"Advanced-level magical beasts…"
Both Aven and Matthew furrowed their brows.
In all of Aspiration City, few possessed such powerful magical beasts. Neither had expected to run into another here, of all places.
…
In the sky, Crobat and Froslass were also engaged in battle—Air Slash clashing with Icy Wind.
There was no doubt—both were also advanced-level magical beasts.
"Two advanced-level magical beasts…"
Matthew looked up at the airborne Froslass, then shifted his gaze to the Petilil standing beside Aven.
A soothing green glow radiated from her—it was clear she had impressive power as well.
—
Awoo! Awoo! Awoo!
The battle had barely begun when a chorus of beastly howls echoed from the distance.
Matthew turned and saw more and more magical beasts gathering, surrounding the entire battlefield!
When the Torterra finally arrived, Matthew knew something was very wrong.
"Tor! Torrr!"
The Torterra glanced at Mightyena, then looked up at Crobat in the sky.
Seeing someone fighting Aven, it grew furious. Its eyes locked onto Matthew, filled with rage.
Sensing the situation rapidly deteriorating, Mightyena slowly backed toward Matthew, growling cautiously at the encircling beasts.
Matthew's face turned pale.
Everywhere he looked—nothing but magical beasts.
"Bii! Biii!"
Just then, the Bibarel leader appeared, leading a massive group of Bibarel and Bidoof onto the battlefield.
In the entire Pokémon Safari Zone, Bibarel were the most numerous.
Having undergone strict training, they now instinctively protected their new home.
"So many Bibarel…!"
"Who exactly are you? Could this place already be past the Coastal Mountain Range—within Marina City's territory?"
A massive question mark appeared in Matthew's mind. Having lived deep in the forest for many years, he had no idea what had happened in the outside world over the past six months.
"I am Aven, the Lord of the Southeastern Border of Aspiration City. According to the laws of my territory, I hereby place you under arrest." Aven spoke calmly.
As his voice fell, both Torterra and Bibarel—two advanced-level magical beasts—began closing in with their tribes.
At this point, it was clear that Matthew had no way out.
"The Lord of Aspiration City's Southeastern Border?"
Matthew's face showed surprise. But upon seeing the sheer number of Pokémon present, he realized all of these magical beasts… belonged to this man!
Glancing at Rhydon, Torterra, and the Bibarel leader, Matthew slowly raised his hands.
In a situation like this, escape was simply impossible.
Above, Crobat saw its trainer surrounded and grew visibly anxious.
But Froslass stood in its way like a predator, giving Crobat no opportunity to flee with its master.
"Froslass, use Blizzard!"
With the situation on the ground already decided, Aven turned his gaze skyward and gave a quick command.
"Lass~"
Froslass raised her hand, summoning a terrifying blizzard that swept toward Crobat.
This Crobat was also an advanced-level magical beast with exceptional flying skills—a potential threat to the territory.
Aven had no intention of letting it escape. Froslass unleashed her full power for the takedown.
Long ago, Froslass had already reached the strength of an advanced-level magical beast.
Under Aven's care, she had grown even stronger, and with the elemental advantage of Ice over Flying, she completely suppressed Crobat.
"Still… why is there a Crobat here?"
While directing Froslass, Aven couldn't help but ponder the question.
Crobat is the evolved form of Golbat, but to evolve it, one must raise its friendship level.
So where did that friendship energy come from?
Did it evolve before being captured, or after?
….
BOOM BOOM BOOM!
Back on the ground, the battle between Rhydon and Mightyena was coming to an end.
Due to the surrounding beasts, Mightyena had to remain on high alert, and it was clearly affected—repeatedly getting blasted away by Rhydon.
Now, panting heavily, Mightyena stood still, looking at the encircling magical beasts with a sense of despair.
But when it turned and saw its master behind it, its eyes reignited with fighting spirit.
No matter what… it had to find a way to get its master out of here!
…
"That's enough. The battle ends here."
"Come with me. I promise that until your trial is held, you won't be harmed."
Aven watched quietly for a moment before speaking softly.
Hearing this, Matthew hesitated—then slowly nodded.
Given the situation, he had clearly wandered into the enemy's stronghold.
With so many magical beasts surrounding him, there was no way out.
Seeing this, Aven nodded at the Petilil beside him.
In response, a massive patch of grass sprouted from the ground and moved to bind Matthew and Mightyena.
Matthew didn't resist—he allowed the grass to bind him tightly, leaving only his eyes exposed.
Mightyena grit its teeth but didn't resist either, letting the grass wrap around it.
…
"Crobat, if you don't want your companions to get hurt, come down quietly."
Seeing the situation, Crobat's eyes revealed hesitation.
It looked at Matthew and Mightyena, then glanced at the distant Froslass—finally, it began to descend.
Instantly, countless vines shot up from the ground and wrapped around Crobat in midair.
"Petilil, use Giga Drain!"
A faint green glow flashed and quickly enveloped both Mightyena and Crobat, sapping their energy.
Though both were high-level magical beasts, draining their stamina was the only way to ensure they stayed subdued and manageable.
…
"Bibarel, I'll leave the task of escorting them back to you."
"Everyone else can disperse now. There's no longer anyone who can harm our companions!"
Hearing Aven's words, the surrounding Pokémon nodded and quickly began dispersing, returning to their respective homes.
Matthew was stunned by the sight.
To command so many magical beasts all at once… this was the first time he'd ever seen anything like it.
And with four advanced-level magical beasts at his command, this Lord of the Southeastern Border… possessed tremendous power!
…
Ralts quietly sat in Aven's arms, having witnessed the entire battle.
It stared blankly at the departing magical beasts, clearly sensing the emotions radiating from them—gratitude, admiration, respect, affection…
Ralts could feel that these magical beasts genuinely loved this human.
"Who does he think he is, hurting our companions?!"
"Those damn hunters are here again! Luckily, Lord Aven arrived in time!"
"Exactly! As long as Lord Aven is here, no one can harm us!"
"That's right! Lord Aven is amazing. I really love this place. Let's protect our home together!"
Countless thoughts flooded Ralts' mind through its telepathic ability—and all of them were sincere.
This stirred something unfamiliar in Ralts' heart—because right now, it was one of the protected.
Looking up at the human holding it, the setting sun cast a golden glow around Aven's figure.
Its little heart skipped a beat.
…
"It's all right now, Ralts."
Aven looked down at the Pokémon in his arms and smiled gently.
Even though he knew this Ralts wasn't his former Gardevoir, he still felt a deep sense of familiarity.
He had made up his mind—to capture this Ralts and care for it just like he had once cared for Gardevoir.
"Ralts~"
Ralts blinked, then happily nodded.
Even though this was their first meeting, it already liked this human, and felt no discomfort at all in his embrace.
"Let's go home," Aven said.
Before Ralts could respond, Petilil and Froslass suddenly turned to look at it.
Ralts hadn't reacted yet when it suddenly sensed two powerful surges of hostility in its empathic field.
"Ralts~!?"
Startled, Ralts shrank back into Aven's arms.
Looking up, it discovered that the hostility was coming from Petilil and Froslass!
"Ralts?"
Now Ralts was confused.
It could sense their hostility—but it felt different from the usual kind of aggression.
"Lil Lil, Lil Lil~" Hello! I'm Petilil! Come down and play with us!
"Lass~" Mhm mhm~ Little one, you're so cute! I think we'll be great friends!
Ralts watched as the two Pokémon smiled sweetly and spoke gently.
But emotionally, Ralts could still feel a very strong sense of hostility, leaving it completely bewildered.
…
"RHY RHY RHY!"
Just then, Rhydon lumbered over, excitedly roaring toward Petilil and Froslass while warming up its fists.
It hadn't enjoyed its fight with Mightyena at all—and now, hearing the others say "play," it was eager to join in.
In Rhydon's mind, "play" = "battle."
It wanted to have a proper, balanced fight with its friends!
"LIL LIL!" "LASS!"
"GET LOST!!!"
Petilil and Froslass turned simultaneously toward Rhydon and roared furiously.
"Ralts~"
Ralts shrank back again, trembling slightly and calling out in a small voice, hiding in Aven's arms.
Rhydon scratched its head, confused—what did I do wrong this time?
If you don't want to play with me, I'll just go find Torterra instead…
…
"Let's go. Time to go home."
Aven smiled as he looked at his Pokémon playing around, unaware of the emotional chaos just moments earlier.
He patted Ralts in his arms and turned toward the Pokémon Breeding House.
Meow~ Meow~
From afar, Luxio arrived late, completely unaware of what had just happened.
Before it could ask, Petilil had already jumped onto its back and began kicking its back viciously.
Meow~ Meow~
Luxio didn't understand at all, but still obediently carried the "boss lady" across the grassland at full speed.
—
Ralts silently watched it all unfold, then suddenly smiled softly.
In that moment, it finally understood something—a warm feeling rose in its heart.
(End of Chapter)