As the laughter and playful noise gradually subsided, Ice Vulpix finished eating their fill of pokéblocks and gathered around Alolan Ninetales, sitting in a circle while curiously watching Fire Vulpix and Ice Vulpix.
Her two youngest daughters seemed to have grown much stronger since their return.
Fire Vulpix was the first to lose its patience. It trotted onto an open patch of snow, puffed out its small chest proudly, and stood before its mother and older siblings as if announcing something important.
It took a deep breath, its soft cheeks puffing up as Fire-type energy began to surge through its body. Its orange-red fur emitted a faint glow.
"Wuuu!"
With a crisp cry, the little Fire Vulpix suddenly spat out a fireball.
The fireball arced through the air, and as it traveled, it gradually expanded and stretched, forming a perfectly shaped "大" character. Carrying a scorching aura, it shot forward before exploding upon the snowy ground, melting a large patch of snow into a blazing burst of flame.
It was the powerful Fire-type move, Fire Blast.
Ice Vulpix immediately erupted into cheers, hopping around Fire Vulpix and praising it excitedly.
Receiving such enthusiastic praise from its older siblings, Fire Vulpix became extremely proud. It happily raised its six small tails high behind it, then cast a slightly provocative glance toward its twin sister.
Provoked by that look, Ice Vulpix immediately ran forward as well, preparing to showcase its own abilities.
Its six fluffy snow-white tails began to sway rapidly. As Ice-type energy gathered, the surrounding air temperature dropped sharply, and snowflakes started to swirl around it, gradually forming a stream of white airflow.
"Wuwa~"
With a sudden flick of its tails, the airflow transformed into a roaring blizzard that surged forward.
Wherever it passed, snow was swept up into the air, and a thin layer of ice instantly formed on the ground. Even the area that had just been melted by the flames was frozen over again, glistening with a crystalline sheen.
This was one of the Ice-type's most powerful moves, Blizzard.
Ice Vulpix once again burst into excited cheers. As fellow Ice-type Pokémon, they understood better than anyone just how difficult it was to master Blizzard.
Their mother had once taught them how to use this move. Although they had all managed to learn it to some extent, none of them could use it with the same level of skill and ease as Ice Vulpix.
They had never expected that their two youngest sisters would become so strong after following a human.
Watching the two little Vulpix show off their moves, Theo smiled knowingly.
Previously, Larvesta and Milotic had each taught them these moves, and they had only barely managed to learn these powerful Fire and Ice moves. However, further refinement had not been easy.
Fortunately, through the system's lottery, Theo had once again obtained the TM learning machines for Fire Blast and Blizzard. He had let the two little ones use them, improving their proficiency. That was why they could now perform these moves so effortlessly.
At this moment, the Totem Alolan Ninetales looked at her two youngest daughters with eyes full of pride and satisfaction. From time to time, she gently stroked their heads with her tails, praising them affectionately.
She even extended one of her tails to lightly wrap around Theo's hand, gently holding it and swaying slightly.
Clearly, she was very pleased with Theo as a trainer for raising her children so well.
Over the next few hours, Fire Vulpix and Ice Vulpix chattered endlessly, as if a floodgate had opened. They excitedly told their mother and siblings about all the fun experiences they had during their journey.
They talked about dressing up with Larvesta, choosing accessories, riding on Metagross across the sea, being lifted into the sky by its psychic power, and diving into the deep ocean alongside Milotic…
The older Alolan Vulpix siblings listened with great interest, occasionally letting out gasps of amazement or bursts of laughter. Alolan Ninetales quietly listened as well, occasionally using her tails to comfort her overly excited children.
Before they knew it, several hours had passed. The sun began to tilt westward, casting a warm orange glow over the snowy peaks.
"It's time for us to go," Theo said softly.
Although he was reluctant, Larvesta was still waiting for them. Its evolution could not be delayed.
The smiles on Fire Vulpix and Ice Vulpix instantly faded. They rubbed their faces against Alolan Ninetales' neck, their large eyes glistening with unshed tears.
The other Alolan Vulpix gathered around them as well, nudging them gently with their heads, as if trying to persuade them to stay.
Alolan Ninetales let out a soft cry, gently licking her daughters' foreheads. Then she used her tails to lift them up and carefully place them back into Theo's arms.
She looked at Theo with a firm and trusting gaze, as if silently saying, "I'm entrusting them to you."
"Don't worry, I'll take good care of them."
Theo nodded solemnly in response, gently stroking the two little Vulpix in his arms. At the same time, he called out to Tyrantrum and Dragonite in the distance.
"Dragonite, Tyrantrum, come over here. It's time for us to head back!"
Earlier, while the two Vulpix had been sharing stories, Dragonite and Tyrantrum had wandered off together, draping their arms over each other's shoulders as they chatted and played.
Dragonite was vividly recounting its past experiences challenging the League. Whenever it got excited, it would flap its small wings and gesture enthusiastically with its fists.
Tyrantrum listened with admiration, occasionally chiming in, while also sharing stories about its carefree life back in the Unova's Village of Dragons.
There, it had been completely pampered, with food always ready, surrounded by many different Dragon-type Pokémon, and even accompanied by plenty of beautiful female dragons to play with…
"Tyrant~"
Hearing Tyrantrum casually mention all sorts of rather embarrassing little stories about those female dragons, Dragonite became completely engrossed. Its eyes lit up, and its small wings flapped continuously with excitement.
At this moment, Dragonite's heart was filled with longing for the Village of Dragons of Unova.
Only when they heard Theo calling them did the two dragons reluctantly end their conversation and hurry over.
"Let's go. Back to Professor Oak."
Theo returned Tyrantrum, Metagross, and the others into their Poké Balls.
In a rather amusing moment, Deino seized the opportunity while Alolan Ninetales was not paying attention. Just as it was about to be recalled into its Poké Ball, it shook its head vigorously, instantly undoing the twin braids tied earlier.
After putting away the Poké Balls, Theo held the two Vulpix and climbed onto Dragonite's back. With a powerful roar, Dragonite took to the sky, flying toward the coastal cliffs.
Fire Vulpix and Ice Vulpix kept wagging their tails in Theo's arms, looking back as they bid farewell to their mother and siblings.
On the return journey, the two little Vulpix leaned against Theo, quietly sobbing, still saddened by the separation.
Theo gently patted their backs, comforting them softly.
"Don't be sad. We'll come visit your mother often, alright?"
The two little ones nodded, gradually stopping their tears, though their heads remained lowered, their spirits still subdued.
Sensing the sadness of the two little foxes, Deino's Poké Ball began to shake repeatedly, signaling to Theo that it wanted to come out.
(End of Chapter)