After some coercion and bribery (crossed out) friendly negotiation among the group, they finally reached a perfect outcome: Lucas would take them back to the Breeding House to look after them. Besides, Lucas was quite experienced in caring for Pokémon suffering from illnesses. Of course, after Lucas's desperate resistance (crossed out) suggestions, he managed to secure a huge wave of benefits for the Breeding House.
"By the way, what should we do about that Cofagrigus?"
Lucas slumped in his chair, holding the well-behaved Lilligant in his arms, and asked Officer Jenny of Sandgem Town.
"I've discussed it with Professor Rowan, and we've decided to keep it at the Professor's Research Institute to rehabilitate it properly. We'll see if any Trainer is willing to take it away later, or we'll send it back to the Unova region."
Officer Jenny took the water handed over by Joy, took a sip, and continued: "Or, how about sending it to the Breeding House for rehabilitation?"
"Send it to the Breeding House? Better not. I'm afraid it might actually end up buried."
Lucas shook his head hurriedly.
Dare to send it to the Breeding House? It would be a mercy if Gengar didn't lead Lilligant and the others to bury it alive.
"That Cofagrigus—"
Lucas hesitated for a moment before speaking: "It's better to try and find a Trainer with relatively strong capabilities for it. I'm afraid those beginner Trainers won't be able to keep it in check."
The relationship between a Trainer and a Pokémon is inherently one of mutual recognition. If a Trainer's strength is too weak while the Pokémon is too powerful, the Pokémon will not obey the Trainer's commands.
Just look at Ash's Charizard and Iris's Excadrill for reference.
At the same time, Pokémon have different personalities. Ghost-type Pokémon are famous for being cunning. Most descriptions of Ghost-type Pokémon are based on negative emotions or lingering souls, so Ghost-type Pokémon are often the most dangerous ones.
Unlike in the games, the danger level of Ghost-type Pokémon in the real world is extremely high. Compared to Pokémon of other types, the danger of Ghost-type Pokémon lies in the fact that they often drag Trainers with weak wills into the abyss, or spirit them away in their sleep.
However, if raised well, Ghost-type Pokémon are very strong. This can be seen from the fact that there are more Ghost-type Elite members than any other type across all Leagues, which proves the true strength of Ghost-type Pokémon.
Yes, across all Leagues combined, there are more Ghost-type Elite members than any other type—more than the familiar Fighting, Psychic, Steel, or Ground types.
It's on par with the Dragon type.
Of course, if you count a certain Flying-type Elite as a Champion, then Ghost-type is the most numerous.
There are four in total: Agatha from the Kanto Region, Phoebe from the Hoenn region, Shauntal from the Unova region, and Acerola from the Alola region.
Especially this Cofagrigus; it's deceitful by nature. An average Trainer would find it very difficult to command it, and might even be deceived by it in return.
Of course, if it were Lucas commanding it—let's just spare it.
The best choice is to let it return to the wild, preferably back to the Unova region, since it is a Pokémon from the Unova region after all.
"Hmm, don't worry."
Officer Jenny nodded and said.
After Joy finished bandaging Tyranitar's wounds, Lucas stood up. "In that case, I'll take them back to the Breeding House. Don't forget what we agreed upon."
"Got it, you stingy person."
Officer Jenny rolled her eyes.
"Sister Reese, you have to know that there's an unevolved glutton at the Breeding House—that one is for real—"
Lucas got a headache just thinking about the currently tiny Munchlax. Once it evolved into Snorlax, his Breeding House would probably really be unable to make ends meet.
It better not be like Ash's Pikachu, which could eat all the berries in the Orange Islands in a single day.
Otherwise, he would have to ask Professor Oak about the recipe for those Energy Blocks that could fill a Snorlax with just one.
Lucas rarely fed the Pokémon at the Breeding House Energy Blocks. The Energy Blocks he made every day were mostly shared with the Pokémon that came from the forest, serving as snacks for them.
Because Lucas didn't think Energy Blocks were real gourmet food, and their effects weren't as good as enjoying actual gourmet food, since they lacked the "Gourmet Critical" effect—
Even for the Pokémon boarded at the Breeding House, he fed them food that suited their tastes, rather than Energy Blocks.
"Larvi—"
Larvitar stumbled over, walking weakly into the middle of the group, and let out a soft cry.
Lucas looked at the Larvitar that was looking up at him. Its body was wrapped in rock-like gray-green skin, with a long, blunt horn on its head, and a scar-like mark near its eyes. It looked cute and fierce, with short little arms and short little legs.
(X) (I am super fierce!)
Putting aside its appetite, Larvitar is actually quite cute.
Lucas glanced at Gengar as if nothing had happened.
Gengar: !
What does that mean?!
(. — .)
"Let's go, Larvitar, I'll take you home. You'll have many little friends there to play with you."
Lucas patted Larvitar's little head and said with a smile.
"Larvi—"
Okay—
Lucas walked out of the Pokémon Center and checked the time. "Oh, it seems like little Shauna is out of school. Let's go pick up little Shauna and then go home together."
Standing at the school gate, watching Shauna rushing towards him with Chimecho, Lucas smiled and protected Gothitelle in front of his chest.
Gothitelle squatted down, opened her arms, and steadily caught Shauna. Shauna poked her head out from under Gothitelle's arm, looked at Lucas, and asked in a crisp voice: "Uncle, why did you come to pick me up from school today?"
"Because Uncle happened to come to Twinleaf Town for work. Look, Uncle just helped a Larvitar. This is its younger brother, Pupitar, and its—mother, Tyranitar."
Shauna looked at the behemoth standing behind Lucas. "Wow, Little Tomoyo will definitely like you, Tyranitar."
Lucas pinched her little cheek and looked at Tomoyo, who was running over behind them, holding a pink Dratini in her arms. "Is Tomoyo going over to play today too?"
"Yes, Mom said she talked to Uncle, and I'm allowed to stay there for the weekend."
Lucas then remembered that Mrs. Minamoto had mentioned this to him the day before yesterday.
"Then let's go home."
Lucas rode Ninetales, and Shauna took Tomoyo to ride Rapidash, heading towards the Breeding House.
Some Trainers who had just arrived in Twinleaf Town were startled when they saw the huge Tyranitar and hurriedly asked the residents of Twinleaf Town: "Aren't you afraid to let such a terrifying Tyranitar walk on the road?"
The residents glanced at Lucas and Shauna walking in the front and shrugged. "Lucas is with them, what's there to be afraid of?"
Trainer: ???
What does that mean?
"So, is little Larvitar not feeling well?"
Shauna, sitting behind Tomoyo with her arms around Tomoyo's small waist, looked at Lucas, who was sitting on Ninetales' back beside them, her childish voice sounding softly.
Lucas nodded. "Larvitar cannot engage in strenuous exercise for long periods. When you play with it, be careful. If it gets tired, let it rest."
"Okay."
"Mm-hmm."
Shauna and Tomoyo replied in crisp voices.
"Don't worry, Uncle, we will take good care of little Larvitar and little Pupitar."
"Gothitelle."
You still agreed.
Gothitelle floated to Lucas's side, looked at him, and said softly.
Lucas sighed. "There's no other way; they offered too much. Besides, the best solution for Larvitar right now is to stay at our Breeding House."
"Gengar?"
Then why didn't you agree at first?
Listening to Gengar's confusion, Lucas smiled slightly. "Because we really can't afford to raise it. If Sister Reese and the others didn't share the burden for us, we would be in a very difficult spot."
Gothitelle looked at Lucas, and after a long while, she sped up and floated back to the Breeding House.
Gothitelle knew that even if Officer Jenny and the others hadn't shared the burden for Lucas, he would have eventually agreed to bring Larvitar back to the Breeding House.
After all, that's just the kind of person he is.
But it must be said that using psychic power to levitate in the air like Gengar is really convenient. Gothitelle disappeared from everyone's sight in an instant.
Watching Gothitelle's disappearing back, Lucas yawned.
Although there was an element of coercion and bribery from Officer Jenny and the others, they really did offer a lot.
For example, regarding Larvitar's food, Sister Reese would go to discuss with Gym Leader Roark of Oreburgh City and Gym Leader Byron of Canalave City to ship a batch of high-quality mineral resources from them, such as coal, iron ore, and some scraps. The cost of these minerals would be shared by Twinleaf Town, Sandgem Town, and the Breeding House, split 40/60, with the Breeding House paying 40% and Twinleaf Town and Sandgem Town paying 60%.
At the same time, Professor Rowan also stated that in the future, any remaining pokémon eggs from the Research Institute, excluding those already ordered, would be given priority for sale to the Breeding House, and he would also help provide technical support to the Breeding House.
In addition, if there are any Pokémon that need to be entrusted to the Breeding House for adoption in the future, some of the higher expenses will be shared by two or three parties.
With this arrangement, the expenses of the Breeding House have really decreased a lot, and Lucas also has the means to rescue more Pokémon. Everyone is happy.
When the time comes, I'll go to other places to abduct a few pseudo-legendaries and bring them back to the Breeding House to raise, and then—
Lucas revealed an ill-intentioned smile.
On the other side.
Dusclops floated beside Misdreavus, following at the very back of the group. It leaned closer to Misdreavus and asked in a whisper.
"Dusclops?"
Where are we going?
Misdreavus, chewing on the snack Gengar had shared with it, looked at its good friend and replied happily.
"Misdreavus."
Going home, going to my home.
Dusclops: ???
You brat, you actually have a home?!
Dusclops looked at Misdreavus beside it, and then glanced at Lucas, the head of the group.
Forget it, forget it. I'll just accompany it home to take a look. After all, it was my fault for taking it out in the first place.
Dusclops planned to return to Misdreavus's home with it to take a look, and then leave on its own.
Dusclops looked at the Breeding House in front of it, its unique large eye blinking at the house.
This is its home?
It feels okay.
Okay?!
You're telling me that the huge land behind it is all its home?!
"Dusclops?"
Dusclops came to Misdreavus's side, reached out and poked it. When Misdreavus turned its head, it whispered and let out a call.
Is this what you called your home?
Misdreavus nodded.
Yeah, how is it? Isn't it very cozy?
— —
Dusclops felt the air, which emitted an intoxicating scent for Pokémon—flower fragrance, the sounds of Pokémon playing, the sounds of physical combat, and the performance of Kricketune—
It was moved to tears.
You, you, such a good place, why did you run out to suffer and endure hardship!
A rich second generation experiencing life?
That's not how you experience it! Running out to get beaten and scolded—
It grabbed Misdreavus.
"Dusclops!"
You brat, why didn't you live in such a good place and instead ran out with me?! It's simply a waste of a good thing!
"Misdreavus?"
But didn't you say at the beginning that if I didn't go with you, you would break off our friendship?
Misdreavus said weakly.
Dusclops: ————
You— I— It—
Why does it feel like I'm the culprit?
Dusclops fell into hesitation.
However, seeing that the place it lived in was such a wonderful place, Dusclops didn't have any objections anymore. It prepared to turn around and leave here to find a place suitable for it to live on its own.
It's just that why does it feel a bit sour inside—
Damn it!
"Misdreavus."
Let's stay together.
Misdreavus's voice pulled Dusclops's thoughts back. Dusclops looked at Misdreavus, and Misdreavus was smiling at its good friend.
"Misdreavus."
Do you like it here?
Dusclops nodded.
Misdreavus was even happier.
"Misdreavus~"
Then you can stay with me. Look, there are so many Pokémon that can play with us. By the way, we can also go steal honey~
Misdreavus said with a grin.
Going outside, you might get deceived, but at the Breeding House, at most, you'll just get tricked by the boss and Lucas.
Dusclops watched Misdreavus excitedly talking about everything regarding the Breeding House, talking most about the times it went with its boss Gengar to the Forest Area to steal honey.
Why does it sound like you feel very aggrieved?
Dusclops didn't understand. Isn't it just going to steal honey? Is it that aggrieved?
Misdreavus kept silent about it.
"Dusclops—"
But, will he agree?
Misdreavus looked in the direction Dusclops was looking and found that Lucas was leading Tyranitar, as well as Larvitar and Pupitar on its shoulders, touring the backyard of the Breeding House, while introducing the things that needed attention at the Breeding House to them.
After Lucas finished explaining the things that needed attention at the Breeding House to Tyranitar and the others, Misdreavus flew over.
"Misdreavus—"
Lucas, can Dusclops also stay?
Hearing Misdreavus's question, Lucas was stunned for a moment, then glanced at Dusclops. Come to think of it, although it only has one eye and its body is wrapped in gray bandages, after looking at it for a while, it feels quite cute.
"I don't have any objections, but will Dusclops agree?"
For a Pokémon like Dusclops, Lucas didn't have any objections to it staying at the Breeding House.
It doesn't eat much, can help with work, and is Misdreavus's best friend. Letting it stay can also make Misdreavus happier. It's a win-win situation, so why not?
Misdreavus happily ran back to share this good news with Dusclops.
Dusclops was thus persuaded by its good friend to stay at the Breeding House.
Lucas looked at Larvitar, who was sitting on Tyranitar's shoulder, looking a bit shy, rolled his eyes, and then suddenly clapped his hands.
"Everyone, to celebrate our Breeding House welcoming several new family members again, let's have a dinner party tonight!"
"Gengar~"
Yay, I can Sing again.
"Gengar, shut up. Music and dance are the stage for Kricketune and Lilligant."
"Gengar!"
I'm not listening to you.
"Gengar~"
Waves surging, waves flowing~
"Oh my, shut up! That's not how you Sing it! Gothitelle, go up and help me grab its microphone!"
Swaying secretly~ Love eating sweet honey~
"Staraptor, Brave Bird!"
Gengar: Σ (ǒ A ǒ) /
Help! Someone is trying to murder Gengar!
"Gengar, eat my Rocket Headbutt!"
"Pfft."
Just like that, amidst another day of bickering at the Breeding House, the Breeding House once again welcomed some extremely heavyweight guests.
***************************
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