Exhausted from two sleepless days, Su Feng collapsed onto his bed after a quick shower.
Back when Blaziken was still a Combusken, he could snuggle with it for warmth. But now, at over two meters tall, his fiery companion had to bunk in the room next to Gengar's.
Luckily, Su Feng had a new cuddle buddy—his recently acquired Growlithe!
Basking in the puppy's warmth, Su Feng sighed contentedly… until an icy chill crept up from beneath the blankets. He yanked the covers back to find Alolan Vulpix curled up against his side.
Su Feng blinked. "What are you doing here?"
He'd built the little fox a custom ice den shortly after her birth. It should've been comfortable enough.
"Vuu~ (Mama~)" Vulpix nuzzled his chest with big, azure eyes.
"!?"
Su Feng's fatigue evaporated. "Say that again!"
"Vuu! (Mama!)"
Tears welled in Su Feng's eyes—his "daughter's" first word! But why mama? No one had taught her that!
And no "daddy" kink, thanks.
"Repeat after me: Papa," he coaxed.
"Vuu? (Mama?)"
"Papa~"
"Vuu! (Mama!)"
Su Feng: "..."
Clearly, Vulpix was just mimicking sounds without understanding. Patience. She's only a month old.
Resigned, he hugged Growlithe with one arm and Vulpix with the other, enduring their clashing temperatures as he drifted into a bittersweet slumber.
Next Morning
After breakfast for his four Pokémon, Su Feng inventoried his volcanic haul—by far his most lucrative trip yet.
Top Prizes:
Two Mega Stones (unidentified, but valuable for future partners).
Fire-type Z-Crystal (pending a Z-Ring from Butterfree for Inferno Overdrive).
At least that move's dance is manly. Imagine doing Pikachu's "Pika Papow" routine live… He shuddered at the thought. Leave the cute dances to the girls.
Evolution Stones:
Four Fire Stones (one premium-grade, reserved for Growlithe).
One Ice Stone (awaiting a better specimen for Vulpix).
One Sun Stone (miscellaneous).
Held Items:
Heat Rock, Flame Orb, etc. (useful but niche).
Selecting a Charcoal, he fashioned it into a necklace for Growlithe to boost Fire-type moves passively.
Growlithe's Assessment
Level 8 – Perfect for molding.
Ability: Intimidate (lowers foe's Attack) – S-tier utility.
Hidden Ability: Justified (boosts Attack when hit by Dark moves) – Situational.
Then he checked the moveset.
"Ember, Leer, Howl, Bite… and Raging Fury."
"Raging Fury."
"RAGING FURY!?"
Su Feng nearly flung the puppy across the room. "Is this even legal?!"
Jokes aside, Raging Fury was an egg move—exclusive to three Pokémon: Infernape, the Legendary Pecharunt, and Hisuian Arcanine. Since Growlithe was the only species that could inherit it, Su Feng pieced together:
Father: Hisuian Arcanine.
Mother: Standard Arcanine.
A cross-regional hybrid!
Magmortar had mentioned finding Growlithe at the volcano's base. Why abandon such a gifted pup?
Shaking off the mystery, Su Feng packed up and leashed Growlithe and Vulpix for a city tour—and to scout his Pokémon Academy's first students.
Time to recruit.