"I can't shrink any further. If I keep reducing my size, the energy inside my body will become unstable."
That was the conclusion Lugia reached after sensing the changes within itself.
Even so, it was quite satisfied with its current size.
Not every Legendary Pokémon enjoyed being enormous, especially those that didn't have a fixed territory to protect.
In the ocean, Lugia could roam freely.
But once it came onto land, its immense size became a constant inconvenience.
Everything was limited simply because it was too large.
Now that it had shrunk, traveling around the world suddenly felt much more convenient.
Lin Feng seemed to read its thoughts and asked curiously,
"So... Sea Guardian, are you planning to stay this size?"
"Yes."
Lugia nodded.
"..."
Lin Feng fell silent.
Meanwhile, Mew nodded happily and landed on Lugia's head.
"Mew~"
"Now this looks much better."
Then, without the slightest hesitation, it boldly declared,
"Mew~"
"This size is perfect."
"Want to come play with us?"
"You can be one of my followers."
"...Huh?"
A question mark practically appeared over Lugia's head.
Lin Feng was equally stunned.
He stared blankly at Mew.
Where on earth had it learned words like followers?
Travel together?
Underling?
Speaking in the tone of an experienced gang leader, Mew continued enthusiastically.
"Mew~"
"We won't treat you badly."
"I'm telling you, everything Lin Feng makes is delicious."
"If you come with us, we'll travel all over the world together every day."
"And whenever we run out of food, we'll just go back and find him before setting off again."
As it spoke, Mew somehow pulled out the Storage Ball Lin Feng had given it.
It rummaged through it and produced a jug of Honey Grape Wine.
"Mew~"
"Look."
"This is wine from the human world."
"It tastes amazing."
"But my favorite is this."
It pulled the cork from the bottle, levitated it toward Lugia with Psychic, then proudly produced another small bottle.
Catnip Powder.
The moment Mew looked at it, an expression of absolute bliss spread across its face.
The now much smaller Lugia stared blankly ahead.
Then it looked at Mew...
Then at the fragrant bottle of honey wine floating before it...
Meanwhile...
Lin Feng wisely remained silent.
Or rather...
He didn't dare interrupt.
Mew had played its cards perfectly.
He had no idea where it had learned this kind of persuasion...
But one thing was certain.
Offering Honey Grape Wine first...
Was absolutely the strongest move.
What kind of effect would it have?
In the end, Lugia turned its curious gaze toward Lin Feng.
"It enhances the psychic abilities of Psychic-type Pokémon."
"The effect probably won't be particularly noticeable for someone as powerful as you."
"But..."
"It really does taste excellent."
Lin Feng answered honestly...
Conveniently leaving out one of the wine's other effects.
Then he quietly watched Lugia take a sip.
A smile slowly spread across his face.
Because...
The real surprise arrived immediately afterward.
Congratulations!
Lugia's Happiness has increased from 0 to 25.
Reward Obtained:
5 Bags of Premium Golden Poké Beans
1 Rare Candy
1 Silver Feather
A special feather from Lugia containing immense Psychic and Flying-type energy.
Jackpot!
Watching Lugia's eyes widen with genuine surprise after tasting the Honey Grape Wine, Lin Feng's smile became even brighter.
"Mew~"
"See?"
"I told you it was delicious!"
"I hardly ever share my food with anyone!"
Seeing Lugia's reaction, Mew puffed out its chest proudly.
Moments later...
Lugia's gaze shifted toward the second bottle beside Mew.
The bottle of Catnip Powder.
If the Honey Grape Wine already tasted this incredible...
Then what about Mew's favorite?
Surely that had to be even better.
At first, Mew looked startled.
Then it immediately rolled its eyes.
"Mew Mew"
"This one's my favorite."
"I can't share it with you yet."
"If you follow me around for a while..."
"I'll let you try a little."
Lin Feng almost laughed out loud.
Lugia had no idea what was inside that bottle.
But he certainly did.
It was dried catnip.
Its effects on feline Pokémon were overwhelming.
On almost every other Pokémon...
It did practically nothing.
After drying and processing it, the cooking effect was incredibly simple.
Cat's Delight
Attraction toward feline Pokémon increases by 100%.
Significantly reduces shedding in feline Pokémon.
It had absolutely nothing to do with Lugia.
"Alright."
Then...
To Lin Feng's complete disbelief...
Lugia actually nodded in agreement.
"...???"
No...
You're the legendary Sea Guardian Lugia!
How did you get tricked so easily by Mew?
Lin Feng looked at Mew...
Then at Lugia...
His astonishment was impossible to hide.
"Mew~"
Mew immediately nodded with great satisfaction.
Its expression practically said,
You're quite sensible.
Then it flew back beside Lin Feng.
"Mew Mew"
It brought up something Gardevoir had told it before they left.
The World Tree.
"Oh."
"I remember."
Lin Feng nodded.
"Mew~"
"Then let's go!"
"I'll take you there!"
"I have lots of treasures!"
"Come see them!"
"...Now?"
Lin Feng glanced at Lugia.
"Mew?"
"Of course!"
"It can come too."
Mew answered as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"...Well..."
"...Alright."
Having settled that matter, Lin Feng finally turned toward Victini, who had been standing quietly to one side, unable to get a single word into the conversation.
"Victini."
"Long time no see."
(•̀ ω •́)y
"Vii~"
"Long time no see..."
Victini beamed happily.
At last...
The conversation had finally returned to it.
Unfortunately...
Its moment of happiness lasted only a few seconds.
"Mew~"
"Let's go!"
Mew immediately stole everyone's attention again.
...
The Tree of Beginning
Cameron Palace
By pure coincidence...
Lin Feng arrived just as the annual Aura Guardian Tournament was beginning.
Naturally...
He couldn't resist stopping to watch.
Following behind him were Mew and Victini, who had transformed into two ordinary Eevee.
As for Lugia...
Although it had shrunk considerably, it was still far too large to walk unnoticed.
So it quietly floated above the clouds, silently following Mew from the sky.
Looking at the bustling city gates and the magnificent ancient walls, Lin Feng clicked his tongue in admiration.
"So Ash hasn't come here yet..."
That meant Ash would probably arrive around this time next year.
And accompanying him would likely be May and Max.
"Mew..."
"This festival happens every year."
"They hold it to honor Sir Aaron."
Mew explained from Lin Feng's arms.
"I know."
Lin Feng nodded thoughtfully as he looked toward the castle gates.
He didn't believe that possessing Aura alone automatically made someone an Aura Guardian.
After all...
Everyone's Aura was different.
Even so...
There was one thing he was genuinely curious about.
The Lucario...
Still sealed within the Staff of Aaron.
------------------------------
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