Pokémon Breeder's Story

Chapter 38: Swords Dance Mudkip

The day after Steven left, the Swampert and Quagsire that the previous client had left in his care finally produced an egg.

It was discovered in the morning by the Caretaker Clefairy in the grass on their way back after feeding the pair.

"Clefairy!"

The two Clefairy carried the egg and presented it to Kenji, who was in the middle of eating breakfast.

"It's here?"

Kenji was a little surprised. He took the egg, and as he focused his gaze on it, the egg's information appeared in his mind.

[Mudkip Egg: A Pokémon egg that can hatch a Water-type Pokémon, Mudkip.]

[Health: Healthy]

[Father: Quagsire (Elite-level)]

[Mother: Swampert (Elite-level)]

[Hatching Progress: 1/30]

A Mudkip? The Water-type starter from the Hoenn region!

But, first things first.

Kenji focused his attention, and immediately, another line of text appeared.

[Prenatal education can now be conducted. Teaching moves to a Pokémon still in its egg can allow it to learn moves it would not be able to learn through normal growth.]

[Current number of moves Mudkip can be taught prenatally: 1. The number of prenatal moves is related to the Pokémon's talent, energy affinity, and aptitude. The higher these three are, the more moves can be taught, and vice versa.]

[Currently teachable moves: Baby-Doll Eyes, Tackle, Sleep Powder, Swords Dance, Protect, Toxic, Odor Sleuth]

[Proceed with prenatal education?]

[Note: Prenatally taught moves cannot be passed down further through breeding.]

"The parents' strength is only Elite-level... so the Pokémon in the egg has limited talent and can only be taught one prenatal move at most?" Kenji mused.

He looked at the Growlithe lying before him. Both of his Growlithe's parents were Elite Four-level. Growlithe's own talent was very high, so it could be taught five "illegal" moves prenatally. This Mudkip, however, had limited talent, so it could only learn one such move at most...

As a Water-type starter, Mudkip's final evolution, Swampert, possessed considerable physical strength. If that was combined with Swords Dance, this Pokémon's power would undoubtedly rise to an even more terrifying level.

Torrent ability triggered + Swords Dance + Waterfall... A Pokémon on the same level would likely have no way of withstanding such a powerful blow.

Thinking of this, Kenji suddenly realized that these kinds of "illegal" Pokémon eggs absolutely could not be produced in large quantities. Otherwise, it would surely destroy the battle balance of this world. The world of Pokémon battling would probably become incredibly chaotic. For example, a Hydro Pump Gardevoir, a Dragon Dance Garchomp... It might even attract the attention of certain people.

After long contemplation, Kenji decided to change his strategy.

One, only teach moves that were relatively harmless.

Two, decide whether to perform prenatal education based on the client's character, virtue, and their degree of love for their Pokémon.

In any case, the breeding center now had multiple business avenues. Even without this service, his livelihood would not be affected. Kenji's requirements weren't high; he just wanted to earn enough money for himself and his Pokémon to live on.

However, he would make an exception for this Mudkip egg, because he had already made a promise to that client.

Prenatal education, activate! Choose move: Swords Dance!

As the Mudkip egg flashed with a layer of blue light, the world's first Mudkip capable of using Swords Dance was born!

Several days later.

The blonde-haired girl returned to the breeding center to check on the breeding situation.

"Owner, have my Pokémon produced an egg yet?" the girl asked.

Seeing her, Kenji stood up from behind the counter, went to the incubation room, and brought out the Mudkip egg.

"Congratulations, your Swampert and Quagsire have produced a Mudkip egg," Kenji said.

"Wow! That's great!" The girl took the egg in pleasant surprise, then asked, "So, can it learn Swords Dance?"

It already knows it, Kenji thought, but on the surface, he shook his head and said, "We won't know that until the little Mudkip hatches! However, I've done my best. I believe your Mudkip will surely have gained something."

It would be at least a month until the Mudkip hatched, plus the transition from its infancy. This illegal Swords Dance Mudkip would need more than a month before it could show its true strength.

"Thank you so much!" Having gotten the answer she wanted, the girl's face was full of joy as she said her thanks.

Kenji smiled and asked, "The egg has been produced. Do you want to continue fostering your Quagsire and Swampert at the breeding center?"

"No, that's okay!" The blonde-haired girl shook her head. "While they've been away, everyone has missed them, so I plan to take them with me and continue our journey together!"

"Then I wish you a safe journey ahead," Kenji said.

The fostering period ended. The blonde-haired girl took her Swampert and Quagsire from the breeding center and paid the fees for the past few days. A total of one week, with a daily food and care fee of 3,000 Pokédollars, plus the breeding fee, Kenji earned a total of 30,000 Pokédollars this time.

For the breeding center, this was already a considerable income. Coupled with the unhatched Pokémon eggs he had sold over the past few days, the breeding center now had a small nest egg.

Looking at the large breeding center, Kenji secretly planned his next steps.

"A television that can play regional news needs to be installed... A Poké Ball Transporter for remote Pokémon transfers also needs to be installed, and a machine for making Pokéblocks."

It was also time to upgrade the Pokémon food at the center. Before, everyone ate berries from the orchard and Pokémon food bought from town. It was enough to fill their stomachs, but it couldn't be considered delicious. To better raise Pokémon and get their fur, spirit, and other aspects into the best possible condition, Pokéblocks, which contain a variety of nutrients, were essential.

So, the next step was to get this equipment installed first.

Kenji decided to close early today and make a trip to Fallarbor Town.

In truth, Kenji rarely went to Fallarbor Town. First, because the journey was long, and the experience of the "Bewear Taxi" wasn't great. Second, he worried about the Pokémon at the breeding center. What if, while he and Bewear were away, some Pokémon Hunters or thieves broke into the backyard and stole the Pokémon? After all, in the eyes of those Pokémon Hunters, Clefairy were also very rare Pokémon.

Therefore, every time Kenji went to town, he would buy a large amount of ingredients. Now, under Oddish's care, the vegetables in the herb garden had already grown. Besides meat and a few other ingredients, the breeding center was almost self-sufficient.

"Hmm, it seems the security of the breeding center also needs to be upgraded."

Looking at it this way, it seemed there were still many things waiting for him to do. This was a good opportunity to go to Fallarbor Town and get all the necessary infrastructure set up!