At about 2:00 PM, Ange said to Diancie and the others, "Alright, it's time to send you home. There are many things to handle there, and you've worked hard these past few days."
Diancie readily agreed, "Okay."
Munch~
Munchlax dove into Ange's arms, giving its master a reluctant hug.
After sending Munchlax and Drizzile home one after the other, Ange spoke to the remaining Diancie, "Diancie, I want you to help me verify something."
"What is it? Tell me," Diancie replied.
Ange explained, "I want to put Veluza into Poke Balls to see if you can take them back to Nebel Plateau."
Diancie nodded, "Alright, I'll try." If this succeeded, it would be very convenient. Ange would essentially be carrying a portable Pokemon transport device.
After putting a Veluza into a Poke Ball, Ange handed it to Diancie and then sent her back home.
After a while, Ange summoned Diancie back.
"How was it? Did it work?" Ange asked.
Diancie said happily, "It worked!"
"Great! Then I can send all the Veluza home so they don't have to stay cramped in this pool anymore," Ange said.
He then squatted by the pool and spoke to the Veluza leader, "I'm going to send all of you to my home soon. There's a very large lake there, much bigger than the river you lived in before. You can swim and train freely there."
Hearing this, the Veluza leader swam around the pool excitedly.
Furthermore, Ange continued, "But once you get there, you must behave and not cause trouble. If there's anything you don't understand, go ask Politoed. It will tell you what to do."
The Veluza leader nodded seriously.
"Good, it's a deal then."
Ange then put all the Veluza into Poke Balls and handed them to Diancie.
"Oh, right!" Ange seemed to remember something else, "Diancie, stop by the Pokemon Center's shop and buy some Poke Balls for me. I need them."
The System mission still required him to catch several Pokemon! Previously, Ange felt Poke Balls were useless, but now that he wanted to use them, he was out.
Although he could buy them in the System Store, his current predicament was a lack of Happiness Points. Yesterday, buying Poke Balls alone cost over 10,000 points. If he kept spending like this, he wouldn't be able to save any.
Conversely, his League currency was quite sufficient, and Poke Balls in the shop were 500p each.
Diancie promised, "Okay, I'll remember."
At this moment, Arven spoke up, "Prince, you don't need to buy Poke Balls. There are many Poke Balls in Research Station No. 1 that my mom and the others can't even finish using. You can take them as you wish!"
Ange looked surprised, "Really?"
Arven nodded, "Really."
"I can use them too?" Ange asked.
Arven replied, "Yes. I heard my parents say some Poke Balls have been sitting there for years anyway."
These Poke Balls were provided by sponsors at no cost to the professors, but they had received so many that they couldn't use them all.
Hearing this, Ange said to Diancie, "In that case, let's hold off on buying them for now."
Subsequently, Ange sent Diancie and the Veluza home together.
Led by Arven, Ange arrived at the storage area for Poke Balls in Research Station No. 1.
Good grief. The warehouse was packed with box after box of Poke Balls. Not only were there standard Poke Balls, but Great Balls and Ultra Balls were also available in abundance.
To be safe, Ange specifically asked the professors. They told him he could use the Poke Balls freely as a reward for today's lunch.
Additionally, Ange obtained a distribution map of the Pokemon in Area Zero from the professors. Having worked here for years, they knew the local Pokemon situation like the back of their hands.
After taking some Poke Balls, Ange said to Arven, Oinkologne, and Charcadet, "Let's go catch some more Pokemon!"
"Oh!"
Honk honk~
Chaka~~
Arven, Oinkologne, and Charcadet cheered and followed Ange out the door with light steps.
The mission to catch Veluza was complete. Ange's remaining tasks were to catch Smoliv, Nacli, and Capsakid, as they were producers of cooking oil, rock salt, and chili powder.
This afternoon, Ange's goal was Smoliv, or rather Dolliv and Arboliva!
Dolliv and Arboliva were preferable because the oil from Smoliv was inedible.
Actually, it wasn't that it couldn't be eaten, but the taste was bitter and unpleasant. However, the oil produced by Dolliv and Arboliva didn't have this problem; it was fragrant, mellow, and nutritious.
Ange walked across the grass carrying Komala, accompanied by Arven with Oinkologne and Mabosstiff. The two Charcadet rode on Oinkologne's back, looking quite relaxed.
"Let's see where the Smoliv are."
Ange took out the distribution map and quickly found the locations for Smoliv, Dolliv, and Arboliva.
"They're in the middle layer! It looks like we have to check there."
Following the map's directions, Ange found the entrance leading from the upper layer to the middle layer. It was guarded by League personnel. Ange showed the pass given by the professors, and the guards immediately let them through.
As they walked, they found the environment of the middle layer was similar to the upper layer. Green grass was everywhere, along with lakes formed by waterfalls from above.
Pokemon played on the grass and in the water. If there was a difference, it was likely the increased number of Tera Crystals. Ange occasionally spotted Terastallized Pokemon.
Terastallized Pokemon usually looked quite fierce, so Ange and the others kept their distance.
"Let's go this way," Ange said to Arven and the rest after choosing a direction.
Honk honk~
Honk honk~
The two Oinkologne carrying the Charcadet took the lead. They sniffed around with their noses as they walked, occasionally digging up special ingredients for Ange.
"It looks like we're in for another treat tonight," Ange said happily.
Honk honk~
Honk honk~
Hearing this, the two Oinkologne searched even harder. That lunch meal had left a lingering, wonderful aftertaste! Nasir really hadn't lied to them!
As Ange's group walked, a flock of brilliantly feathered, fast-running bird Pokemon suddenly sprinted toward them. They gradually slowed down as they reached the group.
It turned out to be a flock of Espathra!
Some Espathra carried their babies, Flittle, on their backs.
Flittle can actually fly, but they are slow and certainly couldn't keep up with a running Espathra, so they had to be carried by their parents.
Seeing the Espathra, Ange's eyes lit up. Could he catch one to use as a mount? Thinking of the Espathra mount at Nasir's place, Ange felt a bit envious.
He activated the Eye of Observation to check the data of all the Espathra in front of him. Since he was going to catch one, he naturally wanted one with excellent stats.
Suddenly, Ange's gaze was drawn to one of them. Its stats were incredibly strong; its Special Attack Individual Value was at the maximum, and it was even a Shiny!
However, it had a baby on its back.
After some thought, Ange decided to pass.
A moment later, his gaze was drawn again. This time, the stats were even more outstanding than the one with the baby. Its Speed Individual Value was at the maximum. Although it wasn't a Shiny, it didn't have a baby.
Without a baby to care for, Ange had fewer reservations.
Consequently, Ange pointed at it and shouted, "Espathra, I'm going to catch you!"
Upon hearing this, every Espathra looked at Ange simultaneously. Their eyes, glowing with a strange light, made Ange's skin crawl.
Honk honk~ The Oinkologne hiding behind Arven trembled even more.
Their eyes were so scary!
Chaka~ chaka~
Crybaby Charcadet crawled from the back of the female Oinkologne to the male Oinkologne's back, huddling fearfully into Good Boy Charcadet's arms. Good Boy Charcadet patted its back, softly comforting it.
Chaka~ chaka~ It's okay, I'll protect you!
The Espathra gradually formed a circle, surrounding Ange and the others. The one Ange had pointed at stepped into the circle, walking gracefully toward him.
Espa~
It accepted Ange's challenge.
Under the Eye of Observation, the Espathra's data was as follows:
Espathra Type: Psychic Ability: Speed Boost Gender: Female Level: 49 Moves: Lumina Crash, Growl, Drill Peck, Feather Dance, Confusion, Baby-Doll Eyes, Quick Attack, Disarming Voice, Psybeam, Pluck, Uproar, Agility, Dazzling Gleam, Psychic, Roost Individual Values HP: 24 Attack: 15 Defense: 23 Special Attack: 22 Special Defense: 19 Speed: 31
This Espathra was truly excellent. Its level was high, its overall Individual Values were great, and it knew many moves. However, catching it might be a bit difficult.
This time, Ange didn't dare to step up himself. He patted Komala's belly and said, "Komala, I'm counting on you."
Koma~~
Komala let out a snore and rolled directly from Ange's arms to the ground, slowly making its way in front of the Espathra.
"Begin!" Ange shouted.
As Ange's voice fell, Espathra launched the first attack. It used the signature move of the Espathra line—Lumina Crash!
A ball of energy shining with multicolored light was controlled by Espathra and shot toward Komala.
Komala rocked back and forth while holding its log. Its body suddenly began to spin rapidly. The resulting airflow instantly deflected Espathra's Lumina Crash.
After the Rapid Spin stopped, Komala patted its mouth and let out a huge yawn.
At this point, Espathra hadn't realized what was about to happen. Seeing that Lumina Crash had failed, it used Psychic. Its eyes burst with piercing light, attempting to take control of Komala.
Just like that, Komala was lifted into the mid-air by psychic power.
Just as Espathra intended to throw Komala away, its eyes suddenly closed, and it fell asleep. Komala's Yawn had taken effect.
Komala dropped uncontrollably toward the ground. However, its movements were light. Aside from rolling twice upon landing, it was completely unharmed.
While Espathra was asleep, Komala rolled over to its feet, lifted one of its legs, and slammed it against the ground.
It tried to hold back its strength, otherwise, Espathra might not have been able to withstand it.
Komala used the STAB move, Slam.
Boom!
With a loud crash, a deep pit was smashed into the ground. Espathra lay inside, motionless.
The gap in strength was too large; Espathra couldn't even take one hit from Komala.
Just as Ange pulled out a Poke Ball, the other Espathra turned their heads to look at him. Ange froze, "What? You won't let me catch it? Should I leave?"
Hearing this, the Espathra turned their heads back. They walked over to the pit to check on the downed Espathra. Finally, they stepped out with their long legs and galloped away in a cloud of dust.
No joke, Espathra were Pokemon that valued honor; they wouldn't back out after losing!
Only then did Ange feel safe enough to throw the Poke Ball. The Espathra in the pit turned into a red light and was sucked inside.
Ding~ ding~
The Poke Ball wobbled twice before settling into silence.
Espathra GET DA☆ZE!
Ange walked into the pit to pick up the Poke Ball and picked up Komala, "Thank you, Komala! You were a huge help!"
Komala still gave no reaction, simply rolling over in Ange's arms and blowing a small snot bubble.
Ange opened the Poke Ball, releasing the Espathra, and fed it a berry. After a short while, Espathra slowly woke up.
The first thing it did upon opening its eyes was look at Komala with a gaze full of shock! It considered its own strength to be quite good; in its flock, no one except the leader could beat it. It never expected it wouldn't even be able to withstand a single move from this little guy.
At this moment, Ange's voice pulled its thoughts back.
"Espathra, I look forward to working with you!"
Espathra turned its head to look at Ange and nodded slightly.
It wondered if this human could help it become stronger. It hoped to one day defeat Komala.
At this time, Ange didn't know that an ambitious Pokemon wanted him to train it severely.
After Espathra recovered its strength, Ange asked, "Can I sit on your back?"
He had just caught this Espathra, and its height was at least two meters by sight.
Espathra nodded and then slowly crouched down.
Ange happily called Arven to sit on it as well.
Once Espathra stood up, Ange raised his arm and shouted, "Let's go find Smoliv!"
As soon as he spoke, Espathra bolted forward. Seeing this, Oinkologne and Mabosstiff quickly scrambled to catch up.
"Ahhh!!!"
The screams of Ange and Arven echoed in the air.
Ange and Arven clung tightly to Espathra's neck to keep from being blown off by the headwind.
Ange had forgotten that Nasir's Espathra was trained for riding, while his was not.
"Espathra, slow down! Run slower!" Ange yelled.
Espathra "braked" suddenly, and Ange and Arven were nearly flung off.
Gasping for breath, Ange said to Espathra, "Slow down! Slow down!"
Running like this was simply too thrilling!