"SSS+ grade ingredient—powder made from Articuno feather shards, energy evenly distributed. Could be used to prepare a dish loved by Ice-type Pokémon?"
Reading this description, Lin Feng put on thin gloves, picked up the bass he had caught, and started thinking about what he could make with it.
The fish wasn't dead; only a thin layer of ice had formed over its body, temporarily suppressing its vitality.
Once he wiped off the surface frost and placed it back in water, it quickly regained its vigor.
Watching the bass swim, countless culinary ideas flashed through Lin Feng's mind.
Fried fish, fish soup, fish balls, grilled fish, stews, steamed fish, spicy fish head, stir-fried fish fillets…
In the end, he dismissed all of them.
These dishes all required heat, and pairing a hot dish with an Ice-type dish felt inappropriate.
Moreover, using the ingredient incorrectly could be wasteful. With only one Articuno feather, even a small loss would be heartbreaking.
Yet Lin Feng's thoughts lingered on the ultimate destination for this ingredient…
Fish jelly!
Cold marinated fish skin!
Sashimi!
Although the first two required heating, both needed to be cooled in the end. That was when adding the Articuno feather powder would be most effective.
One dish would be crisp and delightful, the other soft and chewy—the perfect preparation methods.
With that settled, Lin Feng wasted no time. He bled the fish, scaled it, and removed its innards.
The fish wasn't large. After trimming, it weighed about three pounds.
Looking at the intact fish skin, Lin Feng cut it into small pieces, roughly the size of Alolan Vulpix's mouth.
He then poured water into a pot. Once slightly warmed, he added the fish slices.
The cooking time didn't need to be long. Once the water heated, the fish slices cooked through, allowing him to remove the skin.
But the cooked fish had to be immediately placed into ice water. This was crucial to ensure crispness.
Since hearing about Lin Feng preparing a special dish, Alolan Vulpix had been waiting in the kitchen.
Now it was its moment.
Breathing out icy mist, it helped create the crisp fish skin.
Finally came the cold marination stage. After adding seasonings and about a third of the crystal powder, the dish was complete.
Notably, it was after adding the ice crystal powder that the dish's true magic appeared.
The naturally curled fish skin seemed to gain a mysterious energy, radiating a faint icy blue aura.
As if some hidden effect had been activated.
"Ying…yingying!?" (Can I eat it now? Can I eat it now!?)
Alolan Vulpix could no longer contain itself, licking its lips as its eyes sparkled while staring at the bowl of fish skin.
Lin Feng looked at the dish.
"SSS+ grade cuisine—Ice Crystal Cold Marinated Fish Skin, made by mixing powdered Articuno feather with bass. The cooking process infused the chef's special emotions, enhancing damage against Dragon-type Pokémon. Exclusive for Alolan Vulpix."
Note: For best results, wait two hours before consumption.
Dish Effects:
Ice-type Weather Control: After eating, the Pokémon's ability to manipulate snowfall is significantly enhanced. Only effective on first consumption.
Infused Emotion: The chef's emotional energy is infused during preparation. After eating, the Pokémon deals 50% more damage to Dragon-type Pokémon.
Fish Skin Effect: After eating, the Pokémon can breathe underwater.
Three effects in one dish.
The first effect enhanced Alolan Vulpix's weather control ability directly, while the other two were secondary. Yet it was this first effect—the Climate Controller—that left Lin Feng uncertain.
It sounded incredibly powerful!
Perhaps all the dishes' effects were concentrated into this one.
Seeing the description, Lin Feng couldn't help but imagine how strong Alolan Vulpix's weather control would become after eating.
For now, he said, "The flavors haven't fully blended yet. Two more hours."
"Yingyingying?"
Alolan Vulpix paused but couldn't resist licking its lips.
How could Lin Feng tease its appetite like this?
Forget it, don't think about it, don't look. If I can't see it, I won't crave it. If I don't crave it, I won't desire it.
With that thought, it calmed down.
Lin Feng smiled and began preparing the rest of the fish.
…
Outside in the courtyard, Pokémon battles were in full swing.
The yard was small, so the battles and challenges had been moved to the more open space behind the house.
Some enthusiastic trainers even enlisted their Grass- and Ground-type Pokémon to clear weeds and level uneven ground.
Then Fighting-type Pokémon moved stone benches into place, creating a simple but workable arena.
The first challenge on the field was a trainer with a Rattata attempting the first round against a Pidgey.
The trainer was a shy boy, just beginning his journey.
He had heard of a Youth Cup trainer from the Breeding District who could raise elite Pokémon under one year old.
Impressed, he came to challenge them.
Spectators were puzzled at the boy's audacity but secretly admired his courage.
"Go, Rattata!"
"Try to hold on for ten seconds, little Rattata!"
Even Qin Shu, who had come to watch, cheered, "Go, Rattata!"
But after the cheers, Qin Shu realized something.
If little Rattata won, Lin Feng would have to award a prize.
Still, she rooted for Rattata nonetheless.
The Rattata on the ground stared at the Pidgey above, throat moving up and down.
It had followed its trainer for many battles, including ones against Pidgey.
This Pidgey wasn't that scary… right?
But this Pidgey seemed almost as large as a Pidgeot…
Above, Pidgey watched the Rattata prepare below, curious what it would do tonight.
Near a large tree off the battlefield, Mew and other Pokémon hid, watching the battle with unblinking eyes.
They were clearly observing the Pokémon battles in secret.
Finally, the opposing trainer started the timer.
Pidgey moved, white shadows flickering around its body.
It was a swift strike.
In less than two seconds, Pidgey landed in front of Rattata.
Rattata, focused, was startled as Pidgeot's wing brushed lightly against it.
Mission complete. Next challenger.
It flew into the sky, landing near Mew and the other Pokémon in the tree.
Spectators and the Rattata trainer were stunned to see another Pidgey in the tree—twelve more Pidgey.
The others had evolved into Pidgeot.
All creatures were gradually evolving into Pidgeot. When would they finish?
The Pidgey couldn't help but wonder.
The journeying trainers were full of enthusiasm.
Though Rattata soon lost, another trainer eagerly stepped up, paid the fee, and sent out his Spearow.
The previously bored Pidgey brightened, flapping their wings.
"Pip!" (Let me do it…)
"Pip!" (No… I'll do it…)
"Pip!" (Give me a chance…)
"Pip…" (Ask the leader, let the leader decide…)
The Spearow trainer was stunned, then confident that these Pidgey believed in his Spearow's strength, which fueled their fighting spirit.
Finally, the strongest Pidgey accepted the challenge.
Time quietly passed during these battles… until noon.
In the garden, Lin Feng stepped out of the kitchen carrying a bowl of fish skin, a bowl of gelatinous fish blocks, and a plate of Vulpix sashimi sprinkled with blue powder.
The gelatinous fish blocks were pale yellow, dotted with tiny blue lights, like stars.
This was made by mashing fish, boiling it, slightly cooling, adding ice crystal powder, and refrigerating for two hours.
The timing of preparation matched the cold fish skin.
The cooking effect was similar but distinct. Only the quality had changed, turning it into a legendary dish.
He suspected it was due to the extra Ice-type crystal powder.
The previous cooking effect 2 became: Effect 2: The chef's emotional energy is infused. Pokémon consuming it deal super effective damage to Dragon-type Legendary Pokémon.
The sashimi had a notable effect: Effect 1: Exclusive for Ice-type Pokémon. When attacked by Dragon-type Pokémon, damage received is reduced by 50%.
Seeing these effects, Lin Feng froze, expression twitching.
Oh my.
Including the fish skin, all three dishes were designed specifically for Rayquaza.
While cooking, he had indeed thought about his future Alolan Vulpix and its goal to defeat Rayquaza.
But… Rayquaza…
The legendary sky Pokémon…
Could he really train an Alolan Vulpix capable of slaying a dragon?
The possibility excited him.
Yet, other Pokémon were even more thrilled.
"Blaze!"
Blaziken ran over first, seeing Lin Feng bring out the food.
"Wait, wait, wait…" Lin Feng waved. "This is for Alolan Vulpix. Tonight is yours. I'll give you grilled meat too, that's yours."
"Chacha!"
Blaziken frowned at the first statement but brightened immediately at the second.
Grilled meat tonight!
Arriving in the garden, Lin Feng looked around but couldn't find Alolan Vulpix. He instructed Blaziken, who had been following him, "Go, bring Alolan Vulpix back."
"Cha~"
Blaziken ran off and soon returned with Alolan Vulpix, followed by Eevee and Dragonair.
"Yingyingying!" (I'm here!)
Seeing the three dishes on the table, Alolan Vulpix leaped up, eyes sparkling.
One fish, three ways to eat!
It first grabbed a piece of fish meat with its paw. After one bite, its eyes shone.
It ate piece after piece of fish, then the fish jelly, and finally the fish skin.
As this was its exclusive meal, even absorption limits vanished.
Soon, the three-pound fish was gone.
When the last piece of fish skin was eaten, cold energy began radiating from Alolan Vulpix.
The surrounding temperature quietly dropped. Dragonair noticed first, retracting its neck in shock at Alolan Vulpix.
A faint chill spread across the table, forming an icy blue barrier over the wood.
The clear sky was quickly covered by thick clouds and mist.
Tiny snowflakes began to fall.
Over time, the mist expanded beyond the garden, covering all of Willow Town.
Snow fell on the ground and brushed against people's necks, bringing a cool sensation.
A villager harvesting vegetables was stunned by the sudden snowfall.
What's happening?
It snowed for over ten seconds last night, and now again today?
He had checked the weather forecast yesterday—it said sunny.
Has the weather been cursed?
A trainer preparing for the Sky Challenge outside froze in surprise.
Then regret hit him.
Lin Feng had said challenges only occur under normal weather; abnormal conditions cancel them.
Now it was snowing.
The challenge couldn't proceed.
Reluctantly, they dispersed, calling rides to leave Willow Town as the snow grew heavier.
The fog thickened, eventually forming dense gray clouds.
Soon, a frost began spreading through Willow Town and the surrounding forest.
Gardevoir in the nursery noticed the commotion immediately.
She Teleported to the garden, astonished at Alolan Vulpix.
Looking at the thick clouds, she could hardly believe this weather was caused by Alolan Vulpix!
Alolan Vulpix felt the energy change within its body.
Its eyes sparkled with excitement, stronger than ever.
Thinking of the dragon that had terrified Lin Feng,
the words naturally appeared in its mind.
"I will help you!"
Lin Feng watched the scene, silently thinking, "I'm going to have to explain this to the Champion again…"