"Sent into the military by my older brother."
Zhuge Zi Yu said, a faint smile crossing his face.
Even though his nephew's fishing plan had failed, the fact that it had progressed this far said a lot about him.
Sure, it was a con — but to fool Articuno and drag the Ono clan into it? That took real ability.
Not to mention how highly executable the rest of the plan had been.
If it hadn't been for the Auron Vale complication, the success rate would've been damn near certain.
(The Church interrogation also came through — they followed Auron Vale into the Black Mystery Zone specifically to kill him there.)
"Sending him to the military isn't bad. Your brother finally did something right in the parenting department."
Lu Xing Guo had just finished measuring Archen's data, and while jotting it down, he spoke to Zhuge Zi Yu.
"That's true."
Zhuge Zi Yu gave an awkward laugh. He couldn't argue — it really was the most correct decision his brother had ever made regarding his son's upbringing.
"So, uh, how's Archen looking?"
Zhuge Zi Yu quickly changed the subject. A bit forced, but it worked.
Lu Xing Guo glanced up at him and nodded. "Fine. The numbers line up with what America released. Next step is seeing which other fossils can be revived into Fossil Pokémon."
At that, Zhuge Zi Yu perked up. This he knew.
"Don't worry — the fossils are on their way."
He patted his chest and promised Lu Xing Guo.
…
"Eat together?"
Evening. Lu Xing Guo asked with a teasing tone.
"Uh, my wife probably has dinner ready at home."
Zhuge Zi Yu scratched his head, a little embarrassed. The fossils were stuck on the road — rush hour traffic. What can you do.
Lu Xing Guo stopped teasing him, stretched, and said, "Clocking out. We'll test the new fossils tomorrow."
With that, he headed for the door.
Sure, they hadn't tested many fossils today, but they had finished collecting data on all three Fossil Pokémon that America had publicly released.
On top of that, they'd run a few battles and gotten a good handle on each fossil's leaning.
Omanyte skewed toward Defense and Sp. Atk. Kabuto leaned toward Attack and Defense. And Archen was pure Attack-orientation, plus it was the fastest of the three.
However, they'd also discovered that Archen's Attack dropped a bit every time it lost stamina in battle.
Likely Archen's Ability — but since there was only one specimen, they couldn't confirm if there were other Abilities yet, or whether evolving would change the Ability.
"Relax — tomorrow for sure."
"Sure."
Lu Xing Guo didn't even turn around. He just agreed and headed out.
Zhuge Zi Yu pressed his lips together, compose himself, then said to Auron Vale, "Xiao Ze, I'm heading out too."
"Hey, Zi Yu Uncle, hold on a sec."
"Mm? What's up?"
"Uh — what happens to the Silver Feather?"
Zhuge Zi Yu smiled faintly at Auron Vale. "What do you mean, what happens? Whoever has it, keeps it."
"Huh?"
Auron Vale was genuinely stunned. It was… that simple? Just forgotten?
Zhuge Zi Yu shook his head at Auron Vale's blank stare and explained.
"Xiao Ze, the Silver Feather isn't suited to me. It's different from the Lunar Wing. Both the Silver Feather and the Rainbow Feather represent a legendary's Trial — they're not just simple legendary-summoning items."
"A legendary's Trial?!"
I knew about Ho-Oh's Rainbow Trial, but does Lugia have a Trial too?
"Right. The Rainbow Trial and the Ocean Trial. Those who pass earn a legendary's friendship."
"Wait — does that mean Great Britain already passed the Ocean Trial?"
Zhuge Zi Yu smiled at Auron Vale, then wagged his index finger. "Not quite. A nation's Covenant with a legendary is negotiated between both parties — there's no Trial involved. As long as the legendary takes a liking to you, a Covenant is possible."
"For nations versus individuals, a national Covenant is always the legendary's first choice."
"Oh — I get it now."
Auron Vale nodded. He finally understood the difference between the two types of Covenant. Still fuzzy around the edges, but he grasped the general picture.
"Alright, it's getting late. I'll head out — oh, and remember to tell your classmates: when the Trial comes, make the most of it. A personal Covenant with Lugia would be ideal. Even if you can't get that, at least get on Lugia's good side."
Zhuge Zi Yu clapped Auron Vale on the shoulder, a look of genuine warmth on his face.
"Got it. I'll remember."
Auron Vale nodded, and the two parted ways.
Zhuge Zi Yu went home. Auron Vale went to find his dad, then headed out with Lu Xing Guo.
"Dad, let's go — knock off time."
"Coming."
His dad gave a short reply, typed the last two lines, stood up, and stretched.
"Finally done. Just the Kingdra paper left."
Auron Vale was surprised. "Already? That fast?"
"Damn right it's fast. You think you're talking to an amateur?"
Dad said with exaggerated pride, then packed up his things and headed for the door.
"Oh, and Xiao Ze — I've got a few Pokémonevolve papers pending. You write those for me too."
"Dad, you should head home first. I'll go get your mom and we'll head back together."
Dad flat-out ignored Auron Vale's last remark, turned and walked out, leaving only instructions behind.
Auron Vale smiled. He wouldn't agree? Fine. It'll all be yours eventually. I'm a student — my studies come first.
"Let's go. Home."
Auron Vale stretched just like his dad and Lu Xing Guo had, then released his Aura.
"Hm? Did Electabuzz and the others already go back?"
Looking at the backyard where only a Mawile was already trotting toward the front Pokémon Shop, Auron Vale turned to the Tsun-yuki beside him.
"Come on — Electabuzz probably went with Grandpa, and Mawile went with Mom. It's just us. Let's head back together."
"Osho!"
Tsun-yuki's eyes lit up. She immediately stretched both arms out toward Auron Vale.
"Osho~"
(She wants to be carried.)
Auron Vale dotes on her with a smile, then scoops Tsun-yuki up.
"You're so light. Eat more. Can't be the only one gaining weight."
"Osho~"
"Haha, alright, alright — don't like being called skinny? Fine, fine, I won't say it."
As they talked, Auron Vale walked home carrying Tsun-yuki in his arms.
(This chapter is complete.)
———
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