Pokémon Chronicles: The New Beginning

Successful Capture

"I will give you the freedom to choose."

Natsume took a deep breath and slowly approached Petilil.

If this Petilil refused his offer, he would look for another target.

Breeding a powerful Pokémon requires not only the right methods and resources but also a willing Pokémon.

If a Pokémon lacks the determination to become stronger, it is difficult to become a powerful Pokémon!

Seeing someone approaching, Petilil tensed up, but upon realizing it was Natsume, it relaxed and allowed him to get closer.

Petilil had complex feelings toward Natsume. During this time, it often recalled the words Natsume had spoken to them.

Since that day, no one has come to pick their fruits and leaves, making it trust Natsume completely.

"Petilil..."

Natsume stopped in front of Petilil, pausing for a moment.

Why does this feel like a confession...? Suddenly, Natsume felt like he was confessing to a girl he liked.

Pausing again, he took a deep breath and said, "Petilil, would you like to be my partner?"

Hearing Natsume's words, Petilil was stunned, not expecting him to say such things to it.

"Yeah, like Uncle Darby and Luxray, that kind of partner." Natsume feared Petilil might not understand, so he explained further.

Then, he saw Petilil nod without hesitation, as if it had already had feelings for him.

Well, that was successful... Natsume hadn't expected things to go so smoothly. This was his first "confession," and it wasn't as difficult as he imagined.

So what should he do next—just take Petilil away?

As Natsume stood there thinking, based on stories from his previous life, he should be throwing a Poké Ball now.

But this world didn't have Poké Balls, leaving him a bit awkward.

Quickly recovering, he crouched down in front of Petilil and smiled, "Then, please take care of me from now on."

Petilil nodded happily, adding in its heart, I will do my best from now on too...

...

In the evening, Natsume returned home with Petilil.

"Wow, Petilil... Natsume elder brother, how did you bring it here?" Little Andy exclaimed excitedly.

Natsume smiled and patted Little Andy's head, reintroducing, "From now on, Petilil will be my partner, just like Uncle Darby and Luxray."

Upon hearing this, Little Andy gasped, then said with envy, "I really want to be partners with Starly too, but it just won't agree."

"Then you need to take good care of Petilil."

When Uncle Darby spoke of his time with Luxray, he smiled, reminiscing a little.

At his feet, Luxray lifted its head to glance at its trainer, the corners of its mouth unconsciously curling up, then it settled back down, closing its eyes to rest.

Aunt Eileen happened to come in from the kitchen with some food, glanced at Petilil, and hesitated, saying, "I wonder what Petilil would like to eat?"

"Aunt Eileen, I've already prepared food for Petilil," Natsume explained with a smile. The fermentation of the Oran Berry should be about ready now.

After a hearty dinner, Natsume took Petilil to the backyard.

It had been half a month by now, and under the blazing sun, the barrels looked much older.

As jars were opened, a faint fruity aroma wafted out; the rotting Oran Berry had completely dissolved in the water.

Gently shaking the jar, the nutrient liquid inside rippled softly, exuding a fruity aroma.

"The nutrient liquid after Oran Berry fermentation is ready!"

After inspecting the nutrient liquid in his hands, Natsume nodded in satisfaction. Next, he needed to turn this nutrient liquid into growth fertilizer.

With that in mind, Natsume opened the bag he had brought back, which was filled with soil.

This soil was all dug from the orchard, containing the foundational nutrients necessary for Oran Berry growth.

Normal chemical fertilizer requires mixing the soil with the nutrient liquid from the Oran Berry fermentation, followed by composting and other subsequent treatments.

However, the composting and other processes are meant to further process it into a chemical fertilizer suitable for fruit trees' absorption. To let Grass-type Pokémon absorb it, this step is enough.

...

"Next up is training time."

In the room, Natsume said excitedly to the little one in front of him.

Today was his first time letting Petilil absorb the chemical fertilizer, and he wasn't sure how effective it would be.

"Petilil." Petilil nodded happily, also showing an expression of anticipation.

The current Petilil was quite different from before. After gaining the desired freedom, it seemed to have found itself again, its expressions now more vibrant. This was how a Grass-type Pokémon should be... Natsume thought happily; Grass-type Pokémon were always full of sunshine.

"Training shouldn't actually be done in a place like this."

"But the time is really tight, and for confidentiality reasons, I can only put you through this for now."

Seeing Petilil look at him in confusion, Natsume gave an awkward smile and pulled out an old flower pot from under the bed.

If one were to compare chemical fertilizer to food, this looked quite unappetizing.

"Petilil." Petilil shrugged it off and stealthily crawled into the flower pot.

Why do I feel like a babysitter... Natsume secretly teased himself, lifting Petilil and saying, "Hold on, let me set things up for you first."

He took out the pre-mixed growth fertilizer and spread it inside the flower pot.

Petilil quietly watched from the side, its eyes momentarily turning crescent-shaped with delight.

At that moment, it was filled with contentment.

After gaining the freedom it desired, it felt that its life would continue to be as ordinary as ever.

But this person, who had given it freedom, had offered it a completely different choice: to become a true warrior, a powerful strength-filled warrior!

To grow strong and live freely—was there anything more liberating than that? The words Natsume said to it floated in its mind.

So, it hesitated not at all and chose to become stronger, just as it had when it made what it believed to be the most correct decision of its life.

"Alright, give it a try." After laying the chemical fertilizer soil, Natsume gently placed Petilil in the pot.

Lying in the pot, Petilil instinctively supported its body with the soil underneath, burying itself in the earth, instantly feeling a wave of reassurance.

In the next moment, it suddenly froze, sensing a very pleasant energy within the soil.

Stretching out luxuriously, the two leaves on its head swayed slightly as it became completely immersed in this comfortable energy.