Seeing both sides lose their will to fight, and Empoleon and Torterra calm down, Yong finally breathed a sigh of relief.
If the cavern collapsed, we'd really be in for it...
The tension gradually eased. Although the two sides still disliked each other, both leaders knew they could not easily defeat their opponent, so they stopped arguing.
Torterra led Magnezone and Heracross to the river near the edge and slowly lowered its body into the water...
It was already quite satisfied.
Empoleon watched them from a distance. Seeing this, it paid them no further attention and walked toward Yong instead.
Only Vaporeon followed at its side.
"Cha-bo!"
After glancing at the boy and the Larvesta in his arms, Empoleon turned its gaze to Swampert and growled softly, its manner quite gentle.
"La-chi!"
"Cha-bo!"
"La-chi!"
As the two Pokémon conversed, Yong smiled and stroked Vaporeon's head, then took more Pokémon food from his backpack. Most of the food from earlier had been ruined by falling rocks.
"Take this food back with you! This is the compensation I promised earlier."
"Woo-ee!"
Vaporeon gently rubbed against the hem of the boy's clothes, gave a soft growl toward Empoleon, then turned and left.
Soon, it returned with Machoke and several Machop.
Yong gave them an odd look. It seemed that wherever he went, the Machoke family always served as movers...
When Empoleon and Swampert finished talking, Yong watched the leader return to its territory. Through Swampert's thoughts, he gradually learned that-
Nearly all the Pokémon in this cavern were gathered here. Despite their hostility, Empoleon also knew a great deal about Torterra's home. Only those three Pokémon lived there.
Not finding the answer he wanted, Yong felt a little disappointed.
Fortunately, Empoleon was not as imposing and aloof as it looked. It readily told