Whoever Fed Him Was Family

After reading it, Dian silently withdrew his hand.

Sand Veil. He did not know whether it would change to Sand Stream when Larvitar finally evolved into Tyranitar, but by his reasoning, that seemed unlikely.

Then he gave a self-deprecating smile. Having a Larvitar at all was already a stroke of luck. It was not as though they grew on trees and he could afford to be picky. He shook his head and put the thought aside.

"Thanks for the effort, Skiploom."

Dian stroked Skiploom's cheek, then returned it to its Poké Ball.

He looked up and saw Zubat hanging upside down from the ceiling, fast asleep.

That left only Gluttony, Beedrill, and a room in complete disarray.

If the inn manager saw this, he would definitely blacklist Dian. He might even warn the other innkeepers, leaving Dian with nowhere to stay ever again.

Dian sighed. "Thanks for the effort, Beedrill. Come back and get some rest too."

He took out Beedrill's and Zubat's Poké Balls and returned them both.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door.

Step, step, step...

"Yoo!"

Larvitar listened for a moment, then hurriedly hugged its food to its chest, ran to the bed, and dived under the covers.

Crunch, crunch, crunch.

A large lump rose beneath the covers. Munching sounds came from inside, and one curious, frightened eye peered out. When it spotted Dian, it blinked and quickly disappeared beneath the covers again.

Dian braced a hand against the door and said nothing.

If this were a Cleffa or some other cute Pokémon, being this adorable as a child would mean it would probably grow up to be just as lovable.

But!

It was a Larvitar!

What was it doing being this cute?!

What if it was still like this after evolving into Tyranitar?

Dian could