Come to think of it… among all psychic-type Pokémon, wasn't the Latias right in front of him actually perfect for making Pokéblocks?
Sure, she looked a little clumsy right now. But with proper training, and the fact that she could transform into a human… she really might not be bad at all.
The moment that thought surfaced, Lin Feng's mind started racing.
He wanted to keep Latias here and turn her into an "employee."
First, though, he had to solve a practical problem.
Even if everything was peaceful in Alto Mare right now, Latias still had a responsibility to guard it. The real issue was how to handle her traveling back and forth.
But honestly, ever since Giratina allowed him to pass through the Reverse World, that problem had already been solved.
So it was not a problem anymore.
Latias could simply treat it like going to work. Come here in the morning, go back at night.
"I'm a genius," Lin Feng muttered, unable to stop himself from grinning.
He steadied himself and looked at Latias, who was still eating with her hands, eyes shining with anticipation.
Nearby, Serperior lifted her gaze slightly, rolled her eyes, and went back to sipping her fruit wine, already resigning herself to whatever Lin Feng was plotting next.
Gardevoir noticed too. She sighed softly and shook her head.
As expected, any Pokémon that could turn into a human would immediately become a new "target" in Lin Feng's eyes.
She just had no idea when he had even met Latias.
"Is it good?" Lin Feng asked gently.
"Woo~"
(Delicious, delicious~)
Even though her mouth never stopped moving, Latias still took a moment to respond. She even poured herself another glass of berry wine and gulped it down, looking completely satisfied.
"How long are you planning to stay here?" Lin Feng asked, keeping his tone soft and coaxing.
He was fully aware that, right now, he sounded like some suspicious adult luring a child.
But with the breeding ranch needing help in the future, he had no choice but to be a little ruthless.
"Woo?"
Latias paused. She looked up at him, her clear eyes flickering with surprise.
Only then did she realize something.
Before leaving, she had told her brother she would come out to play for a while… and then go back.
She quickly calculated the time. The sun had not even set yet. By human standards, the day was not over.
But…
"Play for a while and go back…"
The little cat that used to bring her food was gone.
Her brother definitely would not allow her to stay out all the time.
So… was this her last meal?
A flicker of panic appeared in her eyes.
"You're leaving soon?" Lin Feng asked, noticing the change.
"Woo woo…"
Latias nodded sadly.
"That's a shame," Lin Feng said with a sigh. "I was planning to cook something even better tonight."
"Woo?"
(Wait…)
Latias froze. Then suddenly she waved her hands frantically, her eyes lighting up as she chattered excitedly.
Lin Feng understood her meaning, and his expression instantly stiffened.
She wanted him to cook food, store it in those storage balls, and let her take them back.
Just like Mew used to do.
"Cough…"
Lin Feng's mind blanked for a second.
Damn it. He had forgotten about that option.
But looking at Latias' hopeful face, he cleared his throat and decided to be honest.
"Mew could take my storage balls because every time it came back, it brought me something in return. And besides, both Mew and Jirachi are my Pokémon, so of course I share with them."
"If you want something, you'll have to work for it."
Even so, he was not about to trick an innocent little red jet into unpaid labor.
"Woo?"
(Work?)
Latias blinked, completely confused.
She did not understand.
Lin Feng explained simply, "It means you help me with work, and I'll cook for you every day. You can even take a portion back to share with your brother."
"Woo?"
Her eyes lit up instantly.
She could bring food back too?
Was there really such a good deal?
But then she thought of something important.
Every day?
If she had to go back every day… that meant traveling back and forth constantly.
That sounded exhausting.
Even flying once took a long time.
Seeing her hesitation, Lin Feng raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"You're smarter than I expected."
But he quickly reassured her.
"Don't worry. Since I'm the one proposing this, I'll find a solution."
"Come with me."
He paused, then added, "Actually… wait. Wash your hands first."
Her hands were still greasy.
If she really started working, the first thing he would need to teach her was basic table manners.
…
Plantation. Reservoir.
After the meal, Lin Feng brought Latias over.
Although he could reach anywhere in the world through the Reverse World, he honestly had no idea how vast that place really was.
Was traveling through it actually faster?
That needed testing.
Latias stood behind him, watching eagerly.
She saw him tap lightly on the surface of the water.
Then, before her confused eyes, a dark energy spread across the surface, swallowing the reflection.
Ripples surged violently.
And then…
A massive head with deep crimson eyes rose from the water.
"Woo!!"
Latias shrieked and instantly reverted to her original form, darting behind Lin Feng in fear.
"It's okay," Lin Feng said, patting her lightly. "Giratina, I need a favor."
Giratina stared at him silently.
"I just want to borrow your Reverse World for a bit. I want to test how long it takes to send her home. If it's quick enough, I'd like her to travel through it every day."
"…Alright."
After a brief response, Giratina sank back beneath the water.
"Still as distant as ever," Lin Feng muttered.
Then he turned to Latias.
"Come on."
"Woo…?"
She still looked like a frightened rabbit.
That Pokémon just now had felt terrifying.
"Relax," Lin Feng said with a small laugh. "It looks scary, but it's actually just bad at talking. A bit shy, really. You'll be fine."
He could not help but find it amusing.
Before meeting Giratina, he had speculated a lot about what the ruler of the Reverse World might be like.
Turns out, Giratina was even more… socially awkward than he imagined.
"Woo…?"
Latias still looked uneasy.
"Come on, just try it once. After that, you won't be scared anymore."
Lin Feng did not wait for further protest. He stepped behind her and gently pushed her toward the water's edge.
"Woo woo…"
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