"Chu-lu-lu."
The instant their eyes met, Lopunny sprang forward with Quick Attack.
"Clefable, evade, then Hyper Voice."
Clefable centered her breath and hopped lightly aside, slipping past the lightning rush by a hair. As Lopunny skidded to a stop, Clefable's chest swelled like a drum, and her curled feelers glimmered pale gold.
A clear, soaring cry split the air.
"Pii."
To Whitney's surprise, the Lopunny seemed to have anticipated it. She leaped again, and in Clefable's startled gaze her kick sliced down like a drawn blade, punching straight through the rippling rings of sound.
[Jump Kick: The user leaps high and strikes with a fierce kick. If it misses, the user takes damage.]
"You have got to be kidding."
Whitney stared as Clefable was blasted back. Clefable was not her ace, but cutting through Hyper Voice with a single Jump Kick was a first. More shocking, the Lopunny was fighting without a Trainer's calls.
This was trouble. Serious trouble.
How was this Lopunny so strong?
"Chu-lu-lu."
Even Lopunny blinked at the felled opponent and the shattered branches along the line of impact. She thought of the odd changes she had felt after last night's bath and wondered.
My body feels different, but I am stronger too.
"Pii."
Clefable struggled up, face smudged with dust. Thankfully Jump Kick was Fighting type, which Fairy resisted.
"Clefable, can you keep going?" Whitney asked, worry in her voice.
"Pii." Clefable nodded gamely.
"All right. Show her our strength. Moonblast."
Lopunny's pupils tightened. She refused to yield and triggered Copycat to answer in kind.
Wind slashed and dust poured like a curtain. Two full moons seemed to bloom at once over the field when a calm male voice drifted across the din.
"Gardevoir, Psychokinesis. Stop them both."
A wash of violet light crashed down between them. The haze cleared at last.
"Next time, go easier," Noah said at the sight of both Pokémon out cold and the pink haired girl standing frozen.
"Sha."
Gardevoir gave a little nod as if to say that sometimes the best way to break up a fight was to knock everyone flat.
After the girl explained, the story came together.
"Sorry for the trouble," Noah said with a bow. "I am Noah White, owner of this farm. Lopunny is my Pokémon. She must have mistaken you for intruders."
Understanding dawned on the girl's face.
"No worries. We should have announced ourselves," she said brightly. "Noah, right? I am Whitney, from Goldenrod Gym. Please take care of me."
"Nice to meet you."
Noah took a second look. Her round face glowed like a peach. Short cherry pink hair flipped up at the ends. Almond eyes curved like little moons when she smiled. She was cute and full of energy.
His mind supplied the rest. Whitney, the Goldenrod City Gym Leader. Her ace was Miltank, famous for tanking through battles with Milk Drink and Rollout.
But why had she come all the way from Johto to Sinnoh?
"By the way, that Lopunny is yours, right," Whitney said, recovering her bounce. She leaned in with a grin. "She is trained wonderfully."
"In my gym days, I did not see many that strong."
"Noah, thank you," he replied with a small smile.
"Chu-lu-lu."
Lopunny beamed, pride rare but shining.
"Then how did you train her," Whitney asked, propping her chin in both hands, big clear eyes studying him.
Noah hesitated. The truth involved a Trait called Supple Form, not exactly something to explain.
He cleared his throat and shifted gears. "Why do we not talk inside. Standing out here is not ideal."
Whitney puffed her cheeks for a second at the deflection, then let it go. Plenty of Trainers guarded their methods. As she glanced down, she caught Noah's quick, embarrassed look and turned a little pink herself.
I knew I should not have worn this blouse. It feels like it is about to, well, burst.
Back in the cabin, Gardevoir set out hot water for the guests.
"Thank you." "Pii."
Whitney and Clefable smiled their thanks. After a sip, Whitney got to the point.
"Sorry to drop in. I came to fulfill my grandpa's wish."
She tilted her head, then somehow produced a bundle of Poké Balls and tossed them onto the open floor.
"These little ones are in your care now."
"What..."
Noah stared as the balls popped open. One Miltank after another blinked at the room and gave gentle moos, then several waddled over and rubbed their heads against his trouser legs.
He counted. Twenty four in all, and most looked recently born.
"Looks like they already like you," Whitney said, eyes smiling. She read the question on his face and explained. "My grandpa and Mr. White were old friends. They traveled together when they were young. After the Johto League Conference decades ago, they each went home to build their own farms."
"When we heard you had taken over Daybreak Farm, Grandpa asked me to bring these little ones to you."
"I see."
Noah nodded slowly. Mr. White was his late grandfather, the previous owner of Daybreak Farm. Looking at the two dozen Miltank filling the room, he felt a quiet warmth. Whitney did not spell it out, but he understood. His grandfather's friend must have worried the farm would decline after the old man passed, so he sent help.
Moomoo Milk was beloved by Trainers everywhere. If the herd was cared for properly, it could become a reliable income stream for the farm.
"Thank you," Noah said sincerely. "I will take good care of them."