ALL NOVEL Chapter 48: Visitors in the Shadows
"That's right, this will be our second home from now on!" Angie said to Munchlax, Diancie, and Komala.
"Munchlax~ Munchlax~"
Munchlax cheered, spreading its arms and running around the living room in excitement before diving onto the couch.
The couch was very bouncy, and Munchlax giggled as it bounced up and down on it.
"Hey, Munchlax," Angie cautioned, "if you keep bouncing like that, you might break the couch."
Hearing this, Munchlax quickly slid off the couch and patted it gently, realizing that if it got broken, they'd have to spend money on a new one.
It then scampered over to Angie, taking his hand with a sweet look on its face.
Amused, Angie said, "Don't worry, as long as you don't go overboard, the couch should be fine."
Munchlax sighed in relief and even patted its own chest, looking so adorable that Angie couldn't resist pinching its chubby cheeks.
"Come on, let's go check out the first and second floors," Angie suggested.
The family of four headed downstairs.
Once they reached the second floor, Angie turned his head to Diancie and Munchlax and said, "Diancie, Munchlax, you two keep exploring. I'm going to head to the Nebel River to pick up Fletchling's mom. She's still waiting for me there."
"Munchlax~ Munchlax~"
Munchlax began gesturing animatedly to Angie, and with Diancie's help as translator, Angie understood that Fletchling, along with Espurr and Flabébé, had all evolved that morning. Now, Fletchling's mom should be called Fletchinder's mom.
Surprised, Angie exclaimed, "Really? What a coincidence!"
"Munchlax~ Munchlax~ Munchlax~"
They must have evolved because of the breakfast I made for them—I'm amazing!
Munchlax lifted its head high with pride, nose in the air.
"Yes, yes, you're amazing," Angie said, patting its head in resignation. "Look at how pleased you are."
"Munchlax~"
Munchlax chuckled sheepishly.
"You all keep exploring; I need to go, or Fletchinder's mom will get worried." With that, Angie held Komala and left the shop.
Arriving at the Nebel River outside the city, Angie called out to the nearby woods, "Fletchinder's mom!"
A strong gust of wind stirred as Fletchinder's mom flew out of the trees.
"Hungry?" Angie asked, taking out the lunch he'd prepared for her. "Here, enjoy!"
"Talonflame~"
Fletchinder's mom chirped gratefully as she began to eat.
"Oh, by the way, I have some good news," Angie continued, "your little Fletchling has evolved into a Fletchinder!"
Fletchinder's mom looked up in surprise and delight.
"It evolved just this morning, so hurry up and eat! Once you're done, we'll head back together, and you'll get to see your evolved Fletchinder at home," Angie said.
Fletchinder's mom nodded and quickly finished off a big bowl of buns and steamed buns.
After finishing, Fletchinder's mom was about to let Diancie ride on her back to fly back to the Nebel Plateau when Angie said, "Follow me; I have a faster way to get you home."
Although Fletchinder's mom was puzzled, she obediently flapped her wings and followed Angie.
Once they entered the city, Fletchinder's mom and Angie boarded the cable car. Fletchinder's mom had never ridden anything like it, so Angie suggested she try it for the experience.
She crouched nervously by Angie's feet, looking around, but soon became captivated by the bustling Azoth Kingdom.
There were so many people here!
The lively Azoth Kingdom and the peaceful Nebel Plateau each had their own beauty.
As Fletchinder's mom watched almost everyone get along harmoniously with their Pokémon, she suddenly felt that humans might not be as scary as everyone said.
Seeing this, Angie gently stroked her back and said, "There are bad people in this world, but there are more good people, so don't be so afraid to interact with humans.
"Of course, if you ever go out alone and meet a stranger, it's still good to stay cautious."
Fletchinder's mom nodded.
After getting off the cable car, Angie and the others needed to walk a short distance back to the shop.
Wanting to get back quickly, Angie decided to take a shortcut and led Komala and Fletchinder's mom down a quiet street.
As they walked, a shadow suddenly darted into Angie's own shadow at such speed that he couldn't make out what it was.
Before Angie could investigate, he heard hurried footsteps. Soon, a man and a woman appeared in front of them.
The man was tall with a fierce face, accompanied by a Houndoom.
The woman, tall and sporting a cool expression, had short red hair that looked very rebellious, and a Banette by her side.
"Prince Angie? What brings you here?" the man asked in surprise upon seeing Angie.
"And you are... Levi, Alva's subordinate, right?" Angie tried to recall the man's name.
"Yes, I'm glad you remember me, Your Highness," Levi replied.
"So, this is Prince Angie?" the woman beside Levi looked Angie up and down.
"And you are?"
The woman's gaze was impolite, causing Angie's brow to crease slightly.
Smiling, she introduced herself, "My name is Cherie. I work with Levi. It's an honor to meet you here, Your Highness."
"Prince Angie, did you happen to see a Haunter pass by just now?" Levi asked.
Angie shook his head, "No, did you lose a Haunter? What happened?"
Levi explained, "We're trying to catch it for Lord Alva, but it's quite fast."
Angie asked, puzzled, "Lord Alva needs others to help him catch Pokémon?"
Levi and Cherie looked slightly embarrassed.
Angie, with a meaningful look, said to them, "It's best to catch your own Pokémon yourself."
Levi replied, "I'll pass your words on to Lord Alva."
"Alright then, I'll be on my way. See you." With that, Angie, Komala, and Fletchinder's mom continued on their way.
"Goodbye, Your Highness."
"Goodbye, Your Highness."
Levi and Cherie watched Angie's figure as he walked away.
Soon, Angie and his group arrived at home. Fletchinder's mom looked at the small building in front of them, puzzled. Angie smiled and explained, "This will be our new home in Azoth Kingdom!"
Fletchinder's mom immediately grew excited.
"Talonflame… Talonflame…"
Angie, are you moving away from the Nebel Plateau?
Angie quickly reassured her, "Calm down! This place will just be for business; my real home is still the Nebel Plateau. That will never change."
Even without understanding Pokémon language, Angie knew what Fletchinder's mom wanted to say.
"Talonflame… Talonflame…"
Hearing this, Fletchinder's mom sighed in relief. They were all used to Angie being on the Nebel Plateau.
"Come on, I'll take you inside for a look. Later, we'll be heading back to the Nebel Plateau from here." Angie pushed open the shop door as he spoke.
"Munchlax!"
Angie, you're back!
Seeing Angie enter, Diancie and Munchlax, who were chatting in the hall, leapt off their chairs with excitement.
"Talonflame… Talonflame…"
Fletchinder's mom waved her wings in greeting to the two Pokémon.
"We're back." Angie also greeted the two Pokémon with a smile.
Then Angie glanced at his shadow and stomped lightly, saying, "It's safe here; you can come out now."
Diancie and the others looked at Angie's shadow in surprise.
After a few seconds, a Haunter slowly floated out of Angie's shadow, though it seemed a bit wary as it eyed Angie's group.
In a gentle tone, Angie said to Haunter, "Don't be afraid. We won't hurt you."
Haunter stared at Angie for a while, then seemed to remember something, and its gaze softened slightly.
However, it still didn't approach Angie, choosing instead to drift slowly toward the wall, vanishing into it in the blink of an eye.
"Wait!" Angie called out, taking out a bag of leftover buns and steamed buns from Fletchinder's mom and holding it out. "This is for you."
After a while, an arm reached out from the wall, quickly grabbed the buns and steamed buns, and disappeared just as quickly.
"Well, have you all finished the tour? If so, let's head home," Angie said to Diancie and the others.
"We're done; let's go."
With that, Angie led the Pokémon through a space portal back to the Nebel Plateau.
Back home, after seeing Fletchinder's mom off, the family of four sat around the table, and Angie said, "Shouldn't we come up with a name for the new shop?"
"Yes, we should," Diancie nodded. "What should we call it?"
"Munchlax… Munchlax…"
Munchlax eagerly raised its hand.
Angie chuckled, "Alright, Munchlax, let's hear your suggestion."
"Munchlax… Munchlax…"
Munchlax cleared its throat dramatically, putting on a serious expression. Angie and Diancie exchanged glances and stifled their laughter.
Munchlax was everyone's little joy-bringer.
"Munchlax… Munchlax…"
How about we call it 'Angie, Diancie, Komala, and Munchlax's Restaurant'?
Angie: ...
Diancie: ...
Komala: zzZZ
"Munchlax, that name is way too long. No one will remember it," Angie said.
"Munchlax…"
Munchlax sat back down, disappointed.
However, as soon as it sat down, it sprang up again like a jack-in-the-box, looking at Angie with sparkling eyes.
"Munchlax~"
Master!
Angie asked, puzzled, "Munchlax, did you come up with another good name?"
"Munchlax~"
Munchlax grinned proudly.
"Please share, Munchlax," Angie said, holding back a laugh.
"Munchlax~ Munchlax~ Munchlax~"
Let's call it 'Angie's Cozy Nest'!
Angie couldn't help but laugh and cry at the suggestion, thinking it sounded nothing like a restaurant name.
At this moment, Diancie suggested, "How about 'Munchlax's Home'?"
"That name isn't bad," Angie mused, deep in thought.
Munchlax froze for a second, then shyly covered its face.
"Munchlax… Munchlax…"
You… you're letting… me name it?
"Don't like it?" Angie asked with a smile.
"Munchlax… Munchlax…"
Like it… like it.
Munchlax became even more bashful.
Angie pinched its cheek, "You know how to be shy, huh?" He continued, "Since we've named the shop in Azoth Kingdom, let's name the restaurant here at home too." After a few seconds, he added, "Let's call it 'Diancie's Grand Dining Hall.' What do you think?"
"Using my name?" Diancie, feeling both happy and shy, tried to maintain a composed expression befitting a royal lady.
"Yes, one for you and one for Munchlax," Angie said. "Any objections? If not, the names are decided—'Munchlax's Home' in Azoth Kingdom, and 'Diancie's Grand Dining Hall' here at home."
Diancie and Munchlax exchanged a glance and shook their heads, indicating they had no objections.
"Alright, then I'll have two signs made for each shop."
Just as Angie finished deciding on the names, Gardevoir and Gallade returned, levitating several large barrels of Gogoat's milk with their psychic powers.
After they set the milk down and came out of the kitchen, Angie said, "Thank you for all your hard work."
"Gardevoir~ Gardevoir~"
"Gallade~ Gallade~"
Gardevoir and Gallade waved their hands, showing they didn't mind at all.
The work for the day was over, and as the couple was about to head home with their pay, Angie called out to them.
"Gardevoir, Gallade, I have a gift for you both."
He had mentioned before that he'd reward the hardworking couple with a bonus.
Gardevoir and Gallade turned around, looking curious.
A gift?
Angie took out the present he'd bought for them in Azoth Kingdom—a glass cylinder about as thick as an adult's arm, filled with green, viscous liquid.
The couple looked at Angie in confusion, and Angie explained, "This is a special nutrient solution. If you apply it to the surface of your Pokémon egg daily, the baby inside will absorb it and be healthier when it hatches."
The couple's eyes lit up with excitement, but, not wanting to accept something without earning it, they hesitated to take it.
Angie pressed the glass cylinder into Gardevoir's hands, saying, "Take it. If you really want to thank me, then keep working hard."
Gardevoir and Gallade's eyes sparkled with gratitude.
Angie smiled, "Hurry home and use it for your baby. I hope it hatches strong and healthy."
"Gardevoir~ Gardevoir~"
"Gallade~ Gallade~"
Gardevoir and Gallade, delighted, went home with hearts full of joy.
After they left, Angie called Flamel and asked her to help order two signs, carefully describing his requirements for them.
That afternoon, Angie and his family had nothing to do, so they pulled out some chairs and sat on the front porch, enjoying the sun and watching a show.
In the Pokémon world, tablet computers could project images in the air like a TV, making it a comfortable viewing experience.
Angie, Diancie, and Munchlax watched the show and discussed the plot together.
Meanwhile, Meowstic appeared at Angie's front door, hiding behind a flowerbed, hesitating about whether to approach.