Chapter 18: Breeder Visit

Total Words: 2736

(Time: October - 10 years before Ash's journey)

A month had passed since Tyson returned from the camping trip with his grandfather and his decision to train Larvitar to master its ability, Sand Veil. With Shane's aid this process progressed smoothly as well as its mastery of sandstorm. It was now capable of generating a sandstorm spanning 50 meters in diameter. After sharing his insights from the forums with both Bertha and Shane, as well as his plans to enhance Larvitar's proficiency with Sandstorm, they were eager to help. Bertha was particularly interested, mentioning that she could offer advice on manipulating Sandstorm. During this time, Gligar had also fully recovered, showing a preference for staying outside its Pokéball, often clinging to Tyson's shoulder.

Tyson thought to himself, 'This is probably what Ash feels like with Pikachu.' Engrossed in Shane's breeding lessons, which included Pokémon Biology, Cooking, and Healthcare, and Bertha's guidance on nurturing ground-type Pokémon, Tyson's schedule was packed. With graduation only nine months away, time was precious. His photographic memory made learning instructions a breeze, yet practice was essential to perfect his skills. Meanwhile, Gligar was far from idle, participating in Tyson's and Larvitar's training sessions under Bertha's tutelage, who emphasized that stamina was crucial for victory in battles. She advised that despite Pokémon's natural physical prowess, without training to increase their stamina, they would struggle to compete at higher levels.

Throughout the week, Tyson balanced his training and studies with daily schoolwork. At last, on that Thursday, Larvitar perfected the Sand Veil ability. Tyson discovered during training that the ability worked quite differently than in the games. Sand Veil enabled Larvitar to alter its armor's hue to blend with the shifting sands. This camouflage allowed Larvitar to disappear into the sandstorm, becoming invisible. Observing the outcome, Tyson nodded as their next focus would be on Larvitar's sandstorm.

On the field, Tyson declared, "We need to practice until you're able to create a storm that spans 60 meters; then we'll focus on control. That way, even if the sandstorm expands later, a slight adjustment will enable you to regain control," earning a nod and a "Lar" from his partner, followed by a quick "Gli" from the resting Gligar. Turning to the lounging girl, Tyson said, "Don't get too comfortable; you'll train in Sand Veil after Larvitar's session," prompting Gligar to lift her head and grin. Throughout the past month of training, Tyson had become familiar with Gligar's effervescent personality and her fondness for lounging. Occasionally, she would try to slip away in search of cozy spots to nap. "She reminds me of a cat," Tyson mused.

While searching online, Tyson discovered that Gligar also possessed the Sand Veil ability. 'It's not really my fault I forgot; remembering the abilities of over eight hundred Pokémon is quite the task,' Tyson mused as the training session went on. With expanding its sandstorm as Larvitar's focus he also began training Gligar to master Sand Veil. Even though he was quite busy at home, Tyson still found time for his friends, regularly spending lunchtime with Sophia and Eric. On Friday, as class concluded, Tyson and Eric were getting ready to clean the classroom when Sophia, as usual, offered her help.

Having spent a month together, Sophia had shed her shyness and now expressed her thoughts openly with them. "So, guys, would you like to visit the ranch this weekend?" Sophia inquired. "Nah, I've got a gaming session planned," Eric replied, earning an elbow jab from Tyson. "Ow, what th—" Eric began, but Tyson interrupted him, saying "Certainly, we'd be delighted to come over,". Despite his usually full schedule, he thought a brief visit to the local Pokémon Daycare would be manageable. As the three finished cleaning the classroom assisted by Trapinch and Gligar, both Tyson and Eric agreed to head to the Daycare tomorrow before heading home.

Upon arriving home, Tyson greeted his grandparents and then proceeded to the backyard. After releasing him from his Pokeball Tyson observed Larvitar, noting his increased size. Previously, Larvitar had measured two feet seven inches tall, but now it stood at an impressive three feet six inches, nearly twice the size of an average Larvitar. "Well buddy, it seems the training and the diet of high-ranked Hard Stones are paying off," Tyson remarked, pleased with Larvitar's growth. "But we can't celebrate yet, we need to continue practicing your sandstorm and then we'll work on Dragon Dance and stamina training for the rest of the day," he added, receiving an affirmative nod from Larvitar.

Then, turning to Gligar, who was also keen to train for once, he said, "For now, you and I will run some laps while Larvitar practices," which made Gligar visibly disappointed. Noticing her expression, he reassured, "don't worry, we will begin your Sand Veil training, as soon as Larvitar is done warming up. If you do well, I'll ask grandma to provide an extra portion of food for you". Comforted by Tyson's promise, Gligar leaped into his arms for a hug, bringing a smile to Tyson's face. The trio persisted in their training until dinner time arrived, and shortly thereafter, they retired for the night.

The following morning, Tyson made his way to the northern part of Celestic Town. This area was known for its shops specializing in Pokémon care products and food. At the edge of this district stood a large red building adorned with a sign that read "Celestic Daycare," complemented by an image of a sleeping Snorlax. In front of the building, Tyson mused, 'Well, the daycare is exactly as I anticipated,' while examining its architecture. Abruptly, the front door swung open to reveal a beaming Sophia dressed in traditional farm attire. "Ah, Tyson, you made it!" she exclaimed, delighted to see her friend had managed to come. "It's not a problem, but why did you want me and Eric over today?" Tyson asked, curious about the reason for Sophia's sudden invitation. Upon hearing Tyson's question, Sophia responded, "Don't worry, it's nothing serious. But let's wait for Eric to arrive; he seems to be running late, as usual," to which Tyson nodded in agreement.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps and panting echoed as a voice called out from behind Tyson, "Hey guys, sorry I'm late. I got caught up in a game of Poke Legends, and it was my last match to reach Master Rank," Eric explained. Tyson stared at Eric and said, "Really, man? You need to get a proper night's sleep. Stop playing games until three in the morning." Eric scoffed in response, "True gamers never go to bed early" To which Tyson simply shook his head. "Well, at least he made it. Now then, you guys, follow me inside. I'll take you on a tour," Sophia said, ushering the two inside. The building's interior was unadorned, featuring a front desk with two bookshelves and chairs visible behind it.

Off to the side, a machine caught Tyson's eye, reminiscent of the PC from the games. 'That must be a transfer machine,' Tyson thought, observing the device. He had caught glimpses if the machine in the local Pokemon Center, and seeing one here was no surprise given the nature of a daycare. Authorized by the Pokemon League, transfer machines facilitate the exchange of Pokemon or their transport from one place to another. This remarkable invention was the brainchild of Researcher Bill Bigsby, the pioneer behind the technology.

Behind the front desk stood a solitary man, his posture straight, his white hair contrasting with his upright stance. As the group entered, his eyes met theirs, and he asked, "Ah, Sophia, are these the friends you've mentioned?" Sophia quickly replied, "Yes, these are Tyson and Eric, my classmates." She then turned to her friends and said, "This is my dad Hogan; he manages the ranch with my mom and the staff." Observing the man, Tyson noted his traditional farmer's attire of brown overalls and boots. The man's gaze lingered on Eric and Tyson as he spoke, "While I appreciate you saving my daughter, I must say I don't condone either of you dating her." This remark made Sophia's cheeks turn crimson with embarrassment as she exclaimed, "What?! I'm not dating anyone, Dad!" in a loud denial. As they watched the argument unfold, Eric leaned over and whispered, "I'm glad I came here," to which Tyson nodded in agreement, murmuring, "Same."

The debate ended with Sophia convincing her father that he had "misunderstood" their relationship. Hogan, watching them, let out a hearty laugh. "I apologize for that; I sometimes lose my composure concerning my daughter," he admitted, then turned to Tyson with a nod and said, "Thank you for saving my daughter. I will never forget it." From the side, Eric interjected, "What am I, chopped liver? I was there too," which made Hogan and Sophia laugh. "Don't worry, I'm thankful to both of you, but I'm unsure how to repay your deed. That's why I had Sophia invite you over to ask what you want," he explained. Tyson quickly replied, "It's fine, I didn't do it for a reward, that even was a month ago so I'm surprised it's still being brought up now" but then a new voice interjected, "No, no, that won't do," as they all turned towards the sound of a door opening to reveal a woman with long black hair in a ponytail, dressed in traditional farm clothes like Hogan's.

"Mom!" Sophia exclaimed as she approached the woman. Introducing herself, the woman said, "I'm Teressa, Sophia's mother, and I won't let the heroes who saved my daughter go unrewarded. Besides with how busy we are at the daycare we didn't have time to invite you two over earlier" Nodding at his wife's words Hogan folded his arms as he spoke "Well how about this, both of you will have dinner with us. For now, Sophia with give you two a tour of the farm". Shaking his head Tyson gave up as he knew it was rude to refuse their gratitude. Signaling the two to follow, Sophia continued to lead Tyson and Eric to the back of the daycare. In the backyard, they saw a large open area bordered by fences stretching toward the northern forest entrance. Tyson observed various Pokémon frolicking around, such as Sentret, Buneary, Bidoof, and even rarer ones like Aipom and Eevee. Off to the side stood a large, red-painted barn. "Do trainers own all these Pokémon?" Tyson asked. Sophia responded, "No, some of these Pokémon were found by my dad during berry picking. Here at the daycare, we nurture and care for Pokémon, whether they're owned by trainers or wild." "It must be a lot of work caring for all these Pokémon," Eric remarked. Sophia simply smiled and replied, "I've never thought of caring for Pokémon as work."

Upon hearing her answer, Tyson couldn't help but ask, "Hey Sophia, why not become a Pokémon Doctor or Nurse? Given your love for Pokémon, I would think that's your ambition." Sophia responded, "I've thought about it, but having spent my entire life at the daycare, I can't see myself doing anything else." Tyson remarked, "Well, you never know until you try," which made Sophia appear thoughtful. Returning the smile to Tyson, Sophia said, "I'll consider it. Now, let's proceed with the barn tour." As they entered the barn, they saw several Miltank grazing on hay. "This is the primary source of income for the daycare, as well as a side job for my mom and dad. We breed Miltank here as part of the Thorne Family's branch of milk producers," Sophia elaborated.

The Thorne Family from Johto was recognized as the leading producer of Moo Moo Milk worldwide, with several branches established for distribution. "That's fascinating, so your family operates the daycare and this farm?" Tyson asked to which Sophia confirmed with a "yes." Observing the scene, Tyson thought, 'Juggling two businesses and raising a daughter, Sophia's parents certainly lead an intriguing life.' He then asked Sophia, "What's next on the tour?" to which she promptly replied, "There's not much more, but let's continue." The group went on exploring the daycare and eventually decided to spend time playing with the local Pokémon until dinner time.

As the group settled back inside to enjoy their dinner, Hogan initiated a conversation. "Tell me, boys, what are your plans after Trainer School?" Eric responded, "I'm heading to the Ranger Academy in Almia to complete my studies and become an Operator," which earned an approving nod from Hogan. Turning to Tyson, Hogan inquired, "And what about you, Tyson?" Tyson's answer, "I'll be enrolling in Coronet Academy," which caught everyone at the table off guard. Eric chimed in, "I thought you wanted to become a trainer and travel around Sinnoh," with Sophia nodding in agreement. Hogan offered his encouragement, "Well, I wish you luck, kiddo. Joining the Academy is tough, and many drop out before graduation." Tyson, surprised, asked, "Did you attend the Academy as well?" Hogan confirmed with a nod. "I once aspired to be a Master Level Breeder at the academy. Back then, I lacked confidence and often doubted my decisions, leading to numerous failures. Despite the challenges, I managed to reach the Intermediate Breeder Rank. Amidst the fierce competition and the five-year limit, I was constantly reminded that passion alone was not enough. That's where I met Luis Thorne, the current leader of the Goldenrod Gym in Johto and the man in charge of the main farm there. After reaching an agreement, years later, here we are. My advice to you is to leverage everything at your disposal—points, teachers, or people—to achieve your goal."

As Hogan's words resonated, Tyson's resolve intensified. "I guess I need to set a goal beyond just being the best Ground and Rock Type user," he mused. After the group finished eating, Tyson and Eric said their goodbyes and headed home. At home, Tyson recounted the day's events to his grandfather Shane, omitting his concerns about setting a loftier goal. Shane looked at Tyson and advised, "Don't rush to find a higher goal, son," catching Tyson off guard. "Your grandmother initially aimed to be a researcher, but her passion for Pokemon battles led her to her current path. I aspired to be an Ace Trainer, but my limited talent in Pokemon Battles hindered me. What I'm saying is, goals are important, but life's journey is full of surprises. Concentrate on the present and build from there; that way, you'll have no regrets about the future you create." Shane's words struck a chord with Tyson, who realized, 'He's right, I need to focus on the now, getting my Pokemon ready for Coronet Academy.' With this in mind, Tyson returned to his room, where he and his Pokemon, Larvitar and Gligar, began planning their training for the next day.

(Time: November - 10 years before Ash's journey)

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Tyson and Bertha who had returned from counsel duties wrapped up another session of training. Over the month, Larvitar's sandstorm had grown to an impressive 60 meters, and it was now honing its ability to control both the sandstorm's flow and size, guided by Bertha's Hippowdon. Meanwhile, Gligar had perfected her ability Sand Veil and was learning the move Toxic from Bertha's Gliscor. In the midst of training, Larvitar began to tremble, and a brilliant light burst forth from its form. Tyson, observing the luminous Larvitar, smiled, sensing the moment had arrived. As the light intensified, Larvitar's stature increased from three feet six inches to a formidable four feet six inches. Its armor thickened, enveloping its limbs and adopting a blue tint, while a mask-like plate with four prominent spikes now adorned the upper part of its body. When the light finally receded, the creature roared, signaling the end of its transformation. Tyson approached the newly evolved Pupitar, now nearly his own height, and looking into its eyes, he declared, "Congratulations, partner. I'm counting on you from here on out, Pupitar."

Pokémon Team:

Team Rank: 2

Pupitar

Gender: Male

Type: Rock/Ground

Abilities: Shed Skin

Held Item: None

Moves: Rock Throw, Bite, Payback, Leer, Scary Face, Dragon Dance [Inherited], Ancient Power [Inherited], Stomping Tantrum, Sandstorm

Moves Learnt: Iron Defense, Outrage

Gligar

Gender: Female

Type: Ground/Flying

Abilities: Hyper Cutter, Sand Veil, Immunity [Undeveloped]

Held Items: None

Moves: Thief, Knock Off, Poison Tail, Quick Attack, Wing Attack [Inherited]

Moves Learnt: Toxic