Pokemon: A New Path

Some Grass-type Pokémon were unique, requiring no food and surviving on sunlight, soil, and clean water. Smoliv was one such Pokémon. It basked in the sun, converting nutrients from photosynthesis into oil stored within the fruit on its head. It could survive for a week without food or water.

Naoki watched Smoliv's peaceful expression and settled at his desk. He glanced back to see Koraidon looking at him with bright, eager eyes. Cyclizar, tired from its butterfly chase, lay on the wooden floor, yawning.

In the cupboard, Alcremie admired its new home, while Smoliv basked in the sun on the windowsill, enjoying the breeze. Outside, under the eaves, Metapod rested in its wooden box, growing and changing. In the newly built chicken coop, the hens clucked and pecked at the ground.

Beneath the soft soil, the seeds of hope were sprouting, promising a bountiful harvest. In the cave behind the house, the mushroom spores were beginning to grow, soon to become delicious and tender mushrooms.

Compared to when Naoki had first arrived, the ranch had transformed. It was bustling with life and activity.

A sense of satisfaction washed over Naoki. He took out his ledger and meticulously recorded the day's income and expenses:

Spring, Year 198, Day 14

Income: None

Expenses: Chicken coop completion, wooden fence, purchase of 3 hens, 1 rooster, 1 Alcremie, 1 Smoliv - 30,600

Remaining Funds: 5,900

As he looked over the names of Alcremie and Smoliv in the ledger, a realization dawned on him. He didn't have to buy Pokémon from the ranch in town.

Ranchers weren't trainers and lacked the skills to battle and capture wild Pokémon like Swablu, or Miltank. Even if they did manage to catch them, it would take time and effort to train them for ranch work.

In comparison, Pokémon bred in captivity were generally docile, wouldn't attack humans, and were eager to cooperate with their trainers.

It was indeed more convenient for most ranchers to purchase Pokémon directly from breeders. But Naoki's situation was different.

He glanced at Koraidon. As a Legendary Pokémon, the Winged King, its combat prowess far surpassed that of ordinary Pokémon. With Koraidon's help, Naoki could do what most ranchers couldn't: capture wild Pokémon and bring them back to the ranch.

He decided to explore Casseroya Lake the following day and assess the Pokémon population there, hoping to find more suitable companions for the ranch.

.....

As dusk settled over the ranch, Naoki, Koraidon, and Cyclizar inspected the fields. The fast-growing turnips had already sprouted leaves, forming neat rows in the cultivated soil.

"Thankfully, only a few weeds and no pests," Naoki noted as he pulled out the stray weeds. He looked up at the darkening sky, then led Koraidon and Cyclizar back to the house to prepare dinner.

When Alcremie, who had been resting in the cupboard, saw him enter the kitchen, it hopped out and approached the stove, unfazed by the heat.

Naoki raised an eyebrow. "Want to help me cook?" he asked, amused.

"Alcremie!" it chirped happily, nodding its head.

Naoki looked over the ingredients laid out before him: eggs, berries, smoked sausage, toast, raw steak, and ramen noodles. He could make pan-fried pork chops, steamed eggs, sandwiches, or clear noodle soup.

To celebrate the arrival of Alcremie and Smoliv, Naoki planned to prepare a few extra dishes tonight. With Alcremie's help, he began to brainstorm dishes that incorporated cream.

As everyone knew, Alcremie could produce whipped cream from its hands, often adorning berries with it as a gift for trusted trainers.

The happier Alcremie was, the more delicious its cream became. Desserts made with this whipped cream were said to be heavenly, making Alcremie the dream partner for any pastry chef.

Cream...

Naoki's eyes lit up as he looked at the toast and berries. An idea had sparked in his mind: Cream Berry Shortcake!

He might not have an oven or a whisk, but he could use slices of toast as the base. By layering whipped cream and berries, he could create a simple yet delightful dessert.

"Let's make this together!" Naoki said to Alcremie, stacking a few slices of toast and cutting them into round shapes. He then placed them in front of the Fairy-type Pokémon.

"Use your cream to spread it on these," Naoki instructed.

Alcremie, quick to understand, extended its hand, and a steady stream of fresh cream flowed out, coating the toast rounds.

Naoki stopped it once they were sufficiently covered, then smoothed out the cream with a knife. He cut the berries into small pieces and arranged them on top, completing the caramel-flavored cream berry shortcakes.

Naoki looked down, and the cake's information appeared in his mind.

[Caramel Cream Berry Shortcake (D-): A mediocre dessert, but made special with Alcremie's freshly whipped cream. The grade would likely be higher with a traditional cake base.]

Cooking Effect: Sweet Dreams Lv1. After consuming, the Pokémon will temporarily forget its worries and sorrows, experience a sweet dream, and see the people and things it desires.

Comment: A dessert that brings happiness to both humans and Pokémon.

"Huh?"

An effect that induces sweet dreams?

Naoki was taken aback. He had expected something like physical recovery, not a dream manipulation ability. But then again, wasn't inducing pleasant dreams the ability of the Lunar Pokémon, Cresselia?

Lost in thought for a moment, Naoki snapped back to reality when he saw Alcremie's happy expression. It seemed proud of its contribution to the dessert.

"Hang on a moment," Naoki chuckled. "I'll make a few more dishes."

"Alcremie?" Alcremie raised a hand, as if asking if it needed to make more cream.

"Not right now," Naoki replied. "We'll make more desserts together next time!"

"Alcremie~" it chirped happily.

Naoki turned to prepare the remaining dishes: pan-fried pork chops, clear noodle soup, steamed eggs, sandwiches, and several glasses of berry juice. He made sure to add some of the pure rock salt from the Happy Ranch to the pork chops, soup, and steamed eggs.

As expected, when these dishes were finished, they displayed the additional effect of "Physical Recovery."

Naoki had made pork chops and noodle soup before, but this was his first attempt at steamed eggs. The egg mixture had turned a pale yellow, dotted with chopped green onions, and topped with a drizzle of sesame oil. The translucent oil droplets shimmered under the light, and the steamed egg wobbled like pudding when he picked up the bowl.

[Steamed Eggs (B+): A simple dish elevated by the addition of pure rock salt, granting it a magical effect.]

Cooking Effect: Slippery Lv3, limited to hairless Pokémon. After consuming, the Pokémon's body becomes smooth and shiny, making it easier to escape from contact moves during battle.

Duration: 3 hours.

Additional Effect: Physical Recovery

Comment: Enjoy it with your Pokémon!