On Sunday, the long-lasting rain finally eased. A few rays of light occasionally pierced through the thick, dark clouds, like threads of hope, adding a touch of brightness to the damp world.
Miraidon carried Chen Kai, gliding through the air.
A gentle breeze brushed their faces, carrying the unique freshness and coolness of the post-rain air, quietly sweeping away some of Chen Kai's fatigue.
Huang Mao was still busy in Da City with the revival of Aerodactyl, so Chen Kai had to look after Larvitar for a while longer.
At this moment, Larvitar was also sitting on Miraidon's back. Like free birds, they glided lightly through the low sky, their gaze casually sweeping across the land.
Not far away, a scattering of red caught their eyes. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a large grove of Leppa Berry trees.
Autumn is inherently the season of harvest, and one by one, plump, crimson Leppa Berries hung heavily from the branches, like rubies adorning a emerald velvet carpet, emitting a sweet fragrance that seemed to reach their noses from a distance.
Chen Kai's interest was immediately piqued. Nowadays, he rarely ventured into small Berry groves, as he had to leave some food for wild Pokemon.
He and Miraidon had been searching for large Berry groves so that even if they picked a lot, it wouldn't affect the livelihood of the Pokemon in Area Zero.
To find such a grove, they had even glided almost to the border of Cheng City.
Chen Kai pointed at the Leppa Berry grove and said to Miraidon, "Miraidon, let's go there!"
Miraidon immediately adjusted its gliding direction, lowering its body slightly, and accelerated towards the Leppa Berry grove.
Chen Kai's heart was already filled with anticipation of the joy of a bountiful harvest in that orchard.
However, Larvitar was not so happy.
After eating Berries all day yesterday, its initial excitement wore off, and its enthusiasm gradually faded. It was already a bit tired of them.
Moreover, Berries have a high water content, and eating too many always led to frequent trips to the bathroom. Last night, it almost wet the bed.
But eating dirt, although it could supplement energy, was incredibly inefficient. After eating a large basin of dirt, it would take a long time to absorb even a tiny bit of nutrition.
But it couldn't go hungry. Given the two choices, it reluctantly climbed onto a Leppa Berry tree, found a sturdy branch to sit on, reached out, picked an apple, and slowly began to eat it.
Seeing this, Chen Kai shook his head with a smile. This Larvitar was getting picky.
Seeing Larvitar happily eating on the tree, the 'smacking' sounds were particularly clear in the quiet Leppa Berry grove.
Chen Kai decided to pick more Leppa Berries while autumn was in full swing.
This type of Berry was among the easiest to preserve, probably lasting until winter, allowing them to occasionally enjoy the taste of Berries even then.
Chen Kai moved among the fruit trees, his gaze carefully searching for large, red Leppa Berries.
He came to a thick Leppa Berry tree, stood on his tiptoes, and reached for a Leppa Berry hanging high up. The Leppa Berry was shining red, looking even more tempting against the green leaves.
His fingers moved closer to the Leppa Berry, and just as he was about to touch it, a slight prickling sensation suddenly came from his palm.
Chen Kai instinctively pulled back his hand, frowning slightly, and looked at his palm in confusion, feeling as if this scene was familiar.
Upon closer inspection, it was indeed an Applin.
After biting Chen Kai, this Applin jumped onto a nearby branch and glared down at Chen Kai, letting out a sharp, piercing Growl, as if aggressively warning Chen Kai that this was its territory.
Chen Kai couldn't help but find it amusing. He then released Hydrapple from its Poké Ball:
"Big Boss, don't you think this scene is very familiar?"
Big Boss gave an awkward smile, recalling how it had bitten Chen Kai in the same way back then. Then, it turned to greet this Applin:
"Mii, Mii!" (Hello there, little one!)
The other six worm-like snakes had never seen an Applin before. Hearing the commotion, they all poked their heads out at once, startling the Applin on the tree!
In the Applin's eyes, Hydrapple was quite similar to it, both hidden within an apple. Perhaps it was its evolved form.
But how could this senior have seven heads! It had never seen a worm-like snake that looked like this, and it couldn't even imagine what it would be like to grow seven heads!
It cried out in panic, and faintly, more figures could be seen moving among the branches and leaves around the forest.
Immediately after, many Applin jumped out from the forest, and there were also a few Flapple and Appletun bringing up the rear, but no Hydrapple appeared.
For some reason, Chen Kai felt the atmosphere suddenly become tense.
The Applin, Flapple, and Appletun seemed to regard Hydrapple as an outsider.
Big Boss tried to explain, but the other side ignored it. Looking at their expressions, they seemed to be shouting something, but Chen Kai couldn't understand what they were saying.
Seeing this, Si Dang Jia cursed a couple of times in anger, looking as if it wanted to start a fight.
Chen Kai speculated that Pokemon often reject those of different colors or similar-looking outsiders, just as Virizion strongly rejected Iron Leaves.
Just as Chen Kai was about to step forward to mediate, the Applin stirred again, then automatically parted to both sides, and an elderly Appletun slowly walked out from behind them.
The color of this elder's body was lighter than other Appletun, and the two leaves on its back were already grizzled. If Chen Kai hadn't looked closely, he would have thought it was a Drampa.
Its shell bore the mottled marks of time, exuding an aura of unspoken authority.
Immediately after, the elderly Appletun turned to Hydrapple and Chen Kai, its eyes devoid of the hostility of the earlier Applin, instead carrying a hint of gentleness and politeness.
It bowed slightly and spoke in a calm and slow tone. Through Big Boss's translation, the general meaning was: "Hydrapple and human from afar. My juniors are ignorant; please do not take offense."
Chen Kai thought, this old Dragon must have lived for many years! Area Zero had not been visited by humans for a long time, yet it still recognized humans.
At the same time, Chen Kai quickly responded, "It's alright, it's alright. It was our fault for picking apples without understanding the situation. We also have our shortcomings."
The Hydrapple also nodded in unison, acknowledging the elder's apology.
A tense conflict seemed to have been defused in a few words after the appearance of this elderly Appletun.
Afterward, the old Dragon led Chen Kai and the others to a hidden cave deep within the fruit grove.
The cave entrance was half-hidden by dense Vines. If Chen Kai hadn't paid close attention, he wouldn't have noticed it at all.
Upon entering the cave, a sweet scent wafted towards them, fresh and rich, as if it blended the fragrance of various ripe fruits, making one feel joyful upon smelling it.
At the same time, the cave floor was piled with various kinds of Berries, the most numerous of which were naturally Leppa Berries.
The old Dragon invited Chen Kai and Hydrapple to sit on a flat rock, and let the other Applin go about their business. It then slowly lay down beside them and said in a gentle tone, "Friends from afar, this is where we store our food, and we also rest here daily. You might as well rest here for a while; we can chat."
Afterward, the human and two Dragons chatted. Chen Kai learned that this Appletun had lived for nearly a thousand years, had seen humans, and also knew Hydrapple.
Chen Kai couldn't help but sigh, 'As expected of a Dragon! Their lifespan is truly long.'
Next, Chen Kai and the others learned that although rare, honey apples did exist in Area Zero in the past. Unfortunately, due to natural disasters and misfortunes, honey apples became extinct in Area Zero, and now only Tart Apples and Sweet Apples remain.
No wonder Chen Kai had only seen Flapple and Appletun outside.
As they chatted, the old Dragon didn't ask much about where Chen Kai came from, only asking if he could get honey apples, even just the seeds, offering various treasures in exchange.
As it spoke, it began to lead Chen Kai and the others deeper into the cave, claiming the treasures were hidden inside.
Chen Kai quickly waved his hand, indicating there was no need. He had gone to great lengths to get honey apples back then, and now he really couldn't guarantee it:
"I can try, but I can't guarantee it will work!"
The old Dragon nodded, indicating that Chen Kai only needed to do his best, and it would not force him.
