The moment Lin Feng stepped into the orchard, he froze for a second.
He sensed not only Milotic's presence there, but also the auras of several other Pokémon.
Following those traces, Lin Feng quickly spotted who the newcomers were.
Three Rattata, one Pidgey, and one Spearow.
All of them lay sprawled beside the reservoir, their fur and feathers soaked through and dripping wet.
It was obvious they'd been blasted by Milotic's Water Gun.
As Lin Feng approached, a shimmer of iridescent color flashed through the clear water. In the next instant, Milotic broke the surface, its body gleaming beneath the sunlight.
Milotic called out joyfully when it saw Lin Feng returning.
Although Lin Feng had his suspicions, he still asked the question.
He knew that asking and listening was an important part of building trust and deepening the bond with a Pokémon.
Even after evolving into Milotic, its affection for Lin Feng had not diminished. On the contrary, it had only grown stronger, reaching a closeness of 99 by now.
"Yoooouuuu~" (It's… it's just that these Rattata tried to steal… those Tamato Berries over there.)
Perhaps it was simply too excited to see Lin Feng again, or perhaps it was just in its nature, but Milotic stammered slightly as it spoke.
"And then what happened?"
Lin Feng gave a gentle smile. "Take your time. No rush."
"Yoooouuuu…" (Then I knocked them down… and these two flying Pokémon… this one came down to steal the Tamato Berries, and the Pidgey seemed to have flown down because it saw the Rattata.)
This time, Milotic's explanation was much clearer.
Lin Feng glanced over at the Pokémon sprawled nearby.
The three Rattata were around Level 11 to 13.
The Spearow was around Level 15 to 17.
The Pidgey was between Level 17 and 19.
With that level of strength, it wasn't surprising they'd been knocked down by Milotic.
Milotic's tone suddenly turned subdued and slightly anxious.
"Yoooouuuu…" (A few berries got stolen.)
Lin Feng blinked, thinking it was something far more serious.
But then he remembered that Milotic had evolved from Feebas. Although its power and potential had transformed dramatically, some of its timid personality remained.
He reached out and gently stroked Milotic's head, activating his Verdant Power. A wave of soft, emerald light spread from his fingertips, instantly soothing Milotic's mind.
Words were fine for distant, powerful Pokémon like Mewtwo, but for a partner Pokémon whose bond was already at maximum, Lin Feng preferred to use his Verdant Power directly to comfort it.
"Don't worry. You did your best. Even if they stole a few berries… even if the entire orchard was destroyed, you're far more important to me."
To Lin Feng, this was just land. Even if some legendary Pokémon destroyed it all, he could always find another place to build a new orchard and reopen his "Neighbor's Breeding House."
But his Pokémon were different.
They were one of the few things in this world worth fighting for.
Milotic froze for a second, touched by his genuine words. Then, in the next moment, two shimmering tears welled up in its eyes and slid down its cheeks.
[Congratulations, Host! Milotic's affection has reached 100. Reward: Silver Feather (A feather unique to Lugia, the guardian of ocean currents. Boosts Special Attack for Psychic- and Flying-type Pokémon by 15% to 50%. Can only be equipped by Pokémon at Gym-level strength or above.)]
The wave of emotion Milotic transmitted washed over Lin Feng, and coupled with the system's sudden reward notification about the Silver Feather, he couldn't help feeling both amused and a little overwhelmed.
They really were such pure-hearted creatures.
"All right, let's head back. I'll deal with these Pokémon."
Patting Milotic gently, Lin Feng sent it back to the water before turning his gaze to the intruding Pokémon who'd lost the fight. Follow current novels on novel·fire.net
The three Rattata were completely unconscious. Spearow and Pidgey, meanwhile, could still move a little, though their wings were limp from being doused repeatedly by Milotic's Water Gun.
It seemed both Flying-types had tried to escape multiple times, only to be knocked back each time, until they no longer even thought of running.
After a moment of thought, Lin Feng took out three Poké Balls. He captured the three unconscious Rattata first, then turned his eyes to the two Flying Pokémon.
Under Lin Feng's scrutiny, Spearow, who was already a naturally hot-tempered Pokémon, seemed even angrier than before, its fury undoubtedly stoked by being soaked by Water Gun.
It spread its wings, clearly intending to launch a Quick Attack at Lin Feng.
But before it could move, Lin Feng grabbed its wing firmly. No matter how it struggled, it couldn't break free.
Watching this, Snivy beside him was stunned.
My Trainer… just caught a Spearow barehanded?
Does that mean… he could've caught me barehanded back then too?
"You little troublemaker. You come in here to steal berries, then you try to attack people?"
Lin Feng let out a wry laugh. Originally, he'd been considering keeping either this Spearow or the Pidgey around as part of his orchard's aerial patrol team.
After all, Milotic could only patrol the water.
But seeing this Spearow's temper, he knew he couldn't keep it.
He used a Poké Ball to capture the Spearow as well.
Finally, his eyes fell on Pidgey.
[Potential: Blue Rank]
[IVs: HP (21), Attack (21), Sp. Atk (18), Defense (17), Sp. Def (17), Speed (23)]
[Moves: Gust, Tackle, Quick Attack, Whirlwind, Air Slash, Steel Wing]
[Friendship: 0 (It doesn't know what you're planning.)]
[Happiness: -5 (It's decided it'll never again risk chasing Rattata into human territory.)]
This was Lin Feng's evaluation after reading Pidgey's status panel: a Pidgey with decent potential.
Unlike the aggressive Spearow, Pidgey seemed far gentler.
"Pidgey, pidgey!" It fluttered its wings, trying to explain that it had only flown down because it saw the Rattata and had never intended to steal the orchard's crops itself.
Pidgey hunting Rattata was rare, but not unheard of in the wild Pokémon world.
However, the fact that it had ventured into human territory to hunt suggested it was extremely hungry.
Lin Feng took out a Stamina Pokéblock and, channeling his Verdant Power, said gently, "Pidgey, would you like to stay here with me? I'll provide food and shelter, and all you'd have to do is help keep an eye on the orchard and make sure no Rattata sneak in…"
After all, those Rattata would eventually have to be sold to the Pokémon League.
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