Looking at the identically smug expressions on trainer and Pokémon alike, Auron Vale couldn't help but pull up Toby's data.
Pokémon: Togepi
Gender: Female
Type: Fairy
Ability: Super Luck (More likely to land critical hits in battle; luckier outside of battle.)
Quality: Purple
Base Skills: Growl, Pound, Sweet Kiss.
Inherited Skills: Healing Bell, Mystical Fire, Morning Light.
After seeing Toby's information, Auron Vale's lips curved into a grin as he turned to look at Soren Li with unmistakable schadenfreude.
"You didn't just find out Toby has the Treasure Hunt ability, did you?"
Soren Li's composure cracked. "Wh-What? No way. I knew already. Why wouldn't I know my own Pokémon's ability?"
"You knew, and you still tried to stop Toby just now?"
"I was worried she'd get hurt."
"Don't backpedal. What's Toby's ability?"
Soren Li faltered, then said, less than confidently: "Super Luck?"
"Thick as a brick. You definitely didn't know!"
Jace Rowan practically bounced with glee. "If you'd known, you wouldn't have reacted like that."
"Fine. I really didn't know."
Exposed, Soren Li hung his head. "She was born just recently, and she's been inside her Poké Ball the whole time. How was I supposed to know?"
"Toby～"
When Toby saw Soren Li looking so dejected, she waddled over and, after signaling for Greninja to lift her up, patted Soren Li's head consolingly.
"It's okay, Toby. I'm fine, really."
Soren Li laughed, taking Toby from Greninja's arms, then tossed his head proudly and strode ahead.
"Hmph! Ducklett!"
After that little episode, the group pressed forward.
The tunnel was home almost entirely to Rock- and Ground-type Pokémon — mostly Geodude, Graveler, Sandshrew, Diglett, and Dugtrio. None of them were particularly strong; about on par with Beautifly Camp.
Electabuzz led the charge, frost crackling around its fists as it carved through Diglett after Diglett with barely any effort.
Just as they were nearing the tunnel exit, Electabuzz sent a sudden Sandshrew flying with a Frost Punch — and a creamy white light erupted around it.
"Lek?"
Auron Vale, watching from behind, could have wept with joy. Electabuzz, you finally evolved.
"Lek!"
And just like that, Electabuzz had evolved into Electabuzz.
Electabuzz. To Electabuzz, it didn't seem to make much difference — still one-punching Dugtrio, still one-punching Sandshrew.
Right beside Electabuzz, Farfetch'd watched the slaughter with undisguised envy.
He wanted to evolve too. He could already feel it — the moment Electabuzz crossed that threshold, it had gotten so much stronger.
Determination hardening in its eyes, Farfetch'd gritted its beak and threw itself into the fight with renewed focus.
The newly learned Brick Break was starting to come naturally now.
The small ones fought up front; the larger ones watched from behind.
Only when something like a Graveler appeared — beyond what the little ones could handle — would the bigger Pokémon step in to finish it off. Everything else was left to the junior squad.
A pack of Pokémon carving through the tunnel's defenders — none of the local wildlife stood a chance.
Soon, Auron Vale's group emerged from the tunnel.
"Lek!"
"Electabuzz! Way to go!"
Auron Vale slapped Electabuzz on the shoulder in praise. "Keep grinding. Let's see if you can evolve straight into Electabuzz when we get back."
"Lek!"
Electabuzz thumped its chest, battle-hunger blazing, and immediately turned to charge back into the tunnel.
"Whoa, whoa —"
Auron Vale grabbed Electabuzz in time.
"Head forward. There are opponents up there too."
"Lek!"
Electabuzz agreed without a trace of embarrassment, and immediately charged to the front of the line to lead the way.
"Full of energy, huh? I was actually thinking I'd have my Gastly fight your Electabuzz, see if it could pull off a win — and then yours evolves right in front of me. Tsk."
"Hmph."
Auron Vale shot Soren Li a withering look and didn't bother responding.
Sure, Gastly versus Electabuzz. Why not have Gastly fight Crobat while he's at it?
"Seriously though — rematch when we get back?"
Auron Vale didn't even turn around as he waved a hand. "We'll see."
"Deal."
Soren Li readily agreed, then trotted after Auron Vale with a grin.
Between the tunnel and Ice Land stretched a grassland.
The group found a low depression in the prairie and set up camp there, planning to rest the night and head for Ice Land come morning.
They'd emerged from the tunnel after dark already, so there was no question of pressing on to Ice Land at night — too many variables. Better to wait for daylight, especially since everyone was hungry.
With the tents up and Golden Spray spread around the perimeter, they gathered in the largest tent to eat.
The big tent belonged to Auron Vale — thanks to Snorlax, it was closer to a yurt than a camping tent.
The technology of this Pokémon world was odd: some things lagged behind Auron Vale's previous life, some far exceeded it.
Take this tent, for instance. When set up it resembled a yurt, but the assembly process was remarkably convenient. Nowhere near one-touch, but one person could have it ready in about ten minutes.
Once up, it was windproof, and a small generator outside powered all the appliances inside. The air conditioning, for instance.
The others' tents weren't as grand, but they had all the essentials too.
"What do you all want? Canned food, rice bowls, or curry rice?"
"Curry rice!"
"Rice bowl!"
"..."
The poll yielded five curry rice orders and three rice bowls.
Auron Vale cracked open three vegetable cans to go with the meals.
The rice bowls and curry rice had their components — rice, toppings, curry — packaged separately, kept warm in insulated containers, still hot.
The Pokémon, meanwhile, got Auron Vale's handmade Energy Cubes and Pokémon food.
They hadn't brought much in the way of Pokémon snacks — limited backpack space.
Snorlax misery-gulped down a satiating-type Energy Cube, then morosely picked up the bowl of Pokémon food in front of it.
"Arf!"
It devoured the entire plate of Pokémon food in one bite, then shot Auron Vale a resentful look and flopped down.
[Time to slack off!]
Auron Vale shook his head with a fond laugh, then carried his curry rice over and sat beside Snorlax.
"Here — half for you, half for me. Just these two days. I'll cook something good when we get back."
It wasn't just Snorlax. None of Auron Vale's Pokémon were happy eating standard Pokémon food.
Their palates had been ruined by the real thing. Auron Vale's own Pokémon food was better than store-bought, sure — but it couldn't hold a candle to a bowl of steaming spicy curry.
The Pokémon brightened a little at Auron Vale's promise and went back to their bowls with renewed appetite.
Snorlax turned its head, eyeing the curry rice and swallowing hard. Then it firmly shook its head and turned back.
It couldn't. If it ate, it would eat the whole thing, and then Xiaozé would have nothing left.
Auron Vale chuckled, scooped a spoonful of rice and curry, and held it to Snorlax's mouth. "Come on — just one bite to change the taste."
Snorlax hesitated. In the end, the temptation was too strong. It opened wide and accepted the spoonful.
But after that one bite, no amount of persuasion or coaxing could get it to take another.
Auron Vale gave up and started eating on his own.
But when he was down to the very last bite, Mini dragged itself over, squirming shyly, clearly wanting a taste of something different too.
And so, to the sound of Auron Vale's helpless laughter, Mini scarfed down the final bite of curry rice.
———
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