Evolution: Pidgeot

Cubone returned to the cave, intending to quietly take out that pretty stone.

Its mother had not woken up yet and was still sleeping soundly. Very few Pokémon could wake an Ursaring in deep sleep, but if it did wake up, it was truly terrifying.

Seeming to think of something, Cubone shuddered, apparently frightened by the image in its mind.

But it quickly recovered and used its little claws to drag the stone outside.

It was not actually very strong, and dragging a stone nearly as large as itself was rather difficult.

But there was delicious food waiting ahead, so Cubone was highly motivated.

Come to think of it, its mother had picked up this stone a few weeks ago and said it was for Cubone to sleep on. It was still a little reluctant to part with it.

But how could that compare to honey? The moment Cubone thought of sweet honey, its reluctance to part with the stone vanished.

Yet after dragging it for a while, it realized it could no longer move it. Cubone turned around and saw that Ursaring had gotten up at some point and was pressing one forepaw onto the stone.

Cubone was terrified, and Yan Yang and the others, watching from nearby outside, were frightened as well.

However, Ursaring did not seem angry or about to fly into a rage. It looked more puzzled, with a hint of wariness.

Who were those outside?

Still, it was not overly vigilant, because it could clearly sense that they were all children. Among the group, only one Pidgey was slightly stronger.

There was also a human child. A powerful aura clung to him, one that Ursaring knew it should not provoke.

But it would not bully children just because it was strong. That would be far too beneath it.

Seeing that the other side did not seem particularly hostile, Yan Yang did not flee with the Pokémon. At a time like this, it was better not to move. Trying to run might only provoke it.

Ursaring was a bear too, right? Would playing dead work? Forget it, that had long been proven unscientific.

"Guma~ Who are those outside?" Ursaring asked Cubone.

Cubone told its mother everything that had happened.

Yan Yang also watched Ursaring's expression carefully, staying on guard.

But Ursaring showed no sign of anger, though it did gradually walk closer to them.

Pikachu and the others were a little scared. A Pokémon that large walking toward them was naturally frightening.

Litleo was scared too, but it still stood in front of Yan Yang. It was an instinctive reaction Pokémon had toward their Trainers.

Pidgey, on the other hand, was not particularly afraid. After all, it was in the right, and it had a fiery temper. It did not back down in the slightest before the newcomer, even carrying a faintly provocative air.

But Ursaring had not intended to do anything to them in the first place, making their behavior seem rather unnecessary.

"Guma~ Is that stone yours?"

"Jie jie~ Of course it is. How could you just take a Pokémon's things? You made me search forever." Pidgey spoke bluntly, while cold sweat broke out on Yan Yang's forehead. Good grief, could it not speak a little more politely? Was it really not afraid of angering Ursaring?

Ursaring did not show any hostility. "Guma~ If it's yours, then take it."

Pidgey was quite surprised. It could just take it back like that?

Yan Yang was surprised as well. He had not expected this rough-looking Pokémon to be so easy to talk to.

No one had expected it to be this easy.

Pidgey did not stand on ceremony and immediately grabbed the stone.

The moment Pidgey got the stone, its body was enveloped in a burst of white light.

Yan Yang: "?"

Good grief, it evolved as soon as it got the stone back? Just like you.

This was the first time in all these years that Yan Yang had seen a Pokémon evolve. It was astonishing, and he felt a little excited too.

Litleo, Pikachu, and the others also seemed very interested, wondering what they would look like when they evolved in the future.

Ursaring looked as though it had seen this sort of thing long ago, though it still watched silently.

A Pokémon's evolution truly was an awe-inspiring sight. No matter who it was, it was an incredibly sacred moment.

The white light faded, and the Pokémon before them was no longer the Pidgey from before. It had become a Pidgeot.

If you enjoy this book, please remember to add it to your bookshelf so you don't lose it next time.

Having just evolved, Pidgeot was still somewhat unaccustomed to its new body, but it was clearly excited.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa~ Look, friends! I evolved!"

Yan Yang and the Pokémon congratulated it.

As someone who had been through it before, Ursaring did not find evolution particularly exciting. Perhaps it was because it had not had so many good companions around it back then?

Unfortunately, it had no possibility of evolving any further. It seemed to have heard rumors that other Ursaring had evolved again, but rumors were only rumors, with little basis to them. It would have to be crazy to believe them.

Cubone watched as the stone disappeared, and its honey likely disappeared with it. It felt miserable, as though its whole world had turned gray.

Seeing Cubone looking a little devoid of all will to live, Yan Yang did not think much of it and handed the honey chunk to it.

Cubone immediately perked up. It looked at Yan Yang and the others, then at its mother. Neither showed any intention of stopping it, so this chunk of honey really was its.

Cubone cradled the precious sweetness in its hands and gently licked one corner of the honey chunk first. The sweet flavor immediately brought a satisfied smile to its little face.

Cubone began to savor its delicious treat. Sometimes it chewed slowly and carefully, while other times it could not help gulping down big mouthfuls, its face glowing with happiness.

Yan Yang was practically melting from the cuteness. Cubone looked far too adorable eating honey.

Ursaring wore a loving expression as well. Sure enough, Pokémon that had become parents seemed to have gentler tempers.

After finishing, Cubone licked its lips with lingering satisfaction, then meticulously licked every drop of honey from its claws until even the last trace of sweetness was gone.

"Heimi~ Thank you for the honey chunk. It was delicious."

"You're welcome."

Cubone looked at its mother. "Heimi~ Mom, can I go play with them for a while?"

Ursaring nodded.

"Hei~ Yay!" Cubone was overjoyed and led Yan Yang and the others off to play nearby. After all, when it came to familiarity with this place, Cubone undoubtedly knew it best.

Yan Yang hesitated a little. It was already getting late. They had originally planned to head back at noon, but the incident with Pidgey had delayed them for quite some time. He rarely stayed out playing from morning until evening before going home. Entei would probably worry about him.

But seeing how happy Cubone was, he felt embarrassed to refuse. He would play with it for a little while, then. It could also count as a bit of rest for himself after helping Pidgey.

Pidgeot, no longer a Pidgey, had little interest in playing. It was busy carrying the stones back.

Before leaving, Pidgeot said that it would go to Yan Yang's house tomorrow and bring him a gift.

Yan Yang had helped it so much that Pidgeot naturally wanted to give him something in return. Besides, it had gone to his house to look for stones before, so it roughly knew where Yan Yang lived.

After saying goodbye, Yan Yang and the others played with Cubone for a while. By then, it was already evening. If they did not head back soon, Entei might come looking for them.

Cubone also knew it was getting late and did not try to keep them. It went home first.

Yan Yang looked at Pikachu and Togepi and asked what they planned to do next.

Pikachu and the others said they would continue traveling everywhere, helping other Pokémon in the name of their adventure party.

Yan Yang supported their decision and encouraged them.

As if recalling something, Yan Yang took a feather from his backpack.

It was the feather Articuno had given him before, a divine item capable of intimidating other Pokémon.

Though it held great sentimental value, it was better to leave it with Pikachu and the others for now. He did not need the feather at the moment.

"I'll give this feather to you. It can help make your travels go more smoothly." Yan Yang did not explain any further.

Pikachu picked up the feather and sensed that some kind of power seemed to dwell within it.

Still, since it was a gift from Yan Yang, it would keep it safe.

After thanking him, Pikachu and the others left as well.

One by one, the friends who had traveled with him departed, until only he and Yan Bao remained.

"Let's go, Yan Bao." Yan Yang called to Litleo, who was still staring in the direction Pikachu and the others had left, and prepared to head home as well.

Litleo happily followed its trainer.

The figures of one person and one Pokémon gradually disappeared beneath the fading glow of the sunset.