I have added this story to my Patreon. You can support me and read the 40 latest and advanced chapters there. It also fed and motivate me to write more chapters!
Link: Patreon.com/Heroicverse
—------------------—
Lionel nodded in satisfaction. This way, his job was much easier. Not only could he help the two Vulpix grow quickly and accurately, but he could also give Larvesta something to do.
That guy was always showing off those weird photos he took, which was really a headache.
Now that there were two little babies, Larvesta could be a full-time dad, killing two birds with one stone.
After settling on the "math task," Lionel picked up his phone, and first made a video call to Ninetales.
The screen lit up, and Ninetales' elegant figure appeared in the frame.
The background seemed to be the League headquarters base, and Professor Birch could also be seen nearby.
"Look, they're really something now."
Lionel turned his head towards the Fire Vulpix playing with Larvesta, and the little Ice Vulpix creature making an ice sculpture under Milotic's guidance.
The Ice Ninetails's gaze fell on the two children, its nine tails swaying gently as it looked at each little fox with deep affection.
The Fire Vulpix, seeing its mother, immediately ran to the screen, chirped twice at the Ice Ninetails on the screen, and even proudly created a small spark. Ice Vulpix also came over, pointing with its paw at the ice creature on the ground that was barely recognizable as an animal, as if to showed off her results to her mom.
"Don't worry," Lionel said seriously.
"I'll take good care of them. When they grow a little bigger, I'll bring them to see you. And I'll often take videos of them and put them on your new phone so you can see how they are."
The Ice Ninetails nodded, looked at the two little guys for a few more seconds, and then hung up the phone.
Lionel knew that it was completely relieved.
Lionel had just put down his phone and wanted to drink some water when he suddenly remembered something and quickly opened Cynthia's contact information.
When the video call ended, Cynthia was wearing pajamas with a cute pattern, lying on a deck chair on the boat looking at the stars.
Beside her were Garchomp and Tyrantrum eating barbecue, their mouths greasy.
"You're smiling so happily, what good thing could it be?" Cynthia asked curiously.
"Look at these two little guys!"
Lionel pointed the camera at the two curious Vulpixes that were crowding around.
"What adorable Vulpixes!"
Cynthia's eyes lit up immediately:
"This is... an Alolan Vulpix? And a Normal Fire Vulpix? You've caught new companions again?"
"Yes, Elite Four member Drake brought them back from Alola. They seem to be twin sisters."
Lionel smiled as he held the two little guys in front of the camera:
"Let the Tyrantrum see them. Two new companions have joined the team. The Tyrantrum's points have increased again. Let it remember to protect its two little sisters from now on." "
Upon hearing Lionel's voice, Tyrantrum stopped eating and, together with Cynthia, squeezed into the screen.
It barked twice at the camera, patting its tail on the ground as if to greet it.
The Fire Vulpix was startled by its large collar and shrank into Lionel's arms; Ice Vulpix curiously stretched out its claws and scratched the face of the Tyrantrum on the screen, causing the big guy to shake its head stupidly on the other side of the screen.
Cynthia, watching this amusing interaction, couldn't help but smile.
"It seems Tyrantrum really likes them. By the way, where are you planning to go next?"
"We plan to go back to Dewford Town first, to the gym there, and get the Trademark."
Lionel nudged the Fire Vulpix's head and continued,
"Then we'll continue eastward along the waterway to toward Route 131'"
"The fourth Contest I'm participating in is there.
It'll be a good opportunity for the two little guys to make an appearance.
Although, the currents in the sea leading to Pacifidlog City are a bit troublesome, but with Milotic controlling the situation and Metagross protecting us, we can handle it."
Cynthia nodded, holding a tissue to wipe the greasy soup from the corner of Garchomp's mouth:
"I'm really looking forward to your performance in this Pokemon Contest, but these two little guys have only just arrived. Are you going to bring them to the arena?"
"How can I let them compete directly?"
Lionel smiled and waved his hand, explaining, "It's just for a brief appearance during the first round of judging, to let them wander around the stage and experience the atmosphere of the spotlight.
There will be other arrangements for the second round.
This competition is Metagross's home turf."
"I promised Steven a long time ago that I would design the most dazzling moveset for Metagross. This time, it can finally show off its skills on stage."
After hearing this, Cynthia tilted her head slightly, intrigued.
"Metagross's moveset? Sounds interesting. Can you tell me one?"
Lionel deliberately dragged out the question:
"Sister Cynthia, it won't be interesting if I tell you now. You can watch my live stream when you have time."
"Seriously, you're so teasing! You've piqued my curiosity and then won't tell me. Alright, I'll watch it then.
By the way, I'll be going to the Unova region in a few days.
After meeting with Professor Juniper, I'll set off as soon as possible to go to Dragon Village.
To promote the establishment of a Pokémon teleportation machine between our region and the Unova League."
"Drake brought your Pokémon back, my Deino can't fall behind."
"Thank you, Sister Cynthia, for your trouble."
"It's nothing, don't mention it. Garchomp's Mega Evolution is all thanks to you, I haven't even properly thanked you yet."
Cynthia waved her hand: "That's all for now, goodnight, get some rest."
After ending the video call, Lionel looked at the two little silver takins in his arms that had already started yawning, and got up to wash.
When he lay back down on the bed, the Fire Vulpix immediately nuzzled against his left side, making soft "woof woof" sounds.
Ice Vulpix hesitated for a moment, then slowly turned to his right side, placing its head next to his pillow. Then, the big fat bug, Larvesta, also squeezed in.
Lionel comfortably nestled on the pillow, watching the three of them quickly fall asleep, and couldn't help but smile.
With the experience transmitted from the three Pokémon's bodies, Lionel also went into sleep.
The next day, at the Norman's house.
Today, Norman wasn't home; he was currently at the Petalburg Gym, accepting challenges from trainers.
He was quite busy today, with many trainers having scheduled battles.
So, Max took Lionel for a stroll in Petalburg City, preparing for their farewell.
"Brother Lionel, let's go buy some Pokémon snacks. A new pastry shop opened near the Pokémon Center, and they say the taste is very inconsistent!"
Max, looking at the Treecko doll, enthusiastically suggested.
Upon hearing the word "snacks," the two Vulpix's eyes lit up. Having lived on the snowy mountains before, they had never seen so much delicious food in the human world.
This morning, after eating the fruit and pastries prepared by Aunt Caroline, I realized how delicious they are, and I'm already showing signs of becoming a little foodie.
Lionel naturally agreed readily and also planned to ask when to start the live stream, because many netizens on his account were commenting:
[Is the streamer still live today? I want to see two more...]
[I didn't get enough yesterday! Please stream a little longer, I'll give Little Fox a gift!]
[+11 I want to see Fire Vulpix and Ice Vulpix]
Seeing so many worthwhile comments, Lionel directly opened the live stream.
The camera was pointed at the two little foxes watching his secret legs bump against his breasts, and the barrage of comments flooded the screen.
Lionel and Max, with their elves, had just arrived at the entrance of the pastry shop in the city center when Larvesta suddenly stopped, its eyes fixed on a jewelry shop next door.
Before Lionel could react, Larvesta, as if drawn by a magnet, pulled Vulpix and rushed into the shop.
Vulpix hesitated for a moment, then followed, its tail twitching happily behind it.
The shop was filled with all sorts of Pokémon accessories: pearl necklaces, embroidered little trinkets, and jingling little duck bells of various colors.
Larvesta looked around the shop. Then its eyes lit up, staring at a pair of small bells on the shelf, chirping excitedly:
"Squeak squeak squeak!"
Lionel looked in the direction Larvesta was pointing.
There were two small, exquisite round bells.
One was golden-red, engraved with a burning flame pattern; the other was white, printed with scattered snowflake patterns, clearly perfect for the twin sisters, Vulpix and Larvesta.
The little fire-Vulpix sniffed the red bell, then turned its head to light it.
It clearly liked the red bell; the little ice-Vulpix also patted the blue one with its paw, its tail moving incredibly fast.
[!!! These bells are amazing! One red and one white, a perfect match for the little fox's fur!]
[Larvesta has some taste, very good at picking!]
[Buy it! Streamer, buy it! The two little guys will definitely look great wearing them!]
[100 Pokedollars already donated! Buy the red one! For the little fire-Vulpix!]
[200 Pokedollars already donated! I'll take the blue one! The little ice-Vulpix will definitely look great in it!]
[Stop fighting! Stop fighting! I'm totally clueless! Streamer, grab it now!]
The chat was clamoring for "virtual purchase," and Lionel, both amused and exasperated, ended up paying for it himself.
When he tied the red bell hook to the neck of the Fire Vulpix and the blue bell chain to Ice Vulpix, the two little creatures immediately spun around excitedly.
The bell chains jingled crisply, making the shop assistants laugh.
"Squeak squeak!"
Larvesta, head held high, proudly looked at its "masterpiece," its expression seemingly saying, "Look how clever I am!"
Then Larvesta continued to scan the shop's ornaments, and then held up a small hat embroidered with fire bubble patterns, wanting the shop assistant to put it on the Fire Vulpix's head; but the hat was too big, completely covering the Fire Vulpix's eyes, making it whimper and bang its head around, causing the shop assistants to burst into laughter.
[Hahahaha, Fire Vulpix turned into a one-eyed dragon]
[This is hilarious! Judging by her appearance, she seemed to have good taste, and then this happened!]
[Look! Look! Little Ice Vulpix's ice-crystal hair clip is so pretty! You little princess!]
Lionel then picked up a small ice crystal hair clip and carefully clipped it to Ice Vulpix's ear.
The little guy immediately ran to the shopkeeper, tilted his head, and examined himself, proudly waving his tail, making a "ring" sound, as if to say, "So pretty!"
Max, watching with obvious admiration, tugged at Lionel's sleeve and whispered, "When I get my Treecko, I'll buy it a pretty bell too!"
Lionel smiled and ruffled his hair;
"No need to wait until then, just buy it now!
Take a look, see which ones you like, and if you can buy them as a gift for it, I'll pay for them for you. Consider it my early gift to Treecko."
"Thank you, Brother Lionel!"
Little Roll's eyes lit up. He carefully selected a Treecko doll from the shelf.
He picked up a small green backpack embroidered with Treecko's tail, then chose a leaf-shaped bell, holding it carefully in his hands:
"This backpack can hold berries for it, and when the bell rings, I'll know where it is!"
Lionel stood at the door watching his earnest expression, and couldn't help but smile. Two Vulpixes rolled around on the carpet beside them, the bells around their necks jingling incessantly, attracting the shop assistants' frequent glances, their eyes full of smiles.
Leaving the jewelry shop, Lionel took the Larvesta to the elf snack shop Max had mentioned. The shop was filled with all sorts of snacks: doughnuts with various colored jams and cookies shaped like various elves, etc…
Larvesta was immediately attracted by the fragrant, baked cookies shaped like Larvesta as soon as it entered, its paws pawing at the counter, its tail darting around;
Ice Vulpix was interested in the Ice Cool treats in the freezer, pointing its paws at the transparent glass display case, making "woof woof" pleading sounds.
Lionel simply bought some of each kind of snack, packing them in exquisite paper boxes.
The Vulpix was munching on a turkey-shaped cookie, its face beaming with delight; Ice Vulpix was munching on a piece of ice, its ears twitching from the cool touch, looking incredibly cute.
Max was also holding a Treecko-shaped cookie, imagining sharing it with its future Treecko, its mouth never touching the ice.
The viewers in the live stream were completely charmed:
[The way the Vulpix eats its snacks is so adorable! It's just as cute as a baby!]
[Host, quickly buy some for Metagross and Milotic too! Don't just focus on the little one!]
Lionel naturally didn't forget the two of them; Metagross's favorite dessert, cake, and Milotic's favorite shaved ice. Lionel had already bought them both.
As the sun set, bathing the streets of Petalburg City in a warm, orange-red hue, Lionel finally returned to Norman's house with Max and the Pokémon.
Caroline had already prepared dinner, and Norman had also returned home, sitting in the yard drinking tea.
"Did you have fun?"
Norman asked with a smile.
"Yes! Brother Lionel bought me a present, and I ate so much delicious food!" Max proudly showed off his backpack and bells.
Norman ruffled his hair and looked at Lionel:
"Leaving tomorrow?"
"Yes, I plan to leave early, first going to challenge the Gym."
Lionel nodded.
"Here, take this."
Norman handed Lionel a small booklet:
"These are some tips I've compiled about Pokémon battles; you might find them useful."
"Thank you!"
Lionel quickly accepted the book, eager to read Norman's battle notes, and repeatedly expressed his gratitude.
The little fire-eating Vulpix, who was eating tree berries nearby, noticed this, Fire Vulpix turned around and went to Norman's side, nodding repeatedly in thanks.
Seeing her sister do this, the little ice-Vulpix immediately stopped eating and imitate the Fire Vulpix, nodding repeatedly in thanks to Norman.
Their big eyes kept pouting, and Caroline, Max, and Norman all laughed out loud at the two little ones' adorable appearance.