Chapter 238: Mucke

"Xiao Zhao, have you decided what you want to choose as your second partner?" Huo La and Xiao Zhao walked shoulder to shoulder on the dirt road across the Dazhi Slope plain, the path leveled by the footfalls of passing staff, and a light Insect Cry occasionally rose from the grass on either side.

Xiao Zhao, hearing that, suddenly lifted her head toward the sky, and a flock of Mucke birds beat their wings and swept by, leaving a string of crisp calls.

Her eyes glittered: "Um... I want a Mucke."

"Home bird," Huo La said, also looking up, watching the flock vanish on the skyline, murmuring absentmindedly.

"Home bird?" Xiao Zhao tilted her head, looking at him with a puzzled face, "What does that mean?"

"Nothing, nothing." Huo La quickly shook his head, smiling as he explained, "Just that Mucke is very common."

He couldn't say that in later generations, trainers traveling out, the first captured Pokemon, 90% are the weak, abundant Flying-type Pokemon like Bobo, Mucke, Dou Dou pigeon outside the town.

"But it's chubby, can still fly, I didn't expect you'd like this kind of Pokemon."

Xiao Zhao's cheeks instantly flushed a bit, shyly tugged her sleeve: "Around Dazhi Slope, the Pokemon, only Mucke looks the cutest."

"Then why not consider catching a Stinger Tail Bug?" Huo La stroked his chin, "When it evolves into Hunting Swallowtail, it's really beautiful."

"No, no!" Xiao Zhao immediately waved her hands, head shaking like a tambourine, voice raised a few notes, "I... I hate bugs the most!"

Huo La looked at her nervous look, couldn't help laughing: "I didn't expect you'd still be afraid of bugs."

Xiao Zhao stomped her foot, glared at him scoldingly, then changed the subject: "What about you, Huo La? Have you decided what Pokemon to catch?"

"Me..." Huo La stroked his chin, eyes scanning the surrounding grass, "Not decided yet, no rush. Anyway Dr. Laventon gave us twenty‑five Pokeballs, we can try them all, then pick the one we like best."

Xiao Zhao suddenly understood, nodded, then eyes bright, reached out and grabbed Huo La's wrist, voice full of excitement: "Since you have no target, will you go with me to catch Mucke first? To the direction they just flew!"

Without waiting for Huo La's reply, she tugged him and ran forward, Water Otter at her feet pattered along, its little paws clutching its Shell Blade, face excited.

"Water Otter, use Shell Blade! Don't hurt it, just knock it down!"

"Ah!" Water Otter responded, its short legs surged, like a tiny cannon it launched, the Shell in its hand glimmered with faint water light, speeding toward the outermost Mucke to slash.

The Mucke didn't notice danger, its wing lightly brushed by Shell Blade, it shrieked and fell from the branch, landing in the grass, flapping its wings, unable to fly up immediately.

"Good chance! Now!" Huo La's voice rang timely.

Xiao Zhao inhaled deeply, aimed at the Mucke's direction, threw the heated Pokeball with force.

Red Light flashed, the Mucke was instantly sucked into the ball.

The Pokeball landed on the ground, began shaking violently, Xiao Zhao clenched her fist nervously, even her breathing lightened, eyes never blinking at the ball.

One second, two seconds, three seconds... as the Pokeball stopped shaking, Xiao Zhao's breathing steadied again.

"Got it!" Huo La exhaled, smile appearing.

In this hour and a half, Xiao Zhao had failed over a dozen times, either missing the throw or scaring the Mucke away; only this time succeeded.

Water Otter hopped over, carefully lifted the Pokeball with its Shell, bounced over to Xiao Zhao, handed it up.

Xiao Zhao joyfully took the Pokeball, hurriedly pressed the switch to release Mucke.

The newly captured Mucke's wings were still a bit injured, looking weak, but it tilted its head, looked at Xiao Zhao for a moment, then flapped its wings, gently brushed her cheek, emitting a soft, mellow chirp.

Xiao Zhao's eyes instantly curved into crescents, she gently stroked the Mucke's feathers, a smile couldn't be hidden.

"All right Huo La, my second partner is here!" Xiao Zhao held the Pokeball containing Mucke, face full of satisfied smile, then pulled out the remaining Pokeballs from her pocket, tossed them over, "These leftovers, you can have them all."

Huo La was stunned, looking at the bulging Pokeballs in his palm, raised an eyebrow and asked, "You aren't continuing to capture? Dr. Laventon said we could try as much as we want."

Xiao Zhao shook her head, fingertips lightly brushed Mucke's feathers in her arms, tone gentle: "No, with Xiao Ta and Xiao Mu it's enough. I kept five Pokeballs, will catch more later if I really like one." She paused, added, "If I have too many I can't take care of them, it would be unfair to the Pokemon."

Huo La looked at her serious demeanor, not pretentious, reached out and put the Pokeballs into his backpack: "Fine, I won't be rude."

He looked up at Xiao Zhao, tone became solemn, "Since you've finished capturing, let's return to Dr. Laventon's camp first. Mucke's wing was brushed by Shell Blade earlier, not serious, but better let the doctor give a simple treatment."

Xiao Zhao looked down at the Mucke perched on her shoulder, still a bit wilted, quickly nodded: "Right! What about you? Need me to go with you?"

"No need." Huo La waved his hand, patted the Fireball Mouse on his shoulder, "My backpack full of Pokeballs might not be done until evening, you go back first, don't worry about me."

"Then you must be careful!" Xiao Zhao still uneasy, repeatedly reminded, "Don't run beyond Dazhi Slope, if danger comes flee quickly!"

"Got it, got it, you go back quickly." Huo La smiled, waved, watched Xiao Zhao leave with Water Otter and Mucke, his figure fading into the deep grass.

After Xiao Zhao's silhouette vanished completely, Huo La withdrew his gaze, raised his hand to pinch his stiff neck, moved his wrist, a sharp glint in his eyes.

"Let's go, Fireball Mouse." He looked down at the little creature on his shoulder, a smile curling at his mouth, "Now it's time for our exclusive training. Finally we can let loose, test your strength, and look for a suitable partner."

Fireball Mouse happily nudged his cheek, little paws clinging his collar, eyes full of eager light.

Huo La inhaled deeply, turned his head toward the deeper part of Dazhi Slope, where the grass grew denser and trees taller.

"Depart!"

Huo La gave the order, leading Fireball Mouse toward the deep plains.