Things with Ash have temporarily come to an end, so now let's shift our focus to Yu Feng, who has returned to the forest.
Yu Feng returned to the long-unseen forest, or rather, his hometown forest?
Compared to the forests outside, Yu Feng suddenly felt his own forest was so much more welcoming; at least there weren't so many miscellaneous Bug-type Pokémon, it was simply paradise.
Looking at the scenery before him and the cute Ribombee flitting past, Yu Feng felt a wave of relaxation; finally, there were no more bugs like Caterpie.
“Oh, right, come on out, everyone!”
Yu Feng looked at the forest and suddenly remembered that the little ones in his team hadn't been home in a long time, so he quickly released them all.
“Muu!”
“Ai Wan!”
“Lii!”
“Chuu~”
“Kirlia!”
“Gardevoir~”
Many Pokémon, including Shiny Gardevoir, were released, and seeing their familiar surroundings, they all became lively.
“Alright, alright. Listen up, everyone. Those who have family here, go see them. Those who don't, come back with me!”
Yu Feng clapped his hands to get their attention, and seeing their focus shift from why he released them all to him, Yu Feng nodded in satisfaction.
He informed them of the upcoming plans, as it would be too much not to let them see their families after finally coming back.
“Ai Wan!”
Indeedee was the first to shake her head, expressing her stance, then, thinking such a quick reply wasn't good, she started explaining with gestures.
“Hmm, I see.”
Yu Feng looked at Indeedee's actions thoughtfully, while Shiny Gardevoir behind him suddenly slapped her palm as if enlightened.
“Kirlia? (What did she say? Why didn't I understand?)”
Kirlia next to them looked curiously at the pensive Yu Feng, the enlightened Shiny Gardevoir behind him, and Indeedee, who was smiling with narrowed eyes, with flowers representing happiness materializing around her.
She was a Pokémon after all, so why didn't she understand what Indeedee wanted to say? She only understood that Indeedee didn't want to go back, but she couldn't understand a single word of the subsequent gestures.
Yu Feng looked at his Lao Mei's puzzled expression with surprise, seemingly not understanding why, despite Indeedee raising her, she still didn't grasp her meaning.
“She said she's not going back.”
Though he didn't understand, Yu Feng patiently explained Indeedee's meaning to his Lao Mei.
“Bang!”
“Kirlia! (Of course I know what that means! I mean, what was she gesturing about afterwards?!)”
With a flash, Yu Feng lay on the ground with a big, red bump on his head, while Shiny Kirlia stood aside, rubbing her hands and complaining with a # above her head.
“If you knew, why did you ask! She said there's no point in going back. They just want to find someone they can always take care of. Her mother ran off with a human trainer a few years ago, and now she's dedicated to taking care of me.”
Yu Feng scrambled to his feet, shedding seaweed tears (QAQ), gently stroking the red glowing bump.
If she knew, why ask him? And then get hit for answering? What kind of world is this!
“Kirlia? (Don't you humans have an old saying, 'Returning home without wealth is like walking in fine clothes at night'? Shouldn't she go back and show off to them?)”
Shiny Kirlia was a bit confused as to why Indeedee wasn't going back. Shouldn't she go and show off to those Indeedee who are old and haven't found someone to care for yet?
If she were Indeedee, she would definitely drag Yu Feng to the Clan Grounds and show him off to everyone, making all those Indeedee who haven't found anyone envious.
“That saying isn't used that way. Forget it.”
Yu Feng was about to refute his Lao Mei that the saying wasn't used like that, but he couldn't think of a good way to argue at the moment.
“Muu!”
Shiny Hatenna, on the other hand, said she wanted to go back and see if there were any good evolution methods at home, as she was about to evolve.
“Okay, remember to meet us at our place in the afternoon. You know the way.”
Yu Feng made an OK gesture, indicating he understood, and reminded Shiny Hatenna to remember to meet up in the afternoon to go back.
“Muu~”
Shiny Hatenna responded with a sound and then skipped off towards her home.
After dealing with Hatenna's matter, Yu Feng, or rather, Shiny Gardevoir, turned his gaze to his Lao Mei, who had been observing him since earlier.
“Kirlia! (Why are you looking at me? We're going back together.)”
Shiny Kirlia rolled her eyes at her older brother. They all lived together, so what was the point of saying so much?
“Well, I know that, I was just testing you. What about you, Milcery? Do you want to come back with us or go see your family?”
Yu Feng coughed awkwardly a few times. Could he say he hadn't reacted immediately? Finally, he squatted down, gently stroked Milcery's head, and asked her what she planned to do.
“Chuu~”
Milcery wiggled her body, indicating that she wanted to go back for a bit. She felt very useless right now; she couldn't help in battles, and could only provide a little cream for Indeedee to make cakes with.
Thinking of this, Milcery's body shrunk, looking depressed.
Indeedee came over and also patted Milcery's head, signaling her not to be sad. The two of them weren't meant for fighting, except that Milcery's flavor was indeed a bit lacking right now.
This time, Indeedee definitely needed to replenish more flavored cream so that the cake wouldn't taste too bland.
Also, Yu Feng couldn't eat overly sweet things, so it needed to be balanced with black tea.
Indeedee stroked Milcery's head somewhat distractedly.
“Chuu~”
Milcery also sensed Indeedee's distraction and resolved to go back and ask her family how to make her cream taste better.
“Alright, alright, don't push yourself too hard.”
Yu Feng was also torn between laughter and tears about Milcery's decision. He never expected her to fight, and as for better taste, as long as it wasn't too sweet, it wouldn't affect him much.
Alas, he used to love sweets, and after coming here, he liked sweet flavors even more, but eating too much would lead to bad things.
That one incident truly made him fearful; he almost thought he wouldn't be able to change back.
“Chuu~”
Milcery also said goodbye to Yu Feng and wiggled towards the Clan Grounds. She was determined to find out how her family managed to make Yu Feng like the taste of their cream.
What? You ask why not ask Charmander? Her home isn't here, so asking is pointless. She can only obediently walk with him. A cute Shell Smash Pokémon like Charmander is meant to obediently walk with him, hehehehe!
Oh right, this also applies to the Gardevoir evolution line. Cute Pokémon like them are meant to be eaten, hehehehe.
Yu Feng, at some unknown point, was foolishly hugging a Ralts that had come out to greet them, showering it with affection. The Ralts looked like it wanted to refuse but didn't know how, its face flushed to the point of steaming, it was truly too cute!
PS
Cough cough, wow, you guys make me feel bad about delaying updates. awa