"How is Gardevoir doing? Can we leave the hospital anytime?" Angie asked Nurse Joy.
"Yes, Gardevoir is doing well. You can leave anytime," Nurse Joy replied.
"Thank you so much, Nurse Joy. You've worked hard," Angie said gratefully.
Nurse Joy shook her head, smiling. "You've been here all night. You're the one who worked hard."
After chatting with Nurse Joy for a few minutes, Angie got up and headed to the recovery room. Inside, Gardevoir and Kirlia were sound asleep. Kirlia was holding the incubator with the Pokémon egg tightly in its arms, looking completely at peace.
Angie didn't want to wake them, so he quietly left the room and turned to Honchkrow. "Honchkrow, can you stay here and watch over Gardevoir and Kirlia for me? I'm going out to buy something."
Honchkrow nodded softly in agreement.
Angie planned to head back to the Pokémon supplies store to buy some Pokéblocks for Gardevoir. Nurse Joy had mentioned that Gardevoir needed plenty of nutrition in the coming days to recover from the difficult birth. Since they didn't seem like the type to visit his restaurants, Angie thought it would be best to get them some Pokéblocks to take home.
When Angie returned to the Pokémon Center, Gardevoir and Kirlia were already awake.
Meanwhile, over at Nikola Park...
The spot where Angie had previously set up his stall had already drawn quite a crowd. People were waiting eagerly to buy buns and dumplings. Among the crowd were Princess Kimia and Flamel.
Of course, their purpose for being there wasn't just to buy steamed buns.
"What's going on today? Why hasn't the little boss shown up yet?" someone in the crowd asked, checking the time impatiently.
"Yeah, I came early just to buy some buns!" another person chimed in.
"Could it be that the little boss isn't coming today?" someone speculated.
"I hope not! Without the little boss's buns, I don't think I can make it through the day!" a customer groaned.
"Me too! I've been waiting all morning for those buns to keep me going!"
As the sun climbed higher, there was still no sign of Angie. Some customers, in a hurry to get to work, had already left.
"Well, looks like today's happiness is gone. Come on, Growlithe, let's go home," one man sighed, leaving the park with his Growlithe.
"Your Highness, what should we do? Do you think the boss won't show up today?" Flamel asked, worried.
Kimia was anxious as well, but what could she do?
Meanwhile, Angie had finished helping Gardevoir and Kirlia get ready and was planning to take them home. On their way out of the Pokémon Center, they passed by two trainers.
"Guess who I saw in Nikola Park today?" one trainer asked his companion.
"Who? Stop being so mysterious. Did you see the princess or something?" the other trainer joked, not taking him seriously.
"Wait, how did you know?" the first trainer replied, shocked.
"Whoa, you really saw her? Princess Kimia?" the second trainer jumped in surprise.
"Of course! Why would I lie about something like that?"
"What's Princess Kimia doing at Nikola Park so early in the morning? And why didn't you tell me? I want to see her too!"
"I got so excited I forgot! I heard there's this popular stall in the park lately that sells some amazing food."
"You traitor! Next time, we're going to that stall together. I can't wait to try the food that even the princess loves!"
"Let's go together, let's go together."
As soon as Angie heard the words "Nikola Park," he subconsciously stopped in his tracks and overheard the conversation.
Princess Kimia? Could they be talking about the princess of the Azoth royal family? And could the stall they mentioned be his?
While pondering this, Angie boarded Honchkrow's back, carrying Gardevoir, Kirlia, Komala, and the Pokémon egg.
"Honchkrow!"
With a cry, Honchkrow flapped its wings and took off into the sky, swiftly flying out of Azoth Kingdom.
Before long, Angie arrived home safely.
"Honchkrow~"
At the sound of Honchkrow's call, Diancie, Munchlax, Delphox, Greninja, and Chesnaught all ran out in a panic, looking anxious.
Seeing that it was indeed Angie who had returned, Munchlax became overjoyed, jumping up and down and waving energetically toward him.
As soon as Angie landed, Munchlax was the first to rush over, diving headfirst into Angie's arms.
"Munchlax~ Munchlax~"
Master, I missed you so much!
Angie patted its head and said, "It's only been one night, and you missed me this much?"
"Munchlax~ Munchlax~"
Yes, yes!
Munchlax nodded eagerly, being straightforward and never shy about expressing its feelings.
At that moment, it noticed the Pokémon egg that Kirlia was holding and curiously leaned forward to take a closer look.
Seeing this, Angie explained, "That's Gardevoir's baby. It won't be long before a Ralts hatches from inside."
"Munchlax~"
Munchlax reached out a paw, wanting to touch the newborn baby, and Kirlia kindly moved the egg closer for Munchlax to see.
"Munchlax~ Munchlax~"
As soon as Munchlax's paw brushed against the incubator, it quickly pulled back, as if afraid of hurting the baby.
Angie couldn't help but laugh. "The baby is well protected in the incubator; it won't get hurt so easily."
"Munchlax?"
Only then did Munchlax relax, leaning in again to gently touch the baby through the incubator.
Diancie stepped forward and asked, "How did it go? Was everything smooth?"
Angie nodded. "Gardevoir and the baby are both safe and sound."
Hearing this, Delphox, Greninja, and Chesnaught all breathed a sigh of relief.
"Human, we are deeply grateful for your help. We will not forget this kindness," Delphox said. (Ignoring Diancie's translation.)
Angie replied, "Call me Angie. My name is Angie, and I'm glad to help you. I'm not doing this for any gratitude."
Delphox and the others nodded, saying nothing more.
Angie added, "Gardevoir just gave birth and still needs to rest. You should take her back now."
Delphox nodded and moved to support Gardevoir.
At that moment, Angie took out the Pokéblocks he had bought earlier and handed them to Kirlia. "Nurse Joy said that Gardevoir needs nutritional supplements. Take these with you. Once she's finished them, Gardevoir should be fully recovered."
Kirlia hadn't expected Angie to be so thoughtful, and a warm feeling surged through its heart.
"Kirlia~ Kirlia~"
It thanked Angie, its emotion sensors clearly detecting his sincerity.
Delphox and the others hadn't expected Angie to go to such lengths for Gardevoir either. After exchanging glances, they each took something from themselves and presented it to Angie.
Delphox offered some of its fur, which could be used to create TM moves.
Greninja offered its mucus, also useful for making TMs.
Chesnaught offered one of its spines, which could similarly be crafted into TMs.
Seeing the three items before him, Angie's keen eye immediately provided information about their usefulness.
"Are these all for me?" Angie asked the three Pokémon.
They all nodded simultaneously.
"Well, then I won't be polite!" Angie happily accepted their gifts.
What a pity. After Angie's beginner phase, the price of the TM-making device had returned to normal. Angie hadn't bought it at the time, and now it was completely out of his reach.
Sigh.
After giving their gifts, Delphox, along with Honchkrow, Gardevoir, Kirlia, and the newborn baby, departed.
Not long after they left, it was almost time for the Pokémon to have their meal, and Angie's shop soon became lively.
The Pokémon, seeing that Angie was home this morning, crowded around him one by one to greet him and play with him.
Since it was already late, Angie decided not to set up his stall in Azoth Kingdom today. Instead, he headed into the kitchen to help out with Munchlax.
Munchlax, feeling like it hadn't worked with its master in a long time, was as joyful as a little bird, darting around the kitchen, busy and nonstop.
After breakfast, the Pokémon gradually left. The Bellsprout family of five stayed behind to help Angie clean up. Their vines were incredibly nimble, able to wipe tables, sweep floors, wash dishes, and move things with ease. In no time, the cleanliness problem at Angie's house was resolved.
Angie gratefully thanked the family, "Bellsprout, you've been a great help. Without you, we'd probably still be cleaning."
"Bellsprout~ Bellsprout! Bellsprout~ Bellsprout!"
Don't mention it, don't mention it.
Bellsprout swayed back and forth as it spoke.
"Come play anytime!" After sending the Bellsprout family out the door, Angie stood on the steps and waved at them.
Once they were out of sight, Angie turned around to go back inside but suddenly realized that Komala was missing again. He turned to Diancie beside him and asked, "Where's Komala?"
Diancie shook her head. "I don't know, maybe off drinking with his drinking buddy?"
Angie thought that might actually be the case. No wonder Komala wanted to stash away the remaining half bottle of liquor last night. "I wonder who his drinking buddy is." He sighed, shaking his head.
At noon, Angie brought a bunch of lotus roots to feed Barboach and Whiscash.
The lotus roots in Angie's house all belonged to Barboach and Whiscash. Diancie would deliver their lunch and dinner daily as agreed.
Since Angie didn't go out to set up his stall today, he offered to deliver the meal.
When he reached the pond, Angie called out to the water, "Barboach? Whiscash? Time for lunch!"
He waited for a while, but the brothers didn't appear.
Strange, are they not home?
Thinking this, Angie dipped his hand into the water and swirled it around a bit.
"Barboach? Whiscash?"
Ripples spread across the surface, swaying the young lotus leaves that had just sprouted not long ago.
Are they really not home?
"Dig-dig-diglett!"
"Dig-dig-diglett!"
Just then, Dugtrio poked their heads out from the vegetable garden nearby.
The two brothers had now settled down in Angie's vegetable garden. The daily tasks of loosening the soil, weeding, and fertilizing were all handled by them.
They also had a keen sense of the soil's moisture levels. Whenever the vegetables needed watering, they were the first to know and would ask Barboach and Whiscash from the pond to help water the plants.
Thanks to the presence of the brothers, Angie's vegetable garden had been thriving more and more.
In return, Angie would share the harvest with the brothers. Now, they could be considered to have a stable job, with no worries about food or shelter.
"Dugtrio, are Barboach and Whiscash not home?" Angie asked.
"Dig-dig-diglett!"
Not sure.
"Dig-dig-diglett!"
Don't know.
Both Dugtrios shook their heads repeatedly.
Angie sighed, "Alright then, I'll leave their lunch with you. When they return, could you tell them?"
"Dig-dig-diglett!"
No problem.
"Dig-dig-diglett!"
Sure thing.
Both Dugtrios nodded.
"Wooper~"
"Wooper~"
Just as Angie was about to turn and leave, two tiny heads popped out of the pond—two small Woopers, each no bigger than the size of a palm.
As Angie wondered where the Woopers had come from, Barboach and Whiscash also emerged from the water. Whiscash's huge head happened to lift the two Woopers up.
"Wooper~"
"Wooper~"
The two Woopers immediately started gleefully sliding down Whiscash's back like a slide.
"Whiscash, Barboach, are these Woopers your friends?" Angie asked curiously.
Barboach and Whiscash nodded.
To be precise, the Woopers were new friends that Barboach had made, and the brothers had invited them over to play.
Angie nodded, watching the lively and adorable Woopers, his heart nearly melting.
The silly and cute appearance of the Woopers was simply heartwarming.
If only the two Woopers could settle in the pond as well. After all, their evolved form, Quagsire, had excellent water purification abilities.
However, Angie wouldn't force it. He would leave it to the Woopers to decide—if they wanted to stay, they were more than welcome.
"Oh right, I brought your lunch. Don't forget to eat," Angie reminded them.
Barboach and Whiscash nodded.
After thinking for a moment, Angie went to the garden and picked two cucumbers and two tomatoes, placing them on the grassy bank. He said to Barboach and Whiscash, "These are welcome gifts for the Woopers."
With that, he walked away.
As soon as Angie left, the two Woopers slowly crawled to the shore.
"Wooper~ Wooper~"
One of the Woopers struggled to hold a tomato that was larger than its head, looking toward Barboach for an explanation: What is this?
"Barboach~ Barboach!"
It's delicious! Go ahead and eat!
Barboach, eyes full of envy, looked at its little friends. It wanted to eat the sweet and sour tomatoes too.
The two Woopers hesitated for a moment, then opened their small mouths and took a tiny bite. Immediately, their mouths were filled with the refreshing and flavorful juices.
ヾ(≧≦*)ヾ What is this flavor? It's so delicious!
The two Woopers instantly fell in love with the taste of the tomatoes.
Seeing their friends staring at the remaining tomatoes, one of the Woopers flicked its tail, slicing the other tomato in half in an instant, then pushed the halves toward Barboach and Whiscash.
:(`): Barboach and Whiscash quickly swam to the shore and happily began eating.
So tasty! So tasty! Really tasty!
The two Woopers, with their small bodies, were already full after just one tomato, their bellies bulging. They decided to save the cucumbers for dinner.
Of course, they wouldn't forget to share with their friends.