"How are you, Mudbray!"
Natsuki leaned against the fence, brushing his teeth while greeting the Mudbray as they walked out of the Donkey Shed.
"Mud-mud!~"
Hearing Natsuki's voice, the three Mudbray called out happily and quickly gathered around him.
Each one looked spirited, their eyes full of fighting intent.
Having enjoyed such great treatment, they couldn't wait to start working for the ranch.
"Don't be in such a hurry!" Natsuki reached out to pet each of them, smiling. "We'll eat breakfast together, and then I'll assign your tasks."
Natsuki took in the Mudbray's condition, they had adapted very well and didn't seem fearful despite being in a strange environment.
He believed it wouldn't be long before they were one with the rest of the Pokémon.
Breakfast today was the same as usual, but the portions had increased significantly. A huge bowl of Pumpkin Porridge was the Mudbray's breakfast.
Natsuki had observed that the Mudbray weren't very old and were still in their growth phase, so drinking more milk would be good for them.
Chatot's breakfast consisted of a few berries and the small bugs he caught himself in the vegetable fields. He had a buffet every day.
Minccino had her favorite Red Date Sticky Rice Cakes, while Natsuki and Kangaskhan stuck with the big "Burger King" burgers.
After breakfast, Natsuki led the Mudbray to the vegetable patch.
"Mudbray, your job is very simple. Just use the move Rototiller on this field once a day." Natsuki used his hand to mark out an area and instructed, "Don't miss a single corner."
Mudbray: (⊙o⊙)
Rototiller was the first move they mastered besides playing in mud. Almost every Mudbray knew it, and the only difference was proficiency.
The Cooking Effect of the Pumpkin Porridge, however, made up for any lack of skill, as it could boost move proficiency in a very short time.
One Mudbray stepped forward, its small face tense with unprecedented seriousness. This was their first job in their new home, and they had to give it their all to repay Natsuki.
The three Mudbray looked at each other. Having spent so much time together, they easily understood one another's intent.
Simultaneously, they raised their front hooves and stomped heavily on the ground.
An earthy yellow light erupted from the Mudbray, gradually sinking into the earth and turning into ripples that spread outward.
The ground trembled slightly.
In the areas swept by the yellow light, the crops seemed to be injected with new life. The slow-growing plants quickly sprouted and grew.
In the blink of an eye, what were once mere seedlings stretched out, entering their second stage of growth, with green flower buds shyly waiting to bloom.
"Whoa!"
'This is Rototiller? Looking at the effect, it wouldn't be wrong to call it Geomancy.'
Geomancy is Xerneas's signature move, and just by the name, you know it's incredible for farming.
Logically, Mudbray shouldn't be able to master a Rototiller of this power. Therefore, it could only be the effect of the Pumpkin Porridge.
This was only after the first time eating it. If the Mudbray ate it every day, Natsuki didn't dare imagine what changes would occur over time.
"Mud-mud~"
'So tired, I feel like I'm going to collapse.'
"Mud!"
'Me too.'
"Mud-bray?"
'First, let's see if Natsuki is satisfied?'
The three Mudbray turned together to look at Natsuki, seeking his approval.
Natsuki naturally noticed their exhausted expressions and felt a pang of sympathy. To make him satisfied, these little guys had used every ounce of strength they had. No wonder the effect was so great.
Natsuki knelt down and reached out to pet them, praising, "You guys are amazing! How about leaving these fields to you to manage from now on?"
"Mud-bray, Mud-bray..."
'Leave it to us!'
"Yes, yes, you're all good kids. But you don't need to push yourselves that hard next time."
"You can do it multiple times if needed. Try not to overwork yourselves and get plenty of rest."
A Mudbray licked Natsuki's palm, indicating they heard him and wouldn't worry him again.
From this moment on, the Mudbray officially joined the ranch, becoming an indispensable part of it.
Natsuki provided them with a home and food, and the Mudbray worked for him, tilling the soil to make the crops grow faster. Neither side could do without the other.
Once the Mudbray had recovered some strength, Natsuki took them back to the Donkey Shed.
He brought his toolbox out from the house. He hadn't forgotten his promise to build a mud pool for them.
He selected an area and let the Mudbray help dig it out. He took out a shovel to build steps along the edge.
After thinking it over, he laid wooden planks over the steps and hammered in wooden stakes to secure them.
The Mudbray would only need to stand on the planked steps, and he could use a hose to spray them down from top to bottom without getting the rest of the area wet.
After quite a while, Natsuki finished the task. Beside him were the eager Mudbray, who couldn't wait to jump in for a bath, coat themselves in mud, and roll around.
"Go on! Go ahead."
Natsuki stepped aside and waved the Mudbray over, signaling for them to try it out and see if it was suitable or needed adjustments.
One by one, the Mudbray rushed in with excited cries, splashing mud everywhere as they rolled around, coating their bodies.
They loved this mud pool, and they loved Natsuki most of all.
Natsuki was also happy to see his ideas liked and recognized by the Pokémon. With the mud pool there, he didn't have to worry about the Mudbray getting mud everywhere.
He did this not just for cleanliness, but for Minccino's sake. If that little one saw them, she'd probably go crazy.
Thinking this, Natsuki noticed Kangaskhan waving at him from not far away out of the corner of his eye.
As he approached, he saw Kangaskhan clutching a bunch of fresh flowers, a vibrant display of colors.
"Did you pick all of these?"
Natsuki took them and gave them a gentle sniff. A fresh floral scent mixed with dew swirled around his nose.
Minccino poked her head out of the pouch, raising a small hand high to show she helped too.
"Yes, yes! You're all such good kids."
Natsuki accepted them solemnly. He planned to find a vase so they could last a bit longer.
"I love the gift very much."
Pokémon were such simple and cute creatures sometimes. They didn't have complicated motives, if you were good to them, they were good to you— they'd even risk their lives to protect you.
This child-like innocence was the key to how Pokémon and humans could live together in peace.
As Natsuki was thinking this, the sound of Minccino's furious chirping rang in his ears.
"Ci! Cino! Minccino!!!"
'Great. Minccino must have spotted the Mudbray rolling in the mud.'
When two Pokémon with such opposite personalities meet, and have to live together long-term, it is the Trainer's responsibility to mediate.
Natsuki scooped Minccino into his arms and took her away to a clean patch of grass nearby. He explained the habits of Mudbray to her and told her his solution.
Though still a bit dissatisfied, Minccino agreed.
She wouldn't interfere with the Mudbray, provided the Mudbray washed themselves clean before coming out.
A small conflict between Pokémon was resolved by Natsuki.
Both sides were good kids, so as long as things were explained clearly, it was fine.