svetikya Chapter 434 1 family... 3 people (United Front confirmed)
Chapter 434 1 family... 3 people (United Front confirmed)
The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the windows, bathing the second-floor corridor of the Pokémon Center in a warm orange-red hue. The soft light spilled onto the floor, reflecting a faint halo.
As the sun set, Hikaru and Takeshi were still discussing Kengo's performance at the Grand Contest.
"Kengo's performance today was much better than last time. It's hard to tell that it was the same person fighting."
Xiaoguang's voice carried a hint of relief, as if she had breathed a sigh of relief. After the last Water Lily Competition, Jianwu's disappointment had been on her mind, and she was afraid that he would never recover. Now it seemed that her worries were unnecessary.
Although Hikari disliked some of Kengo's behaviors, she didn't want to see him completely give up because of one setback.
However, when recalling today's events, there was still a hint of worry in her voice. "But he seems to be more silent than before. When we greeted him, he didn't respond much. He just said he was busy with special training. Is he under too much pressure? It's like he has to prove something."
The changes in Jianwu made her feel somewhat unfamiliar with him.
Xiao Gang nodded, his brows furrowing slightly as if he were thinking about something. "Yes, I felt it too."
He paused, then continued, "He seems to have become stronger, but... he's also become more unpredictable."
"However, being able to devote oneself to training is ultimately a good thing, so there's no need to worry too much."
With that, the two walked to the door of the room. Xiao Guang gently grasped the doorknob, turned it, and then slowly pushed the door open.
"Ash, we're back! How did your training go today... huh?!"
Xiaoguang's voice suddenly stopped and turned into a gasp, because she saw an unbelievable scene in the room.
Inside the room, Xiao Zhi was sitting cross-legged on the floor, his hands resting naturally on his knees. His face held an indescribable expression, a mixture of surprise, confusion, and bewilderment.
On his lap, Pikachu sat upright, unusually so, with its two little paws neatly placed in front of it, its round eyes wide open, also staring ahead, as if deeply attracted by something.
Their gazes were fixed on Xiao Guang's bed, or more accurately... on a tiny fireball mouse?!
The Cyndaquil looked like it had just been born, its body still covered in a thin layer of downy fur. Its light yellow skin looked especially delicate under the light. It was stretching out its short little paws towards Ash, its tiny fingers slightly open, and it was making a soft "whoosh" sound, as if it was... asking for a hug?
"This...this is...?"
Xiao Guang stammered, unable to speak. She was completely stunned by the scene before her, her mind blank, as if she had lost the ability to think.
Xiao Gang was also stunned. He rubbed his eyes hard, wondering if he was hallucinating because he was too tired.
"You're back."
Ash looked up with a relieved smile on his face. He pointed to the Cyndaquil on the bed and said, "Dawn, your Pokémon egg has hatched!"
Xiao Guang and Xiao Gang then noticed that there was a broken eggshell next to Xiao Zhi. White eggshell fragments were scattered around, shimmering under the light like scattered pearls.
"Ah! My egg!"
Xiao Guang exclaimed in surprise, then realized what was happening. She quickly ran to Xiao Zhi's side, squatted down, and stared intently at the tiny Cyndaquil, her eyes filled with surprise and disbelief.
"It...it hatched today? I thought it would have to wait until tomorrow or the day after!"
Xiao Guang's voice was filled with surprise and regret. She was happy that the Fireball Mouse had arrived early, but also regretful that she had missed the moment it hatched.
"I should have stayed in the room with it instead of going to the game..."
As Xiao Guang spoke, he carefully reached out, wanting to pick up the Fireball Mouse and feel its soft body and warm temperature.
"Wait, Hikaru."
Xiao Gang suddenly spoke up to stop her, his tone serious and earnest.
"What's wrong, Xiaogang?"
Xiao Guang looked at him in confusion, not understanding why he was stopping her.
Xiao Gang pointed at Cyndaquil and patiently explained, "Pokémon that hatch from eggs usually consider the first person they see as family. The first person it saw was Ash, and it's been constantly acting cute towards him. It might only have feelings for Ash, and..."
He paused, then continued, "It might mistake Ash for its trainer. If you force it to hug you now, it might get scared."
Xiao Gang's words were like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing Xiao Guang's excitement and joy. She looked down at the Fireball Rat, pouting, her expression somewhat dejected.
Seeing Xiaoguang's condition, Xiaozhi also felt a little sorry for him.
He didn't realize it at first and forgot about it.
But then again, newborn Pokémon need someone to take care of them and keep them warm, so he was probably out of options at that point.
Just as Ash and his friends were struggling with their dilemma, Cyndaquil on the bed suddenly reached out its hands to Dawn, waving its short little hands in the air, as if asking for a hug from Dawn.
"what?"
Just a moment ago, Dawn was lamenting, but now she's back to life. Who would have thought that Cyndaquil would actually be making friends with her!
She carefully picked up the Fireball Mouse, gently stroking its soft fur and feeling its small body tremble slightly in her arms.
"Aww~ So warm—"
"Huh~"
Cyndaquil squinted comfortably and rubbed its little head against Dawn's cheek, appearing very affectionate.
Xiao Guang's heart was melting. She hugged the Fireball Mouse tightly, rubbing her cheek against its little head, feeling its warm body temperature and soft touch, her face beaming with a happy smile.
However, while enjoying Dawn's embrace, Cyndaquil turned its head and waved its little hand at Ash, its tiny fingers opening and closing as if asking Ash to touch it too.
Ash smiled and reached out to gently stroke Cyndaquil's head, feeling its soft fur with his fingertips.
"I...I can't believe this actually happened?!"
Seeing the blissful look on Cyndaquil's face, Xiao Gang felt that his common sense had been challenged once again.
Is it because Xiao Guang is too charming, or is it because this Cyndaquil is naturally very friendly?
But then again...
"This picture..."
Looking at the scene before him, Xiao Gang couldn't help but sigh, his voice filled with emotion and a hint of envy.
"They really look like a family of three..."
"Pikachu!"
Pikachu, perched on Brock's shoulder, nodded in deep agreement.
PS: Thank you to Wangshengtang Hutao Miao for the bubble tea! Thank you to Wanzhong who loves stir-fried eel for the update reminder! Thank you to Cangqiong Zhifeng for the bubble tea!
(I'll try to make up for the extra chapter I owed last time on Wednesday night. It's better to update more for the gym battle~)
Since everyone's willing to wait, the Sinnoh arc will seamlessly transition into the Unova arc! Anyway, the new book is also in the Unova region, so we can refer to each other's materials. If the new book fails, I'll just focus all my energy on writing this arc! (′▽`)?