An Old Flame of Chatot

"Unfortunately, I have to tell you that we only have this one precious Audino. There are no others."

Hearing Yuga's words, Steven felt a deep sense of disappointment.

"I see, that's truly a pity." Steven looked at the Audino sitting beside him, enjoying the delicious food he had prepared, and couldn't help but envy it.

What Yuga didn't know was that due to his envy for this particular Audino, after leaving the Verdanturf Town, Steven had also managed to obtain a Audino. Unfortunately, Steven's Audino didn't turn out the way he had hoped. Instead of becoming a nurturing caregiver, it ended up as a violent boxing contender, becoming a liability on his path to becoming a champion.

However, these were stories for another time; they won't be mentioned here.

After finishing their lunch, Steven said to Yuga, "I heard that your Day Care produces excellent Ground-type Pokéblocks. I'd like to buy some."

Surprised, Yuga said, "Oh, do you also have Ground-type Pokémon?"

Yuga had only watched the original animated series and was unaware that, besides his Steel-type Pokémon, Steven had other attribute Pokémon as well. In the animated series, Steven's Pokémon were only Aggron and Metagross!

"Yeah."

Saying this, Steven released a Claydol.

...

<<Claydol>>

Attributes: Ground, Psychic

Abilities: Levitate

Gender: None

Potential: Blue

Level: 66

Skills: Hyper Beam, Hardening, Confusion, Rapid Spin, Teleport, Earth Power, Ice Beam, Trick Room, Explosion, Stealth Rock, Psychic, Light Wall, Toxic, Power Trick, Seal, Sandstorm.

...

After looking at this Claydol, Yuga sighed. Indeed, there's no such thing as the strongest; there's always something stronger.

This Claydol was already close to Level 70, and the Lairon Steven usually carried around must have been trained later, so there was a slight disparity in levels.

Through conversation, Yuga came to know that the future Steel-type champion Steven only had three Steel-type Pokémon: Aggron, Metagross, and Skarmory.

Yuga couldn't help but sigh. It seemed this Steel-type champion had something in common with a certain "Flying-type" champion.

Taking Steven to the counter, Yuga helped him choose Pokéblocks. Steven was quite knowledgeable; he immediately selected the Pokéblocks crafted by Misaki. He disregarded the "Defective Product" Pokéblocks made by Yuga.

Yuga was almost in tears.

Steven picked up a translucent Pokéblock, twisted it in his hand, and even licked it, saying, "These Pokéblocks are truly excellent, better than what I usually use."

Yuga realized that Steven's formidable prowess wasn't without reason – his vast knowledge and expertise made him a true scholar, and his extensive experience allowed him to judge the quality of Pokéblocks with just a taste. Coupled with his impeccable background, he was undoubtedly formidable.

However, Yuga felt motivated; in a few more years, when he reached Steven's age, maybe he could become equally powerful! After all, he had the potential to be handsome, rich, and powerful.

Steven had his Claydol try the Heavies flavored Pokéblocks, and it loved them. Steven purchased quite a few cans of them directly from Yuga (Pokéblocks were sold in cans here) and declared that he would buy all of his Claydol's Pokéblocks from YoYo Day Care.

Perhaps he forgot that his own Devon Corporation also sold Pokéblocks.

After bidding farewell to Steven, Yuga suddenly saw Chatot flying in hurriedly from outside, squawking, "It's over, it's over!"

Seeing Yuga, the bird flew over and urgently said, "Darling, you absolutely have to help me."

Unaware of why it was so panicked, Yuga asked amusedly, "What's going on today? Look at your anxious little eyes; they're really heart-wrenching!"

"Since darling is so worried about me, can you help me, pretty please?" Despite its frantic demeanor, Chatot couldn't change its playful personality.

Before Yuga could respond, Chatot shouted, "There's no time, there's no time! When Noctowl arrives later, pretend you didn't see me!"

Saying this, it was about to fly away.

Yuga hadn't quite figured out what was happening when he saw a blue beam of light landing on Chatot. Chatot, which had been about to fly away, was now frozen in mid-air.

"It's over, too late!"

Following this, Yuga saw an Noctowl with glowing blue eyes fly in, stopping not far from Chatot.

Yuga thought, "This must be Noctowl that Chatot mentioned."

At this moment, Chatot was immobilized by the Psychic of Noctowl.

"Hehe... Hehe... Kitty-chan, you're here! It's been so long!" Chatot nervously laughed.

"Noctowl!" Noctowl called.

"No, no, that's impossible! How could I possibly avoid our adorable Kitty-chan!" Faced with Noctowl's question, Chatot hurriedly denied.

"Noctowl."

"Really, really, I'm not lying to you!" Chatot struggled to explain.

"Noctowl... Noctowl!"

"Hey! Hey! Don't talk nonsense, we're best sisters! Husbands and wives don't exist."

Noctowl said something, and Chatot immediately earnestly denied it.

"Hey, hey, be gentle! My bones are about to break! We're still best sisters, aren't we!"

Chatot's words successfully made the Psychic that Noctowl had focused on it even tighter, causing it to cry out in pain.

"Noctowl."

"I really didn't avoid you!" After saying this, Chatot suddenly pointed to Yuga next to it and said, "Oh, oh, by the way, I actually really wanted to come find you! But I was captured by this person, and I can't go anywhere."

Chatot took no psychological pressure for this.

Yuga, bewildered, pointed to himself, wondering if it was blaming him.

"Yes, yes, it's him! He took advantage of me being unconscious due to hunger and forcefully captured me!" Chatot said with a pained expression.

Yuga felt like saying "MMP" (an internet slang expression of frustration and annoyance). Blaming me? Sure, I captured you, but you can leave anytime you want! Whenever you want to leave, just go. I'm completely supportive of that! Don't go falsely accusing me!

Ever since Yuga brought Chatot back to YoYo Day Care, it did nothing but mooch off food and make jokes all day. Its sole purpose was to amuse customers who came to the store.

Moreover, this Chatot was a total combat flop – it had a yellow potential, was below level 20, and didn't even possess a single attacking move! It couldn't even defeat the baby Pokémon in the Ecopark.

Yuga truly wished for it to leave YoYo Day Care as soon as possible.