After seeing Kahili off, Peter began preparing to search the island for traces of the Bear God.
After several days of training and careful nurturing, Stufful had already reached Level 23. It was finally time to move on to the next stage of the Legendary Pokémon capture mission.
The two packed their belongings and were just about to set off when the Pokémon Egg in Whitney's arms suddenly began glowing.
"Nui~?"
Stufful tilted its head curiously at the Egg it had spent every day with.
A few moments later, the white light faded.
A pink-and-purple Pokémon with oversized ears appeared before them.
Its cream-colored chubby body, pastel blue eyes, and fluffy white tail gave it an appearance similar to a lop-eared rabbit from Peter's previous world.
[Audino ♀ Lv.1 (Shiny, Beginner)]
Ability: Regenerator
(Gradually restores HP when it has not taken damage for a long time or after returning to its Poké Ball.)
Talent: 445
(Reached the species maximum of 445)
HP: 103
Attack: 60
Defense: 86
Special Attack: 60
Special Defense: 86
Speed: 60
Description:
An Audino with exceptionally sensitive hearing and extraordinary healing talent. It enjoys using the feelers beneath its ears to sense the emotions of others.
————
"Naa~"
The newborn Audino hugged Whitney's hand and let out a soft cry.
The little one was less than thirty centimeters tall, making it irresistibly adorable.
"Don't worry, sweetie. We'll get something tasty ready for you right away~"
Whitney gently tapped its forehead with her fingertip, clearly smitten with the tiny newcomer.
"Nui~"
Stufful immediately pulled out the baby bottle it had once used and proudly handed it to Whitney.
The gesture looked astonishingly generous.
"Pfft..."
Peter couldn't help laughing.
"I didn't expect it to be this generous."
"It really is~"
Whitney smiled as she released Miltank.
Peter also called out Indeedee to help.
The two veteran childcare experts quickly went to work.
Within moments, the newborn Audino was fed, comforted, and completely settled in.
"Nui~"
Stufful rubbed the little Audino's head affectionately before thumping its own chest.
Its expression practically screamed:
Follow your big sister from now on!
The scene was so adorable that both Peter and Whitney burst into laughter.
"Bewaaar..."
At that exact moment, a somewhat goofy-sounding voice echoed through the area.
Peter suddenly felt a violent gust of wind sweep across the field.
Then—
A gigantic black-bodied bear Pokémon with a pink head appeared out of nowhere.
Ignoring everyone else completely, it scooped Stufful into its arms and began rubbing its face against the little bear.
Peter's eyes widened.
Whitney blinked.
"This is...?"
"Bewear, the Strong Arm Pokémon. A Normal- and Fighting-type Pokémon. Although it often waves in a friendly manner, that gesture is actually a warning. Never approach one carelessly. Its muscles possess overwhelming strength, making it extremely dangerous, Rotom!"
Roto's explanation snapped Peter out of his daze.
That's right.
The Pokémon standing before him was his legendary capture target.
The Bear God.
[Bewear ♀ Lv.70 (Pseudo-Champion Tier)]
Ability: Power Mastery
(Possesses extraordinary and precise control over its body. Can convert HP into Strength or Speed. Converted stats receive an additional 50% amplification.)
Talent: 600
(Has surpassed the species maximum of 500.)
HP: 180
Attack: 130
Defense: 80
Special Attack: 50
Special Defense: 80
Speed: 80
Friendship: None
Held Item: Lum Berry
(Cures confusion and status conditions when consumed.)
Moves: Has mastered every move it can learn.
Description:
A Bewear that once witnessed the battle between the Blinding One, Necrozma, the embodiment of the sun, Solgaleo, the embodiment of the moon, Lunala, and the four guardian deities of Alola.
Bathed in the most primordial Z-Power during that divine conflict, it gained strength far beyond that of ordinary Pokémon.
After the battle of the gods, it was forced into a long slumber to digest that overwhelming power.
Now awakened, it possesses abilities that far exceed those of normal Pokémon.
————
"Holy crap... so that's how it works?"
Peter stared at the Ability description.
At last, he understood how this thing had managed all those ridiculous feats in the anime.
It could convert HP into Attack and Speed.
Then those converted stats received another fifty percent boost.
In theory...
If its strength became great enough...
It actually could overcome gravity and fly.
The more Peter thought about it, the less confident he felt.
Level 70.
Pseudo-Champion Tier.
Talent 600.
And the system wanted him to capture this thing right now?
Wasn't this a little too insane?
What happened to the recommended level sixty?!
As Peter was silently questioning life, the system notification sounded.
[Ding! The unique mission has entered a new phase. Please check the mission panel.]
[(Unique) Legendary Pokémon Capture: Bewear]
Description:
Bewear has discovered a lost child and is currently preparing to carry the child away. Please intercept it immediately. Explain the pros and cons of the situation and demonstrate that Trainers and Pokémon can achieve greater power together.
————
Peter: "??? Σ(っ°Д°;)っ"
System.
Are you mentally okay?
You want me...
To stop the Bear God?
Wouldn't I just get crushed into meat paste by one hug?!
[Ding! Please do not question the system's arrangements.]
Peter: "...."
While he was mentally arguing with the system, Bewear had already picked up Stufful and was preparing to leave.
"Wait!"
Seeing his chance slipping away, Peter could only grit his teeth and run in front of the Bear God.
"Bewear?"
The massive Pokémon stopped.
Its enormous eyes blinked as it stared at him.
"Ahem... Hello, Bewear. My name is Peter, and this is my Babe, Whitney. During the time Stufful was separated from you, we've been taking care of it. And now it's become Whitney's close partner. You can see for yourself that it's grown much stronger..."
"Bewear~"
The giant bear smiled and nodded.
Then—
It vanished.
Peter's pupils contracted.
A fraction of a second later, Bewear was suddenly standing directly in front of him and Whitney.
Its enormous arms spread open.
And wrapped around both of them.
The next thing Peter felt was—
Softness.
Overwhelming softness.
And suffocation.
Before either of them could react, Bewear stomped its foot.
BOOM!
The world blurred.
The giant bear launched itself into the sky with both of them in its embrace before landing perfectly somewhere deep within the island's forest.
Peter and Whitney stared blankly at their surroundings.
Before them stood a simple nest built around a massive hollow tree.
Before either could even catch their breath—
A mountain of Berries over twice their height was shoved in front of them.
"Bewear~"
"Is... it telling us to eat?" Whitney asked blankly.
"I think... it's thanking us?"
Peter's lips twitched.
Unfortunately, before he could say anything else—
Bewear grabbed three or four giant fruits, arranged them into a makeshift fruit platter, and stuffed the entire thing into Peter's mouth with one paw.
"MMMPH!!!"
Peter's eyes bulged.
Juice exploded everywhere.
Rich fruit flavors burst across his tongue before flowing down his throat.
Honestly...
It tasted amazing.
The only problem was that his cheeks were being stretched so much they felt like they were about to cramp.
Compared to him, Whitney handled the situation far better.
Maybe all that regular cheek exercise had given her an advantage...
"Damn it..."
Tears welled up in Peter's eyes.
"How did I end up living the Team Rocket experience..."
The next second—
Another pile of fruit was stuffed into his mouth.
"MMMMPHHH!!!"
...
Meanwhile.
Back at the Pokémon Center.
Nurse Joy was conducting her routine inspection of the facilities.
Ever since specially arranging the reinforced bed for Peter and Whitney, she had been feeling quite relaxed.
There was no way anything could go wrong now.
Or so she thought.
The moment she stepped into the backyard, she froze.
Her eyes widened.
On the ground before her was a gigantic crater.
A crater shaped exactly like a giant bear paw.
"W-What...?"
Nurse Joy stood there dumbfounded.
"Who... WHO DID THIS?!"