In the car.
The police vehicle moved along a road lined with trees, sunlight breaking through in shifting patterns across the seats.
Austin Black held his Pokégear, talking.
"Yes, Section Chief Zorro, Jenny is driving me home."
"Two Jennys. The Floaroma Town officer is with us as well."
"A Pokémon Hunter. Codename Hunter D."
Zorro's voice came through immediately, firm and direct.
"Don't take unnecessary risks in situations like this. These cases are meant for official units."
"They were attacking Drakloak and hunting a Shaymin at the time. I could not ignore it."
A short pause followed.
"…As long as you are safe."
"I also brought back Shaymin. I will take it to the Black Crest for treatment temporarily."
"Understood."
The call ended.
The two Jennys in the front seat relaxed slightly at the same time, as if they had been holding their breath.
Austin Black noticed it.
"You both look tense."
The Floaroma Town Jenny turned slightly, still focused on the road.
"Section Chief Zorro is strict. Very strict."
"Really? I did not feel that."
"You are not a police officer," she replied. "And you helped treat Arcanine. He will not treat you the same way he treats us."
"That makes sense."
Austin shifted his attention to Ryu, who was holding Shaymin carefully in his arms. The small Mythical Pokémon rested quietly, still recovering.
There were different kinds of Mythical Pokémon.
Some were gentle. Some were destructive.
Shaymin belonged to the gentle category.
Arceus and Hoopa were on the opposite end of that scale, depending on interpretation.
Shaymin also had something unusual among Mythical Pokémon. It was not always singular. Records suggested multiple individuals existed across regions, often appearing independently rather than as a single fixed entity.
In Sinnoh, it was said that contact with Gracidea flowers could trigger its transformation into Sky Forme.
Floaroma Town was known for those flowers.
Sky Forme Shaymin was another matter entirely. Faster. More aggressive in motion. Serene Grace enhanced its aerial pressure through moves like Air Slash and Seed Flare.
Austin had seen enough battles to understand the difference between appearance and threat level.
A small body did not always mean low risk.
The Floaroma Town Jenny spoke again, more casually this time.
"She is my older cousin. I am the younger one."
The other Jenny nodded once, confirming it without turning her head.
Austin Black listened, then leaned back slightly as the vehicle continued forward.
At the same moment, a mechanical voice sounded in his mind.
[Side Quest: Catch Them All completed. Reward obtained.]
[Special Ability: Affinity (Intermediate).]
Affinity (Intermediate): A reduced form of Viridian-like resonance. Improves first impressions between the user, humans, and Pokémon, increasing natural approach behavior.
Austin reviewed it.
Although Austin had Center of Attention(Master), it was different from Affinity.
It simply drew in, as its name suggested, attention.
Austin was not particularly affable; at most, he was polite. He had all the proper etiquette, but he wouldn't make people feel like they were basking in a spring breeze.
The only person Austin had truly seen in real life who made people feel like they were basking in a spring breeze was Daniella from the breeding center.
The other was Yellow, who possessed Viridian Power.
From the information, with Affinity (Intermediate), Austin could make Pokémon have a better first impression of him.
As long as the first impression improved, it could gradually turn into goodwill, which was very helpful for Austin's breeding work.
After gaining Affinity (Intermediate), Austin seemed to possess an invisible aura around him.
His thoughts paused when Shaymin moved slightly in Ryu's arms.
The small Pokémon lifted its head and looked directly at Austin.
The change was subtle at first.
Its breathing slowed, and its posture loosened.
Then its gaze softened.
Like morning sunlight breaking through mist.
Like the scent of plants after rainfall in a quiet forest.
Something in the environment shifted.
To Shaymin, Austin no longer felt neutral.
He felt safe.
"Shaymin!"
(For you.)
It leaned forward, sniffed briefly, then rummaged through its fur and carefully placed something into his hand.
Austin Black recognized it immediately.
Miracle Seed.
Not an ordinary one either. Identification Eye confirmed it at a glance.
[A Miracle Seed blessed by Shaymin, saturated with vitality.]
"Thank you. When we get back, I will prepare Energy Cubes for you."
"Min!"
The Floaroma Town Jenny leaned in slightly, eyes bright.
"It gave you a gift. It really likes you."
Austin Black gently stroked Shaymin's head.
If possible, he would have preferred to stay with him further, but the decision would never be his alone.
At that moment, sirens sounded outside the Black Crest Jubilife Breeding House.
Dai Yui, Mizuki, and several customers paused what they were doing and looked toward the gate.
Curiosity engulfed them.
The police vehicle entered through the open gate and stopped directly at the entrance.
At the same moment, Shaymin stepped inside the breeding house.
The atmosphere changed.
The air felt lighter.
Even the dry indoor plants near the entrance seemed less dull for a moment, as if winter itself had briefly loosened its grip.
Austin and Ryu entered right after it.
"Austin, Ryu?!"
Dai Yui appeared instantly, his large frame blocking part of the entrance.
"Why are you back in a police car?"
"I thought you said you were going to the northern suburbs to relax."
A second voice followed immediately.
"Haaah?! What happened?! Did you do something illegal?!"
Leon stood behind him, already emotional.
Austin exhaled once and gently pushed Dai Yui's face aside.
Then nudged Leon back with a calm motion.
"Lower your voices. You will startle Shaymin."
"Something happened. Nothing illegal."
Shaymin jumped into Ryu's arms and immediately buried its head deeper into his arms at the sudden noise.
Several customers instinctively pulled out Pokégear devices to record.
The Floaroma Town Jenny stepped forward.
"Please refrain from recording."
Her tone was polite but firm.
"If this concerns Shaymin, its presence must not be disclosed."
The crowd hesitated, then complied.
At that moment, Amanda stepped out from the inner rooms, wiping her hands.
She looked at the officers.
"What happened?"
The Jubilife City Jenny answered directly.
"Mr. Black, your son here, assisted in the capture of a Pokémon Hunter. We are escorting him back safely."
Amanda nodded once, accepting it.
"I see. Come inside if you need to explain details."
Outside, Zorro was already coordinating further arrangements through the network.
. . .
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