After returning from Casseroya Lake, the Delibird began its recovery training.
After all, it hadn't flown for a long time, and its movements had indeed become a bit rusty, even its reaction time had dulled.
Fortunately, Lucas had usually let Dragonite help it with rehab training, so now flying was no longer an issue.
Seeing Lucas covered in mud, the Delibird was a bit surprised.
In its eyes, Lucas had always loved cleanliness. No matter how tired he was after farm work, he would force himself to clean up, saying he had to set an example for the Pokémon.
It was rare to see him so covered in half-dried mud.
After landing steadily, Delibird looked at Lucas and Mudbray, who had stopped walking, its expression conflicted, as if pondering how to speak.
Noticing Delibird's troubled look, Lucas smiled and asked, "Is there something on your mind?"
"Deli…"
Where Lucas couldn't see, Delibird's face under its white feathers was slightly flushed, its hands twisting together as if too shy to speak.
"Go ahead, I'm listening."
Encouraged by Lucas's gaze, Delibird finally mustered its courage, boldly expressing its thoughts through gestures and expressions.
"I see. Then we should hold a grand farewell party for you," Lucas said, repeating what he'd understood from Delibird. Seeing the bird nod in confirmation, Lucas felt a mix of emotions but ultimately smiled.
It was only natural that Delibird would bring up leaving. After all, it was a wild Pokémon Lucas had rescued, and it had told Lucas about its changes and new thoughts during this time.
Delibird mentioned it came from a snow-covered mountain and was the leader of its flock, which matched Lucas's guess.
If you talk about the largest icy terrain in Paldea suitable for Ice-type Pokémon, it had to be Glaseado Mountain. Nurse Joy had also mentioned before that Delibird's tail was very big—it could hold many things—and having a big tail happened to be one of the requirements to become the leader of Delibird's flock.
However, what Delibird sought was not to return to its flock. The reason it left Glaseado Mountain and came here was because it had already entrusted the flock to a new leader.
After experiencing many things, Delibird now had a clear goal for its future.
The world was so big, it wanted to see it. To broaden its horizons on the journey, temper its mind and body, and become as strong as Dragonite.
"Deli~!"
Delibird looked moved—it had prepared itself for Lucas to be angry or cold, since it had been rescued by Luxray when it was on the verge of death, and Lucas had put a lot of effort into nursing it back to health.
Leaving without even repaying the kindness—it felt terrible.
Lucas reached out, wanting to touch Delibird's head, but catching sight of his dirty hand, he stopped midair. He'd wash his hands first; Delibird was so clean, especially the white feathers on its head—he didn't want to dirty them.
But the emotional Delibird wasn't so particular. Since Lucas didn't reach out, it simply leaned its head over.
Dirty feathers didn't matter. At least, the comfort of those hands would always accompany Delibird on its journey.
…
Back in the house, after helping himself, Delibird, and Mudbray freshen up, Lucas announced Delibird's upcoming departure in front of all the Pokémon.
Each Pokémon reacted differently: calm Luxray stepped forward to give advice, while Comfey was weaving a blessing garland for Delibird before its journey.
Lucas looked at Delibird and suggested, "Leave a little later, I have some things to prepare for you."
Dragonite also came forward with its three foster moms, offering to teach Delibird their best weather-sensing and extreme weather survival skills, which would help Delibird avoid most dangers.
The constant goodwill made Delibird's eyes misty, and it felt warmth in its heart.
Lunch was as usual, and Lucas scheduled Delibird's farewell party for the night before its departure, still a few days away.
In the afternoon, Lucas took several Pokémon out into the wild.
Now, only Growlithe and Poliwhirl on the farm showed a clear desire to battle. Dachsbun didn't have much fighting spirit, but since it was Growlithe's sidekick, it tagged along for training.
Poliwhirl seemed busy with something else and didn't join, so Lucas brought Growlithe, Dachsbun, and Mudbray. Training only on the farm was monotonous, so he decided to take them to the beach.
By the coast, there were many Water- and Flying-type Pokémon—strong type-advantages against Growlithe and Mudbray. Battling them would give his Pokémon more experience and help them adapt to fighting opponents with a type disadvantage.
Along with Delibird, who cherished its last few days with everyone, the bodyguard Swampert at the beach, and Dragonite, who wanted to teach Delibird about weather, this was the full team heading out for the beach.
The West Paldea Sea was part of the vast ocean surrounding Paldea. Go out a bit further, and you were outside Paldea's borders.
This world's regions and continents were separated by sea, and the beach hosted many kinds of Pokémon, especially Water-types in the sea and Flying-types in the sky.
With Dragonite's flying speed and the Poké Ball's high-tech convenience, even with six Pokémon, Lucas could easily travel between the farm and the beach in little time.
It was just like going out shopping.
Lucas headed for a famous trainer's beach in Paldea, a place teeming with wild Pokémon, where you could sometimes run into other trainers looking to battle.
Recalling Dragonite, Lucas only released Growlithe, Mudbray, and Dachsbun—and with Delibird flying behind him, he blended in perfectly with the other trainers there, looking like an ordinary challenger to the Paldea League.
Although a bit unethical, he really had to fish today.
Battles between trainers always drew the attention of beachgoers, and since this was a famous trainer's beach, crowds gathered to watch.