Chapter 485: Dark Pursuit
Chapter 485:
Kaede cracked the stones into pieces, then polished them until they were smooth and round before tossing them into the pan. He added generous amounts of salt and strong seasonings, stir-frying them until a rich aroma wafted out. Then, this portion of small stones was ready to be served.
This was Kaede preparing stirred fry Stones for Little Five.
But in truth, its real name was—
[S-Class Dish – Stirred Fry Stones: Made with various seasonings and stones containing Dark-type energy. For Dark-type Pokémon, it has the effect of Pursuit.
Dish Effect 1: Multiple Injuries. Each skill attack leaves a mark on the opponent. The second attack deals 1% increased damage, the third 2%, and so on... Marks last for one day, stacking up to a maximum of ten layers. Effect is halved for non-Dark-type Pokémon.
Dish Effect 2: Dark Pursuit. Exclusive to Dark-type Pokémon. When facing an opponent harboring malicious intent, it boosts spirit and increases damage dealt.]
An S-class dish with two effects.
Both offered special bonuses for Dark-type Pokémon.
Seemed like the effects were pretty decent.
After plating this final serving of Stirred Fry Stones, Kaede carried it to the living room where the four little ones were already waiting. "Here, this is for you guys. And this is for Little Three."
What he brought out were naturally the Antler Pecha Berry Wine and the Stirred Fry Stones.
But seeing these dishes, the Alolan Ninetales and the Eevee were stunned.
Had the family fallen on such hard times?
They were eating rocks now?
Little Nine habitually wrapped its ribbon around Kaede. The smooth texture gave Kaede a slight, clinging sensation.
"You, drink this mainly."
Kaede poured a cup of the wine in front of it, saying in a playfully grandiose tone, "Drink this, and you shall possess boundless, supreme power!"
"Sylveon?"
"Just drink when I tell you to drink. No more questions."
This time, Kaede directly held the cup to the Sylveon’s mouth.
"Sylveon...." (Why is Kaede so weird today...) Little Nine paused, then obediently drank. After finishing, it licked its lips, showing a fascinated expression, and kept winding its ribbon around Kaede’s arm. "Sylveon~" (I like it so much~)
"..." Kaede peeled off its feelers, his face darkening. "You drama queen..."
He didn’t know what anime Little Nine had been watching lately.
Because with evolution, growth in size and maturity, Alolan Ninetales and the Eeveelutions couldn’t possibly always like those child-oriented anime. Their taste thresholds would change or elevate.
That tone... Could it have watched something like *The Domineering CEO Falls for Me*?
(●ˇ∀ˇ●): "Sylveon~"
Little Nine smiled brightly, then felt a strange power suddenly surge within its body. It looked at Kaede, waiting for his explanation.
Having been with Kaede for so long, it naturally knew that Kaede’s special dishes always had special effects.
"It’s Xerneas... that is, the Life God you once talked about finding. Its ability, *Fairy Aura*, can be awakened. It boosts Fairy-type damage within the aura, and it’s super effective against Dragon types!" Kaede explained.
Hearing "super effective against Dragon types," Alolan Ninetales immediately crowded over. "Ninetales~?!"
But Kaede’s next sentence immediately dashed its hopes. "Only Little Nine, who took the first sip, gets this effect."
"Ninetales?!" (It can be like that?!)
Alolan Ninetales was greatly shocked.
It knew Kaede’s dishes had special effects, but it didn’t expect them to be *this* specific.
"I don’t know why either." Kaede was also a bit helpless, as this was the first time he’d seen such a situation.
Only effective for the first Pokémon to drink it?
Maybe mass-producing Pokémon with the "Fairy Aura" ability was too overpowered?
That explanation seemed reasonable.
But Alolan Ninetales didn’t mind much. It knew Kaede had his reasons, and besides, Sylveon was a team member who genuinely needed strengthening.
Take the current Dream Challenge, for instance. Each attempt... the strength of the team members did leave it feeling...
Anyway, it couldn’t possibly face Rayquaza alone in the future, charging at the front. That didn’t align with its expectations.
Then, Kaede explained the other beneficial effects of the berry wine and the effects of the Stirred Fry Stones on Little Five before starting the evening feast.
Elsewhere...
Chasing the last corner of dusk, following the map’s directions, Dragonite, carrying a package, finally arrived at the Titan Mountains.
"Dragonite?"
The amber twilight fell upon the mountain forest, dyeing the entire range in a beautiful hue.
Finding the spot, Dragonite descended and soon spotted Megumi’s figure in the woods.
"Dragonite~!"
It landed with a gust of wind, arriving before Megumi.
"Megumi" clearly looked startled and asked, "Huh? Dragonite, why is it you? Didn’t Brother Kaede say Pidgeot was supposed to deliver it?"
"Dragonite~!"
"Dragonite~!" Dragonite patted its chest, indicating that of course, it was the fastest for this kind of delivery. Plus, it was the best at navigating, so it was sent instead.
"Oh, I see."
"Megumi’s" face flashed with understanding, but then it began scrutinizing the Dragonite, thoughts racing.
*Should I be able to defeat this Dragonite?*
But thinking of the prompt in its eyes, its pupils began to glow red. The seemingly friendly Blastoise, Meowscarada, and Noivern surrounding it all launched attacks simultaneously in that instant.
Meowscarada’s Flower Trick hidden among myriad illusions, Blastoise’s Hydro Pump, Noivern’s Dragon Claw...
Several Pokémon attacked at once.
The simple-minded Dragonite stood there, completely off-guard.
*Bam!*
*Boom!*
Various attacks landed on Dragonite, erupting in clouds of smoke. But it seemed completely unharmed. The billowing smoke took on a shape, coiling around Dragonite’s body, forming crystal-like rocky layers.
Meanwhile, the Noivern and Meowscarada from moments ago had vanished entirely. Zoroark transformed back into its own form, hands gathering clusters of pitch-black energy, preparing to hurl them at the restrained Dragonite!
This was Shadow Ball!
But at that moment, fierce winds swept through heaven and earth. A powerful shockwave erupted from Dragonite’s body. The crystals binding it were violently shattered and sent flying by the gale-force winds and its raw strength.
Immediately after, Dragonite’s previously simple-minded expression also shifted, turning fierce and menacing.
