In the sky between the Johto Region and the Sinnoh Region, a huge Dragonite was flying through the clouds, a red-haired caped man seated on its back.
In the kitchen of the Breeding House, Lucas was still bent over his work.
After putting the cake into the fridge to chill, Lucas returned to the lounge and lay back in the old recliner, watching cartoons with Gengar.
At the moment Gengar wasn't beside him; a few minutes later it drifted in from the doorway, clutching a bag of stir-fried cashews.
Lucas glanced at it—no doubt it had gone to ask Mime Jr. to fry them again.
Once Gengar sat down, Lucas reached out and grabbed a handful. A bit hot, but no matter; he munched cashews while watching the cartoon.
His phone rang; he picked up.
"How many Gogoat do you want to raise?"
"Yep. The Breeding House just asked Lance to get a few Miltank—the fresh milk's great—so I thought I'd raise some Gogoat too, or even Skiddo. Then we can drink fresh goat milk, and when we go out we can ride the Gogoat."
Lucas explained.
"I'm asking how many—Gogoat."
After listening, Cynthia nodded, then spoke—this time with deliberate pauses.
Lucas: ————
So that's what you meant?
He ran the Breeding House's remaining funds through his head, then said, "How about three again?"
Cynthia nodded. "All right, they should arrive soon."
The call ended. Recalling Cynthia's background just now—she'd seemed outdoors—she was probably handling some business again.
Stretching, Lucas rocked contentedly in the recliner.
Life at the Breeding House really is the best.
Hugging the Moltres-feather hot-pack, he pinned down the little head that kept nudging, and drifted into a daze.
Shauna returned with a bag full of snacks, shared them with Gengar, then sat quietly beside Lucas to watch the cartoon.
He must have dozed off; opening his eyes, he pushed aside the small blanket and stood up.
Vulpix, sensing free-fall in its sleep, woke and landed safely.
"Syu?"
What happened?
Lucas quickly apologized to Vulpix.
Checking the time, he returned to the kitchen to prepare the afternoon milk tea.
He sautéed the tea leaves, poured in fresh milk, then added a hint of sweet honey.
Pouring a cup, he waved it back and forth in front of Gengar.
Gengar's gaze followed the cup.
Lucas handed it over; Gengar gave him a lick, then gulped the whole thing down.
No Lick attack this time.
Seeing Gengar's star-shaped eyes, Lucas knew the milk tea had scored another triumph.
With the tea packed and Gengar carrying the cake, they headed for the backyard.
He also sent Shauna to the dining hall to fetch Mr. and Mrs. Fujino, Mime Jr., and Gothitelle.
Seated in the garden, the mingling fragrance of milk tea and flowerbeds enchanted every human and Pokémon present.
Just as Lucas was about to slice the cake, he noticed Gengar and the others staring in one direction.
"Weird—Lucas's pin shows right here."
Following their gaze, he spotted the familiar bulky figure, the white belly, and Lance seated atop it.
They were looking for the way down.
"Look down—ahead!"
Apparently hearing him, Lance looked up—only to see a few Staravia flit past.
"LOOK DOWN!!!"
Lucas took a deep breath and shouted.
Lance glanced down, spotted the figure waving below, and Dragonite flew toward it.
Closer, Lance recognized Lucas. He had Dragonite land, jumped down, and walked over, hand extended.
"Lucas, I'm here."
"Welcome. Did you purposely time your arrival for afternoon tea?"
Lucas grinned at the thick-browed man.
Lance blinked, surveyed the garden—Pokémon and people seated, a big cake, milk tea—and caught the joke. "I absolutely timed it."
They laughed together, then Lucas said, "Take a seat."
Lance entered the garden, swept his cape aside, and sat.
Gothitelle brought him and Dragonite each a cup of milk tea.
Watching the cape flutter, Lucas couldn't resist: "You're on vacation—why bring the cape?"
Lance glanced back. "Habit, just habit."
He unfastened it and set it aside.
Lucas said nothing more and began cutting the cake.
Lance accepted a slice, thanked him, then noticed Dragonite tucking in happily.
Everyone else, humans and Pokémon alike, was devouring dessert.
Not fond of sweets, he tried a small spoonful anyway.
His eyes lit up instantly.
What—
A surge of sweet, blissful flavor enveloped him.
He dug in without hesitation.
After finishing, he sipped the milk tea.
This good too?!
He held the cup up, studying it.
Sensing eyes on him, he turned—Dragonite was staring.
She stared at the milk tea in his hand.
He thought for a moment, turned his back to her and left Dragonite with only his silhouette.
Dragonite: ————
Is it too late to swap masters now?
Seeing everyone enjoy the cake and milk tea he'd made, Lucas felt deeply satisfied, then lowered his head and started eating too.
[Fresh-milk Cake (sweet honey flavor): A cake made with the freshest Miltank milk and sweet honey brewed by the Breeding House. One bite makes you feel wrapped in happiness. "Gourmet Crit" effect: keeps Pokémon in a wonderful mood and greatly boosts Sp. Atk and Sp. Def.]
[Milk Tea (Deluxe): A drink of the freshest milk, special sweet honey, and premium tea leaves, beloved by humans and Pokémon alike. "Gourmet Crit" effect: humans gain better physique and mood; Pokémon likewise grow stronger and happier, while one stat (HP, Sp. Atk, Sp. Def, Atk, Def, Speed) is greatly boosted at random.]
[You seem to have created incredible desserts and drinks—especially the drinks.]
[You seem to have become a true gourmet; Grandma's gift received: Mystic Water.]
[Mystic Water: When held by a Water-type Pokémon, Water-type moves are powered up.]
[Afternoon tea—my favorite thing is sharing it with everyone! —Grandma]
[You're a child who truly knows how to live well. —Grandma]
Lucas was stunned—this afternoon tea had that strong an effect?
A cake Gourmet Crit raised Sp. Atk and Sp. Def; a milk tea Gourmet Crit was even crazier, randomly boosting one stat by a large margin.
He didn't know exactly how big "greatly" was, but so far his cheat had only shown "slightly," "mildly," "minimally," or "small"; this was the first time he'd seen "greatly."
Since the cheat labeled it a great boost, it wouldn't be low.
He just didn't know the trigger chance.
[Gengar triggered the milk tea Gourmet Crit—Sp. Atk greatly increased.]
[Gothitelle triggered the milk tea Gourmet Crit—Defense greatly increased.]
[Gothitelle triggered the fresh-milk cake Gourmet Crit—Sp. Atk and Sp. Def mildly increased.]
[Lilligant triggered the milk tea Gourmet Crit—Speed greatly increased.]
Lucas's jaw dropped.
Ask and you receive?
Since when are you this generous?
Ignoring the ellipsis, he looked at Gengar and company; they glanced at each other, bewildered.
Feeling the sudden surge of power, they finished eating and trotted to the open yard to spar.
Lance and Lucas sat in the garden chatting.
Lance gazed at the Breeding House's backyard, full of Sinnoh Pokémon and some from elsewhere.
For instance, that Blaziken sparring with Machamp wore a small tag; glancing around, he spotted many Pokémon sporting the same tags.
Probably the sign of Pokémon boarded here, he mused.
That's what he thought.
Then a Vulpix leapt into Lucas's arms; Lance noticed a feather hanging from its neck.
"A Moltres feather?"
Lance asked aloud.
Lucas nodded, scratching Vulpix's little head nonstop.
Lance turned back, continuing to watch the sparring Pokémon.
Each was exceptionally raised; Lance could tell, especially the strongest of the three Machamp, whose strikes carried the force of a storm.
He looked around and realized his Dragonite had slipped into the kitchen at some point.
Beside it waddled a purple fatty.
"Lucas, will the kitchen be okay?"
Lucas paused, lifted Vulpix, and marched to the kitchen—only to catch the dragon-ghost duo red-pawed, mid-snack.
Dragonite tried to act tough, but seeing Gengar shrink its neck, it shrank even more dramatically.
Its neck-retracting was far more obvious than the fatty's.
Glancing at the leftover snacks, Lucas's face stayed blank.
"Gengar, you'd better take Dragonite to Twinleaf Town's market and buy back ingredients, or no dinner for you two tonight."
"Gengar—"
No way— (TT)
"Roar!"
Why me!
Realizing it might miss food as good as this afternoon's, it howled again.
It dragged me into this—none of my business————
"Gengar?!"
Watching Gengar and Dragonite fly off toward Twinleaf Town, Lucas sighed and returned to sit in the garden.
Lance was already lounging in a deck chair, a Pachirisu in his arms, both munching berries at leisure.
Utterly carefree.
Lucas found the Pachirisu oddly familiar.
Lance had released all his Pokémon, letting the autumn breeze wash over him.
Now he understood why Champion Cynthia recommended this Breeding House so highly.
It was simply—too comfortable.
This atmosphere, this environment.
Why did it feel nothing like any Breeding House he'd seen before?
....
Power Stones PLZZZZZ
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