Whether it was the previous Typhlosion or the current Alolan Ninetales, Sato never really had much desire to catch them.
Aside from the fact that neither were Pokémon he specialized in raising, Sato also preferred to focus on training the partners he already had.
Especially after discovering that Dark Energy could accelerate the absorption of Origin energy, Sato began to value Dark Energy even more.
Of course, he had never taken it lightly before either.
As for what the Alolan Ninetales had hidden…
Sato glanced at the only thing in front of him that could be considered "precious": a top-grade Ice Stone… After a moment's hesitation, he still tucked it into his backpack.
He shook his head again and silently mocked himself, "I've gotten spoiled… A top-grade Ice Stone is still a priceless Item."
Clearly, Sato had been spoiled by the Heart of Earthflame from Typhlosion, and he was actually fantasizing that every wild Elite Four level Pokémon here would have some rare treasure Item.
Even though the Origin Forest belonged to an Apex Mimicry Zone, and its resources were extremely abundant, that didn't mean it was filled with treasures just waiting to be picked up…
So, after taking the Ice Stone, Sato decisively turned and left, never once looking back at the Alolan Ninetales, who had already regained consciousness but was silently lying off to the side.
Alolan Ninetales also tilted its head, watching Sato's departing figure, and for a moment couldn't help but feel a bit curious…
This handsome human had only taken one of its treasures!
'Was he feeling sorry for this fox-sama? Kyaaa…!
It was all sugar-coated lies. This fox-sama wasn't falling for that!'
Alolan Ninetales believed it had seen through Sato's hypocrisy and figured he would definitely come back to ask if it was willing to leave with him 'Humph~'.
While coldly smirking inside, Alolan Ninetales also practiced a few versions of the mocking expression it would show when that time came.
It had to make that man feel its pride and defiance, its unyielding and unwavering spirit!
With confidence brimming, Alolan Ninetales stood right at the entrance of the cave, waiting for Sato and the others to return!
And kept waiting… and waiting… and waaaaiting…
Ten minutes later.
Alolan Ninetales: "Nininini… zzZZzz~"
---◓---
At that moment, Sato had already recalled Zoroark and swapped in Gardevoir to help him recover.
Man and Pokémon walked out of the "snowy region" and continued deeper as usual, and the surrounding environment finally returned to a normal forest state.
The deeper they went, the more Pokémon appeared in the forest, and the more diverse the species became. Even Pokémon from other regions occasionally showed up.
Of course, more Pokémon didn't necessarily mean the area had no ruler. It could just be that the territory owner was too powerful to care about ordinary Pokémon.
So, Sato didn't let Gardevoir suppress her presence, but he also didn't pick any fights, acting like they were just passing through.
Still, an Elite Four level Pokémon would draw attention wherever it went.
Not to mention Gardevoir's black dress and high and mighty queenly aura were absolutely flawless…
The forest Pokémon gradually grew restless, and the commotion quickly alerted the ruler of this place.
Surrounded by a group of Grass-type Pokémon, the forest's lord finally appeared before Sato.
Big…
REALLY BIG!
Sato had never seen a Pokémon that differed so drastically from its standard size…
Layer upon layer of green and yellow leafy skirts, as if they would never stop peeling off. Atop its head were two bright orange-red flowers, dewy and vibrant. Its sweet smile made one's lips curl upward involuntarily.
Until it made a sound…
"BELL~ BELL~ SOM!"
Sato rubbed his ear, feeling like he had just taken real damage. The actual kind.
He instantly concluded that this Bellossom, which stood a full two meters tall, had to be a Totem Pokémon.
After all, a normal Bellossom was only forty centimeters tall!
Very quickly, Bellossom let out another deep, rounded sound. It was clearly very aware of Sato and Gardevoir's arrival.
Whether Sato could understand it or not didn't matter, Gardevoir could use Telepathy.
So Sato soon responded to the Totem Pokémon Bellossom through his real "tool Pokémon," Gardevoir.
"Human… why have you come here?"
"Training, to make myself and my partners stronger!" Sato answered with a textbook response, causing Bellossom's eyes to light up.
"A very honest answer… So you want to challenge me too?" Bellossom looked at Sato and surprisingly took the initiative to invite him.
Sato stared at the giant Bellossom and replied directly without a hint of fear, "Why not!?"
"BELLO~ SOOOOM!"
Bellossom let out an excited shout, clearly possessing a personality wildly at odds with its typing.
With the conversation over, Bellossom turned without another word, but still looked back and gestured with its large hand, motioning for Sato and Gardevoir to follow.
Under Bellossom's lead, Sato found himself completely surrounded by Grass-type Pokémon and half-forcefully brought to a vast grassy clearing.
"Toto, this is probably Bellossom's personal training ground. There are leftover impact craters from moves everywhere."
Gardevoir's observation skills weren't lacking; she quickly picked up on the clues.
Sato nodded silently, realizing that this Totem Bellossom was likely a battle maniac.
Once Bellossom took its position, Gardevoir "gracefully" floated into the battlefield as well, and both sides had silently agreed. This was a one-on-one match!
Thick clouds blocked out the sunlight, and a cool breeze stirred the falling leaves.
The leaves whirled in the air, and then slowly drifted down.
And when the final leaf touched the ground…
Gardevoir and Bellossom moved in unison!
A flash of white light!
Gardevoir used Teleport and silently reappeared far behind Bellossom.
Then… Calm Mind activated!
On the other side, Bellossom watched Gardevoir vanish, but showed no sign of panic. It gently tossed a sparkling orb of light into the sky.
Sunny Day!
Under Sunny Day, Bellossom's Chlorophyll Ability kicked in, doubling its Speed. The burden of its large body vanished in an instant.
"Future Sight!"
"I was thinking the same~"
With Telepathy activated and hearing that Sato had the same idea, Gardevoir even smiled faintly from afar.
And just at that moment, Bellossom turned around and saw Gardevoir's smile…
"Bell… BELL! ? 'Are you… MOCKING ME?'
"..."
The next second, Bellossom automatically entered a taunted state, and using its doubled Speed, rushed straight at Gardevoir!
Gardevoir furrowed her brow but still chose to close her eyes for just a brief moment.
When she opened them again, Future Sight successfully cast!
Bellossom had already closed the distance!
"Encore!"
"Gar~" 'Woah~'
Clap! Clap! Clap…
Gardevoir suddenly broke into a bright smile and clapped her hands at Bellossom.
And just as Bellossom was about to strike, it seemed to take the applause as massive praise, and couldn't wait to show off its move again~
Sunny Day!
Grinning ear to ear, Bellossom once again formed a glowing orb and lightly tossed it skyward in front of Gardevoir.
Then it looked down, ready to bask in Gardevoir's rainbow-sugar-coated flattery again…
'Where's the fan…?
WHERE'S MY BIG OL' FAN!?'