"Dragonling?"
The term piqued Natsuhiko's interest.
The "Dragonling" mentioned by the "Meteor People" must be a true Dragon-type Pokémon, right?
Not those so-called Pseudo-Dragon Pokémon that lack the Dragon Attribute despite having "dragon" in their names.
"Oh, it's what you outsiders call Dragon-type Pokémon," Ryuzi explained.
Natsuhiko nodded to show his understanding.
"So, is that person still inside Meteor Falls?"
"Not too sure, but they left the 'Meteor Village' not long ago, so they should still be there..." Ryuzi wasn't entirely certain.
"I see..." Natsuhiko pondered slightly.
Then he added, "I should be staying in Meteor Falls for a while, I can try to help you look for them."
Ryuzi's eyes lit up, "Really?"
"As you can see, I'm training my Pokémon, and Meteor Falls is my chosen training ground for now. Maybe I'll get lucky and run into the person you're talking about."
"Sir, you're truly a good person!" Ryuzi said sincerely.
A good person...
Natsuhiko had lost count of how many people had called him a good person.
As they talked, even Natsuhiko himself started to doubt.
'Could I really be a good person?'
The thought made Natsuhiko smile self-deprecatingly.
Just kidding.
Putting away his smile, he said seriously, "It's just a matter of lending a hand."
Ryuzi suddenly slapped his forehead, "Oh right, sir, I don't know your name yet."
"...Natsuka."
"Natsuka..." Ryuzi repeated with his head down, then continued, "Alright, Mr. Natsuka, Meteor Falls is huge. I can't search the whole place by myself, so let's split up. If you find them, it's best not to engage alone, that person... is very strong!"
Having said that, he adjusted his cloak, ready to leave.
"Wait."
Natsuhiko stopped him and with a helpless expression under Ryuzi's confused gaze, said, "How should I contact you."
"Oh, oh, sorry, I forgot. Let's exchange contact details." With that, Ryuzi pulled out a phone.
Natsuhiko was taken aback, "A phone?"
Ryuzi laughed sheepishly, "This is brought back by the elders each time they go out for supplies. They said it's a communication tool from the outside world. It took me a while to figure out some of its functions."
True enough.
The "Meteor People" aren't isolated from the outside world just because they're hidden away.
It's said that some aged elders among the "Meteor People" can still observe the trails left behind by the flying Dragon-type Pokémon outside the falls and deploy Pokémon at the intersections of these trails for aerial battles.
If the current Pokémon realm's league and society are highly developed technological civilizations with everything grounded in scientific methods,
then the "Meteor People" are a group who have always utilized ancient methods to the utmost.
It's akin to the difference between Western medicine and traditional medicine in medicine, two different products with varied development directions.
The knowledge and experience accumulated by the "Meteor People" over thousands of years is undeniably a very valuable treasure.
But now, it seems the "Meteor People" also aim to communicate with the outside world.
So it's no surprising that Ryuzi owns a phone.
Subsequently, Natsuhiko and Ryuzi exchanged their contact details.
Being one of the major attractions in the Hoenn Region, the league invested heavily to establish sufficient signal lines here in Meteor Falls, so even within Meteor Falls, the phone can maintain a strong signal.
"Then Mr. Natsuka, I leave it to you. I'll go check elsewhere."
"Okay."
"By the way, earlier my Flygon had a conflict with your Pokémon, resulting in a battle, and they both got injured. As an apology, here's a gift of 'Dragon's Saliva.' It can heal your Pokémon's injuries and is effective whether taken internally or applied externally."
With that, he took out a small package wrapped in cloth from his chest.
Taking the slightly heavy parcel, a gentle fragrance wafted from it.
"Thank you, Mr. Natsuka. Remember not to fight them alone, that person is very strong!"
Watching Ryuzi gradually fade into the distance, Natsuhiko looked down at the package in his hand.
"Is this one of the products of an ancient culture's knowledge?"
Slowly opening the package, inside were clusters of white powdery granules, though it wasn't clear what materials they were made from.
Still, once the package was opened, the previous fragrance intensified, attracting Beedrill, Togetic, and Abra.
Togetic curiously extended its small hand to touch it but was patted away by Natsuhiko.
Instantly showing a pitiful expression.
"Togeee."
But it indeed smelled wonderful.
Judging from the Pokémon's reactions, whatever Dragon's Saliva Ryuzi provided, it at least shouldn't have any adverse effects.
Carefully, Natsuhiko took out a granule, pondered for a moment, then broke it in half.
"Beedrill."
Beedrill didn't even need a command and quickly swallowed it whole.
If even Beedrill reacted this way, it's no wonder Togetic was practically drooling.
Then.
The moment of witnessing a miracle came.
The burn marks left on Beedrill from taking a hit from Flygon's Dragon Tail, and being grazed by falling meteorites from the Meteor Shower, were completely healed in less than thirty seconds.
The effect was exponentially better than any healing spray the league offered.
It even rivaled those top-tier Healing Medicines sold at the league's shops.
And that was only from half a piece.
"Beedrill!"
Moreover, Beedrill could feel not just the physical recovery but also the energy and stamina it had consumed along the way.
Looking at the remaining nine pieces in the bag and the half-piece in his hand, Natsuhiko couldn't help but sigh, "Thousands of years of accumulation, in some ways, really don't fall short of technological advancement..."
Finally, he couldn't resist Togetic's pitiful expression and split the remaining half piece between it and Abra.
After consuming it, both Pokémon quickly returned to peak condition.
"I wonder what materials it's made from to have such good effects..."
Dragon's Saliva... Typically, it's the saliva of a dragon, right...?
Natsuhiko's expression turned slightly quirky.
He put the bag away.
The remaining nine pieces of "Dragon's Saliva" shouldn't be used frivolously; its effects could prove invaluable at critical times.
It might even serve as a life-saving medicine.
However, Natsuhiko noticed that Abra's psychic power waves became noticeably stronger after consuming the "Dragon's Saliva."
After a brief rest and ignoring Togetic's persistent gaze,
the main objective remained unchanged.
Training Pokémon.
But alongside training, there were two additional objectives.
One was to find the source of the mysterious voice, and the other was to see if they could locate the "thief" Ryuzi mentioned.
Stealing quite a few Dragonlings, these Dragon-type Pokémon are extremely valuable.
Still, Natsuhiko wasn't blinded by the allure of the Dragonlings, aware of Ryuzi's multiple reminders that the opponent is strong, clearly not just a casual remark.
To obtain good things, the prerequisite is ensuring personal safety.
Natsuhiko would never cross this bottom line.
No matter how good something is, one needs to be alive to enjoy it.