"Yip~"
Victor's blanket stirred, and an adorable fox head poked out, looking at its surroundings with sleepy eyes.
Seeing that Victor was still asleep, it quietly nestled back into the covers, watching his sleeping face.
It wasn't until it heard the voices of Shana and the others that it climbed out of the blankets, shook its body, bent its legs, and prepared to jump... only to find itself back in the blankets.
"Yip?"
The Vulpix was confused. Why am I back in the blankets? Shouldn't I be on the floor?
While it was still puzzled, a large hand began to stroke its body.
It closed its eyes in comfort.
It struggled for a moment, but finding it couldn't get free, it gave up and went back to sleep.
Victor sat up, stretched, and, holding his toothbrush, went out onto the balcony.
Today, Gengar was sitting in a small chair on the balcony, wearing its black glasses, holding its tablet, with a cup of milk tea beside it. Professor Oak's science program was playing on the screen.
It would listen for a few sentences, then take a sip of milk tea.
It was acting more and more like a boss.
"Gengar—"
"Mornin', Gengar."
Victor brushed his teeth. In the backyard, Shana was already playing with her Tinkerbell and the others.
Kids really have endless energy. I'm up early enough, but Shana's up even earlier.
Seeing the big smile on her face, Victor couldn't help but nod.
It seems she really likes life at the Breeding House.
After washing up, Victor went and scooped up the still-sleeping Vulpix.
"Yip?"
Why am I flying?
He wiped the Vulpix's face with a towel, then called out to the balcony.
"Gengar, come down for breakfast."
"Gengar—"
Gengar gulped down the rest of its milk tea, turned off the tablet, and floated over.
As Victor left his room, Gary was just coming out of his.
"Good morning, Owner, Gengar, and Vulpix."
Victor nodded in response, and they went downstairs to eat together.
Seeing the full glass of milk left on the table, Victor went to the backyard and called out.
Shana obediently ran back, chugged the milk, and after getting a nod from Victor, ran back to the yard.
After breakfast, Victor sat in the lounge area in front of the counter, planning the tournament with Gary.
Gengar sat nearby, watching cartoons with Umbreon.
"Arf~"
Victor and Gary looked up. An Arcanine was power-sliding to a stop.
Officer Jenny dismounted and walked into the Breeding House. Seeing the unfamiliar boy, she was puzzled.
"He is?"
"He's Gary. He's currently staying at the Breeding House to study with me."
"Oh." Jenny nodded.
Gary and Jenny exchanged greetings.
"Jenny, are there still a lot of trainers left in Twinleaf Town?"
Jenny frowned, confused by the question.
Seeing her expression, Victor quickly explained, "Shana and I were thinking that since the League Conference just ended, there must be a lot of trainers who didn't get a chance to compete. We were thinking of holding a tournament here at the Breeding House, to let them battle each other."
"That's a great idea. Don't worry, there are still plenty of trainers who haven't left Twinleaf yet," Jenny said, nodding. She took the cup of honey water Gengar handed her and took a sip.
Sweet.
"When the time comes, Joy and I will help you promote it in Twinleaf."
"Thanks, Jenny."
"By the way, have you thought about Sandgem Town?"
"Sandgem Town?" Victor hadn't considered it.
"Yeah. You know Professor Rowan now, right? Just have him help you promote it."
Victor's eyes lit up.
He had almost forgotten about that.
He immediately took out his phone and dialed Professor Rowan's number.
The professor's face appeared on the screen.
"Well, Victor. Is there a problem with that batch of Pokémon?"
"Professor, no, it's not that. I'm calling today to ask for a favor," Victor said with a smile, looking at the meticulous professor.
He then explained his plan.
"No problem at all! That's a wonderful idea. Leave Sandgem Town to us," Professor Rowan laughed heartily.
Then he continued, "By any chance, have you seen Gary?"
"Professor." Gary stuck his head into the center of the screen.
"Gary's staying with you?" Professor Rowan greeted Gary, then asked Victor.
Victor nodded.
After hanging up, Jenny finished her water, stood up, and prepared to leave.
She then turned back and tapped her forehead.
"I almost forgot."
"After we in Twinleaf and Sandgem learned about the situation with the forest, we held a meeting. We'd like to hire you as a Forest Ranger."
"A Forest Ranger?" Victor's eyes widened. "What does a Forest Ranger do? Protect the forest?"
"Pretty much. Just patrol the forest when you have time, to prevent another situation like the one with the Pokémon hunters."
Jenny nodded.
Victor thought for a moment. The forest Pokémon's friendship with him was already at 100, so he could accept.
"Of course, I fought for this for you: as long as you're a ranger, and as long as you don't destroy the forest or interfere with the Pokémon's lives, you can do whatever you want with it."
"Like... turning it into a tourist attraction?"
Hearing Victor's question, Jenny paused, then nodded.
"That's also possible."
"Alright, I accept."
Victor nodded eagerly.
"Okay. I'll have the certification sent to you tomorrow."
With that, Jenny hopped on her Arcanine and sped off.
After lunch, Victor packed the herbal tea, and Shana was already ready to go.
He attached the bags to Arcanine's back, then lifted Shana on. Gary got on as well, going with her today.
His main purpose was to check on the Teddiursa's living situation and see if there were any issues.
Gary nodded, indicating he knew what to do.
He then set off for Twinleaf Town with Shana on Arcanine.
Victor, meanwhile, collapsed onto a chair in the lounge area and took out his phone.
Victor: The Breeding House is also preparing to hold a battle tournament.
Cynthia: A tournament?
Victor: Pokémon battles.
He explained his idea to her.
Cynthia: I see. That's a good idea.
Cynthia: Would you like me to come over and do an exhibition match?
Victor: ?!
Victor: You?! Come to my tournament for an exhibition match?!
Victor: I don't have the money to pay your fee.
Cynthia: Or I could just have a friendly match with them. That's also an option.
Victor: Just spare them, please.
Closing his phone, Victor suddenly thought of the famous scene of a certain Axew challenging a Garchomp.
If they really did battle Cynthia, it would probably scar them for life.
...
After delivering the tea, Gary and Shana arrived at Grandpa Yuba's house.
He had the Staravia go in first to check the situation, then knocked on the door.
Grandpa Yuba opened it and saw the boy and the little girl from the Breeding House.
"Grandpa Yuba, we came to see Teddiursa," Shana said clearly.
Grandpa Yuba laughed heartily, stepped aside, and let them in.
When they entered the yard, they saw it was filled with toys. The Teddiursa was sitting in the middle of them. Grandpa Yuba walked over and sat down next to it, and they started playing together.
"Ursa?" The Teddiursa looked up and saw Gary and Shana, wondering why they were here.
Gary smiled to show he meant no harm, then walked over to check on the Teddiursa's condition.
He had it open its mouth. A strong smell of honey wafted out.
It's being well taken care of. Gary nodded.
He stood up, said goodbye to Grandpa Yuba, and walked out.
Shana was already outside, telling the seed shop grandpa and grandma about the Breeding House's tournament.
He and Shana said their goodbyes to them, got back on the Arcanine, and headed back to the Breeding House.
Grandpa Muji, after hearing about the tournament, suddenly had an idea.
He took his wife and went into Grandpa Yuba's house.
...
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