I Have A Home Again

However, Gulpin did not eat the food Angie had prepared for it.

After waiting for a long while and seeing that Gulpin had no intention of approaching the food, Angie sighed deeply.

After what felt like forever, Angie said to Gulpin, "The food is right there. You can eat it anytime you want. After eating, just rest up. Don't worry about anything else, it's safe here."

With that, he called Diancie, and the two of them headed back upstairs to continue sleeping.

Worried that Gulpin might be afraid, Angie didn't turn off the lights on the first floor.

After Angie and Diancie left, Gulpin stared blankly at the food in front of it. It was incredibly hungry, and in the end, it couldn't resist the aroma of the steamed buns. It jumped in front of the bowl and swallowed one whole.

The moment the bun entered its stomach, Gulpin was stunned—so delicious! The soft, cloud-like bun slid down its throat, and it felt like it was floating among countless strands of silk. The smoothness was simply delightful.

With its appetite now awakened, Gulpin couldn't hold back any longer. It plunged its head into the bowl and began devouring the food with gusto.

Halfway through its meal, Gulpin suddenly started to cry. Large tears fell and splashed on the edge of the bowl, blooming like flowers.

It remembered its Trainer.

Gulpin's Trainer came from a very ordinary family but dreamed of becoming a great Trainer. One day, in the corners of the city, he found Gulpin, who was feeding on garbage, and captured it as his first Pokémon.

The time it spent with its Trainer was the happiest period in Gulpin's life. They ate, slept, played, and trained together every day. It no longer had to hide in the trash, living among the filth and stench.

To help it grow stronger, the Trainer skimped on his own food and gave Gulpin the best meals he could afford. He took great care of Gulpin, and Gulpin loved him deeply.

But later, the Trainer learned that Gulpin was a Pokémon with a voracious appetite. To make it battle-ready, Gulpin required an enormous amount of food.

How could the Trainer possibly afford to provide Gulpin with all the food it needed?

One morning, the sun was shining brightly. The Trainer prepared a hearty breakfast for Gulpin. After it finished eating, the Trainer took it into the forest.

Gulpin thought its Trainer was taking it to the forest for special training. It was overjoyed, hopping along the way, occasionally picking a wildflower from the roadside, and sticking its tongue out at the Fletchling perched on the treetops.

As long as it was with its Trainer, no matter what they were doing, Gulpin felt an immense sense of happiness.

Until they reached the heart of the forest, where the Trainer suddenly squatted down and quietly hugged Gulpin tightly, squeezing it so hard that Gulpin almost couldn't breathe.

"Gulpin... I'm sorry..." The Trainer's voice was so low it was almost inaudible.

Gulpin could feel wet droplets falling on its body, though it hadn't realized yet what was happening.

Suddenly, the Trainer released Gulpin and ran off into the distance.

"Kooring~~ Kooring~~"

Gulpin bounced after its Trainer, but he quickly vanished from sight.

"Kooring~ Kooring~~"

Standing dazed in the middle of the forest, Gulpin kept calling out the Trainer's name. Staring in the direction where he had disappeared, it suddenly understood what had just happened.

It had been abandoned.

In truth, it knew where its Trainer's home was and how to find its way back. But instead of returning, it wandered aimlessly deeper into the forest, feeling utterly lost.

It didn't want to make things difficult for its Trainer.

Gulpin wasn't sure how long it had been walking. Along the way, it accidentally wandered into the territory of other Pokémon and was attacked. Eventually, it staggered to the Nebel Plateau, where it collapsed in front of Angie's house in the dark of night.

Because of its previous Trainer's abandonment, it had grown afraid of humans.

Shaking off its wandering thoughts, Gulpin wiped away its tears and continued devouring the buns. Before long, it had cleaned out the entire bowl.

Letting out a satisfied burp, Gulpin glanced toward the second floor, stood there in a daze for a moment, and then hopped resolutely toward the door, disappearing into the night.

This wasn't the place for it. If it stayed, sooner or later, it would be abandoned again, just like before. Who would ever want to take care of a glutton who couldn't do anything? Gulpin thought to itself.

As Gulpin left, the Komala inside the house twitched its ears slightly and silently rolled over in its sleep.

After leaving Angie's house, Gulpin wandered aimlessly across the Nebel Plateau under the night sky. It didn't know how long it had been walking when it reached the base of a cliff. There, it found a crevice between some rocks where it could shelter from the wind and rain.

Drowsily, Gulpin drifted off to sleep, but it didn't sleep long. When it woke up again, the sky was still dark, and the silver moon was high in the night sky.

In this unfamiliar environment, it couldn't sleep peacefully.

However, when it opened its eyes, Gulpin noticed a flickering light in front of it.

"Muhee~ Muhee~~"

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

Litwick stared curiously at Gulpin, as it knew most of the Pokémon on the Nebel Plateau.

Gulpin, feeling a bit scared, curled up and remained silent.

Litwick, being playful by nature, leaped onto Gulpin's head, its little flame flickering, casting light over the narrow crevice.

Bathed in the warm glow of the candlelight, Gulpin, for a brief moment, felt a sense of peace.

"Muhee~ Muhee~"

Are you new here?

Litwick asked again.

Gulpin instinctively nodded.

Seeing Gulpin's pitiful expression, Litwick gently stroked its head.

"Muhee~ Muhee~~"

It's seems you've had a hard time.

Hearing this, Gulpin felt a wave of sadness rise in its heart once again, and tears uncontrollably spilled from its eyes.

Without saying another word, Litwick continued to softly stroke Gulpin's head, quietly staying by its side.

After Gulpin had finished venting its emotions, Litwick asked.

"Muhee~ Muhee?"

You don't have a place to stay yet, do you? Would you like to come to my home?

Litwick treated Gulpin kindly, just as everyone had treated Litwick kindly when it first arrived at the Nebel Plateau.

Like Gulpin, Litwick was a Pokémon abandoned by its human Trainer.

Perhaps touched by Litwick's kindness, Gulpin nodded slightly.

So, Gulpin followed Litwick through the night to the entrance of a cave—Litwick's home.

"Muhee~ Muhee~~"

Let's go inside.

Litwick encouraged Gulpin.

Gulpin nodded and followed Litwick into the cave.

The inside of the cave was spacious, and it had been swept clean and tidy. Dry grass and leaves were spread on the ground for the Pokémon to sleep on.

Besides Litwick, several other Pokémon lived there: a Litleo, Pancham, Skitty, Scrafty, Stunky, Spritzee, Zigzagoon, Helioptile, and Minccino—each one having been hurt by humans in one way or another.

The arrival of Litwick and Gulpin awakened the other Pokémon, who all stared curiously at Gulpin.

Gulpin felt scared and instinctively hid behind Litwick.

Litwick gave it an encouraging look before introducing Gulpin to everyone, announcing that Gulpin was now the newest member of their family.

None of the Pokémon objected; they warmly gathered around Gulpin, expressing their welcome. After all, each of them had been brought here by Litwick in the same way.

Touched by their warmth, Gulpin gradually let go of its nervousness and unease.

At this moment, Litwick reminded everyone, "Muhee~ Muhee~"

It's getting late, let's all get some sleep. Tomorrow morning, we need to go out and gather food, remember?

Their food supply was already depleted, and if they didn't go out soon, they would have nothing to eat the next day.

The Pokémon all agreed and gathered around Gulpin, urging it to sleep with them.

Surrounded by the other Pokémon, Gulpin felt the warmth radiating from their bodies, and it soon fell into a deep sleep, a small smile tugging at the corners of its mouth.

How wonderful—it had a home again.

Watching its new companions sleep peacefully, Litwick smiled in contentment before quietly turning and heading outside the cave.

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

Litwick hopped onto a rock at the cave's entrance and looked up at the sky. The silver moon hung like a disk in the sky, gently bathing the N3bel Plateau in its soft glow.

Litwick was certain that, as long as they stayed together, their lives would keep getting better and better.

As the first rays of sunlight touched the earth the next morning, the Pokémon in the cave began to stir, and Gulpin was no exception.

Litwick spoke to Pancham, "Muhee~ Muhee~"

Pancham, Gulpin just arrived and isn't familiar with the area yet. Can you help guide it?

"Yacha~ Yacha~~"

With a confident look and a bamboo leaf in its mouth, Pancham patted its chest, signaling that it would handle everything just fine.

Once everyone had left one after another, Pancham turned around to Gulpin and said, "Yacha~ Yacha~~"

Let's we go too.

Gulpin nodded quietly, obediently following Pancham.

"Yachacha~"

Pancham walked ahead with pride, telling Gulpin along the way that it knew where to find plenty of food and that Gulpin definitely wouldn't return empty-handed.

Under Pancham's lead, Gulpin arrived at a pond where long, slender water plants grew along the edges.

Upon seeing the water plants, Pancham immediately let out a cheer, pulled out a piece of waterweed, and yanked the tender white root from the bottom, placing it aside.

"Yacha~ Yacha~"

Why are you just standing there? Hurry up come over and help!

Pancham called out to Gulpin.

Gulpin quickly hopped over and, imitating Pancham, started pulling the water plants out of the water, removing the roots one by one.

"Kuling~ Kuling~"

Are these really edible?

Gulpin asked as it gathered.

"Yacha~ Yacha~~"

Of course! They're delicious. Try one if you don't believe me.

Pancham said as it handed a piece of waterweed root to Gulpin.

Gulpin obediently opened its mouth and swallowed the root.

It was indeed tasty, but it didn't compare to the food Gulpin had eaten the previous night.

Just thinking about that meal made Gulpin involuntarily swallow. It was the second-best thing it had ever eaten—the first being the meal it had with its former Trainer, a taste it could never forget.

"Yacha~ Yacha~"

Well, what do you think? Tasty, right?

Pancham's voice interrupted Gulpin's thoughts.

"Kuling~ Kuling~~"

Gulpin nodded vigorously.

It was already more than satisfied with the waterweed roots it had now. As for the meal from last night, and its former Trainer... Those were like dreams, distant and unreal.

Pancham was pleased with Gulpin's reaction, clearly enjoying its own sense of pride.

After a while of gathering, Pancham suddenly called out to Gulpin.

"Yacha~ Yacha~"

Let's head back.

Gulpin asked in confusion, "Kuling?"

Why? There's still so much left.

Pancham, with a tone of authority, advised, "Yacha~ Yacha~"

You can't gather too much at once. Otherwise, there won't be any left for next time.

"Kuling~"

Gulpin suddenly understood, gazing at Pancham with admiration, which greatly satisfied Pancham's vanity.

The two of them found a couple of large leaves, wrapped the gathered waterweed roots in them, and then carried their bounty back home.

On the way, Gulpin noticed a beautiful flower field in the distance and instinctively stopped.

"Yacha~~"

What's up?

Pancham asked in confusion.

"Kuling~~ Kuling~~"

Can I go pick some flowers?

Gulpin asked with eager anticipation.

Pancham nodded. "Yacha~ Yacha~"

Sure! Go ahead, I'll wait for you!

"Kuling~~"

Gulpin happily nodded, placed its bundle of waterweed roots on the ground, and darted off to the flower field. In no time, it returned with a bouquet of vibrant flowers.

Looking at the large bunch of flowers, Pancham asked in confusion, "Yacha~ Yacha~~"

Why'd you pick those? You can't eat them or drink them.

Gulpin shyly replied, "Kuling~"

I have a use for them.

Seeing this, Pancham didn't ask further, holding its bundle of waterweed roots as it joyfully walked home with Gulpin.

Not long after the two Pokémon returned home, the others also came back one by one. Some brought berries, some brought plant stems, and others returned with just a few leaves...

Compared to the others, Gulpin and Pancham's haul was quite substantial, and Gulpin was showered with compliments from everyone. Gulpin felt very embarrassed—it was all thanks to Pancham.

Pancham, noticing Gulpin's shyness, gave it a playful wink.

At that moment, Litwick announced, "Muhee~"

Let's have breakfast!

At the sound of this, the Pokémon all cheered and began to distribute the food.

But Gulpin quickly noticed something unusual. Most of the food was piled up in front of it, while the others had only small portions in front of them.

"Kuling~~"

Everyone…

Litwick smiled and said, "Muhee~ Muhee~~"

You've just joined us, so today's breakfast is a welcome feast just for you. Eat as much as you like!

Everyone nodded in agreement, explaining that they'd all been treated the same way when they first joined.

"Yacha~ Yacha~~~"

We're not even that hungry, so we don't need to eat much.

Pancham patted its own round belly as it spoke.

"Kuling~"

Hearing this, tears welled up in Gulpin's eyes. It ate the precious breakfast bit by bit, feeling a mixture of sourness and warmth in its heart.