After putting away the Poke Balls containing Garganacl and the Nacli, Ange did not release them again. This was because the speed of Garganacl and Nacli was far too slow; if he let them walk outside with the group, they wouldn't make it back to the research station until tomorrow morning.
At this time, Ange asked Arven, "Arven, since you want to be a chef, do you want to catch a Nacli as a partner? For a chef, Nacli is a very rare and valuable partner."
Although children in the Pokemon world theoretically cannot hold Pokemon until they are ten years old, there is a method called foster care. This involves temporarily registering the Pokemon under the name of a parent or older sibling and then taking them back after turning ten.
Arven's Mabosstiff was handled this way.
Besides, Arven was not far from turning ten.
Arven was stunned for a moment; he hadn't yet considered the issue of catching his own Pokemon.
"Can I... really?" Arven asked, looking up at Ange.
Ange said with a smile, "You have to ask the Nacli that."
Hearing this, Arven turned toward the group of Nacli and asked, "Would any of you like to come with me?"
The scene was quiet for an instant. Finally, a tiny Nacli stepped out from the pack.
Nac~
However, it was not a Pokemon that would allow itself to be caught easily.
Ange reminded Arven, "It's inviting you to a battle. Quick, go on."
"Oh! Oh!" Arven finally reacted and pointed to Mabosstiff. "Mabosstiff, I'm counting on you."
Mabosstiff nodded, leaped in front of the Nacli, and stood its ground.
The outcome of the battle was never in doubt. That Nacli was just a baby Pokemon, and Mabosstiff handled it with ease.
Arven threw a Poke Ball, and the Nacli turned into red light as it was drawn inside. With a clicking sound, the capture was successful.
Arven ran over to pick up the Poke Ball and brought it back to Ange and Mabosstiff. "Mabosstiff, Brother Ange, I caught a Nacli!"
This was the first time he had caught a Pokemon himself, so he was very excited, his face flushed with a faint red glow.
"Not bad. Well done," Ange said, giving him a thumbs up and encouraging him.
Arven carefully released the Nacli and took an Oran Berry from his backpack to feed it. Before long, the Nacli opened its eyes again.
Arven's habit of carrying Berries was something he had learned from Ange. Different Berries had different effects: some restored stamina, some cured poison, some cured burns, and others cured confusion or paralysis. In short, they could play a very important role at critical moments.
After the Nacli woke up, it hopped around Arven's feet, clearly having accepted him.
At this moment, the Garganacl leader walked over to Ange and Arven and broke off a piece of its body to hand to them. The parts that fell from its body were precious rock salt, which was not only a seasoning but also an important material for healing.
Since ancient times, Nacli, Naclstack, and Garganacl have been highly valued by the people of the Paldea region.
Ange was startled by Garganacl's action and looked at the gap in its body. "Are you going to be okay like this?"
Garganacl shook its head. As long as its body took in enough rock components, it could regrow quickly. If it learned Recover, the process would be even faster. As long as its core parts weren't damaged, it didn't affect them.
They often polished their own bodies against rocks to grind away excess growth; otherwise, their bodies would grow heavier and eventually become a burden.
The parts they ground off were the rock salt that people loved to collect.
Garganacl were very gentle Pokemon. They often shared their rock salt with injured Pokemon to heal their wounds.
Garganacl shared its rock salt with Ange and Arven in the hope that they would treat its kin well in the future.
Taking the rock salt, Ange solemnly said to the Garganacl leader, "I will definitely take good care of Garganacl and the two Nacli. Don't worry."
Arven also took the rock salt and said with a serious face, "I will take good care of Nacli too."
Garganacl nodded in satisfaction, its eyes crinkling into crescents.
Seeing that it was getting late, Ange bid farewell to the group. "Well then, Garganacl... and Naclstack and Nacli, we'll be going now."
Garganacl nodded and raised its hand to wave to them.
As soon as they left the rocky area, Pawmi couldn't wait and reached out its hand toward Ange.
Paw paw~
Ange said, "I know, I won't forget you!" He took out a cucumber and handed it to Pawmi.
Pawmi took the cucumber and munched on it happily.
A single cucumber didn't last long, and Pawmi finished it in no time.
Looking at its empty hands and then at Ange sitting on Espathra's back, Pawmi felt a sense of loss.
It's gone again...
When they returned to the research station, Diancie had already set out the table and chairs at the entrance, just waiting for Ange to return and cook.
Seeing Ange return, Diancie waved to him with a sweet smile.
"Ange, you're back!"
As Ange climbed down from Espathra's back, he asked, "We're back. Has the research on you by the professors finished?"
Diancie shook its head. "Not yet. It should continue this afternoon."
Ange nodded and asked a few questions about the research content before summoning Munchlax and Drizzile from home.
"Munchlax, Drizzile, how are things at the shop today?" Ange asked.
Munch munch~ It's going very well, Master.
Munchlax approached Ange affectionately and grabbed his hand as it answered.
Driz driz~ With me there, there are no problems!
Drizzile gave a proud thumbs up.
"Thank you both for your hard work!" Ange reached out and rubbed the heads of his two apprentices.
Munchlax squinted its eyes, enjoying its master's touch with a sense of pride and satisfaction, while a hint of a blush flashed across Drizzile's proud face.
Next, Ange released the Garganacl and the two Nacli and introduced them to everyone.
Everyone gave the new companions a warm welcome. Feeling the group's enthusiasm, the initially worried Garganacl and Nacli soon bonded with everyone.
Seeing the Pokemon getting along so harmoniously, Ange said with satisfaction, "For lunch today, let's cook with the rock salt Garganacl gave us and see how it differs from ordinary salt!"
Ohhh~~
The Pokemon cheered, full of anticipation for today's lunch.
Ange took out a bowl, placed the chunks of rock salt inside, and began to grind them gently with a pestle, intending to turn them into fine salt.
At this point, Diancie walked over and said, "Leave this to me."
Ange nodded and handed over the bowl and pestle.
"What should we eat for lunch today?" Ange asked.
Munch munch~ Fish!
Munchlax was the first to raise its hand; it loved eating fish the most.
"Alright, we'll steam a fish then. But I'm out of fish here, Munchlax, you'll have to go back home to get one!" Ange said.
Munch munch~ No problem.
Seeing that its master had accepted its suggestion, Munchlax hopped around happily.
Ange sent Munchlax back home, and a moment later, it returned holding a large fish that was almost as long as itself.
The fish originally kept in the fifth-floor pool of the Secret Fortress had long been eaten. This one was newly caught from Lake Nebel outside the breeding center by the Water-type Pokemon.
Looking at the big fish, Ange thought for a moment and said, "We'll make a diced chili fish head with the head, and a fresh fish and tofu pot with the body." He then assigned the tasks. "Munchlax will make the diced chili fish head, and Drizzile will handle the fresh fish and tofu pot."
Munch munch~
Munchlax immediately went to process the fish with great enthusiasm.
Driz driz~
Drizzile quickly chased after it to help.
Then Ange said to Arven, "Arven, can you help me out?"
"Mhm! Okay." Arven was also full of energy.
The thought of his father and mother eating the food he helped prepare made Arven feel incredibly expectant.
"Let's clean these vegetables." As he spoke, Ange took out a pile of vegetables and placed them on the ground.
Dolliv and Charcadet immediately gathered around to help upon seeing this.
Ange demonstrated as he cleaned them. "Look, just remove the roots and the old leaves."
"And for this one, keep the tender parts and remove the tough ones."
With the help of Arven, Dolliv, and Charcadet, Ange soon finished preparing the vegetables.
As time passed, a rich aroma gradually rose and drifted further and further away.
Ange took a bite of the stir-fried greens he had just made with the rock salt, and his eyes lit up.
These greens were grown at Ange's home and were already tender and juicy. Even a simple stir-fry would be delicious.
Now that the rock salt was added, the freshness of the vegetables seemed to be magnified countless times. it was incredibly tasty.
Moreover, the stir-fried greens coming out of the pan were bright in color and dripping with freshness. Whether it was due to the rock salt or Dolliv's oil, they even had a color-enhancing effect.
Regardless, Ange had never cooked such beautiful greens using ordinary oil and salt before.
As one dish after another was completed, the aroma permeating the air became even more intense.
Honk honk~
Honk honk~
The two Oinkologne sniffed the air and circled excitedly at Ange's feet.
Ange said with a laugh, "Stop circling me, you two. I might step on you and spill the food I just finished."
That wouldn't do!
Hearing this, the two Oinkologne obediently ran to the side and lay down, quietly watching Ange cook while occasionally licking the drool from the corners of their mouths.
In the grass nearby, a Pawmi that had followed the scent poked its head out. It wiped the drool from its mouth, grabbed a handful of grass to stuff into its mouth, and then spat it out with a "ptui."
Lunch was just about ready when the two professors, Romeo, and the researchers followed the scent out.
Everyone sat at the table happily, eating and chatting. The atmosphere was very lively. Arven even introduced his newly caught Nacli to his father and mother.
Both professors were very happy for Arven.
A picnic cloth was spread out on the grass, letting Espathra, Garganacl, Nacli, and Oinkologne—who weren't suited for the table—sit and eat together.
Ange didn't sit at the table either. He sat on the cloth with Arven and Romeo, accompanying the Pokemon as if on a picnic.
Diancie and Munchlax were very gentle. One held a rice bowl and the other a vegetable bowl. Whenever they saw a Pokemon that needed more rice or food, they would walk over with the bowls.
Seeing this, Ange said, "Diancie, Munchlax, stop working so hard and sit down to eat with us."
"Coming!" Diancie replied.
Munch munch~ I know, Master!
The three Nacli were eating human food for the first time. It was so delicious that more than half of their bodies were buried in their bowls. They were eating with pure joy.
No one noticed that a small mound of earth suddenly rose on the grass, and that mound was rapidly approaching the picnic cloth.
Soon, the mound reached the edge of the cloth. A Pokemon wearing a piece of sod on its head quietly revealed its eyes.
The Nacli was eating happily and couldn't help but squint its eyes. At that moment, a fat, short little paw reached out from under the sod. With lightning speed, it snatched a piece of fish from the Nacli's bowl.
Because it was only one piece, the Nacli didn't notice.
Under the sod, that Pokemon impatiently stuffed the fish into its mouth and then sucked its fingers happily.
Paw~~~ So delicious!
Relishing the taste of the fish, this Pokemon couldn't resist. It quietly lifted the sod on its head again and reached its hand out, trying to swipe another piece of fish.
When the Nacli lowered its head, it happened to see a fat little hand holding a piece of fish and about to retract.
Nac~
The Nacli gave a cry of surprise and instinctively used Rock Tomb. It hit the fat little hand with precision, instantly causing it to swell. Yet, even so, it didn't let go of the fish. Instead, it quickly pulled its hand back into the burrow with the meat.
"What happened, Nacli?" Ange asked after hearing the commotion.
Nac~ nac~
The Nacli kept crying out while looking at that piece of sod.
Suddenly, the sod bulged up and turned into a small mound that fled into the distance.
"What on earth is that?" Ange exclaimed in surprise.
Before Ange could react, Espathra had already lunged forward with its long legs. It used Peck, accurately striking the small mound.
With a yelp, the mound was overturned, and a yellow Pokemon was dug out. it lay on the ground with its limbs spread wide. Its mouth was covered in oil. After coming out, it wiped its mouth hard and didn't forget to smack its lips twice.
Who else could it be but Pawmi?
Nac~ nac~
The Nacli yelled angrily at the Pawmi, accusing it of stealing its food.
Pawmi didn't care. It scrambled up and tried to use Dig to escape, but Espathra had already grabbed the back of its neck with its beak. No matter how much it struggled, it couldn't get away.
Paw paw paw~ Let me go! Let me go! Or I won't be polite!
Pawmi yelled loudly.
Ange said between laughter and tears, "You still think you're in the right? You clearly stole someone else's food."
Nac~ nac~
The Nacli echoed Ange loudly.
Paw paw~ What's the big deal about eating a little bit!
Pawmi was quite self-righteous.
"Hey, you fellow, you're pretty wild!" Ange was amused by it.
Suddenly, Pawmi said something startling:
Paw paw~~ I stole food. Since you want to punish me, then punish me by making me your Pokemon.
As long as it became this human's Pokemon, wouldn't it be able to eat whatever it wanted in the future? Hehe~
Pawmi's plan was working perfectly.
Ange: ...
"No... are you serious?"
How did he suddenly feel that this Pawmi had planned this all along? Could it be that it really had its eye on him?
Paw paw~ Yes, yes! I'm also doing this quite reluctantly.
Pawmi nodded solemnly.
"If that's the case, then forget it. I don't want to force you," Ange said on purpose.
Pawmi became anxious upon hearing this.
Paw paw~ Don't! Don't! I'm very strong. You should be happy to have me as your Pokemon.
"Just you?" Ange looked at Pawmi with a skeptical gaze.
Paw~ Of course!
Pawmi puffed out its chest proudly. It was the unrivaled champion among its kin, which was why it had come out to train alone. However, it hadn't expected that training alone wouldn't be easy, and it often had to go hungry.
Hearing Pawmi's words, Ange couldn't help but open the Eye of Observation. While traveling with Pawmi earlier, he really hadn't paid attention to its data.
Pawmi
Type: Electric
Ability: Iron Fist
Gender: Male
Level: 18
Moves: Scratch, Growl, Thunder Shock, Quick Attack, Charge, Nuzzle, Dig, Thief, Thunder Punch, Angel Kiss.
Individual Values
HP: 29
Attack: 31
Defense: 31
Special Attack: 30
Special Defense: 30
Speed: 31
After finishing the reading, Ange was stunned. He had actually encountered a top-tier Pokemon. These individual values... were the most luxurious he had seen among Pokemon, except for Diancie.
Furthermore, it had even learned Thunder Punch!
Logically, a Pawmi shouldn't be able to learn Thunder Punch in its initial stage. It's only possible when it evolves into Pawmo or Pawmot.
Yet this Pawmi had learned it ahead of time.
Ange couldn't help but ask, "Are you really a genius?"
Paw~ Of course!
Pawmi nodded proudly.
Paw paw~ Do you know how great I am now? Quickly catch me!
This really had to be caught! Ange thought to himself.
Although he wasn't a Trainer, his heart inevitably itched when encountering such an excellent Pokemon, especially since Pawmi had actively offered itself.
Besides... Pawmi was very cute. It was furry and round; it would definitely feel good to hold in his arms.
Ange: "Then I won't be polite!"
Paw paw~ Come on, come on!
Pawmi's neck was held by Espathra's beak, and its entire body swung in the air like a pendulum. Combined with its "bring it on" expression, it was both hilarious and cute.
Ange took out a Poke Ball and threw it at Pawmi. Pawmi immediately turned into red light and was drawn inside.
Thump~ thump~
The Poke Ball wobbled on the grass for a while before finally settling with a click.
Capture successful!
The little genius, cocky Pawmi GET DA☆ZE!
Releasing Pawmi once more, Ange said to it, "Pawmi, I look forward to working with you!"
But Pawmi simply hugged his calf and said impatiently:
Paw paw~ Tasty food! Give me tasty food quickly!
"Fine, fine, fine! I'll give you food right now!" Ange said helplessly.