Chapter 323: The Wolf Pack's Send-Off
Cynthia, knowing that Wolf Mom agreed to let Will go with her, felt extremely complicated.
Although she got the Riolu she dreamed of.
It wasn't obtained by her own hard power.
But soon Cynthia figured it out.
Being able to use her character to gain a Pokémon's favor and his family's recognition, wasn't this something to be proud of?
As for today's failure, that wasn't a problem.
Just work harder in the future!
Mountaintop plateau.
"Wolf Mom, I'm leaving."
"Woof awooo."
Wolf Mom's eyes were somewhat desolate.
No more puppy kicking his legs randomly beside her when sleeping.
"I'll come back to see everyone every year. The Mightyena clan will be left to you again."
Will stepped forward and hugged Wolf Mom's neck.
He wasn't worried that Wolf Mom would feel lonely.
After all, there were over a hundred wolves accompanying her on this mountain.
Many Mightyena had followed Wolf Mom for more than ten years, no less than blood relatives to her.
With them around, Wolf Mom wouldn't be lonely.
"Woof."
Wolf Mom sighed.
This was also a headache for her.
Before she could be a hands-off boss for two years, her own hardworking cub was abducted by a little vixen.
"Thank you for trusting me."
Cynthia came behind Will and bowed gently to Wolf Mom.
"Woof awooo."
Wolf Mom turned around and wagged her tail.
Meaning telling them to leave.
She actually didn't have many expectations for Cynthia.
Didn't require her to take her puppy to the top of human society; as long as they were happy on their journey.
"...Let's go."
Will turned to look at Cynthia.
"Mm!"
Cynthia nodded happily.
She had looked forward to this day for a long time!
The two little ones walked together down the mountain under the gaze of the wolf pack.
Halfway down.
One-Eye brought nine other Mightyena to him.
This was the team that followed Will to ambush the Persian clan at the very beginning. Now, they were all powerful Pokémon above Lv. 50.
Even if they left Wolf Mountain in the future.
They could do well in Mt. Silver.
One-Eye and the others knew it too.
"Woof."
One-Eye didn't waste words.
He and the other nine Mightyena lowered their heads deeply to Will.
That was the gesture of Mightyena expressing loyalty to their leader.
This meant that at least in the hearts of these 10 Mightyena, Will was their leader.
If one day Will broke with Wolf Mom and split the family, these ten Mightyena would resolutely follow Will.
"The clan is left to you to protect."
"Woof."
One-Eye nodded gently.
Leaving the mountaintop plateau.
Will's four minions saw him off all the way, stopping only at the waterfall area on the mountainside.
"Don't look so sad."
Will turned and smiled at them.
"I'm going to a vaster world; you should be happy for me."
"Bui?"
Floatzel walked up to Will.
"As long as we're alive, we'll meet again."
Will reached out and rubbed the tuft of hair on his head.
Time flies.
This big otter was no longer the little guy who hid under his butt when encountering danger two years ago.
Even if he wasn't here in the future, he wouldn't worry about Floatzel anymore.
Moreover.
Floatzel was now a Pokémon with clansmen and partners.
"Cacnea?" (Cacturne sounds?)
"Of course, if you also find a human trainer, maybe we can meet on a street in human society in the future."
Will nodded.
Although Cacturne looked scary, he was the simplest and kindest among the four little ones.
Similarly.
He was also the one who yearned for the outside world the most.
Maybe Will could really see him again on a street in a certain city in the future.
Just hope Cacturne wouldn't be bullied by other Pokémon then.
As for the remaining two.
Will turned to look at Toxicroak and Pinsir.
They were Pokémon who preferred wild life.
Human society wasn't very attractive to them.
Will should be able to see them every time he came back, so there wasn't much to say.
"Let's stop here. Toxicroak, the trade with Vespiquen will be handed over to you; you should know what to do."
"Gunk."
Toxicroak waved his hand casually.
He wasn't very interested in that stuff, but Will had taught him dozens of times, so he naturally remembered what to do.
"We're off. Goodbye."
Waving to the four minions.
For the rest of the journey.
Only he and Cynthia remained.
"Will you feel lonely?"
Cynthia turned to look at the puppy beside her.
"Mm, a little."
Will blinked, turning to look up the mountain.
This forest was still so quiet.
It was fine to be quiet before, but today it felt a bit inappropriate.
"I will always be by Riolu's side."
Cynthia reached out and held Will's hand (paw), saying firmly.
"No matter how dangerous and harsh the environment we face in the future, I will always stand by Riolu's side."
"...Okay."
Will shifted his gaze to the girl's face and smiled lightly.
"The ribbon on your head has turned a bit gray; it's time to replace it."
The golden pattern on the black and gold ribbon given two years ago had faded.
The black part also appeared gray.
Wearing it for two more years, it might turn white.
After all, it was just a ribbon found everywhere on street stalls; one couldn't expect its quality to be very good.
Moreover.
Two years.
Really not short.
Although for Will, time seemed to become a number without much meaning.
But...
Will used two years to train hard in Mt. Silver, met Scyther, trained Zubat into Golbat, and befriended the Dragonite clan.
He also used two years to lead his daughter from Hoenn all the way to Mt. Silver, raising a small kitten into a beautiful big girl (Meowscarada).
Also used two years to lead the Mightyena clan to destroy the Persian clan, become the Young Master recognized by the Mightyena, and make the clan the king of the surrounding area.
Two years.
Short?
He could do so many things in two years.
A graying ordinary ribbon seemed acceptable.
Importantly...
As long as the feelings entrusted to this ribbon didn't turn gray.
"Emmm, indeed should put it away properly. I want a new one."
Cynthia touched it, grinning at Will.
"Then buy one."
"I want Riolu to give it to me."
Dappled sunlight passed through the leaves overhead, scattering sparsely on the girl's face.
Her smile was a bit mischievous.
And a bit dazzling.
Arriving at the foot of the mountain.
Will saw the jeep parked not far away and Professor Rowan, raising his hand to greet.
He thought Cynthia flew here riding Garchomp.
Unexpectedly, she was driven here by Professor Rowan.
But this was normal.
Cynthia didn't know the exact location of Wolf Mountain.
Only Professor Rowan, who had been here personally, knew.
"Congratulations, Cynthia. Looks like you successfully caught Riolu. This child is the most excellent Pokémon I've ever seen."
"Hehe, I will also become the most excellent trainer worthy of Riolu!"
Cynthia reached out and hugged Will beside her, rubbing her cheek against his big ears.
"Get in the car; your journey is about to begin."
"Mm!"
Cynthia led Will into the car.
The jeep started slowly, speeding up.
The oncoming wind blew Will's ears.
He felt something.
Turned to look at Wolf Mountain behind him.
Thump...
Continuous light footsteps sounded.
The next moment.
One after another, handsome black-gray figures rushed out from the foot of Wolf Mountain.
Their numbers grew more and more.
Before long, exceeding a hundred.
"That is... Mightyena?!"
Professor Rowan looked in the rearview mirror, his eyes widening instantly, dumbfounded.
"Are they sending Riolu off?"
Cynthia stood up in the car, looking back in amazement.
"Cynthia, there's a camera in the back; please take pictures for me. It's a pity not to record such a scene."
Professor Rowan said to the back.
More than a hundred majestic Mightyena ran with the car.
Some ran behind the car, some flanked both sides, escorting this car.
This scene was truly shocking.
It could be said.
Since human history began, no one had seen such a scene.
Perhaps in the future, there wouldn't be a chance to see it again.
When he followed Will up the mountain back then, he found Will's status in the clan seemed a bit high. Now it seemed he still underestimated this puppy.
Will jumped onto the trunk of the jeep (or open back).
He stared silently at his clansmen, at Wolf Mom running at the front, without saying a word.
Although there was no communication at this moment.
He still heard what she wanted to say.
Even if invisible.
Even if far away.
I will watch over you, always protecting you.
The jeep was still traveling fast, driving out of Mt. Silver before long.
The Mightyena clan gradually slowed down, finally stopping at the edge of the grassland outside Mt. Silver.
Watching Will go further and further away, they looked sideways at their leader.
"Awooo~"
Wolf Mom looked up to the sky and let out a melodious long howl.
The long howls of the wolves followed one after another.
Although already panting, this last farewell couldn't be missed no matter what.
Will, standing on the trunk, raised his hand to rub his face:
"Awooo~"
Hearing the still somewhat immature wolf howl.
"Awooo~"
Cynthia leaned in, pouting and making a strange howl.
"Awooo~"
Professor Rowan driving in front couldn't help but laugh and join in.
Wolf Mom looked at the puppy going further away.
Her ears, always held high proudly, finally drooped.
Believe next time we meet.
Her puppy can howl even more majestically than his mother.
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