https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-510-Yeci-s-Grand-Plan-for-Recruiting-Talent-2/12538022/
Chapter 511: Articuno: What's the Catch?
Chapter 511: Articuno: What's the Catch?
In the depths of the icy cave on Twin Islands, a lake of icy blue water emitted a constant stream of milky-white cold air. Two avian Pokemon floated at opposite ends of the lake, their gazes intersecting in mid-air.
"Chuu!"
The Zapdos fixed its sharp gaze on the Articuno before it and let out a sharp cry.
Articuno's internal alarm bells rang loudly at the malevolent look in Zapdos's eyes.
It countered calmly, "Freezer!" (What are you doing here?)
Zapdos: "Chuu!" (Come with me! I'll take you to a wonderful place where you'll be reborn!)
Articuno was taken aback by these words and found Zapdos's proposition rather puzzling.
Leave this place? Be reborn?
Articuno narrowed its eyes, sensing something odd about this long-unseen fellow avian Pokemon.
It sized up Zapdos, who it hadn't seen in a long while, and asked perplexedly, "Friezer?" (What's wrong with you?)
Zapdos explained in detail, "Chuu." (Nothing's wrong. I just have some treasures I want to share with you and Moltres. Come with me, and I'll grant you even greater power.)
While Articuno found Zapdos's offer intriguing, it had lived for hundreds of years and was no fool.
Instead of being lured by Zapdos's words, it feigned disinterest. "Freezer!" (I'm not interested in what you're offering, so please leave!)
Zapdos furrowed its brow at Articuno's refusal, thinking it would agree. But soon, it realized something.
"To make the manjuu, I don't need the Pokemon themselves. Their feathers will do!"
With this realization, Zapdos decided to take the simplest and most aggressive approach.
It let out a sharp cry toward the sky, and crackling electricity surged from its body, filling the cold cave with yellow electric light.
The massive Electric-type energy converged into a beam and struck Articuno head-on.
Thunderbolt!
"Freezer!"
Articuno's expression turned grave, and it quickly shielded itself with its wings.
In the blink of an eye, the dense electric light engulfed Articuno.
Articuno, maintaining its guard, caught sight of the powerful current out of the corner of its eye, and its heart trembled.
That power...
No, wait! When did that Zapdos become so powerful?!
Could it be that Zapdos wasn't lying? Could its words be true?
As Articuno hesitated, Zapdos suddenly withdrew its attack and flapped its wings, darting toward Articuno.
A white light emanated from Zapdos's beak, and in the blink of an eye, it pecked at Articuno.
"Freezer!"
Caught off guard by this sudden attack, Articuno let out a startled cry.
It watched as its beautiful blue feathers were plucked by Zapdos, drifting slowly to the ground.
"Freezer!"
Articuno was furious.
As its anger rose, the entire ice cave began to shake violently.
Cracks spread along the ice-covered walls, and a bone-chilling cold emanated from Articuno, akin to an avalanche, crashing down on Zapdos.
Sensing the danger, Zapdos didn't hesitate to retreat, with Articuno in hot pursuit.
The two avian Pokemon engaged in a fierce chase within the narrow confines of the cave.
However, Zapdos ultimately held the advantage due to its superior speed!
Additionally, the cave's labyrinthine passages, with their interconnected sections, played to Zapdos's favor. It quickly utilized the terrain to its advantage and sped past Articuno, getting behind it.
Zapdos unleashed a full-power Thunderbolt, engulfing Articuno in a dazzling electric light.
The unexpected assault threw Articuno off balance, and it crashed into several icicles before coming to an ungainly stop.
Zapdos slowly descended in front of Articuno and then, right before its eyes, picked up the fallen ice-blue feathers with its beak.
Those... were its own feathers?
Articuno was taken aback, its gaze fixed on Zapdos as it struggled to believe what it was witnessing.
However, after Zapdos had collected all of Articuno's feathers, it retrieved a bottle of Life Milk, prepared by Naoki, from its pouch and placed it next to Articuno.
"Chuu!"
Articuno was momentarily stunned.
Its gaze shifted to the pouch on Zapdos's body.
Could Zapdos' earlier words be referring to gaining strength through the power of humans?! This thought suddenly occurred to Articuno.
Zapdos glanced at it and shook its head, Naoki's smiling face appearing in its mind. "Chuu." (He didn't capture me. He's a good person, and I willingly chose to stay by his side.)
It's just a shame that Naoki already has so many strong Pokemon; there's not much it can do to help.
However, since they don't need to fight anyway and they all live together on the ranch, it doesn't really matter.
Upon hearing this, Articuno froze once more.
Was Zapdos trying to woo it?
At that moment, Articuno became extremely curious about what kind of human could make the proud Zapdos willingly become his Pokemon.
But Zapdos didn't elaborate, as its purpose for coming here had already been achieved.
Since Articuno wasn't willing to come, there was no need for it to linger.
With that in mind, Zapdos turned to leave in search of Moltres.
However, just as it was about to flap its wings, Articuno called out to stop it.
Articuno asked, "Then, what's the price?" There must be some condition for humans to help them, right?
Articuno looked at Zapdos, awaiting its answer.
Zapdos shook its head and opened its beak to speak. "Chuu, chuu." (Your feathers.)
Articuno: "?"
Another new day dawned at Naoki's ranch.
That afternoon, for a rare change, no wild trainers came to challenge them.
With some free time on his hands, Naoki started tidying up the accumulated clutter in the house.
It wasn't just Naoki; even Gorebyss and the others had some downtime.
The smaller Pokemon like the Eevees and Happiny were running around the house, playing a game of hide-and-seek.
They scampered up and down the stairs and across the floors, brandishing feather dusters, while Manaphy, tasked with doing the chores, watched helplessly as the mischievous group created a ruckus.
Pokemon like Motostoke and Pumpkaboo, who enjoyed warm environments and sunshine, had all gone out to the grassy field on the ranch to sunbathe leisurely.
Gorebyss was the only exception, occasionally popping in to bother Naoki.
The sunlight streamed in through the window, filling the room and illuminating the desk.
Naoki sat at his desk, hoisting a large box onto it.
He then pulled out postcards and photos adorned with little bear and cat paw prints, as well as a small box filled with stones and marbles, from within.
These were all sent by Mew and Teddiursa during their travels.
After the New Year, the two Pokemon had ventured to the Sinnoh region.
In just a few short months, they had visited many places and encountered countless Pokemon.
Like before, Mew and Teddiursa would ask wild Pokemon friends to help deliver the photos they took and the souvenirs they found back to the ranch.
Naoki had been busy searching for the ancient Pokemon—Arceus, Jirachi, and the others—and hosting visiting challengers, so he hadn't had much time to go through everything.
Now that the ancient Pokemon had been captured and the challengers were taken care of by Yeshu, Naoki finally had some free time to inspect the items Mew and Teddiursa had sent back with the help of wild Flying-type Pokemon.
There were many photos, all taken with various Pokemon, most of which were from the Sinnoh region.
Buizel, with the encouragement of the Explorer Squad, overcame its fear of water and ventured into the depths once more.
They helped a lost Buizel find its family and aided two lovebirds—Shellos from distant regions—in overcoming the challenges of long-distance love, allowing them to reunite across the expanse of the Sinnoh region.
Additionally, Naoki saw a photo of an elderly Torterra, weary and unable to straighten its back due to the sheer number of wild Pokemon living on its back.
It was a Torterra with a girth far surpassing that of a typical member of its species. Its massive body resembled a lush garden, with verdant grass and trees growing on its broad shell.
Torterra was an intriguing Pokemon that evolved from Turtwig, the Grass-type starter of the Sinnoh region.
After reaching its final stage, Torterra often became lethargic, opting to remain stationary in one place.
During these periods, small and delicate Pokemon would be drawn to the "forest" on its back, building their nests there.
Some Pokemon were even born and spent their entire lives on a Torterra's back.
Naoki had read history books about the Pokemon world compiled by humans.
"This?" Naoki picked up the box. "These are some of the treasures Teddiursa has sent back during this period. Its characteristic is to pick things up; Pokemon with this trait love to collect treasures they find on their travels."
Naoki opened the box, revealing pearls, star sand in transparent glass bottles, scales shed by wild Milotic, and teeth shed by Dragon-type Pokemon during battles.
Naoki took out each item one by one as Garchomp curiously looked on.
"This looks like a Dragon Fang, doesn't it?" Naoki held the Dragon Fang up to Garchomp.
If he remembered correctly, this item could enhance the power of Dragon-type moves used by the bearer.
Garchomp didn't have any held items yet, so Naoki asked, "Garchomp, do you want to try wearing it?"
However, Garchomp looked repulsed by the idea.
It didn't want the teeth shed by other Dragon-type Pokemon!
Naoki: "..."
Alright then! Apparently, Garchomp was a dragon with a clean tooth fixation.
"Fine, if you don't want it, then forget it." Naoki put the Dragon Fang away, figuring it wouldn't be of much use to Garchomp since the ranch didn't focus on battles.
Just then, at the very bottom of the box, Naoki discovered a round stone that resembled an egg.
"Hmm?"
Looking at the egg-like stone, Naoki initially mistook it for a Pokemon's egg. But upon closer inspection, he realized it was just a stone.
Unable to identify it with his naked eye, Naoki used the Rotom Phone to scan and search for information about it on the internet.
Soon, the Rotom Phone provided an answer.
[Round Stone: A magical stone that triggers the evolution of certain Pokemon. Round and smooth like an egg, it is a favorite gift for Happiny, and if held by one, it may evolve into Chansey.]
Hmm? What is this? Naoki was immediately intrigued.
Teddiursa was so thoughtful, always sending back exactly what he needed! Was this also part of its [Super Luck] ability? Long live Teddiursa!
Naoki happily gave Garchomp a quick peck on its forehead and then headed for the door.
He found Happiny on the second floor, playing hide-and-seek with the Eevees.
When Happiny saw Naoki, it gestured for him to be quiet, indicating that it was in the middle of playing hide-and-seek and couldn't come out.
That is, until Naoki took out the Round Stone.
Happiny: "!!!"
As Naoki had expected, the moment Happiny laid eyes on the Round Stone, its eyes lit up.
"Puh!"
Forgetting about the game, Happiny scurried out from under the bed, dashed over to Naoki, and gazed at the egg-shaped stone with utmost excitement.
"Pu... "
What a beautiful stone! So big, round, and white—it was the treasure it had always dreamed of!
"Do you like it?" Naoki asked with a smile.
"Pu!" Happiny nodded vigorously and then jumped up to give Naoki a happy hug.
(End of Chapter)
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