Lucas glanced at the text box that popped up, feeling a bit curious about what good things would happen tomorrow, but he quickly closed the text box and looked at Gengar, who was still laughing heartily.
Lucas tugged on Gengar's tail, then turned to look at Joy and Jenny, and said:
"Sister Reese, are you and Sister Linnea free in a few days? The Sukkoth in Kanto is coming soon, and I'd like to treat you to a meal."
"Sukkoth?"
Jenny looked puzzled, and Joy next to her chimed in: "I know, in Kanto, it means a festival for family reunion, right?"
"That's right. I'm taking this opportunity to thank you for helping me so much."
Lucas had come here alone, and after all this time together, he already considered them his family.
"Family reunion? Okay, when?"
Jenny smiled, nodded, and asked.
"Three days later."
"OK, I'll ask my colleague to cover my shift then."
Jenny clapped her hands and said.
"I'll be on vacation then, so I'll leave it to you."
Joy's face wore its usual harmonious smile as she said, "Sister Nina should be able to make it too."
"Alright, I'll let Sister Nina know."
Lucas continued: "I'll prepare unique delicacies from our region, like mooncakes, for you then."
"Gengar?"
Mooncakes? Are they tasty?
Gengar recovered from its erratic floating state and came before Lucas, staring intently at him.
"I'll make some for you to try in advance."
Lucas pushed away the large, chubby face in front of him, saying helplessly.
"Gengar—"
Hehe.
After seeing Jenny and Joy out, watching their figures, along with Shauna's family, disappear into the distance, Lucas pulled out his phone to ask Nina. After receiving a positive reply, he returned to the backyard and called over Dash, asking it to look after the shop while he carried Petilil and Gengar back to the backyard.
He took Petilil to the Lake and let her continue playing with Torterra, while he took Gengar for a walk.
Since Shauna would be coming tomorrow, Lucas planned to add some decorations suitable for children to the backyard, such as swings and slides.
This way, both small Pokémon and Shauna could play, enjoying themselves and achieving a win-win situation.
Lucas selected a sturdy plank from the large tree he had brought back and cut into boards. Then he found two sturdy ropes from the warehouse and located a strong tree near the afternoon tea area. He asked Gengar to tie the ropes to it and then used his tools to process it further, creating a good swing.
Lucas sat on it and pressed down hard with his butt a few times, feeling that it was quite sturdy.
At this moment, Gengar ran behind him and pushed the swing with its small, chubby hand, causing the swing to sway gently.
As the amplitude grew larger, Gengar felt a bit tired. Its eyes lit up, and a purple light enveloped the swing and Lucas.
Immediately after, Lucas experienced the Breeding House version of a pirate ship.
"Help!"
His screams startled several Starly resting in the forest.
Until the evening sunset cast its glow on the backyard of the Breeding House, Lucas gently pushed Gengar, who was sitting on the swing.
Not far away, a Ninetales watched Lucas and Gengar intently. In the sunset, their shadows stretched endlessly, and a trace of memory flashed in its eyes before it walked towards the Breeding House.
Looking at the overjoyed Gengar on the swing, and then at the other Pokémon in the backyard, each performing their duties, everything seemed so beautiful.
Sighing, Lucas felt that he was increasingly fond of this life. He glanced at the unused afternoon tea area and decided that tomorrow, when Shauna arrived, he would prepare for the Breeding House's first afternoon tea session.
"Gengar, how about we prepare for an afternoon tea session tomorrow?"
"Gengar?"
Gengar turned its head, looking at him confusedly.
"It means eating delicious food and drinking tasty drinks."
"Gengar—"
Upon hearing this, Gengar's drool flowed all over the ground again.
"Alright, it's getting late, time to make dinner."
Gengar slurped, then pushed off with its butt, its two short legs landing steadily on the ground. It clapped its hands, nodding in agreement.
"Gengar—"
I'm so amazing.
Just as Lucas was about to take Gengar back to the kitchen to cook, a Pokémon caught his attention.
A Ninetales, covered in creamy yellow fur, with nine tails gently swaying in the evening breeze, the tips of its tails highlighted with golden yellow. It was gracefully walking towards the fence in front of Lucas, then gently bent down, jumped, and landed in front of Lucas and Gengar.
"..."
Lucas glanced at the fence, remaining silent for a long time.
The Ninetales in front of him had bright red eyes that continuously scrutinized Lucas and Gengar.
"Gengar?"
Gengar stood in front of Lucas, warily watching the Ninetales.
Not far away, Dash and the other two also gathered around.
Ninetales
Gender: Male
Attribute: Fire
Ability: Flash Fire
Moves known: Flamethrower, Disable, Fire Spin, Confuse Ray, Blast Burn, Safeguard, Will-O-Wisp, Imprison, Extrasensory, Nasty Plot, Psyshock, Heat Wave, Substitute, Overheat.
Mood: Slightly excited
Status: Lost in thought
Friendship: 99 (Descendant of an old friend)
Description: Descendant of an old friend, also possessing the qualities of an old friend. I see the shadow of an old friend in you.
"..."
Descendant of an old friend?
Lucas fell silent, looking at the simple description in the status bar.
This must be a friend from when Grandma was still alive.
Lucas patted Gengar's shoulder, signaling that it was okay, then stepped forward.
"Hello."
"Lucas."
As soon as Lucas spoke, a voice entered his mind.
"Don't worry, this is telepathy."
Ninetales's voice echoed in Lucas's mind, mature and gentle.
Looking at the Ninetales sitting in front of him, Lucas collected himself and then replied in his mind: "Are you... looking for Grandma?"
"Grandma? So she's your Grandma."
Lucas nodded.
"I know she's already left. Don't worry, I'm here to see you today."
"Me?"
"Yes, this house has been abandoned for a long time. I've been watching over it until the day you arrived. I saw her shadow in you, so I've been watching you."
"Was it you that Gengar saw in the forest that day?"
"It's not bad."
Ninetales glanced at Gengar beside Lucas and nodded.
"Its strength is decent."
Lucas cast a sidelong glance at Gengar. It was a good thing it didn't hear their conversation, otherwise, it would definitely be upset.
"Gengar? Σ(°Д°;"
Why aren't you talking? Why are you all looking at me?
Lucas shook his head, indicating that it was nothing, then continued to speak in his mind: "So, did you come today to tell me something?"
"Yes."
Ninetales nodded, then turned its head to look at other parts of the backyard, stood up, and began to walk.
Lucas motioned for Gengar to go back to the room and retrieve that item, while he followed behind Ninetales.
"It used to be very lively here."
Ninetales's voice rang out, "Many, many Pokémon would come here. She would take care of them all equally and play with them."
Lucas listened quietly.
"How nostalgic. Watching her come here as a little girl, settle down, and then slowly grow old."
Ninetales walked to the afternoon tea area, stopped, and sat down.
"Your human lifespan is so short."
Lucas smiled and then said: "Precisely because it is short, it is all the more precious. In a limited time, forge different bonds, make different friends, just like a beautiful Floette, letting your life bloom with beautiful and unique colors in this limited time."
Ninetales looked at Lucas, "She said the same thing back then. She said that as long as we remember her, she will always exist."
"Alright, enough with the reminiscing. I only came today to see if you would be like her, capable of inheriting this Breeding House."
"What's the result?"
"Not bad."
Gengar flew down from upstairs, handed Lucas a photo frame, and then gave Ninetales a cup of Berry Juice.
Ninetales glanced at Gengar, then lowered its head and drank the Berry Juice.
"I came today to ask you for a favor."
Ninetales finished speaking, and one of its tails brought out a Pokémon Egg.
"I intend to entrust my child to you."
Hearing Ninetales's words, Lucas was somewhat shocked.
He looked at the moves Ninetales knew in the status bar, and he didn't even need to guess to know that this Ninetales was very strong.
"Entrust?"
Ninetales nodded.
"You've returned, so it's time for me to go."
Lucas remained silent for a long time.
Then he reached out and took the Pokémon Egg. He knew that Ninetales was entrusting this Pokémon Egg to him.
"Are you... leaving?"
Holding the egg in his arms, Lucas asked.
Ninetales nodded, "I only stayed to look after this house she left behind. Now you're here."
Lucas felt a strange emotion in his heart, a stifling feeling.
"Heh, we just met for the first time, and you're already sad for me?"
The voice in his mind chuckled and said.
"You really are exactly like her. You also said, forge bonds; each generation has bonds they need to forge. Haven't you also met the one destined for you?"
Lucas looked at Gengar and smiled knowingly.
That's right, I've also met those I was meant to meet.
"Alright, take good care of my child. This is my favorite child."
Ninetales shook its head, stood up, and prepared to leave after speaking.
"Where will you... go?"
"She used to always say she wanted to see more Pokémon, but she never had the chance. Now, I will carry her wish and travel around."
Looking at Ninetales, Lucas handed out the photo frame.
"She's always in our hearts."
Ninetales paused upon hearing this, then lowered its head to look at the photo frame in Lucas's hand.
The girl inside smiled as she did when first seen. It gently stroked the glass frame with its tail, its eyes tender.
"Yes, always in our hearts."
Ninetales finished speaking, looked at Gengar, and remained silent for a long time.
Lucas saw Gengar nod, and then Ninetales turned and left.
"Goodbye, Lucas."
"Goodbye, Ninetales, I hope we can meet again."
Without receiving a reply, Ninetales leaped and disappeared from Lucas's sight.
Withdrawing his gaze, Lucas looked at the Pokémon Egg in his arms, then at the photo frame, and finally looked up at the cup Ninetales had used to drink Berry Juice.
Suddenly, a scene appeared in Lucas's mind.
A young girl sat on a chair, holding a Glameow in her arms, with an elegant Ninetales sitting beside her. In the open space not far away, various Pokémon were playing around, and she simply lay on the chair, quietly watching them play.
"Is this the most important thing you left for me? Thank you, my... Grandma."
Lucas murmured, then raised his head to look at Gengar beside him. Petilil had also come to his feet at some point, seeing him lost in thought, not daring to disturb him. Dash and the others also watched quietly from a distance.
"Gengar, the encounter between humans and Pokémon is truly ineffably beautiful."
Lucas suddenly sighed.
"Gengar? Gengar—"
I love Lucas the most.
"Next, please continue to guide me, everyone."
"Gengar—"
"Lajii~"
"Nihaha."
"Gengar, what did it just say to you? Tell me."
"Gengar—"
No way.
"Come on, tell me, don't be so stingy."
"Gengar—"
I! Don't! Want to!
"Why is your face red? Come on, tell me, I'm so curious. I'll make you something delicious tonight."
"Gengar—"
Don't think you can bribe me.
"Don't run, Dash, catch it."
"Nihaha."
"Gengar Σ(ﾟ∀ﾟﾉ)ﾉ"
"Lajii~"
At the forest entrance, Ninetales sat quietly, watching them play, just like in the old days.
Suddenly, it remembered what she had said back then.
Ninetales shook its head, then stood up and walked into the forest.
An old friend, just like this.
"Thank you, Lucas, for letting me see her again."
Behind it, Lucas's voice reached its ears.
"It was nice meeting you, Gengar."
"Gengar~"
....
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