The warm glow of the healing spring shimmered against the mossy walls of the Breeder's Grotto. Ashwin sat cross-legged beside the pool, his eyes fixed on the resting form of Turtwig nestled in the shallows. The Pokémon's breathing had steadied, its cracked shell showing the first signs of repair under the influence of the Grotto's energy.
[Status Update – Turtwig:• Vital Signs Stable• Critical Damage Regenerating (52% → 79%)• Consciousness: Dormant• Emotional Bonding Progress: 2%]
Ashwin let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "You made it," he whispered.
Combee hovered silently above, watching. Zigzagoon (Galarian) sat near the entrance, alert but not hostile. The others were waiting aboveground, but Ashwin needed a few more minutes here.
This Grotto… it was more than a hidden chamber. It was a promise—one he intended to keep.
After gently wrapping Turtwig in a warm towel and placing it in a moss-lined pod to rest, Ashwin returned to the surface. The afternoon sun was soft now, perfect for a focused training session. He rang the bell near the barn and within minutes, his team assembled.
Bidoof, Skwovet, Seedot, Bounsweet, and Zigzagoon lined up eagerly.
"All right, everyone," Ashwin said, his tone upbeat. "We've got two days until the event. Time to push a little harder."
[System Notice: Daily Training Session Initiated][Rule: Maximum Stat/Skill Growth per Session = 10% (3rd Stage Pokémon Limit = 5%)][Selected Pokémon:• Skwovet → Speed Focus• Seedot → Endurance Focus• Bounsweet → Agility Focus• Bidoof → Strength Focus• Zigzagoon (Galarian) → Stealth + Tracking Focus]
Ashwin had read the system's guidance enough times to know that Pokémon only truly grew when training targeted their natural traits. It wasn't about exhausting them—it was about refinement.
"Let's begin."
Skwovet darted between small log towers, racing across uneven terrain. Ashwin threw berry-shaped plush balls from random angles while the squirrel Pokémon weaved through, trying to avoid being tagged.
[Skwovet Speed: 31% → 38%][New Trait Sparked: "Quick Snap" – Momentary burst of movement at close range]
Ashwin had created a shallow mud pit. Seedot stood in the center while Zigzagoon tried to unseat it using feints and bumps. Despite being small, Seedot's resolve impressed even Zigzagoon.
[Seedot Endurance: 19% → 28%][Stability Trait Activated – "Rooted Core"]
Bounsweet bounced from stump to stump while Ashwin used a long pole to swing padded balls across her path. The Pokémon moved with surprising finesse.
[Bounsweet Agility: 22% → 30%][Side Note: Potential Detected for "Acrobatic Grace"]
Ashwin had them stack small crates and push heavy stones from one side of the field to the other. Bidoof used its strong jaws and stout body, never giving up.
[Bidoof Strength: 40% → 47%][Minor Trait Update – "Builder's Grit" – Boosts work-based physical tasks]
Ashwin hid berry-scented cloth pouches around the barn area. Zigzagoon sniffed them out, tail low, body near the ground, avoiding line of sight. Then came the shadow test—navigating without triggering hanging bells.
[Zigzagoon Stealth: 33% → 39%][Tracking Instincts Boosted – +5% accuracy in forested zones]
By the end, Ashwin knelt with them around the training field. He gave each a small berry treat and gently rubbed their heads or backs.
"You guys are really something," he said, smiling. "Let's keep this pace."
[Daily Training Session Complete][Bonding Increased With: Skwovet (+1%), Bidoof (+2%), Seedot (+2%), Zigzagoon (+3%), Bounsweet (+1%)][Trainer EXP Gained: +18][Progress to Level 4: 84/100]
Ashwin leaned back in the grass, watching the orange sky stretch above him. The farm felt stronger. He felt stronger. Even without battles, there was real growth here—slow, steady, and rooted in care.
But something still tugged at his thoughts.
The appearance of Turtwig wasn't random. And whatever chased that poor Pokémon… it was still out there.
Ashwin turned toward the farmhouse. He could almost feel the heartbeat of the Grotto below, steady and comforting.
One step at a time, he told himself.
One day, one Pokémon, one bond at a time.