READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 122: Volcanion Couldn’t Understand
After returning home, Angie first treated the wounds of the unconscious Diancie, Munchlax, and Drizzile by applying medicine and feeding them berries to restore their energy. He then sent each of them to their respective rooms to rest.
Next, he gave the burned Metagross a Rawst Berry to treat its burns and carefully tended to its injuries.
Since Haunter had been shielded behind Angie by Diancie and Metagross, it wasn't severely hurt. Angie simply gave it a few berries to replenish its energy and asked Dolliv to use Grassy Terrain to help it recover.
Bathed in the soothing effects of Grassy Terrain, Haunter quickly regained its usual lively energy.
When Pawmi returned from outside, it noticed a new and unfamiliar Pokémon in the house. Curious, it began to study the newcomer intently.
At that moment, Angie descended the stairs with Haunter. Pawmi immediately ran over, climbed up Angie's pant leg, and nestled into his arms. Pointing at Magearna, it asked.
"Pawmi~ Pawmi~"
Who is she?
Angie introduced her, saying, "This is Magearna, my friend."
"Pawmi~"
Pawmi nodded, remaining nestled in Angie's arms, still eyeing Magearna with curiosity.
She looks like a princess! thought Pawmi.
While Diancie also resembled a princess, she could sometimes be rather fierce (especially during training), which was entirely different from Magearna's serene demeanor.
Seeing that Angie finally had a moment to relax, Magearna eagerly asked.
"Magearna~"
Your Highness, how are you here? Weren't you…
Angie smiled and said, "Don't rush. Let's sit down and talk." He led Magearna to a chair, while he sat across from her with Pawmi in his arms.
Angie began to recount his journey: how he awoke from his tomb, settled on the Nebel Plateau, opened his shop, met various Pokémon, and built a life there. He shared everything in detail with Magearna.
As for why he had slept in a tomb for 500 years before awakening, Angie refrained from blaming Nikola this time. Magearna was Nikola' closest Pokémon and knew him too well; such a claim would be easily exposed. Instead, Angie attributed it to Diancie.
"Actually, Diancie is my original Carbink, who transformed due to some mysterious power. This change somehow also saved me, who was on the verge of death."
Magearna then realized that when Angie had been placed in the tomb, he was still alive.
Those incompetent royal physicians! Magearna thought indignantly.
After Angie finished, Magearna couldn't help but express admiration.
"Magearna~"
Diancie is incredible.
"What about you, Magearna? How did you end up on the Nebel Plateau? And why are you with the legendary Volcanion?" Angie asked the question that had been on his mind.
Hearing Angie's inquiry, Magearna's thoughts drifted back to the past.
Five hundred years ago, Azoth Kingdom was engulfed in rebellion. Some sought to overthrow the monarchy and seize Magearna to control the sky fortress and ignite war.
In order to prevent Magearna from falling into the wrong hands, Queen Anna entrusted Nikola with taking it away to an unknown safe location.
However, partway through, Nikola seemed to recall something urgent. He hid Magearna in a concealed spot and hurriedly returned to the Azoth City.
Terrified, Magearna waited in vain for Nikola's return. Instead, a group of pursuers found it.
During its panicked escape, Magearna inadvertently wandered into the Nebel Plateau and collapsed in the flower fields on the western edge. It was there that Volcanion found it.
Volcanion fended off the pursuers and protected Magearna. From then on, Magearna stayed by Volcanion's side, and in the blink of an eye, five centuries passed.
After hearing Magearna's story, Angie was deeply moved.
"Magearna, you've been through so much." Angie stood up and hugged her. "I'm so happy to reunite with you!"
This was a reunion transcending time.
"Magearna~"
Magearna embraced Angie in return, crystalline tears welling in her eyes.
Five hundred years had passed. Her Majesty the Queen was no longer here, and Nikola, her creator, was also gone. For Magearna, simply seeing His Highness Angie again was the greatest comfort.
Although His Highness had been frail back then and couldn't play with it, and their relationship wasn't particularly close, meeting an old acquaintance after such a long time was a rare and precious moment.
After releasing Magearna from the hug, Angie asked, "Magearna, would you like to live with me?"
His parents and sister were all gone, but Magearna's presence reminded him that he had once lived a genuine life five centuries ago.
"Magearna~"
Of course!
Magearna agreed without hesitation. Since they both now resided on the Nebel Plateau, living together seemed only natural to it.
"Then I'll be counting on you from now on!" Angie extended his hand toward Magearna.
"Magearna~"
You can count on me!
Magearna placed its hand into Angie's palm.
"Magearna~"
Are we going to live here from now on?
Magearna glanced around at the environment of Diancie's Grand Dining Hall and asked.
"That's right," Angie nodded.
"Magearna~"
Then can Volcanion live with us too?
Magearna asked again. It had spent five centuries with Volcanion and was long accustomed to their companionship.
Angie readily nodded. "Of course." However, he hesitated slightly before adding, "But it seems like Volcanion doesn't like humans very much."
"Magearna~"
Magearna patted its chest and promised Angie that Volcanion wouldn't harm him anymore.
Hearing this, Angie teased Magearna, "Then I'll leave my personal safety in your hands."
"Magearna~"
Magearna squinted with confidence and assured him that, with its relationship with Volcanion, there was absolutely no problem.
As they continued chatting, Angie inadvertently used his Eye of Observation skill to check Magearna's data.
...
[ Magearna ]
Type: Steel, Fairy
Ability: Soul-Heart
Gender: None
Level: 56
Moves: Helping Hand, Defense Curl, Rollout, Gear Up, Iron Defense, Psybeam, Aurora Beam, Misty Terrain, Lock-On, Shift Gear, Trick, Disarming Voice, Charge Beam.
...
[ Individual Value (IVs) ]
HP: 31
Attack: 31
Defense: 31
Special Attack: 31
Special Defense: 31
Speed: 31
...
Seeing these stats, Angie was momentarily dumbfounded.
It wasn't surprising that Magearna's individual values (IVs) were perfect. Diancie had explained this to him before, based on information from the system: Legendary Pokémon are naturally born with max IVs. This included mythical Pokémon, as well as Tier 1 and Tier 2 Legendary Pokémon.
Even though Magearna was artificial Pokémon, its classification as a mythical Pokémon meant it was no exception.
But Magearna's level—how was it lower than Diancie's, who had also been dormant for five centuries?
He quickly compared it to Diancie's data.
...
[ Diancie ]
Type: Rock, Fairy
Ability: Clear Body
Gender: None
Level: 65
Moves: Tackle, Harden, Diamond Storm, Guard Split, Knock Off, Rage, Ancient Power, Rock Polish, Light Screen, Rock Slide, Reflect, Dazzling Gleam, Power Gem, Play Rough, Amnesia, Psych Up.
...
[ Individual Value (IVs) ]
HP: 31
Attack: 31
Defense: 31
Special Attack: 31
Special Defense: 31
Speed: 31
...
Angie couldn't help but shake his head. For a mythical Pokémon, Magearna's level seemed unusually low compared to Diancie's progress!
Magearna's level wasn't just lower than Diancie's—it even fell short in terms of its skill pool!
Despite both being Anna's Pokémon, the Sylveon protecting the Azoth Kingdom's royal family now had such a high level that Angie couldn't even gauge it with his Eye of Observation.
How could the disparity be this vast?
What Angie didn't know was that, since Magearna's creation, his sister had always treated it as a mascot, pampering it without ever putting it through any rigorous training.
Later, when Magearna came to the Nebel Plateau, it was shielded by Volcanion. With a carefree life full of fun and games, it never trained or battled.
The fact that Magearna had reached its current level was thanks only to its longevity, slowly accumulating experience over time. Not everyone could achieve what Angie did—raising Pokémon levels effortlessly while feasting and enjoying life together.
Surprised though he was, Angie didn't see it as a problem. A lower level was just that—not a big deal.
In truth, level 50+ wasn't low at all. Most wild Pokémon didn't even reach this level unless they came from special areas like Area Zero.
Retracting his Eye of Observation, Angie said, "Magearna, how about I show you around the house and arrange your room?"
"Magearna~"
Magearna nodded enthusiastically.
Angie then led Magearna on a tour of the house, chatting as they went.
The two exchanged many stories. Magearna shared details of its life on the Nebel Plateau and recounted tales about Anna.
In turn, Angie answered Magearna's many questions, explaining why he now appeared healthy and how he could communicate with Pokémon.
Meanwhile, Metagross, nursing an injury, had already returned to its room to rest. Hearing Angie and Magearna's conversation, Pawmi discreetly pulled Haunter aside for a private chat.
When Pawmi learned that Angie and the group had been bullied by a Pokémon named Volcanion, its temper flared, and it angrily stomped off, determined to confront Volcanion.
Who dared to bully its beloved Trainer? Outrageous!
"Haunter~ Haunter~"
Haunter grabbed Pawmi by the scruff of its neck, lifting it back up.
You'd just be making trouble! You can't even beat me, so how are you going to deal with Volcanion? Go wash up and sleep!
"Pawmi~ Pawmi~"
Pawmi placed its paws on its hips, clearly indignant.
Volcanion? Never heard of it!
Suddenly, its eyes gleamed as if it had thought of a clever (or mischievous) idea. Struggling free from Haunter's grip, it dashed out of the house.
"Haunter~"
Where are you going?
Haunter shouted, panicking.
Angie, hearing the commotion, leaned over the banister upstairs. "Haunter? What's going on?"
"Haunter~"
Nothing! Nothing!
Haunter quickly covered up.
Angie didn't think much of it and continued showing Magearna around their new home.
Meanwhile, over at Volcanion's side…
Led by Pancham and the others, Volcanion was first taken to the fishery.
Through the water's surface, Volcanion could see schools of fish swimming around in lively, delightful clusters.
"Were all these raised by that human?" Volcanion asked.
"Pancham~"
Yep! Isn't our Angie amazing?
Pancham proudly puffed out its chest, placing its paws on its hips.
"Skitty~ Skitty~"
Skitty scampered to the lake's edge, extending a paw to the water's surface, swiping at it playfully to try and catch a small fish. The ripples it created spread out in elegant, gentle rings.
The little fish swam too fast, leaving it staring helplessly at the water's surface.
"Heliolisk~ Heliolisk~"
Angie said when the fish grow up, we'll have lots and lots to eat.
Heliolisk added, its tone lighthearted.
"Are you so sure he'll actually give you any?" Volcanion scoffed.
"Pancham~!"
Of course, he will!
"Skitty~!"
Angie isn't the type to break his promises!
"Heliolisk~!"
Exactly, exactly!
The three Pokémon rebuked Volcanion in unison, their faces filled with disapproval.
Volcanion: …
Was that really necessary? I was just casually remarking.
The trio continued their tour with Volcanion, leading him along the lakeshore to the orchard. There, rows of berry trees adorned with budding flowers stood in neat formation, a sight that was both refreshing and uplifting.
"Pancham~ Pancham~"
Pancham chattered excitedly as it described how they had planted the orchard, with occasional interjections from Skitty and Heliolisk.
Volcanion couldn't help but criticize, "That human is just exploiting you all, making you his free labor force!"
Pancham froze.
It grabbed at the layers of fat circling its belly.
"Pancham~ Pancham~"
Does this look like exploitation to you?
It was only then that Volcanion noticed Pancham had turned into a little chubby ball. Even Skitty looked round and plump, resembling a tiny, rolling sphere. Only Heliolisk retained a sleek and streamlined figure, its glossy scales hinting at well-defined and powerful muscles beneath.
This... really didn't look like the Pokémon were being exploited.
"Hmph~~ It's all just sugar-coated bullets!" Volcanion muttered stubbornly.
The four Pokémon continued their walk along the lake's edge and arrived at a riverside grove.
In the grove, Floette joyfully danced among the trees while casting Grassy Terrain. Meanwhile, Quilladin and Weepinbell, their tasks for the day completed, were playing hide-and-seek. Their laughter filled the forest, blending harmoniously with the rustling leaves.
Such carefree laughter… Volcanion searched its memory, trying to recall if Pokémon in the Nebel Plateau ever laughed like this before. Maybe they had, but it couldn't quite remember.
At the river's edge, Volcanion noticed the Veluza struggling to climb the waterfall.
"Are they from the Nebel Plateau too?" Volcanion asked.
"Heliolisk~"
Heliolisk stepped forward to answer.
"Pancham~ Pancham~"
Angie brought them here from elsewhere!
As Volcanion's gaze swept past the energetic Veluza, it caught sight of Goldeen, Seaking, Magikarp, and Feebas mixed among them. It immediately noticed something different about these Pokémon.
After a brief pause, it turned to the three Pokémon beside it and asked, "The Magikarp and others—they seem different from before." They were more vibrant, no longer carrying the lifeless aura they once had.
"Pancham~ Pancham~"
Maybe it's because they eat their fill every day, like me.
Pancham's response didn't grasp the depth of Volcanion's observation, but it gave a casual answer anyway.
Volcanion shook its head and kept its focus on the Magikarp and Feebas climbing the waterfall. No matter how many times the current pushed them back into the pool below, they resolutely chose to start their ascent again.
It couldn't understand.
How could a single human bring about such significant changes to the Pokémon in the Nebel Plateau?