Ye Qing appealed to Monferno's emotions. "Do you still remember what it was like inside your Pokémon Egg?"
At those words, Monferno narrowed his eyes slightly, remembering the despair he had felt inside the egg.
He had been surrounded by thick fluid. Cracks in the shell had exposed him to contamination from outside, and his vitality had weakened day by day.
Until one day, he had felt someone holding him in their arms...
Monferno recalled it quietly, his unruly gaze softening a little.
Ye Qing took in every change in Monferno and privately thought that he had played the emotional card well. After all, this was not a Charizard he had picked up along the way like Ash had.
"Have something to eat."
Ye Qing took the opportunity to offer Monferno a basic Fire-type Pokéblock. Although he could now withstand the energy in intermediate Pokéblocks, their current circumstances were limited, so Ye Qing would have to buy him some after they got out.
"Ha-cha."
Monferno accepted the Pokéblock and put it in his mouth. Though he did not apologize, his earlier unruly attitude had certainly mellowed considerably.
Ye Qing breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that he needed to catch a few more Pokémon soon. That was simply a monkey's nature. Unless he found someone to teach him a lesson, he would probably act up again after evolving into Infernape.
With Monferno by his side, Ye Qing's confidence soared, and even his steps grew much lighter.
Along the way, small fry like Caterpie and Bellsprout swiftly hid at the mere sight of Monferno. Only two reckless Rattata dared to come forward and provoke him.
Monferno did not disappoint Ye Qing. A flurry of punches sent sparks flying from the Rattata's large front teeth, and they fled with their tails between