The three Pokémon Item Lottery Tickets quickly produced their rewards.
Ding!
You've obtained a Prism Scale.
Ding!
You've obtained an HP UP (Potent).
Ding!
You've obtained a Leek.
Austin's gaze lingered on the Prism Scale.
Should I finally help Feebas evolve?
After more than two months of his care, Feebas's Beauty had already reached the level needed for evolution.
Later, once it began eating perfect-quality Pokéblocks, that Beauty value had increased even further.
Nowadays, whenever Feebas swam out from beneath the rockery, its scales sparkled brilliantly under the sunlight.
Many visitors had even commented on how beautiful it looked.
And this was Feebas they were talking about.
For a Pokémon infamous for its unattractive appearance, simply not being called ugly was already a miracle.
The real obstacle was never Beauty.
It was confidence.
Or rather...
Feebas simply didn't believe it deserved to evolve.
Taking it outside was nearly impossible.
But...
There happened to be a river not far from the Black Crest.
Austin slowly began piecing together a plan.
He turned to the next reward.
HP UP (Potent): A concentrated nutritional drink that permanently increases a Pokémon's stamina slightly. One bottle provides the equivalent effect of six standard HP UP.
Then came the final reward.
Leek: A premium ingredient used in Pokémon curry and the treasured stalk carried by Galarian Farfetch'd.
Unlike the ordinary leeks sold throughout the League, this one was the genuine article.
Longer.
Heavier.
Much thicker.
An ordinary Farfetch'd weighed around fifteen kilograms.
A Galarian Farfetch'd weighed roughly forty-two.
The Pokémon itself wasn't dramatically larger.
The difference came from the massive leek it carried into battle.
Which meant...
This leek alone weighed approximately twenty-seven kilograms.
Austin quietly returned to his room and retrieved it from the system.
A two-meter-long leek appeared in his hands.
He stared at it.
"..."
"Is this even legal?"
Starting with a weapon-sized leek...
Wouldn't Brutal Swing become absolutely terrifying?
Austin burst out laughing.
He had no intention of cooking with it.
At least, not yet.
He didn't even own a Galarian Farfetch'd.
Still, with his family's Breeding House and his connections with trainers like Blue and Ethan, obtaining one someday wouldn't be difficult.
There wasn't any hurry.
Between raising Drakloak and managing Black Crest, he already had more than enough on his plate.
As for the Potent HP UP...
Austin decided to divide it fairly among Ryu, Agni, and the others.
Over the past several weeks, they had received far more than just the system's rewards.
Thanks to the Breeding House, Austin could purchase many of the items and supplements that were held at wholesale prices.
He had even bought a Mystic Water and placed it inside Feebas's pond to improve its environment.
Everything pointed toward the same conclusion.
It was finally time.
Keeping Feebas confined to the small rockery pond was no longer helping it grow.
Austin gathered everyone together.
"Dai Yui, Mizuki, Danny, Shion... I have an idea."
"I'll need everyone's help for Feebas."
"Helping Feebas?"
Dai Yui grinned.
"No problem."
"I'll do my best!"
Shion declared enthusiastically.
Austin nodded before turning toward the Pokémon.
"Ryu, Agni... I need your help too."
"Luca!"
(Leave it to me. I'll handle it with the utmost discipline.)
Agni puffed out his chest proudly.
"Arcanine!"
(Leave it to me)
Chief barked immediately afterward.
"Nine! Arcanine!"
(Count me in too!)
Zenith flashed its eyes.
"Metaagross."
(Mission accepted. Probability of success increasing.)
Austin smiled before looking toward the final member of his team.
"And lastly..."
"I need your help, too, Shaymin."
"Shay!"
Shaymin's injuries had long since healed.
Although Austin had never officially caught it, Shaymin had shown no desire to leave.
The people who issued the hunting mission responsible for its suffering were still at large, and Lance's investigation remained ongoing.
Besides...
Life at the Breeding House wasn't exactly unpleasant.
Shaymin even had its own little bed beside Austin's in his room.
At this point, it practically lived there.
For Austin's plan to succeed, he also needed Shaymin's unique powers.
He hoped Shaymin could use its calming abilities to help wash away the fear buried deep inside Feebas's heart.
Even the wild Water-type Pokémon around the Breeding House became part of the operation.
"Buizel."
The Buizel folded its arms confidently and nodded.
"I'm counting on you, too, Goldeen."
Looking around at the assembled team, Austin couldn't help smiling.
With so many people and Pokémon working together...
Surely they could help Feebas find the confidence it had been missing all this time.
Watching Austin and Dai Yui enthusiastically discussing the plan, Hanson and Leon exchanged amused smiles.
"Oh..."
"This is turning into quite the operation."
Austin turned toward his father.
"Dad."
"I need your help too."
Leon blinked.
"My turn?"
"I thought I was just here to watch."
Austin nodded with complete seriousness.
"When it comes to emotional support..."
"No one in this family is better than you."
Leon's eyes sparkled.
"Really?!"
"Mhmm."
Austin answered without missing a beat.
It seemed...
His Bluffing had improved as well.
. . .
As the day drew to a close, preparations quietly fell into place.
Night settled over the Breeding House beneath a bright moon and a sky scattered with stars. The last traces of winter's chill had begun to fade, leaving the evening pleasantly cool.
Throughout the afternoon, everyone had worked together to prepare the riverside.
Tonight, everything had been arranged for one purpose.
To help Feebas evolve.
Following the plan, Austin approached the small pond alone.
"Feebas," he said with a gentle smile, "how about a bath?"
"Bas~"
Feebas narrowed its eyes happily and blew a string of bubbles.
Most of the time, the baths had been in the Breeding House's specially designed Pokémon washing room.
This time, however, his destination was somewhere entirely different.
The river.
Feebas weighed only around eight kilograms, making it easy for Austin to cradle it in both arms. Although it was a Water type that spent most of its life submerged, it could comfortably breathe on land for extended periods.
As they reached the riverbank, Feebas blinked in surprise.
The shoreline had been transformed.
Floodlights illuminated the entire area as brightly as midday. An Electivire continuously supplied power while Zenith hovered overhead, using Psychic to carefully adjust each light until every corner of the river shimmered with crystal clarity.
"...Fee–bas?"
Confusion filled Feebas's eyes.
Wasn't this supposed to be bath time?
Why were they at the river?
And... why was everyone here?
Fortunately, every familiar face eased its anxiety. The people and Pokémon gathered along the riverbank were the companions it had known ever since arriving at the Black Crest Jubilife Breeding House.
It wasn't frightened.
Just puzzled.
Austin looked down at the little fish Pokémon resting in his arms.
"Feebas, I didn't bring you here for a bath."
He smiled warmly.
"I brought you here because it's finally time."
"It's time for you to evolve."
Feebas stared blankly.
Austin gestured toward the crowd lining the riverbank.
"Look around."
"They're all here for you."
"They came to cheer you on."
"...?"
The confusion in Feebas's large eyes only deepened.
Austin chuckled softly.
"Do you remember Milotic?"
The instant he said the name, something flickered inside Feebas's eyes.
Recognition.
"I thought you would."
Just then, gentle ripples spread across the previously still river.
A graceful figure burst from the water.
"Miii-looo~"
Under the floodlights, Cynthia's Milotic arced elegantly through the air before landing with barely a splash. Its cream-colored scales reflected brilliant rainbow hues, making it seem almost ethereal.
[Image]
Every movement radiated confidence and elegance.
Austin had borrowed Milotic from Cynthia for exactly one evening after explaining his plan. She had agreed immediately, sending her partner over without a second thought.
The center of the river had been deliberately left clear.
It was the perfect stretch for a series of graceful leaps.
Buizel splashed forward first, spinning playfully across the water's surface.
"Buizel!"
Next came Goldeen, springing from the river with effortless elegance.
"Deen~"
Finally, Milotic glided across the water in one magnificent leap, its long body cutting through the moonlit air like a living ribbon.
Austin knelt beside the riverbank and gently set Feebas onto the soft grass.
From his pocket, he carefully removed the Prism Scale and fastened it securely to Feebas.
Then he met its eyes.
"Go on."
"Join them."
"This is your moment."
Daniella clenched both fists.
"You can do it, Feebas!"
Leon cupped his hands around his mouth.
"You're amazing, Feebas! Show everyone what you can do!"
Dai Yui gave an encouraging thumbs-up while Amanda, Hanson, Shion, Ao, Agni, Ryu, Shaymin, Chief, and the gathered wild Pokémon all watched with hopeful smiles.
For several long seconds, Feebas stood motionless at the river's edge.
Its tail swayed nervously.
Its heart pounded.
Then, taking a deep breath, Feebas gathered every ounce of courage it possessed.
With a determined splash, it leaped into the river.
. . .
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