Lucas picked up a feather burning with flames from where Moltres had departed and examined it closely.
Lucian walked over, looked at the Moltres feather in Lucas's hand, and said, "It's extremely useful for Fire-type Pokémon."
Gardenia nodded continuously beside him.
Lucas looked towards the listless Vulpix nearby.
The Overheat just now had released all the Moltres's flames that had been drawn into its body, leaving it somewhat drained.
He waved his hand, signaling Vulpix to come over.
Vulpix ran over. Lucas bent down, picked up Vulpix, and held it in front of the feather.
"Do you like it? It's for you."
Vulpix looked curiously at the feather flickering with fire before it. It felt the energy contained within the feather, which was drawing it closer.
Subsequently, it nodded obediently.
Lucas put the feather away, planning to tie it with a string and hang it around Vulpix's neck once they returned to the Breeding House, allowing Vulpix to slowly absorb the energy inside.
Then, Lucas looked towards Gothitelle.
Auntie has grown up too.
Gothitelle came before Lucas. Compared to Gothorita, its body was mostly black, with blue pupils, a red mouth, purple cheeks, and eight disc-like structures resembling hair buns expanding on either side of its head.
There was a white bow behind the protruding horn on its head, and it wore a black, Christmas tree-like dress adorned with four white bows.
Its palms were purple, like its face, and it wore white bracelets.
The entire appearance was much more mature.
"Please take care of me, Gothitelle."
Gothitelle smiled gently.
Lucas was slightly stunned by Gothitelle's smile.
Did Gothitelle's personality change after evolution? How could she show such a gentle smile?
Immediately afterward, Gothitelle's status panel appeared before Lucas.
[Gothitelle]
[Gender: Female]
[Type: Psychic]
[Ability: Competitive]
[Moves Mastered: Confusion, Psybeam, Charm, Psyshock, Hypnosis, Future Sight, Dark Pulse, Light Screen, Reflect, Magic Room, Gravity, Imprison, Skill Swap, Trick Room, Thunder Wave, Taunt, Nasty Plot, Protect.]
[Mood: Great]
[Status: Confident, Competitive]
[Affection: 100 (Likes the Breeding House, Likes Lucas.)]
[Description: Once driven away due to its overwhelming and uncontrollable psychic power, it accidentally evolved into Gothorita while using its power to Protect a Pokémon. To Protect captured Pokémon, it willingly allowed itself to be captured by a Pokémon Hunter. After being rescued, it came to the Breeding House to care for Mime Jr., whom it considered its younger brother. At the Breeding House, it gradually realized what its power could be used for, and when those it cherished faced danger, it underwent another transformation.]
[I will Protect everything, including Lucas — Gothitelle.]
Reading the description, Lucas felt an inexplicable sense of security.
It's just that the moveset feels a bit — — — —
Taunt, Thunder Wave, Gravity, Trick Room, Skill Swap, Protect — — — —
So this is how she plans to Protect me.
"Thank you, Gothitelle."
Lucas snapped out of his thoughts and thanked Gothitelle, only to find that Gothitelle merely glanced at him before turning to whisper secrets to Lilligant nearby.
It's back, that familiar feeling.
Looking at Gothitelle before him, Lucas finally felt things were right again.
"Liru."
Lucas looked at the large, blue rabbit-like Pokémon standing nearby.
[Azumarill]
[Type: Water, Fairy]
[Gender: Male]
[Ability: Huge Power]
[Moves Mastered: Defense Curl, Water Gun, Bubble Beam, Play Rough, Charm, Aqua Tail, Superpower, Double-Edge, Rain Dance, Ice Punch, Hydro Pump, Liquidation, Water Pulse, Ice Beam.]
[Mood: Happy]
[Status: Proud]
[Affection: 100 (I will Protect Lucas!)]
[Description: To better improve its strength, he returned to its clan for training and inheritance. After being scorned by a Team Galactic Executive, the determined Pokémon faced Moltres, regained its confidence, and completed its evolution during a leap, successfully rescuing Moltres.]
[I am strong now — Azumarill]
He hadn't expected two Pokémon to evolve during this outing.
Although Lilligant had set a precedent, he still felt a little sentimental.
However, he quickly put away his thoughts and looked at Azumarill.
"Please take care of me too, Azumarill."
"Liru!!"
For the rest of the time, Lucas held the sleeping Vulpix, chatted with Lucian and the others, and waited for Jenny to arrive.
Lucian had been continuously checking Gothitelle's condition.
"Lucas, Gothitelle has truly been raised wonderfully by you."
Lucian observed Gothitelle, whose demeanor was completely different from other Gothitelle he had seen—a warm yet distant smile, and the affectionate care of an older sister.
Lucian kept clicking his tongue in admiration.
Soon, Jenny and her team rushed over.
Seeing the extremely familiar face, Lucas knew this was the Jenny from Eterna City.
The Jenny from Eterna City saluted Lucian and Gardenia, then politely greeted Lucas before instructing her subordinates to tie up all the Team Galactic members who were lying on the ground in various messy states and escort them back to the police station.
"Please accept my highest gratitude."
After learning that the Moltres issue had been resolved, Jenny saluted again.
Lucas and the others also took a police car back to Eterna City.
Back in Eterna City, Lucas followed Gardenia to the Grass-type Gym, while Lucian rushed back to the League without stopping, not even having a sip of warm water.
Poor Lucian — — — — he was either working overtime or on his way to work overtime.
Lucas shook his head, then followed behind Gardenia, wandering around the Gym.
Looking at the Gym overgrown with flowers and plants, Lucas felt like Grandma Liu entering the Grand View Garden—it was the first time in his life he had stepped inside a Gym.
He was still wondering whether he should challenge a Gym himself.
The Gym also housed many Pokémon that Gardenia had caught, or rather, Pokémon that other Trainers had left with her for training assistance.
He recalled that James's Carnivine or Cacnea had been persuaded by Gardenia to stay here and be trained by her.
However, after scanning the area, he only found one Cacnea and no Carnivine, and that Cacnea clearly had its own Trainer accompanying it.
Does that mean James hasn't met Gardenia yet?
Lucas thought to himself, then noticed Gengar floating over, holding several Poké Balls.
Reaching out to take the Poké Balls, Lucas released all the Pokémon inside.
Strictly speaking, Staraptor and Azumarill weren't Lucas's Pokémon; they belonged to the Breeding House, but they weren't Lucas's personal Pokémon.
The same applied to Vespiquen, Luxray, Heracross, and Pinsir. When Lucas took them out, it was because he needed their help, and they also wanted to help him.
Essentially, they were still free, so the Poké Balls were merely tools Lucas used to carry them conveniently.
In contrast, Gengar, Lilligant, Vulpix, Mime Jr., and Gothitelle were all Pokémon that Lucas had legitimately caught.
As for when he caught Gothitelle?
Lucas looked at Gothitelle, and their eyes met.
Lucas smiled.
Any time.
As for Dash, Machoke, and Vex, as veteran employees of the Breeding House, although Lucas didn't have their Poké Balls, he still regarded them as some of his most cherished family members.
Lilligant emerged from the Poké Ball and glanced at the surroundings. She seemed very pleased with the environment.
"Laji ~"
Gardenia's heart melted.
Looking at Lilligant, whose flowers on her head were blooming incredibly beautifully, she secretly decided that she wanted to catch a Lilligant herself someday.
She was confident that she could also raise a Lilligant very well; this was her confidence as the Grass-type Gym Leader.
To tell if a Lilligant has been well-raised, one only needs to look at the flowers on its head. Many highly skilled gardeners failed to make the flowers on a Lilligant's head bloom, even after trying their utmost.
Yet, the flowers on Lucas's Lilligant were incomparably beautiful, which was one of the reasons Gardenia admired Lucas's training ability.
Seeing that Lilligant quite liked the place, Lucas told her to wander around on her own and not follow him.
Lilligant thought for a moment, then, like a medieval princess on television, pretended to lift her skirt and curtsied slightly.
Then she showed a beautiful smile.
Gardenia died on the spot upon seeing this.
Never mind Gardenia, even Lucas and Gengar nearly succumbed and died right there.
Lilligant waved at the Vulpix in Lucas's arms. Vulpix immediately jumped out of Lucas's embrace and ran toward its beautiful older sister.
Afterward, Lilligant took Vulpix and began strolling around the Gym.
As for Lucas, after informing Gardenia, he took Gengar and the others to explore the area.
....
Power Stones PLZZZZZ
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