Scatterbug

On the way back, Luna turned to Robert and exclaimed, "Robert, you're so amazing!" Her words were enough to make Robert feel like he was on cloud nine.

To celebrate Robert victory in the Pokémon Contest of Verdanturf Town, the four of them had dinner together before parting ways. Robert returned to the Pokémon Center, Yuga escorted Luna home before taking Rand back with him.

Speaking of which, Yuga had spent a considerable amount of time watching the Pokémon Contest, causing the Day Care to be closed for a while.

In the afternoon, the person in charge of constructing the Ecopark, Daichi Kurozumi, paid Yuga a visit. With the construction of the Ecopark nearing completion, many matters required Yuga attention. Daichi main purpose for coming was to provide Yuga with an update on the situation.

Yuga was quite satisfied with the progress of the Ecopark construction. He would also visit the site regularly and had a general understanding of the situation, although not as detailed as what Daichi Kurozumi, the project overall manager, had presented.

Through these days of observation and interaction, Yuga had also come to understand Daichi Kurozumi a bit. He was meticulous and rigorous in his work, demanding high standards, making him a reliable person.

Speaking of which, Yuga had to thank his uncle. It was his uncle who had introduced Daichi Kurozumi to him. If it weren't for his uncle reliable recommendation, the construction of the Ecopark wouldn't have progressed so smoothly.

After finishing the evening training session with his Pokémon, Yuga took them to the Pokémon Center for a check-up. Ever since Yuga started training Pokémon, he made it a point to regularly bring them to the Pokémon Center for thorough examinations whenever he had the time.

Yuga training regimen for his Pokémon was always strict, resulting in significant daily exercise. Despite having Chimecho as a dedicated caretaker, Yuga couldn't guarantee that his Pokémon wouldn't encounter any health issues.

After entrusting his Pokémon to Nurse Joy due to waiting, Yuga decided to check on Robert.

After inquiring with Nurse Joy, Yuga learned that Robert was training Pokémon in the backyard of the Pokémon Center. Yuga went over to find him.

By this time, there weren't many people in the Pokémon Center backyard. Yuga immediately spotted Robert engaged in conversation with Chimecho.

Robert few Pokémon were outside, engaged in training: Chimecho, Baltoy, and Cinccino.

Although Robert had a small number of Pokémon, only three, each was elite, indicating that he was pursuing an elite route.

"Why did you come?" Robert asked curiously as he saw Yuga approaching.

Yuga smiled and replied, "I came to get the Pokémon checked and to see you."

Robert responded, "I see. I was actually thinking of finding you too."

Yuga asked in surprise, "Find me? Is there something?"

Robert explained, "Not really, the Pokémon Contest of Verdanturf Town has ended. I'm planning to leave. I just wanted to let you know, and you've come at the right time."

Yuga said, "You're leaving already? When are you leaving?"

Robert answered, "I'm leaving tomorrow morning. You don't need to come to see me off. I'll drop by your shop before I leave."

Yuga agreed, "Alright, I'll be waiting for you at the shop tomorrow."

At that moment, Yuga ears twitched, as if he had heard something.

Curiously, Yuga looked at Robert and asked, "Did you hear that?"

Both of them fell silent, and Robert perked up his ears as well. After a moment, he shook his head, "I didn't hear anything. What did you hear?"

Yuga thought for a moment and then shook his head, "I didn't hear it clearly. Could it be that I misheard?"

As Yuga walked toward a large tree not far away, he discovered a barely conscious bug-type Pokémon tied to the tree with a rope.

Robert walked over and saw the Pokémon as well. He was both surprised and angered, saying, "It's a Scatterbug. Who could be so heartless to tie it up like this!"

At this point, Yuga had already untied the rope from Scatterbug and lifted it up, walking towards the direction of the Pokémon Center.

"Nurse Joy, come take a look at this Scatterbug," Yuga called out loudly as soon as he entered the interior of the Pokémon Center.

Upon hearing Yuga voice, Nurse Joy immediately came out from the examination room, briefly examined Scatterbug, and then directly brought the unconscious bug to the emergency room along with Chansey.

Shortly after, Nurse Joy emerged from the emergency room and addressed Yuga and Robert:

"Scatterbug is fine. There are no injuries; it just fainted from hunger since it hasn't eaten for too long. You can go in and have a look. I've administered some nutrients, so it should be awake by now."

Nurse Joy from Verdanturf Town knew Yuga and was aware of his Pokémon, so there wasn't a repeat of the misunderstanding that had occurred in like the one that Happend in Lavaridge Pokémon Center.

Just as Yuga and Robert were about to turn and go inside to see Scatterbug, Nurse Joy suddenly called out to Yuga:

"Oh, by the way, your Pokémon have all been checked and are healthy with no issues. I was actually planning to find you earlier, but I got a little flustered."

She motioned for Chansey to return Yuga Poké Balls.

Taking the Poké Balls, Yuga said, "Thank you, Nurse Joy and Chansey."

Upon entering the examination room, Yuga found that Scatterbug had indeed awakened.

The bug weakly emitted a gentle sound towards Yuga as a sign of gratitude. It had seen Yuga before losing consciousness and knew that Yuga had saved it.

Yuga asked, "Scatterbug, are you feeling better?"

Scatterbug shook its head slightly, indicating that it was fine.

Yuga didn't know what had happened to Scatterbug or who had tied it to the tree, so he inquired, "Scatterbug, who tied you up there?"

Upon hearing Yuga question, Scatterbug body trembled inexplicably, and its expression dimmed, but it didn't respond to Yuga question.

Yuga sensed that Scatterbug wasn't keen on discussing this matter, so he refrained from probing further.

Using his Insight skill, Yuga took a look at Scatterbug.

<<Scatterbug>> (Innate Deficiency)

Type: Bug

Gender: Female

Ability: Compound Eyes

Aptitude: Blue

Level: 9

Moves: Tackle, String Shot, Stun Spore

At first, Yuga was blinded by Scatterbug aptitude, and then he was highly puzzled by the notation of an "innate deficiency."

So, Yuga mentally asked the system, "Is the system there?"

[ I'm here, host! ]

Yuga felt like his "golden finger" was really low-key. It never made a sound unless he initiated contact, and it would never speak up otherwise. Yuga couldn't even recall the last time he had heard its voice.

Yuga asked, "Can I ask what this 'innate deficiency' means?"

[ It's exactly as it sounds. This Pokémon had defects present before birth, much like the genetically flawed eggs you purchased from the Day Care Center. It's the same situation. ]