Chapter 122: Azalea Town, or Pig-Farming Town?
What appeared before him was a well surrounded by a large group of pink Pokémon. There were at least thirty of them.
"So many Slowpoke!" Ryu exclaimed. In the Monster Era, they were almost hunted to extinction for their delicious tails.
He walked past the lounging Pokémon. He accidentally stepped on one's tail, but it had no reaction at all. Seven or eight steps later, the Slowpoke slowly got up, took half a step forward, and then lay down again.
"Hmm?! Where did this big fellow come from?" a female voice asked. It was a kind-faced, middle-aged aunt carrying a metal bucket. Ryu wanted to ask her for directions to the Pokémon Center to get Sprigatito a check-up.
"You're carrying a bag and a box... are you here to find your family?" she asked, walking right up to him without any fear.
"Meow~" Sprigatito hissed from the backpack.
"Oh? There's a little sprout here too?" the aunt said, finally noticing her. "Look at your thin arms and legs," she said to Ryu. "You must have missed eight meals in two days! Wait for me to get some water, and I'll take you home for dinner."
'My thin arms and legs?' Ryu was dumbfounded. He checked his panel: 1.55 meters, 48 kilograms. For a Grovyle, he was practically a giant.
He could only attribute her strange comment to the fact that she must not have seen many other Grovyle. She returned quickly with the water and led him into the town. As they walked, he finally understood.
This wasn't Azalea Town. This was Pig-Farming Town. Every Pokémon he saw was incredibly fat. He even saw a Rock-type Sudowoodo that had been raised into an oval shape.
"Meowth (Fatty)," Sprigatito commented.
"Shhh! Don't say that out loud!" Ryu whispered.
The aunt's house was a rustic, single-story wooden home. "Eevee," a voice called from inside as the door opened. A fat Eevee slowly waddled over.
"So cute," Ryu's eyes lit up, and he squatted down to rub its chubby face. Its fur was extra fluffy and thick.
"Meow?" Sprigatito poked her head out of the backpack. When she saw Ryu about to pick up the Eevee to cuddle, her own fur immediately stood on end.
"Meow!!" She sprang from the backpack and charged toward the Eevee.
"Sprigatito?!" Ryu was startled. He put the Eevee down and caught the little cat in mid-air. "What are you doing?" he demanded, pointing a finger at her nose.
She wasn't afraid at all and bit down on it, looking indignant.
"Ow?! You're asking for it! Go stand facing the wall as punishment!"
[Inorin Note:
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