Larvitar's mocking expression toward Theo quickly caught the attention of little Ice Vulpix and little Fire Vulpix nearby.
The two small Pokémon bounced over, circling curiously around Larvitar, who was about the same height as them, lowering their tiny noses to sniff at it.
After thinking for a moment, Ice Vulpix was the first to stretch out its paw, gently placing it on Larvitar's forelimb. Fire Vulpix immediately followed its sister's example and did the same.
The two exchanged a glance, then simultaneously flicked their tails with force as if calling out a rhythm, pulling forward with all their strength.
Yet Larvitar remained firmly rooted to the ground. The soft grass beneath its feet was pressed into two shallow dents, but its body did not even sway in the slightest.
Ice Vulpix and Fire Vulpix strained until their little faces turned red, their pink tongues sticking out as their tails drooped, clearly exhausted.
They looked both adorable and pitiful.
"Vuuul…"
Ice Vulpix rubbed against Larvitar with a wronged expression, as if complaining about how heavy it was.
"Zweii!"
Zweilous watched the scene with great amusement. Its two heads leaned in, with the blue head nudging Ice Vulpix gently with its nose, while the black head swayed teasingly at Fire Vulpix, clearly mocking them.
You two are way too weak, you cannot even pull it a single step.
Seeing Zweilous enjoying the spectacle, Theo chuckled softly. He stepped forward, took a deep breath, bent down, gathered his strength, and with a strong heave, finally lifted Larvitar up and placed it directly onto Zweilous's back.
With a dull thump, Zweilous's body sank slightly.
Feeling the soft yet sturdy support beneath it, Larvitar excitedly bounced a few times on Zweilous's back, wiggling its little body and even deliberately pressing down harder as if testing the weight.
Both of Zweilous's heads widened their eyes in shock.
This little guy did not look particularly big, nor was it fat, so how could it be so much heavier than the Vulpix?
What exactly had it been eating to grow like this?
Thankfully, it had already evolved. If this were its pre-evolved self, carrying something like this would have been incredibly difficult.
"Zwei!"
Zweilous called out to Tyrantrum, Metagross, Milotic, and Volcarona nearby, inviting them over to "watch the show."
Hearing the call, Tyrantrum and the others gathered around, all curiously examining this new little companion.
Soon, several of the larger Pokémon surrounded them.
Tyrantrum lowered its head and gently nudged Larvitar with its snout, while Larvitar showed no fear and instead reached out its small claw to pat Tyrantrum's nose.
Metagross used one of its metallic limbs to carefully lift Larvitar, weighing it slightly, and a hint of surprise flashed in its eyes, as this little one was nearly as heavy as it had been in its own youth.
Milotic, on the other hand, wrapped its tail around Larvitar and carefully "received" it from Zweilous's back, staring at the red armor on its belly before gently rubbing against it.
This made Larvitar incredibly ticklish, causing it to squirm and cry out "Lar, Lar!" repeatedly.
Having discovered Larvitar's weakness, the others began teasing it relentlessly.
Left with no choice, Larvitar curled itself up into a small ball like a hedgehog, covering the red armor on its belly to avoid further "attacks."
Volcarona and the others began passing Larvitar around like a ball, seeing who could manage to reach the red armor on its belly again.
Larvitar did not get angry. Instead, it found the whole situation extremely fun, deliberately stretching its body open to tease Volcarona and Tyrantrum.
Every time it was passed into someone else's grasp, it would immediately curl up again, hiding its belly armor.
It treated this as an amusing game, its eyes curving into crescent shapes from happiness.
After all, it had spent its life quietly in the desert by its mother's side. Now that it had come out and suddenly encountered so many strange yet gentle companions, everything felt new and exciting.
Tyrantrum and Volcarona were the most enthusiastic participants, even turning it into a competition. They treated the red armor on Larvitar's belly as a scoring marker, competing to see who could touch it the most times.
Theo stood to the side, watching them play and laugh. Only after they had had their fill did he step forward, take Larvitar, and lead it to eat together with the others.
Afterward, he prepared to carry out the traditional initiation for a new team member.
He began to display his abilities. Two small glowing orbs, one white and one green, representing the energy orbs and the Technical Machine, slowly appeared in his palm.
...
At the same time.
In Petalburg City, inside Norman's home.
It was dinnertime, and warm yellow light filled the dining room.
Max held his newly obtained starter partner, Treecko, carefully feeding it while clinging close to Caroline and Norman, his eyes shining brightly.
"Mom, Dad, come with us! Sis got a free ticket for the S.S. St. Flower, we can all travel together by ship!
Sis, Ash, and Brock have already discussed it. We are all going to that super large traveling amusement park near Forina, and there will be an amazing magic show!
Sis, Ash, Brock, plus you and me… can our whole family go together?"
Caroline gently stroked Max's head and smiled as she shook it.
"Mom will not go. I just had someone send back a lot of flowers from Fallarbor Town recently. If I leave, there will be no one to take care of them. Let Dad go with you instead."
Max immediately hugged Treecko tightly. Both boy and Pokémon opened their round eyes wide, staring straight at Norman, who was still eating.
Faced with Max's hopeful gaze, Norman instinctively scratched the back of his head.
"Well… Max, Dad is a Gym Leader. I cannot just leave whenever I want. You have your sister, Ash, and the others with you, that is enough. You all go and have fun. Dad will stay here."
"But I want our whole family to go on a trip together."
Max muttered softly.
"And Mom's birthday is coming up soon. If I leave with Sis, no one will be here to celebrate it with her."
Caroline looked at Max's serious expression, her eyes filling with warmth as she gently rubbed his hair.
"It is fine, really. It is just a birthday. You should go and enjoy yourself with your sister."
Norman quickly added from the side.
"That is right. Dad can celebrate Mom's birthday with her when the time comes."
"Then forget it, I will not go either."
Max puffed up his cheeks, clutching Treecko tightly in his arms, his tone carrying a hint of stubbornness.
"I will stay and celebrate Mom's birthday first, then we can talk about it later."
Norman, who had originally been quite happy about Max going out, immediately felt a bit disappointed upon hearing this. His mind spun quickly, and suddenly his eyes lit up as he thought of something, prompting him to speak.
"Right, Max, did you not make an agreement with your big brother Theo before? Did you not say that once you got Treecko, you would go find him right away?
Do you not want to show your Treecko to him and let him praise you?"
Norman softened his tone, guiding him gently.
"Your brother Theo has already finished all his Gym challenges. The Ever Grande Conference and the Grand Festival will only begin after the New Year, so he should be quite free right now.
Why not give him a call and ask if he wants to join you?"
(End of Chapter)