Chapter 37 - Swablu Joins the Team

After being apart for a month, Darren was surprised by the changes in Beautifly. It seemed that Beautifly enjoyed a luxury treatment during the month with Master Shozo.

However, Master Shozo only smiled and explained, "I didn't do much for this little guy, it already had a good foundation. Its potential, which couldn't be fully realized in the past, has now been successfully released."

Darren agreed with Master Shozo's explanation. During the month when Beautifly didn't follow him around and enjoyed a luxurious treatment, it seemed to have successfully erupted its accumulation from the past year with Master Shozo. Darren realized that during the past year when he was cultivating Beautifly, he didn't really focus on improving Beautifly's strength. Instead, he emphasized improving Beautifly's mastery of its moves, all for the final goal of performing well in the Pokemon contests.

Therefore, Beautifly's strength was theoretically not outstanding. What it excelled at was its precise control of it's moves. Beautifly knew very few attack moves, and when it was with Darren, it mainly used moves like Absorb, Silver Wind, and Electroweb other than that, Beautifly also used "Tailwind" and "Gust" to manipulate and attack with air.

In terms of intense battles, Beautifly was still far from competent. Of course, even if it wasn't good at battling, Beautifly was still better than a one-month-old Swablu, even if the latter had high potential or even had a move like Dragon Rush.

"Great job." Darren praised Beautifly, and was surprised that during this month he had raised its control of the wind to a higher level and even learned the move Air Cutter.

"This little guy's intelligence is not low," Master Shozo complimented Beautifly.

...

Today, the wind was strong, and it greatly hindered the helicopter's ascenting speed. Master Shozo's private pilot followed the road from yesterday and slowly flew the helicopter up Mt. Chimney. It didn't take long for Darren to experience again the familiar environment around him.

"We're almost there." Looking out the window at the clouds and mist outside, both Darren and Beautifly were excited.

"Chirp! Chirp!" Suddenly, a penetrating call sounded above Darren's head, and it was heard even inside the helicopter. When Darren heard the call, his face lit up because it was Swablu's call. Swablu came to greet them.

"Huh?" Beautifly was puzzled and turned around to find the source of the call. It wanted to see its new teammate.

Sitting in his seat, Master Shozo smiled when he heard the call. "Swablu came to greet you. It looks like it has convinced Altaria. Congratulations, Darren."

Darren nodded with excitment. He could tell that Master Shozo had intentionally trained him. Regardless of the spot at the Crown Academy, this trial, or even the covert protection in the past month, it all showed that Master Shozo believed in and expected him. What Master Shozo did for him went far beyond a general recognition.

At the age of ten, Darren's outstanding knowledge and determination, along with the most crucial encounter with Master Shozo and Willow, became the turning point in his new life.

If meeting Master Shozo was a coincidence, then coupled with Darren's own efforts and exceptional talents, it became inevitable that a capable person would receive recognition, which was only natural.

Master Shozo had good reason to believe in Darren. At his level, ordinary fame and money were no longer as important. In Master Shozo's eyes, there was only research and to find a suitable pupil to pass on his knowledge. Darren had become an excellent successor in his eyes.

The helicopter slowly came to a stop, and Darren stepped out of the door. Swablu flew towards him, landing steadily on Darren's head,.

"I came to pick you up, Swablu," Darren said.

"Chirp~" Swablu happily replied.

Fluttering sounds could be heard, as Beautifly flew out. Its entire body emitted a faint morning light, blowing out white light spots that looked like scattered stars. It was beautiful and gave a warm feeling.

Darren smiled. Beautifly was using its move, Morning Sun, to greet its new teammate.

"Swablu, Beautifly, you guys have to get along well," Darren said to the two small companions. During this month, while chatting with Swablu, he naturally avoided mentioning his first companion, Beautifly, but Swablu still knew about it.

Swablu looked up at the white light spots and made a light, melodious call. Then, it leapt into the air, flapped its wings, and rolled up cotton-like feathers, merging perfectly with the light spots. The resulting light and shadow show was comfortable, like slowly drifting fireflies, floating around them.

In response to Swablu's friendly greeting, Beautifly also responded.

Looking at the two special companions, whether it was Darren or Master Shozo, who had just walked out of the helicopter, both smiled knowingly.

"Chirp~" Swablu called out.

"Swablu..." Darren felt the movement on his head.

After returning to his head, Swablu made a few low calls, conveying some message that made Darren suddenly understand. "I got it."

The line reads: "Altaria, wants to see them."

The Darren calmed down and Swablu was going to leave with him. It seems that Altaria, as a mother, still cannot let go, which makes Darren feel a little confused... Is it really the right choice for humans to capture Pokemon seperating them from their family?

"Chirp~~" Swablu flapped its wings and woke the Darren from silence. "Forget it, don't think too much about this worrying problem. As long as I bring Swablu back to visit often, it'll be fine."

"Beautifly, you wait here for me. Master Shozo, can you take care of Beautifly for me? Swablu and I will be back soon, and it won't take too long." Darren turned his head and said to Master Shozo. After receiving a response from Master Shozo, he and Swablu walked towards the depths of the mountain.

Master Shozo watched Darren go away, thoughtful, and then shook his head and stopped thinking about it.

...

...

Fifteen minutes later.

Darren returned with a deluxe Poké Ball in his hand. This was given to him by Master Shozo in the morning, a deluxe ball specially prepared for Swablu, which could greatly increase the intimacy between Swablu and him.

Now, after a brief meeting with Altaria, Swablu officially became the Darren's Pokemon.

From entering Mt. Chimney, to rushing around with the Pokemon egg, witnessing Swablu's hatching, growth, escaping together, to now, Swablu and the Darren finally completed all their training together.

After explaining a few words to Master Shozo and Beautifly, Darren took a deep breath. They were ready to leave.

Looking down at the Mt. Chimney from the helicopter, holding the Poké Balls of Beautifly and Swablu, a sense of pride rose in the Darren's heart. He couldn't help but lean out of the window, waving Swablu's PokeBall and shouting, "Altaria, don't worry, I will take good care of Swablu. When I bring it to see you next time, you will be amazed. Wait and see! Also, thank you for the gift!"

After shouting, the Darren saw Master Shozo's strange smile and suddenly blushed.

"..." How could he suddenly become so childish at his age!