Swablu Joins the Team

After a month apart, the change in Beautifly did take Terrance by surprise. Once they were aboard the helicopter, he remembered Beautifly's outstanding performance the night before. It seemed Beautifly hadn't spent the entire month at Master Katsumune's simply enjoying a life of luxury.

Master Katsumune merely smiled and explained, "I didn't do much to look after this little one. Beautifly had a good foundation, and potential that hadn't been fully awakened before has now been released."

Terrance wholeheartedly agreed. For the past month, Beautifly hadn't been traveling around with him and had enjoyed luxurious treatment. It seemed Beautifly had successfully unleashed everything accumulated over the past year. Thinking carefully, Terrance realized that while raising Beautifly over the past year, he really hadn't made improving strength his first priority. Instead, he had focused on improving Beautifly's use of moves, with the Pokémon Contest as the ultimate goal of everything they did.

So, in theory, Beautifly's strength wasn't particularly outstanding. What Beautifly excelled at was precise control over moves. Beautifly knew very few offensive moves, and while with Terrance, mainly used Absorb, Silver Wind, and Electroweb. Aside from those, Beautifly could manipulate air currents using Gust and Tailwind. That was all.

When it came to high-intensity battles, Beautifly was still far from capable. Of course, after a year of growth, even if Beautifly wasn't good at battling, Swablu, who had hatched only a month ago, couldn't compare. No matter how talented Swablu was, even with Dragon Rush, that was still far from enough.

"You've done really well." As Terrance praised Beautifly, he was pleasantly surprised. He hadn't expected Beautifly's control over the wind to rise another level over the past month and for Beautifly to learn Air Cutter.

"This little one is quite perceptive," Master Katsumune said, giving Beautifly a favorable assessment.

The wind was strong today, greatly impeding the helicopter and considerably slowing its ascent.

Following yesterday's route, Master Katsumune's private pilot slowly flew the helicopter up Mt. Chimney. Before long, Terrance could already sense the familiar surroundings.

"We're almost there." Gazing through the window at the clouds and mist outside, Terrance and Beautifly both grew expectant.

"Chirp~~~~~~~~~"

Suddenly, a piercing cry rang out above Terrance and carried all the way into the helicopter. His face lit up when he heard it. It was Swablu's cry. Swablu had come to welcome them.

"Coo?~~" Beautifly spun around in confusion, looking toward the cry and trying to get a clear look at the new companion.

Sitting in his seat, Master Katsumune heard the cry and smiled knowingly.

"Swablu has come to welcome you. It seems Swablu has persuaded Altaria. Congratulations, Terrance," Master Katsumune said.

Terrance nodded, a little excited. "Thank you, Master Katsumune. Thank you for looking after me."

Terrance could tell that Master Katsumune intended to nurture him. Whether it was the place at Coronet Academy, this trial, or Alakazam's protection from the shadows, they all reflected Master Katsumune's high regard and expectations for him. Even though he had qualified as a junior breeder at the tender age of ten, everything Master Katsumune had done went far beyond ordinary appreciation.

Being ten years old, his outstanding knowledge, and what he had done at Qinggu House, along with the most important thing of all-meeting Master Katsumune and Jun on his way to the breeder examination-were all turning points in Terrance's life.

If meeting Master Katsumune was a matter of chance, then combined with Terrance's own hard work and exceptional talent, it became inevitable. Wasn't it only natural for a capable person to be recognized?

Master Katsumune had good reason to think highly of Terrance. At his level, ordinary fame and money were no longer so important. In Master Katsumune's eyes, all that remained now were research and passing on his knowledge. Terrance had clearly become an exceptionally promising successor in his eyes.

The helicopter slowly came to a stop, and Terrance stepped out. Outside, Swablu flew straight toward him and landed steadily on his head.

"I've come to get you, Swablu," Terrance said.

"Chirp~~~~" Swablu replied happily.

Flutter...

Beautifly flew out, a faint light from Morning Sun glowing all over Beautifly's body. Beautifly blew out tiny points of white light that looked very beautiful and gave a warm feeling.

Terrance smiled. Beautifly was using Morning Sun to greet the new companion.

"Beautifly, Swablu, make sure you two get along," Terrance told the two little ones. During the past month, his chats with Swablu had naturally included talk of his first partner, Beautifly, so Swablu knew a little about Beautifly.

Swablu looked up at the points of white light and let out a clear, light cry. Then Swablu leaped into the air and flapped cottony feathers into the air. They merged perfectly with the points of light, casting a comforting glow as they slowly drifted in every direction like fireflies.

Swablu had responded to Beautifly's friendly greeting.

Watching the two special little ones, both Terrance and Master Katsumune, who had just stepped out of the helicopter, smiled knowingly.

"Chirp~~~~"

"Swablu..." Terrance felt movement on his head.

Having returned to Terrance's head, Swablu gave a few soft cries, conveying a message that startled him. "I understand."

Altaria wanted to see them.

Terrance calmed himself. Swablu was going with him, and it seemed Altaria, as Swablu's mother, still couldn't let go. This left Terrance feeling confused... Was it really the right choice for humans to catch Pokémon sometimes...?

"Chirp~~~~" Swablu flapped a wing, rousing Terrance from his silence. "Forget it. I shouldn't dwell on such a troubling question. I just need to bring Swablu back to visit often."

"Beautifly, wait here for me. Master Katsumune, sorry for the trouble, but could you look after Beautifly for a little while? Swablu and I will be back soon. We won't take long." Terrance turned and spoke to Master Katsumune. After receiving his response, he headed farther toward the summit with Swablu.

Master Katsumune watched Terrance leave, lost in thought. Then he shook his head and stopped thinking about it.

Fifteen minutes later.

Terrance returned, holding a deluxe Poké Ball in his hand. Master Katsumune had given it to him that morning. It was a Luxury Ball specially prepared for Swablu, and it could do a good deal to increase the bond between Swablu and him.

Now, after a brief meeting with Altaria, Swablu had officially become Terrance's Pokémon. From first entering Mt. Chimney, to traveling around with the Pokémon Egg, witnessing Swablu hatch and grow, and fleeing together, Swablu and Terrance had finally made it through all their trials.

After saying a few words to Master Katsumune and Beautifly, Terrance took a deep breath. They were preparing to leave.

Looking down at all of Mt. Chimney from the helicopter, holding Beautifly's and Swablu's Poké Balls, Terrance felt a sudden surge of pride for no apparent reason. He couldn't help sticking his head out the window and waving Swablu's Poké Ball as he shouted, "Altaria, don't worry! I'll take good care of Swablu! The next time I bring Swablu to see you, I'll leave you speechless, just you wait!! And thank you for your gift!!"

When he finished shouting, Terrance saw Master Katsumune's strange smile, and his old face suddenly flushed red.

"..." At my age, why did I suddenly start acting like an edgy kid?!