Afterward, with Victini's help, Lucas ran several more tests.
Unfortunately, due to the influence of infinite energy, Arcanine in Magma Mode could even suppress Moltres briefly, so there wasn't much reference for exact power scaling.
But thanks to Victini, Lucas roughly identified the necessary conditions for Arcanine to trigger Magma Mode:
Elevated body temperature.
Surging energy.
Heightened emotion.
Short list, harder in practice—thresholds still unknown. Lucas planned targeted training around these three to help Arcanine activate this rare special ability on its own.
As for Arcanine making Moltres look a bit miserable and the ensuing mother-and-son melodramas—that wasn't Lucas's concern.
With Victini on board, farm operations and Pokémon training efficiency skyrocketed.
Tired from maintaining Grassy Terrain, Rain Dance, or Sunny Day?
Victini charges you up—go again!
Depleted energy and stamina from sparring?
Victini charges you up—fight a few more rounds!
Before long, Victini became the farm's team darling. To entice it to help, everyone snuck it treats.
Berries, leftover snacks; Ceruledge even set up a secret grill to barbecue just for Victini so it could swing its sword a few more times.
Lucas also formed a clearer understanding of Victini's powers and summed up a few points:
Victini's energy really might be infinite. From tiny Nymble that tire after a few ripenings to powerhouses like Luxray and Swampert with already-large reserves, Victini could "top them off" without breaking a sweat.
Victini has two main "charging" modes: a golden aura surge for one-off super-empowerments—like letting Vulpix one-shot the Shadow Triad or Arcanine trigger Magma Mode and down Moltres. The second is straightforward refueling of stamina and energy.
Perhaps as a constraint set by Arceus, while Victini's energy is infinite, too many buffs/charges in a row visibly exhaust its mind, making it hard to continue. In the movie, Damon knew this and used a sealing pillar to forcibly siphon its power—causing Victini great pain but enough energy to make the mountain-sized Sword of the Vale castle fly.
Conclusion: Victini's role is clear—logistics and support.
As expected of a function-focused Mythical, Victini's power delighted Lucas—but outside of battles, he put it to work on farming.
Under its empowerment, the combined Grassy Terrain from Comfey and friends saw earthshaking improvements; even Herba Mystica showed dramatic changes under the terrain, let alone ordinary crops.
…
June 15, Agricultural Zone.
In a special field, Comfey and Eldegoss had just ended a combined Grassy Terrain. The bright green motes faded, revealing the crops beneath.
A lush network of vines covered the plot—long, flexible tendrils with curling grips, tender green leaves and side shoots, pale yellow buds just peeking out.
Yes—watermelons, the indispensable summer heat-buster.
On his first day back from Unova, Lucas bought watermelon seeds at Los Platos's market and sowed them. Normally it takes months, but in under a week, they were about to bloom.
At this rate, by mid-July at the latest, he and the Pokémon would be eating their own watermelons.
Besides watermelon, he planted peaches, blueberries, cherries, and Armenian cucumbers—summer essentials.
He chose an expensive watermelon cultivar reputed to produce huge, sweet fruits.
Granny Touko suggested a newly developed seedless variety, but Lucas declined—"A watermelon without seeds has no soul."
As he left the seed shop, Granny Touko reminded him that her son would be back sometime in July or August. If Lucas had questions about Arcanine, it'd be best to talk then.
Back home from the fields, Lucas looked at the electronic ledger Oranguru provided—eyes wide with shock.
"Rock salt from Nacli, cotton from Eldegoss-line, plus the last month's berries and crops—altogether nearly 300,000 Poké Dollars?"
Good grief—seeds and saplings cost barely 10–20k, and most Pokémon food was farm-produced—basically free.
With Victini now on the farm, output would soar again; income would climb even higher.
Why be a wage slave? Come to the Pokémon world and run a farm!
With his wallet fat again, Lucas didn't sit on it. After holding some as emergency reserves, he placed new orders with the Machamp team—like sun and rain shelters for the ranch area.
A smaller portion went to the town appliance store to install air conditioners in every room and the living room before summer.
By the hottest months, he and the Pokémon could lounge indoors with AC, eating chilled watermelon and peaches, making desserts and drinks—what a life!
For that chill lifestyle, electricity is essential. Even with Victini charging Luxray and Raging Bolt, it was about time—Lucas would bring Zapdos to the farm to generate power.
No freeloading. We never lose!
He assigned Moltres to capture Zapdos for power duty. With its current strength, that Zapdos—on par with Moltres's former self—stood no chance.
He even sent Mimikyu along. If Articuno happened to be back on its island, they'd tie it up too—have it help Vulpix and the others build a few near-unmeltable icehouses above and an underground ice cellar. Then wine and dine them before sending them back.
As for Lucas, he rode Dragonite to Porto Marinada to make his final prep for Johto.
From Geeta, who planned to promote Terastallization across Paldea, he learned that the Treasure Eatery's Head Chef had developed an astounding special dish—its primary ingredient: Tera Shards!
Lucas knew what that meant. Collect fifty shards of the same type and give them to the Chef.
No comment on what dish that crystal makes, but the dish's effect varies with shard type.
He'd tested it: Dragonite's Tera type was Dragon. If he collected fifty Fairy shards and had the Chef cook the dish for Dragonite…
Dragonite's Tera type would become Fairy!
Unlike the raw power of Mega, the spectacle of Dynamax, and the one-shot nature of Z-Moves, Terastallization is a tactics system full of possibilities. Different Tera types paired with different Pokémon can create huge tactical value.
With a Johto trip coming to teach Dragonite Extreme Speed, Lucas had to seize the chance to change its Tera type.
How strong would Tera Normal Extreme Speed make Dragonite? Lucas couldn't wait.
Step one: buy enough Normal-type Tera Shards at Porto Marinada's auction market, then go to Medali's Treasure Eatery for the Tera dish.
At Porto Marinada, to buy more efficiently, Lucas contacted Terry from the Auction Management Committee—the man he'd saved in Asado Desert.
Upon hearing Lucas's request, Terry thought, then smiled: "For Normal-type Tera Shards, I can keep it to 3,000 per shard with fees included. Will that do?"
"No problem. I'll leave it to you."
Lucas nodded. He'd done his homework—and had once collected and sold Tera Shards himself.
Other trainers' stall prices for Normal shards bottomed out just over 3,000, but those were ones and twos. Buying fifty that way was a pain—better to pay a bit extra and have Terry source them at once.
By the way, prices vary by type—a big gap between expensive Dragon/Ghost/Psychic shards and cheaper Bug/Normal shards.
"Please wait; I'll prepare them now."
Adjusting his glasses, Terry bowed slightly and left.
In under half an hour, he returned with a heavy briefcase. He set it gently down, deftly opened the fine lock with gloved hands, revealing—
A pile of gorgeous crystals gleaming under the light.
"These shards vary in shape and size, but the Tera energy within is top grade. Please rest easy."
Even unprompted, Terry explained carefully.
Lucas nodded, confirmed the count, and swiped 150,000 Poké Dollars.
Pricey for changing a Tera type, but given the hidden power and tactical value, totally worth it.
With payment made and goods received, he had no reason to linger. He could browse stalls another time—right now he wanted to change Dragonite's Tera type ASAP.
As he lifted the case, Terry suddenly said, "Mr. Lucas, do you remember the question you asked me when you rescued me in the desert?"
Lucas paused, memories surfacing.
He remembered asking:
"Why were you traveling alone in the desert, collapsing deep inside?"
"Even when I deflected then, you didn't press me—you gave me water and food and brought me back to Porto Marinada."
Terry's expression was complicated. Since being saved, he'd debated telling Lucas. Now he'd decided.
Out of gratitude and a sober view of his own strength, he wanted to share the news.
"I used to be a traveling merchant hauling a huge pack of goods across Paldea. I dug up some intel."
"Deep in Asado Desert are two huge, peculiar Pokémon. In their lairs are treasures of great rarity."
"Plants with miraculous effects, and an item that could evolve a Pokémon confirmed as nonevolving."
"I'm ashamed—I planned to prepare better and try again. But after you saved me, as time passed, I let it go. I've settled down in Porto Marinada with a wife and child; I no longer have the courage to adventure."
He handed Lucas an old map.
"This is the specific route I drew. If you need it, you can take a look. That's all I have to say."
Lucas unfolded the map. Besides detailed Asado Desert markings, a route was traced in pen.
He thought he knew what Terry meant. Two huge peculiar Pokémon—surely Paradox Pokémon, Iron Treads and Great Tusk.
The special plants were likely Herba Mystica. But what item could evolve a Pokémon deemed nonevolving?
He admitted Terry had piqued his curiosity and sparked a desire to explore Asado Desert.
But not now.
Rolling up the map, Lucas met Terry's calm gaze and nodded. "If I get the chance, I'll go."
Terry didn't stop him further.
Lucas took the case, rode Dragonite, and reached Medali's Treasure Eatery before dinner. Under Larry's baffled look, he set the case before the Head Chef and ordered the "Special Hidden Dish."
Moments later, Dragonite ate the Tera dish. A peculiar glow blossomed around it. Patting its belly, then looking at its claws, it felt… different somehow.
Impatient, Lucas dragged Larry—who was about to enjoy a rare quiet shift—into the Eatery's battle court for a Tera test battle. They fought to their hearts' content.