**Chapter 196: Sudden Egg Laying, Something Big is Happening**
By the Seaside, Bai Feng and Gastly released all the Lapras, including the one Gastly had captured in a Poké Ball.
"Woo~"
Having narrowly escaped death with its family, that Lapras shed tears of excitement.
Bai Feng said to the Lapras, "Alright, you are safe now, and free. Remember to be careful in the future and don't get caught by bad people again."
"Woo~"
The Lapras nodded one after another, casting grateful glances at Bai Feng.
"Tch~" Gastly said discontentedly upon seeing this, "You said all the nice words. I was clearly the main force that saved them."
Bai Feng was speechless. "You could have said something too, I wasn't stopping you."
Gastly turned its gaze away. "I'm not as sentimental as you. I do good deeds without leaving my name. Whether they thank me or not is up to them."
Hearing this, Bai Feng quickly said to the Lapras, "You all heard that, right? Gastly was the one who advocated for saving you. Everyone, quickly thank it, don't let the old man get disheartened."
"Woo~"
"Woo~"
"Woo~"
...
Hearing this, the Lapras expressed their thanks to Gastly in a chorus of calls.
After everyone finished thanking it, Gastly's expression finally improved considerably. "Alright, hurry up and go, don't waste any more time."
"Woo~"
The Lapras Leader raised its neck and sang loudly, just as it was about to lead its companions towards the Ocean, when suddenly one of the Lapras cried out in pain.
"What's wrong?" Bai Feng and Gastly quickly flew over to check the situation. They thought a Lapras might have been injured earlier and they hadn't noticed.
But when they flew closer and heard the exclamations of the other Lapras, they understood. It turned out a pregnant Lapras was suddenly going into labor.
What could they do?
Bai Feng and Gastly looked at each other.
Fortunately, the Lapras's birthing process didn't require their intervention. The Lapras Tribe had plenty of experienced individuals. Several hours later, the new mother successfully gave birth to a healthy Lapras Egg.
With the birth of a new member, the Lapras Tribe immediately cheered, and the long, melodious Lapras Song echoed along the Seaside, rising and falling.
Only the Lapras Leader showed a worried expression at this moment.
Some Lapras noticed the Leader's concern and swam over, rubbing their heads against it, seemingly comforting it.
"What's wrong?" Bai Feng asked, puzzled, after noticing the Lapras Leader's unusual emotions. Wasn't the birth of a new member a good thing? Why was it unhappy instead?
So the Lapras Leader explained its worries.
Lapras reproduction generally follows the patterns of Ocean Currents. Female Lapras only lay eggs when they reach a temporary Habitat. They only resume Traveling after the young Lapras hatch.
If this hunting Accident hadn't happened, the Lapras group should have already reached their next temporary Habitat by now, and that would have been the female Lapras's intended laying Location.
Now that the female Lapras had given birth here, they had to continue Traveling soon. How could they take the child with them? They couldn't carry it on their backs, could they?
Moreover, Accidents frequently occur during Traveling, and they couldn't guarantee the child's Safety.
But they couldn't stay here either, because the hunting incident had delayed them. The seasonal Ocean Current was about to leave the vicinity of Cinnabar Island. If they couldn't catch the tail end of this last Ocean Current, they would be completely lost in the Ocean.
After hearing the Lapras Leader's words, the Lapras group fell into silence. They had been so caught up in their happiness that they had forgotten about this matter.
"Woo~ Woo~"
The Lapras Mother looked at her newborn child with a worried expression, her face filled with sadness, tears welling up in her eyes.
If they took the child with them on the journey, there was a very high possibility that the child wouldn't survive until hatching.
Just then, Gastly suddenly spoke up. "What's the big deal? If you're really worried, why not entrust this child to this Human!"
Hearing Gastly's words, all the Lapras turned their gaze towards Bai Feng.
Bai Feng: ...
"Think carefully. I'm not from the Kanto region and will be leaving soon. If you entrust your child to me, there's a high chance you'll never see it again in the future."
Hearing Bai Feng's words, the tears in the Lapras Mother's eyes immediately streamed down. This was truly a difficult choice.
At this moment, another larger Lapras swam to the Lapras Mother's side, gently rubbed its head against her neck, and called out soothingly in her ear. Although its tone was also full of reluctance, it made the decision earlier than the Lapras Mother.
This one should be the Lapras Father.
Hearing her mate's persuasion, the Lapras Mother cried even more sadly. She kissed her child with her mouth, then pushed it towards Bai Feng.
Bai Feng picked up the Lapras Egg and said, "Since you have made up your decision, I can promise to take good care of it. I will take good care of it."
Gastly pouted. "I don't know what you're all sad about. This child will be much more comfortable following that kid than being tossed around with you. You should be happy!"
Hearing Gastly's words, Bai Feng glared at it fiercely. They were already so sad, and you're still making sarcastic remarks.
However, Gastly's words did indeed comfort the Lapras Mother. She finally stopped crying so sadly, then slowly swam to Bai Feng's side and solemnly expressed her thanks to him.
After the Lapras left, Gastly said to Bai Feng, "Kid, now it's time for us to say goodbye."
"Okay... then... goodbye?" Bai Feng said.
Gastly was very dissatisfied with Bai Feng's indifferent attitude. "We fought side by side, after all. Why are you so cold?"
"What else? Hug you and wave goodbye with tears?" Bai Feng retorted.
"Hmph, goodbye!" Gastly snorted coldly, its form slowly disappearing from the air. After a long while, a voice emerged near Bai Feng's ear again, "Take care~"
After parting ways with Gastly, Bai Feng returned to Cinnabar Town, bought an Incubator for the Lapras Egg, and after properly settling it, he rode Dragonair and flew towards Pallet Town.
Although Bai Feng was trying his best to rush, he still couldn't reach Pallet Town before dark. It wasn't until the next morning that he returned to the Dormitory, exhausted.
There was no one in the Dormitory at this time. Student Dafu and the others must have gone to class.
Bai Feng originally thought there was still time and he should hurry to the Classroom, but when he saw the Bed in the Dormitory, he suddenly didn't want to leave. What class? He should sleep first.
He hadn't slept for two days. The night before last, he was dragged by Gastly to Wensen's Villa. Last night, he traveled all night. If he weren't a Psychic, he probably would have collapsed long ago.
Just like that, Bai Feng fell onto the Bed and slept soundly.
In the Classroom at this time, the Teacher was tallying the Students' Grades for this assessment.
Because Professor Oak had specifically greeted the various Gym Leaders and Day Care Owners, the Difficulty of the assessment was very high, so very few Students successfully obtained Badges and Certificates of Recognition.
For example, among Student Dafu, Classmate Shen Mu, and Walen, only Walen successfully obtained a Certificate. The other two failed miserably.
Watching the Teacher call out the names of those who received Badges and Certificates one by one, Student Dafu's mouth was practically watering with envy.
10 Points! This was 10 Points!
When the Teacher called out Senior Gu Chuan's name, he became even angrier.
"Why did that guy Senior Gu Chuan get a Badge!" Student Dafu couldn't help but complain.
Classmate Shen Mu whispered, "Honestly, although I dislike Senior Gu Chuan, I have to admit his Strength is very strong. It was within my Expectation that he would get a Badge."
Student Dafu immediately fell silent upon hearing this, because he knew Classmate Shen Mu was telling the Truth. Back then, the three of them combined couldn't beat him. If Bai Feng hadn't intervened, they would have been utterly humiliated.
"Sigh..." Student Dafu let out a deep sigh.
Senior Gu Chuan proudly and spiritedly accepted the Teacher's praise. After so many days at the Summer Camp, he finally got to hold his head high.
Thinking this, he glanced lightly at Bai Feng's seat, thinking: That guy hasn't come back yet. Could it be that he didn't get a Badge and is still stubbornly trying at the Gym?
The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed. Senior Gu Chuan's smile bloomed even more brightly, especially after seeing Student Dafu's envious and jealous gaze. He cast a provocative look at Student Dafu.
Ah~ In the days when Bai Feng wasn't around, even the air tasted of freedom.
"Classmate Shen Mu, quickly look at that annoying guy, was he just provoking me?" Student Dafu was so angered by Senior Gu Chuan's provocative gaze that he almost jumped up.
"It's probably your imagination?" Classmate Shen Mu said after a moment of hesitation. Of course, he saw Senior Gu Chuan's little action, but he was afraid that telling the Truth would make Student Dafu fight him.
"Hmph, Bai Feng also got a Badge. I don't know what he has to be so proud of. Is he very proud of beating a weakling like me? If he's got the guts, go beat Bai Feng!"
Although Bai Feng didn't return in time, they had communicated by Telephone, so Student Dafu and the other two knew that Bai Feng had gotten a Badge early on the first day.
Hearing Student Dafu's words, Walen turned her head. "It seems you have some self-awareness, knowing you're a weakling."
Student Dafu snorted, pretending not to hear Walen's mockery.
The Teacher had actually already received notification from Professor Oak and knew that Bai Feng had obtained a Badge. So, after calling out everyone's names, he added:
"And Classmate Bai Feng. Although he couldn't return in time due to some special Reason, he already obtained a Badge on the first day. So let's give him warm Applause as well to congratulate him!"
*Clap clap clap~~*
The Students immediately applauded enthusiastically, only Senior Gu Chuan's face instantly fell.
Seeing Senior Gu Chuan's expression, Student Dafu was instantly delighted.
After school, Student Dafu and Classmate Shen Mu returned to the Dormitory and were surprised to find Bai Feng there. An excited Student Dafu was about to call out to Bai Feng to complain about Senior Gu Chuan, but Classmate Shen Mu stopped him.
"Let him sleep well. Classmate Bai Feng must be exhausted, otherwise, he wouldn't have skipped class!"
Just like that, Bai Feng slept until evening, sleeping for nearly ten hours in total.
When he woke up, Student Dafu and Classmate Shen Mu happened to enter the door. Student Dafu looked at Bai Feng in surprise. "Bai Feng, you're awake! Are you hungry? I brought you something to eat!" Saying this, he shook the lunchbox in his hand.
Hearing Student Dafu say that, Bai Feng's stomach immediately rumbled. Hearing this Sound, Student Dafu and Classmate Shen Mu both laughed in unison.
After eating and chatting with Student Dafu and Classmate Shen Mu for a while, Bai Feng went to Ash Ketchum's Home.
"Ash Ketchum!"
Ash Ketchum was playing hopscotch with Pikachu at the door when he suddenly heard someone call him. He looked up and saw it was his dear uncle!
"Uncle, you're back!"
Ash Ketchum threw away the Stone in his hand and quickly ran to Bai Feng's side. Pikachu followed closely behind, but ran even faster than Ash Ketchum, then "whoosh" it darted into Bai Feng's arms.
Bai Feng took out the Light Ball he had obtained and held it out to Pikachu. "Pikachu, this is a Gift I brought for you."
"Pika!"
Pikachu excitedly took the Light Ball, holding it with both hands. The Orb then slowly melted into Pikachu's Body.
"What was that? Why did it suddenly disappear?"
Ash Ketchum curiously felt all over Pikachu, and Pikachu itself twisted its "slim waist," constantly searching its Body for the Orb.
"That's a Light Ball. It's a Held Item unique to Pikachu. With it, Pikachu will become stronger," Bai Feng explained to the Human and Pokémon.
Ash Ketchum said in surprise, "Really? Pikachu, have you gotten stronger?"
Pikachu looked bewildered, then suddenly jumped from Bai Feng's arms to the Ground and unleashed a Thunderbolt towards the Clearing. It indeed felt its Body full of Electricity.
"Pika~ Pika~" I can beat ten!
(^_^) Pikachu clenched its little fists and said confidently to Bai Feng and Ash Ketchum.
"Uncle, do I have a Gift too?" Seeing that Pikachu got a Gift, Ash Ketchum looked at Bai Feng with Expectation.
Bai Feng: ...
"Of course you do! Wait a moment, Uncle will look for it."
Unable to bear disappointing his cute little nephew, Bai Feng had to diligently search through his Space Backpack, trying to find a Gift for Ash Ketchum.
After searching for a long time without finding anything, Bai Feng finally took out a delicate little glass bottle. The bottle was about the size of a thumb, and inside it contained a green liquid that sparkled, looking very beautiful.
The bottle contained a drop of Dragon Energy Essence Liquid that flowed from Dragonite's Dragon Orb.
"This is for you."
"Wow, what is this? It's so beautiful!"
Ash Ketchum exclaimed, holding the small bottle, and held it up to the setting Sun. The emerald green liquid became even more beautiful against the backdrop of the evening glow.
"Keep it safe. The liquid inside is very precious. When you have a Dragon-type Pokémon in the future, give this bottle to it. This liquid is very beneficial for the Growth of Dragon-type Pokémon," Bai Feng instructed Ash Ketchum.
"Mhm mhm~~" Ash Ketchum nodded excitedly while playing with the bottle.
After playing with Ash Ketchum for a while, Bai Feng returned.
Several days passed in the blink of an eye, and finally, it was the last day of the Summer Camp.
In the morning, Bai Feng woke up and finished washing up. He was just about to go out to accompany his Pokémon for Special Training when he saw Student Dafu holding a Computer and browsing the internet. Student Dafu suddenly jumped up and exclaimed:
"Holy crap! Something big is happening! Classmate Shen Mu, Bai Feng, come take a look!"
(End of Chapter)