The next morning, on the way to school—
As expected, Auron Vale was once again walking with Jace Rowan.
"So, did your dad agree?"
Auron asked with a yawn. He had stayed up late last night researching information about the Secret Realm, so he hadn't slept much.
"He did," Jace said excitedly. "Not only did he lend me Polteageist, he's also giving me Noivern. Said it'd help me run faster if we need to escape."
"Fair enough. Being able to run is important too."
Hearing that made Auron feel more confident.
In truth, he didn't have to go into the Secret Realm at all. He could just wait until after the college entrance exams, get into university, and with more strength later, there wouldn't be any Secret Realm he couldn't enter.
But his heart wouldn't allow it. Every time he thought about going into a Secret Realm, his heartbeat sped up, thudding with excitement.
And he really wanted to see what it was like inside. After all, when you've only ever heard about something but never seen it for yourself, that curiosity is impossible to suppress.
As always, serious time passed quickly — in a flash, a week was gone.
On Friday after school, Auron told his friends he'd see them later and headed home alone to his family's breeding house.
As usual, he greeted the shop staff before heading toward the back.
Pushing open the lab door, he called out, "Dad, where's Gengar?"
Ashen Vale swivelled around in his chair, a pen in hand as he scribbled something down.
"You're that impatient? I don't even know where he is — call him yourself."
Suddenly, Auron felt something. He glanced down at the shadow at his feet.
"Gengar?" he said, uncertain.
"Geh?"
Gengar emerged from Auron's shadow, scratching his head, baffled at how Auron had known he was hiding there.
Ashen froze for a moment when he saw this, then seemed to realise something, a small smile tugging at his lips.
Auron reached out and patted Gengar's head.
"Gengar, you'll be sticking with me for the next few days. Keep me safe and I'll make you some Poké Puffs."
Gengar's mouth dropped open, a line of drool sliding down his chin before he snapped to attention, nodding rapidly.
He had tasted the Poké Puffs that Munchlax and Golbat had brought the other day — they were incredible. The only problem was, there hadn't been enough. One box had to be split between several Pokémon.
Auron's eyes shone with satisfaction. Gengar's move list was practically luxurious — he'd learned almost every move he could possibly learn.
Pokémon: Gengar
Gender: Male
Type: Ghost / Poison
Ability: Cursed Body — When hit by a move or making contact in battle, there is a 30% chance to disable the attacker's last move.
(Disable: Negative status — while disabled, the Pokémon cannot use the last move it used before becoming disabled.)
Potential: Red-tier
Basic Moves: Shadow Punch, Hypnosis, Lick, Grudge, Mean Look, Curse, Night Shade, Confuse Ray, Sucker Punch, Payback, Shadow Ball, Dream Eater, Dark Pulse, Destiny Bond, Hex, Nightmare, Toxic, Hyper Beam, Brick Break, Psychic, Sludge Bomb, Focus Blast, Dazzling Gleam, Triple Axel…
Egg Moves: Clear Smog, Haze, Astonish, Reflect Type, Perish Song, Disable.
"All right, if there's nothing else, don't bother me — I've got a report to finish. But before you enter the Secret Realm, remember to come tell me first."
Ashen turned back to his work.
"Is it about Milotic's evolution requirements?" Auron asked curiously.
A few days ago at dinner, his mother had mentioned that the father of the family's Feebas had also evolved into a Milotic.
A male Milotic…
"Yeah," Ashen replied. "I've pretty much figured out the conditions. It's probably what you mentioned before — Beauty condition."
"But the key might be the Feebas's mindset. Beauty might just be one of several factors. We'll need more research."
"Alright, I'll let you get back to it. I'll go check on Munchlax and the others' training."
"Go on. And remember what I told you."
Auron closed the lab door quietly, then headed with Gengar toward the clearing in the middle of the forest.
"Hey, Gengar, how come you've got time to hang out in my shadow today?"
Gengar waved his hand, pointing at himself, then at the distant Kommo-o.
"Oh — you mean you're not the one teaching moves today?"
Gengar nodded.
The more Auron looked at him, the more he adored the big purple ghost. Who could possibly resist such a cute, chubby specter?
He suddenly stopped and gave Gengar a serious look. After a long, silent stare that made Gengar uneasy, he asked,
"Gengar, have you thought about finding yourself a wife and having a kid?"
Gengar: !!!∑(°Д°ノ)ノ
With a shocked cry, Gengar dove straight into Auron's shadow and refused to come out, no matter how much Auron called.
Auron chuckled.
"Hey, hey, I'm only kidding. Don't be so shy."
Oddly, Auron could sense the emotions coming from the shadow — unmistakably Gengar's feelings.
"Yo, long time no see, Feebas-dad… hmm, I guess now I should call you Milotic-dad," Auron teased as he passed the pond.
Two Milotic floated lazily on the surface, sunbathing.
At the sight of Auron, Milotic-dad instinctively closed his mouth, gathering energy.
"Hey, hey, hey! Let me remind you, you only evolved into a Milotic because of me. Don't forget who helped you," Auron said quickly.
Ptoo!
A perfect spray of water hit him in the face without a shred of mercy.
Wiping the water off, Auron glared.
"Alright, fine. Just wait — tomorrow you're cut off from my Pokémon food. And remember, I'm the one who makes it."
On weekends, Auron sometimes made extra Pokémon food to bring here, sharing it with the others while Golbat and Munchlax trained.
Now Milotic-dad hesitated, clearly wanting to apologise, but Auron was already walking away in a huff.
Milotic-dad: (｀ェ)つ
With a helpless look, he turned to nuzzle his wife, who was quietly laughing beside him, hoping she'd share her portion tomorrow.
When Auron reached the training area, the first one he saw was Munchlax, practising Flamethrower.
Its little mouth opened.
"Hoo—!"
A column of fire burst forth, hitting the target dummy… and the tree next to it.
Quickly adjusting his aim, Munchlax moved the flames slightly, finally striking the target.
"Nice work, Munchlax!" Auron called, clapping as he walked over.
Munchlax scratched his head in embarrassment.
Auron popped an Energy Cube into his mouth.
"Keep it up."
Happily chewing, Munchlax nodded enthusiastically.
"Alright, I'll leave you to it. I'm going to check on Golbat."
Auron patted his shoulder and headed over.
Golbat looked nervous as Auron approached.
The Assurance he had been able to perform earlier now refused to come out at all.
After several failed attempts, Auron reached his side. Golbat still hadn't managed to pull off the move.
He looked at Auron pitifully.
Auron stroked his head.
"Don't be nervous. I saw you pull it off earlier — it looked awesome."
Truth was, Auron had been watching for Golbat even while looking at Munchlax. He'd already seen the bat use Assurance successfully before, so the failed attempts now were likely just nerves. Golbat's learning speed was, admittedly, slower than Munchlax's.
Golbat nodded, rallying himself. Taking to the air, he cloaked himself in dark energy.
Assurance fired true, striking the distant target.
"Nice one, Golbat!"
(End of Chapter)