Pokémon Ranch Story

After gently rubbing the little head of the foam squirrel, Xia Mu took out a small snack from the side.

Holding a piece in both hands, the foam squirrel ate it in small bites, its eyes fixed on the special piece of shabu-shabu, and asked Xia Mu curiously.

"This is a hair-growth dish made for Zapdos. Would Foam Chipmunk like to try some?"

Upon hearing this, the foam squirrel shook its head, "Lili!"

(I don't want to turn into a little ball of fluff. I'll leave that to Zapdos. Natsume, Natsume, I'll take you to find it.)

"Alright then! Let's go find Zapdos."

Scratching the foam squirrel's chin made the little guy purr contentedly. Xia Mu then carried the newly made, still-warm Sabulei towards Zapdos.

As we approached the woods near the lake on the ranch, the calls of various birds and Pokémon filled our ears.

Zapdos didn't come alone; it brought a flock of birds with it.

The ranch has been incredibly lively these past few days.

You can see bird Pokémon flying overhead all the time.

Similarly, food consumption has been enormous these days.

The food that came with the purchase of the motorcycle lizard has been eaten up.

The noisy bird, having once again led its flock out to find food, let the flock disperse on its own and then found the Zapdos.

"quack"

(Let's leave.)

The Zapdos, its head wrapped in cloth to cover its bald spot, cast a listless glance.

"Fuming—"

(Isn't this your home? Why did you leave?)

"That's what the noisy bird explained."

"Quack~"

(It's precisely because this is home that we have to leave. Now the bird population is so large that Xia Mu simply can't support us.)

The noisy birds watched as the pasture's food rations were being consumed.

He has been frequently taking the flock of birds out to find food these past few days, also in order to lighten Xia Mu's burden.

However, things didn't go as planned; the resources near the ranch were limited.

If we stay here, we'll soon face a food shortage.

They were also a huge burden for Xia Mu.

"Fumingfu!"

Zapdos lowered its head; it didn't want to leave in its current state, especially since it might encounter two other stinky birds.

"Zetzart, so you were hiding here! Come and try my new dish."

Xia Mu's voice came from outside the woods, "You noisy bird, you're here too!"

"Fu Ming--"

Zapdos stood up excitedly, looking at Natsuki with hopeful eyes.

"Want to give it a try?"

Zapdos: (?o?o)??

It couldn't wait any longer; it would do anything to cure its baldness.

"Okay, let's go outside."

Seeing the golden sabule that Xia Mu took out, a tempting aroma wafted over, and Zapdos swallowed it whole.

At first, Zapdos did not show any obvious reaction.

First of all, the taste is really delicious.

But after a while, a thunderclap suddenly sounded in the sky.

Suddenly, a dark cloud drifted over.

Immediately afterwards, lightning flashed among the clouds, and a bolt of lightning struck Zapdos.

Zapdos blinked, feeling as if it had been bitten by a mosquito.

But in the next moment, almost continuous lightning struck one after another, without any sign of stopping.

After being struck by lightning multiple times, Zapdos gradually noticed something was wrong and became somewhat excited.

It clearly sensed that the lightning power within its body was increasing.

Each time he is struck by lightning, he gains a little bit of power.

This tiny glimpse of light was barely perceptible, yet it couldn't withstand the relentless lightning strikes!

"Chirp~"

Zapdos took off from the ground, soaring into the thunderclouds with a loud cry, willingly accepting the baptism of lightning.

The thrill of this power boost captivated Zapdos.

The thunderclouds overhead lasted for ten minutes, seemingly having completely released their energy before dissipating completely.

Zapdos landed gracefully on the ground, exuding an air of grandeur.

“Congratulations, Zapdos,” Xia Mu said.

It seems that Zapdos has gained quite a bit of benefit.

And most importantly, Zapdos's bald spot was cured.

Its forehead is no longer bald; it is now covered by a brand-new, golden crest, making Zapdos even more extraordinary.

I wonder where Zapdos will rank in the group now that it has been strengthened?

There are many legendary Zapdos in the world, but the strongest Zapdos is not from Asia Island; it is known as the 'God of Thunder'.

When combined with the other two 'Gods of Fire' and 'Gods of Ice', his strength is comparable to Lugia's.

Their combat strength is quite formidable.

Using the lake as a mirror, one can see the crest of feathers growing on one's head.

Zapdos excitedly let out one loud cry after another; it was no longer a bald bird!

Then he pounced on Xia Mu and rubbed against it affectionately.

Zapdos's affection for Natsuki skyrocketed.

"See? I didn't lie to you!"

With a cheerful smile, Xia Mu pushed away the incredibly excited Zapdos, realizing that he had gained the friendship of a legendary Pokémon.

Zapdos puffed out its chest and nodded vigorously at Natsuki, chirping loudly.

(Xia Mu, you can call me anytime you need anything! Your problems are my problems.)

As he spoke, Zapdos painfully plucked a crest feather from its head, the feather crackling with lightning power.

Even across oceans and mountains, Zapdos can sense Xia Mu's call through this feather.

After taking the unusual feather and pondering for a moment, Xia Mu asked, "Are you leaving?"

"Fuming--"

(I've recovered now, and I'll continue to follow in Lord Lugia's footsteps.)

Chapter 68 Preparation before leaving

"What? You're leaving too, you noisy bird!"

Xia Mu's gaze swept over the Chatterbox and Zapdos, finally settling on Zapdos, his eyes turning resentful.

What the hell!

He only wanted to be friends with it, but Zapdos wanted to steal it away from him.

Waving to the noisy bird, Xia Mu asked again, "Are you really leaving? Wouldn't it be better to stay on the ranch?"

"quack!"

The noisy bird landed on Xia Mu's shoulder, gently pecked his arm with its beak, and then rubbed its head against him before explaining why.

"quack--"

(Xia Mu is working too hard; we're about to eat all the food on the ranch. I don't want Xia Mu to work so hard.)

The noisy bird folded its wings together, like a primary school student being questioned.

"That's it"

Xia Mu nodded to indicate that he understood.

He's been busy cooking for Zapdos these past few days and hasn't paid much attention to this.

Now, thanks to the chatterbox's reminder, nearly a hundred bird Pokémon have suddenly appeared on the ranch, a rate that he simply cannot keep up with.

He had already made up his mind, but he still asked, "Have you decided where you're going?"

"Caw caw~" (We will follow in Lord Lugia's footsteps, and Zapdos will come along too. Natsuki, you don't need to worry about our safety.)

Seeing this, Xia Mu understood; the noisy birds had already made up their minds.

At the same time, Xia Muxin felt a little more at ease. With Zapdos by her side, her safety was at least guaranteed.

Having traveled extensively, Xia Mu knew better than anyone that the wilderness was not safe and that encountering danger was highly probable.

Chatot and the others are just ordinary Pokémon. When they go out into the world, especially when they follow Lugia around, they will encounter all sorts of dangers.

For example, being attacked by other wild Pokémon, getting lost, or getting sick.

With Zapdos by your side, the situation is slightly better.

Xia Mu wanted to persuade the noisy bird to stay in Sala City with its flock, but he couldn't bring himself to say it.

Considering the chatterbird's previous behavior, is it really a good thing to confine it to the pasture? Is that the kind of life the chatterbird wants?

Both humans and Pokémon have the right to choose.

He once longed for the life of a trainer and chose to go on adventures, and his family did not stop him.

What right does he have to stop the noisy birds?

After the noisy bird has seen the world, he chooses to return to his daily life. He and the marsupials are still waiting for him on the ranch.

However, this is to ensure that the noisy birds remember the way home.

Xia Mu had an idea.

After a moment of silence, it watched the noisy bird's anxious movements, stroked it to soothe it, and looked at the Zapdos beside it.

"Zetzart, could you please take care of Zapdos? Just bring it back safely when it gets tired of traveling."

"Chirp~"

Upon hearing this, Zapdos nodded noncommittally. Since it was a companion searching for Lord Lugia, taking care of it was the proper thing to do.

"Then, I'll leave the chatterbird to you." Xia Mu nodded, gesturing for the chatterbird to fly over.

The noisy bird was slightly surprised, not expecting that Xia Mu would actually agree.

His face lit up with childlike joy, just like when Xia Mu received his family's approval.

The figures of a person and a Pokémon overlapped, and Natsuki seemed to be looking at his past self.

I'm still a little reluctant to leave!

Seeing them like this, Xia Mu couldn't help but remind them, "However, I hope you will wait two days before setting off. The chatterbirds can use this time to make final arrangements and say goodbye to the marsupials properly."

"quack!"

(Of course, I'll go right now.)