Su Yi, The Pokemon(?) Master (Pokemon X Monster Hunter Fanfic)

A Bug-type Pokémon stood before him, its head covered in white fluffy fur, a neck adorned with five red horns, and a body with three pairs of short legs.

"How could I forget? There are also Larvesta in Focus Forest," Su Yi suddenly realized.

Indeed, the Pokémon in front of him was a Fire/Bug-type Larvesta, which would eventually evolve into Volcarona—a Pokémon Su Yi had once mistakenly thought was a pseudo-legendary.

"Lar!" The Larvesta was startled by Su Yi's sudden approach. Since it wasn't among the Pokémon Su Yi had initially helped, it wasn't familiar with him.

Frightened, the Larvesta let out a sharp cry and bolted into the forest.

"I'm sorry! Don't run!" Su Yi realized his mistake and immediately gave chase.

Surprisingly, despite its small size, Larvesta's short legs moved swiftly, allowing it to escape at a decent speed.

"Larvesta, I don't mean any harm!" Su Yi called out as he pursued. The Larvesta dashed into a patch of tall grass.

"Vesta!" Suddenly, Larvesta was sent tumbling out of the grass as if something had struck it.

"Awooo!" A massive yellowish reptilian creature emerged from the foliage menacingly.

"Great Jagras?!" Su Yi instinctively touched the Poké Ball on his waist—his own Brutal Staraptor was still inside.

"What's going on?! How is this possible?!" Seeing the familiar beast in front of him, Su Yi's mind momentarily froze.

"Awoo!" The unexpected Great Jagras roared and swung its claws at the stunned Larvesta.

"Watch out!" Su Yi immediately grabbed Larvesta, firing his grappling hook at a tree. Just as the claws were about to slash his back, the hook pulled him to safety.

The Larvesta in his arms trembled uncontrollably.

"Come out! Great Jagras!" Su Yi tossed his Poké Ball, releasing his own Great Jagras. The Pokémon was startled to see an identical version of itself before it.

"Awoo!" The mysterious Great Jagras roared again and attacked.

Su Yi's Great Jagras's expression hardened, and it countered with a fierce Dragon Claw attack.

BAM!

The opposing Great Jagras was sent flying backward.

Buzz!

A strange sound filled the air as the opponent's form began to shift, morphing into a black-furred fox-like Pokémon.

"A Zorua!" Su Yi exclaimed in shock.

"So it was just an illusion? This Zorua's illusion ability is incredible—it perfectly mimicked a much larger Brutal Staraptor without any flaws."

Su Yi remembered that Zorua's illusion powers weren't usually that strong. Typically, its disguises had some minor inconsistencies, unlike its evolved form, Zoroark, which was a master of deception.

"Heehee!" The little fox chuckled mischievously before darting back into the trees.

"Whew, that was close…" Su Yi let out a breath of relief, while his Brutal Staraptor tilted its head, clearly impressed by Zorua's transformation skills.

"Alright, the danger has passed. Sorry for scaring you," Su Yi gently patted the Larvesta in his arms to reassure it.

"Jiiwu…" Larvesta still seemed shaken.

Su Yi carried it back to the berry grove and set it down. Larvesta hesitated for a moment before scurrying away, disappearing once again.

"Sigh, I was too impulsive." Su Yi sighed, feeling a bit frustrated with himself.

"Forget it. If it's meant to be, it's meant to be." He pushed the thought aside and took out the gifts he had prepared.

A variety of berries and food were piled together—some from the Pokémon world, others from the Monster Hunter world, and even some Pokémon treats he had gotten from Master Ma.

"Come on, everyone, eat up!" Su Yi invited.

Immediately, the Pokémon cheered, diving into the feast as if they were attending a grand banquet.

At that moment, several Pokémon Su Yi had befriended approached him, carrying various items.

"Huh?" Su Yi looked closer—mushrooms, assorted apricorns, shiny fragments, and even a precious Leaf Stone.

Pointing at himself in surprise, Su Yi asked, "For me?"

"Pika!" Pikachu handed him a gift.

"Goomy!" A Goomy climbed onto Su Yi's head and proudly presented him with a Revive fragment.

"I can't thank you all enough for these gifts," Su Yi said, deeply touched.

These items might not hold much value to the Pokémon, but to Su Yi, some of them could be exchanged for money—his very first funds in this world.

For Pokémon-like followers, potions and Revives were essential supplies, and those required money.

These little ones had just solved a critical problem for him.

The sun began to set, casting a golden glow across the sky.

After spending some relaxing time together, Su Yi bid farewell to the Pokémon.

"Goodbye, everyone!" He looked around but still didn't see Larvesta.

Shaking off unnecessary thoughts, he climbed onto his bird mount and prepared to return to the dojo.

"Hm? Why does my backpack feel heavier?" Su Yi adjusted it, sensing something off.

When he opened the bag, a small white head peeked out.

"Larvesta?!" Su Yi exclaimed in shock.

"Lar!" Larvesta shrank back slightly.

Lowering his voice, Su Yi quickly reassured it, "Sorry, sorry, I just wasn't expecting this…"

"Vesta~" Larvesta pushed forward an Oran Berry as if to show goodwill.

Taking the berry, Su Yi asked seriously, "Are you sure you want to come with me? The places I'll be going could be dangerous."

Although Larvesta had great potential, it seemed timid. Adventure might not suit it.

Su Yi wasn't just looking for a Pokémon to help incubate the egg—he wanted a true companion, and he cared about its feelings.

"Lar…" Larvesta glanced back at the shadowed forest, then at the open sky. The longing for the outside world overcame its fears.

"Vesta!" It nodded firmly.

"Alright, then from now on, we're partners." Su Yi held out a Poké Ball as if offering a fist bump.

Ding! Larvesta gently tapped the Poké Ball, and the capture was complete.

Back at the dojo, Su Yi burst in energetically.

"I'm back! Aunt Honey, Master Mustard!"

"Oh? You seem excited," Mustard chuckled.

Su Yi grinned. "I've gained a new teammate."

He carefully held out the dragon egg, with Larvesta perched on top.

"Lar…" Larvesta shyly greeted them.

Meanwhile, in President Rose's office in Wyndon, Leon entered, only to see Bea, the Galarian Fighting-type Gym Leader, fully dressed in her battle attire.

"Leon." Bea turned to him.

"Our Champion, you could take a few more days to rest," Rose said with a wry smile.

"It's fine. I met someone interesting, and now I'm fired up again," Leon replied with a grin.

Rose raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You do seem more energized. I recall you went to the Isle of Armor, correct?"

"Yes, sometimes you need a change of pace," Leon said.

"The Isle of Armor… That's the home of former Champion and ex-Fighting-type Gym Leader Mustard, who was also Leon's mentor," Bea murmured to herself.

"If I'm still hesitating, why not go there? I can also find out the secret behind the rise of a Champion."

Making up her mind, Bea turned to Rose. "President Rose, I'd like to take some time off."

"Understood," Rose replied, unfazed—Bea often took time off for training.