"It's still hot from the pot, everyone—eat slowly and don't burn your tongue."
Lucas handed out bowls of creamy mushroom soup according to each Pokémon's appetite. For small Pokémon like Mimikyu, a small bowl was enough.
For larger Pokémon like Luxray, Swampert, Mudsdale, and Sawsbuck, they needed much bigger containers—like basins.
And then there was a special exception on the farm—the legendary Moltres.
Two months of farm work had made Lucas stronger and more muscular. He'd often admired his muscles in the bath.
Still, every time he prepared Moltres's meal, it was a bit of a struggle—because Moltres's portions were measured by the bucket.
He lugged a huge bucket of creamy mushroom soup to Moltres, who immediately plunged its head in and inhaled the steaming soup in a gust.
Maybe this was the composure of a Fire-type legend—if it could bathe in magma, what's a little hot food?
At first, Moltres was reluctant to eat from a bucket—it felt like being called a glutton or even being fed like a pig. But smaller containers emptied too quickly, so in the end, it went with the local custom. So what if it ate from a bucket? Not like it was eating anyone else's food!
Anyone who mocked it would be purified by its sacred fire.
Seeing Moltres eat so heartily, Lucas knew the dish was a hit. Before leaving, he reminded, "Moltres, remember what I told you—pick a suitable time to let me know. Growlithe has been born for a while, and training has gone well. With such a solid foundation, it's ready to evolve."
Moltres waved its wing without looking up, signaling understanding.
At the same time, a telepathic message, not needing vocal cords, rang out: ["Hmph, I've already planned that. When the time comes, just follow me to the volcano. Growlithe's evolution matters to me even more than to you!"]
Even though Moltres had never evolved itself, it knew how important evolution was to a Pokémon.
But, in Moltres's mind, evolving with just a Fire Stone wasn't worthy of its dear child Growlithe.
If it was going to do it, it would do it big!
Moltres decided to personally help Growlithe absorb the energy of magma—far purer and more powerful than any Fire Stone, and perfect for Growlithe's Fire and Rock typing!
After a hearty meal, the Pokémon went about their business. Those with nothing to do found a sunny spot to lounge and enjoy themselves.
Lucas found this very reassuring.
The battle-loving Pokémon would spar a short distance from the house, and lower-level ones would ask higher-level ones for move advice—a perfect example of the strong helping the weak.
Just like how Poliwhirl learned Rain Dance, and Growlithe learned Rock-type moves from Kukui's Lycanroc—for Lucas, who had made it through the hardest times, raising Pokémon no longer required his constant attention. As long as he set the direction, the Pokémon would grow strong.
In fact, many league gyms operated this way. Thanks to this system, they could select Pokémon to fit the challenger's strength and badge level—not too strong, not too weak.
Lucas picked up the backpack with the King's Rock and called out to Poliwhirl, who was about to go train with Swampert and its three little brothers. "Poliwhirl, Poliwag, and Serperior—let's go outside."
"Poli~?"
Poliwhirl blinked. Seeing Lucas's smiling eyes, it seemed to realize something, nodded excitedly, and apologized to Swampert before following Lucas.
The three Poliwags naturally followed their big brother, trusting Poliwhirl's wisdom entirely.
On the other side, Serperior, upon hearing its name, immediately held its head high. Though it looked proud and reserved, inside the little snake was wriggling with excitement.
Serperior cast a triumphant glance at Mimikyu, who had no presence without Lucas around, the honest Dragonite, and the cunning Moltres.
Little did it know, its rivals weren't even on the same track.
Before leaving, Lucas nodded reassuringly to Luxray, and Luxray nodded back in understanding.
For Lucas, as long as Luxray was guarding the house, he could rest easy.
For Luxray, aside from protecting Lucas, it would also guard the home Lucas cherished.
…
In the wild.
"Sererior~?" (Where are we going?)
Serperior raised its head, looking at Lucas with a puzzled expression.
Usually, if Lucas was going far, he'd take Dragonite, since it was so fast—even Serperior had to admit that.
But if Lucas was just wandering nearby, he'd bring Serperior.
So, today's trip wouldn't be far.
Lucas carried a red bucket in his right hand, a backpack and fishing gear on his shoulders—he looked like he was going fishing.
Lucas smiled and said, "The same little stream we fished at last time. I want to get revenge for last time!"
"And, it's better for Poliwhirl to evolve near running water. Even though Thunderlake's water is kept fresh, it's still a standing lake. Flowing water has a positive psychological effect for Pokémon."
He'd learned all this from the psychology books he borrowed from Nurse Joy.
Lucas flashed the King's Rock from his bag under Poliwhirl's sparkling gaze, then put it away again.
Hearing Lucas's ambitions of fishing revenge, Serperior couldn't help but scoff at his lack of self-awareness.
But Poliwhirl's evolution was serious business. Serperior had seen how much Poliwhirl longed for it—it had even considered tossing Lucas into the storeroom with Vine Whip and spanking him until he remembered what he'd forgotten.
But since Lucas had remembered, Serperior reluctantly put away its eager vines.