"Hello, Dragonair!"
Compared to A Xing, Yong was much more interested in Dragonair and eagerly greeted the Pokémon.
But the proud dragon merely rolled its eyes and turned its head away. Clearly, it had redirected its anger over losing to Steelix in their earlier match toward him.
Yong scratched his head awkwardly and gave a sheepish smile.
A Xing shook her head slightly at the sight, then opened her arms and hugged Zinnia.
"Cousin!"
Zinnia affectionately patted the girl's head, showing none of her earlier assertiveness.
"Little A Xing, have you been training hard?"
"Of course! Dragonair and the others and I have been working really hard these past few days!"
"Really? Good! Oh, where's Grandmother? Take Yong to see her!"
"Okay, I'll take him over right now."
A Xing raised her head and answered happily, her relaxed demeanor completely different from how she had been during the match.
Standing nearby, Yong could feel the deep affection between the cousins.
"Let's go, Yong! Grandmother wants to see you!"
"Ah! Okay! But how do I get over there?"
Yong didn't have any Pokémon capable of flight yet. Baltoy could only float in the air using psychic power and couldn't rise very high, while Trapinch had yet to evolve into Flygon.
"No problem!"
Zinnia clapped her hands. A loud roar came from the distance as a Salamence left the Dragon's Den and swiftly flew over. It crouched beside her, affectionately nuzzling her hand with its head.
"I'll have Little Sal take you over! Is that okay, Little Sal?"
Zinnia asked the enormous dragon beside her.
"Roaaar!"
After glancing at the envious Yong, Salamence reluctantly nodded, then lowered its body.
Zinnia patted its head in satisfaction.
"Good Pokémon! Hop on, little guy!"
I actually get to ride a Salamence?
Yong hadn't expected this