Chapter 774: The Forest Sage

The lunch, as expected, made Happiny sad.

It left everyone despondent.

The sandwich filling looked perfectly normal, but its taste carried a pungent aroma, like eating soap; the thick beet soup was sweet yet bitter, with a hint of spice, making even Gyarados frown.

Everyone preferred eating emergency rations shaped like dog food rather than endure further torture to their taste buds.

The abysmal reception of the new dish turned Happiny into a brooding soul, hiding in a corner to draw circles in the dirt.

"happy…"

This time, All All Baimu did not go to comfort it.

Because a chef must endure criticism when developing new dishes, and Happiny was no stranger to such setbacks.

He curiously glanced at the two Pokémon who had just returned: Bisharp and Poliwhirl II.

"Where did you two go this morning?"

The two Pokémon exchanged a glance.

That, however, would take a long time to explain.

Time rewound to the morning.

After Dragonite had carried All All Baimu away.

"Gurrr."

Bisharp recalled its Trainer's earlier mention of a mysterious Pokémon.

Though it saw nothing, out of caution, it decided to use its free time to thoroughly scout the forest around the cabin.

No problem? Fine.

Problem? Solve it.

Bisharp now had the confidence to do so.

But…

"Gurrr!"

It roared through the window at Poliwhirl II, who was tinkering with the computer inside the cabin.

Based on the caution it had learned from its Trainer, it felt it needed an assistant.

There weren't many reliable teammates, and even fewer who could truly help—Poliwhirl II, clever and sharp-witted, was undoubtedly the best choice.

If anything went wrong, it could quickly alert the others or the returning Trainer.

"Pari?"

The toy duck inside heard the call and arrived; after a brief exchange, they came to an agreement.

After all, debugging the computer wasn't urgent.

Immediately,

After Bisharp informed Gyarados, who was sunbathing by the door, of their destination,

the two walked into the forest without looking back.

Strangely,

before they had gone far, the endless ocean-like sound behind them faded, and the shaded canopy and thick undergrowth plunged the surroundings into sudden silence.

"Gurrr~"

Bisharp's heavy feet crushed several fallen branches, crunching underfoot.

It was discussing the scope of their exploration with Poliwhirl II—

The minimum was returning in time for lunch.

But Poliwhirl II remembered the strange odor drifting from the kitchen before they left, and Happiny's odd "ha-pi-ha-pi" laugh, and winced: "Pari?"

Couldn't we just return a bit later?

"Gurrr!"

You mean you'll miss lunch? How naive!

Bisharp looked at Poliwhirl II with a "you're clueless" expression; though clever, Poliwhirl II didn't understand Pokémon social dynamics.

Happiny would surely stick to its "no one left behind" belief and prepare a separate portion just for them.

There'd be no escaping it.

"Pari…"

Poliwhirl II realized Bisharp was right, and hung its head in defeat.

In the forest,

many wild Pokémon hid in the soil, shrubs, and branches, watching curiously these two creatures they'd never seen before.

The small one looked dim-witted; the large one looked dangerous.

Lost from some human visitor?

For wild Pokémon on Melemele Island, human tourists weren't unfamiliar—outsiders or their Pokémon often wandered in by accident.

Usually, at such times,

they'd seek out a Pokémon who could help.

In the treetops,

two small Togepi flapped their wings and flew toward the forest's depths.

Bisharp lifted its head sharply, confirmed they were just ordinary bird Pokémon, and calmly looked away.

Most wild Pokémon weren't its match, but a few unusual individuals couldn't be ruled out.

Like Hu Pa or Rayquaza.

But the one it remembered most vividly was Raikou—the one its Trainer had once rescued and who later left. It had once thought Raikou might become its companion.

But it didn't.

That thing left as soon as it healed, never even returning to see them.

Bisharp vowed that if it ever saw that ungrateful big cat again, it would beat it first.

"Pari!"

An abnormal electromagnetic wave surged toward them from ahead!

Poliwhirl II suddenly sounded the alarm, its eyes sharp and fixed forward.

Huh?

Bisharp turned to look and saw a streak of orange-yellow lightning hurtling toward them, arriving in the blink of an eye.

What the hell!?

It lashed out with its claw, SLAMMING the surprise attacker to the ground like a fly.

SMACK!

ZZZT—!!

Electricity spread from the point of contact and exploded into a puff of smoke.

Bisharp, displeased, swiped its claw to clear the dust and looked down at the leaf-strewn ground.

A large-jawed Bug-type Pokémon came into view.

"Gurrr?"

"Pari!" Poliwhirl II explained the Pokémon's name.

Volcarona, the Fire Bug Pokémon, a Bug-type Pokémon.

It possessed the ability to fly at high speed through dense forests and could unleash powerful electromagnetic beams from its massive jaws.

"Gurrr…"

Bisharp picked up the unconscious Volcarona.

This thing sounded like a long-range attacker—so why launch a suicide attack just now?

It couldn't understand.

"Pari~"

Poliwhirl II sighed, explaining that this one probably just wanted to show off its acrobatic maneuvers like rapid spins and spiral ascents.

Didn't expect you reacted too fast and just smashed it to the ground.

"Gurrr~"

So it's my fault?

Bisharp shook the unconscious Volcarona, thinking it was awfully fragile.

Suddenly,

it lifted its head and looked around, realizing that countless small Bug-type Pokémon had emerged from the soil and treetops.

A few even carried another kind of green Bug-type Pokémon.

Poliwhirl II promptly activated its Pokédex function—

Grubbin and Charjabug.

The previous and initial forms of Volcarona.

So this was a mob attack?

"Gurrr~"

Bisharp found it amusing. Though they might have accidentally trespassed into these guys' territory and provoked their anger,

if you're going to attack, you'd better be ready to get knocked down.

Misunderstandings?

Wait until one of them is lying on the ground before letting go!

Bisharp raised its claw to throw Leppa Bug away—

"Ah, ah~"

A gentle voice came from ahead.

The Armored Mawleths blocking the path spontaneously parted, revealing a massive figure emerging from the jungle.

Bisharp recognized the newcomer: a giant white ape holding a grass fan, its shoulder draped in purple fur like a cloak, exuding an air of reclusion.

"Pari!"

Poliwhirl silently told Bisharp this was Alakazam.

A highly intelligent Pokémon with the miraculous ability to command wild Pokémon at will, known as the Sage.

Finally, something interesting has arrived.

Bisharp could sense a powerful aura emanating from Alakazam.

Yet.

Before it could attack, Alakazam smiled and waved its fan, signaling it to calm down: "Ah~ ah oda."

"Guh."

So it can listen.

Bisharp quickly retracted its aggressive stance and gently placed Leppa Bug on the ground.

It had originally planned to throw it at Alakazam.

Since it won't fight, it'll let it go.

It didn't care whether Alakazam had deliberately lulled it into complacency.

The Armored Mawleths, seeing Leppa Bug freed from Bisharp's grip, immediately wrapped it in silk and dragged its unconscious form away without hesitation, then turned and left.

Rustle, rustle…

The bunch vanished quickly.

Seeing this, Alakazam's expression grew even gentler. It turned and waved to Bisharp and Poliwhirl, walking slowly forward.

"Pari?"

Poliwhirl sought its elder's opinion.

Bisharp turned toward the shore, confirmed the current time with it again, and decided to follow.

Thus,

The two Pokémon were led to a massive treehouse.

Alakazam stood at the treehouse door, warmly inviting both to come upstairs.

"Ah!"

Bisharp stepped up without hesitation.

Poliwhirl: "Pari!"

That wood won't hold your weight!

It blocked Bisharp's path, seriously warning the latter.

Bisharp fell silent.

Its current weight exceeded four hundred kilograms; ordinary tree stumps surely couldn't bear it—likely shatter under one step.

"Ah~"

Alakazam leapt down from the second floor, surveyed Bisharp as a whole, then stomped on the staircase stump, nodding in confirmation: "Ah oda!"

It's fine to go up!

"Pari!"

Nonsense!

Poliwhirl didn't believe such visual judgment.

As a genius, it had already calculated—the stump would definitely not hold.

Alakazam gracefully waved its fan, refusing to argue with Poliwhirl, merely smiling at Bisharp and urging it to try.

The calm, composed, utterly in-control demeanor made the giant test the stump.

Poliwhirl, seeing this, angrily turned its head, waiting to hear the wood crack—yet couldn't help sneak a glance downward.

And the result was—

It held!

Bisharp stepped onto the second stair, turned in astonishment to Alakazam, who smiled and nodded, as if everything lay within its grasp.

Poliwhirl widened its eyes, stunned.

It held!

Nearly half a ton of pressure had been borne!

What kind of wood is this?

Poliwhirl never imagined it, who always embarrassed others, would one day be embarrassed itself!

"Ah, ah~"

Alakazam smiled without speaking.

Entered the treehouse.

Bisharp crouched awkwardly on a small wooden counter-like stump, while Poliwhirl sat beside it, watching Alakazam busily working behind the counter.

Seeing a pale yellow juice offered, Poliwhirl immediately felt rebellious again.

It's definitely not as tasty as what the Trainer makes!

As it thought this, Bisharp's voice suddenly echoed in its ear.

"Guh."

"Pari?"

It turned its head to see Bisharp down the juice in one gulp, nodding in approval, then giving it a slight nod.

Poliwhirl realized its emotions had been too intense.

The Trainer had said: when encountering something uncertain, don't immediately doubt—practice reveals truth.

Knowing Alakazam was intelligent, it had naturally compared, unconsciously rejecting everything about it.

Just like how it once rejected Rotom.

I'm still not mature enough.

Poliwhirl sighed, sipping the juice slowly.

Indeed.

The taste was good.

Seeing Poliwhirl enjoy it, Alakazam smiled happily: "Ah, ah~"

The Hōri juice settled.

Poliwhirl suddenly began rambling, first mentioning they'd just arrived in Alola, and the Trainer had gone shopping for food.

But soon,

It started talking about other things—like how there was a popular Rotom Dex online, packed with amazing functions, even able to fly and speak freely.

It wanted such a device too.

The Trainer didn't yet have an Electric-type Pokémon—would it ever catch one?

If it did, could it still assist the Trainer like this often?

Poliwhirl felt slightly annoyed.

It often secretly told the Trainer about its companions' hidden troubles, explaining why they were frustrated—but rarely spoke of its own inner feelings.

Today, after one cup of Hōri juice, it spilled everything.

Alakazam and Bisharp said nothing, merely listening quietly; the former even offered another cup of Hōri juice.

Soon after,

Poliwhirl suddenly realized the time was late.

It hurriedly reminded Bisharp, flew out of the treehouse, and at the door turned back to Alakazam, promising to return.

"Pari!"

"Ah, ah~"

Alakazam walked them all the way outside.

Before leaving, Bisharp gave Alakazam a meaningful look.

Unlike Poliwhirl, it hadn't spoken a flood of words—but it also found this place intriguing.

An interesting wild Pokémon, and an interesting place.

The Trainer would surely want to know.

Bisharp stepped heavily after the anxious Poliwhirl; Alakazam waved its fan with effortless grace, turning back up the stairs.

Crack!

A sharp sound.

It froze in place.

Alakazam looked down at the stump beneath its foot, carefully withdrew its foot—but it was already too late.

The stump snapped in half, triggering a chain reaction that shattered every wooden step above it.

Not only that.

The door of the wooden cabin also fell off, and its bottom collapsed with a thunderous crash, leaving a large hole.

In an instant, everything was in chaos.

The expression of calmness vanished from All All Baimu's face.

It widened its eyes, recalling the warning from Poliwhirl II about the wooden posts being unable to support the weight of Bonsly.

"Oh dear~"

All All Baimu let out a helpless sigh.

Intelligence.

Does not mean omniscience.

And reliable theories can become the foundation of practice.

The feather fan glowed with light, and the broken wooden posts and the cabin's base floated into the air.

——

Time returned to the present.

"Ah~"

All All Baimu, after hearing Bonsly's brief account, realized they had gone to the Forest Pokémon Café.

A special place cherished by many wild Pokémon, such as CAPU-Bear and CAPU-Chirp, where both Pokémon and humans are welcome to enter.

Its owner, the Forest Sage All All Baimu, possessed an old Z-band.

It was questionable whether it once had a Trainer.

Of course.

That old Z-band would, in the future, be given by All All Baimu as a reward to Mao'ao, who worked hard there.

He had no reason to compete with a little girl for it.