"Let's go, I'll take you to meet my Grandpa and Grandma. Dratini has already run off without a trace."
"Lachi~"
"Florges~"
"Eevee~"
The Pokémon happily responded, although Togepi's small eyes twitched, plotting some mischief.
"Let's hurry, Grandpa and Grandma are feeding the other Pokémon now. Maybe if we go early, we can get some delicious food too."
"The food my Grandpa and Grandma make is even better than what I make!"
Leafeon and Togepi's eyes lit up with excitement. Better than what Alex makes?
Before meeting Alex, these two had lived in the wild, never knowing where their next meal would come from. Simply having food was a luxury; they couldn't afford to be picky.
It wasn't until they met Alex that they discovered such delicious food existed, along with various exclusive Energy Cubes.
Now, Alex was telling them that Grandpa and Grandma's cooking was even better.
An eager Eevee and egg couldn't hold back, urging Alex to hurry.
Swampert also looked impatient. Having lived at home in its youth, it knew Alex wasn't exaggerating; he wasn't deceiving the fish.
Only Florges remained composed, gracefully tidying her flowers as she walked.
Alex smiled and then changed the subject, "Florges, how about I allocate a section of the farm for you to plant a garden?"
"Florges!!!"
"Florges~"
Florges couldn't maintain her composure this time.
She had long desired a garden, but traveling with her trainer meant she couldn't fulfill this wish. Now, hearing this offer, how could she remain calm?
"Of course, it's true. When have I ever lied to you? I'll find you a good spot tomorrow."
"Florges~"
Florges elegantly bowed in gratitude.
Alex gently stroked her head, but before he could speak, he was grabbed by a large hand, tossed onto a shoulder, and carried toward the depths of the farm.
"Darn it, Swampert, take it easy! What's the rush?"
Swampert rolled its eyes at Alex and ran quickly. It had been waiting impatiently, but its trainer was still chattering, unaware that eating was the most important thing in the world.
What couldn't be said tomorrow!
"Chakidoi~"
Togepi, nestled in Alex's arms, chirped happily, while Florges and Leafeon exchanged glances and quickly followed.
...
"Old man, look, the quality of this honey is getting better and better. Let's save some for Alex when he comes back. He and Dratini love it."
At the back of the farm, where Grandpa and Grandma raised their honey bee colony, today was harvest day.
Grandpa John nodded and replied, "Just save some of the best quality honey. The rest can be used to make potions and Pokémon food."
"That young girl from Officer Jenny's family, her Arcanine was seriously injured during a mission. She asked me to make a bottle of top-grade Revival Potion, and it just happens to be missing some top-grade honey."
Grandma Mary said worriedly, "That young girl from Officer Jenny's family is not far from Elite Class, right?
Going on a mission and her main Arcanine was seriously injured. I wonder how Alex is doing, and if he encountered any danger."
Grandpa John smiled and said, "You worry too much. Didn't Alex contact us a while ago?"
"Boys need to go out and explore. Seeing the world will be good for his future."
"Besides, things aren't peaceful everywhere now, and we can't protect him his whole life, can we?"
"You're right, we can't protect him forever." Grandma Mary sighed.
Seeing his wife's worried expression, Grandpa John was about to comfort her, but an excited cry interrupted him.
"Dura~ Duradu~"
The two elders froze, turned their heads, and saw a shiny Drakloak happily flying over, landing on Grandma Mary's head.
"Dura~ Duradu~"
"Oh, it's Dratini."
Realizing it, Grandma Mary quickly caught the Dratini on her head and asked, "Did you come back with Alex?"
Dratini nodded happily and flew to her front, snuggling against her.
Grandpa John became excited and quickly said, "Good, good, good. It's good to be back."
"Then let's go back quickly. Let my old buddies carry this honey back."
Upon hearing about honey, Dratini immediately became excited, flying to the honey jar and pulling at it with all its might.
"Dura Dura~ Dura~"
Seeing that it couldn't open it, Dratini anxiously cried out. Grandma Mary chuckled, "No need to rush, it's all saved for you and Alex. Go home first, Grandma will make you something delicious tonight."
Dratini's eyes lit up, and drool uncontrollably flowed out. It nodded eagerly, then flew to Grandma Mary's head and lay there.
The two elders exchanged a smile, greeted the bee queen, and walked out.
On the way, Grandma Mary couldn't help but tease, "Dratini, a year has passed, why haven't you evolved yet? Can you beat Grubbin now?"
Dratini was furious, patting Grandma Mary's head with its small claws, and closed its eyes, not wanting to speak.
Not being able to beat Grubbin was a sore point in its life.
And Grandpa John added fuel to the fire, "You can't be like this. I remember a year ago, you and Alex made a bold statement about suppressing all rivals in the world."
"And now, after so long, you can't even suppress a Grubbin, can you?"
"Dura Dura~ Dura~"
Dratini immediately became indignant, patting its chest with its small claws, indicating that it was very capable.
"Oh, is that so?" Grandpa John asked with a chuckle, "What about Mudkip then?
"It should be Swampert now, right? Can you beat it?"
"You are Alex's initial Pokémon, the leader of the team. You can't even beat the second-in-command, can you?"
Looking at Grandpa John's teasing expression, Dratini opened its mouth, unsure how to refute.
Could it beat Swampert?
Definitely not.
That big guy could smash it into Duraludon paste with one punch.
Right now, it could only barely beat Togepi.
Thinking of this, Dratini felt very hurt, swaying as it flew to Grandma Mary's head, doubting its Pokémon life.
Grandma Mary reached out and patted Dratini, comforting it, "It's okay, Dratini."
"I see, you're on the verge of evolving. When you evolve, you'll be amazing, and then you can go and suppress all rivals in the world."
As she said the last sentence, Grandma Mary couldn't help but smile.
Dratini's eyes were full of longing. Alex had also said it was about to evolve and would be very powerful when it did.
Dratini firmly believed this.
Because its trainer told it, and he definitely wouldn't lie to a Pokémon.