Get Stronger by Pleasing Pokémon? Who Needs to Be a Trainer!

Ever since absorbing the divine feather of Moltres, Pidgeotto had made tremendous progress. On top of that, the big barbecue feast from a while back had further stimulated its energy, pushing its power levels already close to evolving even higher.

Now that it was finally evolving, the timing couldn’t have been better.

Besides, Pidgeotto wasn’t the only one who’d eaten a ton of barbecue that day. Torchic had stuffed itself too. Lin Feng was sure it wouldn’t be long before Torchic evolved as well.

The white glow in the sky gradually faded. The once hawk-like Pidgeotto expanded further in size. The crest on its head grew longer and sleeker, and its gaze grew sharper.

Ordinarily, a Pidgeot’s wings would be brown after evolving. But on this one, they had turned a blazing crimson, shining with a metallic luster. Tiny sparks seemed to dance along its feathers, and from a distance, it looked like a blazing flame soaring through the sky. It was utterly magnificent.

What a magnificent bird.

”Pidgeot!”

A long, resonant cry echoed through the heavens. Pidgeot circled in the air, leaving behind its powerful presence across the entire sky before finally descending in a graceful, fiery arc to land beside Lin Feng.

Once it was firmly on the ground, Lin Feng realized something startling. Now that Pidgeot had evolved, it stood nearly as tall as he was perhaps even a little taller.

That was almost twice the size of a typical freshly evolved Pidgeot!

It seemed like all of his Pokémon grew unusually large after spending time in his care.

Maybe he was feeding them too well?

[Pokémon: Pidgeot]

[Gender: Male]

[Ability: Keen Eye]

[Potential: Red]

[IVs: HP (25), Attack (31), Special Attack (29), Defense (20), Special Defense (21), Speed (28)]

[Level: 33–36]

[Moves: Gust, Tackle, Quick Attack, Steel Wing, Hurricane, Twister, Defog, Wing Attack, Heat Wave, …]

[Friendship: 99 (Trusts you unconditionally!)]

[Happiness: 70 (Such powerful… such powerful strength…)]

Lin Feng happily studied Pidgeot’s stat panel. When his eyes landed on one particular number, he couldn’t help raising his eyebrows.

A friendship level of 99. Was it stuck just short of that last bit because of the unresolved ”mission” to reclaim its territory?

That definitely needed to be handled. Time to help Pidgeot win its territory back.

Speaking of friendship levels, Lin Feng suddenly thought of Snivy.

Snivy had joined him around the same time as Milotic, yet its friendship had also stalled at 99. He still wasn’t sure what that last missing piece was.

”Anyway, let’s handle Pidgeotto’s business first.”

But before that…

Lin Feng reached out and gently rubbed Pidgeot’s broad wings, feeling the warmth radiating from them. Staring at its majestic figure, he couldn’t help but smile even wider.

Finally, he wouldn’t have to cling to its feet to fly anymore. Now he could actually ride it!

Just as he was about to try it out, a soft, slightly forlorn voice by the reservoir pulled Lin Feng back to reality.

”Popplio…”

Looking down, he saw Popplio, who had moments ago been happily munching on Pokéblocks, now wearing a crestfallen expression.

Its happiness had dropped from 65 all the way down to 20.

Lin Feng seemed to realize what was happening.

Among the three little newcomers who had arrived at the breeding house together, each had made considerable progress in recent days.

The one who’d advanced the most was undoubtedly Torchic, though Sweet Bamboo had grown a lot too, even learning Sweet Scent.

Only Popplio’s energy level had been crawling forward at a snail’s pace. It was still in the early stages of its first evolutionary phase.

And that was despite Lin Feng having already given it a Rare Candy.

”Popplio?”

Popplio lowered its head awkwardly, unable to look Lin Feng in the eye as he approached.

Considering it had been quite a while since he’d given Popplio the last Rare Candy, Lin Feng figured it was time for another boost.

He pulled a Rare Candy from his bag. ”Don’t worry too much. I promise I’ll help you evolve.”

He held the candy out toward Popplio’s mouth.

At the sight of the Rare Candy, Popplio’s happiness immediately rose again. ”Popplio~!”

It vividly remembered how much stronger it had felt the last time it ate one of these.

For a Pokémon with natural talent like itself, the candy had an undeniably powerful effect. It was probably an extremely precious delicacy.

And yet, its Trainer was willing to give it one again without hesitation…

He’s… really good to me…

Popplio thought this as it gobbled up the Rare Candy. Tiny, shimmering pearls welled up in its eyes.

Afraid that Lin Feng might see it crying, it quickly spun around, dove into the water, and peeked out shyly from beneath the surface.

”Silly kid…”

Seeing Popplio’s friendship level shoot upward on the panel, Lin Feng couldn’t help but laugh softly. Then he turned his gaze to his newly evolved Pidgeot.

”Alright, let’s go reclaim your territory!”

Now was the perfect time. Pidgeot had just evolved and was brimming with fighting spirit.

After all, as the saying goes: strike while the iron is hot. Delay too long, and the momentum would fade.

And if they dragged things out, Pidgeot might start feeling disheartened.

”Pidgeot!”

A sharp, proud cry rang out through the plantation. Pidgeot flapped its wings, sending sparks scattering from its blazing crimson feathers. Its eyes glowed with a fierce red light, clearly eager for action.

”Snivy?” (We’re going to battle?)

Nearby, Snivy had just finished using Grassy Terrain and slithered over in high spirits.

Right now, Snivy’s energy level was hovering between Level 28 and 29.

It was still some distance away from evolving, but it had indeed been quite a while since it had seen any real battle action.

”Chick?”

Meanwhile, Torchic, who’d been contentedly munching Pokéblocks in the barn, looked up and spotted the newly evolved Pidgeot soaring overhead. The Pokéblock hanging from its beak dropped to the ground in shock.

So… Pidgeotto evolved?

Why did the flames on Pidgeot’s body look even fiercer than its own?

Tentatively, Torchic spat out a small Ember. The orange-yellow flame was certainly bright, but compared to the blazing spectacle that was Pidgeot, it felt… lacking.

That, however, was enough to terrify Miltank. ”Miltank!!”

The ember landed squarely on one of the wooden beams of the barn, setting it ablaze.

”Miltank!” (What do you think you’re doing, you silly chicken…?)

Thanks to Miltank’s panicked shouts, Torchic snapped back to its senses and quickly stomped out the flames. Although it managed to extinguish the fire in time, it left a charred black patch on the wooden wall. Torchic shot Miltank an embarrassed glance before scampering over to Lin Feng.

”Chick!” (I want to go too! I want to go too!)

After all, with all the food it ate on a daily basis not to mention the effects of its Ability it was practically bursting with energy.

Helping to reclaim a territory… that sounded incredibly cool!

”Alright, alright… everyone can come. I’ll bring you all along…”

Lin Feng could only shake his head in mild exasperation at his eager crew of Pokémon. He then turned his gaze toward Milotic, still gliding gracefully in the reservoir.

”Milotic, do you want to come too? You could follow along through the irrigation channels.”

”Milotic?”

Milotic blinked in surprise, then slithered out of the water and nodded enthusiastically.

As for the safety of the plantation…

With Shanaido around, it would probably be fine.

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