Chapter 259:
The massive rock, carrying the scent of magma, sent Venusaur flying into the air under the incredulous gazes of Hayashi Kaede and Uncle Yoshio.
This uniquely oppressive boulder, accompanied by molten heat—
"It's Precipice Blades! It's Precipice Blades!"
"The signature move of the Continent Pokémon, Groudon!"
BAM!
With a thunderous crash, Venusaur slammed into the ground, crying out in pain—"Venusaur… Venusaur…"—as both onlookers and their Pokémon finally snapped back to reality.
Seeing the scorched mark on Venusaur's abdomen and hearing its groans, Kaede immediately repeated his first-aid routine from before.
After a short while, Venusaur finally began to feel better.
Nearby, Blaziken and Dragonite, who had been in the middle of their own sparring session, were drawn by the commotion.
Blaziken stared in disbelief at the still-smoldering magma pillar by the river, unable to comprehend that the gentle Alcremie—who usually gave it cream—had unleashed such a terrifying move.
"Venusaur…" Venusaur also looked at the tiny Alcremie in Kaede's hands with lingering fear.
That scorching heat might not have been the most powerful Fire-type attack it had ever taken, but it was certainly the most terrifying.
It had almost seen its maker.
The scene fell into stunned silence, broken only by Venusaur's ragged breathing.
Then, the weak whimper from the Alcremie in Kaede's arms brought everyone back to their senses.
"Alcremie…" (No strength left… can't use it anymore…)
The little Alcremie slumped limply in Kaede's arms, looking utterly drained.
Kaede quickly took a restorative Energy Cube from his storage capsule and fed it to the exhausted Pokémon.
After nibbling on the cube bit by bit, Alcremie began to regain its strength.
Kaede looked up at the Venusaur he had known since childhood, a mix of guilt and embarrassment on his face.
Goodness…
I'm really sorry about that.
"Venusaur…" Venusaur exhaled heavily through its nostrils, choosing not to say anything more.
After all, it had agreed to let Alcremie use Metronome.
But who could have expected that kind of result?
It had never seen moves like those in its entire life.
Uncle Yoshio looked from Kaede's awkward expression to the dazed Venusaur, then at the still-glowing magma pillar that hadn't yet faded.
He thought for a long time but couldn't figure out what the move actually was.
Judging by its sheer power, it had to be a high-level Fire- or Ground-type move.
Kaede opened his mouth to apologize again. "Um…"
But Uncle Yoshio waved him off, recalling Venusaur and looking up at the sky. "Ah, young people sure have energy! Ahaha… I won't bother you anymore. I'll head back to my fishing. You all have fun!"
Then, like a puff of smoke, he hurried off toward the bridge.
Though inwardly, he muttered to himself:
"I never want to see the move Metronome again for the rest of my life."
"That Alcremie's luck is downright monstrous…"
Back with Kaede's group—
"Alcremie?" The now-restored strawberry Alcremie looked at Kaede in confusion, as if asking whether it had done a good job.
"Um…" Kaede was momentarily speechless before finally saying, "Alcremie, use Metronome on me once."
"Alcremie…?" Alcremie immediately shook its head like a drum.
After seeing what had happened with the last two Copycats, it wasn't about to risk that on its Trainer.
"It's fine," Kaede reassured it with a smile. "Gardevoir will put up a Protect barrier. No problem."
He placed a hand on Gardevoir's shoulder. While he himself wasn't afraid of any move Alcremie could pull off, his clothes might not survive unscathed.
Gardevoir hesitated for a moment, then silently activated Protect.
"Alcremie…" Alcremie still shook its head, reluctant.
At that moment, Dragonite raised a claw eagerly, eyes gleaming.
"Urrr!" (Let me! I'll do it!)
It patted its belly confidently, signaling it could handle the hit, and then cast Protect on itself just in case.
"Alcremie?" Alcremie looked uncertainly at Kaede.
"Alright, Dragonite it is," Kaede agreed with a small nod. With his Veridian Power and Dragonite's overwhelming level advantage, there shouldn't be a problem.
"Alcremie…" Alcremie used Metronome again.
A tiny Water Gun spurted out and splashed harmlessly against Dragonite's barrier before dripping down.
"Huh?" Kaede blinked.
"Uh?" Dragonite also looked bewildered.
Where had those absurdly powerful moves gone?
"Alright, now try Blaziken," Kaede said, holding Alcremie up.
"Blaziken?" Blaziken was startled, but after seeing Gardevoir form a Psychic barrier for protection, it nodded in acceptance.
Alcremie focused again, and this time, a small Ember flickered out.
The weak flame barely reached Blaziken before it was snuffed out by a casual swipe of its hand.
Good grief…Kaede thought wryly.
He gestured for Alcremie to try again—this time on Gardevoir.
Alcremie hesitated, then closed its eyes and focused. A soft, pink wave of energy floated toward Gardevoir.
Nothing happened.
It was Attract.
Since both Pokémon were female, the move had no effect.
Still, Gardevoir's eyes softened, and the corners of its mouth lifted in amusement.
"Alright, now with that state of mind," Kaede said gently, "try it on me again."
"Alcremie…" Alcremie hesitated.
"It's really fine," Kaede assured it, stroking the strawberry on its head. "Just think about what move you should use on me."
"Alcremie…" (Then… okay.)
Alcremie finally nodded. Looking up at Kaede, it activated Metronome once more.
This time, a faint pink glow shimmered in its bright red eyes. It pursed its lips, covered its mouth with one hand, and tugged softly at Kaede's sleeve with the other.
Then it let out a sweet, childish cry.
༼ つ ●◡● ༽つ: "Alcremie…"
Its voice carried a sticky, endearing, sugary warmth.
It was Baby-Doll Eyes! Alcremie had used Baby-Doll Eyes!
Kaede felt his heart instantly melt. He couldn't resist pulling Alcremie close and nuzzling it affectionately.
He murmured softly, "How are you so unbearably cute…"
"Alcremie? Alcremie~"
Alcremie didn't fully understand what had happened, but seeing Kaede smiling and holding it close, it beamed with delight.