"Gone? How could it be gone?" Ange asked in shock.
During Infernape's time at his house, it had either stayed in its room or on the roof. It had never left, so how could it suddenly vanish?
"Your Highness, what happened?" Lila asked in confusion.
"Infernape is missing," Ange replied helplessly.
"Missing?" Lila's face showed her surprise. "Could it be that Infernape is unwilling to leave your side, Your Highness?" she guessed.
Ange froze for a moment. "That can't be right? Infernape doesn't seem to like humans very much."
"Then why did it disappear as soon as I arrived?" Lila asked.
"Let's not worry about that for now. We need to find Infernape first!" Ange said.
"Du~ ki~ du~" I'll go get everyone to help search.
Magearna ran outside as it spoke. It tripped halfway there but scrambled back up and continued racing out.
Soon, the Pokémon on the Nebel Plateau began helping in the search for Infernape.
Vivillon and its friends flew toward the fruit forest.
The Poliwag searched along the lakeshore.
Skiddo and Gogoat searched the grasslands.
Magearna led Volcanion toward the flower fields.
Everyone searched everywhere, but there was no sign of Infernape.
Magearna finished searching the flower fields and was about to head elsewhere with Volcanion when they suddenly saw Fletchinder flying over in a hurry.
"Fle fle~"
Fletchinder shouted while pointing in a specific direction.
"Du~ ki~ du~" Did you find Infernape?
"Fle fle~"
Fletchinder nodded vigorously.
Under Fletchinder's guidance, Magearna and Volcanion eventually found Infernape on two large trees that stood close together on the plateau.
Infernape was sitting on a high branch, gazing far into the distance.
"Du ki~"
Magearna shouted loudly at Infernape, but Infernape only spared it a glance and did not come down from the tree.
Magearna anxiously tried to climb the tree. It hugged the trunk and kicked its legs—once, twice, three times. Not only did it fail to climb up, but it also fell to the ground with a loud thud.
"Honestly!" Volcanion reached out with its arms and picked Magearna up. "How could you possibly climb that!"
"Du ku~"
Magearna looked dejected upon hearing those words.
"I really can't do anything with you. Get on my back." There was a hint of doting in Volcanion's helpless tone.
"Du~ ki~ du~"
Upon hearing this, Magearna happily hugged Volcanion's head and nuzzled its cheek against Volcanion's face.
Volcanion turned red and reached out to lift Magearna onto its back. Then, a large amount of steam erupted from its arms, carrying Magearna into the sky until they reached the same height as Infernape.
Volcanion hovered in mid-air and used its arms to place Magearna onto the branch where Infernape was sitting.
Magearna wobbled and almost fell off. Volcanion reached out to catch it, but Infernape was quicker and grabbed it first.
Once Magearna was steady, it gave Infernape a sweet smile, but Infernape turned its head away, refusing to look.
Seeing that Magearna was safe, Volcanion descended back to the ground and lay down under the large tree to wait for them.
"Why did you run away?" Magearna asked curiously.
"I didn't run away," Infernape retorted. How could it possibly run?
"Really?" Magearna looked at Infernape, clearly unconvinced.
"Of course. Why would I run away?" Infernape asked back, though its voice lacked confidence.
"Then come back with me," Magearna said. "The princess has come to pick you up. If you follow her, you'll be able to see your friends."
"They aren't my friends! I don't have any friends!" Infernape countered.
The Pokémon imprisoned with it at the training grounds had been sent there from all over the world. Infernape hadn't spent much time with them, so they couldn't be considered friends.
It simply felt that they were pitiful for being tortured by humans.
"No friends?" Magearna froze. "Am I not your friend either? I thought we were already friends."
Infernape was left stammering by Magearna's words. It had been cared for by Magearna all these days, and in its heart, it already considered the other a friend.
However, it was too embarrassed to admit it.
"You don't want to leave this place, do you?" Magearna asked.
Having its thoughts laid bare, Infernape stuttered, "Ange saved me. I... I haven't repaid him yet..."
"Actually, I don't want you to leave either," Magearna said. "It would be great if you could stay here forever."
"Really? Do you really think so?" Infernape looked at Magearna in surprise. Realizing it had overreacted, it quickly retracted its expression.
"Of course!" Magearna nodded vigorously. "If you want to stay, Ange will definitely agree."
"I want to stay..." Infernape said in a voice as tiny as a mosquito's buzz.
"What did you say?" Magearna didn't hear it clearly.
Thinking Magearna was teasing it on purpose, Infernape shouted in embarrassment, "I want to stay!"
Its voice was so loud that it startled Volcanion and Fletchinder, who were resting below the tree.
Hearing Infernape's answer, Magearna happily grabbed Infernape's arm and said, "That's great! Let's go tell Ange right now!"
Infernape hesitated. "Will Ange really agree to let me stay?" After all, it had been hiding and hadn't officially met Ange during its time on the Nebel Plateau.
"He will! I promise!" Magearna patted its chest.
With Magearna's encouragement, Infernape finally decided to ask Ange. It picked up Magearna and leaped down from the tree with agile grace.
By the time they returned home, Ange was still out searching for Infernape. Only Diancie was waiting at the house.
Seeing Infernape and Magearna return together, Diancie stepped forward and said, "It's good that you're back. Everyone was worried sick."
"Du~ ki~ du~" Where is Ange? We have something to tell him. Magearna asked.
"He's still out looking for Infernape and hasn't returned yet," Diancie answered.
At that moment, Fletchinder chirped, "Fle fle~" I'll find him! I'll find him!
It flapped its wings and flew out quickly.
A short while later, Ange and Lila came running back in a hurry. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing that Infernape was safe.
Just as Ange was about to tell Infernape to go with Lila, Magearna stepped forward and said:
"Du~ ki~ du~" Ange, Infernape has something to say to you.
As it spoke, it pushed the unprepared Infernape in front of Ange.
Ange looked at Infernape with confusion. Seeing its hesitant expression, he smiled and said, "Infernape, if you have something to say, go ahead. I'm listening!"
Infernape looked back at Magearna, who immediately gave it an encouraging look.
Infernape took a deep breath and said, "Infern~ Infern~" I want to stay on the Nebel Plateau. I don't want to go anywhere else!
"Stay on the Nebel Plateau?" Ange was stunned. "But you..."
Looking at Infernape's embarrassed expression, Ange stopped questioning and turned to Lila instead.
"Lila, can Infernape stay on the Nebel Plateau?"
Lila smiled and said, "Of course, as long as it is willing."
She pulled out a Poké Ball and handed it to Ange. "Your Highness, this is Infernape's Poké Ball."
This Poké Ball had been seized by the police from an employer at the training grounds. That employer was the person who had used illegal means to capture Infernape from the forest and sent it to the training grounds for conditioning.
Now that person had been caught and was facing prison time.
Ange took the Poké Ball and pressed the release button. He then said to Infernape, "Infernape, you can stay here with peace of mind. You can leave whenever you want."
This Poké Ball only held painful memories for Infernape; it was useless to keep it.
Seeing Ange's actions, a glimmer of gratitude appeared in Infernape's eyes.
Lila then said, "Since Infernape plans to stay on the Nebel Plateau, I'll be heading back now."
"Alright, I'll see you off," Ange said.
After seeing Lila onto her aircraft and watching her leave the Nebel Plateau, Ange returned home. He called Magearna over and said:
"Magearna, since Infernape is now a member of our Nebel Plateau, go to the staff dormitory and arrange a room for it."
"Du ki~" Okay!
Magearna briskly led Infernape to the staff dormitory.
Once they reached the Secret Fortress, Magearna introduced the place as they walked, "All the Pokémon on the Nebel Plateau live here."
Infernape realized why everyone headed this way every evening!
"Rooms with nameplates mean they are occupied. Those without plates are empty, and you can choose any one you like," Magearna continued.
It was Infernape's first time knowing that the Pokémon on the Nebel Plateau had such great living conditions. Its eyes scanned the empty rooms, feeling a bit dazzled.
Every room looked wonderful to it.
Ultimately, Infernape chose a room that wasn't very large but was enough for it.
Once the room was chosen, Magearna hung a nameplate on the door with Infernape's picture on it. Then, Magearna took it to Greninja to collect daily necessities.
Every new Pokémon resident could receive their daily supplies for free from Greninja. This was a rule Ange had set after opening the daily necessities shop.
After helping Infernape set up its room, Diancie took it to see Robert 2 to process its Nebel Card. Once Infernape's injuries were fully healed, it would join the patrol team with Lairon and the others. Its salary would be deposited into its Nebel Card.
While Magearna helped Infernape get the card, it explained the rules of the Nebel Plateau.
Infernape was learning for the first time that Pokémon could live like humans, with jobs, entertainment, and the ability to spend their own money.
Once everything was handled, Magearna said, "I'll be going now. You can come find me anytime if you need something."
Infernape nodded.
After Magearna left, Infernape lay on its bed and stared blankly at the Nebel Card in its hand.
From now on, this place was its home!
Home... the word felt foreign to Infernape.
"Min min~"
A voice sounded at the door. Cinccino poked its head inside.
Infernape sat up and looked confusedly at the smiling Cinccino. Then it saw Litwick, Stunky, and Heliolisk poke their heads in one after another.
"Lit lit~" Can we come in? Litwick asked.
"Infern~" Infernape hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded.
"Helio helio~"
"Min min~"
With Infernape's permission, everyone happily entered the room. They each brought gifts—food, toys, and useful items.
It turned out that Litwick had learned Infernape was a new resident and specifically brought its friends to congratulate Infernape on its housewarming.
After all, they were neighbors now.
Learning the intentions of the little ones, a smile appeared on Infernape's face.
Soon, Infernape's room became lively. Litwick and the others brought plenty of food and drinks to hold a small welcome ceremony for Infernape.
Looking at the noisy little group, Infernape couldn't help but smile. It thought: Home might be a nice place after all.
Several days passed in the blink of an eye. Infernape gradually adapted to life on the Nebel Plateau, and its injuries continued to heal.
At first, it stayed in its room and didn't go out much. Later, it was dragged out by Cinccino and the others. Gradually, it began to walk around often and even participated in several of Volcanion's soccer matches, leading its team to victory against Volcanion.
Volcanion was the undisputed champion of the Nebel Plateau, so it was quite indignant that Infernape kept winning. It frequently asked other Pokémon to challenge Infernape to a match.
Because of this, Infernape had even more opportunities to go out.
On this day, Ange received a call from Fiona.
"Your Highness, Princess Lila asked me to give you some news. A ranch in the outskirts of the city has gone bankrupt due to poor management. The rancher intends to sell off the Pokémon. There is a group of Miltank. The Princess said if you are interested, please act quickly before they're all gone."
Miltank?
Ange's eyes lit up at the news. He wanted them—he wanted them very much!
Although the Nebel Plateau already had Gogoat that could produce milk, the taste of Grass Nanny Milk and Moomoo Milk was completely different.
Magearna was currently learning dessert making from Murdock. In the future, both Grass Nanny Milk and Moomoo Milk would certainly be used. Therefore, Moomoo Milk was a necessity, and Ange needed to prepare in advance.
To get Moomoo Milk, he had to have Miltank.
"Fiona, quick, send me the address of that ranch. I'll go personally!" Ange said anxiously.
He had to act fast; he couldn't let this opportunity slip away!
Fiona soon sent the location. After confirming the address, Ange decided to set off immediately.
He called Metagross and Pawmi to act as his bodyguards, then called for Altaria.
Since the ranch was in the outskirts and some distance from the Royal Capital, he planned to fly there on Altaria.
Although Metagross could also fly, Ange's Metagross didn't have a saddle, so it wouldn't be as comfortable as riding Altaria's soft body.
However, when Altaria arrived, it brought Swablu along.
"Blu blu~"
Swablu flapped its wings and landed on Ange's shoulder, nuzzling its head against his cheek.
Ange patted its head. "You want to come along too?"
"Blu blu~"
Swablu nodded solemnly.
Ange smiled. "Alright, but you have to be good on the way. Otherwise, I won't bring you next time."
"Blu blu~" I definitely will! Swablu puffed out its chest in a promise.
Thus, Ange set off with the four Pokémon.
They first went through the spatial tunnel at Munchlax Home to reach the Royal Capital, then took the cable car toward the city gates.
The cable car swayed along like a cradle. Swablu and its mother, sitting opposite Ange, both started to doze off.
Pawmi sat in Ange's arms. Seeing Swablu and Altaria asleep, it covered its mouth and giggled.
Once they reached the city gates, Ange woke them up and got off the car with his four Pokémon.
He checked his phone to confirm the ranch's location, then hopped onto Altaria while holding Pawmi.
"Ria~"
Altaria gave a long cry and flapped its wings, carrying Ange and Pawmi into the wind. The warm spring breeze felt very comfortable.
Swablu and Metagross followed closely, flying on either side of Altaria.
"Paw paw~"
Watching the Royal Capital grow smaller and further away below, Pawmi clapped its hands happily.
As they rose higher into the sky, the view opened up, and Ange felt his mind broaden as well.
"Blu blu~"
Swablu flapped its wings excitedly, flying up and down in the spring breeze as if showing off its flying skills to Ange.
In truth, its skills weren't very high. It flew crookedly in the air, earning a round of laughter from Pawmi. Annoyed, Swablu flew over and gave Pawmi's head a few pecks.
Just then, a few Fletchling flew over. Swablu immediately greeted them happily.
Sensing Swablu's friendliness, the Fletchling gathered around Altaria and flew alongside them.
After flying for a long distance, the Fletchling finally parted ways with Ange's group, chirping their goodbyes.
Before long, Ange finally spotted a ranch. Groups of Mareep were gathered at the edge of the ranch, looking quite spectacular.
"There it is! Let's speed up!" Ange shouted, pointing toward the ranch.
"Ria~" Altaria cried out and gave a powerful flap of its wings. With a burst of speed, it covered the remaining distance in an instant.
"Blu blu~" Wait for me, Mom! Swablu flapped its wings hard to chase after its mother.
"Meta~"
Metagross also accelerated and caught up.
Moments later, Ange arrived successfully at the ranch, and Altaria landed smoothly.