Pokémon Breeder's Story

Chapter 12: A New Partner

After Leaf left, Kenji carefully searched through the original's memories. As far as he knew, the Pokémon League in this world also provided starter Pokémon to children who had reached the age of ten. But every year, there were many children turning ten in every region, in every major city, town, and village... Even the Hoenn League, with the best of intentions, couldn't provide for everyone.

Therefore, in some remote small towns, if the local children wanted to become trainers, they only had two options. The first was to capture a Pokémon on their own, like the Bug Catchers who would catch a Caterpie or Metapod with a net during their weak, pre-evolutionary stage. The second was to go to a nearby breeding center to purchase a Pokémon egg.

What was fair, however, was that in terms of travel benefits, there was no difference between trainers who received one of the three starters and those who caught their own Pokémon. Both could use the services of Pokémon Centers for free.

"Officer Jenny is also helping me promote the breeding center. When I have time, I'll need to properly express my thanks to her," Kenji murmured.

At four o'clock, it was unlikely that any more customers would visit. Kenji decided to lock the doors and windows, grab his Poké Balls, and head into the forest behind the breeding center with Bewear.

Giant tree canopies blotted out the sun, their leaves lush and green. When the wind blew through the woods, the entire forest would play a rustling symphony, like the chirping of a thousand birds. Gazing at the sea of green before him, Kenji couldn't help but exclaim, "What a beautiful sight!"

It was a world away from the metropolises built of steel and concrete. The scent of nature washed over him, bringing a sense of peace and tranquility. Just being here was enough to make one relax.

Rustling sounds came from the surrounding bushes; the wild Pokémon that lived here had heard the human's movements and fled in panic.

"Kyuu~!"

Bewear was also very happy.

The original's father had been the ranger of this forest. Because the soil here was fertile and the vegetation was lush, it possessed vast natural resources and many Pokémon, which naturally attracted the covetous eyes of some bad people. He remembered that when the original Kenji was six, there had been an incident where Pokémon Hunters came to the forest to steal Pokémon. Fortunately, his father stopped them and called the police to have them arrested.

Kenji and Bewear were currently in the outer edge of the forest. Perhaps because it was close to the road, there weren't many Pokémon living here, and the species were very common. Looking at the figures of Pokémon in the grass, Kenji named them one by one.

"A Normal-type Zigzagoon, it's cute, like a little raccoon dog."

"Is that a Wurmple? And its evolved forms, Cascoon and Beautifly!"

Watching the Beautifly dance among the flowers, Kenji was filled with curiosity. Unfortunately, the moment the Beautifly saw him and Bewear, it immediately flew away in a panic.

"Am I that scary?" Kenji was a bit incredulous. But he quickly realized that the Beautifly wasn't afraid of him, but of Bewear!

At this moment, Bewear had a stern face, vigilantly scanning the surroundings to prevent any cunning wild Pokémon from launching a sneak attack on Kenji.

"That's unlikely, right?" Kenji couldn't help but say.

In the very next second, a Mightyena burst out from the bushes, opened its mouth full of sharp teeth, and lunged viciously.

Kenji's pupils contracted. But immediately after, a reliable figure blocked his path.

Bewear's face was grim. It threw a punch, its Huge Power talent activating, and the Mightyena was sent flying in an instant. It landed in the distant grass and didn't move again, apparently having fainted.

Kenji: "!!!"

With the crisis averted, Bewear turned around and looked at Kenji with a happy expression. "Kyuu!"

Alright, we can keep moving!

Kenji: "..."

Perhaps because there were fewer signs of human activity, the deeper they went, the more types of Pokémon they saw.

Seedot clinging to branches, absorbing nutrients.

Shroomish staying motionless under fallen leaves.

Groups of Oddish gathered together, disguised as bushes.

Budew basking lazily in the sun.

Kenji even thought he saw the figure of a Ralts, but when he tried to get a closer look, the Pokémon immediately vanished using Teleport. He didn't know if it was an Abra or a Ralts.

"Kyuu?" Bewear looked a bit confused.

The sky was gradually darkening. After walking around for a while, they hadn't encountered many Grass-type Pokémon, but even so, Kenji already had an idea.

"It's a shame we didn't run into any Water-types." The area was all forest, without a single river, and Water-type Pokémon only appeared near water sources. That being the case, he would solve the Grass-type problem first!

Kenji turned his gaze to a lone Oddish not far away, which wasn't with the other Oddish.

[Pokémon: Oddish]

[Gender: Female]

[Ability: Run Away]

[Moves: Absorb, Sweet Scent, Stun Spore, Sleep Powder, Acid, Nature Power, Synthesis, Ingrain]

[Status: Healthy]

[Mood: 😊 Happy]

[Joy Value: 20]

[Friendship: 0 (You are still strangers)]

[Description: Being a lone weed is so much fun! —Oddish.]

"An Oddish that likes to be alone?" Kenji was surprised. It was indeed special. But this Oddish was special in more ways than one.

"Nature Power, Synthesis, Ingrain... I can't believe this Oddish knows all three of these moves. Are they Egg Moves? Or did it learn them naturally?"

Whichever it was, it didn't change the rarity of this Oddish. If it was the former, it meant its parents were very strong, capable of passing down their moves to their offspring. If it was the latter, it meant this Oddish's aptitude for learning was extraordinary.

Without a doubt, this was a top-quality Oddish! As for the other Oddish... Kenji's gaze shifted to the others not far away. Unlike this one, those Oddish only knew a handful of moves, like Absorb, Sweet Scent, Stun Spore, and Sleep Powder.

In that case, I choose you!

Oddish, a Grass-type Pokémon, with the Chlorophyll ability, has two final evolutionary forms: Vileplume and Bellossom. The final evolution, Bellossom, could use its Grass-type energy to help care for the herbs and vegetables, and it could also call upon the sun by dancing to help the crops grow. It was a perfect fit for his Herb Garden.

Not only that, but Bellossom could also act as a healer, providing treatment to injured Pokémon at the breeding center, restoring their stamina, and curing status conditions.