While Riku was talking to Lorelei, the three legendary birds and Groudon returned once.
However, the three legendary birds were still flying in the sky. Lapras, who saw them from afar, immediately issued a warning.
When they learned that Lorelei—one of the Elite Four—was actually inside the small wooden house, the three legendary birds and Groudon panicked.
Especially Groudon.
Last night, Groudon had actually considered using the tactic of "killing the chicken to scare the person" by seriously injuring one of the Champion Trainers.
Among the four, Lorelei had been the slowest to escape. At that time, Groudon had nearly acted.
If it had known that Lorelei was acquainted with Master, Groudon wouldn't have dared approach—let alone consider attacking.
What if Lorelei turned out to be Master's lover? Groudon felt that its little life would be in danger.
Fortunately, before Groudon could panic for too long, Lapras recounted everything it had seen.
This allowed the three legendary birds and Groudon to breathe a sigh of relief.
However, Lorelei had seen them—and with her Elite Four-level intuition, even if they shrank or changed forms, she would still sense something was off.
So the three legendary birds and Groudon decided not to return while Lorelei was staying in the small wooden house.
The four legendary Pokémon hid in a small forest, where they held a discussion.
Very quickly, they all felt that their chances of returning to the wooden house were slim.
In the minds of the three legendary birds and Groudon, their Master Riku was an old pervert, and Lorelei was undoubtedly a great beauty among human Trainers.
When they heard Lapras mention that Riku had kissed the woman while she was unconscious, it became hard to say whether she might become their mistress in the future!
---
After greeting Lorelei, Riku led Lapras into the berry forest.
Before long, he saw the three birds and the Red Shrimp lying on the ground in disarray, looking like a bunch of bandits.
Helpless, Riku could only cough lightly.
Seeing the four slowly open their eyes, he asked helplessly,
"What's wrong with you guys? You didn't come home—not even last night."
The three legendary birds and Groudon exchanged a look, then immediately pulled out the excuse they had previously discussed.
"Master, didn't we tell you what happened last night?"
"The three birds were bullied by a bunch of Poochyena. As their big brother, I had to stand up for them. Don't worry, I already handled that group of Poochyena."
"Bullshit! Who said you were our big brother? We can deal with Poochyena ourselves."
"Tsk tsk tsk, I wonder who lost to Poochyena and made Master so angry last time."
"Don't talk nonsense! We didn't lose at all!"
The three legendary birds and Groudon seemed to be arguing and mocking each other, but in truth, they were acting.
If they were to participate in the show "Actor, Please Be Seated," the four of them would surely earn an S-rank.
They didn't really want to act this way either.
But since Riku knew them so well, if their performances weren't convincing enough, they'd be exposed.
Last time, Articuno had even sacrificed itself for the act. A little argument today was nothing in comparison.
"Alright, alright," Riku waved his hand.
"It's just Poochyena—kids fighting, and you're making it sound like some grand battle between legendary Pokémon."
"By the way! A legendary Pokémon really did appear last night and fought with one of the Indigo League's Elite Four…"
"Master, how do you know?" Groudon blurted out, only realizing after speaking that it had let the cat out of the bag.
What a stupid shrimp!
The three legendary birds immediately glared at Groudon. If Riku found out more, they would definitely make Groudon pay.
But Riku didn't seem to pay much attention. Shaking his head, he said:
"I picked up a Champion Trainer on the beach this morning. Her name is Lorelei, and she's resting in our small wooden house now."
"Master, this is not appropriate," Zapdos immediately interjected.
"The small wooden house isn't that big. If she sleeps in your room, where will you sleep?"
"It's better to let her leave as soon as possible."
"That's right, that's right," Moltres echoed.
"Besides, these so-called Champion-level Trainers coming to the Orange Archipelago out of the blue definitely don't have good intentions."
"Master, if you shelter her and it causes problems in the Orange Archipelago, how will you live with yourself?"
"And May," Groudon added fuel to the fire,
"May really likes the Orange Archipelago. Everyone can see she likes Master."
"If Master shelters a woman—a powerful woman who might have designs on the Orange Archipelago—who knows what May will think?"
Suddenly, Groudon and the three legendary birds all clasped their hands (or wings) and pleaded,
"Please think twice!"
"What's with all this nonsense?" Riku frowned.
"She'll probably just stay a day or two. Once her fever subsides and her Pokémon recover, she'll leave."
"Also, stop bringing up romantic relationships. Why are you all so nervous? Are you afraid Lorelei's Pokémon will bully you?"
"How is that possible!" Groudon said disdainfully.
"Her Pokémon are nothing. If they dare to act up in front of me, I'll teach them how to behave properly!"
"Master, we still—"
"My mind is made up. Don't say anymore," Riku shook his head.
"Besides, I also want to learn more about Pokémon from a veteran Champion-level Trainer. Such a good teacher—I can't let her go so easily."
"You guys aren't coming back, are you? Then I'm going back to eat."
The moment food was mentioned, the mouths of the three legendary birds and Groudon watered profusely.
They hadn't eaten since last night, and now they were starving.
But with Lorelei in the small wooden house, they couldn't go back. If they were discovered, who knew what Riku would do to them afterward.
---
Back in the small wooden house.
Unexpectedly, Lorelei wasn't in the room. She was in the living room, carefully examining Ralts's egg.
"Don't touch it," Riku said nervously.
"Be careful."
"I'm just looking," Lorelei stepped back.
"What kind of Pokémon egg is this? I've never seen it before."
Riku first checked the egg to confirm it hadn't been touched. Only then did he reply,
"It's a Ralts's egg. It seems to have changed a bit recently. I was just about to ask you about it."
"Ralts's egg? No way." Lorelei examined it again from every angle. It didn't resemble the Ralts's egg she remembered.
"It's true," Riku nodded.
"If you don't believe me, you can wait until it hatches... though you'll probably be gone by then."
"Not necessarily," Lorelei paused in thought.
"If I'm not mistaken, this egg will hatch next week. You should prepare yourself."
"What?! Ral is coming out?" Riku shuddered, his entire face lighting up with excitement.
He had even picked out a nickname, showing just how much he loved and looked forward to this new life.
---Support with power stones