"Kongjian, come inside quickly. I'm counting on you to help Fletchling."
Alice spoke with an edge of anxiety in her voice.
"I've got this," Feng Che nodded. He stepped into the high-tech, portable house and began arranging instruments from his bracelet. He meticulously scraped some silvery-white spores from the hallucinogenic mushrooms he had harvested.
"Alice, release Fletchling."
"Come out, Fletchling!" Alice tossed her Poké Ball. The tiny bird materialized, looking weak and listless.
"There, there, be a good girl." Feng Che gently blew the spores toward Fletchling. The bird blinked twice and immediately slumped into a deep, peaceful sleep.
"Thank goodness! I was so worried she wouldn't be able to sleep because of the pain," Alice said, hopping with relief like a joyful child.
"I need to set the bones and prepare the medicine now. Keep it down," Feng Che said, shooting her a look. Alice pouted slightly but quickly complied, her movements and voice becoming whisper-quiet.
Feng Che retrieved a small mortar and pestle along with various wild berries and herbs. He ground the berries clockwise, occasionally adding herbal extracts, until he produced a translucent solid that resembled green jade.
"What does that ointment do?" Alice whispered curiously.
"It's a specialized formula for bone injuries. It stimulates rapid cell division in Pokémon. It's highly effective and non-irritating, which is perfect for a small bird like her. I have faster-acting recipes, but they require incredibly rare ingredients. For her current state, this is more than enough."
Feng Che set down the mortar and delicately picked up the sleeping Fletchling. "Luckily, the damage isn't catastrophic. You saved her career by recalling her immediately and preventing secondary fractures. I saw how tightly you held that ball—you were ready to surrender it to the Bard if it meant she'd be safe, weren't you?"
Feng Che smiled as he spoke. Alice nodded solemnly. "I was. I didn't want to drag her down with me."
At that moment, Feng Che finished feeling the alignment of the bones. With a swift, controlled burst of pressure—Snap!—the bones clicked back into place. Even in its deep sleep, the Fletchling let out a muffled, instinctive cry of pain.
"Is she okay?!" Alice's phoenix-like eyes were wide with worry.
"She's fine. Here, let me teach you how to apply the medicine." Feng Che scooped out a small, nail-sized dollop of the jade ointment and spread it evenly over the broken wing. "This absorbs very well. One dollop per wing is enough."
He finished one side and nudged Alice. "Your turn. Try the other one."
Alice hesitantly took a small amount of ointment, her fingers trembling as she approached her partner.
"Just like that. Don't be afraid of hurting her; Pokémon aren't as fragile as you think."
While Alice applied the rest, Feng Che wove a tiny basket using the stalks of Miltank Grass. "This basket will release a faint, calming fragrance to keep her stable. Pokémon have faster recovery rates than humans. After three days and nights of sleep, her bones should be fully knit. Just keep her in this position and don't let her move."
He looked at Alice. "Since Fletchling is sidelined for now, do you have any spare Poké Balls? Maybe you should catch something else for protection."
"I'll see how I feel," Alice replied. "A Trainer has to have an initial 'connection' with a Pokémon. If there's no chemistry, the taming process is just a nightmare."
"As for dinner tonight, let's have that wild duck. It's plump enough that it'll be perfect in the oven." Alice took charge of the kitchen, surprising Feng Che with her domestic skills despite her "tough woman" persona.
Once the chores were done, Feng Che took out an empty Poké Ball and looked at the Rookidee that had been following him.
"Rookidee, are you willing to become my partner?" He held the ball out.
Without a second's hesitation, the Rookidee pecked the button, dissolving into red light. The ball didn't even shake; three stars immediately flashed on the display.
"Congratulations, Kongjian," Alice said, her eyes bright with genuine happiness. "You've caught a Rookidee. Its final evolution is a truly formidable Pokémon." She sighed wistfully. "I just hope I can find a Fire-type I like on this island."
"Speaking of the island," Alice asked, "have you found any leads on resources?"
"I saw a powerful Seviper with a Golden Key around its neck," Feng Che shared. "It looked like it was meant for a specific chest or gate."
"I saw a Pidgeotto with a Silver Key while I was running from the Bard," Alice added.
"What do the keys do exactly?" Feng Che asked.
"You guessed right—they're for the supply caches. Team Rocket scattered treasure chests across Death Island, most guarded by powerful Pokémon. The keys are carried by other Pokémon. The chests and keys are ranked: Gold, Silver, and Bronze."
"Inside, you'll find Credit Plates—which can be exchanged for official Team Rocket credits—Special Rocket Balls, and maps to larger supply depots. Everything we collect is converted into points. Word is, the top three performers will be rewarded with one of the Kanto Starters. I'm dying to get a Fire-type Starter!"
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