After going downstairs, Hayato once again headed back into the Ecological Park.
This time, he went straight toward the area where the Oddish family resided. Before long, several Pokémon that looked much like giant Rafflesia flowers appeared in his field of vision.
They were none other than Gloom, the evolved form of Oddish.
Their bodies were round and bluish, like plant bulbs, and on top of their heads bloomed huge reddish-brown flowers with white spots.
Each flower had four bulbous petals and four light-brown sepals, making them look strikingly similar to rainforest Rafflesia.
When Hayato stepped into the area, the Gloom were standing beside the grass, eyes closed, drooling slightly at the corners of their mouths as if asleep.
He couldn't help but sigh. Compared with Oddish, Gloom really lost a lot of cuteness in the looks department.
Hayato thought to himself that perhaps one day he could collect enough Sun Stones and evolve them all into beautiful Bellossom.
Just then, one Gloom stirred.
It turned its body, looked toward Hayato, and upon recognizing him, immediately brightened with joy.
"Long time no see, Gloom," Hayato greeted warmly, crouching down to pat its head.
Gloom's blue face lit up with a wide smile.
According to Slowking, this little group had played a major role during the Ecological Park defense battle.
The thought of everyone banding together to protect their home filled Hayato with a warmth in his chest.
"Gloo~m!" The Gloom cried happily.
Hayato had nothing urgent to do, so he stayed to keep them company, while also observing their natural habits.
Since the Oddish line was so common in the wild, information about them was already thoroughly recorded in the Pokédex.
Hayato pulled out his Pokédex and scanned one of the Gloom. A mechanical female voice rang out:
"Gloom, the Weed Pokémon. It can unleash an odor so foul it can travel up to two kilometers, leaving foes unconscious from the stench."
"Warning! Trainers encountering wild Gloom should remain calm and avoid startling them."
"When frightened, Gloom's stench becomes drastically more intense. But if calm and unthreatened, it will not release its usual odor."
Hayato: "..."
He suddenly wondered what kind of smell could be so terrible that the Pokédex itself had to give a spoken warning.
At that moment, Slowking walked over holding a bottle.
Noticing Hayato, it chuckled and said, "By the way, Hayato, that plant you gave me last time has started reproducing."
"Hm? What plant?" Hayato blinked.
"Want to go see it?" Slowking asked, inviting him.
Hayato nodded. "Sure." He had handed the Revival Herb he'd recovered from the desert caverns to Slowking, leaving its care entirely to it.
If Slowking hadn't mentioned it now, he probably wouldn't have remembered. Too much had happened recently.
He sighed, but before following, he saw Slowking squat in front of the Gloom, placing the bottle down before one of them.
The Gloom began spitting drool into the container.
Hayato's eyes widened slightly.
He knew a little about Gloom. Some perfumes on the market were actually derived from Gloom's stench.
And what looked like drool at their mouths wasn't really saliva, but nectar secreted by their flowers.
But… why was Slowking collecting it?
As if answering his thoughts, Slowking explained, "Before their evolution, they suffered paralysis and sleep abnormalities. After evolving, Gloom developed resistance to those conditions. Their nectar can help other Pokémon overcome the same status ailments."
"Gloo~m!" The Gloom nodded cheerfully in confirmation.
Hayato turned his gaze to the bottle in Slowking's hand.
When the bottle was filled, new information appeared above it:
[Gloom's Miracle Nectar: A nectar with wondrous effects. It can awaken Pokémon from paralysis and, with prolonged use, improve resistance to paralysis.]
Hayato: "..."
"Hold on." Slowking sealed the bottle, said, "All done," and then began leading the way.
Following him, Hayato soon arrived at a glasshouse in the corner of the Ecological Park.
He looked up in shock. "When did this get built?"
He was certain it hadn't been here when he'd left just over a month ago!
"It was built on the third day after you left, with Professor Birch's help," Slowking replied, using telekinesis to push the door open.
Inside was a small greenhouse. The walls were made entirely of translucent panels, allowing sunlight to pour in. Shelves lined the walls, filled with potted herbs and plants.
The leaves were vibrant and fresh, droplets of water still clinging to them from a recent watering. The whole place radiated vitality.
Sweeping his eyes across the room, Hayato immediately spotted the Revival Herb he had brought back.
Beside it, several pots already held tender new sprouts:
[Revival Herb (Unripe)]
Hayato was stunned.
Slowking placed the Gloom nectar among a cabinet already full of bottles, then said cheerfully, "These should help you on your journey."
Hayato gaped. "All of this… you prepared for me?"
Slowking nodded, then shook his head, then nodded again. "Not just me. The Gloom too. We worked together. Their nectar lasts about three months before it spoils."
Hayato's feelings grew complicated.
Once again, he was touched by the sincerity of his Pokémon.
He was about to speak when a sound came from nearby.
"Pii… Pii…"
Two Clefairy peeked out from behind a cabinet, only half their heads showing as they stared timidly.
Hayato instantly realized these must be the Clefairy brought from Mount Moon by the Clefairy tribe of the so-called "Clefairy Planet."
Back in the frozen lands, time had been tight, and the Clefairy weren't used to that harsh environment. So he had quickly sent them back here without getting to know them.
And now, after days apart, their unfamiliarity had only grown.
Hayato raised a hand to greet them, but they squeaked in fear and darted out of the greenhouse.
"..."
Was he really that scary?
He thought to himself that in the games, they'd definitely have a "Timid" nature.
Slowking explained, "They help here in the greenhouse. When you sent the Clefairy back, they spread throughout the Park. These two are quieter, so I let them watch over the plants."
"Fair enough."
Hayato sighed. He didn't chase them. That would only scare them more. There was plenty of time to grow closer later.
The Revival Herb project was going smoothly, and with Clefairy now adding their presence, the Ecological Park had become even livelier.
As Hayato wandered, he spotted Clefairy curiously observing Slowbro in its waters, Clefairy building sand piles near Krookodile and Flygon, and Clefairy frolicking in the grass, caves, and riversides.
So this was what Slowking meant by "the Clefairy have spread throughout the Park."
Compared to before, the Park truly felt bustling with life.
Glancing up at the Zapdos soaring majestically above, Hayato felt an overwhelming sense of fulfillment.
What could be better than having a big home filled with Pokémon companions?
The Park was perfectly managed, and all thanks to Slowking.
On returning, Hayato found that Slowking seemed even wiser now—like a true sage.
Out of curiosity, he decided to spend a day observing Slowking's routine.
His conclusion:Slowking's life was incredibly disciplined.
6 AM: Wake up, feed the Park's Pokémon.
8 AM: Water the herbs in the greenhouse.
9 AM – Noon: Read books. Then feed Pokémon again.
2 PM – 5 PM: Read more. Then feed Pokémon.
After dinner: Take a walk around the Park.
8 PM – 10 PM: Read books in his room until lights out.
Terrifyingly strict!
Hayato, curious about what Slowking was reading, sneaked into his study and pulled some books off the shelves:
Advanced Herb Cultivation Methods and Theories, The Redemption of the Kidney Thief, Principles of Mechanics and Power Assemblies, General Breeding of Water-type Pokémon.
"..."
As a trainer, he couldn't understand a word of them.
He checked more titles: A Brief History of Humanity, A Brief History of Time, League History, Pokémon and Their Essential Role in Human Society, Introductory Mechanical Assembly, Mathematical Principles, Syntax and Grammar.
These books bore clear marks of being thoroughly read. Meaning… Slowking had already absorbed all of this.
Silently, Hayato put Syntax and Grammar back on the shelf and left.
Forget "Wise"—Slowking should've been named Alfred!
He'd heard of all-rounder trainers, but never an all-rounder Pokémon.
Slowking cultivated Revival Herbs, crafted Pokéblocks, trained Pokémon in the Park…
And now it was even dabbling in mechanics.
At this rate, give it a few years and it might start building Gundams.
That level of intellect was absurd!
Even after returning to his room, Hayato was still dazed by Slowking's brilliance.
He slumped against the wall in silence.
Gengar noticed his strange mood. "gen?" (What's wrong?)
Hayato pointed at a magazine cover. "Do you recognize these words?"
Gengar tilted its head, shook it. "gar…"
Hayato instantly relaxed.
Good—at least he wasn't the only illiterate one in the house.
He exhaled in relief.
"…gen…" Gengar frowned. For some reason, it felt like its trainer was calling it dumb.
It looked at Hayato suspiciously.
Hayato just rubbed its head and said, "Sleep."
…
The night passed in silence.
The next morning, Hayato ate breakfast while planning his trip to the Kanto Region.
Today was February 17th. If he departed tomorrow, he should reach Kanto by the 29th.
By the time he returned from the Bell Tower, it would already be April.
And April was when ten-year-olds received their first Pokémon from the local Professor and began their journeys.
Funny how timing worked out.
That would be when Ash set off too.
Though it'd still be about four years before Ash came to Hoenn.
Then… the birth of Mewtwo…
Hayato frowned slightly. He wondered if his blowing up the Viridian Gym had disrupted the story.
Rumor had it Giovanni had stepped down as Gym Leader and vanished. Where he went, and what he was plotting, was unknown.
Blowing up the Viridian Gym had felt satisfying—but it meant the Kanto storyline was now outside his control.
Still, it wasn't a big deal.
No scheme could stand against overwhelming strength.
As Hayato pondered, his Pokémon ate beside him.
Suddenly, Cramorant froze, staring blankly in a certain direction.
"Gaa?"
Hayato blinked, exchanging looks with Gengar and the others. "What is it?"
He turned to follow Cramorant's gaze—and froze.
There, timidly peeking from the staircase, was a strange little creature shaped like a star.
Their eyes met.
Hayato was stunned.
That was… Jirachi?!
But how? According to the story, it wasn't supposed to awaken for another four years!
(End of Chapter)