Mudkip's Unexpected Turn

Senior Brother had defeated Brawly at full strength, leaving both Zeno and Sapphire thrilled beyond words.

Brawly had even given Gu Yan a Knuckle Badge. Gu Yan himself did not think much of it, but Zeno and Sapphire loved it. Unfortunately, it was one of the qualifications for the Ever Grande Conference, so even if Gu Yan wanted to, he could not give it to either of them.

The three of them had thoroughly enjoyed their trip to Dewford Town. If Professor Birch had not called to urge them back, they would not have wanted to return to Littleroot Research Lab.

Professor Birch had originally planned for them to spend one day traveling there, one day in Granite Cave, and one day returning. Who would have thought they would be gone for an entire week?

"Why did this trip take you so long? I thought something had happened to you!"

"Professor, there was a small accident that delayed us for a few days." Whenever Professor Birch looked at Zeno, he always behaved himself.

"Tell me about it."

"The port in Petalburg City was under maintenance, so there was nothing we could do. Oh, and there were poachers in Granite Cave."

"Poachers? Are you all alright?!"

Seeing how worried his professor was, Zeno told him everything about Dorara.

"Those poachers are awfully bold. You do not need to worry about this; the Pokémon League will handle it."

"Professor, Junior Sister really likes Dorara. The two of them get along very well."

"It is fine. I can afford to raise an Aron. If she likes it, she can keep it!"

Hearing this, Zeno quietly flashed a V-sign behind his back at Sapphire, who was eavesdropping by the doorway.

"Your previous efforts were quite effective. That Mudkip is already much better than before. Its owner will come pick it up in another week, so please keep taking care of it for the next few days."

Hearing that, Zeno felt conflicted. He was happy about Mudkip's improvement, but the thought of it leaving soon brought an indescribable sense of loss.

Zeno shook his head, brushing aside the stray thoughts in his heart. Mudkip had belonged to someone else from the very beginning. How could he think like that? He should be happy for it instead.

After sorting out his feelings, Zeno decided to visit Mudkip again.

Because Mudkip had stepped forward last time, its relationship with the little Mudkip had grown much closer. When Zeno arrived, he saw the little ones acting cute around it, occasionally nudging it gently with their heads.

Zeno could see discomfort and helplessness in its expression, but it restrained itself and let the little Mudkip fuss over it.

The little Mudkip were all delighted to see Zeno, and Mudkip looked slightly surprised as well. However, it quickly recovered. The Pokémon in the ecological park all liked Zeno. Everyone knew that this two-legged creature was in charge of keeping them fed.

Zeno patted the adorable little Mudkip and handed them some food before slowly approaching the older Mudkip. Seeing that Zeno had come so close without any intention of stopping, Mudkip immediately fixed its gaze on him.

"Muuud!"

Only after hearing its cry did Zeno realize he was about to cross the limit of its tolerance, so he slowly stopped.

"Have you been doing well these past few days?"

Mudkip had no intention of answering such a lame question.

"I can tell you have been doing well just by looking at you. Your owner will come pick you up in a week."

Mudkip remained calm upon hearing the news. From the first day it had arrived at the research lab, it had known it would eventually be assigned to someone else. It did not have many demands for its owner, as long as they did not force it to do anything.

"Muuud, muuud." Come if he wants. It was not like I could stop him.

"Haha, it is good that you can accept it. You should get along well with him in the future too, understand?"

"Muuud!"

"Alright, you all keep playing. I will be going now."

Seeing how open-minded Mudkip was, Zeno felt there was nothing left for him to agonize over. Everything depended on fate. When the time came, everything would naturally fall into place.

Zeno had his own matters to attend to and could not stay with Mudkip all the time. Recently, the Wingull egg had started showing signs of movement as well. Senior Brother said it would likely hatch soon.

Even so, on the appointed day, Zeno still planned to take a look at Mudkip's owner and see whether he was truly as compatible with Mudkip's temperament as Professor Birch had said.

Zeno had asked Professor Birch about it. Of the three new Trainers arriving today, one was from Littleroot Town, one was from Rustboro City, and the person who had reserved Mudkip lived the farthest away, in Fallarbor Town to the north.

The three Pokémon were all playing in the research lab's lobby. Treecko leaned against the door with one eye closed and the other secretly peering outside. Torchic ran around the lobby, chirping nonstop. Only Mudkip sat quietly on the sofa, neither sad nor happy.

Zeno stood beside Professor Birch, waiting with the Pokémon for a while. Soon, a slightly chubby boy rode up to the research lab on a bicycle.

"Sorry, Professor, I am late. I am exhausted."

Seeing him drenched in sweat, Professor Birch knew the boy had done his best. Just look at how tired he was.

"You are Shidun from Littleroot Town, right? Your Torchic has been waiting for a long time."

"That is great, Torchic!"

Zeno and the professor did not disturb their heartwarming reunion. After chatting for a while, Shidun left with Torchic in his arms. Zeno noticed that he had placed Torchic in the basket of his bicycle.

Not long after they left, Lingxiang from Rustboro City arrived as well. Her father had driven her there. However, her Treecko was a tsundere and always stood still, waiting for Lingxiang to come over and pick it up herself. Its behavior had made the little girl lose confidence, and she had thought Treecko did not like her.

"Thank you, Professor. I will definitely take good care of Treecko." The little girl was especially polite, and before leaving, she did not forget to bow to Professor Birch.

Although Mudkip still maintained its calm appearance, Zeno could see a trace of envy in its eyes.

"Professor, has Ayong from Fallarbor Town not arrived yet?"

"Let us wait a little longer. His home is rather far away."

In truth, that was merely Professor Birch's excuse. If they lived far away, the children would all come a day in advance. Even children from Sootopolis City and Pacifidlog Town were rarely late.

"Professor, there is a call from Fallarbor Town. The new Trainer who was supposed to come collect Mudkip just called. He said something had happened at home and he does not have time to come now. He asked us to continue taking care of Mudkip for a while longer." Just as the two were about to comfort Mudkip, Gu Yan's voice came from behind them.

"Honestly, could he not have told us earlier?" Learning that Ayong had not even set out, Professor Birch's impression of the boy changed.

Mudkip had also heard Gu Yan's words. Knowing that its owner would not be coming today, it took small steps back toward the ecological park. Watching its retreating figure, Zeno could not help feeling that it looked somewhat lonely.