Chapter 4: I Have a Home Again

However, Gulpin did not touch the food Andrew had prepared.

After waiting for a while, Andrew noticed that Gulpin wasn't making any move towards the food. He let out a deep sigh.

After some time, Andrew said to Gulpin, "The food is right there. You can eat whenever you want. After you finish, just rest well. You don't need to worry about anything else; it's very safe here."

With that, he called out to Diancie and, along with the Pokémon, they went back upstairs to continue sleeping.

Worried that Gulpin might be scared, Andrew left the lights on downstairs.

Once Andrew and Diancie had left, Gulpin stared blankly at the food before it. It was so hungry that it couldn't resist the aroma of the steamed bun and finally jumped at the bowl, gulping down a bun.

As soon as Gulpin swallowed the bun, it was astonished. It was so delicious— the soft, cloud-like bun felt like silk floating down its throat. The sensation was incredibly wonderful.

With its hunger sated, Gulpin dove into the bowl and began eating eagerly.

Halfway through, Gulpin suddenly started crying, large tears falling onto the bowl and spreading like flowers.

It thought of its trainer.

Gulpin's trainer came from an ordinary family but dreamed of becoming a great Pokémon trainer. He found Gulpin, which fed on trash, in a city corner and caught it as his first Pokémon.

The time spent with the trainer was the happiest period of Gulpin's life. It ate, slept, played, and trained with the trainer every day. It no longer had to hide in trash heaps and live among filthy garbage.

To help it grow better, the trainer scrimped and saved every day to give it the best food. He cared deeply for Gulpin, and Gulpin loved him dearly.

However, the trainer eventually realized that Gulpin was an exceptionally hungry Pokémon and needed a large amount of food to be battle-ready.

But the trainer couldn't afford to provide such a large quantity of food.

That morning, the sun was shining brightly. The trainer prepared a lavish breakfast for Gulpin and then took it into the forest.

Gulpin thought the trainer brought it to the forest for special training and was thrilled, hopping along, picking wildflowers, and sticking its tongue out at small birds perched in the trees.

It felt that being with the trainer made everything incredibly joyful.

Until they reached the depths of the forest, the trainer suddenly crouched down and hugged Gulpin tightly, almost choking it.

"Gulpin, I'm sorry…" the trainer said in a barely audible voice.

Gulpin felt wet drops falling on it but didn't realize what was wrong.

The trainer suddenly released Gulpin and ran away.

"Gulpin~~ Gulpin~~" Gulpin hopped after the trainer, but soon the trainer disappeared from sight.

"Gulpin~ Gulpinling~~"

It stood there in the forest, calling out the trainer's name and looking in the direction where the trainer had vanished, suddenly realizing something.

It had been abandoned.

Gulpin knew the trainer's home and the way back but chose not to return. Instead, it wandered deeper into the forest, feeling dejected.

It didn't want to trouble its trainer.

Gulpin didn't know how long it had been walking. It had been attacked by other Pokémon in the forest and eventually staggered to the Nebel Plateau, where it collapsed in front of Andrew's house in the dark.

After being abandoned by its previous trainer, it had started to fear humans.

Returning to its drifting thoughts, Gulpin wiped its tears and continued eating the steamed buns. Soon, it had devoured the entire bowl.

After a satisfied burp, Gulpin glanced towards the second floor, stared blankly for a moment, and then hopped towards the door, resolutely disappearing into the night.

This was not where it belonged. If it stayed, it would likely be abandoned again, just like before. Who would want to keep a gluttonous Pokémon that couldn't do anything? Gulpin thought.

As Gulpin left, a Komala in the house stirred its ears slightly and turned over silently.

After leaving Andrew's house, Gulpin wandered aimlessly across the Nebel Plateau in the night. It didn't know how long it had been walking before it came to a cliff and found a rock crevice to shelter from the wind and rain.

In a daze, Gulpin fell asleep but didn't stay asleep for long. When it awoke, the sky was still dark, and the silver moon hung high in the night sky.

In the unfamiliar environment, it couldn't rest comfortably.

However, when it opened its eyes, it saw a flickering candlelight in front of it.

"Litwick~ Litwick~~" Who are you? I don't think I've seen you before.

The Litwick curiously examined Gulpin, as it was familiar with the Pokémon on the Nebel Plateau.

Gulpin, feeling frightened, shrank back and stayed silent.

Litwick, being quite lively, jumped onto Gulpin's head, and its candle flame flickered, illuminating the narrow crevice.

Bathed in the warm candlelight, Gulpin felt somewhat reassured.

"Litwick~ Lit~" You're new here, aren't you?

Litwick asked again.

Gulpin instinctively nodded.

Seeing Gulpin's pitiful appearance, Litwick gently patted its head.

"Litwick~ Litwick~~" You've had a tough time.

Hearing this, Gulpin felt another pang of sadness, and tears streamed down its cheeks uncontrollably.

Litwick remained silent, gently patting Gulpin's head and quietly keeping it company.

When Gulpin's emotions subsided, Litwick asked, "Litwick~wick~" You don't have a place to stay, right? Would you like to come to my home?

Litwick treated Gulpin with kindness, just as it had been treated when it first came to the Nebel Plateau.

Like Gulpin, Litwick had also been abandoned by a human trainer.

Perhaps Litwick's kindness had touched Gulpin, who nodded gently.

So, Gulpin followed Litwick through the night to the entrance of a cave, where Litwick lived.

"Litwick~ Lit~~" Let's go inside.

Litwick encouraged Gulpin.

Gulpin nodded and followed Litwick into the cave.

The cave was very spacious, clean, and tidy, with dry grass and leaves spread on the ground for the Pokémon to sleep on.

The cave was home not only to Litwick but also to a Litleo, Pancham, Skitty, Scraggy, Stunky, Spritzee, Zigzagoon, Helioptile, and a Minccino, each having been hurt by humans in some way.

Litwick's and Gulpin's arrival woke these Pokémon, who looked at Gulpin with curiosity.

Gulpin felt scared and instinctively hid behind Litwick.

Litwick gave it an encouraging glance, then introduced Gulpin to everyone and announced that Gulpin would be a new member of their family.

All the Pokémon welcomed Gulpin with enthusiasm, gathering around it. They expressed their warmth because each of them had also been rescued by Litwick in the same way.

Touched by their kindness, Gulpin began to relax and let go of its initial unease.

At that moment, Litwick reminded everyone, "Lit~ Litwick~" It's getting late. We should go to sleep. We need to gather food early tomorrow morning.

Their stored food was finished, and if they didn't find more, they would be hungry the next day.

The Pokémon agreed and started heading to their sleeping spots, surrounding Gulpin. With the warmth from everyone around it, Gulpin fell into a deep sleep, a smile forming on its face.

It felt wonderful to have a home again.

Litwick, watching the sleeping Pokémon, smiled contentedly and then turned to head outside.

Being a nocturnal Pokémon, Litwick was more energetic at night than during the day.

At the cave entrance, Litwick jumped onto a rock and looked up at the sky. The silver moon hung like a disc, gently casting its light over the Nebel Plateau.

Litwick believed that as long as they were together, their lives would only get better.

As the first rays of morning sunlight touched the earth, the Pokémon in the cave woke up and started their day, including Gulpin.

Litwick addressed Pancham, "Litwick~ Litwick~ Pancham, Gulpin is new here and unfamiliar with the area. Could you show it around?"

"Pancham~ cham~~" Pancham, chewing on a bamboo leaf, confidently patted its chest, indicating it would be no problem.

After everyone had left the cave, Pancham turned to Gulpin and said, "Cham~ Pancham~~ Let's go."

Gulpin nodded and followed Pancham quietly and obediently.

"Pancham~" Pancham confidently led the way, telling Gulpin about the many food sources it knew, ensuring it wouldn't return empty-handed.

Under Pancham's guidance, Gulpin arrived at a pond with numerous long aquatic plants growing around it.

Seeing the plants, Pancham cheered, pulled up a strip of plant from the water, and separated the tender white roots from the rest.

"Pancham~ Pan~" What are you waiting for? Come over!

Pancham called to Gulpin.

Gulpin hopped over, imitating Pancham's actions, pulling up the plants and separating the roots.

"Gulpin~ Gulpin~" Is this really edible?

Gulpin asked while collecting.

"Pancham~ Pancham~~" Of course it is! It's quite tasty. Try it.

Pancham offered a root to Gulpin.

Gulpin opened its mouth and swallowed the root.

It was indeed tasty, but it didn't compare to the delicious food it had the night before.

Recalling the food from last night, Gulpin swallowed hard. That meal was the second best it had ever had, with the first being the food shared with its previous trainer, a taste it would never forget.

"Pan~cham~" How is it? Delicious?

Pancham's question brought Gulpin back to the present.

"Gulpin~ Gulpiiin~~"

Gulpin nodded enthusiastically.

It was already very satisfied with the aquatic plant roots. As for the food from last night and its previous trainer, they felt like a distant dream, unreal.

Pancham was pleased with Gulpin's reaction and looked very proud.

After a while, Pancham suddenly suggested they head back.

"Pancham~ Pancham~" Let's go back.

Gulpin, puzzled, asked, "Guulpin~" Aren't we going to gather more? There's still plenty.

Pancham explained with a senior's tone, "Pancham~ Pan~" We shouldn't collect too much at once. Otherwise, we won't have any left for next time.

"Gulpin~"

Gulpin understood and looked at Pancham with admiration, making Pancham feel quite satisfied.

They used two large leaves to wrap up the collected roots and headed back home with their bounty.

On the way back, Gulpin noticed a beautiful flower field nearby and instinctively stopped.

"Pancham~~" What's wrong?

Pancham asked, puzzled.

"Gulpin~~ Gulpin~~" Can I pick some flowers?

Gulpin asked eagerly.

Pancham nodded, "Pancham~ Pan~" Sure, go ahead. I'll wait for you!

"Gulpin~~"

Gulpin happily agreed, placed the aquatic plant roots on the ground, and ran to the flower field. It soon returned with a bouquet of colorful flowers.

Seeing the flowers, Pancham asked, "Pan~ Pancham~~" What are these for? They can't be eaten or drunk.

Gulpin shyly replied, "Gulpin~" I have a use for them.

Pancham didn't question further and happily returned home with Gulpin.

Not long after they arrived, the other Pokémon began to return as well, some bringing fruit, some with plant roots, and others with just a few leaves...

Compared to the others, Gulpin and Pancham had gathered a considerable amount, so Gulpin received praise from everyone. Gulpin felt shy, attributing all the credit to Pancham.

Seeing Gulpin's embarrassment, Pancham winked at it.

Litwick then announced, "Litwick~" Let's have breakfast!

The Pokémon cheered and began to distribute the food.

Soon, Gulpin noticed something odd. Most of the food was piled in front of it, while the others had only a little.

"Gulpin~~" Everyone...

Litwick smiled and said, "Litwick~wick~~" Since you've just joined us, today's breakfast is a special welcome for you. Eat as much as you want!

Everyone nodded in agreement, mentioning that they all received similar treatment when they first joined.

"Pancham~ Pancham~~~" We're not hungry right now, so you can eat as much as you like.

Pancham patted its round belly.

"Gulpiiin~" Gulpin's eyes filled with tears as it heard this. It ate the special breakfast slowly, feeling a mix of emotions.

(End of Chapter)