Dax straightened his face, bent at the waist, and extended his hand in mock submission.
"My mistake. Please, continue."
Auron chuckled softly and gave him a playful pat on the back.
"Alright, you're forgiven. You can get up now."
"Yes, sir!"
Ashen, watching their antics, didn't say a word, but the smile tugging at his lips showed how much he enjoyed seeing them fool around together.
After the laughter faded, Dax returned to his usual self and asked,
"Well? Are you going to keep it?"
Pokémon: Darumaka (Galarian Form)
Gender: Female
Type: Ice
Ability: Inner Focus — Prevents flinching in battle. Pokémon with Mold Breaker, Teravolt, or Turboblaze can still make it flinch. Inner Focus does not remove flinch status once inflicted. Unaffected by Intimidate.
Potential: Orange
Basic Moves: Powder Snow, Tackle
Egg Moves: Power-Up Punch, Hammer Arm, Freeze-Dry, Focus Punch
Auron studied the Egg for a moment, then looked over at Ashen.
"Dad?"
Ashen waved a dismissive hand.
"Your spoils of war are yours to decide. I won't interfere."
"Got it."
Nodding firmly, Auron set the Egg aside in a separate place.
"Alright, next one. Purple swirls—probably Poison-type."
Pokémon: Mareanie
Gender: Female
Type: Poison/Water
Ability: Regenerator — Restores one-third of its HP when switched out.
Potential: Red
Basic Moves: Peck, Poison Sting
Egg Moves: Stockpile, Swallow, Spit Up, Infestation
Auron frowned as he scanned the Egg's data.
He already had a Poison-type on his team, and he wasn't fond of stall strategies. But the potential on this Mareanie was outstanding.
Ashen noticed his son's conflicted expression.
"What's wrong?"
Auron grimaced.
"My aura's telling me this Egg has incredible potential… but it's not a fit for me."
In the end, he chose not to keep the exceptional Mareanie Egg.
"Incredible potential, you say?"
That immediately piqued both Ashen and Dax's interest.
Ashen reacted fastest. He scooped the Egg into his arms without hesitation.
"Auron, let me have this one. I know a Poison-type specialist with something that'll suit you perfectly. I'll trade it with him."
But Dax protested immediately.
"Hey! That thing would be perfect for me too. Why shouldn't I be the one to trade it?"
Ashen shot him a sly glance.
"What's the matter, you got the family name 'Vale' now too?"
"Pfft—"
Auron couldn't hold back a burst of laughter.
Dax waved a hand in embarrassment.
"Fine, fine, you win."
Ashen smirked triumphantly and set the Egg next to the one Auron had chosen earlier.
"Good. Next one—sky blue swirls, likely Flying-type."
Dax nudged Auron with his elbow.
"Come on, kid. Use your aura and check if it's right for me."
Pokémon: Doduo
Gender: Female
Type: Normal/Flying
Ability: Run Away — Guarantees escape from wild Pokémon battles, ignoring any effects that prevent fleeing.
Potential: Blue
Basic Moves: Peck, Growl
Egg Moves: Knock Off, Snore, Uproar
Auron shook his head with a helpless smile.
"My aura's still not fully awakened. I can only use it passively. Since I didn't sense anything, I'd say it's not for you."
Dax shrugged it off easily.
"Alright then, next."
One Egg after another was examined, but none suited either Auron or Dax.
Auron grumbled inwardly: Seriously? Are rare Pokémon that scarce? No Gardevoir, no Lilligant, not even a Delphox? Fine, at least give me a Dragon-type… or a pseudo-legendary, maybe?
Meanwhile, Dax was equally frustrated: Still nothing that suits me? Ugh. Fine, I'll just take more items later. Damn you, Ashen…
"Last one. Deep purple swirls again—likely Poison-type," Ashen announced.
Pokémon: Skrelp
Gender: Female
Type: Poison/Water
Ability: Adaptability — Boosts same-type attack bonus (STAB) from 50% to 100%.
Potential: Purple
Basic Moves: Tackle, Smokescreen
Egg Moves: Acid Armor, Twister, Dragon Tail
Auron suddenly spoke up.
"Wait, Dad. I think this one suits a friend of mine."
Ashen raised an eyebrow.
"It's Poison-type. I don't recall any of your friends running a Poison team."
"Tim Wynn. He uses Dragon-types. My aura's telling me this one fits him."
Ashen stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"Poison and Dragon… Dragalge, then? So this must be a Skrelp Egg. Alright, set it aside too."
Dax muttered to himself, "Tim Wynn… sounds familiar."
Ashen began tidying the table, answering offhandedly,
"Flint Wynn's son."
Dax slapped his palm in realization.
"Ah, right. The richest man's kid."
He slung an arm around Auron's shoulders.
"Not bad, boy. You've got quite the social circle."
Auron brushed his hand off.
"He goes to my school."
Dax shrugged.
"Fair enough. You planning to trade him for something? I heard his dad shelled out a fortune not long ago just to get him a Deino Egg."
Auron considered it.
"I don't know yet. He's a friend. If I gift it to him, he'll probably give me something back anyway. Call it a trade between friends."
Dax fell silent for a moment, then leaned toward Ashen, pointing discreetly at the Mareanie Egg.
"You sure you won't hand that one over to me instead?"
Ashen rolled his eyes.
"Kindly roll yourself out the door."
Dax huffed and returned to Auron's side.
"See? Your dad doesn't even treat me like a friend. Outrageous."
Auron chuckled, patting his shoulder consolingly.
"I'm your friend."
Dax's eyes lit up.
"Then you'll give me that Egg, right?"
Auron grinned.
"Not anymore. Dad's already claimed it. You'll have to ask him."
Hearing that, Ashen burst out laughing. Dax laughed too, albeit through gritted teeth.
"You two really are father and son. Unbelievable."
The three of them shared a hearty laugh.
After a pause, Auron asked curiously,
"Dad, is that thing you're trading for really that important?"
Dax moved to another workbench, idly sifting through items as he replied offhandedly,
"Not really."
Auron stared at him, speechless.
"Then why did you even want the Egg?"
Dax leaned in, smirking mischievously, and whispered,
"To mess with your dad."
Auron sighed.
"You're ridiculous."
"Heh."
Ashen divided a large pile of Fire Stones into two, pushing the stacks forward.
"Here—eighty-twenty. Each of you take a share."
Dax scooped the smaller pile into his crate.
"Not bad. A whole heap of Fire Stones. Truly, I am blessed."
Auron pushed the larger pile into his own crate.
"Mine's bigger."
"Childish," Dax sniffed.
"Alright, next—Water Stones. Split in two again."
"Got it." they answered in unison.
Meanwhile, at the police station, the logistics team was being chewed out.
"What do you mean, nothing? An entire base that size and not a single piece of material? What were you even doing? Did you check for hidden compartments or sealed chambers? Did you?"
The staff looked miserable.
"Boss, we searched everywhere. Short of smashing down the walls, there's nothing left. We really didn't find a thing."
"Then what the hell—? A base that size, and not a scrap of supplies? Are you kidding me…?"
(End of Chapter)