Chapter 93: Evolution! The Birth of a Riding Goat!
Chapter 93: Evolution! The Birth of a Riding Goat!
Naoki invited the young boy to stay for lunch at the ranch.
A pink checkered picnic blanket was spread out on the grass, adorned with an assortment of food. There were sandwiches, milk, steamed eggs, smoked meat sausages, and other ready-to-eat delicacies.
The two sat surrounded by a group of Pokemon, as Naoki inquired about other cities and the Orange Academy with Mu Ping.
Mu Ping shared everything he knew.
"The Orange Academy is a very ancient school; it's famous all over the world. It is said that the school was first established eight hundred years ago."
"The school is also very lively! Since there's no age restriction for enrollment, the students come from all age groups, from children to the elderly, and there are even trainers from other regions."
"Apart from taking classes with Pokemon, the school offers a chance to learn about the history of the Padia region and various ancient legends. These legends have attracted quite a few seekers as well!"
"Oh?" Naoki became intrigued. "What kind of legends?"
Mu Ping was a bit surprised. "Are you interested in these legends, Mr. Naoki?"
Naoki's eyes lit up with anticipation. "Pursuing legends is a man's romantic endeavor!"
Mu Ping continued, "To be honest, I don't know much either. I've only heard of the legends of the Padia Pit's treasure and the Calamity Treasures."
"It is said that during the Padia Empire, about 2,000 years ago, the Emperor heard of a mysterious treasure at the bottom of the Padia Pit. In his desire to obtain these treasures, he sent numerous expeditions into the pit."
"However, due to the complex terrain and many bizarre rumors, no one has ever reached its depths."
"Nevertheless, countless adventurers have been drawn to this challenge for almost 1,000 years, and that period is now known as the 'Great Exploration Age' by later generations."
The treasures hidden deep within the Padia Pit…
In truth, Naoki wasn't entirely clear about this either. The place held too many mysteries, but one thing was certain—they were intimately connected to the enigmatic Pokemon, Too Lavagos.
Naoki nodded and asked, "What about the Calamity Treasures?"
Mu Ping replied, "This legend also takes place during the era of the Padia Empire."
"At that time, a merchant sold four treasures to the king—a cauldron, a sword, a bamboo slip, and a piece of jade. These treasures were brought from a distant land."
"The king was overjoyed and held a grand feast, inviting all the ministers to the palace for a banquet. However, on that very night, the four treasures suddenly transformed into Pokemon and wreaked havoc, destroying the entire royal city."
"It is believed that the true forms of the four treasures were Pokemon, and over the years, as they were passed from place to place, they absorbed a multitude of desires and curses, causing them to awaken when they reached the king's hands, driven by his desires."
"In the end, the king summoned Pokemon tamers who managed to suppress the four Pokemon. Each was then sealed away in a separate shrine using eight stakes. It is said that only a person without any impurities in their heart can break the seals and release the four calamity Pokemon once more."
Naoki nodded thoughtfully.
Indeed, the history of this region aligned closely with what he had learned.
The cauldron, sword, bamboo slip, and jade corresponded to four Pokemon: the Ancient Cauldron Deer, Ancient Sword Leopard, Ancient Slip Snail, and Ancient Jade Fish.
These four Pokemon were likely the equivalents of the secondary gods in other regions.
However, unlike the legendary birds—Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres—these four possessed the ability to bring about calamities.
Especially the Ancient Slip Snail, which could absorb the energy from plants, causing everything around it to wither instantly.
Especially the Ancient Sword Leopard, which resembled a snow leopard.
Being an Ice-type, it was covered in a thick layer of fur that surely felt soft and warm to the touch.
If it were summer, and the Ancient Sword Leopard used its Ice-type abilities, it could become a mobile air conditioner.
However, that dream seemed to be dashed now.
"It's a shame," Mu Ping said, his eyes drifting to the distant Salamence. "Mr. Naoki, you used to be a formidable trainer, didn't you?"
"Hmm?" Naoki was slightly taken aback, but he quickly shook his head. "No, I'm just a ranch owner."
However, Mu Ping's face showed that he didn't believe him.
How could he not be a trainer and yet have tamed so many Pokemon?
From Chansey to Butterfree, Beedrill, and Combee, not to mention the Salamence and Gorebyss, these were not Pokemon that an ordinary person could handle.
If a trainer wasn't strong enough, how could they get these Pokemon to listen to them?
Naoki could only offer a polite smile in response.
Just then, a strange disturbance came from the grass not far away.
As Naoki had his back turned, he didn't notice it at first.
But Mu Ping's eyes widened as he saw something that left him shocked and incredulous.
Noticing his reaction, Naoki asked, "What's wrong?"
Mu Ping pointed, his mouth agape. "What's going on over there?"
Naoki turned and saw the three Riding Goats frolicking in the grass, their bodies glowing.
Naoki was speechless.
"They're glowing!" Mu Ping exclaimed.
Naoki could only stare, at a loss for words.
The Riding Goats had already released their energy earlier in the day, so why was this happening now...?
After a moment's thought, Naoki decided to head over to the pen to investigate.
When he saw that the feed trough was empty again, he knew his suspicions were correct.
The grass balls had been devoured once more.
So, the energy they had expended earlier had been replenished.
Those three gluttons!
Naoki ground his molars, immediately deciding to control the amount of grass balls the Riding Goats consumed from now on.
But before he could act, the three Riding Goats before him suddenly erupted with an incredibly powerful Grass-type energy.
"Meeeh?"
The Riding Goats looked at each other in confusion as their bodies began to shine with a dazzling light.
The energy they had accumulated over the months was finally bursting forth.
A low hum filled the air as the Grass-type energy rippled outward at an incredible speed, visible waves of energy spreading across the entire ranch in an instant.
In the midst of the light, the Riding Goats' bodies began to transform.
They grew larger, their horns lengthened, the grass on their backs became more lush, and their once doe-eyed expressions hardened with determination.
Naoki watched intently as the Riding Goats evolved.
Mu Ping, his head craned upward, witnessed the strange phenomenon in the sky, the green light dancing in the air, and the three Riding Goats enveloped in the glowing aura. His expression turned slack with disbelief.
"???"
What kind of power was this?
Were these really the same Riding Goats he had known?
They seemed... different now.
In that moment, Mu Ping felt like his worldview had been shaken to its core.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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