Pokémon: No Way! The Golden Finger Only Comes When I'm About To Die!?

Angie and his group watched as Poliwhirl returned to the arena when Jeremy's voice suddenly rang out.

"Your Highness, the items you requested have arrived!"

Angie turned toward the voice and saw Jeremy enthusiastically waving at him.

Hearing this, Orla exclaimed with delight, "The materials are finally here!" She immediately dashed toward Jeremy's direction.

Seeing this, Angie and the others quickly followed her.

When they reached the aircraft, they saw Gengar using Psychic to unload a large crate from the vehicle.

Orla stepped forward, opened the crate, and carefully inspected its contents. After a moment, she announced, "Everything's here!"

Jeremy, still puzzled, asked, "Your Highness, who are these people?"

Angie smiled and explained, "These are members of the expedition team, the Rising Volt Tacklers. Their airship broke down on the plateau and needs these materials for repairs."

Jeremy finally understood. "Ah, I see! Luckily, you ran into His Highness!"

Friede nodded in agreement. "That's right!"

Orla patted the crate and said, "Alright, Friede, you all stay here. I'll head back to repair the airship now."

Friede replied, "Alright!"

Hearing this, Angie turned to Gengar and asked, "Gengar, can you help Orla move the crate over to their airship?"

"Gengar?"

Gengar grinned and nodded, effortlessly lifting the crate again with Psychic.

"Gengar, thank you for your hard work," Orla said gratefully, looking up at Gengar.

"Gengar~"

Gengar's face turned red as it shyly ducked behind the crate, only peeking out with one eye to glance at Orla.

"Alright, off you go! The sooner you leave, the sooner you'll be back," Angie said with a chuckle.

As Gengar and Orla disappeared into the distance, Angie checked the time and remarked, "It's getting late. I'd better start cooking!"

He turned to Jeremy and asked, "Jeremy, would you like to stay for dinner?"

Jeremy jumped with excitement. "Yes! I've been waiting for you to ask, Your Highness!"

Angie then turned to Friede and asked, "Friede, how about you and your team? Would you like to have dinner here too?"

"Uh?" Friede was taken aback. "Wouldn't that be an imposition?"

Angie replied warmly, "Not at all." He made the decision on the spot. "Let's all eat together. If you have Pokémon with you, bring them along too. It's fate that we've met—what's a meal among friends?"

Jeremy, ever the lively one, slung an arm around Friede's shoulder and said, "Stay! You'll regret it forever if you miss His Highness's cooking!"

Friede hesitated but was clearly tempted by Jeremy's persuasion. Finally, he nodded. "Alright, then."

Angie smiled. "That's the spirit. No need to be so formal!"

After saying this, Angie turned to Jeremy and said, "Jeremy, you and Friede can chat for a bit. I'll go cook dinner."

Jeremy beamed a bright smile. "Alright, thank you, Your Highness!"

At that moment, Murdock walked over and asked, "Huh? Are we having dinner at Angie's place tonight?"

Friede nodded and said, "I was just about to message everyone to let them know!"

Murdock's face lit up with delight. "That's great! I've been wanting to spar with Angie in the kitchen." Then he turned to Angie. "Mind if I help out with dinner too?"

Angie readily agreed. "I'd love that."

"Alright then, let's get started." Murdock slung an arm over Angie's shoulder, leading the way to the house.

Once the two of them entered, Friede heard Angie calling out, "Munchlax, Drizzile, it's time to start making dinner!"

Shortly after, he heard the responses of Munchlax and Drizzile.

"Munchlax~!"

"Drizzile~!"

After Angie left, Friede began chatting with Jeremy, and before long, their conversation drifted to Angie.

When Friede learned that Angie had lived for 500 years and was the brother of the famous Queen Anna, he couldn't help but exclaim in shock.

"So Angie's sister is Queen Anna?"

"Of course! Didn't His Highness mention it?" Jeremy asked.

Friede shook his head, his thoughts racing: No wonder Angie said Magearna had been living with him since his sister's death. Magearna's original owner was none other than Queen Anna!

As they talked, a group of Vivillon fluttered down from the sky, landing around a nearby table and sitting in a circle.

Next came Altaria, accompanied by several Swablu.

Then Staraptor and Talonflame arrived, bringing along Fletchling, and joined Altaria's group.

Friede frowned in confusion. "What are they doing? Why are they all gathering here?"

Jeremy chuckled. "Same as us—waiting for dinner!"

For a moment, Friede couldn't quite process what Jeremy meant.

Soon after, Politoed arrived with Poliwag, Poliwhirl, Poliwrath, Azurill, and Marill in tow. 

Following them came Delphox and Greninja, leading a group that included Litwick, Pancham, Swalot, Heliolisk, and Scrafty.

Not to be left out, Gogoat and Skiddo arrived, accompanied by Chesnaught, Victreebel, Weepinbell, and Floette…

Before long, the square in front of Angie's house was packed with a variety of Pokémon, leaving Friede utterly dumbfounded.

"They're… all here for dinner?" Friede asked.

Jeremy replied, "Of course! They're His Highness's employees, just like me. They eat here every day—and their meals are even better than mine."

The difference was that Jeremy's salary was paid by the Azoth royal family.

Jeremy pointed at a sign above Angie's door and said, "Look, it's written right there."

Friede followed his gaze and noticed the sign, which read Diancie's Grand Dining Hall. He realized he hadn't noticed it before.

Diancie's Grand Dining Hall…

It certainly lived up to its name. With so many Pokémon coming for meals every day, what else could it be but a dining hall?

Friede stared blankly at the sign, overwhelmed and unable to snap out of his shock.

At that moment, Volcanion and its group returned from their game of soccer. They were chatting and laughing, but the moment Volcanion spotted Friede and Jeremy, its expression darkened.

With a cold snort, Volcanion walked to the door, found a spot, and lay down to rest.

Mollie walked in behind the group, already having received Friede's message about dining at Angie's place tonight.

She approached Friede and Jeremy, looking at the cheerful Pokémon chatting and laughing. She couldn't help but marvel, "This place is truly magical."

"It really is!" Friede echoed her admiration. "Such a magical place."

A prince who had lived for over five hundred years, three legendary Pokémon, and a host of carefree, adorable creatures.

"Friede, Mollie!"

Ludlow's voice rang out. He was carrying a large fish, presumably freshly caught, and a group of Lapras followed behind him.

The Pokémon were thrilled to see the Lapras return. They eagerly ran over, surrounding the Lapras, chattering excitedly.

A while later, Orla arrived with the Pokémon from their ship.

"Are we really having dinner at Angie's place tonight?" she called out loudly as soon as she reached the plaza.

"Yes, come on over!" Mollie waved to her.

Orla quickly ran over, with the Pokémon behind her following suit.

The Pokémon from the Rising Dragon Volt Attack Team joined as well: Friede's Charizard, Orla's Metagross, Mollie's Chansey, Murdock's Alcremie, along with others like the Nosepass responsible for navigation, the Carkol and Slugma powering the ship, the Noctowl in charge of security, and the Alolan Muk handling waste management.

Once the entire Rising Dragon Volt Attack Team had gathered, Magearna stepped out.

"Magearna~"

At its signal, the members of the team sat around the tables just like the Pokémon from the plateau.

"This feels so fresh," Mollie remarked.

Friede agreed, "It really does!"

"Pikachu~ Pikachu~"

"Pawmi~"

At that moment, Captain Pikachu and Pawmi jumped onto the table. The two Pokémon dashed back and forth until they reached Friede's side, where Captain Pikachu finally stopped.

Pawmi, unable to halt in time, crashed into Pikachu, and both ended up in Friede's hands.

"Captain, where have you been all afternoon? I haven't seen you anywhere," Friede asked.

"Pawmi~"

Pawmi proudly puffed out its chest and let out a few sounds to Friede.

Friede understood immediately, "So, Pawmi took the captain out to play?"

"Pawmi~"

Pawmi nodded.

Captain Pikachu then took off its hat, and out tumbled a pile of snacks.

"Did Pawmi give all these snacks to you, Captain?" Friede asked.

"Pikachu~"

Captain Pikachu nodded while stuffing the snacks back into its hat.

"Pawmi, thank you!" Friede said with a smile.

"Pawmi~"

Hearing this, Pawmi threw its arm around Pikachu's shoulders and gave it a hearty pat.

Friede laughed, "Looks like you two have become great friends."

"Pawmi~ Pawmi~"

Pawmi nodded earnestly.

As time passed and the sky darkened, Diancie came out and turned on the lights outside, instantly brightening the area.

"Everyone, dinner is ready!"

Upon hearing Diancie's words, the Pokémon became lively, and even Friede and his friends couldn't help but feel anticipation.

"I can't wait!" Jeremy said, rubbing his hands together.

He sat at a table with Friede and the others.

Shortly after Diancie's announcement, Gardevoir, Gallade, Meowstic, Espurr, and Robert 2.0 began bringing out the dishes one by one.

There was braised fish, steamed pork, spicy boiled meat slices, and chicken with beans and rice made by Munchlax. Drizzile contributed stir-fried greens, spicy shredded potatoes, saucy eggplant, and tofu fish soup. Angie prepared mapo tofu, three-flavor vegetable stir-fry, braised ribs, and stir-fried cabbage.

Large bowls of rice accompanied the dishes, and before long, the tables were packed.

Murdock carried a plate of scrambled eggs with tomatoes he had just learned from Angie and joined Friede's table, beaming with excitement. "I've learned something new! I never knew cooking could have so many variations!"

Friede took a deep breath, inhaling the delicious aroma. "It smells amazing, Murdock. This food is completely different from what you usually make!"

Murdock nodded enthusiastically. "Totally different. It's an entirely different cooking system—something I've never seen before."

Mollie looked astonished. "Really?"

Murdock nodded. "Yes, it's true. Looks like I still have a long way to go in honing my culinary skills!"

Jeremy proudly added, "His Highness's cooking is the best I've ever seen, even better than the royal chefs in the palace!"

At this moment, Angie walked out with Munchlax, Drizzile, and Gengar, saying, "Everyone, dig in."

The Pokémon cheered loudly and began feasting right away. Friede and the others quickly followed suit, using spoons instead of chopsticks, which Angie had thoughtfully provided.

Ludlow, like Munchlax, loved fish. He was the first to scoop up a piece of fish, mixing it with the rich broth and rice before taking a bite.

The tender fish, savory broth, and perfectly cooked rice melded together, creating a flavor that instantly won Ludlow over.

Ever since Angie perfected his special fermented bean paste, it had replaced soy sauce in all his dishes, lending a unique taste that all the Pokémon adored. Tonight, Ludlow was no exception.

"Exquisite!" Ludlow couldn't help but give a thumbs-up.

"Mmm-mmm~"

Other members of the Rising Volt Attackers, already enjoying their meals, nodded in agreement, including their Pokémon.

Only Orla commented, "Murdock's tomato scrambled eggs are a bit lacking."

Jeremy nodded. "Compared to His Highness, it is indeed a bit underwhelming."

Murdock scratched his head sheepishly. "Haha~ It's my first time trying, after all!"

"Mmm~~~ It's so delicious!" Mollie exclaimed as she bit into a piece of braised pork ribs. The rich sauce and tender meat made her shiver with delight.

Friede, still eating, said, "I'm so glad we agreed to have dinner at Angie's. I'd regret it for the rest of my life if we hadn't!"

Jeremy nodded emphatically. "Right?!"

"Pikachu~ Pikachu~"

The Captain Pikachu, its cheeks puffed with food, quickly finished a bowl of rice and raised it toward Friede, signaling for a refill.

"Alright, alright, I'll get you more." Friede took the Captain's bowl and filled it to the brim again.

Orla was also busy eating, unable to stop. "Every single dish is amazing."

Murdock chimed in, "Who would've thought Angie's Munchlax, Drizzile, and Gengar are his apprentices? What you're eating—this, this, and this—are all made by Munchlax and Drizzile."

Friede, Orla, Mollie, and Ludlow were stunned.

"Are you serious?" Friede asked.

Murdock grinned. "Of course!"

Recalling Munchlax and Drizzile's skilled movements in the kitchen, Murdock couldn't help but be impressed.

Mollie asked, "Murdock, you stayed in the kitchen for so long. Don't tell me you only made that one tomato scrambled egg dish?"

Murdock quickly refuted, "Of course not!"

"What else did you make?" Orla asked.

"You'll find out after dinner," Murdock replied cryptically.

Mollie sighed. "So secretive."

After dinner, Friede and the others slumped back in their chairs, too stuffed to move. They had simply eaten too much.

Jeremy rubbed his belly and sighed contentedly, "This is bliss. I wish I could live at His Highness's place!"

The Pokémon on the plateau, accustomed to such meals, didn't overeat as much as Friede and his group.

Just as everyone was about to leave, Angie raised his voice and said, "Wait, everyone! Don't go yet. Tonight, Mr. Murdock from the Rising Volt Attackers has prepared desserts for everyone. Enjoy those before heading back!"

At this announcement, everyone cheered. They'd never had dessert after a meal before! After all, desserts weren't Angie's specialty, and his system training hadn't covered that yet.

Mollie laughed and said to Murdock, "So you made desserts, huh?"

Murdock chuckled. "That's my forte, after all!"

Soon, Diancie, Magearna, and Gengar distributed Murdock's desserts to the Pokémon—donuts, puff pastries, and small cakes. Because of the large number of Pokémon, each one only received a small portion.

But for the Pokémon who had just finished a hearty meal, the portion size was just right.

Murdock's skills didn't disappoint, and his desserts earned unanimous praise from the Pokémon.

Friede and his friends looked at the desserts in front of them, momentarily at a loss. They were already too full—what now?