At the same time, the two Charcadet also set out on their Oinkologne today to go on an adventure.
Their destination for today was the forest on the eastern side of the plateau.
Each Charcadet rode an Oinkologne, galloping across the grassland and heading straight for the forest. They had to be fast, or they wouldn't make it in time.
However, halfway there, they suddenly saw a dark shadow whistle past overhead.
The two Oinkologne were startled into an emergency brake. The Crybaby Charcadet lost its grip and face-planted directly onto the ground.
Chaka chaka~
With a mouthful of grass, it immediately lay there and began to wail loudly.
The Goody-two-shoes Charcadet quickly tumbled down from the male Oinkologne's back and ran to the Crybaby Charcadet's side, bending over to pick it up.
Chaka chaka~ There, there, don't cry! Don't cry!
Goody-two-shoes Charcadet held Crybaby Charcadet, gently patting its back.
Honk honk~
The female Oinkologne quickly apologized to the Crybaby Charcadet.
Chaka chaka~
While wiping its tears, the Crybaby Charcadet signaled that it wasn't the Oinkologne's fault; it simply hadn't held on tight enough.
Honk honk~ What was that flying past just now?
The male Oinkologne asked at this moment.
Chaka~
Honk honk~
Goody-two-shoes and the female Oinkologne shook their heads simultaneously; the speed was too fast, and they hadn't seen clearly.
Chaka chaka~ I saw Komala... being held in the arms... of the dark shadow...
The Crybaby Charcadet suddenly spoke up.
The two Oinkologne and the Goody-two-shoes Charcadet were stunned. Suddenly, a flash of inspiration hit the Goody-two-shoes Charcadet: Chaka chaka~ Could that be Komala's drinking buddy?
Everyone on the plateau knew about Komala's mysterious drinking buddy, but no one had ever seen the buddy's true face.
Honk honk~ It's possible.
The two Oinkologne nodded in agreement.
Chaka chaka~ Let's continue our journey!
Goody-two-shoes Charcadet helped Crybaby Charcadet back onto the female Oinkologne's back and nimbly climbed onto the male Oinkologne himself.
Honk honk~
Honk honk~
The two Oinkologne began to sprint again. Although they weren't good at fighting, they were very confident in their stamina and could run for a long time without feeling tired.
After running for an unknown amount of time, the grassland in their vision gradually disappeared, replaced by tall trees.
However, due to the season, these trees were all bare.
Once they entered the forest, the speed of the two Oinkologne slowed down, and the two Charcadet switched to walking.
Stepping on the ground covered in withered leaves, the Crybaby Charcadet suddenly let out a cry.
Chaka~ What's wrong?
Goody-two-shoes Charcadet asked.
The Crybaby Charcadet squatted down and pushed aside the dead leaves. A touch of tender green appeared in the sight of the four Pokémon.
The two Oinkologne and the Goody-two-shoes Charcadet gathered around instinctively.
Chaka~ Spring is coming!
Goody-two-shoes Charcadet said, carefully touching the sprout.
Honk honk~~
The female Oinkologne signaled everyone to look up. The other three Pokémon followed its gaze and saw a bit of new green appearing on the tip of a tree branch as well.
Spring really was coming. The Pokémon were very excited; the arrival of spring meant that more food ingredients would appear in the forest.
Honk honk~~ Let's go.
The male Oinkologne said.
Thus, the Pokémon stepped with light paces toward the depths of the forest.
As they walked, Goody-two-shoes' eyes suddenly lit up. It ran quickly to a shriveled fruit, bent down to pick it up, and excitedly showed it to the Oinkologne.
Chaka chaka~ Look what I found!
The female Oinkologne walked over and sniffed it.
Honk honk~ It's a rotten fruit, throw it away!
Chaka~ Oh...
Goody-two-shoes Charcadet nodded dejectedly. In the past, this would have been a treasure to it!
However, it soon changed its mood and became happy again. Indeed, it no longer needed to treat such things as treasures.
On the other side, the Crybaby Charcadet was sticking its butt out while searching for something in the dry grass.
Chaka chaka~
Suddenly, it gave an excited cry and pulled its head out of the grass, holding something up.
Chaka chaka~ Throw it away, quickly!
Goody-two-shoes Charcadet shouted.
However, just as it finished speaking, a weak current erupted from the thing the Crybaby Charcadet was holding, surging from the top of its head down to its feet.
Crybaby Charcadet jolted from the shock and instinctively let go. The object scurried into another patch of grass and disappeared in the blink of an eye.
It turned out that what the Crybaby Charcadet had been holding was a Dedenne. The Dedenne had been startled, so it used Thundershock.
However, Dedenne's strength was not great, and it didn't cause much damage to the Crybaby Charcadet.
Chaka~ It doesn't hurt, I can endure it!
Tears welled up in Crybaby Charcadet's eyes as it put on a face of forced restraint. Goody-two-shoes Charcadet immediately stepped forward to praise it.
As time passed, the four Pokémon walked and stopped, searching and rummaging through the woods. Before they knew it, they had reached the depths of the forest.
Honk honk~
Suddenly, the female Oinkologne's nose twitched. It began to dig fiercely at the ground and soon pulled out a golden seed.
It was actually a Miracle Seed!
The male Oinkologne and the two Charcadet immediately surrounded it.
Chaka chaka~ Wow~ what a beautiful seed.
Crybaby Charcadet exclaimed in awe.
Goody-two-shoes also looked at the female Oinkologne with envy.
Miracle Seeds are formed by accident in nature from ordinary seeds under various factors. They possess miraculous power, and if a Pokémon wears one, the power of its Grass-type moves increases.
Honk honk~ Honey, you're amazing.
The male Oinkologne leaned close to the female Oinkologne and affectionately rubbed its head.
After enjoying her boyfriend's praise, the female Oinkologne used her foot to push the Miracle Seed over to the Goody-two-shoes Charcadet.
Honk honk~ Quick, put it away.
Goody-two-shoes Charcadet nodded quickly, then took the Miracle Seed and put it into the backpack on its back.
Goody-two-shoes Charcadet was wearing a Compression Backpack. It was Ange's item, bought to act as a cover for the System's inventory. Since Ange didn't need it at home, he lent it to the Charcadet when they went out exploring.
After storing the Miracle Seed, the four Pokémon continued forward.
After walking for an unknown amount of time, the male Oinkologne also let out a cry of surprise. It dug fiercely at the ground covered in rotting leaves and soon pulled out an orange stone shaped like the sun.
It was a Sun Stone.
Chaka~
Chaka~
Crybaby Charcadet and Goody-two-shoes Charcadet ran over quickly, looking at the male Oinkologne with admiration.
The male Oinkologne proudly pushed the Sun Stone toward the Goody-two-shoes Charcadet, signaling for it to put it away. Goody-two-shoes Charcadet nodded obediently.
The female Oinkologne walked over and gently rubbed her head against her boyfriend, forcing the two Charcadet to eat a serving of dog food... no, pig food.
The four Pokémon then continued their exploration. However, as they walked, both Oinkologne sighed deeply at the same time, very dissatisfied with today's haul.
Didn't we agree to come out and find food ingredients? Why have we only found a held item and an Evolution Stone!
Compared to held items and Evolution Stones, the two Oinkologne still preferred finding food ingredients. That way, Ange could make delicious food for them.
However, they also knew that food was hard to find at this time of year. Most Pokémon in the forest were currently in a period of food scarcity!
Chaka~
Chaka~
The two Charcadet gently patted their partners, comforting them not to lose heart.
Encouraged, the two Oinkologne regained their spirits and continued to lead the two Charcadet deeper into the forest with renewed fighting spirit.
As they walked, a rock suddenly hit the Crybaby Charcadet's head. Crybaby Charcadet's mouth immediately puckered, and tears filled its eyes.
The four Pokémon looked toward where the rock had been thrown. They saw an arrogant-looking Mankey standing on a tree branch.
Seeing the four Pokémon looking over, it didn't feel guilty. Instead, it stuck out its tongue, made a face, and shrieked while jumping around on the tree.
Clearly, it had done it on purpose just now.
Goody-two-shoes Charcadet was very angry and immediately used Ember to attack the Mankey.
However, Mankey's movements were very flexible. It hopped left and right on the branches, and Goody-two-shoes Charcadet's Ember couldn't hit it at all.
Hoh hoh hoh~~
Mankey laughed loudly on the tree, mocking the Goody-two-shoes Charcadet.
The two Oinkologne were also very angry at the arrogant Mankey. The female Oinkologne stepped forward, opened her mouth, and let out a string of strange cries. Instantly, circles of red sound waves spread out.
The female Oinkologne used Disarming Voice.
Mankey still wanted to use its flexible body to dodge, but Disarming Voice is a move that never misses. Mankey was hit as soon as it moved, let out a scream, and fell from the tree.
Although Oinkologne aren't good at fighting, their levels were much higher than that of a tiny Mankey. A single Disarming Voice was enough to make the Mankey lose its ability to battle.
But before the four Pokémon could celebrate, they realized they were surrounded. One Mankey after another leaped onto the branches, looking down at them from above. Among them were several Primeape.
Mankey are social Pokémon!
The four Pokémon immediately froze and huddled together.
They wanted to run, but the Primeape leading the Mankey had already completely surrounded them.
Chaka! Battle!
Goody-two-shoes Charcadet gritted its teeth and roared.
I, Charcadet, am not a coward who fears trouble!
With that, Goody-two-shoes Charcadet spat out bursts of Ember to attack the Mankeys.
However, the Mankeys swarmed forward. Although Goody-two-shoes Charcadet's Ember repelled a few of them, many more rushed up.
Honk~
Honk~
The two Oinkologne certainly wouldn't let the Goody-two-shoes Charcadet fight alone. They gave a long howl and stomped their feet fiercely on the ground. Instantly, the ground vibrated and shockwaves appeared, knocking the Mankeys to the ground.
They used the Ground-type move, High Horsepower.
Seeing this, the Primeape who were watching could no longer sit still. They leaped down from the trees, shrieking as they attacked the two Oinkologne together.
Constrained by the several Primeape, the two Oinkologne could no longer provide support for the Goody-two-shoes Charcadet. Suddenly, all the pressure fell on Goody-two-shoes Charcadet. It was besieged by a group of Mankeys; two fists were no match for four hands.
Crybaby Charcadet hid fearfully behind Goody-two-shoes Charcadet, tears spinning in its eyes. it really wanted to cry, but it didn't want to cause trouble for Goody-two-shoes Charcadet.
Goody-two-shoes still had quite a bit of combat talent. It first used Astonish to startle the besieging Mankeys, then used Fire Spin to create a ring of fire, trapping the startled Mankeys inside.
Then it used Will-O-Wisp, releasing sparks of fire into the ring to make the Mankeys fall into a burned state one after another. The pain from the burns made this group of Mankeys afraid to step forward again.
However, there were too many Mankeys, and Goody-two-shoes Charcadet's level was not high, so it couldn't completely suppress the opponent. After briefly gaining the upper hand, it soon fell back into a disadvantage.
Finally, Goody-two-shoes Charcadet was hit by a high-level Mankey using Cross Chop, which landed a critical hit, causing it to faint immediately.
Chaka chaka~
Seeing this, Crybaby Charcadet screamed and ran to Goody-two-shoes Charcadet's side, cradling it in its arms as tears fell uncontrollably.
That Mankey walked step by step toward the two Charcadet, raising its sandbag-sized fist, intending to knock down the Crybaby Charcadet as well.
Crybaby Charcadet suddenly wiped its tears and stood up, walking to the front of Goody-two-shoes Charcadet with a determined look, protecting it from behind.
Mankey's fist smashed down without hesitation. At that moment, a strange change occurred on the Crybaby Charcadet. The fire ring and Will-O-Wisp previously released by Goody-two-shoes Charcadet suddenly turned into lines of fire and burrowed into the Charcadet's body.
In the next second, flames rose high on the Crybaby Charcadet, releasing a scorching temperature that made the Mankey instinctively pull back its burned fist.
At this moment, all the Pokémon looked toward the changing Crybaby Charcadet.
The flames gathering toward it made its aura soar. Intense flames erupted from its body.
The Crybaby's ability was Flash Fire; it would absorb the Goody-two-shoes Charcadet's flames, likely influenced by this ability.
But looking at the commotion it caused, this Flash Fire didn't seem like ordinary Flash Fire.
The flames erupting from the Crybaby Charcadet startled the Mankeys. The Crybaby Charcadet yelled angrily at them:
Chaka~
In the next second, countless eerie blue flames shot out from its body like petals, splashing toward the surrounding Mankeys.
It was Will-O-Wisp!
Goody-two-shoes Charcadet could also use the move Will-O-Wisp, but it was impressive if it could make two or three sparks at a time. Yet, the Crybaby Charcadet in front of them had produced at least dozens.
The Mankeys afflicted by the Will-O-Wisp fell to the ground in pain, wailing and rolling. The remaining Mankeys also screamed and fled in all directions.
With so many Mankeys falling into a burned state at once, the Primeape no longer had the heart to attack the two Oinkologne. They dodged the Will-O-Wisp to reach the injured Mankey and either carried or dragged them as they turned and ran, disappearing without a trace in the blink of an eye.
Once the Mankey and Primeape were gone, the Crybaby Charcadet seemed to have exhausted its strength. It closed its eyes, and its body slumped softly to the ground.