Pokemon: My Strange Pokemons

In the end, Ethan decided to register Eevee for this year's Baby Cup.

Since Eevee was so eager to participate, as its trainer, Ethan had no reason to refuse.

As for the scheduling conflict, Ethan had thought it through. He'd be leaving for Kanto on the 3rd, by which time the Baby Cup would already be in the top 16 rounds.

Considering this tournament would host all the rookie trainers from Riverhaven and even nearby towns, the top 16 was a highly competitive milestone. He and Eevee likely wouldn't make it that far.

This competition, for them, was more about participation than winning.

But if, by some miracle, they did make it that far… well, he'd cross that bridge when he got there.

After filling out the form and paying the registration fee, Ethan received his preliminary match number.

Zone E, Number 63—set to compete at the Battle Park on September 20th.

He was lucky not to be placed in the same zone as Rosa, sparing him the stress of vying for one of the scarce advancement slots against her.

With nearly half a month to go before the preliminaries, Eevee still had room to improve.

Ethan put away his phone, patting his excited Eevee on the head. "Since we've registered, let's give it our best. At least make it to the main tournament!"

Eevee's ears twitched, and it pouted slightly. That's it? Such low ambition! Can't you aim higher, Trainer? Do you have any idea how rare that Pokémon Egg in the champion's prize pool is?

But it sighed inwardly. After all, Ethan didn't have the inside scoop like it did. It'd just have to shoulder this responsibility itself.

For this family, I, Eevee, will sacrifice everything.

Though it thought this, Eevee chirped happily in agreement.

"Eevee! (We'll take the championship for sure!)"

Not understanding Pokémon speech, Ethan simply smiled and patted Eevee on the head, touched by his little companion's enthusiasm.

...

Morning is the most important time of the day. Bright and early, Ethan was busy tinkering with the Pokeblock machine in the kitchen.

After adding Brock as a contact, the seasoned breeder had generously shared his notes on making Pokeblocks. While the techniques were basic and traditional, they were exactly what Ethan needed right now.

The difference between having a system cheat and not was painfully obvious.

If he had a cheat, he imagined his head would be filled with "Ding! Pokeblock Mastery +1" notifications by now.

Instead, his ears were filled only with the mechanical hum of the machine. Lost in thought, Ethan accidentally hit the button to reverse the machine's rotation.

"Ah, crap!" Ethan fumbled to hit the pause button, hoping to salvage the batch.

Making one batch used up berries worth over 100 Pokédollars. While he had some savings now, there were still many future expenses to consider—wasting resources wasn't an option.

"It's fine, it's fine… it only reversed for a few seconds. The berries probably didn't even notice," Ethan muttered, convincing himself. Adjusting the rotation and speed back to normal, he nervously pressed start again.

The machine roared back to life, and this time, Ethan kept his full attention on the transparent chamber. As the berry juice began to transform into pulp, he decisively pressed the "form" button.

...

The machine quieted, and neat Pokeblocks dropped from the bottom. They looked no different from a standard batch.

Ethan let out a sigh of relief. Thankfully, the precious Dragon's Eye and Mist Lotus berries hadn't gone to waste.

He popped one into his mouth for a taste. The familiar sharp and sour flavor hit him—it wasn't pleasant, but knowledge from his past life told him that astringent blue Pokeblocks were the key to increasing a Pokémon's beauty stat.

The taste didn't seem any different.

Everyone knows: if two things look the same and taste the same, they are the same!

Carrying the tray of Pokeblocks, Ethan walked over to the aquarium.

As expected, Feebas was still dozing in the underwater grass, just as it did every morning.

Ethan tapped the glass. "Feebas, it's breakfast time. Eat first, then you can go back to sleep."

Why did that sound so familiar? Was this what a doting mother waking up her lazy son felt like?

Feebas seemed to be sleeping soundly. Ethan tapped a few more times before it reluctantly swam out from the grass, blowing bubbles groggily.

Good morning, Ethan. So sleepy… Can I sleep a bit longer?

At least, that's what Ethan imagined it was saying. Who knew if it was just cranky from being woken up.

"Eat first, then sleep," Ethan said, dropping a Pokeblock into the tank.

Over the past two weeks, Ethan had proven his Pokeblocks were just as good as store-bought ones, so Feebas ate without hesitation.

While the sour and astringent flavor wasn't ideal, it still suited its taste. As expected, Ethan knew how to please its palate.

...

As Feebas nibbled, a familiar voice echoed in its mind.

[Ding~ Your beauty stat +1!]

Feebas froze mid-bite. Beauty stat?

"What's that?" Feebas asked, bewildered.

[Beauty stat is a key condition for evolving into Milotic. Only by reaching a certain threshold can you evolve.]

The system's omniscient tone explained the importance of beauty stat in detail.

Evolving into Milotic?! Feebas' eyes lit up. Was it because of the Pokeblock I just ate?

[Correct. The special Pokeblock you consumed can enhance your beauty stat.]

"Woohoo!" Feebas twirled in delight.

Compared to the vague notion of becoming a dragon, evolving into Milotic felt much more tangible—and exciting!

"What's wrong, Feebas? Is there something off about today's Pokeblocks?" Ethan's concerned voice pulled Feebas out of its reverie.

Off? Of course there's something off! These are magical elixirs!

Feebas darted to the glass, eagerly blowing bubbles and urging Ethan to drop more Pokeblocks into the tank.

Ethan misread the reaction and panicked. "Oh no! Is Feebas foaming at the mouth? Did the reversed rotation ruin the Pokeblocks? I'd better make a fresh batch!"

...

Ethan's misunderstanding almost gave Feebas an aneurysm. Desperate, it banged its head against the glass, trying to convey its true intention.

Ethan wasn't entirely clueless. Feebas' unusual behavior made him pause.

"You're saying today's Pokeblocks taste better?"

Feebas nodded frantically.

Ethan scratched his head. Do they?

Maybe my taste buds are off.

Unconvinced, he popped another Pokeblock into his mouth. Feebas watched, heartbroken.

Stop eating them! Save some for me! You can't evolve into Milotic!

Ethan smacked his lips, still tasting no difference. Shrugging, he decided to let it go. "Alright, if you like them so much, I'll make another batch the same way tomorrow."

Feebas nodded vigorously.

Yes, exactly! Just like this! Anything else, and I'll stage a hunger strike!

(Chapter End)