Granbull: [Stop forcing me to eat the 'Health Set'! Stop forcing me!]
The woman's words triggered a visceral reaction in the Pokémon. Granbull's face twisted with resentment.
Granbull: [If you didn't force-feed me that garbage every single day, I wouldn't have anxiety in the first place!]
Infuriated, Granbull opened its massive jaws to roar at its trainer. But the moment its mouth unhinged, Feng Che deftly tossed a Pokéblock inside.
The roar died in Granbull's throat. A rich, explosion of a hundred blended berries swirled across its palate. Granbull's eyes widened, and its terrifying expression melted into pure bliss.
"Ma'am, may I see Granbull's current diet?" Feng Che asked. "I suspect its nutrition is the root cause."
"It's a 'Supreme Health Feast' I bought for a fortune. It's supposed to improve its potential," the woman said, pulling out a sticky, brownish lump that smelled faintly of decay. "The pharmacist who sold it said the smell is just the concentrated nutrients doing their work."
"Nutrients?" Feng Che looked at the sludge. "It's not poisonous, but the scent is repulsive to a Granbull's sensitive nose. It's like being forced to eat rotten garbage every meal. No wonder it's anxious."
He pointed to the now-drooling Granbull. "Try our custom Relaxation Blocks. We have a grand opening discount."
"He... he hasn't smiled like that in months!" The woman's eyes went wide. "I'll take everything you have for my baby!" After a massive shopping spree guided by Galarian Slowbro, she left, a very happy customer.
Next in line was a five-year-old girl with twin tails, clutching a chubby piggie bank.
"Leader Feng Che, my Growlithe can't breathe fire anymore," she sobbed. "Nurse Joy said its flame organ is damaged and costs too much to fix. My parents want to abandon 'Little Growl' because it's 'useless' now. Please... I've saved all my allowance!"
Feng Che's heart softened. He scanned the Growlithe with his Psychic energy. Its flame organ was indeed strained—likely from trying to use a move beyond its current capacity. While pretending to examine it, he channeled the Power of Viridian, silently knitting the damaged tissue back together.
The listless Growlithe suddenly barked with renewed vigor.
"Its organ was just 'clogged,'" Feng Che lied gently, pouring a standard recovery tonic into its mouth. Sparks immediately flew from its snout. "No fire moves for three days, okay? Then it'll be back to normal."
The girl offered her piggie bank, but Feng Che only took a single coin. "Payment received. Just promise me one thing: never give up on your friend."
The girl nodded solemnly, her eyes shining with determination.
Five days later, once the Foster House was running like a well-oiled machine under the care of his Pokémon and the reformed Pakudo and Foxie, Feng Che slipped away under the cover of night. He had a meeting to keep.
Goldenrod City: A Private Foster House
Red, Blue, and Green (小赤, 小茂, 小蓝) were waiting. A shadow blotted out the moon as a massive Aerodactyl descended. Since becoming a Gym Leader, Feng Che had officially registered this "ancestral" Pokémon with the League, allowing it to fly openly.
"Feng Che! Is that Aerodactyl... a primal regression?" Blue (小茂) asked, fascinated by the black stone protrusions on its body.
"Something like that," Feng Che nodded, recalling the prehistoric predator. "What's the status on the Bell Tower?"
Green (小蓝) frowned. "Not good. The tower is under heavy guard. Groups of ten monks patrol the perimeter with Bellsprout and Girafarig. The Bellsprout sense ground vibrations, and the Girafarig use telepathy to scan for intruders. Also, I discovered that High Priest Shamyo (沙妙) secretly visits a sea cave in Cianwood City every new and full moon."
"The silver bird that kidnapped me... I think it's hidden there," Green added, her voice trembling slightly.
"I'll infiltrate the Bell Tower alone," Feng Che proposed. "I'm a Psychic; I can bypass their scans more easily. Red, Blue, Green—you three head to the sea cave. I've placed a psychic mark on you; I can teleport to your side the moment I'm done."
Bell Tower: Top Floor
Late at night, the hall was illuminated by 9,999 white candles. In the center stood a magnificent statue of Ho-Oh. Hovering beside it was a feather shimmering with a seven-colored radiance—the Rainbow Wing. Its power shielded the entire tower.
The three Legendary Beasts—Raikou, Entei, and Suicune—lay curled at the feet of High Priest Shamyo.
"It is the new moon. I must suppress the demonic aura at the Whirl Islands," Shamyo sighed, mounting a majestic Pidgeot. "The Rainbow Wing is fading. I can no longer reach Ho-Oh, and now the Sea God Lugia is pregnant and vulnerable."
He looked toward the horizon. "Fortunately, Champion Lance (渡) is in Johto. Together, we can hold back the darkness for now, but it's a temporary fix. We must awaken Ho-Oh soon, or the land will be consumed. Legendary Beasts, with me!"
The Pidgeot took flight, leaving the tower seemingly unguarded—or so it appeared.