The arrival of a new member brought fresh vitality to the farm. After the welcome feast for Oranguru, time passed quickly, and soon it was the last day of March.
Over the past few days, Oranguru had been learning the ins and outs of the farm from Lucas, while also providing many sharp suggestions.
The first issue it raised was infrastructure.
Currently, the farm's grounds remained mostly untouched since the beginning—apart from the removal of trip hazards like loose stones, the ground was still uneven mud.
Oranguru thought it was essential to build a road through the farm. The property was so large that walking from the house to the farthest pasture area took nearly twenty minutes. With a road, Lucas could simply drive over, and it would be much more convenient to transport crops for sale.
Other suggestions included rebuilding the cottage, clearly defining Pokémon job roles, and improving crop utilization. For example, the pasture area currently only housed Mudsdale and three Sawsbuck, leaving most of the grassland unused. Oranguru suggested collecting and storing or processing the grass, which could improve the Sawsbuck's diet and save money.
But these things couldn't be accomplished overnight—they required both time and funds.
Previously, crops and berries had been sold, and Eldegoss's month-long supply of cotton had been entrusted to Terry to handle. As of today, the farm's liquid assets were about to surpass 500,000, so as Oranguru suggested, it was time to move on to the next phase of development.
The top priority was to increase the number of pasture Pokémon. The farming area already had Serperior leading the Grass and Fairy types, and with Politoed and Dragonair coordinating in the lake, there was no need for new recruits there.
But the empty pasture desperately needed more members, especially Pokémon with valuable by-products.
"Guru~"
Oranguru approached Lucas with a sheet of paper filled with writing.
Lucas glanced at the paper and was surprised. "You wrote this?"
Oranguru nodded.
Of course, Oranguru was impressive.
Looking at the neat handwriting, prettier than his own, Lucas began to read carefully.
In summary, Oranguru had listed Pokémon that could produce by-products or had abilities useful for the farm, for Lucas to select from. These included the Garganacl, Miltank and Gogoat for milk, Shuckle for juices and medicine, Wooloo and Mareep for wool, and Beedrill and Combee for honey, among others.
The list was thorough—even considering the best habitat for each Pokémon. Lucas admired Oranguru's efficiency and attention to detail.
With Oranguru's permission, Lucas crossed out Beedrill and Combee. "No need to introduce Combee—there's already a friendly Combee colony in the nearby woods, and their Vespiquen promised to let me nurture any female Combee that appear."
Oranguru must have seen the flower fields where Comfey often stayed, which is why it considered honey-producing Pokémon.
Oranguru nodded thoughtfully. This was unexpected, and it made a mental note that good relations with wild Pokémon around the farm might yield unexpected benefits.
It still had much to learn. After farm construction, it would be worth considering a space to host wild Pokémon.
Lucas then circled key Pokémon: Garganacl, Gogoat, and Miltank. All were available in Paldea. While Miltank was more expensive due to its reputation, Gogoat and Garganacl could be caught in the wild, and Lucas had no trouble affording a few.
Today was March 31st. School started at Naranja Academy tomorrow, and Lucas's classes would begin the day after, so he would visit the Ellie Ranch to pick new Pokémon then.
…
Farming Area: A special plot of land under close care.
Mudsdale gently lifted and stamped its foreleg, sending a surge of Ground energy rippling through the soil, causing the earth to rise and expose the roots of the plants before gently closing again, loosening the soil.
Next, Comfey and the Eldegoss stepped forward, skillfully using Grassy Terrain, their Grass energy nourishing the crops.
Soon, a vibrant green glow faded, and the plants—over half a month's growth—looked lush and full of life.
These were the long-cycle, energy-intensive Secret Seasonings, which had thrived under the Pokémon's diligent care.
"Excellent. Mudsdale, your Rototiller move is getting more skilled. Comfey and Eldegoss, your mastery of Grassy Terrain has improved a lot too. Practice really does make perfect."
Lucas clapped, praising the Pokémon.
The Eldegoss bounced with joy, Comfey swayed and filled the air with a lovely fragrance, and even the usually stoic Mudsdale smiled.
Seeing his Pokémon grow stronger made Lucas proud.
He was also grateful for his trip to Alola with Kukui. Without going, he wouldn't have met Tapu Bulu or learned Grassy Terrain and Rototiller, making Secret Seasoning farming impossible.
Tapu Bulu, as a land deity, was truly top-tier—but unfortunately, it still guarded Alola, so he couldn't bring it home.
Still, there were two Legendary Pokémon he might recruit: Landorus from Unova, said to enrich soil and bless the land, and Calyrex, the King of Bountiful Harvests from Galar's Crown Tundra, with the power of healing and abundance.
It's said Calyrex could make fields bloom or become fertile with a wave of its hand. If not recruited for farming, it'd be a waste.
Calyrex also needed faith to maintain its power. In the anime world, Calyrex hadn't appeared yet, so its current state was unknown. Maybe a trip to Crown Tundra was in order. If Calyrex had lost its followers and was forgotten by Galar, Lucas could invite it to Paldea, where its worship would quickly take root.
With these thoughts, Lucas arrived at a deserted field. Usually, this area was for Pokémon to practice moves and hone battle skills.
Today was no different. Most of the farm's Pokémon were here, waiting for Lucas to have Swampert demonstrate what it had gained from its Kalos trip.
Inside the crowd, Swampert and Dragonite stood ready. Luxray, Serperior, Mimikyu, and Ceruledge, Lucas's main team, watched seriously.
They all remembered Lucas's description from the welcome dinner: Mega Swampert's power could surpass even Luxray.
Even Luxray was shocked, as were Serperior and the others.
Moltres, Arcanine, and Dachsbun were also present, Moltres especially curious what kind of breakthrough Swampert had achieved to surpass Luxray.
Having experienced Luxray's power, Moltres could hardly imagine anything stronger, making it eager for today's test.
All the Pokémon were tense, a heavy atmosphere hanging overhead.
"Drago~?" (Dragonair, are you sure it's okay?)
The shiny Dragonair looked at Dragonite with concern. Even though Dragonite was much stronger now, to Dragonair, it was still the egg they once protected.
"Drago~" (It's fine, just a sparring match~)
Dragonite patted its chest, reassuring the Dragonair.
Lucas had said Mega Swampert's power would increase dramatically, and only Dragonite, with its tough Dragon-type body, could match up head-on.
Ceruledge relied on its flaming sword, Serperior on its strong plants, and Mimikyu's battle style was too tricky—none suited for direct clashes with Swampert.
As for Luxray, its type disadvantage made it struggle even before Mega Evolution, let alone after.
So the versatile Dragonite, both flying mount and sparring partner, was the best choice.
With Dragonite's reassurance, Dragonair could only trust it.
Soon, Lucas and the others arrived. Comfey, Eldegoss, and Mudsdale mixed into the crowd, while Lucas stepped to the center, gazing at Swampert and Dragonite.
Swampert wore a custom armlet set with its Mega Stone, crafted by a skilled artisan recommended by Meyer. It could withstand a Pokémon's power without breaking.
Lucas's Key Stone was still a plain stone—he hadn't decided what accessory to set it in, but that didn't affect its function.
As soon as Lucas drew the Key Stone, all the Pokémon held their breath and fixed their eyes on him and Swampert.
Mega Evolution required the bond between Pokémon and Trainer to resonate between the Key Stone and Mega Stone, unlocking a power beyond limits.
As Lucas locked eyes with Swampert, memories of meeting it as a Mudkip surfaced, and the same for Swampert.
Many had asked Lucas: There were no Mudkip in Paldea, so how did he catch one without leaving the region?
The answer was simple.
When Swampert saw Popplio being captured, it was enraged because it had once been hunted for its strength, captured, and brought to Paldea, where Lucas rescued it while traveling.
Those days as a captive were a dark time for Swampert.
But Lucas's arrival was like a ray of light in its darkness.
At that moment, Lucas and Swampert's hearts connected. They felt as one, their spirits in sync.
A sense of certainty welled up between them. Lucas gripped the Key Stone and declared, "Swampert, Mega Evolve!"
No dramatic words were needed—the bond between Lucas and Swampert was clear.
As their heartbeats synchronized, a brilliant light erupted from the Key Stone and Mega Stone, linking them together with a radiant chain.
Swampert was engulfed in prismatic light, its body transforming.
The Pokémon watched wide-eyed. Except for Ceruledge, Oranguru, and Arcanine, it was their first time seeing this evolution.
Swampert's body swelled, muscles bulging, orange accents deepening in color, its back arching—radiating explosive power like an undersea volcano.
"Swampert~!"
Flooded with newfound strength, Mega Swampert let out a triumphant roar, its aura sweeping over the others like a tidal wave!