"Then, Manager, I'll take this Gligar."
A young girl pointed at a Gligar in the rock zone and spoke to Lucas.
Seeing that the girl had chosen it, the Gligar flapped its wings happily, flew over, and landed directly on top of Lucas's head.
It looked around and, upon not seeing Gothitelle, let out a sigh of relief.
For some unknown reason, the way Gothitelle looked at their Gligar Family had become a bit strange lately.
It was as if she were looking at a type of Herbal medicine, which made the Gligar's heart pound with fear.
Gliscor flew over at that moment with Staraptor and nodded to Lucas.
"In that case, I'll entrust this Gligar to you."
Lucas plucked the Gligar from his head and handed it to the girl before him.
"Take good care of it. I believe it will provide you with help on your journey to pursue your dreams."
The girl nodded happily: "Don't worry, Manager."
She then pulled out a Poké Ball she had prepared long ago and withdrew the Gligar. With a 'ding-dong' Lilli, the capture was successful.
The girl jumped up in joy, then released Gligar, letting it perch on her head as she followed Lucas to the front desk to settle the bill.
After seeing the girl off, Lucas returned to the lounge area, and his phone rang.
Cynthia's exquisite face appeared in the center of the screen.
"Are you free these next few days?"
Cynthia looked at Lucas on the screen and asked.
"Yeah, what's up?"
Cynthia stretched, and Lucas's eyes went wide.
Finally, seeing the Garchomp behind her, he coughed softly twice and looked away.
"Diantha is on vacation recently, and I've also been working for a long time, so I want to bring her to the Breeding House to rest for a bit."
"Is all your work finished?"
Cynthia shook her head. "I can leave the rest to Lucian. I'll rest for a few days, and then there's a summit I need to attend."
Hearing Cynthia's words, Lucas couldn't help but feel sorry for Lucian in his heart.
Poor Lucian.
In the middle of working overtime, Lucian let out a loud sneeze.
Lucian:?!"
"Who's messing with me now?"
"Is it just you and Diantha?"
Cynthia's eyes narrowed slightly. "Oh? And who else were you hoping for?"
Lucas shook his head with a wry smile. Just as he was about to speak, he heard Cynthia continue, "Shauntal and Caitlin will also be coming along."
Lucas nodded, meaning the bestie group was coming over together, right?
"Alright, I'll prepare in advance and wait for you all to arrive."
Cynthia nodded slightly, and then Lucas continued, "You can also soak in the hot springs this time. There's a natural hot spring in the forest, it's very comfortable."
Hearing Lucas's words, Cynthia's eyes instantly lit up.
"Hot springs?!"
Cynthia thought of something pleasant. "Then I'll look forward to it."
After hanging up the phone, Lucas happened to see Grandpa Yask walking in with Teddiursa.
Looking at the chubby Teddiursa, Lucas motioned for it and Grandpa Yask to come over, then had them sit on the chairs.
Gengar poured them a cup of hot tea.
"Grandpa Yask, is there something you need help with at the Breeding House?"
Grandpa Yask took a sip of hot tea and nodded. "Is Lucas free today?"
He then continued: "My child came back yesterday, bringing my grandson with him. The kid has a Geodude, and ever since they arrived yesterday, it hasn't been able to eat anything. The child is crying very hard now, constantly saying my place is bad and that he wants to go home."
Grandpa Yask sighed. "I originally planned to have him bring Geodude to the Breeding House for a look, but he's unwilling. So I came to ask Lucas if you're free to come over with me and see what exactly is wrong with Geodude."
After hearing Grandpa Yask's words, Lucas also fell silent for a moment.
His son's Family, whom he hadn't seen in a long time, returned home, but because of a Pokémon problem, his precious grandson said he didn't want to come back next time.
Children's words are innocent, but sometimes they are also the most hurtful.
Teddiursa sensed that Grandpa Yask's mood was a bit low, and it secretly tugged at Lucas's sleeve.
Lucas looked down and patted its little head, smiling to indicate that everything was fine and not to worry.
Then, after waiting for Grandpa Yask to finish his hot tea, he stood up. "Let's go, Grandpa Yask. We'll go take a look at Geodude."
Grandpa Yask's brow finally relaxed a bit. He nodded with a bitter smile, then picked up Teddiursa and walked out of the Breeding House.
Teddiursa pressed its cheek against Grandpa Yask's face, trying to comfort him and tell him not to be sad.
Watching his retreating back, Lucas called for Gengar and followed with Lilligant, Ninetales, and Roserade.
Riding on Ninetales, Lucas also had Grandpa Yask hold Teddiursa while riding a Gogoat, so they could reach Twinleaf Town faster.
Arriving at Twinleaf Town in front of Grandpa Yask's house, Lucas heard the Lilli of a child crying coming from inside.
"Daddy, why aren't we going home yet?"
"I want to go home. Geodude doesn't like it here, and I hate it here too."
Hearing the words coming from inside, Grandpa Yask's mood sank even further.
Lucas patted his shoulder and walked in with him.
Entering the door, he found a Geodude lying on the floor, listless and weak.
A small child was pulling on a man's arm, swaying back and forth while crying and speaking.
Seeing Grandpa Yask walk in, the man wanted to say something, but the child's crying only grew louder.
Seeing that the child was being truly unreasonable, the man was about to scold him when he was stopped by Lucas, who had just walked in.
He went straight to Geodude's side, knelt down, and checked its condition.
Weak and listless, with drooping eyelids.
It likely lived in a milder place normally, and coming to Twinleaf Town suddenly caused it to suffer from the drastic temperature change and a lack of acclimatization.
Lucas thought for a moment and looked at the little boy, who had stopped crying at some point and was watching him.
He said with a smile, "Don't worry, Geodude is just hungry. Just go get it something to eat."
The little boy clenched his fists. "You're lying! I gave it food, and it didn't eat."
Lucas smiled again and spoke: "How about we make a bet? I'll give it something to drink, and then you go get some food. After it eats, it will definitely get better and become lively again."
The little boy was a bit skeptical. Lucas gave a signal to Lilligant and Roserade.
Lilligant smiled and walked to the little boy's side, taking his hand.
"Lilli~"
The sweet floral fragrance she emitted dispelled the little boy's doubts. Looking at the beautiful Lilligant before him, the little boy nodded.
Then he ran back into the house.
Meanwhile, Lucas sent Gengar to Gothitelle's place to have her brew some cold medicine and some herbal tea to treat its appetite.
Soon, the little boy walked over carrying food and handed it to Lucas. Lucas didn't feed Geodude immediately; instead, he waited for Gengar to return with the medicine and herbal tea. Lucas opened them, releasing the aroma of sweet honey, then helped Geodude up and fed it.
"Come on, drink this and you'll feel better."
Geodude nodded and drank it down.
Before long, Geodude's stomach made a rumbling Lilli. Lucas smiled and then placed the food in front of it.
It took the food and devoured it all in no time.
Then, fully revived, it floated beside the little boy.
The little boy laughed happily.
Lucas stood up, patted his little head, leaned down, and whispered in his ear, "You have to accept your loss in the bet. As a real man of his word, you must promise me to stay here for the full time originally planned."
The little boy pursed his lips, feeling that he was indeed a real man of his word, and nodded, reluctantly agreeing.