Lucas grinned mysteriously, rubbing his hands as he pulled up a photo on his phone for Politoed to see.
Politoed hesitated, then took the phone and peered at the screen.
It showed a rock about the size of a fist, wrapped in beautiful, water-blue crystals.
Even through the screen, Politoed felt a sudden longing for the stone.
"This is a Damp Rock. It's infused with a wondrous power, only formed where Water-type energy is abundant and rain is frequent. The blue crystal is pure Water-type energy, built up over a long time."
Seeing Politoed's eager look, Lucas explained gently.
"It can boost the strength and duration of rain. Dragonite and Swampert both used Damp Rocks to train their Rain Dance."
"One reason you're losing the weather battle to Moltres is a difference in power—just like how Dragonite's rain can't be affected by Moltres. Another is experience—Moltres is a legendary, after all. You've only just evolved, but you're already going toe-to-toe with a legend. Don't rush it. Take your time."
"One day, you'll be strong enough that no one can take the weather from you."
Politoed's eyes widened, captivated by Lucas's words. "Poli..."
Lucas patted its head. "I'll get you a Damp Rock. Moltres's training is basically finished for now. Spend this time training with Dragonair and the others, okay?"
Politoed nodded.
Lucas gave it another friendly rub, then walked over to where Moltres and Swampert were still duking it out and clapped his hands, stopping the battle.
Both Pokémon immediately dropped their fighting stances and trotted over obediently.
Well, Moltres was still a little proud.
Just a little.
Thinking it was mealtime, Moltres landed gracefully, folding its flaming wings and staring intently at Lucas, waiting for the "let's eat" signal.
Lucas didn't say anything yet, instead stepping closer to get a good look at Moltres. The change was obvious—where once its belly was so big it could barely see its own claws, now it was lean and athletic, not a bit of extra fat.
This confirmed Lucas's theory about energy consumption.
Clearing his throat, Lucas fist-bumped Swampert, then said, "Alright, that's enough for today. Training's over."
"Moltres, when do you plan to leave?"
Throughout lunch, Moltres seemed distracted, barely eating a bucket when it used to eat three or four.
Its odd mood was obvious—even Growlithe, who was usually clueless, noticed, curling up on Moltres's warm back and anxiously licking its feathers.
Moltres glanced at its adopted son, staying silent.
Honestly, it had been using battle to numb itself, deliberately not thinking about the upcoming farewell.
Yes, farewell.
Its plan had been to slim down, then take Growlithe to the volcano to absorb magma and help him evolve.
Once Arcanine could fend for himself, Moltres's bond with the farm and Growlithe—formed ever since the egg hatched—would come to a natural end. Moltres would return to its calm life in the volcano, while Arcanine would keep getting stronger under Lucas's care.
Everything would be back on track.
But Moltres suddenly felt a pang of reluctance.
It looked sadly at the empty dishes and its beloved little red rice bucket, now taken away by Lucas and the Poliwhirl.
Back at the volcano, life would return to bland food every day—at best, it could absorb some magma energy, maybe catch a few unseasoned, fishy wild fish, or eat some random berries.
Not that life again!!!
Moltres howled in its heart, pained.
It frantically tried to think of a reason to stay at the farm and keep enjoying good food. As a legendary, surely it could come up with something.
It thought about its strengths: its legendary status, its unrivaled control over fire—even Ceruledge couldn't match Moltres's mastery. That was its innate talent as a Fire-type legend.
If nothing else, maybe helping Lucas reduce the food stockpile could count as a contribution.
Anyway, Moltres was determined to come up with a good excuse to stay and enjoy more delicious meals.
If all else failed, maybe it could bring those two idiots along—Lucas might find them interesting?
Meanwhile—
With Politoed and the Poliwhirl helping, Lucas could finally clean the mountain of greasy dishes with ease.
Thanks to their Bubble Beam, the grease vanished in seconds, and all the bowls and rice buckets were sparkling clean.
Lucas couldn't help but marvel at how Pokémon changed daily life. Beyond battles, their powers had huge, positive effects.
With chores done early, Lucas had more time to head out in the afternoon.
Calling Swampert and Dragonite, packing a backpack with supplies, Lucas said goodbye to the farm's Pokémon and flew off toward the Paldean Sea.
He was going to look for a Damp Rock for Politoed.
Most of this planet was covered by ocean, making even the continents seem small in comparison.
Thinking of the ocean, Lucas remembered the two ancient titans of Hoenn, who did nothing but sleep or fight.
He still couldn't understand how Groudon had let Kyogre get so much of the world's water. Kind of embarrassing, actually.
Now, Lucas was flying on Dragonite high above the endless sea, in the southern Paldea region. Looking back, he could just make out the Poco Path Lighthouse as a speck on the horizon.
At night, that lighthouse guided ships, keeping them from getting lost at sea.
Lucas scanned the ever-changing ocean below, looking for a suitable island.