You can read ahead up to 30 chapters on my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/darkshadow6395
This torrential rain came without warning. At first, Pokémon such as Caterpie and Wurmple put their differences aside and shared the same tree hollow.
Then, in a rare move, nearby Rock-type and Ground-type Pokémon huddled together, expanding their already cramped caves slightly. After gathering a considerable amount of food, they all burrowed inside.
The cave where Cyrus and Oleander were staying was also invaded by Pokémon, sensing the approaching hurricane-like storm. When the Pokémon saw Cyrus and Oleander, there was an awkward moment.
The two Cubone were like brave adventurers who had accidentally charged into a demon’s lair. Clutching their Bone Clubs, they guarded themselves cautiously against the Rhydon that had stood up, while also keeping a wary eye on Cyrus and Oleander, who were watching them from nearby.
When the Ninetales returned from outside and blocked the cave entrance, the two Cubones lost the courage to make a desperate attempt.
Cyrus and Oleander, however, showed little interest in these unexpected guests. The cave was large enough; there was still room for the two Cubone.
And so, the Cubone brothers ended up living in the cave alongside Oleander and the others. After all, the torrential rain had already begun.
When the storm hit, with thunder roaring without end, Oleander and Cyrus finally understood the unusual behavior of the various Pokémon in the forest.
This would be an intense rainstorm, lasting intermittently for one to two weeks. The rainfall was so intense that even Grass-type Pokémon joined the masses seeking refuge.
Of course, some Pokémon were happy.
With the sudden downpour, the entire world seemed to change.
Rock-type, Ground-type, Bug-type, and some weaker Grass-type Pokémon all hid away, yielding the stage to the Water-type Pokémon.
As Oleander stood at the entrance to the cave observing the rain, they were surprised to discover two Ludicolo near their home.
In the pouring rain, the two Pokémon swayed from side to side, moving in a chaotic rhythm and dancing in a strange yet silly manner.
A few Poliwag had come out of the stream to get some air. Seeing the Ludicolo’s antics, the Poliwag froze in place, wagging their little tails as they watched foolishly.
The Wooper, who had originally been playing happily in the rain, drifted closer to the Ludicolo, too. After watching for a while, it began hopping along and joined in.
Oleander suddenly felt that the name ‘Ludicolo’ could not be more fitting. Watching these two lively creatures wave their arms and dance wildly in the rain, the gloom that had lingered in Oleander’s heart for some time lifted considerably.
Oleander’s solar charging panel had stopped working three days ago. Even at the border between Eterna City and Oreburgh City, there was no escaping the sudden, hurricane-like downpour.
Fortunately, Oleander had sent a message to his subordinates before the storm arrived, reporting his situation and the supplies he needed.
Today was the agreed-upon day. Oleander brought Mantine to the designated location and waited quietly for Pidgeot to arrive.
The heavy rain poured down on him, and even with his trained body and good physique, he couldn’t help but shiver in the strong winds.
Fortunately, Pidgeot did not break its promise this time. Despite the fierce wind and rain, it used its powerful physique to break through the curtain of rain and arrive.
The tightly sealed package had a waterproof layer around its surface, so there was no need to worry about it getting damp.
Oleander took the note from the bamboo tube tied beneath Pidgeot’s leg and saw that the message still carried that familiar style. The little emoticon made her smile knowingly.
“(＾＾), Senior Oleander, keep it up.”
While many within the International Police may have regarded Oleander as a flood or a ferocious beast, Kaori and a few others who had once received her help did not think that way.
They were also the ones who had been providing her with continuous assistance deep in the mountains.
They had no idea what she was currently doing.
Such trust was, frankly, quite foolish. If they were her subordinates, Oleander would definitely scold them and then send them on a training journey to teach them a lesson.
Now, however, no longer the Deputy Minister of the Department of Safety, nor even part of the International Police, Oleander instead felt a warmth in her heart.
In weather like this, no one would be outside. Because of that, Mantine could fly close to the treetops without having to squeeze awkwardly through the dense forest to avoid the trees.
Once the hurricane-like rains had begun, visitors stopped coming to the Hodgepodge organisation’s base, and the lifting platform there fell into stillness.
News reports said that this was a rare hurricane, which would bring heavy rainfall to Eterna, Oreburgh and coastal areas, causing economic losses and possibly triggering natural disasters.
However, this same storm also prevented the leaders of the Hodgepodge organization from reaching the underground base in the mines on time.
As she watched branches being snapped off by the wind and whirling through the air, Oleander was suddenly struck on the forehead by a leaf flying straight towards her.
After peeling the leaf off, she realised her hand was covered in mud and decaying leaf matter, giving off an unpleasant earthy stench.
When she returned to the cave, Oleander unpacked the large parcel that had been delivered by Pidgeot, finding a change of clothes inside.
She stuffed them into a small bag and headed out of the cave once again.
“In this heavy rain, with Mantine still watching the Hodgepodge organization from the mountaintop, why are you going out?” Cyrus asked, taking a bite of a snack before breaking some off to share with the two Cubone.
“I’m going to bathe. What’s it to you?”
The blunt and straightforward reply completely silenced Cyrus.
Oleander arrived at a nearby pool, jumped in, and took out the towel she was carrying, scrubbing hard to wash the muddy smell off her body.
She had not felt the sensation of water enveloping her body for so long that she couldn’t help but linger in the pool and enjoy it for a while.
The dense patter of raindrops striking the ground drowned out all other sounds. Under normal circumstances, she would have noticed someone approaching.
A powerful Steel-type Iron Hand swept aside a fallen, windblown tree trunk that was blocking the path, snapping it cleanly in two.
Oleander froze for a moment before finally reacting. She suddenly sprang out of the water, grabbed her clothes, and fumbled for her Poké Balls.
A man with soaking wet hair, dressed in miner’s clothing and holding excavation tools, stepped out from behind Metagross.
He hadn’t yet noticed anything unusual. He simply rummaged through the bag hanging from Metagross, took out a stone, compared it with one he was already holding, sighed, and then put it back.
It was the sound made by Metagross that finally alerted him that something was wrong.
By the small forest pool, a woman, her body half-covered by her clothes, had just released a Beedrill and a Haunter.
Her eyes were filled with hostility.
The man finally realized the situation. Blushing, he quickly turned around.
“Sorry, sorry! I was just searching for ores in this area. I only happened to pass by here.”
(End of Chapter)
You can read ahead up to 30 chapters on my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/darkshadow6395