Chapter 281: Munchlax's Evolution

"Natsume, I found you."

A familiar voice called out from behind Natsume. He turned around to see Sakura approaching with her Eevee and Yuna, the girl Natsume had met before. Yuna was accompanied by her Tinkatuff.

"Natsume, are you slacking off?" Sakura teased with a smile. "Everyone’s working hard in the fields, but the farm owner is here watching Pokémon battles~"

Natsume chuckled. "Well, Sandslash and the others are very reliable. So I think it’s forgivable if the farm owner takes a little break."

"True, Sandslash is the kind of Pokémon every owner would love," Sakura said, glancing at the battle arena. "By the way, Natsume, do you think Breloom is going to lose this battle?"

Natsume nodded slightly. "The opponent is a very skilled Trainer."

"But they haven’t even attacked each other yet," Sakura said, puzzled. "How can you tell?"

Natsume pointed to the ground in the battle arena. "Notice anything?"

"What?"

Sakura didn’t catch on right away.

"It’s the Sticky Web," Yuna, standing next to Sakura, suddenly said. "There’s a lot of sticky webs on the ground."

Natsume nodded at Yuna. "Correct."

"Effect Spore!"

On the battlefield, Breloom didn’t seem to notice the webs. It used Double Team and charged straight at Galvantula. However, as it dashed forward, Breloom and its clones suddenly tripped and fell to the ground.

"Breloom."

Breloom looked down in shock to find its feet tangled in the Sticky Web. It glanced around and realized the entire area ahead was covered in webs.

Ryosuke smiled slightly. "Got you."

"Galvantula, Signal Beam!"

Whoosh!

A green beam shot out, hitting Breloom directly.

"Finish it with Fury Cutter."

"Galvantula!"

Galvantula rushed forward, swinging its claws at Breloom.

Bam!

With a dull thud, Breloom fainted.

Natsume explained, "Galvantula had been setting up the sticky webs from the very beginning. That’s why the battle’s pace was always under the opponent’s control. What’s worse, moves like Sticky Web have lasting effects."

Sakura blinked. "Lasting effects?"

"That means the next Pokémon to enter the field will also be affected by the Sticky Web."

At that moment, the Rotom referee stepped forward. "Breloom is unable to battle. Please send out your next Pokémon."

Natsume looked at Gardevoir. "Gardevoir, bring Breloom over to me."

Gardevoir nodded, and Breloom instantly disappeared from the battlefield, reappearing next to Natsume.

When the farm gym’s Pokémon accept challenges, they usually form teams of two and register with Rotom. Rotom then matches them with suitable challengers. Today, Breloom’s teammate was Perrserker.

"Meow!"

Perrserker let out a low growl as it entered the arena from the side, carefully avoiding the sticky webs to reach its half of the field.

"Breloom."

Breloom’s recovery was quick. As soon as Gardevoir moved it out of the arena, it opened its eyes.

"Good job, Breloom."

Natsume extended his hand, and a surge of life energy began healing Breloom’s injuries.

"Breloom."

Breloom sat up, looking a bit frustrated.

Natsume reassured it, "Don’t worry about it. What’s important is that we’ve gained new battle experience."

Natsume winked at Breloom. "At least next time, we’ll know how to handle an opponent like this."

Breloom’s two buddies ran over to comfort their companion.

"Effect Spore!"

Sakura smiled at Natsume. "Natsume, you’re really kind."

Natsume and the others continued watching the battle. Meanwhile, something interesting was happening in the farm’s fields.

"Scyther!"

Scyther glared at Kabutops, clearly unhappy. The two stared each other down before swinging their scythes and dashing through the farm’s fields. Scyther and Kabutops were having a competition.

"Munchlax~"

Munchlax was having the time of its life. It happily followed behind Scyther. While Scyther harvested the Hearty Grains with its scythe, Munchlax used its mouth and belly to "harvest" the grains Scyther had already cut down.

"Serperior~"

Scyther noticed the commotion behind it. It turned around and immediately became furious.

"Scyther!"

Scyther turned and chased after Munchlax.

"Munchlax."

Munchlax, seeing Scyther charging at it, panicked and grabbed some Hearty Grains from the ground before running away.

The tourists watching the scene burst into laughter. "Go, Munchlax!"

"You’re going to get caught!"

"Munchlax, you’re going to get cooked~"

"Munchlax!"

Munchlax’s little legs moved as fast as they could. But Scyther was clearly faster.

Bang!

Scyther’s blade struck Munchlax’s back.

Thud~

Munchlax rolled on the ground, clutching its head.

"Scyther."

Scyther angrily gave Munchlax a good scolding. Munchlax didn’t seem to mind. Even while being scolded, it opened its mouth and ate the Hearty Grains that had fallen near its face.

"Scyther."

Munchlax cautiously looked up at Scyther, who was still fuming, and carefully picked up a piece of Hearty Grains, offering it back to Scyther.

Scyther was speechless. It gave Munchlax another whack on the head with its blade before turning and walking away.

"Munchlax~"

Munchlax breathed a sigh of relief and happily stuffed the remaining Hearty Grains into its mouth.

"Teddiursa?"

Teddiursa ran over, looking at Munchlax.

"Munchlax~"

Munchlax shook its head, indicating it was fine.

Whoosh~

A breeze blew through the fields. The Hearty Grains swayed gently in the wind, filling the air with their aroma.

The Hearty Grains were delicious, but a bit dry. They’d be even better with some Leppa Berries from the mountain~

Munchlax was now a glutton with standards.

"I’m such a happy Munchlax~"

Munchlax patted its belly, thinking this to itself.

Shake~

Munchlax’s body began to glow brightly.