NOVEL NEXT Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Cocoon
Whether it was the victory in battle or the encounter with Ho-Oh, Jiang Yu couldn't stop smiling as he rode on the back of Larvesta.
Back at the lab, Jiang Yu happened to run into Xia Shuhua, who had just returned. She had been smiling, but the moment she saw Jiang Yu sitting on Larvesta, her expression darkened instantly.
Seeing Xia Shuhua's livid face, Jiang Yu, who had initially wanted to greet her, felt his heart skip a beat. He quickly jumped off Larvesta and walked up to her.
"Mom, what's wrong? You don't look well."
Unexpectedly, Xia Shuhua grabbed Jiang Yu's ear and spun him around with a 360-degree Thomas spin, scolding angrily:
"You're quite something, huh?! You know she's not in good health, but you still dared to ride on her?! Are you that brave? Speak up!"
"Ahh! It hurts! Mom, let go! I was wrong!" Jiang Yu bent down as much as possible, trying to ease the pain.
Meanwhile, Larvesta looked aggrieved, rubbing her small claws together and nudging Xia Shuhua with her head.
[I let him sit. It's not his fault.]
Larvesta's immature voice echoed in their hearts.
"You forced her to let you ride? Huh?" Xia Shuhua became even angrier.
Hey!!! If you're going to explain, do it properly! What's with that pitiful look? And your claws tapping? You were the one who told me to sit on you!
While complaining about Larvesta in his head, Jiang Yu shouted out loud, "I'm going to die! Let go! I was wrong, Mom! I won't do it again!"
[I tattled to Mom (^▽^)]
…
Jiang Yu rubbed his ears and looked at Larvesta, suddenly having a bad feeling.
Originally, he wanted to tell his mom about his victory in battle, but considering the situation—well, never mind. It wasn't that he didn't want to share; he just preferred to stay low-key.
Jiang Yu then checked Larvesta's stats:
Pokémon: Larvesta
Type: Bug/Fire
Gender: Female
Ability: Flame Body
Held Item: Sacred Feather (Contains Holy Fire)
Potential: Champion (Unstable)
Condition: Near Death
Level: 8
Moves: Ember, String Shot, Morning Sun, Struggle Bug, Bug Buzz, Zen Headbutt, Screech, Quiver Dance, Fiery Dance, Gust, Heat Wave, Rage Powder
Description: This is a Pokémon with incredible talent. It harbors two energies that exceed normal standards. After absorbing energy from Ho-Oh, its body weakened, but an indescribable transformation is occurring.
Jiang Yu was shocked. Suddenly, Larvesta's exoskeleton began to crack, and her once-bright fur dulled as if it had been scorched.
[Jiang Yu, I'm so hot and itchy… I feel like I'm growing a brain.]
As if to emphasize its words, the temperature in the room skyrocketed, forcing Jiang Yu to push open the door and rush into the hallway.
Standing outside, he watched as Larvesta inside the room started glowing white. Then, an immense amount of silk threads gushed from her mouth, wrapping around her until she was fully encased in a massive cocoon.
Xia Shuhua and Fang Yu, who had rushed over upon hearing the commotion, were stunned speechless at the sight.
"This is…"
"What?!" Jiang Yu and Xia Shuhua immediately turned to Fang Yu.
"I don't know… I just didn't finish my sentence…" Fang Yu looked at them blankly.
Jiang Yu and Xia Shuhua were speechless.
"Son, what happened?" Xia Shuhua asked urgently.
"I went to the Battle Park with Larvesta for a match this afternoon. On the way back, golden feathers and some cotton-like substance suddenly fell from the sky. I looked up and saw a giant bird Pokémon flying high above," Jiang Yu recalled.
"I saw those things fall onto Larvesta, and they slowly merged into her body. After returning to the room, she started feeling hot, and then she turned into this cocoon."
The two women exchanged glances.
"It can't be… that one?"
"It has to be. I just received word from the League."
Then, unable to hide their shock, they spoke in envious tones.
"You encountered the legendary Pokémon—Ho-Oh, the divine beast of the Shenzhou League."
"Every time Ho-Oh appears, it brings good fortune. It looks like this time is no exception." Fang Yu looked at Larvesta's cocoon.
"Without a doubt, she's about to experience the greatest opportunity of her life."
"I'm going to get the medical scanner. You two stay with her." Xia Shuhua quickly left.
Back in the room, Jiang Yu and Fang Yu sat on the sofa, watching the massive cocoon in silence, as if it were lifeless.
Before long, Xia Shuhua returned, pushing a cart with medical equipment. She swiftly assembled it.
"Beep! Beep! Beep!"
"Scanning initiated."
The three of them waited quietly. Feeling a bit bored, Fang Yu turned on the TV. The 8 PM news was on:
"On the afternoon of July 7, Year 14 of the Pokémon Era, a giant bird Pokémon was sighted over the capital. Many people witnessed golden light falling from the sky. According to surveillance, this was a substance containing gentle energy. Witnesses who came into contact with it reported that it passed through their bodies and could not be collected."
"According to an official statement from the League, this Pokémon is Ho-Oh, the guardian of the Shenzhou Alliance. In ancient times, its appearance was believed to herald great fortune…"
Just then, Jiang Yu's phone began vibrating nonstop. Wen Hao was spamming him in their group chat.
A Real Man Only Needs Five Seconds (Wen Hao): "@Urgent @Urgent I saw the news! The legendary Pokémon appeared in Beijing! Did you see it?!"
Urgent (Jiang Yu): "Yeah, I saw it. Just happened to pass by."
Nonomi (Su Qianqian): "Wow, so jealous!"
A Real Man Only Needs Five Seconds (Wen Hao): "As expected of the man who can fence with me for more than five seconds! I'm looking forward to battling you even more now!"
Nonomi (Su Qianqian): "You're so annoying."
Nonomi (Su Qianqian): "@Urgent How's the egg? Did it hatch successfully?"
Urgent (Jiang Yu): "It hatched successfully."
Jiang Yu sent a random photo of Larvesta.
A Real Man Only Needs Five Seconds (Wen Hao): "She's huge! Can she even fit in your bed?"
Nonomi (Su Qianqian): "???"
A Real Man Only Needs Five Seconds was muted by the group owner (Nonomi).
Urgent (Jiang Yu): "…"
Nonomi (Su Qianqian): "She really is big. She must be super strong. (So jealous…)"
Ji Ji Ji (Jiang Yu): "She's alright, but she eats, sleeps, and causes trouble all day. (I'm secretly proud, praise her already!)"
Nonomi (Su Qianqian): "…When are you coming back?"
Urgent (Jiang Yu): "Maybe when school starts. She's still a bit weak, and her Ember is different from other Pokémon's. We need to monitor her for a while."
—
"Everything looks good. She's in excellent health," Xia Shuhua said happily.
"It seems Ho-Oh's energy reshaped her body, allowing her to endure both energies. This Pokémon might truly rise like the sun," Fang Yu murmured.
Then, she turned to Jiang Yu with a teasing look.
"You weren't the one chosen by Ho-Oh, so why is your Larvesta the only Pokémon able to absorb that energy?"
Xia Shuhua spoke seriously: "Please keep this a secret. You understand what this could mean to certain people."
Fang Yu nodded. "Of course. But I have one request. If the time ever comes, I'd like to study Ho-Oh's flames. You understand why. That power could change the fate of many Pokémon."
Jiang Yu smirked. "Sure, Aunt Fang. If that day comes, talk to the Toucannon about it."
"…What?"