"Good morning, Milotic, and you too, Hatterene."
Even though Dipplin was trembling, Summer decided to greet them first. Thwackey also waved at the two Pokémon.
"Wo~"
Milotic responded and then looked wistfully at Hatterene. It couldn't believe what it heard was true. So, Summer, could you quickly take it away?
"Mwin~"
Hatterene waved its claws to greet Summer and Thwackey. In its heart, it already considered them its best friends one and two. As for Milotic, it was naturally best friend number three.
"I have a Pokémon I need you to take care of. Here it is."
Summer held up the trembling Dipplin. Could it be that it was about to become Milotic's meal?
Upon hearing that the golden apple was a Pokémon, Milotic showed a disappointed expression. It had smelled the sweet scent from afar and had been eagerly anticipating it.
"Why the disappointment? Milotic, were you planning to eat Dipplin?" Summer asked.
So, we are destined to be food today? Even if we evolve, we can't escape this fate? Dipplin thought, shedding a golden tear. Naturally, it tasted sweet.
"Don't cry, I won't let them eat you," Summer sighed. He planted an apple tree by the Misty Lake, and using Rapid Growth, a new apple tree appeared before them.
"Milotic, you love apples, right? So I planted an apple tree by the lake. It's also a new home for Dipplin. There's a saying: 'Dipplin's apples are sweet.'"
"It means that an apple tree with Dipplin will grow better. Take care of it a little, and you'll get better apples."
"Wo~"
Although Summer did this for its sake, Milotic couldn't be happy. It meant they would have even less time together. It had once said that this time didn't matter, but the longer they spent together, the more Milotic regretted thinking that way.
"Don't be sad. Planting this apple tree doesn't mean I won't come anymore," Summer comforted Milotic.
Once Milotic felt better, Summer placed Dipplin on the apple tree, finding it a new home. After all, Misty Lake was the safest place in the Sunset Forest.
"Hatterene, are you trying to make friends with Milotic?" Summer asked.
Hatterene nodded with a smile, while Milotic behind it gave Summer a meaningful look.
Ah, I see. Because of Hatterene's friendship plans, Milotic's sleep had been disturbed. No wonder the usually calm Milotic was so emotional.
This Hatterene had the personality of a little girl. It had been lonely before without friends, probably bombarding Milotic with words.
"You can't just stick to one Pokémon, Hatterene. Look, there are so many other Pokémon here." Summer pointed to a dozing Psyduck.
Hatterene thought for a moment and then stealthily approached Psyduck. Its black eyes stared at Psyduck, transmitting its long-held thoughts.
Psyduck immediately opened its eyes, stars seeming to flash within them. Then its eyes rolled back, and it collapsed into the water with a quack.
Summer was speechless.
Milotic gave a helpless look, as if saying, "Do you see the torment I endured?"
Seeing Hatterene's panicked expression, Summer sighed and said, "Hatterene, next time don't use your psychic power to force your thoughts into other Pokémon's minds."
"Why? It didn't affect you and Nana?" Hatterene's voice echoed in Summer's mind. Indeed, why wasn't he affected? Milotic had the strength to withstand it, but did his robust physique also enhance his mental resistance?
"Let's just consider us exceptions. For now, avoid using that move."
"Okay~" Hatterene agreed reluctantly.
"I promised to help you convey your desire to make friends to other Pokémon. I'll take you now," Summer said.
"Sure, sure~" Hatterene suddenly stopped the mind transmission, remembering its promise to Summer.
"Talking to me this way is fine, but be careful with other Pokémon. It helps me understand you better."
"Uh-huh. What about Nana?"
"For Milotic, speak one sentence at a time. It prefers that, right?"
Milotic quickly nodded. This was acceptable.
"I understand~" Hatterene replied cheerfully. No wonder Milotic only responded after a hundred sentences.
"Shall we go?" Summer called Hatterene and Thwackey, then looked at Milotic. "See you next time, Milotic."
Milotic nodded gratefully. Summer was amazing for enduring such mental bombardment and helping correct Hatterene's behavior, aiding its friendship quest.
As it watched Summer leave, Dipplin, silent until now, greeted Milotic:
"Nice to meet you, Dra... I mean, Your Majesty."
"Just call me Milotic. I'll look after you from now on, Golden Apple Candy." Milotic said before diving into the water to recover its energy through sleep.
Dipplin was taken aback. Milotic was kinder than expected, though its naming sense was straightforward. They were Dipplin, after all.
Afterward, Summer helped Hatterene introduce itself to the forest's inhabitants, starting with the Pokémon he knew well.
First was Morpeko, whose cute appearance quickly endeared it to Hatterene. The Morpeko in Sunset Forest usually didn't enter Hangry Mode, becoming fast friends with Hatterene.
Due to their Dark-type attribute, they were unaffected by Hatterene's unintentional psychic pressure. Dark-types were immune to Psychic moves.
Next were the bird Pokémon led by Corviknight. The moment Hatterene saw Corviknight, it knew they couldn't be friends, at least not now.
If Hatterene understood Milotic's feelings, it would know that its emotions towards Corviknight were similar, if not stronger.
Back in Dream Forest, after eating three Roseli Berries, Hatterene finally calmed down from its intense emotions. The path to making friends was long and challenging.
Summer's last stop with Hatterene was the Gracidea Prairie, where two Lilligant had learned Sunny Day. Upon hearing Hatterene's wish to make friends, they responded with a lively and graceful dance.
After experiencing Corviknight's emotional bombardment, Hatterene had better control over its psychic powers. It quietly enjoyed the dance, showing appreciation.
Hatterene now understood how to make friends—watch Corviknight every day. When it could befriend Corviknight, it would have befriended all the forest Pokémon.
(End of chapter)