Chapter 172

Chapter 172: Chapter 172

"You could’ve explained yourself earlier. Look at the huge misunderstanding you made us cause."

Mike helped Nidoking up from the ground while blaming him as though none of what had just happened had been his own fault.

Nidoking stared at him in disbelief.

’I was tied to the ground, and you stuffed my mouth with String Shot. How was I supposed to explain anything?’

’And even if I had managed to talk, would any of you have listened?’

The resentment in Nidoking’s eyes was obvious, so Mike naturally pretended not to notice.

Instead, he extended his hands toward Nidoran♀.

Nidoran♀ hesitated briefly before walking over and allowing Mike to pick her up.

Mike sat down with her in his arms and began checking her condition.

Since he already had an excuse to examine her, he also took the opportunity to thoroughly pet and fuss over her until he was satisfied.

"Nido!"

[What are you doing?!]

"I’m checking your wife’s health."

Mike finally put Nidoran♀ down.

"She’s doing great. Perfectly healthy."

Then he casually looked toward Nidoking.

"So, how have things been lately? Any Eggs yet?"

Pokémon themselves weren’t particularly embarrassed about discussing Eggs, but having Mike ask so directly still made Nidoking visibly awkward.

Mike stared at him.

"What? None yet?"

His expression became one of genuine disbelief.

"You built like that and still haven’t had an Egg? Are you sure everything works properly?"

Nidoking’s eyes widened.

Mike leaned forward with fake concern.

"Want me to check it for you?"

"NIDO!"

[What the hell are you talking about?!]

Nidoking roared indignantly.

Then, after a brief pause, he added even more loudly, "NIDO!"

[We already have one!]

Mike blinked.

"You do?"

Nidoking immediately raised his head with pride, looking immensely pleased with himself.

Mike pointed at him with an expression of betrayal.

"I knew it! You shameless cradle robber, you finally went and had an Egg with her!"

Nidoking stared at him.

’Why am I getting yelled at again?!’

"Nina."

Nidoran♀ gently bumped Mike with her forehead.

"Fine, fine. Since you’re defending him, I’ll let it go."

Mike stroked her head.

Nidoking: "???"

He pointed at himself, then looked toward Hatenna.

’Why does it feel like having an Egg was somehow my fault too?’

Hatenna was still staring curiously at Mike, apparently fascinated by this strange human.

Mike looked around the area and said, "All right, Nidoking. Take us to your nest."

Nidoking slammed his tail against the ground, sending dust flying.

He bent down, carefully picked up both Hatenna and Nidoran♀, grabbed the Honey he had "borrowed," and headed off.

Mike followed.

Before long, Nidoking stopped in front of a cave.

"Nido."

[This is our nest. An Ursaring used to live here, but I drove it away.]

Mike studied the entrance.

Vines covered much of the outside, and at first glance it looked like an ordinary cave.

Still, if Nidoking had fought for it, there was probably more to the place than appearances suggested.

"Not bad."

Nidoking grinned and entered first.

Mike followed him inside and immediately realized he had been right.

The cavern opened into a surprisingly spacious interior.

Natural light reached deep inside, and two beds made from layers of leaves had been arranged near the center.

A Pokémon Egg rested safely on the larger one.

Mike looked around in surprise.

"This place is huge, and the lighting’s actually great."

He glanced at Nidoking.

"You must’ve had one hell of a fight with that Ursaring. No way it gave up a place like this willingly."

Nidoking nodded.

"Nido."

[We fought for an entire day and night before I finally drove it away.]

Mike gave him a thumbs-up.

"Impressive."

Nidoking lifted his chin as though it were nothing worth mentioning.

Mike walked over to the Egg and looked toward Nidoking and Nidoran♀.

"Want me to check it?"

Nidoran♀ returned to the leaf bed and lay beside the Egg before nodding.

Nidoking had no objection either.

As far as the pair were concerned, Mike, Gengar, and the others were close friends.

Annoying friends, perhaps, but friends who had always treated them well.

Mike carefully lifted the Egg.

It was the first Pokémon Egg he had ever held at such close range.

He examined the patterns covering its shell, gently wiping away any dirt he noticed.

The Egg was heavier and larger than he had expected, and there was even a faint natural scent clinging to it.

System text suddenly appeared.

{Nidoran♂ Egg: A very healthy Pokémon Egg. It has inherited its father’s strong fighting instincts and possesses respectable potential. A healthy little boy.}

Mike stared.

’The system can inspect Pokémon Eggs too?’

He examined it for a little longer before carefully returning it beside Nidoran♀ and gently stroking her head.

Nearby, Nidoking tapped the ground with his tail.

This human was decent in almost every respect, but he had an annoying habit of constantly putting his hands on Nidoking’s wife.

If Mike wanted someone to pet that badly, couldn’t he go find a partner of his own?

"Don’t worry. The Egg is perfectly healthy, just like you."

Mike stood and looked at Nidoking.

"And just like you, it’s a boy."

Nidoking immediately grinned.

"Nido."

[Of course. Look who his father is!]

Mike gave him a disgusted look.

"You shameless cradle robber still have the nerve to brag?"

"ROAR!"

Mike ignored him and finally turned his attention back toward Hatenna.

"So what’s the story with this Hatenna?"

"Haten?"

Hatenna gave a soft, sweet cry.

Nidoking looked toward the little Pokémon sitting on his shoulder, then walked over to the cave wall and sat down against it.

"Nido."

[We met her on our first day in Eterna Forest. A group of strange people was chasing her. Nidoran♀ asked me to help, so I rescued her.]

As he spoke, Nidoking seemed to remember something.

He got back up, returned to Nidoran♀, and placed the jar of Honey in front of her.

Nidoran♀ tasted a little and immediately showed a happy expression.

Mike looked at him.

"Wait. You’ve been stealing Honey for Nidoran♀?"

"Nido."

[She likes it.]

Mike had to admit Nidoking was still thoroughly devoted to his wife.

He opened Hatenna’s Pokédex information.

{Hatenna}

{Type: Psychic}

{Gender: Female}

{Ability: Magic Bounce}

{Known Moves: Confusion, Aromatic Mist, Disarming Voice, Life Dew, Psybeam, Heal Pulse, Dazzling Gleam, Calm Mind, Psychic}

{Mood: Happy, Curious}

{Condition: Extremely curious}

{Affinity: 70 — You are friends with Nidoking and Nidoran♀.}

{Profile: A Pokémon captured in Paldea by Pokémon Hunters. While being transported through Eterna Forest, the Hunters were discovered by Sinnoh Champion Cynthia, who was pursuing Pokémon Hunter J. Cynthia destroyed their aircraft and rescued the trafficked Pokémon. During the confusion, this Hatenna escaped into Eterna Forest and has lived here ever since.}

{Later, while being pursued again, she encountered Nidoking and Nidoran♀. At Nidoran♀’s request, she remained with them and has lived alongside the pair ever since.}

{Life in Eterna Forest is peaceful, but she still misses her homeland, where the sky was brilliantly blue, beautiful white clouds drifted overhead, and she could run freely without fearing pursuit.}

Mike’s expression softened.

’So Pokémon Hunters brought her here.’

That explained why a Pokémon normally associated with Galar and Paldea had ended up in Sinnoh.

The profile also mentioned Cynthia rescuing her while pursuing Hunter J, which meant this had probably happened around the same time Mike had warned Professor Rowan about the Hunters several months ago.

"Hatenna."

Mike called her name.

The little Pokémon turned curiously toward him from Nidoking’s shoulder.

Mike raised his camera.

"Can I take some pictures of you?"

Hatenna’s eyes were hidden behind her fringe, so Mike couldn’t see her expression clearly, but she seemed to blink before answering in her soft voice.

"Haten~"

[Sure~]

Mike walked closer and extended his hands.

Hatenna hopped from Nidoking’s shoulder straight into his arms.

She was incredibly light, noticeably lighter than Glameow.

Perhaps because she still hadn’t fully adapted to life in Eterna Forest, her physical condition reminded Mike somewhat of Glameow when they had first met.

Still, she felt wonderfully soft.

Glameow’s fur was smooth and sleek, whereas Hatenna’s was fluffier and had an entirely different texture.

Mike couldn’t resist petting her several times before performing a quick physical examination.

He found a few lingering injuries that hadn’t healed properly, so he asked Gengar to bring over medicine and treated them.

Once that was done, he began taking photographs.

...

While Mike worked, Gengar floated toward an open section of the cave and expertly began setting up the tent and spreading out the blanket.

Glameow walked onto the blanket and lay down.

Today, however, she showed no interest in batting at her Soothe Bell or playing with her red ball of string.

After finishing the shoot and satisfying his urge to pet the fluffy Pokémon, Mike stood up and asked Gengar for some Poffins.

He handed several to Hatenna.

"Thanks for cooperating. Go ahead and eat."

Hatenna smelled the sweet aroma, hesitated briefly, then accepted his kindness and began eating.

Mike took the remaining Poffins toward Nidoking and Nidoran♀, who were currently sitting close together.

"Here. I made these myself. Gengar and the others really like them."

"Nina."

[Thank you.]

Nidoran♀ spoke softly.

Nidoking, on the other hand, displayed absolutely no restraint.

He grabbed a handful from Mike, fed Nidoran♀ first, then stuffed another handful into his own mouth.

"You really don’t understand the meaning of the word ’polite,’ do you?"

Mike smacked Nidoking hard on the head.

He used all his strength, but against Nidoking’s armored hide, the blow probably felt about as threatening as a mosquito bite.

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Another stream soon, which one of you still not been included in the chat ?