Ange did not take all the Evolution Stones; instead, he chose only a few.
Thinking of the three Charcadet at home waiting to evolve into Scovillain, he selected three Fire Stones.
This was where the quantity of Fire Stones was the highest.
Thinking that there were also two Weepinbell at home waiting to evolve into Victreebel, he chose two Leaf Stones.
Furthermore, Floette needs a Shiny Stone to evolve into Florges, so Ange also picked out one Shiny Stone.
Ange did not select any others.
After putting away the Evolution Stones, Ange said to the Krookodile, "These few are enough for me. You should keep the rest yourselves."
The Krookodile nodded and picked up the remaining Evolution Stones on the ground one by one.
Ange said, "I will teach you a method for obtaining food."
Awoo~
Waa waa~
The Krookodile looked at Ange in surprise.
Ange said, "The next time you encounter travelers in the desert, you can try to trade these Evolution Stones with them for food."
Upon hearing this, the Krookodile and Flygon's eyes immediately lit up.
Ange continued, "You can even bring the Evolution Stones to Levincia, which is not far from here, to find passing trainers and trade them for food.
With the flight speed of a Flygon, it shouldn't take long to make a trip to Levincia."
The Krookodile and Flygon were even happier upon hearing this.
Then, Ange cautioned them, "Evolution Stones are relatively expensive items in the human world, so if someone tries to trade a small amount of food with you for them, remember that you must refuse."
The Krookodile and Flygon nodded repeatedly.
"Also, don't reveal that you have too many Evolution Stones at once, as that makes it easy to encounter robbers. Just bring one at a time."
"Furthermore, don't trade with the same person in the same place multiple times."
Ange told the Flygon and Krookodile the precautions one by one, and the two Pokémon listened while nodding.
After instructing the two Pokémon, Ange and Balza, under their guidance, returned to the surface.
"Well, Krookodile, Flygon, let's part ways here!" Ange said.
Waa waa~
Awoo~
The Krookodile and Flygon nodded.
Then, Balza also said to Ange, "We must also part ways here."
Ange needed to go in the direction of the sand dune, and Balza also had things he needed to find.
"Alright, we'll meet again," Ange said.
"See you later."
After the farewells, everyone went their separate ways. Ange rode his Espathra and galloped toward the sand dune the Krookodile had pointed out.
In the sky, Z2 was perched on top of a Salamence's head, silently watching Ange, who was gradually moving away.
Distance is deceptive in the desert. By the time Ange arrived at the sand dune, it was already completely dark.
Seeing that it was no longer suitable for traveling, Ange said to his Pokémon, "Let's spend the night here."
Blade~
Goo~
Espa~
The three Pokémon nodded.
Ange climbed off Diancie's back and then took out the Poké Balls, releasing Diancie, Volcanion, Passimian, Jolteon, Vaporeon, Goodra, and the two Sliggoo.
Having been confined all day, Volcanion and Passimian began running around in the sand as soon as they were out of their Poké Balls, as if to vent their energy.
Vaporeon and Jolteon also let out a long howl, and then cast envious glances toward Flareon.
Afterward, everyone worked together to set up the tents, arrange the dining table, and prepare the ingredients, busy and happy.
As the sun set, the temperature in the desert was finally no longer so scorching.
Ange specifically took out a large basin and filled it with water.
Watching Vaporeon swimming around in the water, as well as the Sliggoo softening into a circle in the water, Ange asked with a smile,
"How is it? Is it comfortable?"
Vaporeon replied, "Vapo~ vapo~ It's extremely comfortable!"
"Goo~"
"Goo~"
The two Sliggoo also narrowed their eyes with an expression of enjoyment.
As for the Goodra, it was too large to fit into the water basin, so it could only splash some water on its body from the outside.
Once everyone had set up the tents and everything else, Ange began to prepare dinner. He said to the group:
"It's too hot today, and I don't have an appetite for anything else. How about we have cold noodles?"
"Passi~ I approve!"
Passimian was the first to raise its hand in approval.
"I have no objections," Diancie replied.
Volcanion said, "I want to eat cold noodles too."
Vaporeon, Jolteon, and Flareon didn't know what cold noodles were, but hearing Diancie and the others say they wanted to eat them, they felt it must be delicious, so they hopped around to show their approval.
As for the Goodra and the others, they didn't express an opinion.
Ange said with a smile, "Alright, then it's decided we'll have cold noodles. Let's... have shredded chicken cold noodles."
Saying this, he began to work.
"Passi~~ I'll come help."
Passimian leaped over to Ange's side.
Although it focused on brewing wine and making drinks, it usually trained with Ange and the others, so it was influenced by them and wasn't completely ignorant of cooking.
While Ange was cooking, Diancie sat quietly in a chair waiting, and the three Eeveelutions squatted beside it, looking on eagerly.
Goodra squatted by the water basin, occasionally scooping up a bit of water to pour over the heads of the two Sliggoo.
"Goo~"
"Goo~"
They occasionally glanced at the busy Ange, feeling that his figure, set against the setting sun, appeared especially tall.
Espathra had been running all day; at this moment, it hid in the shade of the tent, closed its eyes, and began to rest, while Doublade leaned against it.
High in the sky, Z2 looked at the warm scene below, not knowing what it was thinking for a moment.
On Ange's side, he took out a dozen chicken breasts and washed them clean.
He then took out a pot, added cold water, green onions, ginger, star anise, Sichuan peppercorns, and other seasonings to the pot, then put the chicken breasts in and turned on the fire to cook them.
After turning on the fire, Ange said to Passimian, "Passimian, help me watch the fire."
"Passi~ Okay!"
Saying this, Passimian silently guarded the pot.
Ange himself took out cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes, and other side dishes, cut them into shreds or slices, and then took out green onions, garlic, and cilantro to chop into mince.
He put the cut side dishes aside for later use, and then took out buckwheat noodles to soak in warm water.
While the buckwheat noodles were soaking, Ange began to prepare the sauce.
He mixed rice vinegar, oyster sauce, chili oil, sesame oil, rock salt, sugar, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and mature vinegar in a certain proportion, then added a little Bean Paste and stirred it evenly, and the sauce was ready.
It was a pity that the mushrooms at home hadn't grown well yet, otherwise, if a little mushroom essence and spicy mushroom sauce were added, the taste of the cold noodles would definitely be wonderful.
After the buckwheat noodles were soaked, Ange took out a large basin and put the drained noodles and the prepared sauce together to mix.
Because the Pokémon's appetites were really too large, he could only use a basin to mix the noodles.
After the noodles were mixed, Passimian, following Ange's instructions, tore the cooked chicken breasts into shreds.
Ange brought over plates, put the mixed noodles into the plates respectively, and then added the previously prepared side dishes and shredded chicken.
Thus, the shredded chicken cold noodles were ready.
"It's time to eat!" After finishing, Ange shouted at the Pokémon.
"Vapo~"
"Sander~"
"Goo~"
The three Eeveelutions were the first to run to Ange's feet, looking at Ange eagerly. Unfortunately, they didn't have hands and couldn't help carry the plates.
Ange said with a smile, "Go wait over there, you'll be able to eat in a moment."
The Eeveelutions cheered and immediately ran back to squat under the table, waiting obediently to eat. Their cute appearance was just like three dogs wagging their tails.
Diancie walked over and carried the plates to the table one by one, and Goodra, seeing this, brought the Sliggoo over to help.
Ange handed the plates to Goodra and said to it, "Goodra, thanks!"
Goodra felt very embarrassed and quickly ran away carrying the plates.
Ange couldn't help but laugh out loud.
After all the plates were placed on the table, Ange announced, "Start eating!"
The Pokémon cheered and immediately began to gobble up the food.
"Vapo~ vapo~"
"Sander~ sander~"
"Goo~ goo~"
The three Eeveelutions were once again conquered by Ange's cooking. After taking a bite, their bodies trembled as they let out exclamations.
It's too delicious!
It is just too happy to follow Ange!
At this moment, the three Eeveelutions felt incredibly lucky that they had chosen to follow Ange in the beginning.
Goodra and the two Sliggoo were also amazed by Ange's culinary skills, but their emotions were restrained, unlike the three Eeveelutions who were good at expressing themselves.
Ange and the others were enjoying their dinner, while Z2 and the Salamence were having a miserable time flying in the air.
I really want to go down and eat together... the Salamence couldn't help but think.
After dinner, the temperature in the desert began to drop rapidly, and Ange couldn't help but shiver.
"It suddenly got cold; as expected of the desert." He said while hugging his arms with both hands.
At this moment, Diancie suddenly said mysteriously, "Ange, I had already considered this situation, so I prepared a gift for you."
Ange said in surprise, "What gift?"
Diancie smiled and took a bag out of its system backpack.
"See if you like it."
With a face full of doubt, Ange unwrapped the bag and spread out the things inside, and then realized with joy that it was a woolen shirt.
"This is... this is... did you make this for me?" Ange caressed it lovingly.
Diancie nodded, "Since it's delivered to your hands, if it's not a gift for you, who else could it be for?"
The shirt was generally light yellow in color, with white stripes on the collar and cuffs, and a simple pattern embroidered on the front.
The pattern was a group of Pokémon heads surrounding the head of a little person.
The little person in the middle was clearly Ange, and the Pokémon heads surrounding Ange's head were Diancie, Komala, Munchlax, Inteleon, Gengar, Pawmot, Metagross, Magearna, Volcanion, and Passimian.
Because Doublade joined late, its pattern was not on it.
"Do you like it?" Diancie asked.
"I like it, I like it so much!" Ange couldn't help but give Diancie a hug, "This is the best gift I have ever received."
Ange's words made Diancie feel warm inside, and its efforts had not been in vain.
After letting go of Diancie, Ange gently stroked the shirt and kept saying, "It's woven so well. Given this, I won't hold it against you that it took so long to fulfill your promise."
Diancie gave Ange an angry slap, "You really are getting all the benefits and still acting like you're suffering!"
Ange smiled foolishly while hugging the shirt.
Diancie reminded him, "Put it on and try it, see if it fits."
Hearing this, Ange put the shirt on while muttering, "I really can't bear to wear it. If it gets dirty or broken, wouldn't it break my heart?"
Diancie said angrily, "Wasn't it woven for you to wear? If it gets dirty, wash it; if it breaks, I'll weave another one for you."
Hearing this, Ange said happily, "Diancie, you are so good."
A touch of tenderness flashed across Diancie's face, "Who else would I be good to, if not to you?"
After Ange put on the shirt, he found that the size was perfectly suitable, so he spun around vanity.
"How is it?" He asked Diancie.
Diancie gave a thumbs up, "Very suitable."
Passimian and the others saw this and stepped forward one after another to express that the shirt was very suitable for Ange, and Ange looked both handsome and good-looking in it.
"You guys really... where did you learn to have such sweet mouths." Ange couldn't stop smiling from their praise.
Passimian, Espathra, and Doublade all laughed out loud, and the three Eeveelutions ran to Ange's side, affectionately rubbing against Ange with their heads.
Even the Goodra and Sliggoo had smiles on their faces that they hadn't even noticed themselves.
Ange patted his belly and said, "The shirt woven by Diancie is so warm, it's not cold at all."
As time passed, the temperature in the desert became lower and lower. Ange saw that Passimian and the others were starting to shiver, so he said:
"Let's go into the tent."
The Pokémon nodded one after another, so everyone went into the tent together, leaning against each other.
Although the space in the tent was not large, they leaned against each other to keep warm, and before long, it became warm inside.
Goodra looked at the Sliggoo on both sides and reached out to hold them tight silently.
Vaporeon looked at the Jolteon on the left, then at the Flareon on the right, and smilingly rubbed them hard with its head.
Jolteon: (`)* Flareon: (#｀皿) Diancie looked at Ange's side and reached out to hold his arm.
Passimian leaned on Espathra's back, tightly hugging Doublade in its arms.
A warm atmosphere permeated the small space.
Ange suggested, "Since everyone can't sleep, why don't we tell stories."
Everyone looked at each other, but they didn't know how to tell stories.
"Since that's the case, let me start." Ange volunteered.
"Goo~~"
"Blade~~"
The Pokémon were immediately interested.
So Ange began, "Once upon a time, there was an Infernape..."
Ange adapted the story of "Journey to the West" from his previous life into the Pokémon world, telling a mythological version of a Pokémon story. The plot was fascinating, and everyone was mesmerized.
However, as time passed, everyone felt sleepy, and before long, they all leaned against each other and fell asleep.
Ange pulled the quilt on his body, whispered "Good night" to everyone, and then closed his eyes and entered dreamland.
After waking up the next day, Ange and the Pokémon ate breakfast happily together, then packed up and continued on their journey.
Crossing the sand dune, a touch of green appeared in Ange and the others' line of sight again.
Ange looked at that touch of green from afar and said, "This time it won't be a Cacnea again, right?"
"Espa~ Espa~" Let's go see!
Espathra suggested.
"Alright!" Ange nodded.
"Espa~~" Espathra let out a cry and galloped with its long legs toward the direction of the green.
When they got closer, Ange showed surprise. It's an oasis! It really is an oasis!
After approaching the oasis, the first thing Ange and the others saw was a patch of grassland, on which there were some Vivillon, Pidgey, Venonat, and many other Pokémon playing.
After seeing Ange and the others, the Pokémon seemed to be startled and ran into the forest in a flash.
Ange carried Doublade, rode Espathra, and led Flareon to walk slowly toward the depths of the oasis, wanting to find a reliable Pokémon to inquire about the situation.
Wild Pokémon poked their heads out of the forest one after another, silently observing Ange and his party.
When they saw Ange looking at them, they would immediately retract their heads quickly.
When they walked to the very center of the oasis, Ange and the others saw a lake. The lake was surrounded by lush green grass, and many fruit trees were growing, laden with fruits.
As soon as Ange stopped, he saw one Pokémon after another surfacing from the lake.
These Pokémon had chubby bodies, curled ears, white and dull eyes, and cream-colored mouths.
Slowpoke! So many Slowpoke! Ange was surprised.
Slowpoke, the Dopey Pokémon, Water and Psychic type, is a Pokémon that is slow to react, but likes to use its tail to fish by the water.
The Slowpoke looked at Ange and the others with dull eyes in unison.
Just when Ange didn't know how to deal with these Slowpoke, two more Pokémon surfaced.
One was a fish Pokémon with antennae on its head, which was the Water and Electric type, Lanturn.
The other was also a Pokémon with pink skin, but unlike the Slowpoke lying on the ground, it stood upright with its hands leisurely behind its back, and it even wore a crown made of shells on its head.
Slowking, the Royal Pokémon, Water and Psychic type, possesses high intelligence and the ability to command all Slowpoke and Slowbro.
Slowking surfaced standing on the Lanturn, which made it look even more regal.
"Yado~ yado~" Humans, do you have any business coming here? Slowking asked Ange.
Slowking originally asked just casually, because humans could not understand their language, but didn't expect that Ange really answered.
"I am here to find a Lucario. May I ask if you have seen any traces of Lucario nearby?"
Slowking was stunned.
"Yado?" Can you understand what I am saying?
"That's right." Ange nodded.
"Strange human." Slowking said.
"So have you seen a Lucario?" Ange asked again.
Slowking nodded, "So you are looking for that Lucario! Of course we have seen it."
Hearing this, Ange said with joy, "Then can you please point me in the right direction?"
Slowking thought for a moment and said, "Yado~ yado~ I will find a partner to lead the way for you! Otherwise, it will be very difficult for you to find it."
"Really? That's really appreciated." Ange hurriedly thanked Slowking.
Slowking said: "Yado~ yado~~~ You're welcome, you are here to catch it, right? That guy often comes here to snatch food. You catching it is a great help to us!"
So that's it! Ange didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He was wondering why Slowking was so willing to help.