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

"Huh?" Altaria looked puzzled.

Angie leaned closer and whispered a few words into Altaria's ear. After hesitating for a moment, Altaria gave a small nod.

Angie then turned to Metagross, Pawmi, and Swablu and said, "You three stay here and behave. Altaria and I need to step out for a bit."

"Pawmi~!"

Pawmi responded cheerfully, its mouth full of food, raising a paw in a muffled promise to behave.

Still, Angie wasn't entirely reassured. He gave Metagross a serious look and added, "Metagross, I'm counting on you to watch over these two."

"Metagross~"

Metagross nodded with its usual calm and reliable demeanor, exuding an air of stability.

"Alright, let's go," Angie said to Altaria.

"Altaria~"

Altaria replied with a nod.

Meanwhile, the family of three had been led to the battle arena inside the restaurant. Just as they arrived, the previous match concluded, and the staff member gestured towards the father.

"It's your turn now."

"Alright."

The father nodded, stepping forward confidently. However, before he entered the field, his daughter tugged on his sleeve, giving him an adorably sweet smile.

"Daddy, good luck!"

The mother also clenched her fists in support and said, "Honey, you've got this!"

With his family cheering him on, the father was instantly invigorated. "I feel the strength flowing through me! I'll definitely win!"

He had been to battle restaurants like this one before. Most of the time, the owners of such establishments were Pokémon battle enthusiasts who weren't professional trainers. They used these battles to indulge their interests, which meant the trainers they hired usually weren't too strong.

In fact, he had never lost in a battle restaurant!

Once he stood on one side of the arena, the referee announced, "Now, please welcome our restaurant's trainer to the field!"

As the referee's words echoed, Angie and Altaria stepped into the arena from the opposite side.

The referee froze for a moment upon seeing Angie. Was this person one of the restaurant's trainers? He was sure this man wasn't among the trainers on staff.

Then the restaurant owner appeared in the corner and gave the referee a nod of confirmation. The referee instantly understood—this was a special arrangement by the owner.

Angie and Altaria weren't there by coincidence. Angie had specifically sought out the restaurant owner to make this happen.

Given his reputation, such a small request was something the owner wouldn't dare refuse.

The referee wasn't the only one surprised by Angie's appearance. Papa Bud was also taken aback, recognizing Angie as the customer who had been sitting at the table next to theirs.

Not only that, but he had also noticed this man following them ever since they left the dessert shop. As a "former" trainer, his instincts hadn't failed him.

However, since Angie hadn't shown any suspicious behavior, he hadn't taken action. Now, unexpectedly, Angie stood before him as his opponent.

Suppressing his doubts, Papa Bud listened as the referee announced, "Both sides, please send out your Pokémon! This will be a one-on-one battle. The match ends when one side's Pokémon can no longer fight!"

As the referee finished speaking, Papa Bud threw a Poké Ball into the air. With a flash of red light, a Flying-type Pokémon appeared on the field.

This Pokémon had a bat-like appearance with large ears on its head. Its wings were black on the inside and purple on the outside, each adorned with sharp red claws. Its tail was long, its legs powerful. It was Noivern, a dual Flying-type and Dragon-type Pokémon.

In terms of attributes, Noivern and Altaria shared the same dual typing, but with a different emphasis. Noivern's primary type was Flying, with Dragon as its secondary, while Altaria was primarily Dragon and secondarily Flying.

After retiring as a trainer, Noivern had become the only Pokémon to stay with Papa Bud. His other Pokémon, due to various circumstances, had all left him over time.

Angie patted Altaria's neck gently and said, "It's your turn."

"Altaria~!"

Altaria responded and stepped forward onto the battlefield.

Altaria nodded, took a deep breath, and flapped its wings to fly into the battlefield.

Seeing Altaria, Papa Bud couldn't help but think of the Swablu he had abandoned in the past.

At that moment, he had no idea that the Altaria before him was the same Swablu he had once abandoned. It was no wonder he didn't recognize it—so much time had passed, and it had evolved into an entirely different form.

"Battle, begin!"

With the referee's announcement, both Angie and Papa Bud issued commands simultaneously.

"Altaria, Dragon Pulse!"

"Noivern, Dragon Pulse!"

As their voices rang out, both Altaria and Noivern unleashed a bluish-purple, dragon-shaped energy wave aimed at their opponent.

Boom!

A loud explosion shook the arena as the two Dragon Pulse attacks collided, scattering dense smoke and dust in every direction.

"Daddy, go for it!" Bud cheered loudly from the sidelines, supporting her father.

After returning a warm smile to his daughter, Papa Bud shouted, "Noivern, use Double Team!"

"Noi!"

Noivern roared, and its body flickered rapidly. In an instant, multiple copies of Noivern filled the battlefield, making it impossible to tell which was the real one.

Altaria, upon seeing this, panicked slightly. Sensing this, Angie quickly reassured it, "Altaria, stay calm. Trust me!"

Hearing Angie's encouragement, Altaria steadied itself. While most people might struggle to distinguish the real Noivern from its copies, Angie had a unique advantage—his Aura ability. Pokémon emit Aura, but their copies created by Double Team do not.

Suddenly, Angie pointed to one of the Noivern and shouted, "Altaria, use Moonblast! Hit that one!"

"Altaria!"

Without hesitation, Altaria conjured a silvery moon above its head. The radiant light condensed into its mouth, forming a silver beam that shot out in the next moment.

Boom!

The Moonblast struck the real Noivern directly. A pained cry echoed across the battlefield as all the fake Noivern disappeared, leaving the injured real one plummeting to the ground.

Angie's judgment had been spot on.

Papa Bud was stunned, unable to comprehend how Angie had pinpointed Noivern's true form so quickly and accurately.

"Noivern!" Papa Bud called out worriedly.

Angie, however, wasted no time. The moment Noivern hit the ground, he commanded, "Altaria, Ice Beam!"

Ice-type moves are four times effective against Noivern. If this attack landed, Noivern would have no chance of turning the battle around.

Following Angie's command, Altaria opened its mouth and released a blue beam of icy energy aimed directly at Noivern.

To Angie and Altaria's surprise, Noivern reacted with incredible speed. It kicked off the ground with its powerful legs and beat its wings furiously, shooting into the air like an arrow and dodging Altaria's attack with ease.

The next moment, green light surged around the claws of Noivern's right foot. Its body plummeted downward rapidly, aiming a fierce Dragon Claw at Altaria.

Dragon Claw!

Among Noivern's move set, Dragon-type moves were its best chance to counter Altaria. However, Altaria had multiple moves in its arsenal that were super effective against Noivern, including Dragon Pulse, Moonblast, and Ice Beam.

Seeing Noivern charge forward with unwavering determination, Angie shouted, "Altaria, use Cotton Guard!"

Cotton Guard is a defensive Grass-type move with extraordinary protective capabilities. Only a select few Pokémon can learn it, all of which share a common trait: their fluffy, soft bodies—like Mareep, Altaria, and Whimsicott.

As Angie spoke, Altaria tucked its wings tightly, and its feathers puffed up rapidly, enveloping its entire body in a fluffy cocoon in the blink of an eye.

Noivern's Dragon Claw attack struck the cottony mass, creating an overwhelming sense of powerlessness.

"Altaria, use Ice Beam!" Angie commanded.

Altaria's head popped out of the fluffy cocoon, and it unleashed a close-range Ice Beam aimed directly at Noivern.

Crack!

The Ice Beam triggered its secondary effect, freezing Noivern solid and causing it to crash to the ground as an icy statue.

The referee immediately declared, "Noivern is unable to battle! Altaria wins!"

Hearing the referee's announcement, Altaria froze for a moment before flapping its wings excitedly and flying over to Angie. It threw itself into Angie's arms, hugging him tightly.

"Altaria~ Altaria~"

Altaria was overjoyed, happier than it had ever been.

Angie patted it affectionately, saying, "Feeling better now?"

"Altaria~"

Altaria nodded in affirmation.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the field, the restaurant staff helped thaw Noivern out of its icy state. Altaria's former Trainer, Papa Bud, gently stroked Noivern with a face full of concern, comforting it. Noivern clung to him affectionately, voicing its frustration over the loss.

This tender side of Papa Bud was something Altaria had never witnessed before.

With the battle concluded, Angie brought Altaria to the center of the field, where Papa Bud approached with Noivern.

"That was a splendid match. I lost fair and square. Your Altaria is incredibly strong," Papa Bud said, extending his hand to Angie.

However, Angie did not take his hand.

"Yes, my Altaria is strong. Do you regret abandoning your Swablu all those years ago?" Angie said coolly. With that, he turned and left with Altaria by his side.

Papa Bud froze at Angie's words. Then, as if struck by a revelation, he hastily tried to chase after Angie for clarification, only to find that Angie and Altaria had already vanished.

He recalled they had been sitting at the table next to his family earlier and hurried back to that spot.

"Papa, where are you going?" Bud asked in confusion.

"Dear?" Mama Bud called out, equally puzzled.

Papa Bud paid no attention to their questions. He stumbled back to the restaurant, only to find the neighboring table empty. A server was clearing the dishes.

Grabbing the server, he asked anxiously, "Where are the people who were sitting here?"

The server, bewildered, replied, "They left after finishing their meal, of course."

Rushing to the entrance, Papa Bud scanned the crowd, but there was no sign of Angie or Altaria. He stood there, gazing blankly into the distance.

"Swablu… was that you?" he murmured to himself.

After a long silence, Bud and Mama Bud caught up to him. Seeing him lost in thought, they exchanged confused glances, unable to fathom what had just happened to him.

Finally, Papa Bud regained his composure.

"I just… wanted to say I'm sorry…"

Angie and Altaria, oblivious to Papa Bud's thoughts, had already returned to Munchlax's Home.

After reuniting with Papa Bud, Altaria finally let go of its past and smiled with a newfound sense of relief.

As they arrived home, Altaria's mate descended from the sky. It had come to pick up its wife and daughter.

"Swablu~"

Seeing its father, Swablu was overjoyed, flapping its wings as it landed on his back, chirping away as it recounted the day's adventures.

Swablu's father listened quietly, then slowly moved closer to his mate, gently nuzzling her with his head.

After sharing a moment of affection with her husband, Swablu's mother looked toward Angie.

Angie smiled and waved. "Go ahead. You've worked hard today."

Swablu's mother nodded, murmured a few words to her mate, and then flapped her wings, taking to the skies. Swablu and its father followed close behind.

In no time, the family of three disappeared into the vast, azure horizon.

Angie stood watching the direction they had flown for a while before turning back and heading into the house.

Just then, Magearna emerged from the kitchen, carrying a tray.

"Magearna~!"

Angie, you're back?

Magearna's voice was filled with delight upon seeing him.

"Yeah, I just got back," Angie replied with a smile.

"What's that in your hands?" Angie asked, curious.

"Magearna~"

Magearna gestured mysteriously for Angie to come closer.

Puzzled, Angie leaned in. Magearna placed the tray on the table and lifted the cover, revealing a beautifully crafted cake.

The cake was predominantly creamy white, decorated with intricate frosting patterns. The top was a soft pink, adorned with finely chopped Pecha Berries.

Angie's eyes widened in surprise. "Magearna, did you make this?"

"Magearna~"

Magearna nodded with pride, eyes gleaming.

Angie was incredulous. "You've already mastered how to make such a gorgeous cake? Are you a genius?"

Magearna blushed at the compliment, shyly replying.

"Magearna~"

It's all thanks to Murdock's guidance.

Angie shook his head with a grin. "Even with great teaching, it wouldn't work if you didn't put in the effort. It just proves that you're truly talented, Magearna!"

"Magearna~"

Magearna's blush deepened, flustered by Angie's praise.

Angie added, "But still, we definitely owe Murdock a big thank-you when we see him."

Magearna nodded in agreement.

"Can I have a taste?" Angie asked, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"Magearna~"

Magearna nodded enthusiastically.

However, just as Angie was about to dig in, Magearna stopped him.

"What's wrong?" Angie asked, puzzled.

Magearna waved her hand, then extended a blade from her wrist. Gesturing with the knife.

"Magearna~"

Let me cut it!

"Alright," Angie said, stepping back with a chuckle.

Magearna started dividing the cake while muttering to herself.

"Magearna~"

This piece is for Angie and Volcanion.

"Magearna~"

This one's for Diancie and Munchlax.

"Magearna~"

This one is for Drizzile and Gengar.

"Magearna~"

This one's for Metagross and Komala.

"Magearna~"

And this one is for me and Pawmi.

In no time, the cake was neatly divided into ten equal slices.