[Dragonite's Revenge: A Dragonite shadowed by past bullying has, under your "enlightenment," established a bond of mutual trust with its Trainer. It returned to Dragons Valley with its Trainer Loke and gave the Dragonites that used to bully it a harsh lesson. Simultaneously, its bond with Loke has deepened. Received Dragonite's gift: "Dragon Dance" Technical Machine.]
["Dragon Dance" Technical Machine: You can have your Breeding House's Pokémon teach "Dragon Dance" to Pokémon fostered here. Only Pokémon that meet the criteria for learning Dragon Dance may learn it.]
[Received Loke's gift: Soul Dew]
[Soul Dew: A mysterious orb Loke found by chance during a journey. When held by Latios or Latias, it increases the power of Psychic and Dragon-type moves.]
Lucas, who was brushing his teeth, stared blankly at the text that popped up.
He didn't snap out of it until Gengar patted him on the shoulder.
He shook his head to indicate he was fine. Gengar was already used to Lucas dazing off at any moment; seeing him snap out of it, it didn't think much more and continued brushing its teeth.
Lucas remembered being rewarded with a "Swords Dance" Technical Machine before, but that reward seemed to have a limited number of uses. This time, there was no number after it. Could it be that this one could be used infinitely?
Thinking of this, Lucas's eyes involuntarily widened. If there were no limit on uses, that would be wonderful.
However, on second thought, it seemed none of the Pokémon in his Breeding House could learn Dragon Dance.
He would have to catch a Dragon-type Pokémon in the future.
It was a pity it had to be a Pokémon capable of learning Dragon Dance. Otherwise, if he could teach Garchomp Dragon Dance, it would truly take off.
Next, Lucas looked at the other reward: the Soul Dew. It was the droplet favored by the red and blue planes. Maybe he could use it to farm favorability with the siblings in the future.
Overall, Lucas was very satisfied with these gifts, especially the Dragon Dance TM. His Breeding House rarely received business for teaching Pokémon moves.
How could a Breeding House that didn't teach moves be called a Breeding House?
A Breeding House was meant to nurture Pokémon, and nurturing naturally included teaching moves.
With this Dragon Dance TM, plus the moves his existing Pokémon could teach and the Swords Dance TM, his Breeding House could finally officially begin teaching moves.
Full of joy, Lucas saw off Shauna and Gothitelle. When he opened the Breeding House doors, the first person to visit was an old acquaintance.
Lucas looked at Paul as he walked into the Breeding House, feeling somewhat confused.
Why was he here?
At this moment, Paul was in a state of confusion following a major defeat.
A few days ago, on his way to challenge a Gym, he and his brother encountered Ash's group again and saw the Battle Pyramid flying overhead.
Upon learning that Ash had challenged the Battle Pyramid and won, he immediately issued a challenge as well, only to return in crushing defeat.
Mr. Brandon's strength was too great—stronger than any opponent he had ever faced.
After Mr. Brandon pointed out his flaws, he fell into a state of confusion.
Was his method really wrong?
Lost in doubt and questioning himself, he saw his brother's Staraptor and remembered the Staravia from the Breeding House.
And the owner of the Breeding House.
He remembered Lucas once saying that if he ever felt lost, he could come back.
With that thought, he came to this place he had visited before.
The Breeding House.
Walking along the path to the Breeding House, he looked at the completely transformed road and recalled the rumors he had heard in Sandgem Town about this place.
Perhaps... he really does have a way to help me.
Arriving in front of the Breeding House, the fruit trees outside were lush and laden with berries. A hammock was currently occupied by several Pachirisu and Shinx.
The Breeding House sign remained unchanged, though it showed a bit more weathering compared to his last visit.
The Breeding House doors were wide open.
Paul hesitated for a moment before stepping inside. A Lilligant and a Roselia were sitting at the counter.
Meanwhile, Lucas was lying in the lounge area, watching cartoons with Gengar.
Lucas was briefly puzzled but stood up. Seeing Paul at the door, he asked, "Paul, is there something you need help with?"
Paul looked at the gentle smile on the handsome young man's face and the Lilligant and others approaching him; his throat tightened for no reason.
"Manager."
Hearing the slight choke in Paul's voice, Lucas was completely shocked.
What was going on? Wasn't Paul supposed to be an exceptionally resilient Trainer? One who dared to accept his mistakes and constantly corrected them to improve his strength?
Why did he look like he had suffered some immense grievance right now?
"What's wrong?"
Lucas quickly ushered him to the lounge area. Lilligant ran over with two cups of tea.
Paul took a sip of tea to calm his emotions and began to explain the reason for his visit.
So, this was the point where Paul met Ash, learned Ash had cleared the Battle Pyramid, challenged it himself, got destroyed, and consequently fell into confusion?
Lucas thought back carefully. It seemed the reason Paul became like this was also because of his brother Reggie.
His brother used to be a powerful Trainer who pursued a more flashy style.
After a crushing defeat in a battle against Brandon, Brandon pointed out his shortcomings. Reggie then recognized his flaws and began to pursue the emotional bond with Pokémon, eventually switching careers to become a Breeder.
Ash's Staraptor had also learned Brave Bird with the help of Reggie's Staraptor.
In the original story, it seemed Paul couldn't accept that his excellent brother had switched from being a powerful Trainer to a Breeder. Carrying that resentment, Paul began his own journey.
He wanted to prove to his brother that his own method wasn't wrong.
He never expected to suffer such a total defeat in front of his rival Ash and his most respected brother.
And to have his methods criticized as incorrect.
No wonder his mindset had collapsed.
After sorting out the sequence of events, Lucas understood what had happened to Paul.
"Manager... you are a powerful Trainer. Do you also think my way... is wrong?"
Lucas looked at the stubborn teenager staring intently at him and sighed softly, not answering directly.
"I am also a Breeder."
"But—"
Paul was about to speak when Lucas stopped him.
"First of all, Paul, what do you think is the difference between what you consider a Breeder, a Trainer, or even a Coordinator or other professions?"
Paul paused, then answered, "A Trainer is a powerful Pokémon Master, like Champion Cynthia. A Breeder is someone who is better at nurturing Pokémon, helping Trainers make their Pokémon even more excellent—"
Before he could finish, Lucas interrupted him again.
"Do you know Champion Wallace of the Hoenn region?"
Paul nodded.
"Then do you know that besides being the Hoenn Champion, he is also a top-tier Contest Coordinator?"
Paul nodded again.
"So, can you say that if someone isn't primarily a 'Trainer,' their strength must not be high?"
Paul shook his head.
Lucas then smiled and said, "Therefore, a powerful Trainer doesn't just limit themselves to the identity of a Trainer."
Paul's brow furrowed tightly.
Lucas continued to ask, "Do you remember the boy who was working by my side that time?"
Paul nodded. "I met him later and battled him once. I lost. He is very strong."
Lucas hadn't expected this to have happened. So the rivals had already battled? Damn, he missed it!
Maintaining a calm expression, Lucas continued, "He is a Pokémon scholar, a Researcher."
Paul knew this; they had talked about it.
"In the Johto Region League Conference, he lost to Ash and finished in the Top 32."
Lucas's casual remark left him completely shocked.
He... also lost to Ash?
Vulpix dashed out from the backyard, looked at Paul, and then habitually jumped into Lucas's arms. Lucas naturally began grooming its fur.
"So, Paul, do you think my strength is great?"
Paul nodded as a matter of course.
Paul had personally experienced Lucas's strength. Although it felt a few degrees weaker than the presence Brandon gave off, he was still among the most notable Trainers Paul had ever seen.
That was why he considered Lucas a Trainer.
"Do you still not understand what I'm trying to say?"
Lucas's question stumped Paul.
"Paul, strength has little to do with one's title."
Paul: "..."
Lucas ignored the stunned Paul, sighed, and continued, "I know your brother used to be a powerful Trainer as well, right?"
Paul nodded.
"After he lost to Mr. Brandon and had his flaws pointed out, he changed careers to become a Breeder, just like I am now. Paul, do you think the current you can defeat your brother?"
Paul shook his head without hesitation. Even as a Breeder, his brother's strength was still immense.
"Do you know why you can't beat your brother, can't beat me, can't beat Gary, Ash, or even Mr. Brandon—yet Ash could beat Gary and Mr. Brandon?"
Paul sat up straight and then shook his head.
"Because you don't trust your Pokémon enough, you don't love your Pokémon enough, and your Pokémon don't love you enough."
Lucas spoke softly, and without waiting for Paul's reaction, he continued, "I've seen Ash. When facing a powerful enemy, he will always face it together with his Pokémon. He'll say things like 'Pikachu, smile' or 'Pikachu, I believe in you.' And you, Paul, what do you say?"
Lucas thought of the Paul from the anime, chuckled lightly, and said, "You say, 'Useless.'"
"You take Champion Cynthia as your role model, but do you know that Cynthia loves Pokémon from the bottom of her heart? She often tells me that as long as you believe in the bond between yourself and your Pokémon, as long as you work together, then all difficulties can be resolved."
"Paul, ask yourself, can you truly trust your Pokémon? Would you say 'Stand up' or 'Thank you for your hard work' to your Pokémon?"
He lifted Vulpix, made a funny face at it, then pulled it back into his arms. Lucas continued, "Back to your initial question, you asked me if your way is truly wrong."
"I have only one answer for you, and that is—"
At this point, Lucas shook his head slightly.
A smile appeared on Paul's face, and a mist began to form in his dull eyes.
"I recognize the methods of many Trainers. Some will work hard with weak Pokémon to become stronger, while others will select strong Pokémon as their partners to fight together."
"Neither of the above methods is wrong. In fact, regardless of the method, the most important thing is how you interact with your Pokémon."
"What Mr. Brandon was talking about was the issue of how you interact with your Pokémon, right?"
Paul nodded.
Lucas beckoned Lilligant over. Lilligant came to his side, and Lucas patted its small head, saying, "Did you know? Lilligant was also an abandoned Pokémon at first."
"The reason it was abandoned was that it was too weak; it hadn't won a single battle."
Paul looked at Lilligant. He knew how strong Lilligant was. How could such great strength be dismissed as weak?!
Seeing the thoughts in Paul's mind, Lucas smiled and said, "I have always believed in it and nurtured it with love, so it is also repaying me with love, thereby becoming stronger."
"Lilli"
Lilligant slightly lifted its skirt in a bow.
"When you're questioning if your way is correct, why not think about this: if you were commanding Cynthia's Garchomp, do you think it would obey your commands?"
"There is nothing inherently wrong with constantly searching for powerful Pokémon. I was just like you at first, really liking those powerful Pokémon."
Gengar's eyes narrowed slightly, very pleased.
"For example, Dragonite, Charizard, Garchomp, Tyranitar, and so on."
Gengar's eyes turned cold, and it began to stare fixedly at Lucas.
"In the beginning, I was also constantly chasing after their footsteps."
The temperature around Lucas grew colder and colder. Lucas remained unhurried. "Until later, I discovered that what I needed most by my side was companionship—I needed the cute Gengar. In my subsequent time with Gengar, I realized that my Gengar is not at all inferior to anyone else's ace Pokémon."
The temperature suddenly returned to normal, and Gengar happily gave Lucas a lick.
Lucas felt relieved in his heart, then wiped the saliva off his face. "So Paul, you've been constantly catching powerful Pokémon, but why can't a powerful Pokémon be the one that was by your side from the very beginning?"
Paul was stunned, thinking back to the Elekid that had always accompanied him—
His gaze softened slightly.
Seeing this, Lucas nodded inwardly.
"Your method isn't wrong; what's wrong is the interaction between you and your Pokémon. Why not try saying 'I believe in you,' 'Stand up,' or 'Thank you for your hard work' to them in your next battle? It might bring about a different change."
Paul recalled his battle with Ash. It seemed Ash's Pokémon had erupted with even greater strength precisely because of those words.
"Are you in a hurry to challenge a Gym?"
Paul blinked and shook his head.
"Then why not stay for a few days and help me run this Breeding House? It might be of some help to you."
After saying that, Lucas stood up. It was late; time to make lunch.
"Want some lunch?"
Paul stood up and gave a respectful bow.
"Yes, thank you, Manager."
Lucas waved his hand.
Paul wasn't actually a bad person; he had quite a bit of personal charm. If he could help him change the way he interacted with his Pokémon, Paul's strength might improve even further.
Perhaps he would show a different kind of brilliance at the League Conference.
Lucas smiled happily.
Great, another person has come to work at the Breeding House~
...
Power Stones PLZZZZZ
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