Chapter Seven: Pokémon in Their Twilight Years

Heath had no idea what Xiaogang was thinking. With a cheerful smile, he sent Xiaogang off after his purchase, then began tidying up his small stall cart, at the very least making sure it looked clean and presentable.

Heath paid special attention to appearances; often, diners cared as much about hygiene as they did about taste. After all, the difference between a dirty kitchen and a spotless one was immediately apparent to anyone. Back when Heath still lived on Earth, he had once mistakenly wandered into someone else's kitchen while dining out, instantly losing his appetite. Since then, he cared deeply about the sanitary conditions of his own kitchen.

The reward for serving Xiaogang brought him some joy as well.

"You've served Xiaogang and received a Full Restore (game version)."

Ordinarily, Heath wouldn't have cared much about a Full Restore, since the friendly shop sold them—albeit at a steep price of ten thousand League Coins per bottle. But the addition of "game version" made him genuinely happy.

The game version of Full Restore was a miraculous item, capable of instantly restoring full health and curing any abnormal status—a truly excellent tool.

"Green Onion!" The Leek Duck looked at Heath with eager anticipation, clearly wanting another chance to try making pancakes and egg fried rice. But Heath firmly refused its request.

He had to save the remaining ingredients for his customers; otherwise, he'd have to close up early if supplies ran out.

"Young Heath, do you have egg fried rice and drumsticks today?" A hoarse, elderly voice made Heath, busy at work, lift his head. Before him stood an old man, accompanied by an aged Charizard.

"It's Grandpa Ma Zhizhi! Of course I have some, but you might need to wait a bit," Heath recognized the old gentleman at once and hurriedly pulled out a stool for him to sit.

"Ah, young Heath is always so kind. Thank you, just the usual," Ma Zhizhi said with a warm smile as he took his seat.

Although Grandpa Ma Zhizhi was advanced in years, with white hair, wrinkles, and age spots, he still looked vigorous; his back remained straight when walking, and he needed no cane. He had long been one of Heath's regular customers.

Heath had first served Grandpa Ma Zhizhi back when he sold breakfast. The old man bought a pancake from him, and from then on became a loyal patron.

Heath deftly took out his wok and began preparing the old man's order. This time, he used freshly cooked rice that was quite soft, perfect for someone with weaker teeth. As for the drumstick, Heath pulled out a tender, braised chicken leg from the pot under his stall cart, placing it atop the egg fried rice and handing it to Charizard.

Charizard flashed a toothy smile; it was an elderly Pokémon, its skin no longer smooth but marked by the passage of time and scars from past battles. Most of its teeth had fallen out, leaving only two sharp fangs. The egg fried rice and drumstick Ma Zhizhi ordered were never for himself.

Heath remembered when the old man first asked him why his pancakes were so soft and tasty. Heath explained that he considered the dental needs of elderly customers. This answer delighted Ma Zhizhi, who then brought his old companion Charizard to Heath, asking him to prepare a meal for the Pokémon.

That was Heath’s first time cooking for a Pokémon, but he soon realized it was much like serving humans—just that Charizard, being old, had poor teeth.

Watching the flames flicker from Charizard’s mouth and the chicken leg slightly charred by its fire, Heath shook his head helplessly. The Pokémon was still the same as ever.

Despite its age, Charizard always breathed fire at mealtimes, trying to prove to its trainer that it still had fighting spirit. But Ma Zhizhi never paid it any mind, leaving Charizard feeling hurt.

"You, you—at your age, still thinking about battling every day! I worry you’ll throw out your back or break your bones next time you fight!" Ma Zhizhi scolded Charizard, annoyed.

"Roar~" Charizard ate its egg fried rice with a pout, arguing with its trainer between bites.

Heath watched the scene with a smile. After coming to this world, he discovered that aside from the presence of Pokémon and some advanced technology, most things were much the same as on Earth.

People still had to go to work; breakfast hours had passed, and the streets of Evergreen City had grown quieter. Heath finally had a rare moment of rest.

"You've served Charizard and received a TM for Fire Punch (disappears after use)."

Seeing Charizard finish its meal, Heath stroked his chin in surprise—he could even receive move TMs? The discovery excited him; perhaps someday he might serve Mewtwo or Mew.

If that were possible, could he obtain legendary moves as well? Would things like Precipice Blades or Roar of Time become reality?

At that point, what would it mean to be a legendary Pokémon? In front of Heath’s Leek Duck, even the most powerful would be nothing more than a child!

"Young Heath, thank you. Here's payment for the meal," Grandpa Ma Zhizhi happily left twenty-five League Coins, then slowly departed with Charizard.

Watching Ma Zhizhi and Charizard bicker as they walked away, Heath couldn't help but smile. What an endearing old man.

Yet as he looked at Charizard's aged figure and Ma Zhizhi's deliberately slowed steps, Heath sighed, uncertain how much longer Charizard would live.

After arriving in this world, Heath realized not only that it was the world of Pokémon, but also that Pokémon and humans alike could die. The Pokémon Tower in Lavender Town was filled with countless Pokémon at rest.

"Serve ten trainers to receive a random key clue."

Heath stared at the message box that appeared before him in surprise—so his golden finger had quests as well?

Though "quest" might not be quite accurate; at least there was no punishment or threat of erasure, which pleased Heath.

"Ten trainers, huh? Then the quickest way would be over there." Heath looked toward the Evergreen City Gym, where Mr. Giovanni was still a responsible Gym Leader.