Chapter Thirty: A Reunion Once More

Just as the enthusiastic mountaineer uncle had said, ever since the Phoenix King and Lugia left, Heath hadn’t seen any other guests—let alone many Pokémon. There were very few around at all.

“Forget it, I’ll close up for today. If the snow lets up a bit tomorrow, I’ll head to the league headquarters,” Heath yawned, shook his head, then pulled up the window of his food cart, preparing to close for the day.

Just as he was about to shut up shop, he felt the ground tremble beneath him. Heath froze for a moment—could it be an earthquake?

But he soon realized the real cause of the trembling. From the forest came a Snorlax, panting heavily as it ran toward him, waving a paw in greeting. Beside it were two even larger Snorlax—snowman Snorlax—whose size took Heath by surprise.

“Snorlax?!” Heath looked at the Snorlax in front of him with unexpected joy. He had thought he’d never see Snorlax again—why was he encountering them now?

Soon, the three massive Snorlax lumbered up to the food cart. The one in front was trying to say something, opening its mouth repeatedly but hesitating, seemingly afraid its booming voice might startle Heath, fumbling awkwardly.

With a deep “Bwoong,” the largest Snorlax beside it finally spoke. Heath quickly opened the door to the rest area and pulled out Zorua. Without Zorua’s translation, Heath couldn’t understand Pokémon language.

“Um... it asks why you invited its child to travel?” Zorua translated reluctantly but earnestly, eyeing the three giant Snorlax before it.

Heath was taken aback. He had assumed the Snorlax was just bringing its parents along to eat, but instead, it was the parents questioning him about the journey. This put Heath in a bit of a bind. Why had he invited Snorlax?

If he were a trainer, he might say it was to help Snorlax grow stronger, to stand alongside him on a grander stage—most trainers would.

But Heath had no desire to be a trainer.

“I invited Snorlax because I want it to be my companion,” Heath said seriously, looking at the enormous snowman Snorlax. The two adult Snorlax exchanged a glance.

Then came that distinctive roar again. Heath noticed that while Snorlax’s voice was loud, it wasn’t nearly as loud as the middle Snorlax’s. Heath guessed the volume was a kind of natural gift for this particular Snorlax.

“His child has a big problem—the voice is too loud and uncontrollable. The other Snorlax don’t want to play with him. Why don’t you mind that?” Zorua’s tone grew more serious as she translated, watching the anxious look in the Snorlax’s eyes.

“Because I never saw it as a flaw. I see it as a talent—an incredible talent. I once heard of a martial art called the Lion’s Roar, and Snorlax fits that style perfectly,” Heath smiled. The Snorlax’s booming voice was indeed powerful, but it was a gift from Arceus.

Like the landlord in kung fu tales, whose Lion’s Roar technique was formidable—Snorlax gave off that same impression.

The three Snorlax exchanged puzzled looks. They hadn’t heard of the Lion’s Roar, but it sounded impressive.

Clearly, these three Snorlax, living deep in the mountains, hadn’t seen as much of the world as Heath, a man who had lived two lives. Persuaded by Heath’s explanation, the Snorlax parents nodded happily, then patted their child’s head with their giant paws.

Heath flinched inwardly—such force against a head would surely crush it like a watermelon.

The two adult Snorlax whispered something to the smaller one, then turned and trudged heavily back into the forest, leaving Heath and the young Snorlax face to face, both unsure.

“What’s going on here?” Heath asked, puzzled.

“Shouldn’t you be happy? They’re entrusting their child to you without worry,” Zorua rolled her eyes. She was amazed at how quickly Heath had managed to win over another Pokémon.

But thinking about this big ice giant, Zorua nodded approvingly. She thought this frosty giant might make a fine companion—except for its booming voice.

Only then did Heath come to his senses. He stepped down from the food cart, standing in the cold wind, facing the snowman Snorlax, and once again extended his hand.

“Snorlax, will you be my partner?” Heath asked firmly. The Snorlax nervously wiped its paw, then nodded, gently placing its paw on Heath’s hand.

Instantly, Heath felt a chill run through his palm. The next moment, he realized his hand was starting to freeze!

He quickly pulled back his hand. This Snorlax was extraordinary—just touching it could give a freezing sensation. Heath thought that refrigeration would be a breeze with a companion like this.

He looked at the snowman Snorlax in bewilderment. This guy wanted to be a martial artist? But you’re an Ice-type Pokémon!

Isn’t Ice weak against Fighting?

Heath couldn’t understand. He never imagined he’d trigger such a strange quest. If only he hadn’t mentioned the Lion’s Roar—that was like shooting himself in the foot.

“But I don’t really understand martial arts...” Heath rubbed his brow in frustration. Still, since the golden finger had triggered the quest, there should be some help along the way, right?

But before that, Heath felt he should deal with the immediate matter.

He pulled out a Poké Ball—prepared for catching Pokémon during his journey—and now it was finally coming in handy.