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Finding a Home
However, the Gulpin didn't touch the food Lucas had prepared.
After waiting patiently for a while, Lucas saw that the Gulpin had no intention of approaching the meal, and he sighed deeply.
After a long moment, Lucas addressed the Gulpin gently: "The food is right there—you can eat whenever you're ready. After you finish, just rest well and don't worry about anything else. You're completely safe here."
With that, he called to Diancie, and the two of them returned to the second floor to resume their sleep.
Concerned that darkness might frighten the Gulpin further, Lucas left the lights on the first floor illuminated.
After Lucas and Diancie departed, the Gulpin stared hesitantly at the food before it. Its hunger had become overwhelming, and finally, it couldn't resist the enticing aroma of the steamed buns. It cautiously approached the bowl and swallowed one whole.
The moment the steamed bun passed its lips, Gulpin froze in amazement. It was delicious beyond description! The soft, cloud-like bun glided down its throat, creating a sensation like being surrounded by countless silken threads. The texture was simply magnificent.
Its appetite awakened, Gulpin couldn't restrain itself any longer. It plunged into the food bowl and began devouring the buns enthusiastically.
Halfway through the meal, however, it suddenly began to weep. Large tears fell, striking the edge of the bowl and blooming like tiny flowers across its surface.
The food had triggered memories of its former Trainer.
Gulpin's Trainer had come from a modest background but dreamed of becoming a powerful Pokémon Trainer. He had found Gulpin—then surviving on garbage—in a city alleyway and took it in as his first Pokémon.
The time spent with its Trainer had been the happiest period in Gulpin's life. They ate, slept, played, and trained together daily. Gulpin no longer had to hide in trash heaps, surrounded by filth and garbage.
To help it grow stronger, the Trainer had saved every penny and provided Gulpin with the best food he could afford. He had loved Gulpin dearly, and Gulpin had adored him in return.
Only later did the Trainer realize that Gulpin's Ability, Gluttony, made it an exceptionally hungry Pokémon. If he wanted it to become battle-ready, he would need to provide enormous quantities of food.
But how could the young Trainer possibly afford to satisfy Gulpin's enormous appetite?
That fateful morning, the sunlight had been particularly bright. The Trainer had prepared a hearty breakfast for Gulpin. After the meal, he had taken Gulpin to the forest.
Gulpin had assumed they were going for special training. It had been ecstatic, hopping and skipping along the path, picking wildflowers from the roadside, and playfully sticking its tongue out at the Fletchling perched in the treetops.
It had felt that as long as it remained with its Trainer, happiness would always follow.
When they reached the depths of the forest, the Trainer had suddenly crouched down and embraced Gulpin tightly, almost smothering it.
"Gulpin, I'm sorry..." he had whispered, his voice barely audible.
Gulpin had felt wet droplets falling onto its body, but at the time, it hadn't understood the significance.
The Trainer had abruptly released Gulpin and turned to run away.
"Gul! Gul!"
Gulpin had hopped frantically after its Trainer, but he had disappeared in the blink of an eye.
"Gul! Gul!"
Standing bewildered in the forest, calling out its Trainer's name and gazing in the direction he had vanished, Gulpin had finally comprehended the truth.
It had been abandoned.
In truth, Gulpin knew the location of its Trainer's home and could have found its way back, but it chose not to return. Instead, it had turned around dejectedly and walked deeper into the forest.
It didn't want to make its Trainer feel uncomfortable or guilty.
Gulpin had wandered for days. Along the way, it had been attacked for accidentally trespassing into other Pokémon's territories. Finally, injured and exhausted, it had staggered to the Nebel Plateau and collapsed in front of Lucas's house in the night.
Because of its Trainer's abandonment, it had developed a profound fear of humans.
Returning from its painful memories, Gulpin wiped away its tears and continued devouring the steamed buns. Before long, it had consumed every last one in the bowl.
After letting out a satisfied sigh, Gulpin glanced toward the second floor and hesitated momentarily. Finally, it bounced toward the door and resolutely disappeared into the night.
This was not a place where it could remain. If it stayed, it reasoned, one day it would inevitably be abandoned again. Surely no one would willingly care for a glutton that couldn't contribute anything worthwhile! At least, that's what Gulpin believed.
As Gulpin departed, the Komala in its little house gently twitched its ears and silently turned over.
After leaving Lucas's residence, Gulpin wandered aimlessly across the Nebel Plateau in the darkness. It had been walking for some time when it came upon a cliff face with a small stone crevice—a shelter from the elements. Exhausted, it crept inside.
Gulpin soon fell into a fitful sleep, though it didn't rest for long. When it awakened, darkness still enveloped the plateau, with a silver moon hanging high in the night sky.
It couldn't sleep peacefully in such an unfamiliar environment.
However, upon opening its eyes, Gulpin noticed a small flame flickering before it.
"Lit-wick! Lit-wick!" Who are you? I don't believe we've met before.
A curious Litwick was examining Gulpin. It knew nearly every Pokémon on the Nebel Plateau.
Gulpin, startled and frightened, shrank back without responding.
Litwick had a naturally sociable personality. It hopped onto Gulpin's head, the candle flame on its own head flickering gently, illuminating the narrow stone crevice.
Bathed in the warm candlelight, Gulpin actually felt a measure of comfort in that moment.
"Lit-wick! Lit-wick!" You're new here, aren't you?
Litwick inquired again.
Gulpin nodded instinctively.
Observing Gulpin's pitiful condition, Litwick gently stroked its head.
"Lit-wick! Lit-wick!" You must be exhausted.
Hearing these compassionate words, Gulpin felt fresh sorrow well up in its heart, and tears began flowing uncontrollably.
Litwick remained silent, continuing to stroke Gulpin's head, offering quiet companionship.
When Gulpin had finished expressing its emotions, Litwick asked, "Lit-wick! Lit-wick!" You don't have a place to stay yet, do you? Would you like to come to my home?
Litwick treated Gulpin with the same gentleness that others had shown when it first arrived at the Nebel Plateau.
Like Gulpin, Litwick had also been abandoned by a human Trainer.
Perhaps Litwick's kindness touched something in Gulpin, as it responded with a gentle nod.
So Gulpin followed behind Litwick, stepping through the night until they arrived at the entrance of a cave—Litwick's dwelling.
"Lit-wick! Lit-wick!" Let's go inside.
Litwick encouraged Gulpin.
Gulpin nodded and followed Litwick into the cavern.
The cave was surprisingly spacious and had been cleaned meticulously. Hay and leaves were spread across the floor, creating comfortable bedding for its inhabitants.
Litwick wasn't the only resident—the cave also housed a Litleo, a Pancham, a Skitty, a Scraggy, a Stunky, a Spritzee, a Zigzagoon, a Helioptile, and a Dedenne.
Each of these Pokémon had suffered mistreatment by humans to varying degrees.
The arrival of Litwick and Gulpin roused the other Pokémon, who regarded the newcomer with curious eyes.
Gulpin felt intimidated and instinctively hid behind Litwick.
Litwick gave it an encouraging look before introducing Gulpin to everyone, announcing that it would be the newest member of their family.
None of the Pokémon objected; they enthusiastically gathered around Gulpin, expressing their welcome. Each of them had been brought to this sanctuary by Litwick in similar fashion.
Inspired by their warmth, Gulpin gradually released its apprehension and unease.
At this point, Litwick reminded everyone, "Lit-wick~ Lit-wick~" It's getting late, everyone should get some sleep. Don't we need to gather food early tomorrow morning?
Their food stores had been depleted, and if they didn't forage for more, they would go hungry the following day.
Several Pokémon acknowledged this and huddled around Gulpin to sleep together.
Surrounded by its new companions, feeling the warmth radiating from the other Pokémon, Gulpin drifted into a deep sleep. A faint smile unconsciously formed on its face.
How wonderful—it had a home again.
Observing the sleeping Pokémon, a satisfied smile spread across Litwick's face before it turned and walked toward the cave entrance.
Being nocturnal, Litwick was more energetic at night than during daylight hours.
Reaching the cave entrance, Litwick hopped onto a rock and gazed skyward. The silver moon hung in the sky like a luminous disc, casting gentle moonlight across the Nebel Plateau.
Litwick firmly believed that as long as they stayed together, their days would steadily improve.
When the first ray of morning sunlight touched the earth, the Pokémon in the cave rose to begin their daily tasks, and Gulpin was no exception.
Litwick said to Pancham, "Lit-wick~ Lit-wick~" Pancham, Gulpin is new here and unfamiliar with the area. Could you look after it?
"Pan-cham~ Pan-cham~"
Pancham, with a bamboo leaf in its mouth, confidently patted its chest, indicating there would be no problem.
After the others had departed one by one, Pancham turned to Gulpin and said, "Pan-cham~ Pan-cham~" Let's go too.
Gulpin nodded, quietly following behind Pancham.
"Pan-cham-cham~" Pancham walked ahead with an air of authority, assuring Gulpin that it knew where to find abundant food and would ensure Gulpin didn't return empty-handed.
Under Pancham's guidance, Gulpin arrived at the edge of a pond where numerous long, ribbon-like aquatic plants grew.
Spotting these plants, Pancham immediately brightened, pulled a stalk from the water, and plucked off the tender white root before setting it aside.
"Pan-cham~ Pan-cham~" What are you standing there for? Come here!
Pancham beckoned to Gulpin.
Gulpin quickly hopped over and, imitating Pancham, began pulling aquatic plants from the water and harvesting their roots.
"Gul-pin~ Gul-pin~" Can we really eat these?
Gulpin asked while collecting.
"Pan-cham~ Pan-cham~" Of course we can eat them—they're delicious! Try one if you don't believe me.
As it spoke, Pancham offered a plant root to Gulpin.
Gulpin obediently opened its mouth and swallowed the root.
It was indeed palatable, though far less appealing than the steamed buns it had eaten the previous night.
Thinking of those buns, Gulpin swallowed reflexively. They had been the second most delicious food it had ever tasted. The most exquisite meal remained the first one shared with its former Trainer—a taste it would never forget.
"Pan-cham~ Pan-cham~" Well? Delicious, right?
Pancham's voice interrupted Gulpin's reminiscence.
"Gul-pin~ Gul-pin~"
Gulpin nodded vigorously.
It was grateful enough to have these aquatic plant roots now. As for last night's delicacies and memories of its former Trainer... those seemed like distant dreams, ephemeral and unattainable.
Pancham appeared satisfied with Gulpin's reaction, its expression becoming smugly proud.
After gathering for a while, Pancham suddenly signaled Gulpin to stop.
"Pan-cham~ Pan-cham~" Let's head back.
Gulpin asked in confusion, "Gul-pin~" Aren't we going to collect more? There's still plenty here.
Pancham admonished it with the wisdom of a senior, "Pan-cham~ Pan-cham~" Of course we can't take too much at once, or there won't be any left to gather next time, right?
"Gul-pin~"
Gulpin suddenly understood and looked at Pancham with newfound admiration, thoroughly satisfying Pancham's sense of importance.
The two found large leaves, placed their harvested roots inside, wrapped them securely, and started back with their abundant haul.
On the return journey, Gulpin noticed a beautiful flower field in the distance and instinctively paused.
"Pan-cham~" What's wrong?
Pancham asked, puzzled.
"Gul-pin~ Gul-pin~" May I pick some flowers?
Gulpin asked, face full of anticipation.
Pancham nodded, "Pan-cham~ Pan-cham~" Of course! Go quickly—I'll wait for you!
"Gul-pin~"
Gulpin happily nodded, set its roots on the ground, and dashed to the flower field. It returned shortly with a colorful assortment of blossoms.
Examining the large bouquet, Pancham asked in confusion, "Pan-cham~ Pan-cham~" What are these for? You can't eat or drink them.
Gulpin replied shyly, "Gul-pin~" I have a purpose for them.
Seeing this, Pancham didn't inquire further. It gathered its roots, and the pair happily returned to the cave.
Not long after they arrived, the other Pokémon began returning one by one. Some brought tree fruits, others carried plant roots, and some had only managed to find a few leaves.
By comparison, Gulpin and Pancham's harvest was quite substantial, earning Gulpin praise from everyone. Gulpin felt embarrassed by the attention, knowing that the credit belonged to Pancham.
Noticing Gulpin's shyness, Pancham gave it an encouraging wink.
At this point, Litwick announced, "Lit-wick~" Let's have breakfast soon.
The Pokémon cheered upon hearing this and began distributing the food.
However, Gulpin quickly noticed something unusual—everyone was piling most of the food in front of it while keeping only small portions for themselves.
"Gul-pin~" Everyone...
Litwick explained with a warm smile, "Lit-wick~ Lit-wick~" You've just joined us—today's breakfast is a welcoming ceremony for you. Eat your fill!
Everyone nodded in agreement, explaining that each of them had received the same treatment when they first joined the group.
"Pan-cham~ Pan-cham~" We're not very hungry right now, so we don't need much.
Pancham patted its round belly reassuringly.
"Gul-pin~" Gulpin couldn't help but shed tears at this gesture of kindness. It ate the hard-earned breakfast slowly, its heart simultaneously aching and full.