I've recently started a new translation, please check it out and show your support! Name: 'Pokémon But Stardew Valley'
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Watching Rika carry Poppy away at top speed, Aiden felt a twinge of regret but also relief.
Missing out on this promising seedling wasn't a big loss—Steel-type wasn't his specialty anyway and the advice he could offer would be limited to unremarkable choices like Ferrothorn, Skarmory, or Scizor.
Eight-year-old Poppy was skilled, but in Aiden's eyes, she was still too naive, needing refinement.
Wait… weren't there plenty of Forretress in Paldea's wilds too?
How could he forget that Pokémon? It had its own… peculiar battle utility.
Beyond setting three types of Spikes, it knew numerous support moves. Its signature tactic—deliberately self-destructing after securing its role to further weaken opponents' bulk—left first-time opponents deeply traumatized.
If Aiden taught her, Poppy would probably master these "Paldean specialties" quickly.
But alas—no chance now.
Rika had already taken her away. Aiden buried his scheming thoughts and returned to Sunshine Gym.
Poppy's challenge was just an accident. Today's real harvest was—
He'd been unexpectedly tapped by President Geeta to temporarily fill the vacant Elite Four seat during the upcoming summer break.
Coincidentally, Aiden had been worried he never got chances to train his main Pokémon.
He'd severely miscalculated Lucario's strength.
Clearly, he needed to spar with them more often. Otherwise, he'd truly become an "accessory trainer"!
Talk about perfect timing.
The Psychic Master Tournament would just be warm-up. The real meat? The Victory Road!
How much would his carefully nurtured students grow? Could they surprise him?
Thinking this, Aiden's lips curled upward uncontrollably.
He couldn't wait~
Back in the living room, the Pokémon pulled into the one-sided battle quickly returned to their routines.
"Indeedee…"
Indeedee, who'd popped out of her Poké Ball voluntarily, sighed inwardly in relief.
Aiden hadn't sent her out during the battle—truly a blessing.
She'd never battled other Pokémon before. Her relationships with both Pokémon and humans had always been harmonious.
Being thrust into such an important match against Aiden's will… she'd feared her inexperience would ruin everything and disappoint him.
Aiden was such a good person—taking in a fired Pokémon like herself, letting her eat freely, fulfilling her life's greatest dream. He was practically a legendary angel!
She could never repay his kindness—only working harder could she show gratitude!
If she failed him… she didn't know how she'd face him afterward…
So she must try even harder!
After finishing dinner duties, she'd ask Mewtwo to teach her psychic techniques.
Finally able to eat her fill these past days, her body was rapidly replenishing long-lost energy. Her previously dormant psychic power was now awakening.
In Indeedee clans, males typically had stronger psychic abilities and some combat skills.
Females usually handled support roles, rarely using psychic power in battles.
But as a gym member bonded by contract with Aiden, battling had become part of her job too.
To keep this "all-you-can-eat" position, she couldn't slack off just because life was good now!
"Dee!"
Do your best!
After psyching herself up, Indeedee's expression brightened. She skipped into the kitchen to prepare Sunshine Gym's dinner.
Today… maybe curry?
Aiden watched her back, an impolite thought flashing through his mind—
Has Indeedee… gained weight?
He immediately shook his head, banishing the idea.
That question was too rude. With her huge appetite, maybe her previous size was actually abnormal?
As long as his Pokémon grew healthily, Aiden wouldn't interfere much.
After all, Sunshine Gym's Pokémon-raising strategy had always been two words—
Free-range!
Pokémon just needed to figure out how to cheat. Aiden, as logistics support, had far more to consider.
Like…
Should today's meal be sandwiches… or sandwiches?
"Luca!"
While Aiden mused, Lucario's low growl from nearby caught his attention.
Lucario had already entered the training area, punching sandbags with focused intensity.
Though its earlier performance was decent—defeating two opponents nearly unscathed, not embarrassing its trainer—it had also exposed flaws.
Having only learned the two Urshifu masters' techniques left it lacking pressuring power against certain Pokémon.
Time to train harder!
Beyond seeking other combat techniques, refining its own body to a certain level could achieve similar results.
This was martial arts philosophy: Overwhelming power breaks all techniques!
Its path to strength had only just begun.
Thinking this, Lucario's eyes hardened. Each punch grew heavier, more precise.
Rather than worrying about the future, master every strike—refine yourself through repetition!
"..."
Aiden fell silent.
Good news: He guessed Lucario's thoughts.
Bad news: He had no idea how to help Lucario progress further.
With Lucario's current strength plus its absurd starting point as Isle of Armor Dojo's "outstanding graduate," finding another master through the travel cultivation system might be difficult.
A Lucario that already knew Unseen Fist and either Wicked Blow/Surging Strikes was ridiculous enough. Probably no non-legendary Pokémon would dare face it just from its stance…
Who matched its level and compatibility? Unova's Three Swords of Justice?
But they didn't seem qualified either…
After all, Sacred Sword wasn't exclusive to the Swords of Justice anymore. Even Gallade and Aegislash could learn it naturally.
Realizing this, Aiden suddenly understood—
Was his Lucario really this broken? It even looked down on the legendary Three Swords of Justice?
Viewing it now, few moves suited Lucario.
Like…
Behemoth Blade or Collision Course?
Conveniently, Koraidon lurked deep in Area Zero. Lucario's next goal was clear.
Aiden had already planned to join the Area Zero expedition anyway—to help Miraidon with psychological therapy. Opportunities might arise.
If he could… physically convince Koraidon to teach its moves?
Then, with Lucario's Mega Evolution Ability, Adaptability plus Collision Course's power… just imagining it was terrifying!
Aiden looked at Lucario again, eyes now full of expectation.
So Lucario's cheat was absorbing legendary powers, ultimately growing from mortal bones into a being rivaling legendary Pokémon?
Lucario, you…
Aiden looked away, then felt something lightly brush his calf.
Glancing down, he found Sylveon sitting obediently at his feet. Its face wore a slightly tsundere expression, clearly impatient.
No need to guess—the strange sensation came from its freely floating pink ribbons.
"Sylveon!"
Noticing Aiden's gaze, Sylveon huffed and turned its head away.
If not for its ribbons instinctively coiling around his thigh, Aiden might've thought it was angry.
Though unsure why it was acting tsundere, Aiden picked up the surprisingly heavy Sylveon and sat it on the sofa.
"Why are you unhappy, Sylveon?"
Aiden's soft voice accompanied a gentle head pat.
"Vee…"
Sylveon tried to maintain its act but quickly surrendered to Aiden's expert petting. Its expression relaxed.
Sylveon couldn't even explain its own moodiness.
Perhaps because its performance in the battle was terrible—it failed to follow Aiden's command, unable to finish the opponent with Blood Moon before the attack landed?
Seeing Lucario fight so effortlessly, Sylveon expected to dominate too and earn praise.
But the result… it felt like it only embarrassed itself on stage…
Though Ogerpon's entrance reduced its presence, its two companions excelled while it underperformed—unacceptable!!!
"Sylveee…"
Thinking this, Sylveon's face flushed. It buried its head in Aiden's clothes.
Never again!
Next time they traveled, it would overcome its Fairy-type weaknesses. It would find moves effective against Steel and Poison while suiting its style!
Sylveon resolved inwardly.
Watching Sylveon suddenly act cutesy in his lap, Aiden smiled warmly, stroking its head again.
He didn't fully understand, but it didn't seem serious.
Sylveon was easy to read. Even if it wouldn't speak its mind, the ribbons around its neck expressed its emotions.
As a level 10 ribbon linguistics master, Aiden found it very understandable.
Compared to Sylveon…
Another youngster in the gym was far harder to read.
Feeling another gaze on him, Aiden turned to meet Mewtwo's quiet stare.
"..."
Mewtwo remained silent, its calm eyes revealing nothing of its thoughts.
Aiden sighed inwardly.
Probably due to its Team Rocket experiences, this introverted Mewtwo rarely expressed its feelings.
Often, Aiden had to be the one to guide it.
Sometimes he felt… less like a trainer and more like a therapist?
Mewtwo—the "patient" left at Sunshine Gym by its unreliable "mother"—was a key case under observation.
Left to its own devices, Mewtwo might easily go to extremes…
Times like this required Teacher Azure's psychological care.
After placing the purring, compromised Sylveon on the sofa, Aiden stood and walked toward Mewtwo.
"..."
As Aiden approached, Mewtwo's gaze shifted downward, focusing on something unseen.
Aiden didn't speak. He simply stood beside it, waiting for it to open up.
Waiting for Mewtwo to speak worked better than asking directly.
Silence stretched for about half a minute. Just as Aiden's attention began drifting to other Pokémon, Mewtwo finally spoke.
"Aiden… why didn't you send me out in the battle?"
Huh?
Mewtwo's simple question instantly clarified its feelings.
Wow… Mewtwo was upset over this?
Aiden would never have guessed this before it spoke.
Strictly speaking, he hadn't caught Mewtwo. He'd just accepted Mew's request to train it in place of its unreliable self.
Combined with Giovanni's influence—Mewtwo's previous aversion to humans—Aiden never overstepped boundaries despite their good relationship.
Taking Mewtwo to the Master Tournament was just to expose it to stronger trainers and Pokémon, helping its growth.
To Aiden, Mewtwo—a being aspiring to be the first "Pokémon trainer"—was independent. He even guided its training path to be its own choice.
So when Mewtwo spoke with apparent grievance, Aiden realized his oversight.
But… how to explain?
Aiden struggled slightly.
Saying he never considered Mewtwo "his Pokémon" was true but felt harsh.
Lying wouldn't work—Mewtwo would sense it.
How to start this therapy session…
Aiden pondered.
"Is it because my power can't match Ogerpon's?"
Seeing Aiden hesitate, Mewtwo noticed Ogerpon passing by and spoke again.
Despite unpleasant memories from the Viridian Gym, Mewtwo had learned useful "human society knowledge" there.
For example—Giovanni created it to control its immense power.
Without sufficient strength, it might have vanished like other failed clones—disappearing from the lab one day, no one knowing their fate.
Thus, a simple but correct formula formed in Mewtwo's short Pokémon life:
Only by being powerfully useful to humans would it gain recognition—Giovanni's main reason for keeping it.
Every human-Pokémon pair it saw in Team Rocket followed this logic.
But Aiden was the exception.
Mewtwo sensed no desire to use it. His treatment was far kinder than Giovanni's initial approach.
Yet this made Mewtwo even more lost—
To it, "use" wasn't an insult but validation of its power.
If not for its overwhelming strength… why did Aiden keep it?
Could bonds with Mew truly make a human teach selflessly?
Or…
Was it simply not strong enough to be treated as a proper Pokémon?
Compared to Aiden's other handheld Pokémon, it seemed the most ordinary—only psychic power to offer. No wonder…
Human emotions were too complex. Even with constant study, Mewtwo couldn't grasp Aiden's thoughts.
So it trusted its own judgment.
If it became powerful enough, Aiden would see its value—keeping it as a special, irreplaceable existence.
Like his other Pokémon.
Thus, Mewtwo chose the trainer path—not just to grow with its cloned Pokémon, but partly because Aiden chose it too.
It worked hard in secret.
Days ago, Aiden finally acknowledged its progress, using a Poké Ball to forge their bond.
Strangely unlike its resistance to Giovanni's forced control, this time Mewtwo felt… happy?
Only then did it understand being a Pokémon—partnering with a trusted human—felt like.
But before joy could settle, the battle happened.
Mewtwo consoled itself: 'Aiden probably just lacked confidence in my strength. He chose familiar Pokémon for safety.'
If it could show overwhelming power surpassing others, Aiden would notice it, right?
Still, disappointment lingered.
Aiden saw it all.
"Of course not."
Aiden found Mewtwo's insecurity amusing.
He suddenly understood—
This living being before him wasn't the Mewtwo from his memories. It was more like a love-starved, love-illiterate child.
Its growing power masked inner insecurity.
Hence its instinct to compare itself to Ogerpon.
Knowing the issue made it simple.
After a few seconds' thought, Aiden smiled, stroking Mewtwo's smooth head.
"I just thought sending you and Indeedee without practice might backfire—hurting your confidence instead of helping."
"Every Pokémon has strengths and weaknesses. Like Sylveon struggling against Copperajah."
"Sylveon…"
A low grumble sounded nearby, along with a fleeting but sharp glare Aiden caught.
But focused on "therapy," Aiden continued undeterred.
"Don't compare yourself to others. I said before—you're unique, Mewtwo. I'm not even sure what path suits you best."
"So your direction—whether you need my help—depends entirely on your will."
"If you want to battle as a Pokémon, I'll support you. Just… don't scare opponents away by going too hard."
"When situations like this arise, speak your mind directly. I'll always support your choices."
"Uh… unless you do something wrong. Then the above doesn't count."
Aiden added as an afterthought.
"Basically—if you have thoughts, tell me directly. Bottling them up just leads to overthinking."
"..."
Mewtwo fell silent again.
Follow my own will…?
For Pokémon, obeying trainers was fundamental.
But coming from Aiden… it carried strange conviction.
Truly, Aiden and Giovanni were completely different trainers…
"I understand."
Mewtwo's gloom vanished, replaced by an unconscious smile.
It finally got it.
Precisely because Aiden never tried to control its thoughts, he became the perfect trainer for it.
Meeting someone like Aiden—truly lucky…
Mewtwo thought warmly.
Seeing this, Aiden nodded in relief.
Hmm… my therapy skills aren't bad, huh?
Just as he congratulated himself internally, strange white light flashed before his eyes. He instinctively squinted.
Then he spotted the source.
White spots gathered on Mewtwo's body, spreading rapidly.
???
Aiden froze, then realized—
Holy crap—is this evolution light?!
How did my therapy session trigger Mewtwo's evolution?!
Theoretically, evolution light appeared only when Pokémon evolved—a step toward qualitative change.
Mewtwo's theoretical evolution…
Only its two Mega forms, right?
Before Shelgon evolved, Mewtwo had nearly achieved the rarity of autonomous Mega Evolution???
Though Mewtwo had showcased self-Mega Evolution in movies, Aiden still wanted to complain:
Other Pokémon cheating was one thing—but even you, a legendary, are becoming illegal???
Thankfully, the light faded quickly. The accumulated energy wasn't enough for full autonomous Mega Evolution.
Relieved, Aiden gauged Mewtwo's change—
Its true awakening couldn't be far off now!
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