Perhaps it was because of Lorelei.
Or perhaps the three legendary birds and Groudon had threatened Farfetch'd at some point.
Either way, when Riku tried to take it back to the small wooden house, Farfetch'd actually chose to stay behind with the three legendary birds and Groudon.
What's more, just as Riku was about to leave, Farfetch'd—having already sown seeds—miraculously began building a bird's nest.
Calling it a bird's nest was generous. Considering it was meant to house four legendary Pokémon, it looked more like a thatched shed.
Flying-type Pokémon actually had this kind of nesting ability—except for those three silly birds.
Riku had never seen the three of them do anything that resembled proper bird behavior.
What surprised him even more was that Farfetch'd could cook. Fearing Riku wouldn't believe it, it even demonstrated its skills on the spot.
Although Riku felt it wasn't quite as delicious as his own cooking, it was still decent.
The three legendary birds and Groudon were so excited, they immediately declared Farfetch'd their brother—from that day forward, closer than blood brothers.
As for Farfetch'd, it was even more ecstatic than the legendary Pokémon themselves.
To be acknowledged by four legendary Pokémon—what a promising future awaited!
While Riku was happy for it, he couldn't help but feel a bit speechless.
The three sumb birds and the Red Shrimp were truly more worldly than worldly people—they could be called social Pokémon.
Whenever there were benefits involved, they instantly became "brothers."
As for Lapras—with its high level and formidable strength—it had always been despised and looked down upon by them. Riku didn't know where they found the courage, given their own weak power.
If Lapras hadn't been captured by him and had instead encountered those four in the wild, a single Ice Beam would've probably sent them straight to the afterlife.
"Lapras, don't mind them."
Riku patted Lapras's back, comforting it.
"Only real brothers talk like that."
"They actually don't mean any harm. You'll get used to it eventually."
Get used to it?
Lapras was momentarily stunned, but Riku's comfort did have some effect.
When they returned to the small wooden house, the lights inside the room were off.
Assuming Lorelei had already fallen asleep, Riku planned to make a makeshift bed on the floor.
Unexpectedly, in the middle of the night, he received a sudden call from May, urgently asking him to go to Citrus Island.
Worried something had happened to her, Riku immediately rode Lapras and arrived at Citrus Island in less than half an hour.
---
"May, what happened?"
May was already waiting at the Citrus Island pier. Seeing that she only looked a little nervous, Riku let out a sigh of relief.
"There's something urgent," May said directly, taking Riku's hand.
"I can't explain it clearly right now—just come with me."
Without waiting for a reply, she pulled a slightly confused Riku toward the Pokémon League building.
Calling it a "building" might be generous—it was only five stories tall.
After all, building a skyscraper on an island would be risky. No one would take such a chance.
---
"…This…"
May led Riku to the top floor using the elevator. As she pushed open an ancient wooden door, Riku was stunned by the scene before him.
There were quite a few people inside—all of them elderly.
Grandma, who had always been kind to May, was also present.
Drake was there as well, along with the four Gym Leaders from the Seafoam Islands.
However, the Gym Leaders stood to the side, ramrod straight, clearly somewhat nervous in front of the seated elders.
"Riku kun," Grandma Chih greeted warmly, being the most familiar to Riku.
"Hello, Grandma Chih."
Riku had always respected the elderly. Since Grandma Chih treated May well, he greeted her immediately.
---
"You're probably wondering why we called you here so late," Grandma Chih exchanged glances with the other elders before slowly beginning to speak.
"We won't beat around the bush. You probably already know that the Indigo League's Elite Four suddenly invaded our Orange Archipelago."
Invasion?
They actually used such a serious word?
It seemed the Orange League was taking this matter seriously.
But what did it have to do with him—Riku?
He was just an ordinary islander.
No—an unregistered resident, at that!
---
"Let's get straight to the point."
Seeing Riku remain silent, Grandma Chih paused for a moment, then continued.
"I wonder if you're interested in joining our Orange League's temporary defense force?"
"The four Seafoam Islands Gym Leaders and Drake have already agreed to join."
"May has joined as well."
"Don't worry—I know your situation regarding your identity. If you're willing to help the Orange League this time, we'll help you resolve your registration issue."
---
Riku was slightly tempted by this.
As an unregistered resident, he couldn't even legally possess a Pokédex.
If he wanted to travel in the future, this identity issue would definitely cause problems.
The Pokémon world had strict regulations.
In a world where people could capture powerful Pokémon, if criminals hid their identities, it would be impossible to track them down.
That's why every Pokémon Trainer had to be registered—and the Pokédex essentially served as a Trainer's ID card.
---
"I want to join," Riku said after a moment of thought.
"But my only Pokémon is Lapras. I'm afraid I won't be of much help."
"How could that be?" Grandma Chih smiled.
"Having Lapras is more than enough."
"You must understand—right now, in the entire Orange League, only you and Drake possess Champion-level Pokémon."
---
Hearing this, the four Seafoam Islands Gym Leaders couldn't help but feel a bit resentful.
They'd been Pokémon Trainers for so many years and still didn't have Champion-level Pokémon.
Yet Riku, an unregistered nobody, had managed to capture one through sheer luck.
---
"To be frank, is there a salary for joining this temporary defense force?"
"You know my situation…"
"Yes, there is!" Grandma Chih interrupted.
"And it's higher than you can imagine."
---
"All right then! I'm in."
Riku nodded.
If he could earn money and help the Orange Archipelago at the same time, why not?
Besides, May had already joined.
As a man, he had to step up!
--------More Bonus Chapters!!!!
Every 300 power stones = 1 Bonus Chapter