Altaria had a look of confusion on its face.
Ange leaned in and whispered a few words into Altaria's ear. The Pokémon hesitated for a moment before nodding gently.
Furthermore, Ange turned to Metagross, Pawmi, and Swablu. "You three stay here and be good. Altaria and I have something to take care of, so we'll be gone for a bit," Ange said.
"Paw~" Ange heard Pawmi reply. Its mouth was stuffed full of food as it raised a hand to give him a muffled guarantee.
Despite the reassurance, Ange felt uneasy. He gave a special instruction to Metagross. "Metagross, please keep an eye on these two little ones," Ange said.
"Meta~"
Metagross nodded. Its calm and steady aura was incredibly reassuring.
"Let's go," Ange said to Altaria.
"Ria~" Altaria nodded in response.
On the other side of the restaurant, the family of three had been led to the battleground by a waiter. Just as they arrived, a match on the field concluded.
"It is your turn, guests," the waiter said.
"Alright," Bud's Dad replied.
As he was about to step onto the field, Bud suddenly tugged at his sleeve. She gave him a sweet smile. "Good luck, Daddy!" Bud said.
Bud's Mom also squeezed her fists in encouragement. "Good luck, honey!" she said to her husband.
Bud's Dad was instantly filled with motivation. "I can feel the power surging! Daddy will definitely win!" he declared.
Conversely, this wasn't his first time at a battle restaurant. Usually, the owners of such establishments were simply Pokémon battle enthusiasts who weren't trainers themselves, so they set up these matches to satisfy their own interests.
Because it was just a hobby, the trainers hired by the restaurant were usually not very strong. Consequently, he had never lost a match in a battle restaurant before.
Once Bud's Dad took his position on one side of the field, the referee spoke up. "Now, please welcome our restaurant's trainer."
As those words fell, Ange appeared on the opposite side of the field with Altaria.
The referee froze when he saw Ange. Is this our restaurant's trainer? He remembered that the trainers hired by the restaurant didn't include this person.
At that moment, the restaurant owner appeared in the corner and nodded to the referee. The referee immediately understood that this was a trainer specially arranged by the boss.
The reason Ange and Altaria were on the battlefield was, of course, because he had specifically approached the owner. Given his status, the owner had no reason to refuse such a small request.
However, the referee wasn't the only one surprised to see Ange. Bud's Dad recognized the trainer opposite him as the guest who had been sitting at the table next to them.
Not only that, but he was also aware that this person had been following his family since they left the dessert shop. As a "former" trainer, he still possessed that level of alertness.
However, since the other party hadn't shown any suspicious behavior, he hadn't taken action. He never expected they would end up as battle opponents.
Suppressing the confusion in his heart, Bud's Dad heard the referee shout, "Both sides, please send out your Pokémon! The format is one-on-one. The battle ends when one side's Pokémon is unable to battle!"
Following the referee's signal, Bud's Dad took out a Poké Ball and threw it. With a flash of red light, a flying Pokémon appeared on the field.
The Pokémon had a bat-like appearance with two large ears. Its wings were black on the inside and purple on the outside, each sporting a sharp red claw. It had a long tail and powerful legs. It was the Flying and Dragon-type Pokémon, Noivern.
In terms of typing, Noivern was the same as Altaria, though their primary and secondary types were swapped. Noivern's primary type was Flying and its secondary was Dragon, while Altaria's primary was Dragon and its secondary was Flying.
After he stopped being a trainer, Noivern was the only Pokémon left by his side. His other Pokémon had left him one by one over the years for various reasons.
Ange patted Altaria on the neck. "Go!" Ange said.
"Ria~"
Altaria nodded. It took a deep breath and flapped its wings to fly onto the field.
Looking at Altaria, Bud's Dad couldn't help but think of the Swablu he had abandoned in the past.
At this moment, he had no idea that the Altaria before him was that very same Swablu. Unfortunately, he no longer recognized it. Not only had a long time passed, but the Swablu had evolved into Altaria, so it was only natural he couldn't tell.
"Battle begin!" the referee shouted.
Following the command, Ange and Bud's Dad issued their orders simultaneously.
"Altaria, Dragon Pulse!" Ange shouted.
"Noivern, Dragon Pulse!" Bud's Dad yelled.
As they spoke, Altaria and Noivern both spat out a blue-purple dragon-shaped energy wave at each other.
Boom!
With a loud explosion, the two Dragon Pulse attacks collided in the center of the field. Thick smoke and dust billowed in all directions.
"Good luck, Daddy!" Bud cheered loudly from the sidelines.
Bud's Dad gave his daughter a quick smile before shouting again. "Noivern, Double Team!"
"Roar!"
Noivern let out a roar. Its body flickered, and suddenly, several copies of Noivern appeared on the field, making it impossible to tell which was real.
Seeing this, Altaria became a bit flustered. Ange heard its unease and quickly calmed it down. "Don't panic, Altaria. Trust me!" Ange said.
Hearing Ange's voice, Altaria indeed regained its composure.
While others might not be able to distinguish Noivern from its clones, Ange could because he possessed Aura Power. Pokémon emit an aura, but shadows do not.
Suddenly, Ange pointed at one of the Noivern. "Altaria, use Moonblast! Hit that one!" Ange shouted.
"Ria!!!"
Altaria didn't hesitate for a second. A silver moon appeared above its head, and silver light condensed in its mouth. A second later, a beam of silver light shot out.
Boom!
The Moonblast hit that specific Noivern head-on. A wail echoed through the field as all the clones vanished. Only the Noivern struck by the Moonblast remained, crashing to the ground.
Clearly, Ange's judgment was correct.
Opposite them, Bud's Dad was stunned. He didn't understand how the opponent had identified Noivern's true body so accurately and quickly.
"Noivern!" Bud's Dad cried out in worry.
Ange didn't pause for a moment. The instant Noivern fell, he commanded Altaria. "Altaria, Ice Beam!" Ange shouted.
Ice-type moves dealt four times the damage to Noivern. If this hit, Noivern would have no chance of a comeback.
As Ange spoke, Altaria opened its mouth and fired a blue beam of light toward Noivern.
To the surprise of both Ange and Altaria, Noivern's reaction speed was incredible. It slammed its legs against the ground and flapped its wings with all its might, soaring into the sky like an arrow. It narrowly dodged Altaria's attack.
A second later, its right talons glowed with a green light. It plummeted at high speed, lunging fiercely at the Altaria below.
It was Dragon Claw!
In Noivern's move set, the only skills that could threaten Altaria were Dragon-type moves. Meanwhile, Altaria had many ways to counter Noivern.
There was the Dragon-type Dragon Pulse, the Fairy-type Moonblast, and the Ice-type Ice Beam.
Watching Noivern's unstoppable momentum, Ange shouted, "Altaria, Cotton Guard!"
Cotton Guard was a Grass-type defensive move with a very high defensive capability. Not many Pokémon could learn this move; they all shared the trait of being fluffy, such as Mareep, Altaria, and Whimsicott.
As Ange gave the command, Altaria tucked in its wings. Its feathers expanded rapidly, and in the blink of an eye, it had wrapped its entire body in a fluffy ball.
Noivern's Dragon Claw struck what felt like a mass of soft cotton. A sense of powerlessness washed over the attacking Pokémon.
"Altaria, Ice Beam!" Ange shouted.
At that moment, Altaria poked its head out from the fluff. It opened its mouth and fired an Ice Beam at the Noivern that was right in front of it.
Crack!
The Ice Beam triggered its additional effect. Noivern was frozen solid into a block of ice and fell to the ground.
The referee immediately announced, "Noivern is unable to battle! Altaria wins!"
Hearing the referee declare its victory, Altaria blinked in surprise. Then, it flapped its wings excitedly and flew to Ange's side, suddenly pouncing on him and lifting him up in a hug.
"Ria~ Ria~"
Altaria was overjoyed. It had never been this happy.
Ange also patted it happily. "You feel much better now, don't you?" Ange asked.
"Ria~" Altaria nodded.
On the other side of the field, Noivern was thawed out with the help of the restaurant staff. Bud's Dad was stroking and comforting it with a look of deep affection. Noivern also hugged him back affectionately, whimpering about the frustration of its defeat.
This was a side of Bud's Dad that Altaria had never seen before.
With the battle over, Ange walked to the center of the field with Altaria. Bud's Dad also walked over with Noivern.
"That was a wonderful match. I lost. Your Altaria is very strong," Bud's Dad said.
As he spoke, he extended his right hand toward Ange.
However, Ange did not shake his hand.
"It is, isn't it? My Altaria is very strong. So," Ange said. "Do you regret abandoning Swablu all those years ago?"
After saying this, Ange turned around with Altaria and left.
Hearing Ange's words, Bud's Dad froze on the spot. Then, he seemed to realize something. He wanted to catch up to Ange to ask for clarification, but he found that Ange and Altaria were already gone.
He remembered that Ange had been sitting at the table next to them, so he hurried back toward the dining area.
Seeing her father's frantic state, Bud asked in confusion, "Daddy, where are you going?"
Bud's Mom was also puzzled. "Honey?" she asked.
However, Bud's Dad didn't have time to answer his daughter or wife. He stumbled back to the place where they had just eaten, only to find the neighboring table empty. A waiter was already clearing the dishes.
He grabbed the waiter and asked, "Where is the person who was sitting here?"
The waiter replied with confusion, "They finished eating, so they left, of course!"
Bud's Dad chased all the way to the entrance, but besides the crowd of people coming and going, there was no sign of Ange or Altaria.
Bud's Dad stared blankly into the distance.
"Swablu... was that you?" he muttered to himself.
After a long time, Bud and her mother caught up. Seeing him in a daze, they looked at each other in confusion, wondering what had happened to him.
Eventually, Bud's Dad withdrew his gaze.
I just... wanted to apologize...
Ange and Altaria were unaware of what Bud's Dad was thinking at that moment. They had already successfully returned to Munchlax Home.
After reuniting with Bud's Dad, Altaria had finally let go of the past completely. A relaxed smile appeared on its face.
Just as they arrived home, Swablu's Dad descended from the sky. It had come to pick up its wife and daughter.
"Blu blu~ Blu blu~"
Seeing its father, the little Swablu was extremely happy. It flapped its wings and landed on its father's back, chirping away as it told him about everything that happened today.
Swablu's Dad listened quietly, then slowly moved to its wife's side and affectionately rubbed its head against hers.
After a moment of intimacy with her husband, the Swablu Mom looked at Ange. Ange smiled and waved at her. "Go on. You worked hard today," Ange said.
The Swablu Mom nodded. After whispering a few words to her husband, she flapped her wings and took to the sky. The little Swablu and its father followed closely behind.
Before long, the family of three disappeared into the blue horizon.
After staring in the direction they left for a while, Ange turned and went into the house.
At that moment, Magearna came out of the kitchen carrying a tray.
"Magea magea~" Ange heard it say. Ange, you're back?
It was very happy to see him.
Ange replied, "Yes, I just got back."
"What's that in your hand?" Ange asked curiously.
"Magea~"
Magearna beckoned Ange over mysteriously.
Ange leaned in curiously. Magearna placed the tray on the table and uncovered it, revealing a very beautiful cake inside.
The cake was mostly milky white, decorated with intricate cream borders. The top was pink and garnished with pieces of chopped Pecha Berry.
Ange said in surprise, "Magearna, did you make this?"
"Magea~"
Magearna nodded with its eyes squinted happily.
"You can already make such a beautiful cake so quickly? Are you a genius?" Ange said in disbelief.
Magearna felt embarrassed by the praise. It blushed and replied, "Magea magea~" Murdock taught me well.
Ange shook his head. "Even if Murdock is a good teacher, it's useless if you don't study hard. This proves you really are a genius, Magearna!" Ange said.
"Magea~"
Magearna felt even more bashful.
"But still, the next time we see Murdock, we really should thank him," Ange added.
Magearna nodded in agreement.
"Can I try some?" Ange asked, his eyes full of anticipation.
"Magea magea~" Magearna nodded.
However, just as Ange was about to start, Magearna stopped him.
"What is it?" Ange asked, looking confused.
Magearna waved its hand at him. Suddenly, a knife extended from its right wrist. It gestured with the blade and said, "Magea magea~" I'll cut it!
"Alright," Ange replied.
Magearna began to mutter as it started slicing the cake.
"Magea~" This is for Ange and Volcanion.
"Magea~" This piece is for Diancie and Munchlax.
"Magea~" This is for Drizzile and Gengar.
"Magea~" This part is for Metagross and Komala.
"Magea~" And this is for me and Pawmi.
Soon, the cake had been divided into ten equal portions.