Xu Li didn't know how long he had been running. The sound of Hyper Beam hadn't been heard for a while.
The beach was already visible in the distance. Xu Li stopped under a section of dead wood, hands on his knees, and sighed, "Phew, that was, phew, a close call…"
Axew also mimicked Xu Li, placing its hands on its knees, and nodded in agreement in a proper manner, "Axew~"
After resting for a while, Xu Li released Growlithe and Spheal.
After coming out, Growlithe rubbed its thick Head against Xu Li's leg, circling him.
It wasn't a Pokémon that couldn't distinguish right from wrong; it just hadn't calmed down immediately when its mother's killer was right in front of it. Otherwise, it wouldn't have chosen to train its strength first before seeking revenge on Drapion.
After being recalled to its Poké Ball, Growlithe calmed down, knowing that escaping first was the best option.
Xu Li understood that Growlithe wasn't blaming him. He squatted down and petted Growlithe's fur, then looked at Spheal.
Spheal, despite its larger size, stood still, blinking its eyes, heartbreakingly quiet.
"Spheal (Head) ♦ — Poisoned, Paralyzed"
"Level: Lv21"
"Ability: Oblivious"
"Moves: Sleeping, Powder Snow, Rollout, Water Pulse, Aqua Tail, Ice Beam"
"Affection: 61 (Lifesaver)"
Xu Li quickly took out a Full Restore and Potion to help Spheal recover.
Then he took out energy cubes and distributed them to the Pokémon present, rewarding them.
Spheal tasted such delicious food for the first time, its eyes narrowed into slits, happily patting its belly with its two short hands, making "thump, thump, thump" sounds.
For Hisui Pokémon accustomed to delicious berries and various wild foods, energy cubes were a whole new world. Even Growlithe, who wasn't keen on gourmet food, wagged its Tail Whip when it ate an energy cube.
"Paras~ Paras!"
Paras also cried out with joy, as this was the moment it had been looking forward to the most.
After eating the energy cube, Spheal became much more affectionate, its U-shaped lips curved wider, and it circled around Xu Li.
"Spheal, do you know how to get back to your companions?"
Although Xu Li had fled in the direction he came from, he inevitably deviated from the path as he ran.
Spheal stopped spinning and shook its body.
"Pidgey~"
Spheal turned around and rolled in one direction.
Seeing this, Xu Li pulled Paras along and called Growlithe and Axew to follow.
Spheal seemed very familiar with the area, turning left and right with ease, and other Pokémon on the road mostly chose to avoid Xu Li and his group.
Finally, they arrived at a beach where many Spheal were gathered, some floating in the shallow water, but their evolved forms were not seen.
"Pidgey——Pidgey-——"
Spheal went up and communicated with its kind, and during the exchange, several Spheal anxiously left the group and rolled into the distance.
The Spheal also knew that Xu Li was the Head Spheal's benefactor, so they all surrounded Xu Li, patting their bellies and circling him.
About half an hour later, the few Spheal that had just left the group returned with two massive Walrein.
One of the Walrein was much larger than the other, and it was likely the Head as well.
It had two rings around its neck and two white stripes on its tail fin.
Thick layers of fat were hidden beneath its massive blue body, providing insulation against the cold, and two enormous tusks protruded from its mouth, serving as sharp weapons to Tear enemies.
However, the Head Walrein had sustained many injuries, and seeing the purple wounds on its body, it was clear that she had gone to rescue the little Spheal and then encountered the Head Drapion.
A group of Sealeo also returned, following the Walrein and Spheal, and more or less all of them were injured.
Seeing this situation, the Spheal group enthusiastically brought out Sitrus Berries, Oran Berries, and other Berries, piling them up for the returning team to replenish and treat them.
"Pidgey~"
"Woo—woo~"
After communicating with the Spheal group, Walrein understood the situation and was in a good mood after seeing the little Spheal return safely.
She approached Xu Li and nodded at him in a friendly manner.
"Woo——"
Then, she shook her Head, and a shell fell from the white fur beside her neck, which she handed to Xu Li.
[Shell Bell]
[When the Pokémon holding it deals damage to an opponent, it recovers a small amount of HP]
Xu Li accepted it with a clear conscience.
The other Walrein was directing the Sealeo group, and following its commands, some of the less injured Sealeo in the group dove into the sea.
Before long, the waves parted, and several Sealeo emerged with fish on their Heads, along with Berries they had collected, piling them in the center of the Spheal group.
The Spheal swayed their bodies around the food, as if performing an ancient ritual.
The scene seems to have fast-forwarded to a party? Xu Li thought to himself, seeing this.
The little Head Spheal came to Xu Li, pushing him and his Pokémon to the center of the piled food.
Xu Li guessed, "Are you letting us choose our food first?"
The little Spheal's round body nodded up and down.
"Pidgey~"
Looking at the fresh but raw fish, Xu Li didn't particularly like eating raw fish, so he ultimately chose a Berry.
It was a white and yellow Berry, shaped like a mango.
[Mago Berry]
[A sweet, friendly Berry that restores some HP to the target; if the target dislikes sweet flavors, it will become confused]
Axew and the others also chose their food; Growlithe picked up the largest tuna, while Axew and Paras both chose Berries.
Seeing Xu Li and his Pokémon take their food, the rest of the Spheal acted as if they had heard a starting gun, moving to enjoy the prepared food.
"Pidgey——"
"Pidgey~ Pidgey—"
The Spheal, enjoying their food, couldn't help but Pound their bellies, and for a moment, a cacophony of Pound sounds rose and fell, like a disorganized symphony.
"Axew~ Axew~ Axew~"
Axew also learned to Pound its belly like the Spheal, seeming to enjoy the moment very much.
On the beach, such a spectacular scene unfolded: dozens of Spheal were Pound their bellies, pushing the party atmosphere to its peak.
Looking at the cute and Attract Spheal, Xu Li couldn't help but smile, taking out 20 energy cubes and sharing his unique food with the Spheal group.
The Spheal who tasted the energy cubes were also amazed, and they all surrounded Xu Li, swaying their bodies to express their affection for him.
Next, Xu Li used Growlithe's Ember to light a bonfire, grilled fish on it, and shared it with the Pokémon at the party.
It was a simple yet genuine party, where both hosts and guests enjoyed themselves, and Xu Li forged a friendship with the Spheal.
As dusk fell, the grand feast finally ended.
The Spheal on the beach gradually left, and the little Head Spheal pushed a pile of Berries to Xu Li, signaling him to take them.
"Thank you, Spheal."
Xu Li squatted down and petted Spheal, who affectionately rubbed against Xu Li, revealing a big smile.
"Pidgey~ Pidgey~"
This was a farewell.
Then, it turned its round body, intending to rejoin the departing Spheal group.
"Wait, Spheal!"
Xu Li hesitated, then finally took out Spheal's Poké Ball, paused, and said:
"This… Poké Ball, you take it. That way, no one else can catch you."
Spheal turned around, stunned.
Then, it rolled its body, pushing the Poké Ball Xu Li had offered back to him.
"Pidgey~ Pidgey Pidgey~"
"Do you want me to keep it for you?"
"Pidgey~ Pidgey~"
Spheal nodded up and down happily, its eyes narrowed into slits.
"I see, I'll keep it safe!"