Pokémon players are a deeply loving bunch.
As the saying goes—everyone is my wingman.
Whether it's the ever-common Caterpie, the rare and powerful Garchomp, or even the sultry Jynx—someone out there loves them.
And that's not even counting the legendary Pokémon.
Though Kawaki was still managing a humble day care and didn't yet have many strong Pokémon by his side, some things were better done early than late.
Now that he had intel about Latias, he could start preparing for the day he'd be strong enough to seek out those apex "divine beasts" of the world's ecosystem.
He turned around and brought out some Pokémon snacks to feed the Taillow perched nearby.
Taillow looked at him with satisfaction, then lowered its head and began pecking away at the treats.
While it was eating, Kawaki pulled up its information.
[Pokémon: Taillow]
[Gender: Male]
[Ability: Guts]
[Moves: Growl, Peck, Focus Energy, Quick Attack, Wing Attack]
[Status: Healthy]
[Mood: Joyful]
[Joy: 50]
[Friendship: 20 (Just another free food dispenser)]
[Description: "Not having to forage myself is the best. If only he had those sweet square candies..." —Taillow]
Kawaki:
Figures. This Taillow is just freeloading.
Wait—again?
Could it be that this Taillow had been fed by someone else before?
That would explain how confident it looked about begging for food…
Still, Taillow clearly wasn't fully satisfied with the snacks he was offering.
Sweet, square candies... Kawaki immediately thought of Pokéblocks.
They were tasty Pokémon treats that not only pleased the palate, but also boosted beauty stats, making a Pokémon's coat glossy and radiant.
He didn't know how to make them yet, but it was definitely something he'd have to learn later on.
Even so, for all its fussing, Taillow didn't skimp on the gifts.
Once it was full, another line of text popped up in front of Kawaki.
[Taillow's mood improved. Joy +20. You received Taillow's gift: "New Intel."]
[Taillow shares new intel: Two days ago, a massive "star" fell from the sky and landed at Meteor Falls. A bunch of pink Pokémon came pouring out of it. The "star" might actually be their spaceship.]
Stuffed, Taillow flapped its wings and flew off—just like a bird that puts its pants back on and pretends it never knew you.
Kawaki stared in shock at the info that just appeared.
Wait... this wasn't about Latias and Latios?
A star fell from the sky and crashed at Meteor Falls.
A star, pink Pokémon, a spaceship...
Could it be referring to Clefairy?
Clefairy, a Fairy-type Pokémon, lived in social groups and exhibited human-like behaviors—including performing rituals to worship the moon.
There were long-standing rumors that Clefairy didn't originate from this planet, but rather arrived long ago aboard a spaceship.
If Taillow's intel was correct, that meant two days ago, a spaceship full of Clefairy crash-landed near Meteor Falls!
And with Clefairy came... a ton of Moon Stones.
Clefairy were incredibly rare, but gentle and reliable. In some regions, their evolved form, Clefable, was often seen assisting Nurse Joy at Pokémon Centers.
Kawaki tucked the intel away in his mind. Since his day care wasn't far from Meteor Falls, he could head there after closing and see if he could catch a few Clefairy to help out at the day care.
Just then, a voice rang out behind him—Bewear's.
"Gu!"
Kawaki turned to see Bewear walking over with a blonde-haired girl at her side.
A customer!
Kawaki straightened up and returned to the main hall. He introduced himself warmly:
"Hello! Welcome to Kawaki Day Care. I'm the owner, Kawaki. What can I do for you today?"
The blonde girl looked curiously around the place.
"I don't remember there being a day care here before," she said.
"We just opened a few days ago," Kawaki replied with a smile.
"I see." The girl pulled out two Poké Balls and said simply, "I'd like to leave these two Pokémon here for a while."
Boarding request? Kawaki raised an eyebrow slightly, then offered,
"Would you be interested in breeding as well? Our day care has a unique method of hatching eggs. It allows the offspring to learn moves they normally couldn't. Of course, the price is a little higher."
The girl blinked in surprise.
Letting the offspring Pokémon learn moves they normally couldn't?
Was he talking about inherited moves?
Seeing the question on her face, Kawaki smiled and said,
"That's right—but it's more than just inherited moves. It also includes secret techniques passed down in my family. By passing them through the egg, we can teach Pokémon moves they otherwise could never learn."
The girl fell into deep thought. "Like what, for example?"
Kawaki smiled and raised a few examples. "What do you think—can a Growlithe learn Tackle?"
"Of course!" she said. Not only was it possible—it was easy.
"What about Outrage?"
She thought for a moment. "Also possible."
It was more difficult than Tackle, sure—but not out of the question for Growlithe.
Kawaki's smile deepened. "And what about... Sleep Powder?"
The room went still, like a thunderclap hitting the ground.
"Sleep Powder?" the girl echoed, stunned.
That move had absolutely zero compatibility with Growlithe.
Among all Pokémon types, only Grass-types and some Bug-types had natural synergy with that move. But a Fire-type like Growlithe...
Impossible. Totally impossible!
Yet Kawaki simply smiled and whistled.
Moments later, a small orange-red figure bounded down the stairs.
"Growlithe, show our guest what you can do," Kawaki said cheerfully.
A not-yet-fully-grown Growlithe appeared.
"Woof woof!"
Growlithe wagged his tail happily, looked at the girl... and let out a big sneeze.
The next moment, sparkling, powder-like particles burst from his sneeze and drifted through the air.
That move—
It was clearly the Grass-type move: Sleep Powder!
The girl's pupils shrank. She froze completely.
A Growlithe... that could use Sleep Powder?
That defied all logic.