Release That Pokémon!

Scyther wouldn't attack Dragonite, after all, Caleb had just helped it...

Ursaring, however, let out a displeased growl at Dragonite.

Dragonite narrowed its eyes slightly, its lake-green gaze turned sharp and domineering as it stared at Ursaring, as if asking, 'Are you sure about that?'

Around Caleb and Mimikyu, Dragonite was a sweet and well-behaved softie.

However, in front of outsiders, it was still the same Dragonite tyrant that once ruled the Dragon Holy Land, striking fear into countless Pokémon.

Ursaring immediately backed down, retreating to the side without another sound.

Caleb almost laughed.

Dragonite blinked its big eyes and returned to his side, its face instantly reverting to that adorable and innocent expression...

Ursaring stared in disbelief. Watching Dragonite act cute, its worldview slightly shaken.

Caleb pointed at the tree trunk on the ground and said to Ursaring, "This is your job now."

Under Dragonite's oppressive aura, Ursaring had no choice but to swallow its grievances. With a sullen expression, it lifted the log and hoisted it onto its shoulder.

Caleb and Dragonite led the way, while Ursaring carried the log behind them.

Scyther followed as well...

...

The trip back to the campsite took about ten minutes...

Ursaring set the log down and stood stiffly at the cave entrance like a wooden post, alongside Scyther.

Caleb picked a few Berries from the iron pot and handed them to the two Pokémon, saying, "You remember the way here, right? I'll be staying here for a while. If either of you gets hurt in the future, you can come find me for healing."

Scyther's expression remained neutral, but Ursaring looked a little ashamed. It scratched its head and hesitantly pushed the Berries back toward Caleb...

Caleb: "..."

If Ursaring refused the Berries, he'd feel bad about asking it for help again...

Clearing his throat, he said, "Eat up first. There are still a few things I'd like your help with later..."

Chopping trees, hauling logs, shaping them into crude wooden stools with Slash, and then using the wood to block the cave entrance so no wild Pokémon would wander in at night and attack him and Dragonite while they slept.

This was a major project. It would probably take until nightfall to finish. So after finishing the Berries, the two Pokémon got to work...

Scyther chopped the trees, Ursaring carried them back, and then Scyther used its blades to refine the wood.

As the pile of logs grew, Caleb suddenly felt a bit like the cartoon lumberjack 'Baldy', and Ursaring kind of resembled one of the bears from the show...

The commotion from Ursaring and Scyther soon attracted a crowd of curious Pokémon peeking out from the bushes.

Caleb spotted a Sandshrew among them and immediately ran over with Dragonite to 'recruit' it.

Sandshrew panicked, then quickly turned to flee–

*Thud!*

...Only to smack headfirst into a tree and collapse in a daze.

When it came to, it saw Dragonite's imposing figure looming over it.

With a jolt of fear, Sandshrew immediately started digging a hole to escape.

But Caleb wasn't about to let it get away so easily. He had Dragonite pluck it out of the hole like a radish.

He stepped forward with a smile, saying, "Don't worry, we won't hurt you. We just need your help with something."

Since he couldn't find a Diglett, Sandshrew would do just fine for digging.

Sandshrew blinked its big dark eyes, looking pitiful and helpless as it let out a tiny squeak...

Caleb shrugged. Seeing that Sandshrew had stopped struggling, he picked it up.

He might not have the superhuman strength of Ash Ketchum, but carrying a 12kg Sandshrew was no problem for him...

"Squeak…"

Sandshrew trembled nervously in his arms.

Caleb carried it to the cave entrance and pulled a few sweet Berries from the iron pot, then handed them over.

"Little guy, can you dig a hole for me?" Caleb negotiated, pointing to a spot near the entrance, "Right here. As payment, if you get hurt anytime soon, you can come to me for healing."

To demonstrate, he placed a hand on Sandshrew's head and channeled his Viridian Power.

Feeling the warmth of the energy, Sandshrew's tension melted away. It blinked its big eyes and looked down at the Berries in its paws.

Sensing its thoughts, Caleb added, "Go ahead and eat. I'm a good guy, really. I won't hurt you."

Sandshrew glanced at Dragonite, then back at Caleb. Detecting no ill intent, it finally relaxed and started nibbling on the Berries like a happy little hamster.

The digging problem was finally solved...

After finishing its snack, Sandshrew smacked its lips contentedly and got to work, clawing at the spot Caleb had indicated.

"Good, good. No need to dig too deep… Yeah, that's perfect!" Caleb crouched nearby, watching Sandshrew work.

Soon, a neat little hole appeared.

Caleb and Dragonite carried over a log, testing its fit in the hole. It was just the right height to block the entrance.

Sandshrew's digging speed was impressive. In no time, a row of perfectly spaced holes was complete.

Caleb filled in the gaps, leaving a Dragonite-sized opening on the right side so it could come and go freely...

....

By the time everything was done, evening had arrived...

The temperature had dropped to a comfortable level, neither too hot nor too cold. A gentle breeze swept through, and the island seemed to settle into a peaceful quiet.

"Great work!"

Scyther, Ursaring, and Sandshrew stood in a row, a small mountain of logs piled beside them.

In one afternoon, Caleb had directed Scyther to shape thicker logs into five or six crude stools.

Dinnertime arrived...

The three Pokémon left to find food, while Caleb stayed behind to tidy up. Dragonite flew off to fetch water from the river two kilometers away.

Caleb saw Dragonite off with a reminder, "If you see any suitable Water-type Pokémon, try to bring one back. And be polite. No violence!"

"Wuuu!"

Dragonite acknowledged with a cry, then flapped its wings and took off.

Before leaving, it used Flamethrower to light a campfire inside the cave, the flickering flames illuminated the rocky walls.

Caleb sat on one of the log stools and gazed out at the darkening sky.

Night was falling again. What dangers would this evening bring? Just as he was lost in thought, a rustling sound came from the cave wall...

"Squeak~"

He turned to see Sandshrew poking its little head out from a freshly dug hole in the rock, its eyes bright and curious.

It looked oddly pleased with itself.

Caleb raised an eyebrow and asked, "Did you just… move in?"

"Squeak!"

Sandshrew nodded.

After spending the afternoon together, it had taken a liking to this human and decided to dig itself a cozy little home right next to his...