Listening to Metagross's "translation," Theo reached out and rubbed Larvesta's head, nodding repeatedly as he replied,
"Alright, no problem. But for the next few days, don't slack off. Train a bit more every day, properly digest the energy you've gained, and get used to controlling it. Only then can I give you more. As long as you work hard, you'll have all the advanced energy orbs you need."
At the side, Fire Vulpix listened to Larvesta's bold declaration about defeating Tyrantrum.
Although it did not fully understand every word, it could clearly feel the ambition and determination in Larvesta's tone.
Infected by that passionate spirit, Fire Vulpix wagged its six fluffy tails and ran in circles around Larvesta, letting out cheerful "woo woo" cries as if cheering it on.
As for whether Larvesta could actually defeat Tyrantrum after evolving and make it acknowledge Larvesta as its big brother, Theo was not particularly optimistic.
After all, Larvesta was a dual Bug and Fire type, while Tyrantrum was Rock type, which meant a natural double disadvantage. Winning would not be easy.
Of course, he could not say that out loud and dampen Larvesta's confidence, so Theo simply went along with it.
"When the time comes, you'll definitely win. Once you evolve, Tyrantrum won't be able to beat you."
Those words made Larvesta even more smug. It lifted its little head higher and immediately turned to rush outside, eager to begin training as soon as possible.
But in its eagerness to show off, it forgot to watch its step.
With a loud thud, it tripped over the doorstep and fell flat on its face.
Sand stuck all over its cheeks, making it look extremely disheveled.
"Pfft—"
Milotic could not hold back. It covered its mouth with its tail fin and let out a string of bell like laughter.
Ice Vulpix widened its eyes at the sight of Larvesta lying face down and could not help but giggle as well.
Metagross turned its body away, its frame trembling slightly as it tried its best to suppress laughter.
Fire Vulpix, still facing the other direction, had not yet noticed what happened. But seeing everyone laughing, it wagged its tails and joined in anyway.
Larvesta lay on the ground, listening to the laughter of its companions. Its little face turned bright red, the sand stuck to its cheeks refusing to come off no matter how much it rubbed, only making things worse.
It flailed its six tiny legs anxiously, thoughts racing in its mind.
I need to save face somehow!
Suddenly, its eyes lit up.
It pushed itself up, straightened its six slender legs, and began doing push ups with exaggerated effort.
While doing so, it turned its head toward Milotic and Metagross, chirping loudly,
"What are you laughing at? I'm training! Do you even understand what discipline is?"
Unfortunately, the streaks of sand on its face were still clearly visible.
Combined with the two grains stuck on its nose and its forced serious expression, it was not convincing in the slightest.
Milotic laughed so hard its body bent over, its usually graceful form collapsing slightly.
The tail fin it had raised to cover its mouth fell to the ground, picking up dust.
Normally, Milotic was extremely clean and always kept its body suspended with water vapor, never touching the ground.
For it to ignore that now showed just how amused it was.
Meanwhile, faint clicking sounds came from Metagross's back as it tried its best to hold in its laughter.
Ice Vulpix had no such restraint. It rolled around on the ground, its laughter growing louder and louder.
Fire Vulpix finally turned around and saw Larvesta's pitiful state. It immediately joined its sister in laughter, its six tails swaying happily.
Seeing this, Larvesta stopped its push ups altogether. With a huff, it rolled on the ground to rub off some of the sand on its face, then turned and ran toward the beach.
It chirped indignantly as it went, as if saying, "I'm going to train. I'm not dealing with you unappreciative guys anymore."
From that moment on, the beach in front of the seaside cabin officially became their training ground.
TN: Lmaooo
…
On the eastern side, near the rocks where waves crashed against the shore, Milotic patiently guided Ice Vulpix.
Ice Vulpix stood on a flat rock, its body gradually surrounded by a cold aura. Fine snowflakes began to fall from above its head, forming a small area of snowfall around it.
This was its Snow Warning ability in action.
Without the interference of its sister's Drought ability, it could finally focus on controlling its own little world of ice and snow.
"Milo~"
Milotic swam up beside the rock and gently swayed its tail fin. Suddenly, light rain began to fall from the sky.
It was the move Rain Dance.
The snowflakes were instantly scattered by the rain, and the snowy weather turned into a damp drizzle.
Before Ice Vulpix could fully process what was happening, Milotic immediately used one of its signature techniques from previous Contests, freezing the falling rain in place.
The raindrops seemed to pause midair, suspended motionless.
Ice Vulpix's eyes widened as it reached out with its small paw to touch the frozen droplets, gazing at Milotic with admiration.
Next, Milotic used Icy Wind, exhaling a stream of cold breath.
Wherever the chill passed, the suspended raindrops instantly froze into sharp ice crystals, densely packed like a volley of icy arrows.
(Watch carefully.)
Milotic reminded it, then lightly flicked its tail fin.
The ice crystals shot forward in unison toward the incoming waves.
Cracking sounds rang out as the crashing wave instantly froze solid, forming a crystal clear ice wall.
Even the splashing droplets became tiny beads of ice clinging to the frozen surface.
Ice Vulpix's mouth fell open into a perfect circle. It clutched the edge of the rock tightly, staring at the dazzling ice wall in front of it.
Milotic swam closer and gently brushed its head against the little fox's ear.
"Miloo~"
(Try using your snowflakes to form ice crystals, then push them with Icy Wind. Take it slow. Start with just one snowflake.)
Ice Vulpix nodded, took a deep breath, and activated Snow Warning again.
This time, it was especially focused. It fixed its gaze on a single snowflake drifting before it and channeled its ice type energy.
The snowflake trembled slightly, its edges sharpening as it slowly condensed into a tiny crystal the size of a grain of rice.
But before it could stabilize it, the crystal dropped to the ground with a soft tap.
Ice Vulpix's ears drooped in disappointment.
"Miloo~"
Milotic gently exhaled a faint chill, lifting the fallen crystal and bringing it back before the little fox, as if encouraging it.
Looking at the tiny crystal, Ice Vulpix gathered its courage again and resumed trying.
Sunlight filtered through the falling snow, illuminating its focused little face with a soft glow.
Meanwhile, on the western side of the beach, an entirely different scene was unfolding, filled with lively energy.
...
Larvesta stood atop a rock that had been heated until it was almost scorching under the influence of Fire Vulpix's Drought ability. Its expression was serious, carrying itself like a strict instructor.
It carefully replicated the way the former Elite Four member Elder Moore's Typhlosion had once taught it how to use Flamethrower, now using the exact same method to guide Fire Vulpix.
Focusing intently on the surface of the sea, Larvesta paused for a moment before suddenly opening its mouth. A thick pillar of flames burst forth.
It was the move Flamethrower.
The blazing column collided with the incoming waves, instantly producing a large cloud of white steam.
Amid the rising vapor, the seawater was forcibly pushed back by nearly half a meter, leaving a clear boundary line between wet and dry sand.
"Lar!"
Larvesta turned its head toward Fire Vulpix, pointing its small forelimb at the area where the water had been evaporated, then at Fire-type Vulpix's mouth, as if saying,
That's how you do it. Got it? Now give it a try.
Fire Vulpix tilted its head, thinking for a moment. Then it took a deep breath, mimicking Larvesta's posture, and opened its mouth to release a small burst of flames.
The tiny sparks landed in the shallow water, making only a few faint sizzling sounds and splashing up a bit of water.
The little fox immediately puffed up its cheeks and ran over to Larvesta, rubbing its head against it and whining softly, asking for help.
Larvesta helplessly shook its head and moved closer, gently wrapping Fire Vulpix's mouth in its own flames.
Guided by Larvesta's intense heat, Fire Vulpix gathered its energy again. This time, the flames it released were noticeably denser.
When they struck the water, the effect was far stronger than its previous attempt.
"Lar!"
Larvesta affectionately rubbed its head against Fire-type Vulpix's cheek, nodding in encouragement.
Encouraged, Fire Vulpix lifted its small chin proudly, growing more excited.
Under the influence of its emotions, its Drought ability became even stronger.
Recalling the sensation Larvesta had just taught it, Fire Vulpix tried to use Flamethrower on its own once more.
Although it was not as powerful as when guided by Larvesta, it had already moved beyond the level of simple ember-like flames and begun to take on the shape of a true Flamethrower.
"Lar~"
(Not bad.)
Larvesta nodded in satisfaction, clearly pleased, as if acknowledging that its student had potential.
Meanwhile, in the area between Milotic's and Larvesta's training grounds, Metagross was undergoing what could only be described as brutal training.
It had activated Gravity on itself, submerging its massive body halfway into the sea. Each punch it threw had to overcome both the resistance of the water and the crushing force of gravity.
"Vmm… Vmm…"
A mechanical hum echoed from within its body as its metal arms began to glow white.
It was using Meteor Mash.
Its heavy metallic limb slammed into the sea with tremendous force, sending water exploding upward into a towering spray.
Immediately after, its left arm gathered a chill aura as it unleashed Ice Punch, freezing the splashing water into fragments of ice.
Then its right arm crackled with electricity as it followed up with Thunder Punch, striking the water and creating bursts of sparks.
With every attack, Metagross endured the pressure of gravity and the resistance of the sea. Its metallic body vibrated with a steady hum, yet the speed of its punches did not slow in the slightest.
Its strikes grew faster and faster, the white glow of Meteor Mash, the blue of Ice Punch, and the violet sparks of Thunder Punch flashing alternately across the ocean surface.
The waves it generated rose higher and higher, conveniently becoming moving targets for Milotic and Larvesta's training sessions.
Seeing the waves created by Metagross, Milotic guided Ice Vulpix to use Icy Wind against the incoming surges.
On the other side, Larvesta led Fire Vulpix in using fire-type moves to evaporate the advancing seawater.
Though the three training zones appeared separate, they formed a subtle synergy. Waves, flames, and frost intertwined along the beach, creating a vibrant and dynamic scene.
Standing at the edge of the shore, Theo watched the bustling training with a smile on his face.
Seeing that his Pokémon were steadily progressing with their training, he turned and walked back toward the cabin.
With Milotic and Larvesta helping to train the two Vulpix, his main responsibility now was to provide logistical support, ensuring his companions could train happily and eat well.
Back inside the cabin, Theo rolled up his sleeves and got to work. Fresh ingredients he had bought from town were laid out on the counter.
There were fresh berries, organic vegetables from a Pokémon farm, and seafood he had purchased that morning from fishermen at the dock, including shrimp and shellfish.
After so many days of traveling outdoors, his cooking skills were no longer what they once were in his previous life, when he could barely make scrambled eggs with tomatoes.
While he could not claim to rival the cooking prowess of Brock from the anime, he could confidently call himself a capable cook.
…
Steam rose from the iron pot on the stove. The shrimp on the cutting board had been cleaned thoroughly, their veins completely removed. The shellfish had been boiled until their shells opened slightly, revealing tender meat inside.
With practiced movements, Theo sliced the organic vegetables into fine, even strips, mixing them with colorful diced berries. He drizzled over a dressing made from lemon juice and honey.
A refreshing berry and vegetable salad was soon ready.
Next came the highlight of the seafood meal, steamed scallops with garlic and vermicelli.
He spread softened vermicelli over the scallop shells, placed the plump meat on top, poured over fragrant garlic sauce, sprinkled a few bits of red pepper for color, and placed them into the steamer.
Before long, the rich aroma of garlic mixed with the natural sweetness of seafood filled the air, attracting Larvesta and Fire Vulpix, who had just finished training, to come and watch.
By the time Theo finished preparing the final dish, pan fried shrimp, the Pokémon were already seated neatly around the table, waiting eagerly for the meal.
The dishes on the table were irresistibly fragrant.
Bright red shrimp, colorful salad, and tender white shellfish, just looking at them was enough to stimulate anyone's appetite.
Theo had thoughtfully prepared small bowls for Ice Vulpix and Fire Vulpix, filled with diced berries and warm Moomoo milk.
Metagross had even used its psychic power to tie small scarves around their necks, one red and one white, to keep their fur clean while eating.
"Let's eat."
Theo smiled as he announced, and the little ones immediately began enjoying their meal.
Fire Vulpix held its small bowl, licking the milk in tiny sips, occasionally picking up a piece of berry with a blissful expression.
Ice Vulpix preferred the salad, carefully using its paw to move the leaves, its icy blue eyes narrowing contentedly.
Metagross used its psychic power to lift scallops to its mouth, savoring the flavor, garlic sauce smearing across its face without a care.
Milotic elegantly curled its tail fin around a shrimp, tasting it slowly, occasionally nudging Ice Vulpix's bowl with the tip of its tail as if reminding it to eat more.
Larvesta was the most exaggerated of all. Not a single one of its six little limbs was idle. Its mouth was stuffed with shrimp while its claws held onto scallops and berries, eating with pure delight.
Theo sat to the side, watching them enjoy their meal, slowly peeling a shrimp for himself.
Day after day, life continued like this.
The sounds of training by the sea, the warmth of cooking in the cabin, and the laughter around the dining table came together to form the final stretch of peaceful days in Dewford Town.
(End of Chapter)