Rhyperior opened its eyes and saw that human sitting on a rock in the distance, chatting with the group of Pokémon that had been coming over to bother it during this time.
Pokémon were also moving in and out of the cave from time to time.
Thinking of something, Rhyperior's eyes widened instantly, and it let out a roar.
But the sound was only halfway out when it was interrupted by the pain coming from its body.
It looked down at its body and found itself embedded in the stone wall.
Hearing Rhyperior's roar, Lucas turned his gaze toward Rhyperior. Seeing that Rhyperior was awake, Lucas stood up and breathed a sigh of relief.
It had been over two hours since it fell unconscious. Luckily, Ninetales used Heat Wave to form a small protective barrier for him; otherwise, he would have frozen stiff long ago.
Lucas walked toward Rhyperior. Seeing Lucas walk up to it, the intermittent pain in its body made Rhyperior incredibly furious. It wanted to punch this detestable human in front of it, but its body was deeply embedded in the stone wall, unable to move.
Furthermore, all the Pokémon beside this human were watching it warily.
Especially that green Pokémon that looked soft, cute, and weak.
It truly felt a hint of fear coming from her.
I will die.
This thought emerged in Rhyperior's mind.
The gaze that had been angrily glaring at Lucas suddenly softened.
Lucas looked at the immobile Rhyperior, observed it carefully for a long time, and then asked, "Although Rhyperior can be considered short-tempered Pokémon, I still want to know why you thought of occupying this cave. To be more precise, I want to know why you appeared in this forest and started hurting the original Pokémon of this forest indiscriminately."
Listening to Lucas's words, Rhyperior closed its eyes, not wanting to answer him.
Seeing this, Lucas was wondering if it had some hidden hardship when a loud boom rang out.
Lucas looked over and found Lilligant holding an Energy Ball, slamming it hard against the rock between Rhyperior's legs, blasting a large hole into it.
Lucas's buttocks suddenly clenched, and Gengar's large rear end also jerked inward.
Lucas pursed his lips and silently took two steps back behind Gengar.
Gengar just wanted to hide behind Lucas, only to find that Lucas had already hidden behind it first.
Gengar: ———
I have to be the shield for this too?!
Luxray, on the side, had already silently hidden behind Lucas.
Only then did its limbs slowly stabilize.
Rhyperior felt a gust of cold wind blow past. It looked down; although its body was restrained, everyone and every Pokémon present could see its legs trembling.
"La-ji?"
Not talking?
Listening to Lilligant's exceptionally overbearing words, the scene of Gothitelle using Reflect and Light Screen to pummel Zapdos flashed through Lucas's mind again.
Plus the raw strength.
How come the girls in my Breeding House all feel so... domineering?
Where did my fragrant, soft, and cute little girls go?
Thinking of this, Lucas couldn't help but bite his finger.
How did their personalities all turn into 'big sister boss' types after growing up?
Not that he objected, of course.
But remembering the Petilil who used to love being held in his arms and constantly acted cute, compared to the Lilligant who now threatened others with Energy Balls at every turn...
Where exactly did the problem occur?
Lucas was completely baffled.
Then he could only look at Gengar.
"I told you not to always watch those gangster movies in the Breeding House."
Lucas whispered into Gengar's ear.
Gengar: ?!
"Gengar gar?!"
Oh no, could it really be my fault this time?!
Fortunately, I still have Ninetales, that fragrant and soft little cupcake—
Lucas noticed that sparks were excitedly bursting from Ninetales' body.
Lucas: ———
How could I have ever thought Ninetales would be spared?
Seeing that Rhyperior still wasn't speaking, Lilligant stepped back two paces and then rubbed her hands together to create an even larger Energy Ball.
Lucas, Gengar, Luxray: (OA)b
Vespiquen remained expressionless, but an excited look could seemingly be seen in its eyes.
"Roar—"
Just as Lilligant was about to act, Rhyperior spoke.
Lilligant tossed the Energy Ball into the air, and Ninetales cooperated by using Flamethrower to cancel it out.
"La-ji~"
Now that's a good boy~
Lilligant returned to Lucas's side contentedly and took his hand.
"La-ji~"
I handled it for you~
Looking at Lilligant's sweet smile, Lucas's eyes crinkled, and he patted her small head with his other hand.
"Our Lilligant is truly amazing, so domineering, and so beautiful."
Hearing Lucas's praise, Lilligant's little head shook back and forth, and the flower on top of her head emitted waves of fragrance.
Rhyperior looked at the scene before it. How could she not be domineering and beautiful?
The victim is me!
Lucas looked at the Rhyperior in front of him, his voice still in the gentle tone from his conversation with Lilligant just now, "So, can you tell me the reason now?"
"Roar—"
Where did you take it?
Rhyperior didn't answer Lucas's question but asked one instead.
Lucas's eyes widened.
It?!
Is there another Rhyperior inside? Or maybe its child?
Lucas looked back at Honchkrow and the others. Honchkrow shook its head, indicating it didn't know either.
At this time, a Pachirisu climbed onto Lucas's shoulder and whispered a few words in his ear.
Sensing Pachirisu's meaning, Lucas said thank you.
Then he led Gengar and the others into the cave.
The place where the forest Pokémon resided was full of light, but there was a boundary line. The sunlight from outside could not reach inside, and the forest Pokémon had not crossed that boundary line.
At this time, Luxray explained to Lucas that beyond the boundary was the habitat belonging to the Pokémon inside the cave. They and the forest Pokémon did not interfere with each other. The area where the sunlight could shine in was won from the cave Pokémon by a powerful Pokémon in the past.
As it said this, Luxray also glanced at Ninetales.
Lucas nodded.
At this time, Rhyperior also walked in.
Honchkrow and the others looked at Rhyperior with wariness. Rhyperior pretended not to see their gazes and instead stood beside Lucas, letting out a low growl.
I originally wanted to go inside to live, but you forest Pokémon kept pestering me, so I had to deal with them first before going in.
Saying this, it looked at the group of Pokémon it had injured and let out a somewhat unnatural low growl.
After I go in, I will return this place to them.
After speaking, it looked past the boundary and walked straight in.
Seeing that its walk was still a bit unnatural, Lucas sighed.
"We'll settle the remaining matters later. Whether that Pokémon hid inside on its own or was taken in, it's our responsibility. Since that's the case, as a Forest Ranger, it's impossible for me to sit idly by, right?"
Lucas said.
Then he saw Luxray's expression and said with a smile: "Don't worry, I know that's the habitat where the cave Pokémon live. I'll have a good chat with them."
Seeing that Luxray had no objections, Lucas led Gengar and the others inside.
"Have you seen a Pokémon?"
"Or rather, have you seen a Rhyperior?"
"Attacking directly? So fierce?"
"I'm just in here to ask for directions, okay."
"Again?!"
"Lilligant!!!"
"Bloom Doom!"
Boom! Boom boom boom!
The injured Lopunny listened to the commotion coming from inside from outside the boundary.
It sighed, its ears twitching.
As expected.
As a Pokémon that often went to the Breeding House to play, rest, and challenge, it already understood the temperaments of the Breeding House Pokémon all too well. Their personalities completely followed the personality of the Breeding House's owner.
Pachirisu nibbled on the snacks Gengar had shared with it, looking puzzled.
Didn't they say they were going to chat today?
Why does the commotion feel so big?
Inside, Lucas used Ninetales' flames for illumination and looked at the Diglett, Dugtrio, Onix, Geodude, Golbat, and Crobat lying all over the ground.
He clapped his hands. "If I don't fight back, you really think I'm easy to bully?"
At the thought of being besieged as soon as he entered, Lucas's short temper directly exploded. "I tried to chat with you nicely, but you ignored me."
"Now look at you, you know what pain feels like now, right?"
If Gengar and Vespiquen hadn't been by his side the whole time, he might have actually gotten hurt.
Thinking of this, Lucas angrily grabbed a Geodude and slapped it on its head.
Hiss—
It hurts—
Lucas clenched his fist, looked at the Geodude, and asked fiercely: "Have you seen a Rhyperior and its child?"
The Geodude, which had escaped a worse fate, weakly pointed in a direction.
"Wouldn't it have been better if you did this sooner?"
Lucas casually tossed the Geodude aside.
The Geodude was angry but didn't dare speak up.
Lucas was about to walk over with Gengar and the others when he noticed a figure walking toward them.
At the same time, a huge figure drilled out from the ground. With a silver-white body and an incredibly massive size, Lucas looked up at the Steelix in front of him.
Rhyperior walked to Lucas's side and nodded to him.
Lucas looked behind it but didn't see another Rhyperior. He raised his eyebrows in confusion.
Then, Lucas saw a Pokémon covered in cream walk out from behind Rhyperior.
Is this—an Alcremie?
So the Pokémon Rhyperior wanted to protect wasn't another Rhyperior, nor a Rhydon or a Rhyhorn, but a truly soft and sweet Alcremie?
Watching Alcremie cautiously hide behind Rhyperior, only peeking her head out,
Lucas remained silent for a long time.
What is this?
A Pokémon version of Beauty and the Beast?
How did a Rhyperior and an Alcremie end up together?
Countless questions filled Lucas's mind, but for now, he focused his attention on the Steelix in front of him.
Steelix's crimson eyes were fixed intently on him.
Ninetales stepped forward gently, standing in front of Lucas to shield him.
Lucas looked at the Steelix, which had clearly surpassed the ten-meter mark. The pressure from its massive body made his heart pound.
Steelix looked at the Ninetales standing before it; her lazy aura made it feel like it was seeing another Ninetales.
However, that other Ninetales had an even stronger presence.
But this Ninetales was no slouch either; her body was noticeably larger than others of her kind, making it feel a bit wary.
What it feared most, however, were the Gengar, Lilligant, and Machamp beside the human.
Why were all the Pokémon around him so dangerous?
This Steelix must be the boss of this cave.
Lucas and Steelix locked eyes. Just as Lucas was about to speak, Steelix let out a low growl, and a Pokémon connection formed in his heart.
"The owner of the Breeding House?"
Lucas nodded. "I am Lucas, the second owner of the Breeding House."
Steelix nodded slightly upon hearing this.
"Leave."
Sensing the intent Steelix conveyed, Lucas nodded.
"I'm very sorry about today. I originally just wanted to come in and look for Pokémon and only fought because I had to. I'll bring some delicious food another day to compensate them."
Lucas said, looking up.
"That is your business."
Steelix flicked its tail.
Just as Lucas turned to leave, Steelix's voice rang out again.
"Ninetales was right; you are very much like her."
Lucas spun around, but Steelix had already turned and left.
It only left behind one sentence.
"The cave is the same as the Rock Zone."
Lucas looked at Steelix's retreating back and smiled.
"So the Rock Zone was prepared for you."
Lucas stretched and reached over to tug at the corner of Gengar's mouth.
"Let's go, everyone. We've met another senior."
Lucas turned and walked away.
"Gengar gar?"
"Is it our senior too?"
Gengar watched Steelix's back, then turned to follow Lucas and asked.
Lucas nodded.
"Lilli?"
"Then didn't we fight the wrong person?"
"Well—not exactly. We'll prepare some good food to bring over tomorrow as an apology."
Lilligant nodded.
"Swoosh."
"It seems to recognize me?"
"It recognized your father."
Ninetales nodded with an "I see" expression.
Walking out from the depths of the cave, Lucas couldn't help but shiver.
So cold.
But soon, a warm breeze enveloped him.
After thanking Ninetales, Lucas looked at the Rhyperior behind him.
"Now that Alcremie has been found, it's time to deal with your problem."
Hearing Lucas's words, Rhyperior sat down, looking ready to accept any punishment.
At that moment, Alcremie stood on Rhyperior and held out her hands, shielding him.
Although she was very afraid, she still wanted to protect Rhyperior.
Seeing this, Lucas's eyes darted around.
"Rhyperior, you wouldn't want Alcremie to be taken away, right?"
Hearing this, Rhyperior suddenly stood up and let out a roar.
"I'd like to see who dares!"
Lucas simply smiled.
Seeing this smile, Vespiquen felt it was just like when she first met him.
She shook her head.
He's doomed.
"Look, you injured the Pokémon of the forest, and you must make amends. But considering you have no money, you must work for me at the Breeding House until your debt is paid off."
As soon as Lucas finished speaking, Vespiquen showed an "as expected" expression.
Lucas ignored Vespiquen's expression and continued, "While you work at the Breeding House, I'll also give you some benefits. For example, Alcremie can go to the Breeding House with you. You should also understand that a cave like this, without light, isn't suitable for Alcremie. She should live in a lively place full of light so she can grow up healthy."
Rhyperior listened to Lucas and looked at Alcremie standing in front of him.
After considering it, he nodded.
Seeing this, Lucas nodded in satisfaction, then looked at the Alcremie in front of him.
Her body was covered in cream and decorated with berries on her head.
He leaned down and said gently, "Alcremie, do you like making sweets?"
Vespiquen's eyes nearly rolled to the back of her head.
If she had any.
Alcremie nodded repeatedly at Lucas's words.
What a truly simple and cute Pokémon.
"You know, we have a Mime Jr. at the Breeding House who loves cooking, and a Gothitelle who opened a small shop specifically to make sweets and bread for sale. They're very popular. If you like making sweets, why not come back to the Breeding House with me? I can have them teach you how to make sweets and bring happiness to more humans and Pokémon."
Lucas proceeded step by step.
Alcremie was very tempted, but she still turned to look at Rhyperior.
Rhyperior was also tempted, so he nodded.
So, Alcremie nodded happily. She wanted to take Lucas's hand but was afraid; just as she was about to pull back halfway, Lucas grasped it.
"It's okay. You can go and see first. If you like it, you can stay there. How does that sound?"
Hearing Lucas's words, Alcremie nodded.
Lucas let go of her hand and then patted her small head.
His finger brushed a bit of cream, which he put into his mouth.
It was slightly bitter.
Lucas's expression toward Alcremie became even gentler.
She must have suffered a lot for the cream, which should be full of sweetness and happiness, to have a bitter taste.
"It will get better, Alcremie."
Lucas comforted her and then stood up.
Lilligant came to Alcremie's side and took her small hand.
"Lilli~"
Looking at the beautiful Lilligant in front of her, Alcremie felt a bit inferior for a moment.
Lilligant took her hand and started whispering to her. Alcremie was soon swept up by Lilligant's energy and began talking non-stop with her.
Ninetales and Vespiquen also joined in.
Vespiquen even reached out to Gengar, who generously took out a jar of sweet honey and handed it to her. Vespiquen nodded in satisfaction and then scooped a spoonful for Alcremie.
Alcremie took a bite, and her eyes widened.
So sweet, so delicious.
Vespiquen whispered in Alcremie's ear, "Bee."
"Shh, when we get back to the Breeding House, I'll take you to the hive. There's even better stuff there. Don't let them know."
Alcremie looked at Vespiquen in confusion, then pointed behind her.
Vespiquen looked back and saw a big, fat ear leaning over, twitching a few times.
"Bee!"
Vespiquen expertly launched an Air Slash.
"Scared the Queen to death!"
Gengar dodged even more expertly.
He looked at Vespiquen curiously.
"Gengar gar—"
"What are you guys talking about? Heehee."
Vespiquen ignored Gengar.
Gengar looked at Alcremie with a kind smile.
"Gengar gar—"
"....."
"Were you just talking about something delicious?"
Seeing Vespiquen behind Gengar shaking her head at her, Alcremie shook her head too.
Seeing this, Gengar let out a sigh of regret.
But he immediately turned to ask Lilligant.
Lilligant blinked and tilted her head with a "what are you talking about" expression.
So cute it hurts!
Seeing it wasn't about food, Gengar lost interest.
Lucas shook his head at the sight, then went over to Lopunny and the others.
"The cave issue is no longer a problem; it's fine even if you go a bit further in. As for Rhyperior, I'll take him back to the Breeding House to help with work as compensation. Of course, we'll prepare a lot of delicious food to bring to you tomorrow."
Lucas said.
As for how long he would have to work at the Breeding House to finish paying the compensation, Lucas didn't know.
Lopunny and the others had no objections.
Hearing there would be delicious food, they were even happier.
Seeing that everything was settled, Lucas clapped his hands.
"It's getting late today. We'll do the rest of the inspection tomorrow when we bring the food."
"Let's go back and settle the matters for Rhyperior and Alcremie first."
Lucas clapped his hands.
"Well then, let's go home, everyone.