While Darkrai miserably wandered the streets of the Azoth Royal Capital, eliminating nightmares, Musharna also arrived in the dream world of Mareep, carrying the Dream Tree seed that Ange had entrusted to it.
It chose to plant the Dream Tree seed in Mareep's dream world because Mareep's dream was the most complete, stable, and powerful source of dream energy among all the Pokémon of the Nebel Plateau.
Today was like any other day. Diancie and two Spinarak came to Mareep's dream world to play, draw, and practice their moves with it.
As they accompanied Mareep in the dream world to practice every day, Diancie and the Spinarak felt that their proficiency in using moves had improved significantly.
In the middle of their practice, the Pokémon suddenly saw a tree on a nearby hillside growing rapidly, transforming into a towering giant tree in the blink of an eye.
"That is..." Diancie seemed to realize something. "Could it be... the Dream Tree?"
But hadn't it given Musharna just a seed? How did it grow so big so suddenly?
"Let's go take a look," Diancie said to the two Spinarak and Mareep.
The Spinarak and Mareep nodded and raced after Diancie toward the great tree.
Upon reaching the base of the tree, Diancie was surprised to find a hollow in the trunk, and Musharna was curled up inside, fast asleep.
So, this really was the Dream Tree?
Diancie examined the tree before it carefully. To its surprise, transparent bubbles the size of human heads were hanging from the branches.
It leaned close to one bubble and discovered a Pawmot inside.
Pawmot was lying on a mountain-like pile of snacks, devouring them while giggling foolishly.
Could these bubbles be everyone's dreams?
Diancie then looked at another bubble. Inside was a Munchlax, sleeping soundly while hugging Ange with a look of pure bliss.
Diancie: ...
What a simple dream.
Next was Drilbur's dream. It dreamed that it had evolved into Excadrill, becoming a powerful Pokémon, stepping on Aggron and punching Feraligatr—it could not be more majestic.
Then there was Sneasel's dream. It also dreamed of becoming a master and evolving into Weavile, pinning Pawmot to the ground and beating it until it cried for mercy.
After beating Pawmot, it threw itself into Ange's arms with a smug look, then shot a provocative glance at Pawmot.
Diancie: Sneasel, are you that kind of Pokémon?
There were also the dreams of Magikarp and Feebas.
Magikarp dreamed that it had evolved into Gyarados, defeating the heavens, the earth, and the very air.
Feebas dreamed that it had evolved into Milotic, surpassing all others in beauty and becoming the number one beauty of the Nebel Plateau.
Not every Pokémon had a dream bubble here; Diancie guessed that only those currently dreaming had their dreams manifested in this place.
For instance, Ange's dream was not here.
At this moment, the entire Nebel Plateau was covered by the power of the Dream Tree. The dream energy produced by the Pokémon as they dreamed was absorbed by the Dream Tree, helping it grow.
Musharna slumbered within the Dream Tree. Since it had planted the tree, it formed a symbiotic relationship with it, much like Mew and the Tree of Beginning.
The Musharna, now symbiotic with the Dream Tree, would possess even more powerful abilities to traverse dreams under the subtle influence of the tree.
The next day, after Ange woke up, Diancie told him about the Dream Tree. Ange was extremely surprised after hearing the news.
"It's that magical? Then tonight, let Musharna bring me into the dream world to see for myself."
Ange was very curious about both the Dream Tree and the dream world.
"No problem," Diancie said.
Just as Ange was preparing to head to the Royal Capital for work, he saw Darkrai returning from the capital looking deeply melancholic.
Having devoured too many human nightmares and experienced too many human emotions, Darkrai felt its head throbbing, its heart aching, and a sense of bitterness spreading in its eyes; it was feeling very uncomfortable.
"What's wrong?" Seeing Darkrai so dejected, Ange asked with a smile.
"Dark~ Dark~" Don't talk to me.
Darkrai ignored Ange and floated away without looking back.
"What's wrong with it?" Diancie asked.
Ange laughed: "It must be feeling awful from eating too many nightmares. Pfft~ it serves it right."
After learning about the punishment Ange had given Darkrai, Diancie also felt it was getting exactly what it deserved.
At noon, after Ange returned from the Royal Capital, he sought out Metagross.
"Metagross, could you help me develop an app for ordering takeout?"
Some guests had been urging him again to launch a delivery service, and Ange felt this matter could not be delayed any longer.
There were other food delivery platforms on the web, but Ange wanted to create one for his own business.
"Meta~ Meta~" I can try.
Metagross replied.
As it acquired more and more knowledge, Metagross's brilliant brain had mastered a vast amount of information technology and network expertise.
As far as Ange knew, ever since the kingdom's researchers helped the Nebel Plateau develop a payment system, Metagross had been in private contact with them and had learned a lot from them.
"Meta~ Meta~" Ange, can I add some research equipment to the house?
As its mastery of technology deepened, Metagross felt that the computer Dr. Turo and Professor Sada had loaded for Robert 2 was no longer sufficient.
That computer could only be used to handle some daily household affairs; it was too strained for scientific research.
"Of course, no problem!" Ange said. "What equipment do you need? I'll get it for you."
"Meta~ Meta~" Ange, you want to buy it for me?
Metagross asked in a surprised tone.
This question stopped Ange in his tracks: "If I don't buy it for you, who will?"
It turned out that Metagross had originally intended to use the salary Ange paid it to purchase the equipment from the System Store itself.
Ange couldn't help but laugh and cry after hearing this: "I pay you a salary so you can enjoy life, not for you to do these things.
Besides, what could you buy with that little salary?
Let me ask you, are you buying this equipment for the sake of this home?"
"Meta~ Meta~" Metagross nodded.
"Then that's settled!" Ange said as if it were obvious. "Since it's for this home, how can I let you spend your own money? Of course, it's up to me, the head of this household, to pay!"
Ange's words brought a smile to Metagross's face; it should have known Ange would say that.
"Meta~ Meta~" It agreed with Ange's words.
Ange patted Metagross on the head and said: "Come, tell me what equipment you need, and I'll buy it for you."
He had saved up quite a lot of Happiness Points, and that was exactly what they were for.
Then, after a discussion with Metagross, Ange spent a full five million Happiness Points to buy a set of high-precision equipment for Metagross from the System Store.
This set of equipment wasn't just for Metagross to develop the app; it could also be used for all sorts of other research.
As one set of equipment after another was bought, Metagross's room was soon filled up, and Metagross's eyes curved into smiles.
It loved this equipment.
Looking at the room where there was nowhere to step, Ange said: "How about we clear out the room next door specifically to house your equipment? Otherwise, you won't even be able to turn around in your room like this."
Ange had plenty of empty rooms, so clearing one out for Metagross was no problem at all.
"Meta~ Meta~" Metagross nodded happily.
"Then let's get started," Ange said.
He and Metagross cleared out the room next door together and moved all the equipment over.
Many of these pieces of equipment required assembly after being purchased, which was something Ange couldn't help with; it was all up to Metagross.
Looking at the dazzling array of equipment parts, Ange asked: "Metagross, are you really sure you can handle this?"
"Meta~ Meta~" Absolutely no problem, don't you worry.
Metagross said confidently.
Ange said: "That's good, then take your time. I'll head out first, and leave the app development to you."
Metagross nodded, and after seeing Ange to the door, it closed the room and began to get busy.
From then on, Metagross became a total homebody. Except for eating and teaching the students, it spent most of its remaining time in its laboratory.
After parting ways with Metagross, Ange received a phone call from Lila.
On the call, Lila told Ange that the royal breeding center had recently imported a batch of Milcery from the Galar region. Once the royal trainers finished raising them into Alcremie, they would send them to Ange.
Ange was delighted to hear this. He hadn't expected Lila to be so efficient; he had only just proposed wanting Alcremie recently, and the royal breeding center had already imported Milcery.
"Lila, thank you for your hard work," Ange thanked her.
"Your Highness, are you still being polite with me?" Lila feigned anger. "Our breeding center had long wanted to import Milcery; this was just an opportunity."
Ange said: "Regardless, it was still a bother for you. I'll treat you to a meal later."
Lila was very happy to hear this. "It's a deal then; I'll come over to your place to visit later."
Ange said: "You're always welcome!"
Time flew by, and a month passed.
In that month, Ange lived a very fulfilling life every day.
In the early morning, he did special training with his Pokémon and Bruno. In the morning, he went to work at the Royal Capital. In the afternoon, after idling away a short half-day, he continued his special training with Bruno.
In the evening, after playing with his Pokémon for a while, he went to the training room to practice.
Mew would occasionally visit the Nebel Plateau, have its fill of delicious food at Ange's house, and then return home.
Recently, it had become obsessed with the fruit juice made by Passimian, so it frequented the winery often. Gradually, it even struck up a good relationship with Komala.
Ange would often see the two of them clinking cups and drinking heavily at the winery counter—though Mew was drinking fruit juice, while Komala was drinking wine.
The two little guys were each a small ball of fur; when they were full, they would lie on the counter and fall into a deep sleep. Passimian and Dusknoir had completely become their nannies.
Then there was Darkrai. For over a month, it had truly suffered. Having to swallow 100 nightmares every day meant the residents of the Azoth Royal Capital slept better, but Darkrai's own spirit grew increasingly listless.
Furthermore, in this month, besides nightmares, Ange strictly forbade it from eating a single bite of the food made by him or his disciples.
At first, Darkrai had been very spirited and proudly stated that it looked down on such food.
But smelling the aroma that filled the air every day and watching the other Pokémon eat with such satisfaction, it always found itself swallowing its saliva uncontrollably.
It could hold out for a day or two, it could persist for three or four, but as time went on, it was truly torture.
Now, facing Ange, it had absolutely no temper left; it only wished for Ange to be kind one day and let it have a bite.
In reality, devouring nightmares was beneficial for Darkrai. Even though Darkrai was tormented and wilted by the various emotions contained within the nightmares, its body was actually very healthy, much healthier than it had been before being captured by Ange.
Nightmares were inherently Darkrai's food, and now it was just returning to its proper path.
Therefore, facing the miserable Darkrai, Ange never harbored even a shred of pity.
This day, after lunch, Bruno proposed his departure to Ange.
"Ange, I plan to leave the Nebel Plateau today."
Ange was stunned: "So soon?"
Bruno laughed: "So soon? I've been staying at your place for over a month!"
Ange couldn't help but sigh upon hearing this: "Time flies so fast; over a month has passed in the blink of an eye."
Bruno nodded: "Who can say it hasn't?"
In this month, Bruno and Ange had spent their time together very happily, and they had become good friends who could talk about anything.
Moreover, Bruno also loved the life on the Nebel Plateau.
However, he was a member of the Elite Four after all, and staying on the Nebel Plateau for over a month was already his limit; it was impossible to stay there forever.
The two chatted for a while, and Bruno began to pack his luggage, while Ange prepared some souvenirs for Bruno to take with him.
There was the fine wine that Bruno loved, some snacks made by Ange, and a few jars of Honey Citron Tea.
As far as Ange knew, there was a Heracross among Elite Four Bruno's Pokémon, although it wasn't his main one.
Surely Heracross would love the Honey Citron Tea.
After everything was packed, Ange called Jeremy to come and pick up Bruno.
Before leaving, Bruno reached into his pocket, took out a booklet, and handed it to Ange. "Here."
Ange asked suspiciously: "This is?"
Bruno explained: "These are my training insights. I wrote them up last night; keep them for reference."
Ange was moved upon hearing this, and after solemnly accepting the booklet, he said: "Thank you, I will definitely make good use of it."
Then he also took out an object and handed it to Bruno; it was an exquisite brocade box.
"What is this?" Bruno asked while taking the box and opening it readily.
Inside lay a huge pink diamond.
"You're giving me this?" Bruno's eyes widened.
Ange joked: "My family is poor, so I can only afford to give this away. You know, in my house, we pick these up off the ground."
Bruno was amused by Ange: "Fine, since you're giving it to me, I'll accept it."
He knew that with Diancie, Ange didn't lack these things, so he didn't bother being coy.
After an unwilling farewell, Bruno boarded the aircraft and waved at Ange.
"Goodbye, Ange! Goodbye, everyone!"
Ange waved back: "Goodbye, keep in touch!"
"Munch~"
"Ruff~"
...
Munchlax, Pawmot, Farfetch'd—all the Pokémon that had received Bruno's guidance stood below, waving vigorously at Bruno to say goodbye.
A long time later, after the aircraft gradually disappeared at the end of the sky, Ange returned home with his Pokémon, feeling a sense of loss.
However, Ange quickly recovered from the melancholy of the farewell. Information technology was advanced in this era; they could communicate through various means of telecommunication at any time, so there was really no need to be overly sentimental.
After returning home, Ange received a video call from Arven. Arven had some questions about culinary arts he wanted to ask Ange.
Ange explained to him for a long time, but he still didn't quite understand, so Ange went into the kitchen, planning to demonstrate it for him.
During the demonstration, Ange cleared out the ingredients in his System Backpack and unexpectedly discovered that the two leeks he had obtained from a daily mission were still there.
Fortunately, the System Backpack kept things fresh, or else they would have likely rotted and stunk after sitting there for a month.
He placed the two leeks on the stove and continued talking to Arven.
Just then, two Farfetch'd walked into the kitchen.
Ange was focused on his conversation with Arven and didn't notice them.
The two Farfetch'd walked around the kitchen, and suddenly, they were attracted by the leeks on the stove, and they couldn't help but pick them up.
The moment the leeks were in their hands, they immediately realized that their destined leeks had finally appeared.
The two Farfetch'd looked at each other, their faces revealing excited smiles, and then, shouldering the leeks, they ran quickly toward the outside.
"Kama~ Kama~"
"Kama~ Kama~"
Arriving at the grass outside the fence, the two Farfetch'd wielded their leeks with great spirit.
They swung them, becoming more excited and enamored with them as they went.
It was it, it was it, it was exactly it—their destined leeks.
After so many days, having finally regained their own leeks, the two Farfetch'd simply couldn't control their excitement.
At this moment, Drilbur and Lairon happened to pass by.
"Kama~"
"Kama~"
The two Farfetch'd flashed forward to block their path.
"La~" What is it?
Lairon looked at the Farfetch'd with confusion.
The two Farfetch'd raised their eyebrows and beckoned to Lairon and Drilbur.
"Kama~" Come!
"Kama~" Fight!
Once Drilbur and Lairon heard that, they immediately got fired up. A fight is a fight, who's afraid of whom?
Thus, the four Pokémon stood on opposite sides, planning to have a double battle.
The Farfetch'd couple were one team.
Drilbur and Lairon were the other team.
They invited the Dolliv sisters, who were sunbathing on the fence, to be the referees.
The sisters stood in the middle, holding hands. Once both sides were ready, they said in unison:
"Liv~" The match begins!
"Kama~ Kama~"
As soon as the sisters' words fell, the two Farfetch'd brandished their leeks and launched the first attack. Green light flashed upon their leeks, and the light converged, actually forming blades.
They were using the Grass-type move Leaf Blade, a move that is likely to land a critical hit.
Drilbur and Lairon were not to be outdone and quickly used their moves to meet the attack.
Sharp white light flashed on Drilbur's claws; this was the Normal-type move Slash, which dealt damage while also having a 50 percent chance of lowering the opponent's defense.
Lairon used its STAB move Iron Head, its head shimmering with a metallic luster as it slammed head-first toward the two Farfetch'd.
The male Farfetch'd's Leaf Blade collided with Drilbur's claws first. After a stalemate, Drilbur lost the contest first and was sent flying.