
As they walked, Lucas addressed Komala. "Komala, are you still hungry from earlier? If so, you're welcome to try these Energy Cubes. They're quite expensive—I wonder if they taste as good as their price suggests."
Komala rolled over, opened the Energy Cube container, and sampled one.
These Energy Cubes were genuinely attractive in appearance. Each was roughly fingernail-sized, crystal-clear, and available in various colors—white, red, green, blue, and more. The assortment resembled a collection of precious gems, beautifully arranged.
Lucas anticipated they would taste exceptional.
However, Komala consumed just one before promptly closing the container, refusing to take another.
"Are you already satisfied?" Lucas asked with surprise. "Perhaps the shop assistant wasn't exaggerating after all."
Just as Lucas and his Pokémon companions were passing through a dimly illuminated alleyway, a dark shadow suddenly darted toward them with astonishing speed, snatched the Energy Cube box from atop the cookie jar, and retreated swiftly into the darkness.
"Honch~ Honchkrow~"
Witnessing this theft, Honchkrow cried out in alarm and prepared to pursue the culprit into the alley. Simultaneously, Komala raised its glowing log pillow, ready to launch an attack.
Lucas quickly restrained both Pokémon. "Let it go—it's just a box of Energy Cubes." His natural compassion toward Pokémon prevailed; after all, his fondness for them ran deep.
Honchkrow and Komala reluctantly complied. Notably, Honchkrow's gaze toward Lucas contained a subtle but unmistakable new element of respect and attachment.
It was evident that the Energy Cube thief had been a Pokémon.
Lucas peered into the alley's darkness for a long moment before finally departing with Honchkrow and Komala.
As they left, a Haunter clutching the Energy Cube box cautiously emerged from the shadows. This particular Haunter's coloration differed slightly from the norm.
Typical Haunters possessed deep purple bodies with bright red tongues, but this specimen exhibited a grayish-purple hue with a light purple tongue.
The Haunter observed Lucas's retreating figure intently before vanishing back into the darkness.
Upon returning to the Pokémon Center, Lucas entered with Honchkrow, located Kirlia, and together they proceeded to the designated Pokémon feeding area. Lucas spent a few Happiness Points to acquire three feeding bowls from the system shop, filled each with Pokémon Cookies, and placed them before the three Pokémon.
"Please eat," Lucas encouraged.
Honchkrow began consuming the food eagerly, while Komala displayed minimal interest, rolling to Lucas's side to resume its peaceful slumber.
Kirlia, meanwhile, showed no appetite whatsoever.
Noticing this, Lucas gently advised, "After Gardevoir delivers, both she and the newborn will require your care. If you don't maintain your strength, how will you properly look after them?"
Hearing this reasoning, Kirlia reluctantly began eating, one small bite at a time.
As for Komala's untouched portion, Lucas didn't force the issue but offered it to Honchkrow to finish.
With both Pokémon sufficiently fed, they continued their anxious wait. Time passed excruciatingly slowly, and Kirlia's demeanor grew increasingly agitated.
Suddenly, the light in the delivery room extinguished, and Nurse Joy emerged holding a white and green Pokémon Egg.
Lucas and the others rushed forward to meet her.
"Nurse Joy, how is Gardevoir?"
Kirlia's gaze repeatedly darted toward the delivery room.
"Congratulations! Both mother and egg are doing well," Nurse Joy announced, presenting the Pokémon Egg to Lucas.
"That's wonderful news!" Lucas, Honchkrow, and Kirlia collectively sighed with relief. Lucas accepted the egg but immediately transferred it to the eagerly waiting Kirlia, explaining to Nurse Joy, "Kirlia is the father."
Nurse Joy smiled and nodded with understanding.
"May we see Gardevoir now?" Lucas inquired.
"Of course," Nurse Joy confirmed. "Gardevoir experienced a difficult delivery this time, and her body sustained significant stress. She'll need to focus on replenishing her nutrition in the coming days, or her recovery may be compromised."
Hearing this, Kirlia appeared troubled. The Nebel Plateau was currently experiencing its lean season, and despite its best intentions, appropriate nutrition would be difficult to obtain.
Lucas crouched down, gently touched Kirlia's head, then looked up at Nurse Joy. "We'll absolutely ensure Gardevoir receives proper care."
Nurse Joy nodded with satisfaction. "You may visit her now. If any concerns arise, please don't hesitate to call me or Chansey. If everything proceeds normally overnight, Gardevoir should be cleared for discharge by dawn."
"Thank you so much, Nurse Joy. Your assistance is deeply appreciated."
After Nurse Joy departed, Lucas prepared to accompany Kirlia and Honchkrow to Gardevoir's room when he felt Kirlia tugging at his clothing.
"Kirlia~ Kirlia~" Thank you so much.
It was expressing gratitude to Lucas.
Kirlia, being a Pokémon capable of sensing others' emotions, had instantly understood when Lucas touched the red sensory horn on its head that his assistance was genuinely selfless, with no expectation of reciprocation.
Even his promise to Nurse Joy had been made with absolute sincerity.
Perceiving Kirlia's significantly warmer attitude toward him, Lucas smiled.
"Let's go see Gardevoir now. She must be very eager to see you."
"Kirlia~"
Kirlia nodded and accompanied Lucas into the delivery room.
Gardevoir lay weakly on the bed. Upon seeing Kirlia enter, her face immediately brightened with a warm smile.
When she noticed the egg Kirlia carried, she instinctively reached out toward it.
Kirlia teleported to Gardevoir's side and gently transferred the egg to her.
Gardevoir cradled the egg tenderly, carefully stroking her hard-won offspring, her expression radiating pure love.
"Gardevoir~ Gardevoir~" Thank you for everything.
Gardevoir sincerely expressed her gratitude to Lucas. Without his intervention, her child might never have safely arrived.
"Please rest well, Gardevoir. Don't concern yourself with anything else right now," Lucas advised.
"Gardevoir~" I will.
Gardevoir nodded with appreciation.
Lucas then addressed Kirlia. "Stay with Gardevoir. Honchkrow and I will step outside. Call me immediately if you need anything."
He understood that Gardevoir and Kirlia needed private time together.
"Kirlia~ Kirlia~"
Kirlia acknowledged, holding Gardevoir's hand tightly.
Before departing, Lucas left the Pokémon Cookies with Kirlia, instructing it to ensure Gardevoir ate adequately.
After exiting the delivery room, Lucas approached Nurse Joy to settle the medical expenses.
"The total comes to 5,000 Alliance Coins," Nurse Joy informed him pleasantly. "Do you have formal Trainer registration with the Pokémon League? That would entitle you to a fifty percent discount."
Lucas shook his head. "I'm not a registered Trainer." In fact, he wasn't even an officially documented resident.
He promptly counted out the required amount and completed the payment.
"Oh! I nearly forgot," Nurse Joy suddenly remembered. "We offer specialized incubators designed to protect Pokémon Eggs and promote optimal hatching conditions. Would you be interested?"
"What's the cost?" Lucas inquired.
"500 Alliance Coins," Nurse Joy replied.
"I'll take one, then." Lucas agreed. As he was discovering, nothing related to Pokémon came inexpensively.
Of course, this pricing structure also indicated the prominent status of Pokémon culture within this world.
After completing the purchase, Lucas carried the incubator back to the delivery room and presented it to Kirlia. He deliberately omitted mentioning how much he had spent at the Pokémon Center, nor did he specify that the incubator had been purchased rather than borrowed.
However, Honchkrow had observed everything he'd done. Later, Honchkrow discreetly informed Kirlia and Gardevoir about Lucas's generosity.
That night, Lucas rested with Komala in his arms, leaning against Honchkrow in the Pokémon Center's lobby.
Although late autumn nights in the Azoth Kingdom brought considerable chill, Lucas found warmth nestled against Honchkrow's feathered wings. When he awoke the following morning, he felt remarkably refreshed.
Early in the morning, Nurse Joy was already busy working alongside Chansey. Lucas greeted them warmly.
"Good morning, Nurse Joy."
"Good morning, sir."