Taking In Gible and the Manor's New Residents

Ogerpon woke to find Mingyou gone and immediately headed downstairs. But when she noticed a stranger in the house, she hid again.

Mingyou had already finished his deal with Lance, selling him ten bean sprouts—just enough for one stir-fried dish. Who would have thought bean sprouts would one day be sold by the stalk?

"Thanks for your business. If you'd like more, follow my account on Magikarp King. I occasionally put up fruit and vegetables I've grown."

Mingyou didn't forget to promote himself. Only then did Lance realize the guy sold produce. After everything you said, I thought you were a Ranger like your grandfather!

But that hardly mattered. Anyone who could grow a bean sprout like this clearly knew what he was doing, so Lance took out his phone and followed the account.

"Thanks!"

"No problem."

After putting the sprouts in a plastic bag, Lance looked at the Pokémon sleeping in the living room. Latias was by the pond today, so Munchlax had reclaimed the sofa.

"They're all under Hypnosis? Well, it's time to wake up. I'm taking you home."

With that, Lance tossed out a Poké Ball. A flash of red light revealed a Pokémon with a blue body wrapped in what looked like white cotton. She stood quietly in the living room.

〔Altaria: the Humming Pokémon. Unlike most Altaria, she prefers battling to singing. If you earn her respect and her Trainer's with your strength, she might warm up to you.〕

"She looks strong..."

Mingyou studied her with curiosity. As expected of one of Champion Lance's Pokémon. Even standing so quietly, she radiated power.

At a small gesture from Lance, Altaria hummed a beautiful melody. The sleeping Pokémon heard her song and slowly opened their eyes.

"Munch..."

Seriously? I was sleeping so well...

The moment Pikachu and the others saw Mingyou, they went on alert. But then they spotted Lance, recognized the Champion, and ran toward him in excitement.

Mingyou looked ready to cry. "Do you really dislike me that much? And after I fed you and looked after you for two days!"

"Munch..."

Munchlax, woken by the noise, came over and tugged at his clothes to say he was hungry.

"Wait a little longer. I'll make food soon."

"Munch~"

Lance counted the Pokémon. All of them were there. Then he reassured them. "Don't be afraid. You'll see your Trainers today. They've been worried sick about you."

"Eevee..."

"Pika..."

Hearing how worried their Trainers had been, the Pokémon felt sorry for making them fret. They couldn't wait to go home!

Lance nodded at them. But when his gaze reached Gible, he hesitated before saying, "Your Trainer doesn't want you anymore... Come with me later."

"Gib?"

Gible clutched his belly and froze.

Mingyou was stunned too. Lance's blunt delivery had caught him completely off guard. "Doesn't want him? What do you mean?"

"Exactly what I said. When his Trainer learned Team Rocket had taken him, he said he was afraid of getting dragged into trouble and even withdrew his report. It's irresponsible, but it happens more often than you'd think..."

Lance was a straightforward man. He laid it all out; Mingyou would have to hear it eventually anyway.

In short, Gible had been abandoned. There was no clear law against abandoning Pokémon, so all they could do was condemn the Trainer.

"That's awful!"

Mingyou hadn't expected anything like this. Lance found it strange too. After learning a few days ago that Mingyou had rescued the Pokémon, they had contacted their Trainers and explained what had happened.

But this one had flatly said he didn't want Gible. He had acted as though something was wrong with him and they must never send him back. Then he had even canceled the number they had called.

But the International Police had plenty of work to do. Even if something felt off, they couldn't investigate every small matter. Since the Trainer didn't want Gible, Lance had planned to take him to Blackthorn City and release him in Dragon's Den.

"..."

Mingyou clenched his fists. These Pokémon had given him plenty of trouble over the past few days, but he hadn't complained once. He had done his best to care for them, even though they weren't his.

But that Trainer had simply abandoned Gible. Did he deserve to call himself a Trainer?

"Where's that bastard? I'll go find him!"

Seeing Mingyou get angry on Gible's behalf made Lance think even more highly of him.

Revealing a complainant's information was against the rules, but Lance answered anyway. "He filed the report in Lilycove City in the Hoenn Region. He's probably gone by now, though. We can't find him either."

"Gib..."

Gible held his belly, devastated. He couldn't believe he had been abandoned. Was it because he was too weak? But how could that be...

The other Pokémon who had been captured alongside him looked on with sympathy. Their Trainers hadn't abandoned them. Clearly, not all Trainers were alike.

Seeing Gible look so betrayed, Mingyou forced down his anger. He'd seen just how different people could be now. A Trainer that irresponsible was worse than Team Rocket!

He slowly crouched. The other Pokémon scattered at once, but Gible didn't move. Mingyou reached out and picked him up...

〔Gible: the Land Shark Pokémon. He's deeply shaken right now. Winning his affection won't be easy in this state, but try to comfort him.〕

Mingyou stroked his head. Gible didn't even try to resist. All his earlier aggression was gone, showing just how badly he'd been hurt.

But as soon as Mingyou touched him, pain stung his hand. Several small cuts appeared.

"Rough Skin Ability, huh..."

He glanced at the cuts but paid them no mind, continuing to soothe Gible.

Lance watched in silence. After a moment, he sighed softly. "I have a request. Will you hear me out?"

"Hm?"

"I won't take Gible with me. I'd like to leave him in your care, just like Torterra and the others."

Lance had made the decision deliberately. He hated people who abandoned Pokémon too. If he could, he'd gladly give that Trainer a beating himself and get justice for Gible.

But he didn't have time to care for Gible. After what had happened, releasing him in Dragon's Den could leave him with lasting emotional scars. He needed someone responsible to look after him.

"Of course!"

Mingyou agreed to take him in without a second thought. When Gible fell asleep in his arms, he relaxed a little. At least he hadn't broken down.

Then he added, "I'll take good care of him. And one day, I'll take him to find that bastard!"

"That's the spirit!"

Lance gave him a thumbs-up and nodded in approval. With that settled, it was time to take the other Pokémon and leave.

But Mingyou still had one thing to ask.

"Oh, Mr. Lance, has anyone reported a missing Wyrdeer to the police? You can check that, right?"

With an International Police officer right here, asking him had to be easier than searching online.

Lance blinked at the question. "Wyrdeer? What's that supposed to be... Oh, right. Stantler's evolution?"

"That's right."

"Hold on. I'll ask around..."

It had nothing to do with this case, and Lance couldn't know about every missing Pokémon report in the world. He had to check with someone else.

A good while later, he shook his head. "No. Wyrdeer are incredibly rare. I've never even seen one myself. From what I've just learned, the only Wyrdeer confirmed to exist anywhere in the world was raised by Professor Rowan. He certainly hasn't lost it."

"I see... All right."

Mingyou was disappointed.

Seeing his expression, Lance asked curiously, "Why do you ask?"

"Because..."

Mingyou pointed toward the door. Lance looked over and found himself staring into Wyrdeer's solemn eyes. Even he jumped.

"Is that... a real Wyrdeer? I'm actually seeing one alive! Its fur is so fluffy. I heard people used to collect the fur Wyrdeer shed and make warm winter clothes from it."

Lance stepped closer for a curious look. Even a Champion couldn't help getting excited at the sight of a Pokémon he had never seen in person.

That was a Trainer's nature!

Once his excitement settled, he turned back to Mingyou and took a deep breath. Unsure what expression to make, he finally gave a helpless smile. "You really do find and take in everything, don't you?"

"Haha."

"I'll keep an eye out for news about Wyrdeer. If I hear anything, I'll let you know."

"Thanks."

Mingyou exchanged contact information with Lance and watched him leave with the Pokémon. Only after Lance was gone did Ogerpon finally dare come downstairs.

"Pon~"

She walked up to Mingyou and noticed Gible in his arms. Curious, she reached out to touch the little shark, but Mingyou stopped her.

"Don't touch him. You'll get hurt."

"Pon..."

"Haha, don't look so disappointed."

Mingyou chuckled. He looked down at Gible in his arms, then out at the Orchard before turning back to Ogerpon and Munchlax.

"There are a few more Pokémon at the Manor now. Let's all get along, okay?"

"Pon~"