"Hello there, Salamence. We meet again."
Lin Feng stepped forward with a grin, standing beside the proud dragon. Salamence turned its head sharply with a huff, refusing to look at him.
Meet again? They had already seen each other that morning. What nonsense was this human spouting?
Lin Feng couldn't help but laugh at its exaggerated reaction. He didn't push further, letting Salamence stew in its own stubbornness.
Over the past few days, although Salamence still held resistance in its heart, the truth was that their bond had improved significantly. Its trust had risen from deep hostility to something closer to neutrality. Once, it had been at a cold -50, and now it lingered around -10. Progress, however small, was still progress.
The credit went largely to two things: Lin Feng's mysterious Evergreen Power and the mellow sweetness of Grapevine Wine, both of which soothed body and spirit. But he knew he had nearly reached the limit of what those tools could achieve. No power, not even his Evergreen aura, could fully erase the shadows buried deep in Salamence's past.
Unless he asked Mewtwo to forcefully wipe away its memories.
But Lin Feng shook his head at the thought. That was a last resort. Healing meant more when it came naturally.
Beside him, Mewtwo's clear voice sounded in his mind. "What is it? Do you intend to release Goodra?"
Lin Feng nodded thoughtfully. "Yes. Look over there. The Eevee are playing a game they call 'Pikachu versus the Villains.' It might be good for Goodra to join in. If it doesn't want to, that's fine too. Even watching from the side, seeing others laugh, can help. That's why I'll need you nearby."
Mewtwo's eyes narrowed, clearly unimpressed. "So in other words, I am acting as a babysitter?"
Lin Feng chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "If you put it that way… then yes, more or less."
There were certain truths he'd learned as a breeder. Some joys came not from participation, but from watching others share them. Some foods tasted best only when you watched someone else enjoy them first. Happiness had a way of spreading like sunlight, and perhaps Goodra only needed to bask in it.
Mewtwo gave a long-suffering sigh but didn't refuse. Its eyes shifted briefly toward Salamence. "And what of this one? Will it stay here as well?"
Lin Feng patted Salamence's sturdy wing. "Of course not. I'll take it aside for a chat."
Salamence blinked, confused. Chat? With him?
It wasn't planning on listening to this human's nagging.
But Lin Feng smiled slyly. "Well, if you'd rather, you can stay here by Mewtwo's side instead."
At that, Salamence stiffened. It cast one look at the psychic powerhouse, then another at Lin Feng. After a long pause, it turned and begrudgingly followed Lin Feng to a quieter corner. Staying beside Mewtwo was suffocating.
Lin Feng set down a small wooden stool, leaned against it casually, and pulled out a chilled bottle of juice from his storage capsule. He popped it open and took a sip with a content sigh.
Salamence stared in bewilderment. It had expected this human to interrogate it, to push and pry. Instead, he just… sat there?
Lin Feng seemed to remember something. He pulled out another bottle of juice and held it out. "This one's good. Want to try?"
Without waiting, he uncapped it for Salamence's convenience. Instinctively, the dragon opened its mouth, and the cool liquid poured in. Sweetness spread across its tongue.
It froze halfway. Wait. Mewtwo wasn't here to compel it this time.
This… this was voluntary.
Panicked, Salamence thought to spit it out, but it was too late. The juice had already slid down its throat. For a long moment, it stood frozen, heart pounding. Slowly, it glanced at Lin Feng.
But Lin Feng wasn't even watching. His attention was elsewhere, focused on the group of Pokémon playing together in the distance. Salamence exhaled quietly in relief and turned its gaze as well.
On the stone path, Goodra stood hesitantly by Mewtwo's side, while the maid Pokémon Kirlia's older sister acted as referee among several playful Eevee and the energetic little Alolan Vulpix. The group laughed and tumbled about, reenacting battles with innocent clumsiness.
Goodra lingered on the edge, awkward and shy, until Alolan Vulpix bounded up. Brave and outgoing, the fox had always been curious about the slimy dragon, but never had a chance to approach. Now it yipped brightly, coaxing Goodra to join.
Goodra hesitated, then glanced toward Mewtwo. The psychic gave a small nod. Encouraged, Goodra shuffled forward. Within minutes, it was rolling and laughing with the Eevee, tumbling across the cobbled path without caring about dirt.
Lin Feng's heart lightened at the sight. Progress came in the smallest steps.
Salamence tilted its head. Why hadn't this human tried persuading it the same way?
Unable to hold back, it asked, rumbling, "Rrroarrr?"
Lin Feng looked back at it, confused. "Persuade you? Persuade you about what?"
Salamence blinked. Wasn't the whole point to convince it to let go of its hatred toward humans?
"Oh, that," Lin Feng said with a smile of realization. "I'm not going to persuade you. If you can't let go, then don't. Stay here forever if you'd like."
Salamence stiffened. Forever?
Lin Feng patted its wing again. "Don't worry. I'll feed you, take care of you. You'll never want for anything."
The dragon's expression darkened. The food here was indeed good, but staying under Mewtwo's shadow for life? That was unbearable.
Its mind spun. Maybe it could pretend to give in, to trick Lin Feng and escape later.
But Lin Feng's next words shattered that fragile plan. "Don't bother acting. My Evergreen Power lets me sense the hatred buried deep in your heart. Even Mewtwo himself once failed to fool me with a trick like that."
Salamence froze. Its schemes withered before they could bloom. Slowly, it closed its eyes and lowered itself beside Lin Feng, as if defeated.
Lin Feng smiled faintly. He didn't know what exactly the dragon was thinking, but shifting its thoughts away from past trauma even if only to plot was still a step forward.
Salamence exhaled heavily and shut its eyes, preparing for a nap.
But then the air shifted.
A surge of burning heat swept across the sky. Salamence's eyes snapped open as it rose abruptly, staring toward the horizon.
Lin Feng felt it too. His hand tightened around the bottle of juice, and he stood, gazing into the distance.
Under his breath, he whispered, "The Champion has come again."
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