Chapter 8: Chapter 8
"Sam, go to bed! You must have had a busy day, and I'm just lending a hand!" Alex insisted.
"Alright, if you can handle the Pokémon hunting, I trust you!" Sam agreed.
"Great!" Alex replied with a grin. After bidding each other goodnight, Sam returned to the house, while Alex lay on a straw mat, gazing at the starry sky. A sense of tranquility washed over him, and he turned his attention to the Pokémon egg in his hand. "Little one, it's time to come out!" he coaxed. The egg quivered slightly. "Oh? Haha, come on out, everyone's waiting for you!" Alex encouraged again, but this time, there was no movement. He waited for a while, but there was still no sign of activity, and he eventually drifted off to sleep.
However, under the same night sky, someone couldn't find rest.
After removing his disguise, the mysterious man revealed himself as a young individual. "Mightyena, we can't go back. I've lost something crucial, and it seems irrecoverable. Will you stay with me?" he asked.
"Woof woof!"
"Thank you, Mightyena. We'll rely on each other from now on," the young man said, petting Mightyena's head.
Meanwhile, Alex, who had been awake until midnight, was abruptly awakened by a nudge from Bellosom. Concern was written all over her face. Alex inquired, "What's wrong?" Bellossom pointed at the sky. "Is that... rain?" Bellossom nodded vigorously. "In that case, we need to prepare early. Let's move them inside!" Bellosso. nodded again.
Alex, Bellossom, and Kirlia began to transport the Pokémon together. Fortunately, they were all smaller and relatively lightweight. Alex could carry several at a time, while Bellossom managed two. With Kirlia' telekinesis, they quickly completed the task. Exhausted, they rested after the move, and just as they settled in, a heavy downpour began. Alex shut the door and lit a fire, filling the house with warmth. Afterward, he didn't wake Sam. One person staying up late for patrol was enough; it wouldn't be fair to keep two awake. Some of the Pokémon stirred briefly but soon drifted back to sleep in the cozy atmosphere. "Thank you for your help," Alex whispered to Kirlia and Bellossom.
The trio, tired from their efforts, soon fell asleep. The only sounds in the house were the crackling of the firewood and the steady rain outside, which continued until dawn broke.
At eight in the morning, Alex finally woke up, feeling refreshed despite yesterday's exhaustion. Most of the Pokémon that had suffered minor injuries had already left the living room, leaving behind those with more serious injuries. Bellossom was already tending to her fellow Pokémon, and Alex began preparing food for everyone. After all, proper nutrition was crucial for their recovery. While Alex's experience was limited, he had enough knowledge to provide for the Pokémon's needs.
After taking care of the Pokémon, Alex eagerly checked on his Pokémon egg. It had been showing signs of activity before, and according to Sam, eggs that moved frequently were likely to hatch soon. Placing the egg in the hay, Alex sat down to eat his own breakfast. After the meal, it was time for his regular training. With this little lotus seed by his side, Alex guided it to absorb the surrounding green energy slowly. To his delight, the lotus seed seemed to be growing, just a bit bigger than yesterday. He couldn't help but wonder what it would become in the future. After absorbing all the energy, Alex felt invigorated and full of vitality.
When Sam returned from his patrol duty, it seemed that nothing unusual had occurred. After a quick breakfast, he began discussing the future with Alex. "You're getting stronger, and your Pokémon can protect you now. Have you thought about going on adventures? Despite your age, your strength and Pokémon can keep you safe. Any plans?"
Alex nodded thoughtfully. "I have thought about it. I want to become an apprentice at a Pokémon Gym!"
"That's a great idea. Being an apprentice not only strengthens your skills but also allows you to delve into your interests. You can even learn about gym management. Which gym are you considering?" Sam inquired.
"In terms of gym rankings in the Hoenn region, Mr. Norman's gym is at the top," Alex revealed.
"Mr. Norman is indeed strong and has a good reputation. He's well-off and has a family, and he's highly respected locally. However, he rarely takes on apprentices. If you decide to go there, I can provide you with a letter of recommendation," Sam suggested.
"No, I don't think that would work. Mr. Norman probably doesn't rely on recommendations. He's a very principled person, and I don't believe he has influential connections. Despite his strength, he manages a gym in a small town, far from the Pokémon League. It's possible he shares my disdain for bureaucracy," Alex mused.
"Is that so?" Sam pondered, agreeing with Alex's analysis. "If you have your own plan, then stick to it."
"Thanks, Sam. You understand me well!" Alex smiled.
"It's good to know, but why not call me 'brother'?" Xiao Li suggested.
"Let's forget about it! We're about the same age, after all," Alex replied.
"I'm more than twice your age," Sam quipped, but when he saw Alex's reluctance, he dropped the subject. Then he asked, "So when do you plan to leave?"
"I think I'll head out tomorrow without further delay," Alex replied, looking at Sam.
"Alright, I hope you'll thrive wherever you go. If I find the time, I'll come visit you!" Sam said.
"Okay!" Alex was genuinely touched. No one had cared about him like this before, and now he had someone who treated him like family.
"Okay, let's get to work!" Sam said.
Their task for the day was to pick most of the tree fruits, dry them, and store them. Some could be left on the trees for later use, as they couldn't let the fruits occupy space continuously. These fruits produced year-round, and cultivating them correctly could yield a high harvest. Additionally, Alex and the Pokémon had cleared an open space to grow specific medicinal herbs, which were more valuable than tree fruits. Among them was the famous Revival Herb. To make it easier for Sam to use water, Alex had redirected a small river from a nearby one, but it was just a start. They spent the day busy but fulfilled, and the following day, Alex prepared to leave.
With his bags packed, Alex planned to depart early in the morning. In the morning breeze, Sam bid farewell to him. Though he was reluctant to see Alex go, he knew it was necessary for his growth. The two boys didn't shed any tears. "Sam, I'll come back once I've learned enough," Alex assured him.
"Well, I'll be waiting for you to return and help us open our gym!" Sam said.
"Goodbye, Brother Sam!" Alex turned and said.
"Take care, and remember, I'll always be your brother!" Sam replied. Alex didn't look back and waved goodbye as he walked away, while Sam stood there.
"Alright, we have to grow as well. Larulas, it's time for you to evolve," Sam said.
Meanwhile, Alex, holding an elf egg, rode on Tropius and flew toward the town where Mr.Norman's gym was located. However, during the flight, the elf egg, which had been quiet, suddenly began to shake. Alex was caught off guard, and the egg fell from the air. "What?" Alex exclaimed. "Bellossom, catch it!"
With no other options, Alex threw a Poké Ball, and Bellossom swiftly flew in the direction of the falling egg. Using Petal Dance, it created countless layered petals that rose from below, successfully catching the falling egg and landing it safely.
"That was so close! It scared me," Alex scolded himself mentally for being careless with the elf egg. As he jumped down from Tropius, he noticed that the egg was shaking violently. This puzzled him. Gradually, the egg's shaking decreased, eventually coming to a halt and emitting a brilliant light. It appeared that the elf was about to hatch. The light slowly faded, revealing a little creature inside the cracked egg. "Who might this be?" Alex wondered, as he had never seen this type of elf before.
However, at that moment, the little creature was emitting cries in the direction of Bellossom, as if it felt a strong connection to it. Alex carefully observed Bellossom, whom the little one seemed to recognize instantly. Bellossom gladly approached, and the two intertwined closely. It was only then that Alex realized the little creature was hovering in mid-air. After spending some time near Bellossom, it leaped into the nearby flowers, searching curiously. "Huh? What's it looking for?" Alex wondered. After a while, it seemed unable to find what it sought and returned to Bellossom's embrace with evident disappointment.
During mealtime, Alex prepared a carefully selected meal tailored for the young elf. However, despite his efforts, it appeared lethargic and lacked energy. "What am I going to do with this?" Alex couldn't help but feel perplexed. While he wanted to assist, he found himself utterly unfamiliar with this particular elf. Feeling helpless, he gazed at the uncomfortable little creature nestled in Bellossom arms. Alex then turned to the Tropius and said, "Let's go. It might be best to head to Dr. Birch' research institute first."
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
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