After his first victory, Lin Feng continued taking Goodra to challenge other competitors in the Junior Cup.
Of course, before each battle began, he wouldn't reveal Goodra right away. Instead, he let his three little Eevees follow him around, making everyone think he was just another Eevee trainer.
That illusion worked perfectly until the battle actually started.
When Lin Feng sent out the towering Goodra, the trainers he faced were left utterly speechless.
Bro, you're walking around with an Eevee and an Alolan Vulpix… and then you throw out a Goodra? Really?
Lin Feng could only give an awkward smile in response. He didn't mean to deceive anyone it was just that he wanted Goodra to become more outgoing through actual battle experience.
And it worked.
After a few matches, Goodra began to show genuine happiness. Its shy expression softened, replaced by bright, innocent smiles after each victory.
They kept battling until most of the young trainers in the arena recognized Lin Feng and refused further challenges. Only then did he take his still-energetic Goodra and leave the arena.
Since they had come all this way, Lin Feng wasn't about to waste the rest of the day.
Together with Melody and Jirachi, he decided to visit the nearby amusement park bringing along his newest Pokémon companions to enjoy a well-deserved break.
Sure, Lin Feng could easily have Dragonite take them flying through the sky or over waterfalls. But the laughter and excitement of the amusement park had a magic of its own.
The team of land-bound Pokémon Alolan Vulpix, the Eevees, Blaziken, and Goodra were having the time of their lives.
Especially Alolan Vulpix, who got the fright of her life during the roller coaster and water ride.
As the coaster plunged down from the top, splashing through huge waves, the terrified Vulpix puffed up her cheeks and started blowing snow everywhere, desperately trying to freeze the incoming water midair.
Sitting right beside her, Lin Feng couldn't help but laugh at the sight her tiny face puffed up in panic, fur bristled, ice crystals sparkling all around.
The other Pokémon were simply screaming for fun, but Vulpix's Ice Shard actually froze a portion of the splash pool solid.
It took a few park staff and Blaziken's flamethrower to melt the ice before things returned to normal.
Yet instead of staying scared, the moment Vulpix got off the ride, she was already bouncing up and down, crying out, "Vul! Vul! (Again! Again!)"
And so… they rode it again.
By the time the sky turned orange, Lin Feng finally ended their amusement park adventure, returning each Pokémon to its Poké Ball one by one.
Outside the park, he held the egg of a Sprigatito carefully in his arms and turned to Melody. "I'm heading home. Do you want to come along?"
"I do!" Melody's eyes lit up instantly. "But… will Salamence have enough room for both of us?"
She missed her grandfather dearly. Since their journey would soon take them far from home, she didn't want to lose this chance to visit.
"It should be fine," Lin Feng said, smiling. "If not, I'll just call Dragonite to come pick us up."
After all, Mewtwo could easily teleport back on its own but since Melody didn't know his "human companion" was actually Mewtwo, Lin Feng preferred to keep that secret.
"Okay!" she nodded eagerly.
At Wutong Town
Two dragons descended slowly from the evening sky Salamence and Dragonite landed gracefully in front of Lin Feng's Pokémon Nursery.
A graceful figure waited outside, her light blue hair shimmering faintly in the sunset. Gardevoir smiled softly when she saw them return.
The moment Rotom got Lin Feng's call, she already knew he'd be home soon and so she waited.
Around her stood a small crowd: the Gallade siblings, Serperior, Primarina, Bounsweet, and even the Milcerys perched in bowls on the front counter.
All of them had gathered to welcome their trainer home.
"You're all here?" Lin Feng laughed as he jumped off Salamence. "Did you already have dinner?"
Gardevoir's telepathic voice was calm and warm. 'They heard you were coming back, so they came to wait. Dinner's already done.'
"Mil! Milcery!"
One Milcery nudged the younger Gallade beside her, eager and fidgeting.
Understanding immediately, the Gallade sister used her psychic power to lift Milcery and float her toward Lin Feng.
"Milcery! (Lin Feng! I missed you so much!)"
The mint-green Milcery stretched out both little arms, her sugary scent faint in the air, her eyes gleaming with joy.
"Alright, alright…" Lin Feng chuckled, using telekinesis to catch her gently and place her on his shoulder. She pressed her cheek against his in contentment.
Looking at the Pokémon gathered before him, Lin Feng felt an unexpected warmth spread in his chest.
They knew he was coming home so they all came to greet him.
My Pokémon… you're all too precious.
"Milcery! (Me too! Me too!)"
"Milcery! (He's home!)"
Soon, every Milcery was calling out together.
Laughing, Lin Feng walked to the counter and patted each of them gently. "Yes, yes, I missed you all too. Did you behave and help Gallade finish the cakes today?"
The Milcerys nodded eagerly, their voices overlapping with pride.
"Milcery! (Everyone loved them!)"
"Milcery! (Sold out!)"
"Good job," Lin Feng said, grinning.
After soothing the excited Milcerys like a group of happy toddlers, he turned to Primarina, Bounsweet, and Butterfree, patting each one's head. "Thanks for waiting, you've all worked hard."
They chirped and sang softly in response, clearly delighted.
Lin Feng couldn't help but feel proud. Aside from the mischievous Alolan Vulpix, his Pokémon were all so dependable and well-behaved.
He then turned to the elder Gallade. "Everything alright today?"
Gallade nodded. 'All good. Just a busier Sunday than usual.'
"Perfect." Lin Feng smiled, placing a hand on its shoulder. "You've done amazing. I knew you could handle it. The nursery's in your care."
Gallade straightened, his expression serious. 'Leave it to me.'
Meanwhile, the younger Gallade had her eyes fixed on the egg Lin Feng carried. 'What's that?' she asked curiously.
"Oh, right," Lin Feng said, realizing he hadn't explained. "It's a Sprigatito egg remember that mystery egg reward we got after the Wutong City battle? This is the one. I'll leave it in your care for now, alright?"
The Gallade sister's eyes lit up with excitement. 'Of course!'
She carefully took the egg from Lin Feng, her psychic energy cradling it like a warm blanket. Feeling the faint life stirring inside, she smiled even more brightly as she carried it inside, already planning the perfect hatching setup.
Nearby, Serperior watched quietly.
It remembered its very first battle with Lin Feng how proud it had felt then and now, seeing him chatting and laughing with every other Pokémon, a small pang of something heavy tugged at its chest.
When Lin Feng didn't call out to it immediately, Serperior turned away, intending to slither back toward the garden.
Before it could move, Gardevoir's calm voice echoed in its mind. 'Where are you going?'
Serperior hesitated. 'He's back already.'
'And you're not going to say hello?' Gardevoir asked gently, stepping closer. 'You waited here all this time. Wouldn't it be a waste to leave now?'
Serperior's tail twitched slightly. 'I can greet him later.'
'Then why were you the first to rush here when you heard he was coming back?'
Serperior fell silent, turning its gaze away. It had been the first to arrive.
Gardevoir smiled softly. 'Don't keep your feelings locked up all the time. The more you hold them in, the harder it'll be for both of you.'
With that, she patted Serperior lightly and stepped aside.
Lin Feng had just finished with the others when he finally noticed Serperior lingering nearby. His eyes brightened immediately. "Serperior! There you are! Come here I missed you!"
Serperior turned its head stubbornly, pretending not to care. But Lin Feng didn't give it a chance to escape; he wrapped his arms around its long, elegant neck from behind.
"Serp! (Let go!)"
"Huh?"
"Serp…"
"Alright, alright…" Lin Feng released her reluctantly, laughing.
From behind, Gardevoir shook her head, her smile faint.
Serperior wasn't as mature as she tried to seem. She and Blaziken were both still young newly evolved, still figuring out the world.
The difference was that Blaziken never hid his feelings. If he wanted attention, he asked for it; if he wanted food, he shouted for it.
But Serperior always tried to act grown-up, managing the garden like a little adult, never asking for praise or affection.
And the truth was simple: the most well-behaved children are often the ones who get the least candy.
Gardevoir sighed quietly. Lin Feng would need to pay more attention to Serperior's heart.
Meanwhile, Melody, who had just dismounted Dragonite, waved goodbye. "I'll head home for tonight. You guys have fun! Jirachi, you staying here?"
"Chi?"
Jirachi blinked, glancing at the sea of Pokémon inside the nursery. So many new faces!
It looked at Melody, then at Lin Feng, confused. Couldn't we all stay together?
Melody chuckled. "He still hasn't made dinner for everyone, so you'll get to eat something tasty if you stay! I'll see you in the morning!"
She waved goodbye and ran off toward her grandfather's house.
Jirachi watched her go, then turned back toward Lin Feng. Surrounded by warmth, laughter, and light it hesitated, unsure if it should join in.
Until a soft, playful voice mewed beside it.
"Mew~? (Why are you standing still? Come on! Dinner time!)"
A pink, floating figure appeared out of nowhere Mew, tail curling like a ribbon in the sunset glow.
Jirachi blinked in surprise, and then, smiling shyly, followed her inside.
The night at the nursery was just beginning.