The massive boulder, reeking of molten rock, slammed directly into Venusaur. Lin Feng and Uncle Liang watched in shock.
Such an enormous, suffocating stone, brimming with magma…
It was the Cliff's Blade! The Cliff's Blade!
It belonged to Groudon, the Earth Pokémon!
Bang!
With a deafening roar, Venusaur crashed heavily to the ground.
From its body came pained cries, "Bana… Bana…"
The onlookers and nearby Pokémon finally snapped back to reality.
Seeing a charred black mark scorched into Venusaur's belly, along with its agonized groans, Lin Feng quickly performed the same procedure he had used before.
Only then did Venusaur begin to feel some relief.
Over by the river, Blaziken and Dragonite, still recovering from their own battle, were drawn by the commotion.
Blaziken stared dumbfounded at the towering pillar of molten rock, still erupting with lava.
It could hardly believe that Alcremie the little Pokémon that usually only spread whipped cream was capable of such a move.
"Bana… Bana…"
Venusaur looked at Alcremie in Lin Feng's arms with a flicker of fear in its eyes.
That scorching pillar might not have been the strongest Fire-type move it had ever faced, but the searing heat was certainly the most terrifying it had ever experienced.
It had almost met its mother.
Except for Venusaur's heavy breathing, the surroundings were silent.
Finally, Alcremie let out a soft whimper, drawing everyone's attention back to reality.
"Alcremie…" it seemed to say. "I'm out of energy… I can't continue…"
Weak and lying in Lin Feng's arms, Alcremie looked fragile, almost pitiful.
Lin Feng quickly retrieved a Recovery Energy Cube from his storage ball and handed it to Alcremie.
Watching the little Pokémon eat the cube bite by bite, regaining her strength, she finally lifted her head to look at Venusaur the Pokémon she had once cuddled as a child and a trace of embarrassment flashed in her eyes.
My goodness…
I am so sorry.
"Bana… Bana…"
Venusaur exhaled through its nostrils, saying little.
It had agreed earlier to let Alcremie use Metronome, but it hadn't expected… what exactly had just happened?
It had never seen anything like it in its life.
Uncle Liang glanced at Lin Feng's awkward expression, then at Venusaur's bewildered face.
Finally, his eyes settled on the towering pillar of lava still standing tall.
He pondered for a moment but still couldn't figure out the move.
Looking at its sheer power, he estimated it was likely a highly potent Fire- or Ground-type attack.
Lin Feng opened his mouth to apologize again.
Unexpectedly, Uncle Liang recalled Venusaur and looked up at the sky. "Young people are full of energy, hahaha. I won't bother you. I'll continue fishing let the two of you keep playing…"
Then, in a blur, he sprinted toward the small bridge, muttering to himself:
"I never want to see Encore again in my life."
"Could this kid's Alcremie be a little too lucky?"
Over here, Alcremie, now rejuvenated, looked at Lin Feng with a hint of confusion, as if asking whether she had performed well.
"Um…"
Lin Feng was at a loss for words, finally saying, "Alcremie, try using Encore on me once."
"Alcremie?"
Alcremie shook her head quickly, like a little bell.
Having just witnessed the power of those previous moves, she naturally didn't want to unleash anything so dangerous on Lin Feng.
"It's okay. I'll have Gardevoir use Protect on me, so nothing will happen."
Lin Feng placed his hand on Gardevoir's shoulder. He wasn't afraid of any move Alcremie could use, but he wanted to reassure both Gardevoir and Alcremie.
Gardevoir hesitated for a moment but did not stop Lin Feng and instead used Protect.
"Alcremie…"
Alcremie still shook her head, refusing.
At that moment, Dragonite raised its paw, staring intently at Alcremie.
"Wooo!" it seemed to say. "Let me try. Let me try."
Dragonite patted its belly, signaling it could endure the attack. To be safe, it also used Protect.
"Alcremie?"
This time, when Alcremie looked at Lin Feng, there was a flicker of hesitation in her eyes.
"All right, then. Let's try it on Dragonite."
With the power of the Eternal Stone and a huge energy gap, Lin Feng didn't hesitate.
"Alcremie…"
Alcremie used Metronome again.
A small Water Gun formed, landing on Dragonite's barrier before dripping harmlessly to the ground.
"Huh?"
Lin Feng raised an eyebrow.
"Whoa?"
Dragonite stared at the droplet on its barrier, stunned. Where had that move come from?
"Come on, let's try Blaziken next."
Lin Feng held Alcremie high.
"Chamo?"
Blaziken flinched but accepted the arrangement once it saw Gardevoir create a psychic shield around it.
Alcremie unleashed her energy once more. This time, it was Ember.
The tiny flames didn't even reach Blaziken's face before it swatted them away with its claws.
"Oh, my goodness…"
Then Lin Feng had her target Gardevoir with Ember.
Alcremie hesitated slightly but executed the move.
A pink energy orb of Attract flew toward Gardevoir.
It landed with no effect, as both Pokémon were female.
Still, Gardevoir's expression softened, and a faint smile lifted her lips.
"Come on, with this mindset, try it again for me," Lin Feng encouraged.
"Alcremie…"
Alcremie hesitated even more.
"It's okay. Think carefully about which move you want to use on me."
Lin Feng stroked the small strawberry on Alcremie's head.
"Alcremie…" she relented. "All right… all right."
She no longer refused but remained cautious, watching as Lin Feng guided her Metronome.
This time, a glimmer of pink Attract energy flashed in her bright red eyes. She pouted, covering her mouth with one hand while clutching Lin Feng's clothes with the other.
She let out a soft whimper, just audible to Lin Feng.
"Alcremie…"
Her voice was sticky and sweet.
It was Charm Alcremie had used Charm!
Lin Feng felt his heart melt instantly. He hugged Alcremie to his face, holding her tightly.
He couldn't help but exclaim, "How can you be so adorable…"
"Alcremie? Alcremie!"
Although Alcremie didn't fully understand what had happened, seeing Lin Feng embrace her so tightly brought a happy smile to her face.