Pokémon: No Way! The Golden Finger Only Comes When I'm About To Die!?

"Disappeared? How could it disappear?" Angie exclaimed in shock.

During its time at his home, Infernape had either been in his room or on the rooftop and had never left. How could it suddenly vanish?

"Your Highness, what happened?" Kimia asked, puzzled.

Angie sighed helplessly. "Infernape is gone."

"Gone?" Kimia looked surprised. "Could it be that Infernape doesn't want to leave Your Highness's place?" she speculated.

Angie froze. "That can't be, right? Infernape seems to dislike humans quite a bit."

Kimia replied, "Then why did it disappear as soon as I arrived?"

"Let's not overthink it for now; we should focus on finding Infernape first!" Angie declared.

"Magearna~ Magearna~"

I'll go get everyone to help look for it.

With that, Magearna dashed outside. Halfway through, it tripped and fell, but after getting back up, it continued running.

Soon, all the Pokémon across Nebel Plateau began searching for Infernape.

The Vivillon flew toward the fruit grove.

The Poliwag searched along the lake's shoreline.

The Skiddo and Gogoat scoured the grasslands.

Magearna, accompanied by Volcanion, headed to the flower fields.

...

Everyone searched everywhere, but there was no sign of Infernape.

After finishing their search of the flower fields, Magearna and Volcanion were about to head elsewhere when they suddenly saw Fletchinder rushing toward them.

"Fletchinder~"

Fletchinder squawked, pointing in a direction.

"Magearna~"

Did you find Infernape?

"Fletchinder~"

Fletchinder nodded vigorously.

Following Fletchinder's lead, Magearna and Volcanion finally found Infernape atop two closely intertwined trees on the plateau.

Infernape was perched on a high branch, gazing into the distance.

"Magearna~"

Magearna shouted loudly at Infernape, but it only glanced at her briefly and didn't come down.

Anxious, Magearna tried to climb the tree. Hugging the trunk, she kicked her legs once, twice, three times—only to fall with a loud thud.

"Honestly!" Volcanion extended his arms, picked Magearna up, and said, "There's no way you can climb up there!"

"Magearna~"

Magearna looked crestfallen at his words.

"Alright, alright, I'll help. Climb onto my back," Volcanion said, his exasperation laced with a hint of fondness.

"Magearna~"

Magearna brightened up immediately, hugging Volcanion's head and nuzzling her cheek against his.

Blushing, Volcanion set her on his back. Then, releasing a burst of steam from his arms, he shot into the air, bringing Magearna level with Infernape.

Hovering midair, Volcanion placed Magearna onto the branch where Infernape was sitting.

Magearna wobbled unsteadily, nearly falling off. Just as Volcanion prepared to catch her, Infernape quickly grabbed her.

Once steady, Magearna beamed at Infernape with a sweet smile, but Infernape turned its head away, avoiding her gaze.

Satisfied that Magearna was secure, Volcanion descended to the ground and waited beneath the tree.

"Why did you run away?" Magearna asked, puzzled.

"I didn't run away," Infernape retorted. How could it possibly run away?

"Really?" Magearna looked at Infernape skeptically.

"Of course! Why would I run away?" Infernape replied, its tone betraying a lack of confidence.

Magearna said, "Then come back with me. The princess is here to take you back. If you go with her, you'll see your friends again."

"They're not my friends! I don't have any friends!" Infernape snapped.

The Pokémon that had been imprisoned with it in the facility were brought there from all over the world. Infernape hadn't spent much time with them and didn't consider them friends.

It only felt sorry for them because they were so mistreated by humans.

"No friends?" Magearna was stunned. "Am I not your friend? I thought we were already friends."

Infernape was at a loss for words, flustered by Magearna's declaration. Over the past few days, it had been cared for by Magearna, and of course, it had come to see it as a friend in its heart.

But admitting it? That was too embarrassing.

"You don't want to leave here, do you?" Magearna asked.

Caught off guard, Infernape stammered, "Angie saved me, and… I haven't repaid his kindness yet..."

Magearna replied, "Actually, I don't want you to leave either. I wish you could stay here forever."

"Really? Do you really mean that?" Infernape looked at Magearna with surprise. Then, realizing it had overreacted, it quickly masked its expression.

"Of course!" Magearna nodded vigorously. "If you want to stay, Angie will definitely agree."

"I want to stay…" Infernape whispered in a voice as small as a mosquito's buzz.

"What did you say?" Magearna didn't catch it.

Thinking Magearna was teasing, Infernape blurted out angrily, "I want to stay here!"

Its shout startled Volcanion and Fletchinder, who were resting below the tree.

Hearing Infernape's response, Magearna grabbed its arm with delight and exclaimed, "That's great! Let's go tell Angie right now!"

Infernape hesitated. "Do you think Angie will really let me stay?" After all, it had been at Nebel Plateau for days, avoiding a proper meeting with Angie.

"He will! I promise!" Magearna patted its chest confidently.

Encouraged by Magearna, Infernape finally decided to make its request to Angie. Picking up Magearna, it leapt gracefully down from the tree.

When they returned home, Angie was still out searching for Infernape. Only Diancie was waiting at the house.

Seeing them come back, Diancie approached. "It's good that you're back. Everyone was so worried!"

"Magearna~"

Where's Angie? We have something to tell him.

"He's still out looking for Infernape," Diancie replied.

At this moment, Fletchinder chirped.

"Fletchinder~ Fletchinder~"

I'll go find him!

With that, it flapped its wings and flew off swiftly.

Not long after, Angie returned in a hurry with Kimia, relief evident on their faces when they saw Infernape was safe.

Just as Angie was about to suggest that Infernape leave with Kimia, Magearna stepped forward.

"Magearna~"

Angie, Infernape has something to say to you.

Then, without giving Infernape time to prepare, Magearna pushed it in front of Angie.

Angie looked at Infernape curiously. Seeing its hesitant expression, he smiled and said, "Infernape, just say what's on your mind. I'm listening."

Infernape glanced back at Magearna, who immediately gave it an encouraging smile.

Taking a deep breath, Infernape declared.

"Infernape~ Infernape~"

I want to stay at Nebel Plateau and not go anywhere else!

"Stay at Nebel Plateau?" Angie was surprised. "But you..."

Noticing Infernape's uneasy expression, Angie stopped mid-sentence and turned to Kimia instead.

"Kimia, can Infernape stay at Nebel Plateau?"

Kimia smiled. "Of course, if that's what it wants."

With that, she pulled out a Poké Ball and handed it to Angie. "Your Highness, this is Infernape's Poké Ball."

This Poké Ball had been confiscated by the police from one of the trainers involved in the illegal capture of Pokémon in the facility. That trainer had captured Infernape from the forest and sent it to the facility.

Now, that person was in custody, facing a prison sentence.

Angie took the Poké Ball and pressed the release button. He said to Infernape, "Infernape, you're free to stay here for as long as you like, and you can leave whenever you wish."

For Infernape, this Poké Ball was a painful memory and served no purpose anymore.

Seeing Angie's gesture, gratitude flashed in Infernape's eyes.

Kimia said at this moment, "Since Infernape has decided to stay in Nebel Plateau, I'll head back for now."

Angie replied, "Alright, let me see you off."

After escorting Kimia to the aircraft and watching her leave Nebel Plateau, Angie returned home and called over Magearna.

"Magearna, now that Infernape is officially part of Nebel Plateau, please arrange a room for it in the staff dormitory."

"Magearna~!"

Magearna nodded cheerfully.

With quick steps, Magearna led Infernape to the staff dormitory.

As they arrived at the secret fortress, Magearna introduced, "All the Pokémon on Nebel Plateau live here."

Infernape suddenly understood—so that's why everyone always headed in this direction in the evenings!

"The doors with nameplates already have residents. Rooms without nameplates are vacant, so you can choose any one you like," Magearna continued.

For the first time, Infernape realized the Pokémon on Nebel Plateau had such excellent accommodations. Its eyes scanned the empty rooms, dazzled by the variety.

Every room looked wonderful to it.

Finally, Infernape chose a room that wasn't too large but was just right for its needs.

After the choice was made, Magearna hung a nameplate on the door with Infernape's portrait. Then she took it to Greninja to pick up living supplies.

For every new Pokémon moving in, essential items could be collected for free from Greninja—this was a rule Angie set after opening the general store.

Once the room was set up, Diancie brought Infernape to meet Robert 2.0 to apply for a Nebel Card. After its injuries healed, Infernape would join Lairon and the others in the patrol team. Its salary would also be deposited into the Nebel Card.

As Magearna helped with the card application, she explained the rules of Nebel Plateau to Infernape.

For the first time, Infernape learned that Pokémon could live like humans—with jobs, entertainment, and the freedom to spend their own money.

Once everything was settled, Magearna said, "Alright, I'll leave now. If you need anything, come find me anytime."

Infernape nodded.

After Magearna left, Infernape lay on its bed, staring at the Nebel Card in its hands.

From now on, this was its home.

Home... The word felt unfamiliar to Infernape.

"Cinccino~"

A voice came from the doorway. Cinccino poked its head in.

Infernape sat up, puzzled by Chinchilla's cheerful expression. Then it noticed Litwick, Skuntank, and Heliolisk all peeking in one after another.

"Litwick~"

Can we come in?

"Infernape~"

Infernape hesitated briefly before nodding.

"Heliolisk~"

"Cinccino~"

…

Once they got permission, the Pokémon happily walked in, each carrying a gift—food, toys, and useful items.

It turned out Litwick, upon hearing that Infernape was the new resident, had brought its friends to celebrate Infernape's housewarming.

After all, they were neighbors now.

Understanding their intentions, a smile appeared on Infernape's face.

Soon, the room was lively. Litwick and the others brought plenty of food and drinks, holding a small welcome party for Infernape.

Watching the noisy little Pokémon, Infernape couldn't help but smile. A home might not be so bad after all, it thought.

Time flew by, and Infernape gradually adapted to life on Nebel Plateau. Its injuries were also healing.

Initially, it rarely left its room, but Cinccino and the others dragged it out. Slowly, it began going out more often, even joining a few of Volcanion's soccer matches, where it led the team to victory against Volcanion.

Volcanion was the undefeated champion of Nebel Plateau, and Infernape's consistent victories irritated it. As a result, Volcanion often called other Pokémon to challenge Infernape to matches.

Because of this, Infernape found itself going out more frequently.

One day, Angie received a call from Flamel.

"Your Highness, the Princess asked me to inform you about a piece of news. There's a ranch on the outskirts of the city that has gone bankrupt due to poor management. The rancher plans to sell off the Pokémon there, and there's a batch of Miltank available. The Princess said if Your Highness is interested, you'd better act quickly before it's too late."

Miltank?

Hearing this news, Angie's eyes lit up. He wanted them, he wanted them badly!

Although the Nebel Plateau already had Gogoat capable of producing milk, the taste of Grassy milk and Moomoo Milk was entirely different.

Since Magearna was now learning to make desserts with Murdock, it would definitely require both Grassy milk and Moomoo Milk in the future. So, Moomoo Milk was a necessity, and Angie needed to prepare in advance.

If he wanted Moomoo Milk, he absolutely needed Miltank.

"Flamel, send me the address of that ranch immediately. I'll go there myself!" Angie said anxiously.

He needed to act fast; if he missed this chance, there wouldn't be another!

Before long, Flamel sent the ranch's location. After confirming the position, Angie decided to leave at once.

He called upon Metagross and Pawmi to act as his bodyguards, and then summoned Altaria.

Since the ranch was in the outskirts, they would need to travel a fair distance after leaving the Azoth City. Angie planned to ride Altaria there.

Although Metagross could also fly, Angie's Metagross didn't have a riding harness installed, and riding it wasn't as comfortable as Altaria's soft, fluffy body.

However, when Altaria arrived, it brought Swablu along.

"Swablu~ Swablu~"

Swablu flapped its wings and landed on Angie's shoulder, rubbing its head affectionately against his cheek.

Angie patted its head and said, "You want to come along with me?"

"Swablu~ Swablu~"

Swablu nodded earnestly.

Angie chuckled and said, "Alright, but you must behave on the way, or I won't take you next time."

"Swablu~ Swablu~"

I promise I will!

Swablu puffed out its chest in assurance.

And so, Angie set out with his four Pokémon.

First, they traveled through the space portal of the Munchlax's Home to arrive in the Azoth City. Then, they boarded the cable car heading toward the city gates.

The cable car swayed gently along its path, like a cradle. Across from Angie, Swablu and Altaria both began to doze off.

Pawmi, sitting in Angie's lap, giggled mischievously at the sight of the sleeping Swablu and Altaria.

When they reached the city gates, Angie woke up Swablu and Altaria, disembarked with his four Pokémon, and checked his phone again to confirm the ranch's location. Then, holding Pawmi, he climbed onto Altaria.

"Altaria~"

Altaria let out a long cry, flapped its wings, and soared into the wind, with the spring breeze brushing against them, making Angie feel wonderfully refreshed.

Swablu and Metagross followed closely, flying on either side of Altaria.

"Pawmi~ Pawmi~"

As the city below grew smaller and farther away, Pawmi clapped its hands in delight.

As they climbed higher, the view widened, and Angie felt his mind open up as well.

"Swablu~ Swablu~"

Swablu happily fluttered up and down on the spring breeze, proudly showing off its flying skills to Angie.

In truth, however, its flying skills were not very advanced, and it wobbled clumsily in the air, drawing hearty laughter from Pawmi, which infuriated Swablu. It flew over and gave Pawmi a series of playful pecks on the head.

At that moment, a few Fletchling flew by, and Swablu eagerly greeted them.

Sensing Swablu's friendliness, the Fletchling flock gathered around Altaria, flying alongside it.

After a long flight, the Fletchling finally parted ways with Angie and his companions, chirping their goodbyes as they flew off.

After flying for what felt like ages, Angie finally spotted a ranch. At its outskirts, a group of Mareep had gathered, forming a strikingly large flock.

"There it is! Let's pick up the pace!" Angie shouted, pointing at the ranch.

"Altaria~"

Altaria cried out, flapping its wings harder. With a burst of speed, it quickly covered a significant distance in no time.

"Swablu~ Swablu~"

Wait for me, Mom!

Swablu frantically flapped its wings, struggling to catch up to Altaria.

"Metagross~"

Metagross also picked up its speed to close the gap.

Soon enough, Angie and his companions arrived at the ranch. Altaria flapped its wings gently to land smoothly.