Under the astonished gazes of the group, Feebas's body, now enveloped in light, leaped out of the tank and began rapidly elongating. In no time, it had taken on the shape of a sea serpent.
"Naa—"
When the light faded, a Milotic measuring over seven meters in length, with milky-white scales and long pink tendrils extending from its eyelids, coiled affectionately around Erina. It nuzzled her cheek with its own, eyes curved in delight.
Master, master, snuggle, snuggle!
Sabrina said with a nostalgic expression, "This is my first time seeing a Feebas evolve into a Milotic. The transformation from the ugliest to the most beautiful is truly breathtaking."
Hisako, equally enchanted, instinctively reached out to stroke the Milotic's pearly scales. "I feel like this Milotic's charm is no less than that statue we saw at the art gallery!"
"Naa!"
Milotic flicked its tail gracefully and wore a proud expression.
I, Milotic, will never lose to anyone in this lifetime!
"Great! Erina's Milotic can definitely punch Wallace and kick Lusamine!" Hayashi immediately clapped his hands and said, "That's the kind of domineering spirit we need!"
"Naa!"
Yes, yes!
Milotic's fighting spirit is rising!
"Me—"
The two Ninetales also happily ran over to congratulate their little friend on finally undergoing her transformation.
Pinocchio: "We can all play together from now on!"
Klahh: "Ara~ You've become so beautiful."
Milotic curved her eyes into a smile. Floating in mid-air, her serpentine body gently twisted as she approached the two large foxes, then touched foreheads with Klahh and Pinocchio in turn.
Back when she was still in the fish tank, she'd seen how Pinocchio and Klahh used this method to express affection with others.
Naturally recognizing this "habit," Pinocchio and Klahh immediately smiled and reciprocated the forehead touches. Their friendly demeanor made everyone around them break into smiles.
"Mmm—"
Tropius cheerfully flew over, hopping up and down impatiently nearby.
I want to touch heads with Milotic too! Quick, let me touch heads!
After evolving from Feebas, Milotic's personality seemed to have transformed from a simpleton into a refined lady, her every movement now bearing similarities to Sylveon's graceful demeanor.
She gently raised her head and smilingly touched foreheads with Tropius, who immediately let out a blissful sigh.
"I touched heads with Milotic! Ohhh! Today, I won't wash my hair, ohhh!"
Nearby, Sylveon shook her head—you said the same thing when you touched heads with me back then.
She gave her fur a light shake, then gracefully walked over to Hayashi's side, gently rubbing against his palm.
"Eevee—"
Master, master, she has Milotic, but you have me too!
"Yes, yes—"
Hayashi chuckled as he crouched down, stroking the little Eevee before him. "I still have my precious little Sylveon~ Isn't that right~"
"Eevee!"
Mhm mhm!
...
...
After indulging in the affectionate moment for a while, Hayashi and Sabrina finally remembered the two little cuties still stored in their Poké Balls.
"Come on out, Rookidee—"
"Pop—"
With a flash of red light, two round, plump Rookidee appeared energetically on the table, eyeing the people who had released them.
'She's a beauty—'
'So plain—'
The Rookidee in front of Sabrina looked delighted. She smugly glanced at her sister and said, "Sis, looks like my Trainer is better than yours."
Hayashi's Rookidee, meanwhile, turned her head away with a "Hmph!" before hopping over to Hayashi, deciding to ignore her sister from then on.
So what if he's plain? Plain or not, he's still my Trainer!
"Rookidee, hello there—"
Hayashi bent down and extended his right palm. "My name's Hayashi. From now on, I'll be your Trainer."
The 20cm-tall Rookidee gave a cheerful "Chirp!" as she hopped onto Hayashi's palm, then flapped her wings with a "Flap flap!" to show she would obediently follow his commands and fight earnestly.
"Then I'll be counting on you to protect me from now on, Rookidee—" Hayashi said with a grin, poking the plump little bird's body with his left hand. "Come on, let me introduce you to the rest of the team."
"!"
Rookidee immediately perked up. She remembered what the seniors at the Pokémon Nursery had told her—a trainer's team strength reflected their skill level. If all the teammates were weaklings, her future would probably be bleak too...
'Please let them be strong—' Rookidee prayed silently.
"First up is my very first partner, Sylveon—"
Hayashi brought Rookidee before Sylveon and introduced her cheerfully.
"Eevee!"
Sylveon rose gracefully from the ground, shaking off bits of grass with elegant poise before nodding her head at Rookidee like a refined noble lady.
The sheer elegance of the gesture left the young Rookidee gaping, her tiny tongue even visible in her open beak—something Hayashi found rather adorable.
"Next is my second partner, Gengar—"
Hayashi then lifted Rookidee to face Gengar.
"Geeheehee!"
The round, purple Pokémon waved playfully at Rookidee before transforming into a purple version of her right before her eyes.
The display of shapeshifting left Rookidee stunned once more, her tongue lolling out again as if she wanted to scream "So cool!" with her whole being.
"And here's my third partner, Arcanine—"
Hayashi guided Rookidee to Arcanine next.
"Woof—!"
Arcanine let out a mighty bark, his imposing and majestic appearance making Rookidee's eyes sparkle with admiration.
Wow, he looks so strong!
Could it be... this team I've joined is actually amazing!?
A hopeful excitement bubbled up in the little Rookidee's heart.
...
...
After introducing his own team, Hayashi also presented Rookidee to Erina and Hisako's Pokémon, letting everyone get acquainted before recalling them all into their Poké Balls.
Now, it was time to head to the Isle of Armor to gather ingredients for Max Soup!
Hisako voiced her concern, "Master Hayashi, isn't the Isle of Armor a bit too dangerous for us?"
After learning that the Max Soup ingredients were located there, she had quickly looked it up—only to be startled by the descriptions. The Isle of Armor, alongside the Crown Tundra, was hailed as Galar's equivalent of Mt. Silver, notorious for being teeming with powerful wild Pokémon!
As a side note, the official webpage had a bold, highlighted warning at the top, urging trainers not to approach the area unless they were confident in their strength.
This warning was precisely why Hisako felt uneasy.
Hayashi blinked mischievously before winking at both Hisako and Erina. "Well then, let me show you something awesome—"
"?"
The two tilted their heads in confusion.
"Ta-da—!" Hayashi pulled out another Poké Ball from his pocket, grinning triumphantly. "Professor Oak's friendly assistance!"
Come on, the ally support system is part of the mobile game experience—don't like it, don't play it, okay?
"Huh?" x3
Even Sabrina showed a bewildered expression as the three girls turned their puzzled gazes toward the Poké Ball in Hayashi's hand.
Hisako murmured, "Professor Oak's... assistance?"
Assistance is fine, but compensated dating is a no-no!
Erina asked curiously, "What's inside this?"
Hayashi tossed the Poké Ball into the air and declared, "Professor Oak's carefully trained—"
"Rooaaar—"
The next moment, a yellow, chubby figure emerged from the Poké Ball. With an imposing look, it flapped its tiny wings, summoning a gust of wind that forced everyone to shield their faces with their hands.
"—Dragonite!"
The pseudo-legendary Pokémon of the Kanto region, the "late-blooming Pokémon" evolved from Dratini!
Dragonite
Gender: ♂
Level: 83
Ability: Multiscale
Nature: Jolly
Moves: Outrage, Dragon Dance, Extreme Speed, Fire Punch... (and more)
Sabrina stared solemnly at the Dragonite before her, a bead of cold sweat trickling down her forehead—
She couldn't win! Even if Alakazam Mega Evolved and she stacked her psychic powers onto it, they would still be no match for this Dragonite!
Just how strong was Professor Oak?
"Rooar!"
Dragonite landed gently on the ground and then cheerfully patted Hayashi on the shoulder.
Little bro, you promised three meals a day!
Hayashi flashed a confident thumbs-up and said, "Don't you worry! The food here is absolutely top-notch! Guaranteed to be gourmet cuisine you've never tasted at Professor Oak's lab!"
"Rooar rooar!"
Dragonite crossed its arms and put on a serious expression: Do you know how many delicious Pokéblocks I've eaten to grow this strong? I'm a connoisseur—don't make empty boasts!
Hayashi lifted his chin and called out to the young lady behind him, "Erina! It's time to show your skills—use your Pokéblocks to teach this Dragonite what real gourmet food is!"
With a smile, Erina rolled up her sleeves, the fighting spirit of a chef blazing in her eyes.
"Cooking? That's my battlefield—" She glanced at Dragonite and declared loudly, "Let's settle this, Dragonite!"
Dragonite flashed a domineering, cool, and smug grin, cracked its knuckles, and beckoned Erina with a finger.
Come on then, let me savor your culinary skills!
...
...
Half an hour later.
Dragonite chewed mindlessly on the Dragon/Flying-type Pokéblock, its soul seemingly shattered as existential doubt crept in.
Had its trainer been scamming it all this time?
Had the so-called "premium, top-tier Pokéblocks" it had been eating just lumps of mud scraped off the roadside??
Damn, I'm amazing—I grew this strong even with that garbage!
As expected of me!
----------
For advance chapters join my Patreon.
[email protected]/Aarvan