Chapter 724: Gather Materials on the Spot, Refine Instantly
Waking up the next day.
Kazuya told Aurorus about the underground world and informed him that there were others of his kind there.
Originally.
Kazuya thought that even if Aurorus knew about this, he wouldn't dare to leave the warm and safe Nebel Plateau.
After all, it wasn't as if Aurorus didn't know how dangerous the places outside the plateau were.
However, the actual situation was somewhat different from what he had expected.
Although Aurorus hesitated for a long time, he still decided to go with Kazuya to find his own kind.
Moreover.
What he was hesitating about wasn't the fear of the underground world being dangerous.
Rather, he was reluctant to part with his friends here on the plateau.
Aurorus, in the end, was different from Kazuya.
His physique, appearance, strength, and various other factors destined him to be unable to frequently travel back and forth between the plateau and the underground world like Kazuya could.
Once Aurorus left the environment of the plateau, it might be very difficult for him to ever return here.
But after thinking it over.
Aurorus still decided to leave.
The winter in the Kalos region is too long, and spring and autumn are also relatively cold.
This meant that for three seasons of the year, everyone was unwilling to be in contact with Aurorus, who constantly emitted frigid air from his entire body.
For an Aurorus, who loves living in groups and cannot endure loneliness, this was simply a form of punishment.
If only there were one or two more Ice-type Pokémon on this Nebel Plateau.
Aurorus wouldn't feel so miserable.
But unfortunately.
He was the only Ice-type Pokémon around.
In the entire Allearth Forest, one could only see a few more Ice-type Pokémon during the winter; once other seasons arrived, they all migrated away.
After all, the vast majority of Ice-type Pokémon are extremely picky about their living environment.
They must live in a world of ice and snow to feel comfortable and happy.
It is truly not easy to see Ice-type Pokémon in other terrains.
Even for Aurorus, this was the case; the plateau's climate could at most make him feel "not uncomfortable," rather than comfortable.
The low appearance rate of Ice-type Pokémon in the anime might also be partly due to this reason.
Furthermore.
Trying to find an Ice-type Pokémon with a physique as massive as Aurorus's was even more difficult.
Asking a Glaceon to make friends with Aurorus—in the latter's eyes, he might simply not even register the Pokémon's existence on a daily basis.
It would be a struggle for them to even play together.
Aurorus would have to keep his head lowered the whole time, terrified of accidentally stepping on Glaceon and making it throw up.
The Ice-type Pokémon that could truly become friends with Aurorus.
Were probably only massive Pokémon like Beartic, Mamoswine, and Abomasnow.
Such Pokémon could only possibly be found in the deepest parts of the snowfields or at the highest peaks of snowy mountains.
"Have you decided?"
Kazuya turned his head to look at Aurorus following behind him and asked again.
"Lusi!"
Aurorus nodded heavily, his mind made up.
"Do you want to say goodbye to everyone?"
"Lusi."
Aurorus shook his head.
He felt that if he said goodbye, he might not be able to bear leaving.
If there was a chance to meet again.
They could catch up properly then.
"Is that so? Volcanion, could I trouble you to tell everyone about Aurorus leaving?"
Kazuya nodded and casually called out to Volcanion nearby.
"Ah, got it."
Volcanion nodded.
Over these years.
There had been Pokémon continuously leaving the plateau, and others joining.
Regarding separations.
He actually somewhat understood now; it was a fairly common occurrence in the world of Pokémon.
"Then we will be leaving first. Bye-bye~"
"Bye-bye."
As Kazuya expected.
Bringing Aurorus to the underground world was a very strenuous task.
Fortunately, when they went to the Underground Ore Kingdom back then, the Carbink had temporarily dug out a massive tunnel; Aurorus could barely squeeze through there.
When they first arrived at the underground world directly beneath the plateau.
Aurorus immediately showed an extremely uncomfortable expression, staring pitifully at Kazuya: "Lusi..."
"Endure it for a bit. You can look at the surrounding scenery to distract yourself. It's your first time in the underground world, don't you want to take a good look?"
Kazuya reached out and rubbed his neck.
Then, he used a weakened Icy Wind on Aurorus to help him cool down.
The temperature of this underground world was even higher than the Nebel Plateau.
Luckily, it was currently winter.
Otherwise, Aurorus would probably have collapsed from the heat in a matter of minutes.
"Lusi..."
Hearing Kazuya's words, Aurorus finally had the energy to notice the surrounding environment.
Upon looking, his eyes immediately lit up.
The trees in the underground world were thick, tall, and lush with leaves; even the number of berries on the canopies was exaggeratedly high.
For Aurorus, with his long neck, foraging would be extremely convenient.
"Florges, I'm back. Lead the way. I remember there's an underground world that is the territory of the Aurorus clan, I want to take this kid there."
Seeing this, Kazuya nodded, and then whispered right where he stood.
The next second.
At his seven o'clock direction.
Black flowers suddenly bloomed on an ordinary bush.
Kazuya took a glance, confirmed the direction, and patted Aurorus beside him: "Aurorus, follow me."
With Florges leading the way.
Arriving at another underground world wasn't a difficult task.
However, the paths connecting these underground worlds were also some tunnels, which were extremely unfriendly to Aurorus; some tunnels were truly, completely impassable.
The kind where even if Aurorus tried to force his way, he couldn't squeeze in.
Even Kazuya himself found it a tight fit.
Consequently...
Kazuya got annoyed.
He directly gathered materials on the spot, trying hard to recall the Poké Ball forging techniques he had learned from Uncle Kurt back then.
No hammer? Use Fire Punch.
No flames? Use Sacred Fire.
As for Apricorns...
Kazuya couldn't find any in the underground world, but he found a berry suspected to be the ancestor of Apricorns. He grabbed it—
And refined it instantly.
After spending a full four days and failing at least twenty times.
He finally managed to forge two extremely ordinary, battered grayish-black Poké Balls.
That's right.
Two.
When the first Poké Ball was forged.
Kazuya accidentally caught himself inside it.
Fortunately, his technique was trash.
He easily broke out of the Poké Ball.
Otherwise, it would be equivalent to sealing himself away, which would have been way too hilarious.
Of course.
In reality, there was nothing to fear.
After all, Florges was always watching.
She would definitely find a way to get him out.
This.
Is what you call connections.
"Phew, I've almost forgotten it all. If Uncle Kurt knew about this, he'd probably rap me on the head..."
Kazuya looked at the Poké Ball in his hand, which was as big as a pomelo, a drop of cold sweat slowly dripping down his forehead. "This Poké Ball probably won't hold for long. We have to hurry. Aurorus, get in."
He threw the massive Poké Ball in his hand at Aurorus.
"Lusi?"
Aurorus tilted his head in confusion.
Bang!
The giant Poké Ball smacked against Aurorus's head, making a dull thud.
Immediately after, Aurorus turned into a beam of white light and merged into the Poké Ball.
"Hmm, even the light beam is white, huh."
Kazuya held the oversized Poké Ball and nodded with a sigh.
Subsequently, he sprinted into the tunnel, using Agility to move rapidly, occasionally even throwing in a few Teleports.
This Poké Ball was just a temporary item.
Its stability was exceptionally poor.
He had no idea when it might suddenly burst open.
So he had to hurry.
As for why he used Agility instead of Extreme Speed...
Although the speed boost from Extreme Speed was faster than Agility, the energy consumption was also much higher.
Moreover, Agility is a Psychic-type move, while Extreme Speed is a Normal-type move.
The Psychic-type energy within Kazuya's body was definitely much more capable of withstanding the drain.
After passing through three medium-sized underground worlds and two small ones.
Kazuya finally arrived at his destination with Aurorus.
Just as he stepped into this underground world.
Kazuya felt countless snowflakes hitting his cheeks.
What met his eyes was a forest as if covered by a white blanket; one could faintly see white berries hidden beneath the ice and snow.
Being able to bear fruit in such an environment could be considered a very tenacious form of life.
At the same time.
Accompanied by a "snap" sound.
The oversized Poké Ball in his hand instantly shattered.
A massive white figure appeared, landing right on Kazuya's rear and pinning him to the ground.
"Lusi? Lusi~"
As soon as Aurorus appeared, he immediately looked for Kazuya.
He called out loudly to the surroundings, a few teardrops even appearing in his eyes.
"I'm right here."
Kazuya's voice came from beneath him.
"Lusi?"
Aurorus looked down.
He hurriedly lifted his rear and stood up, giving Kazuya an embarrassed smile.
"How do you feel about this place?"
Kazuya climbed up from the ground expressionlessly and scanned the surroundings.
There truly were many wonders in this world.
Despite all being located underground in Kalos.
Some underground worlds were year-round tropical rainforests, while others became year-round frozen tundras.
Like the underground world right in front of them.
It belonged to the small-scale category.
The species of Pokémon living here weren't numerous.
They were basically some herbivorous species with low desires for battle.
Among them, the Aurorus clan was the overlord species of this underground world, living around one of Florges's roots.
Kazuya had been here once before and found the item [Metal Coat] here.
It was probably shed by an Alpha Alolan Sandslash.
"Lusi~"
Aurorus looked at the scenery here.
He immediately started running around Kazuya with overflowing joy.
His massive feet stepped on the snow, leaving huge and solid footprints.
"As long as you like it."
Kazuya smiled slightly, then his eyelids lifted slightly as he turned to look to the side.
Several massive figures slowly walked out from the nearby forest.
Hearing the commotion, Aurorus turned his head to look.
Instantly, dazzling light burst forth from his eyes.
The ones approaching were surprisingly several Aurorus with normal skin coloring!
"Lusi?"
The leading Aurorus looked at the suddenly appearing Kazuya and Big White, instantly freezing for quite a while.
It was their first time seeing a wild Aurorus, and it was actually...
A white individual.
They had just been nearby and heard the cry of their own kind, thinking a clan member had gotten lost.
But it turned out to be an Aurorus they had never seen before!
Unbelievable!
Where did he come from?
"Go say hello."
Kazuya reached out and patted Aurorus's neck, giving him a bit of encouragement.
At the same time, his heart felt relieved.
Originally, Kazuya was somewhat worried whether an alternately colored Aurorus would be ostracized by his own kind.
But based on the information he got through telepathy.
It seemed he had overthought it.
He figured it wouldn't be difficult for Aurorus to blend in.
And the facts proved exactly that.
Aurorus themselves are steady and gentle Pokémon; accepting one of their own kind from the outside was nothing difficult for them.
Watching his own Big White chatting more and more happily with the other Aurorus.
Kazuya smiled, knowing it was time for him to leave.
He turned around, preparing to go.
But then he heard a call from behind: "Lusi?"
Kazuya didn't turn his head, only waving his hand backward, leaving behind a single sentence:
"...As long as we're alive, we will meet again."
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