I Won't Break My Promise... There Will Be a Gift...

Yan Yang returned to where his companions had gathered, riding the slightly cool night breeze.

Armorouge was the first to approach. Its nostrils twitched lightly as it sniffed him—hmm, no strange odors, only a clean, refreshing scent mixed with faint sulfur, moisture, and fragrance. It seemed he had enjoyed a proper soak in the hot springs.

"You've worked hard," Yan Yang said, patting Armorouge's arm with approval. "Considering how diligently you've been tempering the plateau Pokémon these past two or three days, I'll let the game you made me lose slide! I'm very generous, you know."

Armorouge nodded repeatedly, wearing an obedient expression that said, "Whatever you say is right."

Yan Yang looked around. After the revelry, the plateau had become much quieter.

The young Pokémon had long since collapsed every which way and fallen asleep. Their energy came quickly and went quickly; loving sleep was simply a child's nature.

Only now did some of the older Pokémon cautiously approach, their eyes filled with gratitude.

With so many companions and Lord Guardian present earlier, they had felt somewhat restrained. Now, they finally had the chance to come forward and express their thanks.

Especially Gutsy Panda. It had been "tempered" the most harshly by Armorouge, but it had also gained the most.

It had already thought highly of Yan Yang because he was friends with its Pancham. Now that it had witnessed his companion's training methods and the tangible improvements they brought, it completely acknowledged this human.

Naturally. Armorouge was proficient in Dragon, Fighting, and Fire types, so Pokémon sharing those types gained extra benefits from training with it.

"Bada..." Gutsy Panda let out a low roar, carrying a trace of reluctance. "Will you... come back again someday?"

"If we get the chance, we'll definitely come back to play!" Yan Yang