It wasn't just Gym Leaders and Elite Four members who did this.
Most Trainers with a certain level of financial resources would hire dedicated Breeders. Some were responsible for food, some for Pokémon massages, some for grooming and beauty care, and some for correcting training tasks, while the Trainer themselves provided the overall training direction.
Of course, this approach was mostly used for the second- and even third-tier Pokémon on a team. For the Pokémon they truly valued, most Trainers were still willing to raise them personally from the very beginning, building deep bonds with them.
Just like Terrance's Tyranitar, Ninetales, and the others...
As for the Ribombee living in Fallarbor Town, although they also belonged to Terrance, he mainly planned their training routes. Much of the actual raising and care was handled by Kotoko.
Terrance had taken an interest in the idol project and in Hiyoko herself. He wanted to develop this project into one component of his Fairy Army, so specialized training was naturally indispensable. Yet at the moment, he no longer had the capacity to devote most of his energy to it. This was where the value of a talented professional like Hiyoko became apparent.
Furthermore, once Hiyoko is trained, he could later entrust her with training Pokémon in sound-based moves and even with maintaining the health of their vocal cords.
Beyond that, Terrance had other motives for taking over the project. In the future, the number of Pokémon requiring resource investment would only continue to grow, and the expenses would undoubtedly be enormous. If he could place one or two successful projects under his name, the returns in the future would also be considerable. Most Elite Four had businesses of their own. Compared to the foundations accumulated by veteran Elite Four members, Terrance's little Fallarbor Town was hardly worth mentioning. If he didn't quickly convert his current resources into long-term assets capable of generating income, he wouldn't have such good opportunities after retirement.
After all, the benefits of being an Elite Four wouldn't stay with Terrance for his entire life.
Of course, the future profits of the Pokémon Diva Idol Project might not be substantial either. But compared to other projects, this one served a dual purpose. Terrance wouldn't lose much even if it failed; it was simply an experiment.
"A dedicated Breeder... Th-this, with my skills, I'm afraid I'm not qualified for it," Hiyoko said, panicked. Raising Pokémon for an Elite Four? She wasn't even a Junior Breeder. That was far too much to ask of her.
"There's no need to worry. What I need is expertise in sound-based moves. That's your specialty," Terrance replied.
After regarding Primarina's Liquid Voice Ability and its unique water-balloon techniques as the core of the concept, Terrance felt increasingly convinced that the team-battle system in his mind was highly feasible. He intended to use this project as a testing phase for constructing his Fairy Army and Fairy Domain. If it integrated successfully, he could invest large amounts of effort into studying it later. If it failed, he wouldn't mind.
Researching Pokémon training methods has always been one of the most expensive pursuits for Top Trainers. Enjoying the benefits of an Elite Four, Terrance wasn't afraid of losing money.
As for when this idol group could truly be integrated into the Fairy Domain, that was likely a matter for the distant future... The reason he had chosen Hiyoko and this project was simply that the vocal talents of this Eevee and Popplio were extremely difficult to replicate. Finding a second pair like them would not be easy.
Sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch...
If the Fairy Domain could incorporate transformations affecting all five senses, it would become even more perfect. This was also the valuable suggestion Rotom Pokédex had repeatedly proposed after running numerous simulations.
At this point, Hiyoko no longer wanted to reject such an opportunity. Bearing the immense expectations Terrance had placed on her, she could only swear to herself that she would work even harder.
"The Jigglypuff you're searching for as part of the Pokémon Diva Idol Project is an indispensable main force. I'll find a way to catch it," Terrance said, acknowledging Hiyoko's keen judgment.
If you think about it carefully, you'll realize that nearly all the Pokémon Ash and his companions encountered or caught in the original anime were exceptionally gifted and highly unique. A wild Pokémon that receives extensive focus in the original work naturally cannot be mediocre. Just think of Team Rocket's Meowth. The fact that Hiyoko had set her sights on that Jigglypuff also speaks of her unique insight.
Terrance likewise remembered that Jigglypuff vividly. Its superb Sing move had hypnotized countless Pokémon, making it virtually unstoppable. As a result, its dream was to find someone who could listen to an entire song without falling asleep. If approached from that angle, earning Jigglypuff's friendship would not be difficult. Tempting it with the chance to perform before countless people was surely something that Jigglypuff would find impossible to refuse.
Moreover, Jigglypuff was a Fairy-type Pokémon. A Fairy-type with top-tier talent was naturally something Terrance did not want to miss.
"When all is said and done, that Jigglypuff may be exceptionally talented, but it lacks professional training. It simply can't control the powerful hypnotic sound waves within its singing. No wonder nobody can listen through an entire song of its performance..."
Terrance thought to himself that aside from Abilities like Soundproof that specifically countered sound waves, resisting its hypnosis through willpower alone would be extremely difficult, even for someone several levels stronger than the Jigglypuff itself.
"Um, Mr. Terrance, are you going to Neon Town too?" Hiyoko immediately asked after hearing that Terrance intended to catch Jigglypuff.
"Neon Town? Why would I go to Neon Town?" Terrance shook his head. "The key to Operation Capture Jigglypuff lies in a single word: wait."
Hiyoko was utterly bewildered by Terrance's explanation.
But Terrance knew that as long as Hiyoko and the others followed behind Ash's group, Jigglypuff's appearance was only a matter of time.
...
...
At this time, Terrance and Ash's group were still resting in the vehicle. Because of the change in their itinerary, they were heading directly to Cinnabar Island.
Ash and the others still had no idea that the management of the idol project had changed hands, but that didn't stop them from regularly enjoying the daily training sessions of the project's only three Pokémon. Even their routine training was enough for the charm of their singing to cleanse away negative emotions and fatigue, making it a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
"As for Eevee, your idea of focusing on training its Disarming Voice is a good one. I'll revise your training schedule later and add exercises to develop its psychic power. The synergy will be much better that way," Terrance said. "Also, don't neglect Normal-type sound-based moves. This Eevee's Ability is Anticipation. If it evolves into Sylveon, its Ability will become Pixilate!"
Disarming Voice, Baby-Doll Eyes, and Psychic-type moves all carried effects akin to mental suggestion. In a sense, they could induce confusion and hallucination-like effects in opponents. Adding this training objective was certainly the right choice. Beyond that, Terrance was also considering Sylveon's Pixilate Ability... perhaps it should learn Skill Swap as well? Through Froakie and Togepi, he had already discovered the tremendous potential of Skill Swap.
"As for Popplio, its talent is extremely rare. Going forward, focus on developing that talent, but don't neglect its Ability either. Both need to progress together."
This Popplio possessed a very special inherited technique unique to the Primarina family: the ability to integrate sound waves into water bubbles. Only Popplio family with Liquid Voice Ability had a chance of mastering this special technique.
Other Popplio could at most use sound waves to manipulate water balloons. But after mastering this technique, the controlled water bubbles not only gain an explosive ability but also function as a "recorder" and a "player." They could store sound waves within them, granting tremendous versatility and tactical value.
Terrance and Hiyoko jointly discussed and heavily revised the training plans for these two Pokémon. Besides the idol aspect, they also incorporated practical combat direction. All of this was part of Terrance's preparations for perfecting the Fairy Domain. And this was only one avenue. Going forward, he intended to cast an even wider net. As long as one link, one core concept, could eventually be integrated into the Fairy Domain, every investment would be worthwhile.
As for Lapras, Terrance did not interfere much with its development and temporarily left it under Hiyoko's care.
After arriving on Cinnabar Island, Terrance contacted Blaine in advance and explained Ash and others' situation.
Blaine still had a fairly deep impression of Ash, that rather special Trainer, and naturally welcomed them as spectators.
Before long, Terrance and Ash's group arrived in front of the Cinnabar Gym.
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