Chapter 155:Meltan and Sableye! Teddiursa and Combee!

Towada Lake, Underground Mine.

“Meltan~”

The Meltan excitedly rushed toward the iron ore in front of them.

Natsume looked at them and said, “Don’t run off; I’ll come back to get you soon.”

“Meltan~”

This underground mine was located deep below the ground, and there were some glowing stones scattered around.

Aside from that, there didn’t seem to be anything special.

The only significance of this iron ore to Natsume was as food for the Meltan.

So, Natsume had no intention of seriously exploring the area.

After settling the Meltan, Natsume's figure vanished from there.

He was headed to search for the Meltan and the blue Flabébé in Towada Lake.

“Meltan~”

One Meltan joyfully ran deeper into the cave.

It picked up a piece of ore and was about to sit down to absorb the iron and other metal materials inside when it suddenly felt that the rock it intended to use as a cushion was a bit hard.

“Sableye!”

A somewhat sharp cry rang out.

Before it stood a small Pokémon with a purple body.

Its eyes looked as if they were embedded with two glowing gems.

“Meltan!”

The Meltan was startled and quickly jumped back, pressing against the wall.

“Sableye.”

In front of the Meltan was a Sableye.

This Sableye took a diamond it had found somewhere and bit into it.

“Sableye!”

Sableye glared at Meltan in annoyance. It was about to teach this Meltan a lesson when it suddenly noticed that a group of Meltan was gathering around.

“Meltan~”

The Meltan were curiously looking at Sableye.

“Sableye.”

This time, it was Sableye who became startled, pressing itself against the wall.

When did these little creatures show up?

Sableye glanced left and right, then suddenly pointed behind Meltan.

“Sableye!”

The Meltan turned around in confusion, but there was nothing there.

Sableye seized the opportunity, immediately used Dig, and disappeared down the underground passage in front of the Meltan.

Meltan scratched its head.

This was just a minor incident, and Meltan didn’t mind it.

Once Sableye left, they happily returned to enjoy their meal.

“Teddiursa~”

Teddiursa peeked out curiously from the bushes.

It was looking at a sea of blue flowers ahead.

Bang!

“Beautifly~”

A Beautifly used Air Cutter against the gathered Combee.

The group of Combee quickly flapped their tiny wings, dispersing to avoid Beautifly's attack.

“Beautifly~”

There were several other Beautifly nearby.

They followed up with Gust moves.

These Beautifly aimed to drive the Combee away from this area.

“Teddiursa.”

Teddiursa watched the Combee with concern.

It was contemplating whether or not to help.

After all, it frequently stole honey from Combee.

These Combee didn’t seem to have a Vespiquen to protect them.

Combee without a Vespiquen weren't safe in the wilderness.

There were too many Bug type Pokémon, as well as Pokémon like Teddiursa, that would steal their honey.

“Floette!”

In the flower field, a blue Floette flew towards the Beautifly.

“Floette.”

Floette said that the garden was large enough that everyone could share without needing to battle.

“Beautifly~”

Upon hearing Floette's plea, the Beautifly exchanged glances for a moment.

Soon, they reached a consensus.

“Beautifly!”

One Beautifly glowed with a white light.

Aerial Ace!

Beautifly flew around Floette, continuing to attack the Combee.

“Floette!”

Floette angrily used Vine Whip.

Swish~ swish~

Two Vine Whips struck the Beautifly.

However, this action only angered the other Beautifly.

“Beautifly~”

The Beautifly flapped their wings and charged at Floette.

In the face of the Beautifly's assault, this Floette was clearly outmatched.

The Combee behind it looked like they wanted to help but didn’t know how, displaying anxious expressions.

“Teddiursa.”

Teddiursa in the bushes grew increasingly conflicted.

“If you want to help, then go ahead.”

A voice suddenly sounded beside Teddiursa.

“Teddiursa!”

Startled by Natsume's sudden appearance, Teddiursa jumped out of the bushes.

Seeing it was Natsume, Teddiursa let out a sigh of relief.

Teddiursa angrily exclaimed, “Teddiursa!”

Can’t you walk without making a sound?

Natsume smiled and replied, “I’ve been here for a while, but you were so focused that you didn’t notice me.”

“Teddiursa!”

“But let’s talk about this later.”

Natsume smiled, “Right now, you want to help the Combee, don’t you?”

“Beautifly~”

At that moment, the Beautifly turned their attention to Teddiursa.

“Teddiursa.”

Teddiursa looked at the group of Beautifly and felt a bit hesitant.

However, Teddiursa glanced at the poor, gathered Combee.

“Teddiursa.”

Teddiursa let out a sigh.

“Teddiursa!”

Teddiursa pointed at the Beautifly with determination.

If it’s a battle, come at me!

“Oh~ impressive, Teddiursa.”

Natsume praised, “Go ahead, show them your strength.”

The Beautifly exchanged glances with one another.

“Beautifly~”

They looked at Teddiursa and chuckled.

Whoosh~

The frequency of the Beautifly’s wing flaps began to accelerate.

This was Gust!

“Beautifly~”

The Beautifly in front began to form an Air Cutter.

“Teddiursa!”

Teddiursa took a deep breath, and white light glimmered on its claws.

With its eyes shut tight, it steeled its resolve.

“Teddiursa!”

Teddiursa charged at the Beautifly, swinging its little arms like a whirlwind.

Natsume watched the scene with a smile and said, “This little guy is quite fun.”

“Gardevoir, help it out.”

Gardevoir nodded slightly.

A powerful Psychic energy spread forward.

Gardevoir fixed her gaze on the Beautifly.

“Beautifly!”

The Beautifly suddenly realized they couldn’t move.

Not only that, but the moves they were about to unleash also dissipated.

“Teddiursa!”

At that moment, Teddiursa dashed forward.

Its claws swung wildly, but were completely flailing in the air.

After all, it hadn’t opened its eyes.

Gardevoir moved her hand again.

The Beautifly automatically appeared in front of Teddiursa.

Bam~

One Beautifly was knocked to the ground by Teddiursa.

Then another, and another.

“Teddiursa.”

Teddiursa grew tired.

It leaned on its knees, panting heavily while half-squatting on the ground.

Teddiursa cautiously opened one eye to glance around.

“Teddiursa!”

Teddiursa was shocked.

On the ground, there lay a multitude of Beautifly.

So, I’m this strong?

“Teddiursa.”

Teddiursa excitedly looked at Natsume, proudly showcasing its achievements.

Natsume smiled and said, “Impressive, very impressive.”

“Teddiursa~”

Natsume walked towards Floette and the Combee, saying, “Floette, Combee, let me help you heal.”

“Floette~”

Floette expressed its gratitude to Natsume.

This Floette was at level 31, with Gym Leader potential.

Moreover, it was blue.

“Floette, were these Beautifly trying to take over your territory?”

“Floette.”

Floette nodded.

Floette told Natsume that this area used to be its and Vespiquen’s territory.

However, not long ago, Vespiquen was captured by a human trainer, leaving only Floette to take care of it.

The Beautifly wanted to claim this flower field for themselves, which led to the conflict with the Combee.

“Teddiursa!”

Teddiursa approached.

It huffed and said that its parents were also captured by humans.

If it weren't for those annoying human trainers, Teddiursa wouldn’t have to struggle every day to find food.

Teddiursa hated human trainers the most.

Trainers would capture strong Pokémon to save on training time and costs.

If they were lone Pokémon, then it might not be so bad.

But for special groups like Vespiquen and Combee, if they captured Vespiquen, it would undoubtedly cause significant trouble for the Combee.

“I understand.”

Natsume looked at the Combee and said, “If you don't mind, you can all come with me to the farm.”

“My farm has a garden that’s even bigger than this one, plenty of space for you to live.”

Upon hearing Natsume's invitation, the Combee began to gather around.

Natsume smiled and said, “How about taking a look first?”

Saying this, Natsume opened the teleportation portal.

The suddenly appearing Combee startled the Beedrill in the garden.

“Beedrill!”

The Beedrill immediately emitted warning Bug Buzz sounds.

“Calm down.”

Natsume followed behind the Combee.

“They're not enemies.”

The Beedrill looked at Natsume and let out a sigh of relief, easing their alert.

The Cutiefly flying above the garden curiously approached to observe the Combee.

“Teddiursa.”

Behind Natsume, Teddiursa peeked over.

Teddiursa was astonished as it took in the sight before it.

Just how much honey could such a large garden produce?

Teddiursa displayed a wide-eyed expression of wonder.

Sniff sniff~

Teddiursa twitched its nose.

“Teddiursa!”

The air was filled with the aroma of various ripe berries.

The rich scent of milk had not yet faded.

There was so much delicious food here.

Slurp~

Teddiursa couldn’t help but wipe its mouth.

“How about it, Combee?”

Natsume asked the Combee, “Do you want to stay?”

“Teddiursa!”

Teddiursa nodded enthusiastically.

It wanted to stay!

Natsume playfully teased Teddiursa, “Aren't you the one who hates human trainers the most?”

Teddiursa quickly replied, “Teddiursa!”

Teddiursa only hated the human trainers who captured its parents, but Natsume had not captured its parents.

So, Natsume was not on the list of those to be disliked.

Natsume patted Teddiursa's little head and smiled, “Just kidding.”

“If you like it, then you can stay together.”

“Teddiursa~”

Teddiursa excitedly dashed into the garden.

The Combee, of course, were also willing to stay here.

There was no better place for them to live.

“Floette, what about you?”

Natsume finally looked at the blue Floette.

“Floette~”

The blue Floette hesitated for a moment, then shook its head.

“Hmm?”

“Why not?”

“Floette.”

Floette explained that the farm's garden was indeed beautiful.

But it also had to take care of its flower field.

Although that flower field wasn’t large, it was a place that many Pokémon loved.

So, it couldn’t leave.

“I see.”

Natsume looked at the determined Floette and said regretfully, “Well, it can’t be helped.”

“But then again.”

Natsume smiled at it and said, “The best place really is home, isn’t it?”

“Floette~”

The blue Floette was happy that Natsume understood it.

“Combee, everyone please enter the Poké Ball.”

Natsume took out the Poké Balls and captured all the Combee and Teddiursa, then released them together again.

“Beedrill, you can’t bully the Combee, okay? Make sure to get along with them.”

“Beedrill~”

“Teddiursa.”

Teddiursa wiped its mouth.

What should it eat first?

The air smelled of Leppa Berries, so it would start by making some fruit-flavored honey with the Leppa Berries and the pollen collected by the Beedrill.

There was also Pecha Berry-flavored honey, and Oran Berry~

Teddiursa thought about the wonderful life ahead, and its mouth nearly watered like a waterfall.

“Teddiursa~”

Teddiursa covered its face, rolling around excitedly on the ground.

“Eevee?”

Eevee and Zorua approached curiously.

They looked at Teddiursa in confusion.

“Eevee?”

Is it stupid?

Natsume smiled as he watched Teddiursa rolling on the ground joyfully. “Looks like it, doesn’t it?”

“Teddiursa.”

Hearing what Natsume and Eevee were saying, Teddiursa's face turned bright red.

“Teddiursa!”

Teddiursa quickly stood up, trying to act cool.

However, the drool still dripping from its mouth betrayed its current thoughts.

“Zorua, why don’t you take Teddiursa around the farm? Let it make some delicious honey for you.”

Natsume introduced them, saying, “The honey made by Teddiursa is really tasty.”

“Teddiursa!”

Teddiursa nodded eagerly.

It stretched out its paw, trying to squeeze out a bit of honey.

Then, it managed to produce a drop.

Teddiursa's face instantly flushed bright red.

“Larvitar.”

Larvitar stepped forward and patted Teddiursa's shoulder.

“Stop squeezing; come on, I’ll take you to the cabin to get some honey.”

“Teddiursa.”

Upon hearing this, Teddiursa immediately felt touched and leaped in front of Larvitar.

Natsume found it all quite amusing.

Aoi District.

“Phew, it’s a bit hot.”

Kiko wiped the sweat from her forehead.

“Jigglypuff~”

Jigglypuff nodded in agreement and then plopped down in the shade of a tree.

“Jigglypuff.”

Jigglypuff looked at Kiko with a distressed expression.

Did they really have to participate in this military training?

Even if they did, couldn’t they just attend it at the farm?

Jigglypuff started to miss the flower buns from the farm, Natsume's hearty meals, Miltank's fresh milk, and the vast fruit woods.

“Classmates.”

The counselor leading the group encouraged, “Just hang in there a little longer until we reach this camping site.”

“It’s a beautiful valley.”

The counselor's Pokémon was a very spirited Sudowoodo, sometimes referred to as a "Talking Tree."

“Come on, come on~”

Sudowoodo swung its arms in front, twisting its trunk-like body.

Its green branches looked like the colorful pom-poms of cheerleaders.

In reality, it was indeed cheering for everyone.

“Alright.”

Kiko pulled Jigglypuff up.

“Let’s hold on a bit longer; we’ll be there soon.”

“Jigglypuff.”

Jigglypuff puffed up its cheeks.

It didn’t want to move.

“I really can’t handle you.”

Kiko helplessly picked up Jigglypuff. “Let’s go~”

“Classmate, do you need help carrying it?”

A boy stepped forward, asking enthusiastically.

Kiko politely declined, saying, “Thank you, but it’s fine.”

A pretty girl is always surrounded by “helpful” guys.

Kiko looked at the Jigglypuff in her arms and said, “How about we go stay at the farm for a few days during the break?”

“Jigglypuff~”

Jigglypuff nodded eagerly.

Kiko smiled and said, “It’s settled then~”

Suddenly—

At this moment, no one noticed that right in front of this group, the sky began to crack open.