Machamp placed Lucas on the ground. Lucas immediately found a bush, squatted down, and vomited repeatedly.
He had seen motion sickness and seasickness before, but this was the first time Lucas had experienced "Machamp-sickness."
Being carried on its shoulder was truly bumpy along the way; Lucas threw up his entire breakfast.
"Senior, are you alright?"
Lucas reached out a hand to stop Bea from coming over, then shook his head to indicate he was fine, before continuing to vomit.
"Gothitelle."
Gothitelle floated over to Lucas's side, holding tissues and water, and kept patting Lucas on the back.
Lucas vomited for a while, and once his stomach was empty, he took the tissues from Gothitelle's hand to wipe his mouth, then took a few sips of water.
Lucas stood up and returned to the main group, only to find Machamp being scolded by Lilligant, hanging its head like a primary school student being scolded by a teacher.
"Alright, alright, Lilligant, I'm fine, aren't I—"
Before Lucas could finish, he was interrupted by Lilligant.
"Lilli."
Shut up.
Lucas obediently shut his mouth. While Lilligant, Gothitelle, and Ninetales were scolding Machamp, Lucas grabbed Gengar and Latias, who were trying to sneak away.
Gengar and Latias looked at the scolded Machamp, exchanged a glance, and turned to sneak off. The next second, a pair of large, powerful hands landed on their shoulders, forcing them to turn back around.
"So, can you tell me what exactly you did to make that Gigantamax Vespiquen so angry?"
Gengar lowered its head, its index fingers tapping together repeatedly.
"Gen gengar—"
We didn't do much, just took a few things.
"Took a few things? What did you take?"
Lucas asked suspiciously.
Did they really just take a little bit?
"Are you sure it was just a little?"
Gengar nodded incessantly, using its thumb and index finger to gesture a tiny amount.
"Gen gengar."
Just a tiny bit.
(A tiny bit)
"Fine then."
Lucas said half-believingly.
Gengar immediately broke into a grinning smile.
"Latias, what did you guys take?"
Lucas suddenly asked Latias.
"Ah? It wasn't me, I didn't do it. Gengar said it tasted good, so I helped it take that much. You can't blame me; Gengar took it all."
Gengar: ∑(° mouth°)
Before Lucas could even say anything, Latias confessed everything.
It was also the first time Latias had been led by Gengar to do such a thing, so it was very afraid Lucas would be angry, and thus simply ratted Gengar out.
"Exactly how much did you take? Gengar, take it out and let me see."
Lucas stared at Gengar, speaking in a tone that allowed no refusal.
Gengar shot a look at the traitor, then pulled out everything it had taken from the hive.
Lucas: ————
"Senior, Stow-on-Side is just ahead— Wow! That's a lot of stuff!"
Bea ran back from ahead, and just as she spoke to Lucas, she saw the ground covered in honey and other treasures.
A Big Nugget? What's that, a Miracle Seed?
Lucas looked at the massive jars of Max Honey and other items laid out on the ground and fell into silence.
"Gengar—"
Lucas's voice rang out through gritted teeth.
"This is what you called a tiny bit?"
There were ten giant jars filled with Max Honey, along with some massive mushrooms.
Gengar: Hehe.
"Acting cute is useless. We have to return some of this."
Lucas didn't fall for Gengar's act and spoke firmly.
"Gen gengar"
Fine then—
"How much did you leave them?"
Lucas asked.
Gengar held up ten fingers, then added one more.
"Eleven jars? That's not too bad."
Taking half the Max Honey would be acceptable.
"One-tenth."
Latias's voice echoed in Lucas's mind.
One-tenth? So you only left them one single jar of Max Honey?!
Is your 'tiny bit' some kind of fingertip universe?
Lucas clutched his forehead.
How could they even return it now? Lucas was certain that if they went back, they would be torn to shreds by the Gigantamax Vespiquen.
"Gen gengar"
I swapped it with the sweet honey from our Breeding House; I left our sweet honey in their hive.
Lucas finally let out a sigh of relief.
That's better then.
Lucas knew the quality of the sweet honey from his Breeding House; the Gigantamax Vespiquen would likely enjoy it.
Then he looked at Latias.
"Stop hanging around Gengar so much, you're being corrupted. You weren't like this before; you used to be such a lovely girl."
Lucas heartlessly stabbed at Gengar's feelings.
Gengar: =(òó)
Latias: (Looking pitiful)
Seeing that Machamp had finished being scolded, Lucas called out, "Lilligant, Gothitelle, there are two more here, don't forget them."
Gengar: Σ(∀||
Latias: (!!)!!
As Gengar and Latias obediently took their scolding, Lucas examined the Max Honey Gengar had brought back.
[Max Honey: A variety of sweet honey produced by a Vespiquen after it has Dynamaxed. It possesses a sweetness unrivaled in the world. It is said that different styles of Vespiquen produce Max Honey with different flavors after Gigantamaxing. Clearly, the Max Honey produced by this Gigantamax Vespiquen has a very fiery flavor. Besides its flavor, Max Honey has the ability to revive fainted Pokémon and can improve the flavor of other foods. It seems to have incredible effects when paired with other giant foods?]
[The Dynamax phenomenon is already rare, and a Gigantamax Vespiquen is even rarer. Therefore, this Max Honey is incredibly precious, with one particular jar being a priceless treasure. According to legend, each Gigantamax Vespiquen can only brew ten jars of Max Honey a year. Considering the Breeding House also has a Vespiquen, giving this as a gift to her might have unexpected results?]
[Congratulations, Gengar seems to have an eye for precious things. One jar of Max Honey was brewed day and night by the Vespiquen after she Gigantamaxed due to special reasons, making its effects even better and its flavor more unique and delicious. The rest of the Max Honey was created when the Gigantamax Vespiquen lost consciousness and mixed her brew with ordinary sweet honey; it should still count as Max Honey, right?]
[My life's work! Gengar! I'll remember this! —Gigantamax Vespiquen]
[Sweetness is the most wonderful thing in the world, isn't it? —Gigantamax Vespiquen]
[————Thank you, Lucas. —Gigantamax Vespiquen]
Wow! Did I pull another SSR?
Lucas squatted down and beckoned Gengar over. Gengar grinned, waved to Lilligant and Gothitelle, and floated to Lucas's side.
Lucas took a spoon from Gengar and patted its large backside.
"Alright, you're done here. Go back and continue your scolding."
Gengar: ?! (òÓ)
I might not be human, but you! Lucas! Hmph!
Gengar pouted and returned to Latias and Machamp's side, standing there obediently.
Lucas used the spoon to scoop a small amount of Max Honey from a jar and put it in his mouth.
The moment the Max Honey entered his mouth, Lucas's eyes widened.
Whoa—Max Honey bites?!
Lucas felt the Max Honey dancing in his mouth, just like the popping candy he ate as a child.
Is this Popping honey?!
Although Lucas didn't know why the honey was 'biting,' it didn't stop him from being greatly shocked.
As expected of the Pokémon world! The world is vast, and there is no end to its wonders.
It certainly is fiery.
After the fiery sensation, only the sweetness of the honey remained, much sweeter than ordinary sweet honey.
The taste was excellent, much more delicious than the ordinary sweet honey brewed by the Breeding House's Vespiquen, especially with that wild flavor. However, compared to the special and subsequent versions brewed by his Vespiquen, it was still quite a bit behind.
Lucas tried a little bit of each.
On the other side, Gengar: (Drooling—)
"Lilli!"
Reflect properly!
"Gen gengar—"
Waaaah, my sweet honey—
Lucas put a spoonful of Max Honey from one specific jar into his mouth. The expected fiery sensation didn't come; instead, it was replaced by a gentleness that slowly flowed from his mouth into his heart.
Scenes suddenly flashed through Lucas's mind.
After the Gigantamax Vespiquen recovered from her rampage, she feared she would go wild again. Thus, she used brewing honey to distract herself. She brewed her guilt, her helplessness, and her feelings for the Combee who followed her into the Max Honey—
The images faded, and Lucas returned to his senses.
He looked down at the Max Honey before him.
It seemed this was the Max Honey brewed by the Vespiquen while she was in a lucid state after Gigantamaxing.
"Rest assured, Vespiquen, I will help you return to your original state."
"And Gengar, you shouldn't have taken it all either."
"Lilligant, make Gengar reflect a bit longer. It's not frugal at all!"
"Lilli."
Okay.
"Gen gengar?"
( . . )
[Max Honey (Special Brew): Max Honey brewed by a conscious Max Vespiquen. Food made with it can greatly evoke the compassion of the creature consuming it, greatly increase the intimacy between Trainer and Pokémon, greatly boost the Pokémon's mood, and greatly facilitate the learning of new moves.]
[Blessings upon you, Max Vespiquen.]
Lucas looked toward the giant mushrooms, approached them, and began to observe them carefully.
"By the way, is this thing edible? It's my first time seeing such a huge mushroom."
Lucas muttered to himself.
[Max Mushrooms: Mushrooms possessing some kind of magical power. They seem to be able to change the appearance of a Pokémon after it Dynamaxes. Consuming them can slightly improve a Pokémon's overall abilities. They seem to have an incredible effect when combined with the product of a certain Dynamax Pokémon?]
"Max Mushrooms? What a strange name."
"Let's eat this for lunch today."
After saying that, Lucas checked the other items. Then, after thinking for a moment, he took out a Big Nugget and tossed it to Bea. "Everyone who sees it gets a share."
Bea: "————Is this really okay?"
"It's fine, just consider it a thank-you gift for my request that you check on Vespiquen."
"But————didn't this come from Vespiquen?"
Bea asked weakly.
Lucas: ————
"Gothitelle, I'm hungry."
Lucas turned to look at Gothitelle. After Gothitelle glanced at Gengar and the others, she nodded at Lucas, found a relatively open spot, and began preparing lunch.
"Why are you still standing there? Come help. We're trying these Max Mushrooms and Max Honey for lunch today."
Lucas spoke up, and Gengar, Latias, and Machamp instantly grinned and ran (flew) over.
Lilligant: *Sigh.*
Lucas used a spoon to scoop a spoonful of "Fiery Version" Max Honey and added it to the boiling Max Mushrooms soup. Watching the golden Max Honey drip into the pot and dissolve into the soup, the Max Mushrooms soup instantly released an enticing aroma.
Bea and all the Pokémon couldn't help but swallow their saliva.
"It's ready! The Max Mushrooms soup is ready!"
Lucas brought the mushroom soup to the table, served a bowl to everyone and every Pokémon, then served himself a bowl and took a sip while it was hot.
Unexpectedly delicious.
The feeling of the Max Mushrooms dancing in my mouth was quite novel.
"Mushrooms————mushrooms can dance————"
Bea panted and said: "But it's so delicious."
"If it's good, eat more. There's plenty left."
Lucas had just finished speaking when he saw Gengar holding a large bowl and gulping it down. The next second: "Gen gengar!"
Another bowl, please~
Just after serving Gengar a bowl, another large bowl was handed over.
"Ma Machamp."
I want some too.
Lucas placed the pot directly in the center.
Then he lowered his head and began to enjoy his lunch.
[Max Mushrooms Soup: An incredibly delicious mushroom soup. Pokémon that drink it can change their Dynamax appearance, and it also slightly improves their overall abilities. The Pokémon's intimacy and happiness will also be increased.]
[Gourmet Critical Effect: Certain moves of the Pokémon will deal greater damage to "Dynamax" or "Gigantamax" Pokémon.]
[Specific Moves: Gengar (Dark Pulse, Dark Void), Machamp (Crush Grip), Ninetales (Ultra Limit Fireball), Lilligant (Bloom Doom), Gothitelle (Supreme Psychic Destruction Wave)]
What a terrifying effect.
[Looks like luck is on your side; all Gourmet Criticals triggered.]
After lunch, while Gothitelle and the others were cleaning up, Bea came up to Lucas.
"Senior————"
"Calling me Senior feels a bit weird. How about you just call me Lucas?"
"Lucas."
Bea immediately corrected herself.
"Um, Lucas, can I train with you for a while?"
After saying this, Bea bowed.
"Please, I want to become stronger."
Lucas was stunned for a moment. "Train with me? But I don't know karate."
Lucas glanced at Machamp, who was not far away. "Do you mean training with me so that Machamp can guide you?"
Bea nodded.
"But I'll be returning to the Sinnoh region in two days."
Lucas said.
Bea's face was full of regret.
Lucas looked at the regret on Bea's face and shook his head. There was no help for it; he still had to take Latias to continue touring the Galar region.
"Lucas, how about we stay?"
Lucas: ?!
"I mean, we could just stay here for two days and let Machamp guide her?"
Latias's voice rang out. "The Galar region is beautiful, but I kind of miss the Breeding House."
"Is that so?"
Latias nodded. "I want to go back to eat delicious food and play with Shauna and the others. She reminds me of Shauna."
Lucas smiled gently, reached out, and patted Latias's little head. "Okay, I'll listen to you. This time was originally promised to accompany you around the Galar region."
Latias hummed happily.
Lucas looked at Bea, thought for a moment, and said: "If you don't mind, you can travel with me for the time being, and have Machamp guide you and your Machamp. But how much guidance you get depends on how much you can learn."
Bea's face lit up with surprise. "Thank you, Teacher!"
Already calling me teacher?
Oh well, it doesn't hurt to have one more student like Bea.
"Machamp."
Lucas called out to Machamp. After Machamp walked over, Lucas patted Machamp's arm. "Machamp, I've found you a few students. Can you help me guide them?"
Lucas said, pointing at Bea and her Machamp.
Machamp looked at Bea and her Machamp, then reached out and patted its own chest.
"Ma Machmap."
Leave it to me.
"So you'll be training with Machamp?"
Lucas asked Bea.
"Machamp's combat power————fighting skills are quite fierce. You should be fine, right?"
Bea shook her head. "No problem, we can accept it. We accept all challenges!"
Bea's words caught Machamp's attention. It narrowed its eyes and sized up Bea and her Machamp.
Bea's Machamp was very well-trained, and its physique was slightly larger than an ordinary Machamp. Although it was far from being a match for Machamp, or even Machoke or Vex, the muscle definition of Bea's Machamp was perfectly sculpted.
"Ma Machmap!"
Attention!
To Lucas's surprise, Bea actually understood, and stood at attention with her Machamp.
Then Machamp took a horse stance.
Bea and the others followed suit.
Machamp entered the zone immediately, its gaze incredibly sharp, constantly refining Bea and the others' postures.
"Ma Machmap!"
Machamp, in a horse stance, threw a punch.
A powerful wave of air flew past Bea and the others' foreheads.
"How about we go to Stow-on-Side first? I want to find a place to take a shower. I'm feeling so uncomfortable."
Lucas asked Machamp.
Machamp nodded.
"Bea, can you lead the way?"
Bea stood up straight. "Okay, Teacher."
"It's still more comfortable to call me Lucas."
Lucas said.
"But a teacher is a teacher."
"It's fine. My other students also call me Lucas."
Lucas said, sitting on Ninetales's back.
"Okay, Lucas."
Bea nodded. "Then let's head to Stow-on-Side."
"Ma Machmap!"
Start running!
"Yes! Teacher Machamp!"
"Ma Machmap!" (Bea's Machamp)
"Ma Machmap!" (Machamp)
Louder!
"Yes! Teacher Machamp!"
Bea and her Machamp shouted loudly.
Watching Machamp and Bea's group suddenly become so fired up, Lucas shook his head helplessly.
"Everyone! Start running! Speed up!"
Lucas suddenly shouted.
Bea ran forward first, and Machamp quickly ran to Bea's side.
"Ma Machmap!"
Speed up!
"Yes!"
"Ma Machmap!" (Bea's Machamp)
Watching Bea and Machamp and the others disappear in an instant.
Lucas patted Ninetales's head.
Ninetales shot out like an arrow from a bowstring.
Gothitelle and the others followed close behind.
"Gothitelle!!!"
"You didn't take the pot!!! Gengar!!!"
"Do you not want to eat anymore?!"
***************************
Thoughts on where the plot is heading? Let me know in the comments! If you're enjoying the ride, please leave a quick review and toss a few Power Stones my way. Every bit of support means the world! 🙌