Reaping the Rewards

Now that the Pokémon were decided, Ms. Green followed Fabio and Jennifer to the checkout counter. Fabio proceeded to make a deal with Ms. Green, offering to sell her all the necessary items for her grandson's journey, including two beginner books, a tent, a map, a Pokécase, as well as Pokéfood and Pokéblocks. In return, she would have the privilege of purchasing the Lillipup whenever she and her grandson were ready. Fabio even proposed offering her a discount as his first customer, but Ms. Green politely declined, stating that she wouldn't know what to do with all her money otherwise.

In the end, Ms. Green paid a total of 104,000 Pokédollars for the items she purchased. The breakdown included 15,000 for the Pokécase, 7,500 for the tent, 2,000 for the two books, and a month's supply of special recipe Pokéfood for normal types, along with 40 Pokéblocks and the Pokéblock Case, each priced at 25,000. It was at that moment that Fabio realized the staggering cost of becoming a Pokémon trainer without any form of subsidy or sponsorship. He knew that every trainer from 14 to 18 automatically received some type of subsidy from the league, even if it was just 50% off everything. Even so, the price he charged Ms. Green didn't include the cost of the Pokémon itself, making it an exceedingly expensive endeavor.

Fabio also informed Ms. Green that the Lillipup would cost 45,000 Pokédollars. Ms. Green chuckled and exclaimed, "Oh my, that's quite a steal! You must be giving me a discount, Fabio!"

Fabio smiled and replied, "Well, Ms. Green, you are my very first customer, so I wanted to offer you a special price."

Ms. Green playfully raised an eyebrow and said, "Haha, don't think I won't notice that! But seriously, from what I know, that's a very fair price for a Lillipup."

After completing the payment and receiving the bag containing all the items from Jennifer, Ms. Green leaned in and said, "You know, Fabio, you should consider selling Pokéballs too. It would save me the trip to the Poké Center!"

Fabio nodded, considering the idea. "You know what, Ms. Green? That's actually a great suggestion. I'll look into it and see if I can offer Pokéballs in the future."

Ms. Green grinned mischievously and added, "And hey, when those old ladies come to pick up their Pokémon, maybe you can sell them some Pokéballs too. They'll need something to keep their companions in check!"

They both chuckled at the thought, and Ms. Green patted Fabio's shoulder affectionately. "Well, Fabio, I must say, I'll be sure to recommend your daycare to all my friends. You never know, some of those old ladies might be in need of a Pokémon to keep them company during their old and lonely days."

With a warm smile, she wished Fabio success with his daycare venture and said, "Take care, my dear. I'll be back soon with my grandson to pick up that adorable Lillipup!"

And with that, Ms. Green bid farewell and left the daycare, leaving Fabio feeling grateful for her support and excited about the future of his business.

Unfortunately, Ms. Green was the only customer who came on the first day of the daycare. However, Fabio and Jennifer weren't unhappy since they made decent money for a start. They understood that not everyone could be as wealthy as Ms. Green, who considered 100,000 Pokédollars as spare change. They remained optimistic and focused on the progress they had made.

After a few days of patiently waiting and continuing their efforts to promote the daycare, Friday finally arrived. It was a day filled with anticipation and hope as Fabio and Jennifer prepared for the closing time. The weekdays had been relatively quiet, with only a few customers trickling in, but they remained optimistic about the potential growth of their business.

As the clock struck 5 p.m., signaling the end of the day, Fabio couldn't help but reflect on the progress they had made during the week. Despite the slow start, word had gradually spread thanks to the glowing recommendation from Ms. Green. Her trust in their daycare had proven to be invaluable.

Throughout the week, word spread about their daycare thanks to the positive recommendation from Ms. Green. They managed to sell two Lillipups and three Purrloins, along with a month's worth of the special Pokéfood for each Pokémon. The sales for the food totaled 125,000 Pokédollars, while the Lillipups and Purrloins combined brought in 90,000 and 165,000 Pokédollars, respectively. In just four days, they had earned a remarkable total of 380,000 Pokédollars.

Not only were they delighted by the financial success, but they also felt a deep satisfaction in knowing that their hard work was paying off. It was a sign that their dedication and commitment to providing quality care for Pokémon were being recognized and appreciated.

Fabio couldn't help but share his excitement with Jennifer, who shared in his joy. They were both reassured that their efforts were not in vain and that the future of the daycare looked promising. The stable income generated by the recent sales gave them a sense of security, allowing them to envision a bright and prosperous future ahead.

Over the weekend, Fabio made a trip to stock up on essential supplies for the daycare. He purchased a variety of Pokéballs, including regular Pokéballs, Superballs, and Hyperballs, ensuring they were well-prepared for any potential trainers or customers in need.

Additionally, Fabio recognized the need to restock the Pokémon sold to maintain a diverse selection for potential customers. He acquired three more Lillipups and three Purrloins, expanding the available choices for aspiring trainers.

As Fabio attended to the needs of the daycare, one of the Pokémon eggs he had obtained earlier showed signs of hatching. It was an egg that had been discounted due to its close proximity to hatching. With anticipation in his heart, Fabio witnessed the cracking of the egg, revealing a tiny Sewaddle emerging into the world.

"Sewaddle!" the newborn Pokémon chirped, its voice soft and full of curiosity.

Fabio's eyes widened with joy as he leaned in closer to the swaddle. "Hello there, little Sewaddle," he said in a gentle, soothing tone. "Welcome to the world. You're going to grow up to be a strong and amazing Pokémon. I'm here to take care of you and make sure you have everything you need."

Cradling the Sewaddle in his arms, Fabio offered a small bottle of Moomoo Milk. "Here you go, little one," he cooed, carefully guiding the bottle to the sewaddle's mouth. "Drink up and grow big and strong."

The Sewaddle eagerly latched onto the bottle, taking in nourishment with each gentle suck. Fabio watched with delight as the tiny Pokémon fed, its tiny body gradually gaining energy and vitality.

Fabio smiled, feeling a deep connection forming between them. It was a bond that would only grow stronger as they embarked on this journey together.

With the Sewaddle nestled in his arms, Fabio continued to marvel at the miracle of new life. The Pokémon daycare had become not only a place of care and nurture but also a sanctuary for these young Pokémon to thrive. With each passing day, Fabio's passion for raising and training Pokémon grew, fueled by the innocent wonder and potential he witnessed in every newborn creature.

While Fabio was still marveling at the newborn Sewaddle, he suddenly heard Sol's voice resonating in his mind. Sol's energetic tone revealed that the system had granted Fabio a reward for successfully running the daycare for a week.

Sol: "Fabio, guess what?! We've got a reward! It's time to delve into Aura and unlock the potential to develop psychic powers!"

Fabio: "Aura and psychic powers? That sounds intriguing, Sol. Why is this reward being offered now?"

Sol: "Ah, good question! You see, Aura is a vital energy that will be essential for capturing stronger Pokémon and defending the daycare. Without it, we might not be able to handle Pokémon of exceptional levels or above and couldn't fend off potential threats."

Fabio: "I see. So, by accessing Aura and developing psychic abilities, we'll have a better chance of protecting ourselves and the Pokémon in the daycare."

Sol: "Exactly! It's all about ensuring the safety of the daycare and preparing ourselves for any challenges that may arise. We need to be ready for anything, Fabio."

Fabio: "I couldn't agree more, Sol. The daycare is more than just a place of care; it's become a haven for Pokémon and a responsibility I take seriously. We must be proactive in our approach to training and strengthening ourselves."

Sol: "That's the spirit, Fabio! Starting today, let's dedicate ourselves to training our Pokémon every day after closing the daycare. On Saturdays, we can have friendly matches to help them grow and improve their skills. And Sundays will be their well-deserved rest day."

Fabio: "It's a plan, Sol. By investing in their training and fostering strong bonds, we'll create a formidable team. Together, we'll not only provide a nurturing environment but also shape these Pokémon into powerful allies."

Sol: "Absolutely, Fabio! With our combined efforts and the power of Aura, we'll overcome any challenges that come our way. The daycare will flourish, and our Pokémon will reach their full potential."

Fabio: "I'm glad we're on the same page, Sol. This journey won't be easy, but with your guidance and the strength of our connection, I believe we can achieve great things."

While Fabio and Sol continued their conversation about unlocking the powers of Aura, Sol provided a detailed explanation of its capabilities and potential.

Sol: "Fabio, Aura is an extraordinary force that grants us incredible abilities. With Aura, we can tap into a range of powers and experiences. Here are some of its remarkable aspects:

First, we have the ability to read thoughts and perceive the actions and experiences of others. It's like gaining insight into their minds and understanding their intentions.

Secondly, Aura allows us to sense and observe the auras of our surroundings. We can even see through certain objects, gaining a unique perspective on our environment.

We can also project our Aura, creating protective barriers or launching powerful attacks. However, it's important to note that sharing Aura with others can be risky and potentially dangerous.

Additionally, Aura enables us to activate what we call 'Time Blossoms,' which can manipulate time in various ways. This extraordinary power can be harnessed for our benefit.

Telepathy is another remarkable ability that Aura bestows upon us. We can communicate with others through our thoughts, bypassing the need for verbal communication.

Lastly, Aura empowers us to generate and control air currents, allowing us to manipulate the flow of air around us.

These are just some of the incredible powers that come with unlocking Aura, Fabio. It's an extraordinary gift that will undoubtedly enhance our abilities as we protect the daycare and venture on our journey."

Fabio listened attentively, absorbing the information about the diverse range of abilities that Aura offered. Excitement and curiosity welled up within him as he envisioned the potential applications of these powers in his role as a daycare owner and caretaker of Pokémon.

With each new revelation, Fabio's determination grew stronger, fueling his desire to explore the depths of Aura and unlock its full potential. The possibilities were endless, and he couldn't wait to see how these abilities would unfold in their journey ahead.

As the evening settled over the daycare, Fabio and Sol continued their conversation, exchanging ideas and discussing training strategies. With each word spoken, their bond grew stronger, united by a shared purpose and determination.

Together, they would embark on a path of growth, resilience, and the exploration of their untapped potential. The voices in Fabio's head were no longer solitary; they were now a dynamic duo, working hand in hand to ensure the success and safety of the daycare.