Above Alto Mare, Lin Feng had only been waiting a short while and was just about to explore the city himself when a familiar figure rushed toward him.
Latias appeared out of nowhere.
She flew straight at him, scooped him onto her back, and immediately turned around, heading back the way she came. There was still a trace of tension on her face.
"Woo woo woo" (Let's go, let's go!)
In less than three seconds, they returned to the same stretch of water as before. Then, just like Lin Feng had done earlier, she tapped the surface.
To his surprise, Giratina, who had been waiting below, opened a passage to the Reverse World again, allowing Latias to bring him through.
Only after they entered did Lin Feng fully process what had just happened.
He hesitated, then asked, "Wait… Latias, didn't you just reach an agreement with your brother?"
Latias turned her head, looking completely unconcerned.
"Woo? Woo woo woo!" (So what? I wanted to leave!)
Lin Feng froze.
Honestly, when Latias went back to ask her brother for permission, he had been a little worried. In the original story, Latios was calm and rational. As for Latias, aside from her lively personality, her deeper traits were harder to pin down.
But he had not expected this.
She had a rebellious streak.
Thinking about it carefully, though, it made sense. Even in the movie, she had secretly brought Ash into the hidden garden. From a logical standpoint, outsiders should never have been allowed in, especially a tourist.
Lin Feng inhaled slowly, then asked, "Aren't you afraid your brother will scold you when you go back?"
Latias lifted her chin proudly.
"Woo…" (He wouldn't have the heart to.)
Lin Feng clicked his tongue. The image of their everyday sibling dynamic immediately formed in his mind.
Latias added, a little softer this time, "Woo woo woo…" (Besides, he's just worried about me. After a few days, when he sees nothing bad happens, he won't stop me anymore.)
Lin Feng did not press further. Instead, he asked carefully, "Then… shall we go?"
(o(￣▽￣)o): "Woo woo woo~" (Let's go!)
(ヾ(•ω•`)o): "Wuwuwu?" (What do we do during work?)
Lin Feng smiled. "Don't worry. Gardevoir will teach you everything. How to make Pokéblocks, how to cook different kinds of food. Once you learn, you'll even be able to cook for yourself back in Alto Mare."
"Woo?" (Really?)
"Yes, really."
February 14th.
No ribbon-cutting ceremony. No grand announcement.
The neighborhood nursery opened just like that, quietly and simply.
But the moment the doors opened that morning, the customers who had been waiting outside instantly came alive.
"I knew it! We guessed right. As soon as Lin opens, things are going to change inside. Hurry, hurry!"
"Keep it down, don't cause a scene!"
Several early customers walked in while chatting, their eyes lighting up the moment they stepped inside.
This year was completely different from last year.
Previously, Pokéblocks had been displayed outdoors, and once they sold out, that was it for the day.
But now, there were no Pokéblocks on the counter.
Instead, rows of storage spheres were neatly arranged, each labeled with detailed descriptions of the Pokéblocks inside.
In other words, every single one was fully stocked.
"No way… is the supply unlimited this year?"
"How much can those storage spheres even hold?"
Since it was opening day, Eldegoss was at the counter, and Lin Feng was there as well.
"Brother Lin, Brother Lin!"
Someone quickly approached him.
"Why are these Pokéblocks so cheap?"
He pointed at a display on the most prominent shelf.
It was the only section where Pokéblocks were shown openly. Compared to the others, these had faint bubble-like spots on their surfaces.
Lin Feng cleared his throat.
"These are recovery-type Pokéblocks made from Oran Berries. They're made by a beginner, so the price is lower. Don't worry, though. The taste is just slightly off, and the effect is a bit weaker."
There was no doubt in his mind.
These were Latias' creations.
Her control over psychic energy, both in precision and strength, was far inferior to Gardevoir's. Making high-quality Pokéblocks required extremely fine energy control.
At first, Lin Feng had assumed that as a Legendary Pokémon, even a young Latias would naturally excel at this.
Reality proved otherwise.
The moment she entered the kitchen, chaos followed.
Her lack of control had nearly caused an explosion in the berry mixer. If Lin Feng had not stepped in with his own psychic abilities, the entire kitchen might have been blown apart.
No wonder she had struggled so much in battle before.
He was now fairly certain that neither Latias nor Latios had ever received any proper training since birth.
With no other choice, Lin Feng decided to start from the basics. Teach her the full process first, then gradually introduce food that could improve energy control.
After all, she was his chosen "employee."
He had to see it through.
Back in the shop, the customers nodded in agreement.
"Brother Lin really should take on apprentices. With this many people, how can supply ever keep up?"
"Work harder if you have to, but don't let us run out of stock!"
Someone laughed.
"Isn't Brother Lin the Horizon League Champion this year? That means a Champion is making Pokéblocks for us!"
"Taking apprentices? What are the requirements? How much does it cost? I want to learn too!"
"Take me as your student, big brother! I can serve tea and do chores!"
"I'm not taking students," Lin Feng finally said, cutting off the growing enthusiasm.
The customers looked disappointed, but they understood. For a breeder, unless teaching full-time, taking apprentices was rare.
Soon, their attention shifted back to the beginner-made Pokéblocks.
They did not look great, but since Lin Feng was selling them, the quality could not be bad.
At worst, just a little rough around the edges.
They released their Pokémon to try them.
A Butterfree, a Heracross, and a Pidgeotto.
After one bite, all three Pokémon lit up with delight.
They had not tasted this flavor in a long time.
Watching this, Lin Feng finally relaxed.
The flaws were superficial. The ingredients came from his farm, and the process was his. Even if the appearance was off, the overall taste remained solid.
He did not stay long.
He had intentionally avoided promoting today's opening online. If the visuals were poor, it might attract negative feedback. That would not matter much for him, but it would matter to Latias.
This was her first batch.
She cared deeply about whether people liked it.
Leaving the shop floor, Lin Feng stepped outside.
Near the back door, a small red-haired head peeked out cautiously.
"Looks like everyone likes your Pokéblocks," he said gently.
"Woo…" Latias nodded seriously, though the slight curve of her lips gave away her happiness.
"How's your brother?" Lin Feng asked.
It had been four days.
If Latios still refused, things could get complicated.
"Woo woo woo" (Hmph after eating what I made, he didn't say anything. Just told me to be careful and stay safe.)
She smiled, clearly pleased.
Lin Feng nodded in relief. As long as Latios did not object, everything would be easier.
"Keep learning from Gardevoir. Focus on improving your energy control."
"Woo woo woo…" (Mm-hmm~)
Latias skipped off happily.
To her, this job was wonderful.
She never had to worry about food, could go home every day, and learned new skills constantly. Most importantly, Lin Feng's cooking was far beyond anything she had ever tasted.
Even better, she could learn to make it herself.
The more she thought about it, the more energized she felt.
Study hard. Work hard.
Behind her, Lin Feng glanced at her status panel.
Latias
Female
Ability: Levitate
Type: Dragon, Psychic
Potential: Gold
Stats: HP 25, Attack 25, Sp. Atk 30, Defense 31, Sp. Def 31, Speed 31
Power Level: 44 to 47
Moves: Charm, Charge, Helping Hand, Recover, Psychic, Tailwind, Dragon Breath, Dragon Pulse, Mist Ball, Dragon Dance
Affinity: 70
Strong, but untrained.
He shook his head and returned to his room.
There was something else on his mind.
Mew.
According to Latias, Mew had suddenly left, as if responding to some kind of call.
Nothing should be happening at the Tree of Beginning right now. Still, neither Mew nor Jirachi had contacted him in days.
That uneasy feeling lingered.
At the Indigo Plateau in the Kanto region, flames burned high into the sky. The sacred fire blazed brilliantly, a signature of Moltres.
The annual Indigo League tournament was underway.
Now, the competition had reached the Top 16.
On the battlefield, Ash shouted desperately, "Get up!"
But Pikachu did not move.
Exhausted, Ash clenched his Poké Ball.
"Charizard… I'm counting on you."
Charizard emerged lazily.
When it saw the opponent's Charmander, its fighting spirit dropped immediately, replaced by disinterest.
The match began.
Even after the opponent's Charmander evolved into Charmeleon mid-battle, it still stood no chance against a fully evolved Charizard.
Ash thought victory was certain.
Then the opponent sent out Pikachu.
Charizard lay down and closed its eyes, ignoring Ash completely, ready to sleep.
But suddenly, it froze.
A pink figure appeared in its vision.
Charizard's entire body trembled. It leapt to its feet instantly, wings spreading wide.
At the same moment, that pink figure drifted down and merged into the opponent's Pikachu.
Charizard stared, instincts screaming danger.
It remembered.
That Pokémon was terrifying.
"Sparkie, Quick Attack!"
The opponent's Pikachu moved.
Its speed was two or three times faster than before, leaving the entire stadium stunned.
"Roar!"
Charizard's battle spirit surged at last, charging forward.
High above the battlefield, a small pink, cat-like Pokémon floated in the air, watching with a mischievous grin.
Beside it hovered another tiny figure.
Victini.
Both of them watched the match below, quietly laughing.
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