[I've already contacted a professional tour guide team. Their Fire-type Pokémon all have the Flash ability, allowing them to absorb the heat from the flames near the volcano and stay at Mt. Chimney longer. I refuse to believe I can't find it; maybe there's another one of its kind! I must get it!!]
Looking at this spirited comment on the screen, Lionel couldn't help but smile.
The appearance of Larvesta was entirely due to his high-level Pokémon energy pack. Others didn't have his system; they wouldn't encounter it so easily!
Lionel shook his head, turned off his phone, and looked down at Larvesta that was expressing its loyalty. The little guy was rubbing against his hand, making cheerful "humming" sounds.
The hot springs in Lavaridge Town were renowned, and since he was there, he naturally wanted to experience them.
Lionel specially booked a large private room with a private courtyard at the most famous hot spring resort in town, planning to relax with a few Pokémon.
The next morning, Lionel arrived at the hot spring area and released Milotic, Larvesta, Metang, and Tyrantrum.
The four Pokémon were immediately attracted by the scene before them.
In the center of the courtyard was a huge oval-shaped hot spring pool, the water a pale brown color, with wisps of white mist rising from its surface.
As soon as you approach the hot spring pool, the warm steam mixed with a faint sulfurous smell hits you, making your pores involuntarily open up.
Milotic's eyes lit up instantly at the sight of the water, and before Lionel could say anything, it happily swung its tail fin and glided into the pool.
Once inside the hot spring pool, Milotic completely let loose, its milky-white body darting and swimming nimbly in the water.
Sometimes it would dive to the bottom of the pool, sometimes it would leap out of the water, splashing water everywhere with its tail, and emitting pleasant humming sounds.
It clearly loved the warm spring water.
Larvesta, curious, approached the edge of the pool and gently touched the surface with its forelegs.
Feeling the warm, hot spring water that didn't resemble lava, it tilted its head in thought.
It didn't like the rain that had just passed over Chimney Mountain; it preferred the environment of lava. But this steaming hot spring water still intrigued it.
After hesitating for a moment, Larvesta tried it a few more times with its forelegs, and it felt quite comfortable.
Finally, it carefully submerged its entire body in the water, leaving only its head above water, enjoying the hot spring bath—a different kind of water than rainwater.
It savored this novel experience.
Metang, meanwhile, hovered above the water, using its telekinesis to create a small stream of water that swirled back and forth in front of it, as if playing with an interesting toy.
Occasionally, they would lower themselves slightly, letting the warm water submerge part of their bodies, looking quite relaxed.
Only the Tyrantrum stood by the hot spring, hesitant to enter the water.
It first warily examined the steaming pool, then cautiously extended the tip of its thick tail, tentatively touching the surface.
Immediately, it reflexively withdrew, its amber eyes filled with resistance, a low whimper escaping its throat.
It simply couldn't accept being immersed in water, even a warm spring.
Tyrantrum's disgusted yet adorable appearance immediately amused the other Pokémon.
Seeing this, Milotic quietly swam to the shore, flicked its tail, and a glistening spray of water accurately splashed onto Tyrantrum's face.
"Ugh~?"
Tyrantrum was startled by the sudden splash, blinking its eyes, seemingly not yet understanding what had happened.
Metang immediately seized the opportunity, using its psychic powers to gently pull the monster into the hot spring.
Seeing its previously "unsportsmanlike" opponent so cowardly, Larvesta excitedly climbed out of the water and rammed its plump body against the Tyrantrum, trying to push it into the water. The Tyrantrum struggled to retreat, but couldn't withstand the combined attack of the three Pokémon, and finally fell into the hot spring with a "plop," splashing a large spray of water.
Lionel didn't stop them. After getting ready, he jumped into the hot spring and swam over, joining the three Pokémon in teasing the Tyrantrum and even giving it a bath.
For a moment, the hot spring was filled with the Tyrantrum's reluctant roars, Milotic and Larvesta's laughter, and the splashing water—a lively scene indeed.
Amidst this commotion, Lionel and his four Pokémon thoroughly enjoyed the pleasant time brought by the natural hot spring in Lavaridge Town before reluctantly leaving the hot spring area.
In the afternoon, Lionel made a special trip to the Vulpix's habitat on the edge of the forest surrounding the town, wanting to see these little creatures near Lavaridge Town.
As soon as he entered the habitat, he saw several orange-red Vulpix playing and frolicking.
Their fluffy six tails gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight, resembling small, burning fireballs as they ran, lively and adorable.
Compared to their counterparts on Chimney Mountain, these Vulpix were noticeably plumper, their fur brighter and more striking, clearly well-cared for.
Moreover, they seemed quite accustomed to the presence of humans; seeing Lionel approach, they didn't flinch but instead wagged their tails and surrounded him, each tilting their little heads back, their eyes full of expectation.
Truly, they were fox-like spirits; their ability to be affectionate was practically ingrained in their bones.
——————————————
Before Lionel could even extend his hand, one of the Vulpix nuzzled his trouser leg with its head.
She then tilted her head back, revealing her pink chin, and stared straight at him with her big, watery eyes, clearly begging for a caress.
Lionel chuckled at its adorable appearance and gently pinched its chin.
The little guy squinted comfortably, making soft purring sounds, as if expressing its contentment.
But when Lionel withdrew his hand, the Vulpix wouldn't give up.
It stared with its big, round eyes, wagging its tail and following closely at Lionel's feet, looking every bit like it was demanding "reward."
Lionel wanted to tease it, so he deliberately opened his pocket to show that he didn't have any food.
Unexpectedly, the little guy wasn't angry at all. Instead, it gently nibbled on his trouser leg and pulled him towards a small stall not far away.
It was a stall that specialized in selling Pokémon snacks, with various flavors of cookies on the shelves. One particular Pokémon cookie, dipped in strawberry sauce, was especially eye-catching.
The Vulpix's big eyes were fixed on that cookie, then it climbed up Lionel's trouser leg and onto him.
It gently brushed his cheek with its fluffy tail, its little mouth slightly pouting, its watery eyes meeting Lionel's gaze.
That look in its eyes seemed to say, "Are you really going to let me go without buying some?"
Lionel couldn't resist this "Cute offense" and simply bought a pack of every flavor of biscuits.
Seeing this, the six-tailed fox excitedly rubbed its head against his cheek, grabbed the bag of biscuits, and happily ran back to its companions to share.
Lionel smiled and shook his head, buying quite a few more snacks, intending to interact with the other six-tailed foxes for a while longer.
Just as he turned around, he saw another six-tailed fox carrying a couple's trouser leg, leading them towards the snack stall, its actions exactly the same as the first one.
Lionel and the couple exchanged a smile, their eyes full of helplessness and doting affection.
Just then, a particularly eye-catching six-tailed fox waddled out.
Its body was chubby and round, like a fluffy little ball, its flesh jiggling as it ran, making it exceptionally comical.
It followed closely behind a tourist carrying snacks, occasionally hooking its tail around the tourist's trouser leg and emitting soft, meowing sounds to beg for food.
Seeing its endearing clumsiness, the surrounding tourists readily offered it Pokémon cookies.
Not far away, a staff member from Lavaridge Town responsible for caring for Vulpix hurried over, muttering as he chased after it, "Eat less, you can't eat anymore! If you eat any more, you really won't be able to run!"
But the "fat Vulpix" seemed not to hear.
Taking advantage of the staff member turning to take a snack from a tourist, it quickly snatched a cookie from a tourist's hand and ran to the shade of a nearby tree to wolf it down.
Its clever yet greedy appearance drew laughter from the surrounding crowd.
As time passed, more and more Vulpix emerged from the forest.
Lionel took out the snacks he had just bought, and immediately several Vulpix wagged their tails and surrounded him.
Some climbed up his legs to his shoulders, some rubbed their heads against his cheeks, and others nestled their chins in his palms, their eyes crinkling into crescent shapes, looking utterly docile and ready to be "abused."
Lionel played with the Vulpix on the grass for a while, only getting up to leave as the sun set.
To be honest, these Vulpix were indeed irresistible, but Lionel was very clear about his current goals.
He didn't plan to capture too many more Pokémon; just having the six needed for the Pokémon League Tournament was enough.
Besides, Vulpix was a Fire-type Pokémon, and he already had a Larvesta, so he wouldn't consider it for now.
He could consider capturing more of his favorite Pokémon later, once his own Pokémon were trained to a sufficient level, or when the Pokémon energy balls and power enhancers in his system space were no longer scarce.
During his days in Lavaridge Town, Lionel was occasionally recognized.
After all, his videos were currently very popular, and many tourists had seen them.
Whenever someone asked for a photo, Lionel never refused, always smiling as he summoned his Metang, Milotic, Tyrantrum, or Larvesta to pose for pictures.
These photos, once posted online, attracted a wave of envy and jealousy from netizens:
[Ahhh, so envious! I want to take a picture with the streamer's Pokémon too!]
[Location: Lavaridge! Does anyone know where the streamer is? Hoping to bump into him!]
[Just saw someone photographed him in the Vulpix event area, too bad I just left yesterday, crying in the bathroom————]
Although life in Lavaridge was leisurely, Lionel never relaxed his Pokémon training.
With six days until the challenge battle with the Lavaridge Gym, the Devon Corporation researchers hadn't arrived yet.
Lionel deliberately found a secluded clearing deep in the forest near town to specifically hone the skills of several of his Pokémon.