Pokemon Paldea [299-300] (Patreon)

Chapter 299: The Kanto League's Thank-You Gift: Gold and Silver Series Berries!

June 21, Friday.

As Dragonite landed smoothly, Lucas swung down from its back. Seeing the glasshouse that enclosed a vast swath of flower fields, he broke into a genuine smile.

It had been a day since he returned to the farm, and the glasshouse was now fully completed.

After careful consideration, he took the foreman's advice for the most crucial component—the glass—and used a special coated glass.

Its surface is layered with metallic and special compound films. The coating lets visible light pass through while highly reflecting infrared, keeping out summer heat yet ensuring ample light inside. The glass is also tempered, so it won't be too fragile in terms of strength.

Lucas didn't really understand the technicalities and left it to Oranguru to oversee.

He had just finished teaching Nemona and the others when Oranguru contacted him; Lucas immediately rode Dragonite back to the farm.

"Thanks for the hard work. We probably won't go out today—go have fun at Thunder Lake."

He patted Dragonite's lowered head. Only then did the affectionate Dragonite feel satisfied, flapping toward Thunder Lake.

July was near and the heat was rising; even the theoretically fire-resistant Dragonite was feeling it.

Aside from flying above the clouds to drill the essentials Lugia had taught it, Dragonite had turned semi-aquatic, living in the water with Dragonair and the others.

Heart pounding with excitement, Lucas strode to the glasshouse entrance—an automatic door with an advanced sensor system that could distinguish Pokémon and human body types, convenient for his farm's Pokémon to come and go.

It only opened for registered Pokémon, preventing wild ones from sneaking in by mistake.

The only drawback was having to update data whenever a Pokémon grew, evolved, or a new one joined—but manageable.

Upon entering, he immediately felt cooler.

Not air-conditioning cool, but a steady, temperate cool compared to outside heat—like the just-right climate of early spring after winter.

Of course, the central temperature control could be adjusted for different flowers. Very convenient.

When Lucas arrived, Oranguru and the foreman had been waiting a while. Seeing him, the foreman waved warmly to his top client, smiling brighter than the flowers.

"Mr. Lucas! How do you like it?"

"I think it's fantastic—"

"Vii~!"

Before Lucas could give a thumbs-up, a small Pokémon with a radiant grin popped out behind him and flashed a V-sign first.

"Victini."

Lucas smiled helplessly. How did this little one get into the flowerhouse? He scooped Victini into his arms and walked forward.

He looked around—not just the neatly partitioned flower beds, but especially the spot where the foreman and Oranguru stood—

A vine-twined green gazebo furnished with a table and rattan chairs for tea, reading, or a nap, plus a wooden swing big enough for a person to lie on.

On the table lay some white pages filled with black text—the completion contract. Since they'd aligned expectations beforehand and he was very satisfied with the build, he stepped up, took the pen Oranguru handed over, and signed.

The foreman checked it, tucked it into his briefcase, and beamed even brighter. "Then I'll take my leave, Mr. Lucas."

Lucas nodded slightly. Oranguru had handled the hospitality; no need to keep him.

The foreman bent a little to Lucas, then turned to Oranguru, grinning. "Thanks for the treat, Brother Oranguru. Next time I'm treating you at the tavern in town!"

Waving, he left the glasshouse and headed off the farm.

Oranguru pulled a rattan chair out with psychic power, and Lucas sat down, marveling at the fairy-tale setting.

He was getting spoiled—Pokémon pulling out chairs for him, and now this gorgeous glasshouse.

When he wanted to cool off he could sit in the gazebo, sip tea, read, play checkers with Oranguru, and sometimes, when feeling playful, hop on the swing—Victini was already on it, face alight.

No pushing needed—telekinesis did the job.

A Pokémon could have a grand time all on its own.

Seeing how practiced Victini was, Lucas couldn't help laughing and also felt a twinge of pity. Thankfully Victini had left Eindoak; at the farm, it could make many friends and enjoy the world's wonders.

Thinking of this, he turned to Oranguru and asked curiously, "What did you serve the foreman? Why is he set on taking you to a tavern?"

"Alcohol? Can Pokémon even drink…"

"When you were away, I showed him a little something. He insisted we go to the town tavern together—said something about 'challenging the house.'"

Oranguru smiled, flipped open his tablet, and pulled up a photo for Lucas.

"Uh—"

Lucas leaned in and was dumbfounded.

"Oranguru, Senior Bartender!?"

It was an officially certified license from the Bartenders' Association. It wasn't that a Pokémon took the exam that shocked Lucas, but the title—Senior Bartender.

As far as he knew, that was the highest rank for the profession.

He recalled Oranguru's resume filled with skills. He'd seen "bartender" listed, but never imagined Oranguru was top-tier.

He stared like looking at a deity, sucking in several breaths.

Oranguru only gave a mysterious smile.

Remembering something, Lucas asked, "Do you know how to make fruit juice?"

Oranguru blinked. "A little."

Lucas was speechless. "Feels like you're holding back… anyway."

"Do you know a juice with Pinap Berry as the star—plus Sweet Nectar or Combee Honey and other ingredients…?"

Oranguru pondered rather than answering immediately. "Even juices take effort and experimentation. To find the perfect proportions for layered flavor and outstanding taste, you need to work at it."

"I don't know what flavor you're describing, but I can try to make it."

Lucas's eyes lit up. "I'll trouble you then—but don't sink all your time into it. There's an Oranguru in Alola that makes the Pinap juice I mentioned."

"If it doesn't work, we can go to Alola, to the Pokémon Café in the forest near Hau'oli City on Melemele Island, and ask it for guidance."

"If it doesn't… Oranguru… ask it—"

Oranguru narrowed his eyes. Though the telepathic voice was calm, Lucas felt the expression turn strangely intimidating.

Oranguru stood, fanning himself. "No need for that. I will make the best Pinap juice—one hundred times better than that country café keeper."

With that, he strode out of the glasshouse in a blaze of resolve. The farm didn't grow Pinap Berries; he'd have to buy some first.

Lucas jolted and widened his eyes. "Uh-oh!!"

Seeing Oranguru practically combusting, Lucas finally remembered the Pokédex entry for the species.

They're kind to Pokémon and humans, and will gather herbs to help treat injuries.

But relations among their own kind are poor. They constantly scheme against each other, proving who's smarter and more skillful.

What he'd just said—however clumsy the analogy—was like praising a mistress in front of the wife…

Lucas broke out in a cold sweat.

At that moment, Combee, who'd poked her head out of the flower beds to find him once the commotion died down, buzzed up to Lucas, curious about his odd expression, head tilted.

"Bzz?"

"Ah, Combee. How is it? Do you like the glasshouse?"

Looking up at Combee's face shifting from forlorn to smiling, he already knew she was doing well.

"Bzz~"

Combee nodded vigorously and beckoned him to the back of the gazebo.

Her new home was there.

Victini, ever eager to join the fun, hopped off the swing and followed them.

Compared to the blooming side, this part had no flower clusters and was quite empty, save for a single ordinary apple tree.

"Vii!"

Under the apple tree, Victini pointed at a spot beneath the canopy, calling to Lucas.

Following its finger, he saw a beehive—much larger than those he remembered—but sized just right for Combee, hanging quietly there.

Eyes widening slightly, he asked, "Combee, did you build this hive yourself?"

Combee nodded proudly. Her kind instinctively knows how to build hives; during this time, she secretly constructed her first home.

She imagined that once she evolved, she would fill the empty space of the glasshouse with her hives, work with many kin to gather nectar, and present the finest Combee honey to Lucas!

…

June 22, Saturday.

The slumbering Moltres, Zapdos, and Articuno finally awoke.

Upon waking, they felt some change—closer to nature. Beyond their elemental energies, they could sense another power.

For now they could only sense it; how to absorb or wield it was beyond them.

With Lucas's explanation, the three Pokémon understood the enormity of their gains.

In time, they could, like the Fire, Thunder, and Ice gods, borrow nature's power in battle and influence the weather.

Damn, that was too cool!

No young divine bird could resist such temptation.

Zapdos and Articuno were now filled with one thought—

Moltres is a real one—sharing the spoils with its siblings!

If they had once been only somewhat special—sturdier than normal Pokémon—now they had a chance to step into a new realm.

Just being "caught to power a grid, build an ice house, and get carried by a support daddy" and they got such benefits!?

Zapdos and Articuno were already plotting excuses to keep in touch after their work was done.

Unlike Articuno and Zapdos, who had to grope about on their own—

As they say, "tenure is everything." With "tenure," Moltres would be guided personally by Lucas.

"How much do you understand about nature's power—nature energy?" Lucas asked.

Moltres thought. Frankly, it could vaguely feel nature energy, but didn't know how to stir it. It was totally different from absorbing elemental energy.

Just like Zapdos and Articuno—it was clueless.

Lucas wasn't surprised. If nature energy were easy to borrow, there wouldn't be so few special legendary Pokémon.

Even among legendaries there's a gap: the Mega Rayquaza that can 1v7, versus a Suicune netted by a Pokémon hunter—they're not equals.

Per Lugia, the key distinction is whether they can use nature's power. Purely by strength, the Fire/Thunder/Ice trios are around Lorelei's ace level or weaker; borrowing nature's power lets them suppress her.

Moltres now held a ticket toward that pantheon.

How to draw on nature's power in battle would be its training theme.

Moltres was on Lucas's second team, and he was invested in its growth.

After a long explanation, Moltres nodded half-understandingly and asked the crucial question—

How should it master nature's power?

Lucas had ideas.

Beyond fundamentals and daily meditation to draw closer to nature, the fastest path was to learn from those adept at using it.

Several legendaries of known whereabouts flashed through his mind.

Results wouldn't come overnight; this needed long-term planning.

Zapdos and Articuno stayed two days, fully charged the power storage systems, and built an ice house more luxurious than Lucas imagined, before reluctantly leaving.

Before going, they said if Lucas needed power or ice anywhere, just call—they'd arrive faster than a meteor.

He felt they were reluctant to part—almost ready to stay if he asked.

Time flowed on. Three days later, Lucas received a call from Chairwoman Geeta.

About his activities around Shamouti Island in the Orange Archipelago of Kanto.

Because of the global live stream, many regions now knew about the trainer who commanded three legendary birds to suppress three legendary birds, and whose own Pokémon beat the Fire God and crushed the Ice and Thunder Gods.

Some netizens even dug up Iono's first-person commentary of the Champion challenge, boosting Iono's popularity, and revealing that Paldea now had a trainer on par with a champion.

Given all this, Kanto had a heated debate over what thank-you would suit Lucas.

As a champion-level trainer from Paldea—though not "League Champion" in title—his strength was factually on par. Things precious to normal trainers weren't so for him.

Whether rare, highly talented Pokémon or training resources, he could likely acquire them himself. For the League HQ, sending such things felt unseemly.

In the end, with Lorelei's active involvement and persuasion, Kanto settled on a gift.

On the call, Geeta sounded odd. "Uh… Lorelei heard your main job now is 'farmer,' so she wondered if you might be interested in some special crops."

"Special crops?" Lucas blinked.

Did Kanto have those?

Geeta nodded and recited from the email. "They say there are extremely rare 'phantom' berry trees in Kanto that bear berries more precious than ordinary ones—the 'silver' and 'gold' berries."

"Their names: Silver/Gold Pinap Seedlings, Silver/Gold Razz Seedlings, and Silver/Gold Nanab Seedlings."

Lucas fell silent, then drew a sharp breath.

Were these the Gold Pinap/Razz/Nanab he was thinking of?

In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu/Eevee, those berries are capture items.

Gold Pinap raises item drop rates when catching. Gold Razz raises catch chance. Gold Nanab soothes Pokémon.

Reality differs from the games; if even Kanto considered this gift more precious than rare Pokémon and resources, there must be some unique edge…

He thought of the partner mascots from those titles. Maybe it was wishful thinking.

Also, he hadn't forgotten Oranguru still locked in combat with his offhand remark.

These days the drinks, which Oranguru usually prepared, had been replaced entirely by endless variants of Pinap juice. They were good, so no one could object—but Oranguru remained dissatisfied; no matter how tasty, Lucas and the Pokémon were getting sick of it.

Hearing of silver and gold Pinap berries, Lucas decided to accept Kanto's gift—if only to get other beverages back into rotation.

"I'll take that, Chairwoman," he said without hesitation.

Geeta, unsurprised, nodded. "I'll inform Kanto. But those seedlings are rare; even they'll need time to prepare. I'll let you know."

A pity; he wanted them immediately, but so be it.

"I understand," said Lucas.

Telling Oranguru about the silver/gold Pinap might slow his frenzy. Better ingredients make current ones look lacking.

Before hanging up, Geeta reminded, "Make sure you arrive in Blackthorn City, Johto by the 30th for the Dragon Clan event."

"Don't worry," Lucas smiled. "This is about my Dragonite learning Extreme Speed. I'm more eager than you think."

"I'll probably leave for Johto in a few days. There are Pokémon I want there; I plan to catch some for the farm."

"Oh? Like what?" Geeta asked, intrigued.

"Like Bug/Rock-type Shuckle—it can brew delicious, nutritious juice in its body, or produce medicines that bring out herbs' full effects."

"And Meganium, the final evolution of Chikorita issued by the local lab—its breath can revive withered plants."

"Mareep for wool, Miltank for MooMoo Milk, luck-bringing Togepi, adorable Pichu and Eevee, etc…"

Chapter 300: An Intruder Arrives—A Blade Gleaming with Pink-Violet Light!

June 25, Mesagoza, Naranja Academy.

Though summer break was days away, most students had already left, many being from other regions.

With fewer students, parts of campus began changing colors and decor—from orange to grape.

The fall/winter uniforms next term would focus on purple. Lucas liked it.

In an empty classroom, hearing the chatter, Lucas paused while packing teaching aids and joined in.

"Penny's heading back to Galar too?"

"It's not like I want to! My dumb dad heard that Nemona and the others were traveling Galar and suggested they visit the Crown Tundra for the scenery, blah blah… and I got swept along. Now I'm going too."

Under Lucas's surprised look, Penny pouted hard, venting as someone swept along against her will.

Nemona, as always, threw an arm around Penny. "All of us traveling another region together—like a school trip! So exciting!"

"Still can't read the room as ever. Is her Ability 'Own Tempo'?" Arven shook his head, used to it.

Eri put away her book and asked, "Mr. Lucas, is the Orange Islands thing true? Lots of students are talking about it, saying you turned the tide singlehandedly and even outshone Kanto's Ice Elite, Lorelei."

"…"

Overall, that was right, but somehow being praised like that made him embarrassed.

Even though he fell silent, Nemona and the others got more excited, chattering. It had been late at night then; they'd slept soundly, and follow-up reports were scarce, so they pieced things together via student gossip.

"Heh."

Penny pushed up her glasses with a mysterious chuckle.

"I have the broadcast recording. I hacked Kanto League systems to pull a high-definition copy. Very rare."

No sooner had she finished than Nemona and Eri flanked her arms. "Let's go! To your dorm!"

"Wait—"

Penny's face went pale. She immediately regretted bragging to bait them.

We can't go…

There are amiibo figures I bought for games in my room…

Nemona was just extra weight, but Penny had no chance of breaking Eri's grip. Resigned, she was dragged away.

Arven: "…"

Used to it.

Before leaving, Arven mentioned his parents, Professors Sada and Turo, seemed to have made progress and might be unreachable for a while; they were informing him in advance.

He left with Mabosstiff. Their flight to Galar was tomorrow; he had to pack and lock up.

Watching him go, Lucas stroked his chin, thoughtful.

"Progress in research?"

Interesting. Lucas probably knew more than they did.

One project: AI Sada and AI Turo. The other: an epochal device—the time machine said to capture paradox Pokémon from past/future timelines and transport them to the present!

In the games' first run, the time machine even sent the AI professor to past/future.

Either result would profoundly impact Paldea.

And once the time machine succeeded, that destined accident would be near.

After class, Lucas didn't linger. Pre-break courses were over: time for a glorious month of paid vacation.

The Dragon Clan schedule was the 30th. Before then, he wanted to roam Johto, see what Pokémon to bring back to the farm.

As he'd told Geeta.

He mounted Dragonite and flew back. After landing, he checked the time. "Over a minute faster than usual…"

"Drago~?" Dragonite tilted its head.

"You've improved your control of Flying energy and the slipstream again, right?"

Dragonite bit a chubby claw and thought. Indeed, while combat hadn't changed much, over time it sensed a change—a slow "great enlightenment": its sensitivity and control over Flying energy, necessary airflow for storms, and currents were growing naturally. Even things lost upon evolving from Dragonair were returning.

Hard to say why, but it had a hunch: soon it might learn a very remarkable move!

Seeing its derpy cuteness, Lucas's mood brightened. He couldn't resist rubbing that wonderfully squishy belly.

While de-stressing via belly rubs, he pondered his first-team mains.

Dragonite and Swampert had both gotten big boosts. With Extreme Speed training, Dragonite might exceed expectations.

Mimikyu had its exclusive Z-Move. Serperior could use Grassium Z when needed—Combined with Leaf Storm and Contrary, dumping a Grassium Z after ramping up would be terrifying.

Then Luxray and Ceruledge.

Luxray was limited—no exclusive or universal Z, no Mega. Swampert could flip a match via Mega; Luxray's growth was slow grind. Terastal helped, but not as dramatically as Mega Swampert.

At this level, improvement is hard. Strengthening Luxray would take long-term planning.

Ceruledge practiced swordsmanship; sharpening its techniques would steadily raise power.

Perhaps learning from other sword-savvy Pokémon—even legendaries.

But meeting legendaries wasn't easy. Still, Lucas lacked everything except time.

He believed these problems would solve themselves in the farm's future. No need to rush—enjoy the present.

After a while, he sent Dragonite back to Thunder Lake to rest, then grabbed milk pails and a milker to tend to Miltank and Skiddo.

On the way, he met three Nacli hopping in a row toward the salt house.

As they went, they left a faint trail of rock salt on the path. Oranguru would later collect it psychically, clean it, then use or sell it.

Don't be fooled by their size; their salt sold well. When they evolved into Naclstack and Garganacl, production would surge!

As he once said, fully evolved Nacli-lines are walking money printers.

"Nacl~!"

Passing Lucas, the trio paused to salute, then continued to the salt house.

They were grateful for the delicious soil, and for the shelter Lucas built.

Warmth filled Lucas's heart, and he thought of a Johto landmark—Mt. Silver!

Mt. Silver lies east of Johto, west of Victory Road and Indigo Plateau. Locals often call it the Mt. Silver Range due to its vastness.

In the games, only the top trainers could enter.

Because of complex terrain and wild, survival-of-the-fittest Pokémon, ordinary trainers might not return.

Thus it's under Kanto and Johto League jurisdiction—no entry to the average trainer.

Many Tyranitar lines live there.

Larvitar's growth to Tyranitar takes time and copious nutrition—stored through Pupitar to break free as Tyranitar.

If Tyranitar chose Mt. Silver, surely the soil is rich.

He glanced at the leaving Nacli, thoughtful.

Maybe he could snag some Mt. Silver soil?

Buy a space backpack, bring two Sandslash, dig half a day, fill it with dozens or hundreds of kilos of premium soil for the Nacli to feast on—speeding evolution.

Maybe he could raise salt tyrants to rival the desert tyrant?

He already pictured bringing three rock-solid salt kings to teach Nemona and the others the malice of adulthood.

Oh—and check whether a taciturn trainer sat atop the peak.

…

Next morning.

Lucas was jolted awake by hoarse cries overhead.

Eyes bloodshot, he shoved Serperior's tail aside, peeled Mimikyu off his face, tucked a thin blanket over Victini and Vulpix, skipped changing, and yanked the window open to the sky.

He'd thought: Corviknight and the others hadn't caused trouble in a while; what got into them this morning?

But then he saw the Corvisquire flock, under Corviknight's command, bombarding a spot near the farm's edge—something was off.

"Wild Pokémon intruders?"

He squinted his sore eyes, resisting the urge to rub them.

Since Three Scar's flock was recruited as temp hires to guard the farm, occasional incidents happened.

They were on the outskirts, near the wilds, with tempting crops, berries, and Herba Mystica.

Paldea's wilds had plenty of hungry Pokémon—Gumshoos, Houndour/Houndoom raids were common.

Before, Luxray alone deterred them; now, unless the Corvisquires couldn't hold, Luxray, Arcanine, and Dachsbun mobilized.

It wasn't about using the birds as fodder.

If there was a battle, the reward was richer; they gained combat experience and toughened the chicks.

With Comfey on hand, injuries weren't a big worry—unlike the wild, where they'd always weigh retreat and risk. Three Scar's team was happy to do it.

As before, Three Scar chose high-altitude harassment and movement-restricting tactics.

But results seemed poor.

"Caa—caa—caa!"

The Corvisquire flapped and cawed, trying to draw the intruder's attention.

But the "Pokémon" below ignored them, plodding toward the fence.

Seeing the warning unheeded, Three Scar signaled, and the flock unleashed Air Cutter, sharp wind blades cascading down. Yet the strange Pokémon didn't even look up, letting the blades spark off its body.

"Such strong defense—"

Three Scar's red eyes locked on the "Pokémon."

It looked like a fusion of Gardevoir and Gallade. Unlike Corviknight, whose feathers and armor contained metal, this Pokémon was entirely made of unknown metal—like a robot.

In its left hand it held a twin-edged pink-violet blade with a slight curve, gleaming with a strange light.

It hadn't revealed its edge once. Seeing its kin's attacks fail to scratch it, Corviknight halted them and descended slightly to face it personally.

"Caa—!"

The stalwart Corviknight issued a final warning: insist on invading and you'll face the sky's unrivaled Corviknight!

This time, the mysterious Pokémon finally looked up.

In eyes similar in color to Corviknight's, data streams flickered. In its HUD, the threatening Corviknight at close range was marked as a hostile entity.

Hostiles are to be removed, destroyed, eliminated.

The Pokémon gripped its pink-violet blade and—struck!

In an instant—

The blade flared; a near-solid crescent of psychic edge howled forth at Corviknight.

Too sudden—Corviknight couldn't even raise a guard, staring dumbly as a blade that could split its armor—and mind—raced in.

Then, because he'd been nearby following the commotion and per protocol hadn't acted yet—Luxray moved.

With Luxray's roar, a bolt crashed from the heavens onto the psychic blade. Electric and psychic forces tore and bit each other before detonating with a deafening crack. The shockwave flung Corviknight back, and Luxray, cloaked in thunder, leapt to block the intruder.

Seeing big bro Luxray's flashy save, Arcanine and Dachsbun burned with eagerness to join him.

"Raaow—"

As they were about to dart past the fence, Luxray's black mane bristled and its star-tipped tail flicked. A low growl warned them to stay back—

This foe was no match for them!

It was on the level of, or beyond, Raging Bolt.

Luxray could suppress it, but if it rampaged, it might damage the farm—that was his headache.

Fortunately, the farm lay behind him, and allies were racing over. Until then, Luxray just needed to keep the intruder from taking a single step closer.

With a deep growl, his golden eyes blazed like flowing metal, as if seeing through all before him.

The mysterious Pokémon sensed a threat far beyond Corviknight's. For the first time it took a stance, lifting its gleaming pink-violet blade.

The battle was about to erupt.