The garden was wrapped in darkness.
By the barbecue pit, flames flickered gently.
In the glow of crackling sparks, Blaziken's eyes reflected the firelight, glittering like polished amber.
It smelled amazing. So fragrant…
It had been a long time since the trainer grilled meat for him personally.
And tonight was not just a barbecue. This was a special feast, prepared especially for him.
Blaziken could hardly imagine how delicious it would be.
On the other side of the table, three tiny Mythical Pokémon had no idea what happened while they were out playing earlier.
They had only returned home just before nightfall.
Victini, still a little timid after coming back, had accepted Eldegoss's suggestion and tried a cup of honey wine.
Lin Feng had said it could help Pokémon bond emotionally.
Nobody expected Victini's alcohol tolerance to be even lower than Milotic's…
One small cup and it was already dizzy.
It floated around unsteadily after eating a few glowing berry biscuits, wobbling through the air like a lantern in the wind.
It hovered in front of Alolan Vulpix for a moment, squeaked a curious "Vee," then drifted over to Alcremie.
Finally, curiosity overcame its restraint, and it asked, eyes shining:
"Vee-vee?" (Why do you smell so sweet?)
"Alcremie?"
The cream Pokémon answered honestly, "Because we make cream."
Victini blinked, and in its tipsy state, it nearly leaned forward and licked Alcremie's cheek.
The Alcremies screamed in alarm.
One of them, the one who had learned Metronome, panicked and used it instinctively.
The world went dark.
In the next second, that Alcremie vanished, along with the bottle of honey wine beside it.
The other Alcremies shouted anxiously.
"Alcremie…"
"She disappeared… she disappeared."
Lin Feng heard the commotion while grilling.
He immediately used Telekinesis to move the nearly finished meat onto a plate before rushing over.
He scanned the area.
One Alcremie was missing.
His heart skipped.
He activated his psychic sense and searched the plantation, soon spotting the missing Pokémon curled in a shadowy corner.
The plantation had no Pokémon inside at night, so the lights were off.
Everything was pitch black.
The little dessert Pokémon looked terrified, cake arms trembling, unsure where it was or how it got there.
"Alcremie…"
"(Lin Feng… it is so dark…)"
"(I do not know where to go…)"
Lin Feng hurried over with his phone flashlight. He gently levitated the strawberry Alcremie back into view with psychic power.
When he returned to the garden, Victini had sobered up slightly, staring at Lin Feng nervously.
Eldegoss floated closer, uneasy.
Lin Feng glanced toward the barbecue area where Gardevoir was still maintaining barrier protection.
"What exactly happened?"
Before Victini could speak, Eldegoss confessed anxiously.
She explained she had given Victini honey wine to help it socialize, but underestimated its tolerance.
Victini then startled Alcremie, who triggered Metronome and teleported away.
Victini shrank back, embarrassed.
Hattrem stepped forward, scolding its older sibling, yet its tone was soft, carefully guarding Lin Feng's reaction.
Lin Feng now understood everything.
He sighed. Of course he would not scold them over something like this.
"Since everyone is safe, that is all that matters."
He crouched down to Victini's height and comforted it gently.
"No one is angry. If you ever want cake or something sweet, come tell me. If you feel shy, ask Hattrem to relay it for you."
Victini froze.
After thousands of years alone, without friends, without anyone to talk to, kindness like this felt unreal.
Tears pooled in its eyes.
It flew slowly to the strawberry Alcremie and apologized with a soft "Vee…"
Alcremie squeezed cream onto a small plate and nudged it forward.
"(Here… so you can eat too.)"
Just like that, the problem resolved itself, and the two Pokémon grew closer.
Still, Eldegoss looked guilty.
Lin Feng rubbed its fluffy face, smiling.
"It is fine. Just be more careful next time."
Hattrem stared wide-eyed as Eldegoss melted into mush under those gentle head pats.
Lin Feng petted its cottony head one more time and stood.
"I need to get back to the grill. Blaziken has been waiting."
Eldegoss blinked dreamily as Hattrem puffed her cheeks and stomped away muttering "(Big dummy…)" while going to tuck Sprigatito into bed.
Eldegoss was left dazed, unsure what he did wrong this time.
When Lin Feng returned to the grill, Gardevoir had perfectly managed the fire and the meat was almost ready.
He hesitated, then refrained from using Fire Powder this time.
Instead, he passed the plate to the eagerly waiting Blaziken.
Blaziken took a bite, eyes glowing.
"Blaziken?" Lin Feng asked softly.
"Do you have a wish or a goal? Something you want to achieve or someone you want to protect?"
He remembered the dish he made for Alolan Vulpix, infused with power strong enough for it to someday challenge Rayquaza.
The thought made him wonder… what about Blaziken?
The Fire-type paused, thinking seriously.
Its first wish long ago was simple: to eat until satisfied.
Now that wish was granted every day.
But a new dream sparked within it.
Blaziken lifted its head proudly.
"(I want to become a hero. To protect Brionne, Steenee… and everyone here.)"
Then quietly added:
"(And maybe… someday… surpass you.)"
Lin Feng stared blankly.
That was bold. Admirable. Ridiculous. Touching.
He smiled and returned to grilling.
He prepared a second round of food. Pork belly, cabbage, leeks…
He cooked the meats first, then vegetables at the right time for perfect doneness.
Finally, he brushed the sauces and opened a jar of bright crimson powder.
Fire feather powder from Moltres.
He used psychic power to ensure not a single grain was wasted and let it sprinkle evenly across the food.
The moment it touched flame, a pillar of fire burst upward.
Not destructive, but hot and fierce.
The powder fused completely into the meal as the flame settled.
In Lin Feng's sight, the grilled platter shimmered faintly with golden radiance.
[Legendary Dish: Fire Barbecue Platter]
Made with diverse ingredients and Moltres feather powder.
Exclusive to Fire-type Pokémon.
Infused with the creator's emotions.
Flames burn twice as bright when fighting with the intent to protect.
Effect 1: Weather Control – Fire
Fire-type Pokémon gain enhanced control over weather.
Effect 2: Burning Resolve
In battles fought to protect loved ones, fire power doubles.
Effect 3: Sun-Blessed Speed
Under harsh sunlight, speed rises rapidly.
Another three-effect masterpiece.
Thunder for Zapdos.
Storm winds for Lugia.
Blizzard for Articuno.
And now sunlight under Blaziken's fire.
Lin Feng exhaled.
He was raising a family of Pokémon capable of changing the weather itself.
Blaziken impatiently chirped, eyes locked on the platter.
"Alright, alright, it is all yours. Just remember to control the power after eating. No sudden sunshine at midnight, understood?"
"(Yes, yes…)"
Blaziken nodded frantically, already shoving dozens of skewers into its beak.
Watching a foodie eat was always strangely satisfying.