Dragonite's crash landing, of course, caught the attention of the Pokémon inside. Smoliv and Poliwag, who were on lookout duty, ran to the kitchen door in a panic.
"Smo-liv!" "Poli-wag!"
The kitchen door opened, revealing a white Ceruledge and Swampert.
Normally, this would be a tense scene, but Smoliv and the Poliwags weren't worried at all, as if they'd seen it countless times before. They hopped around, chattering and urging Ceruledge and Swampert to hurry up.
Ceruledge and Swampert exchanged a glance—excitement in their eyes.
It seemed Lucas was finally home. Luckily, their preparations were almost done!
"Ceru~"
Ceruledge called to the others behind it, and the Pokémon finally saw the state of the kitchen.
To be honest, it was a bit of a mess. The kitchen, usually spotless thanks to Lucas, was now littered with spilled ingredients: white flour everywhere, dusting Ceruledge and Swampert until they looked white.
Poliwhirl, Fidough, and Milcery were also there, clearly having played key roles.
The project was at its final step. All the Pokémon looked at Milcery expectantly, and sensing the happy mood, Milcery worked extra hard—sweet, thick cream flowed from its hands as it finished the last touches on their surprise.
Hearing Lucas' footsteps getting closer, Ceruledge and the others didn't have time to tidy up. Instead, they followed their rehearsal, gathering at the door.
Soon, the sound of a key in the lock.
All the Pokémon perked up. Those closest to the door readied their moves.
"I'm home—"
Bang!
The door opened. As Lucas stepped inside, Poliwhirl and the Poliwags shot Water Guns into the air, crisscrossing. Mimikyu, held in the air by Dragonite, summoned a flurry of Swift stars.
Ceruledge and Swampert, still covered in flour, each held a corner of a plate, smiling as they presented it to Lucas.
Lucas was startled by the spectacle. But when he saw what was on the plate, his eyes reddened, a warm feeling rising in his chest.
It was a simple strawberry cake—one that would never sell in a bakery—with messy cream (clearly Milcery's work) forming a crooked smiley face that resembled Lucas's.
Taking the plate solemnly, Lucas looked closely. He realized the effort might be even greater than he'd imagined.
The cake base must have been made with flour, eggs, water, and Fidough's yeast—the actual baking probably done by Swampert and Poliwhirl, with Ceruledge's guidance.
The strawberries came from their own test plot, and the cream was Milcery's.
No doubt, Moltres had also helped, since its control of flame temperature was even finer than Ceruledge's.
This surprise was clumsy, but the heartfelt effort was priceless to Lucas.
Luxray's eyes flashed in surprise—so that's what Ceruledge and the others had been so secretive about. But on second thought, it made perfect sense.
Lucas took the knife and fork from Poliwhirl, cut a piece of cake, and tasted it. His eyes widened.
He'd expected to eat it all, even if it tasted strange.
But to his surprise, it wasn't odd at all—it was actually delicious.
The difference between a cake made with yeast and a regular sponge cake is in the texture: the fermented cake is fluffier, almost like a steamed bun. Thanks to Fidough's yeast, it avoided the dense texture, and the sweet cream plus homegrown strawberries made it priceless in Lucas' eyes.
The cake was small, about five inches, but Lucas ate it all himself, smiling brighter than ever: "The cake is delicious. Thank you, everyone!"
Just as he finished, all the Pokémon cheered and then—pounced on him!
The weight of their love totaled 546.8 kilograms.
Afterward, Lucas introduced his new partner, Comfey, to everyone. Standing in the messy kitchen, he fell deep into thought.
…
The next day, at the farm plot.
Lucas gathered his grass-type Pokémon—along with fairy-type Comfey—by the fifteen saplings he'd planted.
After a week away (with no Serperior or Eldegoss to care for them), the saplings had grown well, now with sturdy trunks and a few branches.
Normally, it would take at least three and a half months for a sapling to mature and bear fruit.
Yet, not even half a month had passed. It seemed the day they'd flower and bear fruit was still far off—
Or maybe not.
Lucas looked at Comfey, the Eldegosses, and the curious Serperior and Smoliv beside him, feeling hopeful.
Unfortunately, Serperior—though the strongest—had put all its talent into battle, even learning moves like Grassy Glide and Seed Bomb instead of Grassy Terrain.
If it could use Grassy Terrain, its effect would be even better than the Eldegosses.
Today, Lucas' goal was to test the combination Grassy Terrain move taught by Tapu Bulu.
The test subjects: these fruit trees.
Before starting, Lucas recorded the saplings' stats for future comparison.
A moment later, Lucas and the curious Smoliv stepped back, leaving the stage to Comfey and the Eldegosses.
Their leader, the first Eldegoss, took center stage, with the other two and Comfey forming a triangle.
"Eldegoss~! Comfey~!"
After a gentle chant, a wave of grass-type energy swept out, and Grassy Terrain instantly covered the fifteen saplings.