Dragonite continued flying low, Lucas still shaken as he looked up.
The black clouds above were filled with thunder and lightning, flashes illuminating half the sky. The rain started pouring down, and Lucas wondered if Naranja Academy could even open tomorrow.
He managed to get back to the farm before he was soaked through, planning to heat water and give Dragonite and Poliwag a hot bath.
But just as he realized the weather had turned, he should have immediately gathered the farm Pokémon to shelter from the rain. Luxray, returning from Thunder Lake, walked back toward the farm, head held high, something clamped in its mouth.
Lucas: "???"
He remembered Luxray's ability was Guts, not Pickup!
Why had it brought back another mysterious charred object?
Last time it was a Moltres—was it an Articuno or Zapdos this time?
Lucas quickly opened the door to let Luxray in. Water dripped from Luxray's fur. After dropping the object, Luxray walked to a quiet spot and shook itself dry.
Other Pokémon taking shelter in the house gathered around, gazing curiously at the creature Luxray had brought back.
Since its chest and belly were still visibly moving, Lucas classified it as a Pokémon, albeit an unknown one for now.
It was a bird Pokémon, but its identifiable feathers were all burnt black, some even falling out. As someone who owned an Electric-type Luxray, Lucas recognized the marks as lightning damage.
Thinking of the thunderstorm still raging outside, Lucas guessed this Pokémon had been flying through the sky, but unlike Dragonite, lacked experience and sharp senses. It had been unlucky, failing to notice the lightning brewing in the clouds, and was struck down.
Scanning his Pokémon, aside from Swampert and the three little Poliwags—who had probably returned to Thunder Lake—everyone else was inside, sheltering from the rain.
He knew his main battlers well. Over the past year, they'd relied on medicine or Pokémon Centers to heal injuries; none knew healing moves.
Poliwag, Moltres, and Growlithe couldn't learn healing moves for others; only the Eldegoss had the potential, but even then, none of his three had learned Aromatherapy or Pollen Puff yet.
So, he had to rely on good old human medicine.
After a moment's thought, Lucas said to Serperior, "Could you fetch the medical kit from upstairs? If this Pokémon's injuries aren't treated, it might not survive."
Serperior nodded, slithering upstairs.
Soon, Serperior returned, carrying a large medical kit with its vines. Lucas took it, quickly got out some healing spray and paralyze heal, then had Ceruledge fetch two Sitrus Berries from the kitchen.
Skilled with first aid, Lucas treated the Pokémon's wounds. As he worked, he identified the unlucky Pokémon by its outline.
It was a Delibird, an Ice/Flying type. Not an Articuno, but still of the same typing.
His main impression of Delibird came from the anime's Team Rocket, whose Delibird's tail was hollow—when it was lifted and something put inside, it looked like a bag.
That's how Team Rocket's Delibird delivered Poké Balls all over.
This Delibird was quite large—its tail almost as big as a sack. If it had a flock, it was probably the leader.
After treating Delibird, Lucas found a spot far from Moltres and the burning fireplace to settle it.
As an Ice-type, Delibird was sensitive to heat, and placing it by the fireplace would only add to its pain.
Judging by its current state, Delibird wouldn't wake up soon. Lucas checked his phone—it was already 9 p.m.
Though the rain outside was only getting heavier, he couldn't guarantee it'd last all day. Best to get some sleep and be ready for his first Naranja Academy class.
…
The next morning, Lucas was woken by the howling wind outside.
He opened his eyes—just past 7 a.m. He tucked the Mimikyu sleeping on his chest under the warm covers, then moved Serperior's tail tip aside.
Softly, Lucas got out of bed, barefoot, and noticed his right slipper was missing again.
Most likely, Growlithe had snuck in while he slept and carried it off to play. Sighing, he felt a headache coming on.
Growlithe was getting more and more like a mischievous husky...
Lucas didn't want to think about it.
Stepping over the sprawled, belly-up Dragonite on the carpet, Lucas went to the window and frowned at the sky.
The rain was only getting heavier, with no sign of stopping.
He cracked the window—a cold gust immediately swept in.
"Drago~"
Dragonite, sleeping soundly on the carpet, pawed its belly, shivering, then curled up tighter in its sleep.
Lucas quickly shut the window, glancing guiltily at Dragonite—luckily, it didn't wake up.
Rubbing his eyes, Lucas felt any drowsiness vanish in the cold. Time to get dressed and head to Naranja Academy.
Yawning, he headed for the door. As he grabbed the handle, his phone buzzed in his pajama pocket.
He paused, took it out, and saw a group message.
It was from Director Harrington of Naranja Academy.
[Notice to all faculty: Due to extreme weather, today's outdoor classes are suspended. Students will stay in classrooms or the library for self-study. Below is the list of suspended classes.]
Lucas looked—Battle Studies was right there.