After enjoying the delicious food, Yong leaned against a large tree for an afternoon nap, surrounded by Pokémon sprawled across the ground.
Even the endlessly energetic Pachirisu and Pichu had tired themselves out playing. Now they were curled up beside Rhyperior, fast asleep.
It was hard to imagine... despite Rhyperior's enormous size, these little ones actually preferred being around it.
Even Cherubi and Oddish were happy to stay by its side.
The afternoon sunlight spilled through the woods, while a gentle breeze blew through the mountain ravine, carrying a hint of coolness. It was wonderfully comfortable.
"Mmm..."
A long while later, Yong murmured, feeling something moving against his face. He opened his eyes and saw Larvesta wriggling around on top of him. He couldn't help smiling as he said,
"Good afternoon, Larvesta!"
"Larva~"
The little one greeted him energetically. Around them, Rhyperior and the others had woken up too and were lazily basking in the sun.
The sun was sinking in the west. It was time to get moving.
Yong recalled his companions, leaving only Larvesta out, and set down some more food. Then, amid Pachirisu and the others' reluctant cries of farewell, he left the clearing and continued onward.
The vegetation grew sparser farther up the mountain.
Grass-type and Bug-type Pokémon gradually disappeared as well.
In their place were Geodude lying beside the road disguised as stones, Mankey clambering over the cliffs, and the occasional pair of Aipom darting across the path, one chasing the other.
From woodland to mountain terrain, nature unfolded into a beautiful scene.
The wind gradually picked up.
The steep mountain walls around him formed strange natural enclosures, creating gusts that howled through the hollows and swept freely across the landscape.
The terrain around him gradually leveled out, but the surrounding rock walls grew taller.