Chapter Fifty-Nine: The Little Dazzling Bird, Never to Be Underestimated

The Scratching Bird hurried over to the pile of shells, swinging its digging claws to swiftly excavate the heap, occasionally pecking with its beak, searching for something. Then, its movements grew cautious.

“Did you find some treasure, Rotto? Wow, so many pearls!” The Rotom Phone floated out, exclaiming in surprise.

As the Scratching Bird dug through the shells, pearls of various sizes and lesser quality than the luminous pearl from before rolled out, but the collector bird paid them no mind, patiently continuing its excavation.

Caw!

Before long, the bird let out a delighted cry, then carefully cradled a faintly purple egg from the shell pile.

“As expected, you’re only ever this enthusiastic when searching for these,” Su Yi laughed.

The Scratching Bird trotted over, presenting the dazzling bird egg to Su Yi.

“Huh!? You’re giving it to me, just like that? Developing a conscience, I see.” Su Yi was surprised; he’d braced himself for another round of bargaining, thinking the bird would pester him to eat the egg itself. Yet this time, it was unexpectedly generous.

Caw! The Scratching Bird called out as Su Yi took the egg, as if confirming he had accepted it.

Then, it immediately turned and rushed back to the shell heap, rapidly digging out another egg, which it guarded fiercely under Su Yi’s astonished gaze.

Su Yi: You clever little rascal!

Seeing the bird’s stubborn, reluctant expression, Su Yi chuckled helplessly. “Alright! One is enough for me—this one’s yours to enjoy.”

After all, when Su Yi first tamed the Scratching Bird, he promised to let it taste eggs it had never eaten before.

Caw! The Scratching Bird happily ran over, handing its egg to Su Yi as if to say: Since that’s the case, make me some egg cuisine, will you?

Su Yi: …

Well, it has a conscience, but not much of one.

Su Yi had Rotom Phone turn on its flashlight to examine the dazzling bird egg. Inside, the contents were liquid, not yet forming an embryo. He placed one egg in the “Companion Beast” section of the Hunter’s Guide for natural incubation, and the other in “Items,” intending to use it as an ingredient.

“If there’s an egg, that means…” Su Yi checked the Companion Beast page.

Name: Dazzling Bird
Species: Dazzling Bird (Male)
Type: Dragon, Normal
Ability: Plateau Walker (If HP is above half upon entering, increases speed by two stages; +1 priority for status moves)
Moves: Dazzling Flash (Signature move, Normal type, status move—after a brief charge, releases an intense flash that stuns the target in front and causes temporary blindness), Bite, Acrobatics, Frenzied Scratch, Swagger, Quick U-turn

“…The Dazzling Bird killed by the Savageclaw Dragon was likely its mate?” Su Yi sighed softly, though this was simply nature’s law of the strong devouring the weak; there was no need for excessive sentimentality.

Still, the bird’s ability and moves brightened Su Yi’s eyes; he’d thought it was just a functional companion, but it proved unexpectedly interesting.

First, Plateau Walker allowed the Dazzling Bird to act first in most situations. After boosting its speed and move priority, it could launch Dazzling Flash to stun and blind its foe, then use Quick U-turn to switch in a more aggressive companion beast for a swift, unopposed kill.

A highly efficient control-and-execute combo.

“Nice! This ability and move set—truly the trickster of the Plateau Coral Highlands,” Su Yi exclaimed with delight.

He released the Dazzling Bird to check its state. The bird was battered and bruised, its expression low and dejected—it seemed it hadn’t resisted fiercely during the battle. Likely, stunning those four monsters with its flash was its last effort.

Su Yi sighed, patting the bird’s back. “Let’s leave this sorrowful place—your nest—and go cause trouble for other flying wyverns together.”

Caw-caw-caw…

The Dazzling Bird hadn’t always been so gloomy. In the wild, most monsters were “mates only while safe; when disaster strikes, each flies their own way.” After some time, it might have moved on. But now, with the intelligence granted by becoming a Pokémon, its emotions and wisdom sharpened, deepening its sorrow.

“I’ll give you a name. From now on, you’ll be called Zizi,” Su Yi said.

The bird’s scientific name was “Ziziakou,” and “Zizi” was an adorable nickname.

After tidying up the pearls inside the nest, Su Yi departed.

…

Returning to the cramped temporary campsite, Su Yi packed up his camping gear, preparing to head for a new location.

Naturally, the new camp would be the idyllic spot before the Plateau Melody Tribe’s settlement. There, not only was there a waterfall and pool with fish for food, but the coral caves provided a wealth of insect materials. Additionally, pearl clams lived in the waters, and exposed mineral veins could be seen along the rocky walls.

The scenery was beautiful, monster-proof—land-dwelling creatures couldn’t access it, and flying ones would have their vision blocked by the plateau above. Even if they spotted the location from below, the narrow entrance prevented entry.

All in all, it was a safe, lovely, resource-rich place. If only the sunlight was more abundant, Su Yi would have considered farming there.

Moreover, the Plateau Melody Tribe was nearby, so he could occasionally pet the mountain cats—pure bliss.

…

Night deepened. Su Yi rode the Savageclaw Dragon under the starlit sky, heading toward the Waterfall Cave campsite.

The Plateau Coral Highlands were perfect for nocturnal journeys—the tranquil atmosphere and glowing creatures lighting the path made it easy to lose oneself in wonder.

“Ee-ee-ee!” The Savageclaw Dragon suddenly stopped, sniffing the air.

“What’s wrong?” Su Yi asked, puzzled. At that moment, the guiding bug flew from his waist, illuminating and attaching itself to a trace.

A mark, as if cut by a blade, appeared on the coral rock, surrounded by some hard-to-describe footprints.

“These marks…” Su Yi stroked his chin, a subtle expression on his face.

“Is it nearby?” he asked the Savageclaw Dragon.

The dragon snorted, shook its head, indicating the scent was faint.

“Then let’s keep moving,” Su Yi said.

…

Squeezing through a rock crevice, traversing the windswept cliff path, Su Yi returned to Waterfall Cave. There, several mountain cats from the Plateau Melody Tribe sat atop the coral, lanterns glowing with light bugs, waiting.

“Coral meow! We’re back, meow!” Dewgrass waved her paw happily in greeting.

“It’s Su Yi and Dewgrass meow! You’re back safe, meow!” Coral trotted over, beaming with joy.

“The Dazzling Bird has been tamed. The Savageclaw Dragon fell into the Valley of Miasma—its fate is unknown. Still, be careful, a Tyrant Dragon has appeared on the plateau—the big dark green gourd-like one,” Su Yi explained to Coral.

“Thank you so much, meow! This time, we have to treat you to a feast, meow!” Coral said sincerely.