Pokémon: Above the Top

Chapter 821 - 818: Swipe the Card, I Don’t Carry Cash!

Comfey, the Posy Picker Pokémon, weaves the flowers it collects into wreaths and offers them to those it takes a liking to.Clearly, this Comfey had fallen for Joseph at first sight!

"You a doctor, kid?"

The old man suddenly asked curiously. It was his first time seeing Comfey show such open affection toward anyone.

Joseph stopped playing with Comfey and shook his head at the old man.

"I'm a Pokémon Breeder. Most of my partners are support-type Pokémon. Maybe Comfey felt their aura on me and found it comforting, that's probably why it approached me."

The old man nodded and quietly looked again at the cheerful Comfey spinning circles around Joseph.

"Comfey really likes you… If… if you're willing, take it with you."

Suddenly, the old man said softly, his tone carrying unmistakable reluctance.

Comfey also heard his words. It immediately floated back toward him, its eyes full of dependence and panic, as if afraid of being abandoned!

"Com~Fey~Fey!"

Comfey spun skillfully around the old man, releasing several tiny pink flowers made of pure energy that gently floated out and merged into his body.

Comfey's signature move: Floral Healing!

Instantly, the old man's pale, lifeless complexion flushed with healthy color again, and even his once-clouded eyes seemed clearer and brighter.

"That's enough, Comfey… My body's as good as it'll get. I'm at peace now that I've found you a good Trainer."

"Com… sob… Com… Fey! (í_ì)"

The old man gently patted the teary-eyed Comfey, then firmly pushed it toward Joseph.

"…We had an agreement, didn't we?"

At those words, Comfey's tears began streaming down like a waterfall, but it obediently stopped by Joseph's side.

"Sir…" Joseph tried to say something, but the old man waved his hand casually to stop him.

"I don't need to know who you are, nor do I need anything from you. Comfey chose you, so please take good care of it.

Give me one Pokédollar, and it's yours!"

As he spoke, the old man placed Comfey's Poké Ball on the counter, insistent on completing the transaction properly; money in one hand, Pokémon in the other.

Joseph hesitated several times, but in the end, he silently took a one Pokécoin from his pocket and gently set it on the counter.

"Transaction complete. Comfey is now your Pokémon. That's that."

The old man numbly picked up the small coin, but before he could react, Comfey looked ready to fly toward him again!

His lips moved slightly, as if muttering a command…

The next second, a small Elgyem suddenly appeared on his shoulder. With a flash of white light, both man and Pokémon vanished from the spot.

"COOOOM!"

Comfey clearly missed, and when it realized the old man had truly gone, it burst into uncontrollable sobs; yet still instinctively circled the place where he had been moments ago.

Joseph gently held the heartbroken Comfey in his arms, quietly channeling a bit of Viridian Power into its body.

After crying for quite some time, Comfey's sobs gradually weakened. Under the soothing effect of the Viridian Power, it soon drifted into a deep sleep.

Joseph softly returned it to its Poké Ball. Letting out a quiet sigh of relief, he looked around the small shop once more.

There really was nothing left behind…

"Joseph… that Comfey has incredibly high potential," Sato thought for a moment and said proactively.

"Yeah. Once we get back, I'll ask my uncle to help me track down that old man. I'm sure Comfey doesn't want to part ways with him so suddenly."

The three of them fell silent again, and the mood grew noticeably heavy.hen! This Fossil's clearly marked at 200,000. But for you, I'll do 100,000. Can you even afford that?"

The vendor pointed at the sign hanging over the fossil; it really was clearly labeled.

"I... I-I-I..." Mark started rummaging through his pockets, seriously considering buying it out of spite. After all, he was one of the Shadownight Gym's Big Three! He had some money!

He checked his left, then right pocket, front and back… but his wallet was nowhere to be found.

Oh no… he forgot it!

Surrounded by the vendor's mocking laughter and a crowd of eager onlookers relishing the drama, Mark broke into a cold sweat.

'CRAAAAP!' This is how you lose face!

Just then, Sato and the other two arrived at Mark's side, surrounding him from left, right, and behind.

Without a word, Sato calmly pulled out a Kalos-wide debit card.

"Swipe the card. I don't carry cash."

"BOOOOOSS!! (ノ≧≦)ノ"