"Grargh~! (Oh, right! A certain dragon's been waiting here for you these past two days,)" Swampert said, scratching his head with a mud-caked claw.
"Waiting for me?" Su Feng blinked, puzzled.
Swampert roared skyward: "Grargh!!! (Gible! Su Feng's here!!)"
Footsteps thundered closer. Moments later, Gible skidded into view, eyes alight with excitement. After Su Feng's battle with Dragonite, Gible had scoured the secret realm for him before staking out the exit—finally, its chance had come.
Gible approached, chest puffed out. "Ror! (Su Feng! How strong do you think I am?)"
"Remarkable. Among wild Pokémon, you're one of the most talented I've seen," Su Feng replied sincerely. Blaziken had mentioned Gible was only 12-13 years old—already a prodigy among dragons.
Gible nodded smugly. "Ror. (Hmph. Fine. If you insist, I'll reluctantly become your partner.)"
Su Feng bit back a laugh. This tsundere act…
"If it's really too much trouble, forget it," he said, feigning reluctance.
Gible's eyes widened. Why isn't he begging!?
"Ror… (Well… it's not that troublesome…)" it muttered, claws fidgeting.
Su Feng chuckled. "Just teasing. Welcome to the team, Gible." He knelt, hand extended.
Gible hesitated, then placed a claw in Su Feng's palm—only to jerk it back, fearing its sharp talons might cut him. This was the second time Gible had shied from contact. Su Feng suspected past accidents involving loved ones.
Without warning, Su Feng pulled Gible into a hug.
"Ror!? (W-What!?)" Gible stiffened, torn between squirming free and avoiding harm. It wriggled briefly, then froze—Su Feng's grip was unyielding. Is this "fragile human" really as Dragonite described!?
"You don't have to hide behind that tough act with me," Su Feng whispered, patting Gible's back. "It's okay to be vulnerable here."
"Ror! (I'm not vulnerable!)" Gible protested, but slowly returned the embrace. Huh… When was the last time someone held me…?
Wait!
Gible shoved Su Feng away—surprised at how easily he let go—and glared, cheeks flushed.
Su Feng smiled, holding out a Luxury Ball. "Let's do great things together."
Gible tapped the ball hastily and ducked inside like it was escaping.
Swampert snorted. "Grargh… (Who knew the little terror had a soft side…)"
"Everyone does," Su Feng said, stepping toward the glowing exit.
Outside the Secret Realm
Sunlight blinded Su Feng momentarily. He stood in a mountain crevice—the real-world counterpart to the Dragon Clan's canyon.
"He's out!"
A team in blue uniforms rushed over—Secret Realm Rescue Squad. Their leader, a fresh-faced recruit, saluted.
"Mr. Su! We'll escort you back. Your students are all safe—Cheng Die and Dawa Zhuoma included."
Su Feng relaxed. "Appreciate the ride."
As they walked past monitoring equipment, the recruit explained: "That device checks portal stability. Helps us identify mobile realms for timely rescues."
Su Feng nodded, metal case of Luxury Balls secure in hand. Next stop: Changing the world.
In the secret realm, Swampert yawned at the portal.
"Grargh… (How long will this "training" last…?)"
Somewhere in the forest, a certain Gardevoir smiled, sensing her child's joy through the bond.
The journey ahead? Boundless.
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