The Stufful, wielding a tree trunk over ten times its size, swung the massive log straight at the Xatu in midair.
Xatu flapped its wings urgently, retreating backward.
Though it was a Flying-type Pokémon, its agility was far from exceptional.
The enormous tree trunk brushed just past its beak, nearly taking a chunk out of its face.
"Not sure why this fight started, but you'll be the perfect opponent for my Xatu's debut battle after its evolution!"
Will shouted with a bit of excitement:
"Xatu, use Psychic Shock!"
The Xatu, still recovering from nearly being struck, heard its trainer's command.
It spread its wings wide like outstretched arms.
A purplish-pink energy rapidly condensed into countless light particles, shooting out like the violet version of Kizaru's Yasakani no Magatama.
"Don-oh!"
However, the Stufful was still showing off its moves.
After spinning the tree trunk in a circle, it stood upright on its hind legs, holding the trunk as if preparing for a pole vault.
Though it wasn't naturally adept at jumping, this move launched it seven or eight meters into the air, allowing it to match the Xatu's altitude.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The psychic energy particles bombarded the ground and the vertical tree trunk, but none managed to hit the Stufful.
The trunk was clearly on the verge of splintering into dust under the relentless assault.
"Don-oh!"
The Stufful let out another cry.
With both of its hands (or rather, its front paws) gripping the top of the trunk, it swung it again mid-air.
The sheer force of its swing tore through the air with a deafening whoosh.
Bam!
The massive trunk landed squarely on the top of the Xatu's head.
"A stick-fighting stance, huh?"
Stephen was both amazed and amused by what he saw.
"This Stufful... is so strong!"
"My Xatu!?"
Will, watching his precious Xatu crash to the ground in a humiliating defeat, was stunned.
This was supposed to be its grand debut after evolving, yet it was utterly dominated.
"Don-oh—!"
By this time, the Stufful had landed back on the ground.
The tree trunk in its hands, already battered from the psychic bombardment and the final blow to the Xatu, shattered into useless splinters as it hit the ground.
But now, the Stufful's right front paw erupted with dazzling golden lightning.
It was preparing Thunder Punch!
"Sina."
Stephen suddenly called out.
A shadowy figure shot out from the Poké Ball on his belt, descending like a divine being in front of the Stufful.
"Growl..."
Sina crouched low, adopting the stance of a predator ready to strike, her throat emitting a low, menacing growl.
The Stufful froze.
After a moment's hesitation, it reluctantly stopped its attack.
"Phew..."
Will heaved a sigh of relief and hurriedly ran over to help his Xatu back to its feet.
Stephen approached as well. He patted the head of his pokémon in encouragement, then crouched a few meters away from the Stufful.
"I'm sorry, but can you tell me why you're fighting Xatu?"
Stephen tried his best to convey goodwill, hoping the seemingly aggressive Stufful would calm down.
If not...
Feeling the restless energy from the other two Poké Balls on his belt, Stephen knew he might have to resort to a more direct form of problem-solving.
Whether it was Stephen's deliberate display of friendliness or the Stufful's instinctive sense that the dark Pokémon before it wasn't as easy to handle as the dumb bird, it eventually retracted the lightning from its paw and began making repeated "Don-oh" sounds.
"Ha, sorry, I don't understand what you're saying. Mind if I touch you?"
Although humans and Pokémon could communicate on a basic level, complex thoughts were still difficult to convey.
This was when the comedic trio's Meowth translator would come in handy.
Fortunately, Stephen had his method.
"Don-oh?"
The Stufful tilted its head, watching as Stephen slowly extended his hand toward it.
When his fingertips touched its forehead, the Stufful flinched slightly in discomfort but ultimately allowed him to rest his hand on its head.
"Stephen, what's going on?"
At this point, Karen also walked over.
She and Will were aware of Stephen's unique ability: to sense a Pokémon's thoughts through physical contact.
After a moment, Stephen removed his hand from the Stufful's head.
"This little one says it chose this hollow as its nest yesterday morning. It left to gather berries and prepare to move in, but when it returned, it found a bird occupying it..."
Stephen didn't elaborate further, but Karen and Will immediately understood the situation.
A territorial dispute.
This was one of the most common reasons for fights among wild Pokémon.
"But did it have to go so hard?"
Will muttered as he sprayed a high-grade healing potion on his Xatu's head.
"Pack up. We're leaving," Stephen said, standing up and addressing the other two.
According to the Stufful, it had already decided to claim the tree hollow yesterday morning.
The three of them had arrived in the afternoon.
By the rules of "first come, first served," the hollow rightfully belonged to the Stufful.
Karen and Will hesitated.
After spending all of yesterday clearing out this spot, were they going to move out because of a wild Pokémon?
But seeing that Stephen had made up his mind, they ultimately said nothing and began packing.
The Stufful was visibly surprised.
Were these humans... were they really this reasonable?
Regardless, the hollow was now hers!
The Stufful strutted behind Stephen with a swagger, watching them pack up and prepare to leave.
"Don-oh?"
Soon, its attention was drawn to Stephen, or rather, something he was holding.
Stephen had taken a Pokémon egg out of a chamber.
The Stufful's eyes lit up, and it stepped closer, chattering excitedly, "Don-oh, don-oh~!"
"Hm?"
Stephen glanced down at the curious Stufful.
Once again, he crouched and placed a hand on its forehead.
After sensing its question, he replied:
"This little one is very weak. If I were to hatch it normally, it wouldn't survive. So I have to use the nutrient solution to provide it with sustenance."
As he spoke, Stephen gestured toward the chamber.
It resembled the healing pods from Namek in Dragon Ball.
Stephen had placed the egg left behind by an Altaria into the chamber to ensure the Pokemon inside could hatch safely.
Because the egg had been surgically removed prematurely, it wouldn't have survived without external intervention.
"Don-oh?"
The Stufful tilted its head again, puzzled.
This time, Stephen didn't need to use his power. Just from its wide-eyed expression, he could tell what it wanted to ask.
"You're curious about this little one's story? If you don't mind, sit down and I'll explain over lunch."
Stephen thought for a moment, then pulled out some malasadas Will had bought earlier in Hau'oli City. He invited Karen and Will to eat while handing one to the Stufful.
"Here, don't be shy."