That Stinks (Half-Annoyed)

In the shadowy woods, thick with lush foliage, Whimsicott looked panicked as it did its best to use Cotton Spore to fend off the foul-smelling liquid spraying from the tail tip of the purple beast before it.

The liquid had barely touched the air when a stench several times worse than a pair of socks worn continuously for a month and then sealed in an airtight space for a year began to spread through the area.

Whimsicott could barely breathe. Its face turned purple, and even breathing felt like torture.

But it couldn't fall yet.

As it defended itself, Whimsicott anxiously glanced at the two Hoppip behind it, already unconscious from poisoning.

They had been drifting along on the wind when a sudden gust blew them into the territory of this Stunky before they could adjust their course.

Stunky wouldn't tolerate any other beings invading its territory. It had poisoned the Hoppip in a single exchange, leaving only Whimsicott to struggle on.

Whimsicott shook the poison-soaked Cotton Spore off its body, then forced its feeble body to release more Cotton Spore to block Stunky's attack. Despair welled up inside it.

At this rate, it wouldn't be able to hold on much longer.

Anyone, please! Come save us!!

"Damn, Serperior, what kind of route did you take us on? That stinks!" (Half-annoyed)

A startled male voice rang out. Stunky seemed to take it as a provocation; its fur bristled as it glared viciously at the newcomer.

A spark of hope flared in Whimsicott's eyes.

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Pepper was so overwhelmed by the stench he nearly passed out on the spot. From his nose to his throat, it felt as if everything were burning, and he coughed uncontrollably.

Master Dogue had already tucked his tail between his legs and covered his nose with his forelegs.

His sense of smell was dozens of times more sensitive than a human's. If Pepper and Luo Mu had nearly passed out from the stench, it was even worse for Master Dogue.

Serperior tapped Luo Mu's palm lightly with the tip of its tail in reproach. Was this really the time to worry about whether it stank?

If they didn't act soon, those three future farmhands would really be poisoned to death.

Serperior's reminder brought Luo Mu to his senses. This really wasn't the time to worry about the smell. The Hoppip's bodies were tinged purple, a clear sign of poisoning.

And after resisting Stunky's attacks for so long, Whimsicott's poison was likely to take effect any moment.

Whimsicott looked like it had only recently evolved, which meant it was probably just over level 20. Stunky, on the other hand, had clearly been fully evolved for a while and might even be nearing level 40.

So now it was time for... a hero to make their entrance!

Luo Mu covered his nose with his right hand and gave an order with a wave of his left. "First, cover up that stench. Aroma Veil!"

Serperior didn't usually use that move lightly, but if it didn't use it now, Luo Mu and Pepper might be the next ones to pass out.

Fine. I'll make an exception today. (ω)

Serperior coiled its body, and a rich, woody fragrance spread rapidly outward from it.

For a moment, the stench was overpowered by the fragrance, creating an indescribable smell.

But that was enough. As long as they suppressed Stunky's stench, they had plenty of ways to deal with it.

As if it could no longer stand the situation, Stunky sprayed several streams of foul-smelling poison from the tip of its raised tail.

Serperior really didn't want its Vine Whip to get contaminated by that stuff. Its snake eyes narrowed as Grass energy formed into sharp leaves. The leaves gathered into a small tornado, which shot from the tip of Serperior's tail.

This wasn't Leaf Storm. If it really used Leaf Storm, Stunky would be badly injured. After all, they were the ones who had trespassed into Stunky's territory.

Luo Mu had always taught Serperior that even when you possessed power, you couldn't let yourself abuse it.

Grass Mixer instantly churned the poison into scattered droplets. The liquid fell to the ground, and the grass where it landed quickly withered.

Then Grass Mixer surged toward Stunky without losing momentum, engulfing it.

In an instant, Stunky screamed as Grass Mixer battered it. When it met Serperior's imposing, noble gaze, it immediately understood that Serperior was far beyond anything it could afford to provoke.

Without the slightest hesitation, Stunky tucked its tail between its legs and fled into the distance without looking back, abandoning even its territory.

"Wild Pokémon can survive in the dangerous wilderness because they know how to read a situation. When an enemy is too strong for them to handle, they choose to run."

Luo Mu took the opportunity to explain to Pepper, who was curious about why Stunky had fled.

"Then why didn't Whimsicott run?"

"Because they're family. With bonds and loved ones to worry about, it's not so easy to abandon everything."

"Oh."

"All right, that should do it."

Luo Mu gently placed the second Hoppip on the temporary vine bed Serperior had woven with Vine Whip. As the purple tinge quickly faded from its body, the tension finally left his face and a smile appeared.

He had to admit, the antidote really worked.

A small bottle of antidote could save most poisoned Pokémon.

Luo Mu let out a sigh of relief and looked at Whimsicott, whose expression was tense. "The Hoppip are out of danger now. Can you let me treat you?"

Whimsicott hesitated. Then, remembering that Luo Mu and Serperior had saved them and seeing that the Hoppip were recovering, it decided to trust him.

Whimsicott closed its eyes and placed its body completely in Luo Mu's care.

As before, Luo Mu used the half-full bottle of antidote to cure Whimsicott's poisoning. Then he took a bottle of Potion from his canvas shoulder bag and carefully applied it to the bite wounds Stunky had left on Whimsicott.

Pepper watched as Luo Mu calmly and methodically dealt with the situation. For a moment, he thought that dependable adults were really cool.

He... kind of wanted to become someone like that, too.

Serperior's tail tip swished back and forth in indecision. It had been a long time since Luo Mu had treated it so gently. Should it pretend to be injured and seek some comfort?

But wouldn't that be a little too deliberate and forward?

Serperior was torn.

Whimsicott opened its eyes. Its body, which had felt numb and weak from the poisoning and injuries, now felt light, and its discomfort was quickly fading. All of this was thanks to the human before it.

Whimsicott gave Luo Mu a grateful look.

Seeing that Whimsicott was recovering, Luo Mu finally decided to extend an invitation. Rather than take advantage of it while it was vulnerable, he wanted to leave the choice up to Whimsicott.

After gathering his thoughts, Luo Mu spoke plainly. "Have you ever considered living on a human's farm?"