With the plan going smoothly, Lucas returned to the farm that afternoon after catching the four Poliwag.
First, he checked on Moltres and the eggs in the incubator beneath it.
Moltres was sleeping soundly. Mimikyu, hiding in the house's shadow, reported that Moltres had done nothing but eat and sleep while Lucas was away.
Lucas patted Mimikyu's head in praise, telling it to get ready for a feast tonight, and took Luxray to the next stop—the farming area.
By the fields, Serperior lazily entertained two Gossifleur with its vines, while Eldegoss wandered between the crops, checking for pests and weeds.
Hearing Lucas's footsteps, Serperior abandoned the Gossifleur and elegantly slithered over.
"Serp?" (Back?)
"Yeah, thanks for watching the field. Big dinner tonight!" Lucas noticed Serperior's tail winding around his finger but just smiled. He called out to Eldegoss too: "You worked hard. Rest up and come home for dinner!"
"Elde!"
Eldegoss nodded with a smile.
Next, Lucas visited Swampert by the lake, Ceruledge practicing swordsmanship on a nearby hill, and Dragonite, who he thought was flying but was napping in the house.
That evening, Lucas held a barbecue party behind the house for all his Pokémon.
Ceruledge expertly skewered and grilled wild mushrooms with its flaming sword.
Lucas steamed the meat from the second Crabominable claw, dividing it into 15 portions.
During a lull, Lucas released the four Poliwag.
Three hid behind the leader, curiously scanning their surroundings. They quickly realized Lucas's words were true.
So many strong Pokémon living together peacefully—especially the blazing Moltres—made them feel a huge gap between themselves and the others.
Soon, Ceruledge's wild mushroom skewers and Lucas's steamed Crabominable claw were ready. Lucas divided the portions for each Pokémon and sat on the ground to eat.
Moltres tried Ceruledge's grilled skewer first. The spicy, crispy, and juicy mushrooms amazed it.
The crab meat was even better—the sweet flavor after the spicy skewers was a knockout.
Moltres, who usually just absorbed volcano energy and ate berries, had never tasted such food. It even thought staying here for good food might not be a bad idea.
The main Pokémon finally understood why Lucas and Luxray were obsessed with crab meat. Even they couldn't stop thinking about it after tasting it.
The Poliwags had tears in their eyes as they tasted the supreme delicacy, feeling that selling themselves to Lucas was the best decision ever.
…
Three days later, the irrigation canal from the Poliwag Lake to the farm was finished. Swampert didn't need to worry about aesthetics, just brute-forced it.
Serperior wove a tight net with its vines at the lake's outlet to prevent wild Water-types or unknown fish from sneaking into Thunder Lake.
The whole project took three days. After Swampert filled in the canal, it was done.
Initially, Thunder Lake was only about 3.5 meters deep and five acres in size, but Lucas believed it would grow into something worthy of its name.
Once it was finished, the four Poliwag moved in. The only other resident was the tough-looking Swampert, but they were very happy and looked forward to more friends.
In the farming area, strawberry buds had appeared, and some had even bloomed. Tomatoes, eggplants, and cabbage too.
The fastest-growing cucumbers already showed tiny fruit.
With two areas on track, it was time to work on the ranch.
Again, Swampert used Earthquake to clear weeds and stones, then the Pokémon sowed edible pasture grass seeds.
The grass grew fast, not even needing Eldegoss to share nutrients. As if blessed by luck, it rained the night after sowing.
Meanwhile, the nutrient solution in the egg incubator turned clear again.
Lucas gritted his teeth and used the last can.
…
Two days later, fresh sprouts covered the ranch, and in about a week, it would be ready. Lucas planned to buy some farm Pokémon—like Miltank, Mareep, or Gogoat.
After selling his harvest from the wild, Lucas made 12,000 League Coins. After buying more ingredients, he had 55,000 left—enough for a few ranch Pokémon.
When the crops came in, there'd be more income. Only three days were left before he had to report to Naranja Academy.
Everything was moving steadily in the right direction.
…
On the sixth morning
Lucas was sleeping soundly when a powerful cry woke him. Luxray and Dragonite sleeping beside him, Mimikyu and Serperior on the bed, and Ceruledge in the other room, were all startled awake.
Lucas instantly knew—it was Moltres crying out in the backyard.
Moltres had been very well-behaved lately. Lucas had even let Mimikyu slack off on surveillance.
He hadn't expected this today.
Still in his pajamas and slippers, Lucas and all his Pokémon rushed downstairs to Moltres' spot.
Under the shed, Moltres looked bewildered, sweating bullets as the egg beneath it flashed rhythmically with light.
What was happening?
Had it blown up the egg? Was Lucas going to lead his six Pokémon to beat it up?
At that moment, Moltres and Lucas felt the same.
Both were panicking.
PS: Moltres: Have mercy!