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The fireplace crackled with the sound of burning wood. Although the weather was chilly, it wasn't cold enough to rely on the fireplace for warmth.
This fire had been lit solely for the sake of the faintly alive Pokémon egg.
The fireplace in the small farmhouse had not been used in quite some time. It was filled with soot, and remnants of ash had been left untouched for ages.
To make it usable, Eric instructed Dragonite to carefully sweep the ash out of the fireplace with a controlled gust of wind, scattering it over the surrounding soil as a natural fertilizer.
Swampert then used its Water Gun to wash away the soot stains, followed by Aegislash, whose blade glowed faintly as it channelled controlled heat to evaporate the remaining water.
With everything cleaned, the old but functional fireplace was ready for use. The firewood, collected by Serperior, Mimikyu, and Luxray, was stacked neatly within, and the kindling was set alight. Soon, the room grew noticeably warmer.
With the Pokémon egg now comfortably placed in its incubator, Eric gathered his six Pokémon for a discussion.
The topic of their meeting: How to ensure the safe hatching of the Pokémon egg.
Eric explained the story behind the egg to his team. It had been stuck in its current state for an unknown number of years.
Despite the efforts of experts, including a local Nurse Joy, the egg still hadn't hatched.
Each Pokémon reacted differently to the story.
Serperior, who had initially felt a tinge of jealousy toward the egg, quickly replaced it with sympathy. It couldn't hold a grudge against such a pitiful life.
Mimikyu and Aegislash instinctively stepped back, creating some distance between themselves and the egg.
As Ghost-types, they knew their mere presence might negatively influence the unborn Pokémon, potentially preventing it from hatching or even turning it into a lifeless egg.
Swampert, always steadfast, showed no strong emotion but nodded firmly, silently vowing to help however it could.
Dragonite's expression softened with empathy, recalling its own time as an unhatched egg. While it had been fortunate enough to hatch without issue, it remembered the sensation of being confined in the dark, narrow space of its shell.
The Pokémon inside this egg had been trapped in that darkness for far too long. How lonely and suffocating that must have felt.
Luxray, standing tall and composed, broke the silence. Its deep, commanding voice echoed in the room. "Luxray" Its meaning was clear: "Whatever needs to be done, just tell us."
Eric smiled appreciatively at Luxray's initiative and began issuing instructions.
"Dragonite," Eric began, meeting his Pokémon's determined gaze, "you remember the nutrient solutions used to help you hatch, right? Those will be essential for this egg as well. Unfortunately, the shops here don't stock the high-quality formulas we need. I'll have to send you to Levincia, they'll definitely have what we're looking for. I'll contact a friend to guide you to the right store."
Dragonite straightened its posture and gave a firm salute, determination burning in its eyes.
Next, Eric turned to the rest of his team. "Luxray, Aegislash, and Mimikyu, your task is to venture into the wild and locate a Pokémon with the Flame Body ability. If possible, find one with significant strength and invite it back to the farm."
Pokémon with the Flame Body ability radiated a steady, gentle warmth, perfect for incubating Pokémon eggs. While weaker Pokémon like Fletchinder or Slugma could fulfil this role, Eric hoped his team could find stronger candidates, like Volcarona, Talonflame, or even legends like Heatran or Moltres.
Meanwhile, Serperior and Swampert were assigned to remain at the farm with Eric. They would help him protect the egg while continuing the farm's development.
With the tasks delegated, Eric sighed and looked at the egg. "These are the best options we have. Hopefully, it will be enough."
Eric knew that Nurse Joy and other experts had likely tried similar methods before, but with his team's strength and determination, he hoped they could achieve what others had not.
If even these measures failed, the only remaining option would be to seek out a legendary Pokémon with the power to restore life.
---
The Next Morning
At the crack of dawn, Dragonite departed, carrying a large storage box strapped securely to its back. Its wings beat steadily as it ascended into the skies, heading toward Levincia.
Luxray, after reminding Serperior and Swampert to guard the farm, led Aegislash and Mimikyu into the wilderness to search for a Pokémon with Flame Body.
While Mimikyu's presence often went unnoticed by the others due to its eerie aura, Luxray resolved to be more mindful this time, silently berating itself for previously overlooking its teammate.
As for Eric, he equipped himself with a sunhat similar to Peter's and got to work. He brought Serperior, Swampert, and the incubator holding the Pokémon egg to the farm's fields.
The farm's weedy patches, recently cleared by Dragonite's Hurricane, had been neatly piled in a corner. The soil was soft and loose, ready for planting.
Eric decided to start with something simple: potatoes.
He had learned from Peter that planting potatoes was a straightforward process. With Serperior and Swampert assisting him, Eric began digging rows of shallow holes for planting.
The task was deceptively exhausting. Even with the Pokémon's help, Eric found himself drenched in sweat, his muscles aching after only a few hours.
After planting the seeds, Eric spread a thin layer of wood ash gathered from the fireplace as fertilizer. Swampert followed with a precise, gentle spray of water using its Water Gun.
The final step was left to Serperior, who inserted one of its vines into the soil and infused it with a small amount of Grass-type energy.
Eric watched expectantly, but nothing happened.
"…Isn't it supposed to grow faster?" Eric muttered, confused.
Peter had explained that farms often used Grass-type Pokémon to enhance crop growth, resulting in larger, tastier produce. Yet, despite Serperior's efforts, the soil remained unchanged.
Serperior retracted its vine and gave Eric a pointed look, as if to say, "Patience is a virtue."
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