A raw, ear-splitting scream tore through the Chen villa at dawn.
"Gaia!!!
Gengar!!!
How many times do I have to tell you—don't lick me first thing in the morning! It's so numbing!"
"Heh heh heh—Gengaaaar~"
Gengar laughed uproariously, then drifted out of the room, smug and delighted with its handiwork.
Chen Shi lay on the bed with hollow eyes.
That damned familiarity.
Ever since childhood, whenever he overslept, Gengar would wake him up using the tongue method.
Imagine sleeping peacefully, then being jolted awake by intense numbing tingles.
Who could endure that?
"Bui~"
Leafeon rubbed her sleepy eyes, confused by the early-morning chaos.
Togepi, in contrast, slept like a rock—no amount of screaming could wake that little egg.
Chen Shi sighed, looked at the dozing Togepi, then scooped her up irritably and shook her awake so she could share his misery.
"Chakki-doyii?!"
Togepi blinked in confusion—What's happening?
Chen Shi opened his mouth to scold her…
Then remembered Togepi needed high friendship to evolve.
He forced a smile.
"It's nothing—just time to get up. If you behave today, I'll buy you an ice cream."
"Chakki-doyii~!"
Instant sparkle. Instant drool.
Chen Shi rolled his eyes, got dressed, and headed downstairs.
In the living room, Gardevoir was doing chores while Florges set Grandma's breakfast on the table.
Grandpa and Grandma were already eating.
"Morning, Florges. Morning, Gardevoir." Grandma greeted warmly.
"Flaah~"
"Shaa-nai~"
When Chen Shi came down, Grandma's face lit up.
"Shi'er, come and have breakfast."
"Okay!" Chen Shi sat and grabbed a sandwich.
Grandpa cleared his throat.
"I spoke with that Mu-Jin kid yesterday."
Referring to their contact in the Zifuqi family.
"He agreed to our request—provided you give the precise location. They'll need to survey it to assess value."
Chen Shi paused, then described the exact location of the Dumbass Valley.
He added:
"Tell them to be cautious. There are strong Pokémon there. If someone gets hurt, we don't want them blaming us."
Grandpa nodded immediately.
Chen Shi continued:
"Also—there's a Togepi egg in that valley. Could you ask the Zifuqi family to bring it back for me?"
He meant the Togepi egg from the original canon.
The elders looked confused.
"But don't you already have a Togepi?" Grandma asked.
Hearing this, the house Togepi froze.
Trainer… getting another Togepi?
Abandonment arc??
She fell to the ground melodramatically, wailing like the world was ending.
Leafeon walked past with a deadpan glance—not dealing with that nonsense.
Chen Shi looked at Togepi and said flatly:
"If you act out, no ice cream."
Instant silence.
Instant composure.
Togepi blinked innocently.
He scooped her up, set Grandma's prepared food in front of her, and explained to Grandpa:
"I'm not keeping that egg. It's for gifting, not raising."
Grandpa nodded.
Togepi eggs weren't rare for the Zifuqi family.
"Anything you need me to help with on the farm?" Chen Shi asked.
Grandpa smiled.
"This season the farm doesn't need much. Tree fruits just set, not ripe yet. Combee honey was collected yesterday.
The herb garden needs little tending.
The milking—we handle ourselves."
Chen Shi blinked.
This wasn't what he expected.
Grandpa continued:
"From now on:
Mornings—you'll train your Pokémon.
Afternoons—you'll study breeding techniques with me.
It's time to hand the important things to you."
Chen Shi's eyes lit up.
At last—
Grandpa and Grandma's secret skills.
Grandpa's legendary potions: Revival Elixirs, Potential Potions.
Grandma's unrivaled custom energy blocks and nutrient formulas.
These were the foundations of the Chen family's status.
Grandpa teased him:
"That silly grin—wipe it off."
Chen Shi laughed sheepishly.
"I'll go check on Dreepy and Swampert."
Grandma handed him a spatial backpack.
"These are newly made energy blocks for Dreepy—take them."
"Thanks, Grandma!"
Chen Shi headed out with Leafeon and Togepi.
At the back mountain's peak lay a serene pond surrounded by rare herbs.
Sceptile lounged lazily beneath an old tree, half-asleep.
Chen Shi approached.
"Sceptile, could you help train Leafeon for a while?"
"Bui?" Leafeon tilted her head.
Sceptile opened one eye, glanced at Leafeon…
and the next moment—
both vanished in a burst of motion.
Chen Shi's lips twitched.
You could at least say goodbye…
Togepi tugged his hand anxiously—Where did Leafeon go?
Chen Shi patted her head.
"Leafeon's training with that big guy. Don't worry—she'll be fine."
"You need to work hard too. You don't want Leafeon leaving you behind, right?"
Togepi clenched her tiny fist with burning determination.
"Chakki-doyii!"