The rain continued to pour without the slightest sign of letting up.
Drops fell steadily, soaking into clothes and leaving the body feeling damp and sticky.
Hayato Sora and Kangaskhan circled the ranch once, but they didn't see even a trace of Cyclizar or Chatot.
"Boss, let's check the coast."
His voice was low, his mood clearly downcast as the two of them made their way to the shoreline.
Hayato Sora scanned the beach quickly.
There was no sign of any Pokémon.
Just as he was about to leave, Kangaskhan suddenly cried out urgently and pointed toward the sea.
"Raaah!"
"Hm?"
Hayato Sora looked out.
On the vast ocean, he spotted two dark figures—and heard a familiar cry.
It was Chatot.
"Is that Chatot?"
Kangaskhan nodded. The silhouette over the sea really was Chatot.
Flying above the ocean, Chatot was clutching Cyclizar. It had also spotted the two figures standing on the beach.
Flapping its wings rapidly, it swooped toward them and landed beside Hayato Sora in a smooth glide.
Up close, it was indeed Cyclizar and Chatot.
But Cyclizar's condition looked wrong.
There were scorch marks on its body from lightning strikes, and golden feathers were stuck around its mouth.
Hayato Sora reached out and touched one.
An information panel immediately appeared before his eyes.
Even after reading just the beginning, he was already shocked.
[Zapdos Crest Feather: Legendary Ingredient. A plume taken from the crown of Zapdos. It is the most precious feather on its body and contains an enormous amount of Electric-type energy. It may possibly be used in cooking. The resulting dish's effects are unknown.]
Looking at the golden feathers still stuck in Cyclizar's mouth, Hayato Sora couldn't help imagining a bald Zapdos in his mind.
But he had no time to dwell on that now. He quickly collected the feathers.
Then he asked Kangaskhan to pick Cyclizar up and placed a hand on its forehead.
It was hot.
Cyclizar's entire body was burning with heat. The rain that fell on it instantly evaporated into steam.
Hayato Sora crouched down and shook it gently.
"Cyclizar… Cyclizar, can you hear me?"
In its hazy state, Cyclizar seemed to hear Hayato Sora's voice.
A faint surge of strength rose from its exhausted body. It slowly opened its eyes and licked Hayato Sora's palm twice.
As if to say: Don't worry. I'm just tired.
Compared to the injuries it had taken, the bird Pokémon it fought was in far worse shape.
Across the sea from Shalour City, deep within the ocean, lay the Sea God's Cavern.
A shocking battle had just ended.
The thunderstorm overhead was gradually dissipating, but it did nothing to ease the miserable mood of the bird Pokémon inside the cavern.
"Zaaap—!"
The cavern's enormous crystals reflected the figure of a bird Pokémon.
It was the sacred bird said to command lightning at will—the Legendary Pokémon Zapdos.
But its current state was very wrong.
Its body lay limply on the ground, looking utterly defeated.
[That damn creature! My crown—my one and only crest feathers are gone!!! AAAAAAH!!!]
Zapdos once possessed a sharp and majestic crown of feathers.
Now they were gone.
The top of its head was completely bald, and every passing gust of wind sent a cold chill across its scalp.
Zapdos shrank back and buried its head into the ground.
[I can't show my face anymore… She…]
If it went out looking like this, Moltres and Articuno would definitely laugh at it.
How could she possibly appear before Lugia like this?
Zapdos was heartbroken. At this moment, it almost wished it could die.
How could she ever face anyone again in this state?
If she had known this would happen, she never would have captured Chatot in the first place.
Thinking of that, Zapdos glared toward the corner where a group of bird Pokémon stood.
The bird Pokémon immediately sensed the gaze.
One by one, they buried their heads into the ground.
"Caw caw~"
We're blind. We didn't see anything.
"Miss Joy, how is Cyclizar doing?"
When Nurse Joy walked out of the emergency room with Audino, Hayato Sora hurried over anxiously.
The Poké Ball on the small cart opened.
Cyclizar leaped out energetically.
Before Hayato Sora could react, he was tackled to the ground. A wet tongue enthusiastically licked his face, leaving him covered in drool.
"Cyclizar! You're okay!"
Hayato Sora rubbed Cyclizar vigorously before flipping it over and scratching its belly.
The weight in his heart finally lifted.
Cyclizar being safe was the best news possible.
But Nurse Joy immediately poured cold water on his relief.
"Hayato Sora, don't celebrate too soon. Take a look at this examination report."
Cyclizar obediently sat beside him as Hayato Sora picked up the report.
At first, everything looked normal.
But when he reached the final section, his expression changed.
Cyclizar was a Dragon/Normal-type Pokémon.
Yet inside its body, there was now a dense concentration of Electric-type energy.
That energy was already suppressing the Normal-type attribute and was beginning to challenge the Dragon-type for dominance.
"This…?"
Hayato Sora looked at Nurse Joy in confusion.
Nurse Joy explained carefully.
"Cyclizar's natural typing is undergoing a gradual transformation. If nothing is done, Cyclizar will permanently lose its Normal typing, and its Dragon-type energy may eventually be suppressed by the Electric-type energy."
"This kind of type change is something I've never seen before. Whether it will be good or bad for Cyclizar… that decision may ultimately be up to you, as its trainer."
Hayato Sora gently pulled his pant leg free from Cyclizar's mouth and nodded sincerely.
"Thank you, Miss Joy. I'll keep a close eye on it."
After paying Cyclizar's examination fee, Hayato Sora paused at the entrance of the Pokémon Center.
"Miss Joy, I'd like to invite you to the ranch to give all the ranch Pokémon a full checkup. Would you have time in the next few days?"
Aside from Cyclizar and his original five Pokémon, the others had all been caught in the wild.
It would be best to have them examined.
Since Cyclizar had already been checked, Hayato Sora didn't mind spending the extra money.
It would give him peace of mind.
And with so many Pokémon now living at the ranch, bringing all of them to the Pokémon Center wasn't very practical.
Nurse Joy didn't hesitate and happily agreed.
After all, this was part of her job.
Not everyone was a trainer capable of bringing their Pokémon to the Pokémon Center. Sometimes they provided house-call services as well.
Though, of course—
The price would be a bit higher.
They scheduled the visit for the 6th, after which Hayato Sora returned to the ranch with Cyclizar and Kangaskhan.
By the time they got back, the rain had stopped.
The sky had cleared.
After such a busy and exhausting day, the moment Hayato Sora relaxed, fatigue hit him hard.
His head felt heavy and dizzy.
He coughed constantly, and his throat burned with pain.
His original plan to question Chatot had to be postponed.
Back in the cabin, he gave a few brief instructions to Cinccino and the others before taking some anti-inflammatory medicine and collapsing onto the bed.
At first, the Pokémon didn't think much of it.
But after several hours passed and Hayato Sora still hadn't woken up, Cinccino jumped onto the bed.
It placed a tiny paw on Hayato Sora's forehead.
The heat made it recoil instantly.
So hot! Hayato Sora is sick!
Cyclizar and the Noibat gathered around, lowering their heads in guilt.
If not for them, Hayato Sora wouldn't have gone out into the rain.
And he wouldn't have gotten sick.
Kangaskhan stepped forward, taking on the role of the responsible adult.
It began directing the other Pokémon.
Some handled the ranch's daily tasks, while others stayed behind to take care of Hayato Sora.
But once the daily chores were done, the Pokémon all gathered around Hayato Sora's bedside.
Quietly waiting for him to recover.
PS: I've been releasing chapters daily . Honestly, it hurts seeing almost no support on Patreon after all that work.If you're enjoying the fic, even a little, supporting me would mean a lot. It helps a student stay independent .
complete fic (all chapters ) are already up on Patreon → patreon.com/Chakraflow789
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