Cause and Effect

"Stop!"

Just as Sawsbuck was about to launch an attack, Virizion's voice rang out.

Hearing Virizion's voice, Sawsbuck shuddered and turned around in surprise, finding Virizion gazing at it. Calming down, Sawsbuck respectfully lowered its head.

"What happened to you?" Virizion asked the bewildered Sawsbuck. Why had a majestic Elite level Sawsbuck like this been tamed by a human?

Sawsbuck approached and explained the entire situation, from start to finish. Yuga, standing nearby, also listened intently, learning the full story.

It turned out that Sawsbuck was originally a resident of the underground world and one of Virizion's subordinates. As such, it would often venture into Pinwheel Forest based on Virizion's orders to gather information about the outside world.

Despite living in the underground world, Virizion still had connections to the surface world. This was why there were rumors of Virizion residing in Pinwheel Forest.

However, during its most recent outing, the entrance to the underground world was discovered and guarded by humans. To avoid conflict with them, Sawsbuck had no choice but to stay outside.

Even though it could have taken on the human Trainers guarding the entrance, Sawsbuck didn't want to resort to violence due to its long-standing companionship with the gentle Virizion.

The longer it stayed outside, the more anxious Sawsbuck became, as it couldn't remain in the outside world forever.

Then, Yuga appeared in Pinwheel Forest.

Initially, Sawsbuck hadn't noticed Yuga. It was only later, when Florges was released during Ivysaur's evolution, that Sawsbuck sensed a connection between Celebi's power and the Yuga. This piqued Sawsbuck's curiosity.

However, at that time, Sawsbuck had already wandered off. By the time it returned to the spot where Yuga was, Yuga had moved on.

When Yuga returned to Pinwheel Forest once more, Sawsbuck sought him out again, believing that someone favored by the Forest God Celebi, like Yuga, must be a kind-hearted human who could help it return to the underground world.

Virizion and Celebi, both being Grass-type Legendary Pokémon, knew each other, as Celebi had also visited Pinwheel Forest. The Sawsbuck, who had followed Virizion for countless ages, could naturally sense Celebi's aura.

The reason Sawsbuck hadn't initially sensed Celebi's aura around Yuga was because, as Yuga's powers gradually grew, his own energy became more contained. Sawsbuck, being an ordinary Pokémon, couldn't sense it. It was only when Florges used her abilities that Sawsbuck could detect it.

However, Sawsbuck was quite proud.

It was an Elite level Pokémon and, furthermore, one of Virizion's subordinates. Naturally, it considered itself superior. Therefore, when it sought out Yuga, it didn't actively ask for help but rather waited for Yuga to initiate the conversation.

In its imagination, the scene should have played out like this:

Yuga: "Your Highness Sawsbuck, may I be of any assistance to you?"

However, reality had taken a different turn. Yuga had been nervously unprepared when faced with a sudden appearance of an Elite level Pokémon. And this is wild Elite level Pokémon, not a Trainer's Pokémon, had simply stared at him without any movement, making anyone uneasy.

So, when Sawsbuck tried to approach Yuga, he instinctively believed it was about to attack. That's why he had his Volcarona counterattack without thinking.

Understanding the cause and effect, Yuga awkwardly chuckled and said, "Ahem, it wasn't intentional."

After hearing Yuga's words, Sawsbuck, in its summer form, glared fiercely at Yuga once again.

"Show some respect!"

Virizion scolded Summer Sawsbuck. Reluctantly, Summer Sawsbuck moved back behind Virizion.

"You don't need to be nervous, You're favored by Celebi, and we won't harm you. Besides, this situation isn't entirely your fault. Summer has some responsibility as well."

Yuga nodded in agreement but hesitated, "This Sawsbuck... um... Summer, has already been tamed by me. You see..."

A once-majestic Elite level Pokémon being taken away by Virizion made Yuga feel a bit uneasy.

Yuga's words once again provoked the Summer Sawsbuck. It shot another fierce glare at Yuga, but it restrained itself due to Virizion's presence.

Virizion fell silent after hearing Yuga's explanation.

The human was right; he had genuinely defeated Summer Sawsbuck before taming it, without using any foul play. However, Summer was his trusted companion, and he couldn't just let it go.

"May I know your name?" Virizion asked Yuga kindly after a moment of silence.

"My name is Shimizu Yuga. You can call me Yuga," he replied. Yuga was pleasantly surprised by Virizion's friendly demeanor. It seemed Celebi had quite a reputation.

Yuga reflected on the benefits he had gained from Celebi's favor. If he ever got the chance to meet Celebi in person, he would be sure to express his gratitude.

Although Celebi wasn't the most powerful Legendary Pokémon, its unique abilities and connections with many other Pokémon, including Virizion, made it highly regarded in the Pokémon world.

Virizion continued, "Yuga, if you're willing to relinquish ownership of Summer, I'm prepared to offer you compensation."

Compensation!

Virizion's words brightened Yuga's eyes. Legendary Pokémon offering compensation was certainly a rare occurrence. Yuga thought it might be better to trade Summer, a Pokémon he wasn't particularly fond of, for something valuable.

"Well, um... that's... it's not quite... right," Yuga stammered, pretending to hesitate while secretly delighted.

Virizion felt a pang of worry. He believed that he might have to make some concessions to retain an Elite level Pokémon.

"Very well, come with me," Virizion said, turning and heading deeper into the forest, signaling for Yuga to follow.

Yuga eagerly followed Virizion, and Summer Sawsbuck, trailing behind Virizion, couldn't help but glare at Yuga for the fourth time.

Hmph, this detestable human! Summer Sawsbuck felt deeply humiliated by the idea of Virizion having to redeem it from this human, and it couldn't do anything about it because of Celebi's influence. It turned its head away from Yuga, refusing to look at him any longer, to avoid getting even more irritated.