Pokemon: Legacy

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Standing in the farmland he had carefully prepared, Eric was still reflecting on his earlier conversation with the system.

His approach to the mysterious Pokémon egg seemed correct. Using the incubation nutrient solution and seeking a strong Pokémon with the Flame Body ability were undoubtedly the right decisions.

But what lingered in his mind was the phrase "from the distant past." Did the system mean this egg was from ancient times? If so, this Pokémon egg might have a far more extraordinary origin than he initially thought.

Though he had his suspicions, Eric couldn't be sure just yet. Perhaps only when the egg finally hatched would he know the full truth.

Pushing these thoughts aside, Eric turned to Eldegoss, who was bouncing nearby with cheerful energy. Smiling, he asked, "How was your first night here? Did you sleep well?"

Eldegoss seemed livelier than yesterday, happily hopping around as though it had fallen in love with the farm. It didn't need to say anything its actions spoke for themselves.

Meanwhile, the two Cottonees hiding behind Eldegoss were still a bit shy. Waking up in an unfamiliar place, they stuck close to Eldegoss, peeking cautiously at Eric, Serperior and the Swampert standing beside him.

Eric chuckled softly. Deciding not to pressure the timid Cottonees, he addressed Eldegoss instead. "I'm planning to plant seeds this morning. Why don't you take the little ones and explore the fenced area for a bit? Get familiar with the place. After I'm done, I'll make a wooden nest for you all it'll be much more comfortable to sleep in."

Eldegoss nodded, understanding the plan. It led the two cottonees off to explore, hopping through the fields like a fluffy cloud on a breezy day.

Watching the trio disappear into the distance, Eric turned his gaze to the clear, cloudless sky and muttered to himself, "Looks like today's going to be sunny. Perfect weather for getting some work done."

With that, he adjusted his straw hat, grabbed his trusty hoe, and motioned for Serperior and Swampert to follow. Today's goal was simple but significant: plant all the seeds he had prepared.

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Under the bright blue sky, Eric dug small holes in the soil and carefully planted the last of his strawberry seeds or rather, scraps of strawberry skin that would serve as seeds.

Serperior used its vines to cover the seeds with soil, while Swampert brought over buckets of plain water, free from any Water-type energy. Eric carefully watered each spot by hand.

The planting process was simple yet fulfilling. As he washed his hands in a bucket brought by Swampert, Eric looked over the five small plots of land he had sown. A deep sense of satisfaction warmed his heart.

"This," Eric mused, "is the first step toward building a real farm. It's small, but it's a step in the right direction."

Today felt like a milestone worth celebrating. Eric wanted to take the chance to name his farm, but with Dragonite out collecting wood and Luxray leading a team to find a Pokémon with Flame Body, it didn't feel right to do so without everyone present.

When he realized Eldegoss and the Cottonee hadn't returned yet, Eric began to wonder if they might have gotten lost. Though the farm wasn't large, there were plenty of nooks and crannies to explore.

He sent Serperior and Swampert to find them while he headed back to the house to check on Arven, who still hadn't gotten up despite it being past noon.

Carrying his hoe, Eric hummed a tune as he strolled toward the house. When he arrived, he noticed a familiar figure leaning out of a third-floor window, gazing wistfully into the distance.

Eric stopped in his tracks and squinted. "What the…?"

Arven, with dark circles under his eyes, looked like a jaded office worker reflecting on the meaning of life. He seemed entirely out of place for a ten-year-old.

"Good grief," Eric muttered. "How is this kid already channelling the energy of a failed poet?"

Leaning the hoe against the wall, Eric climbed the stairs to the third floor, barged into Arven's room, and grabbed him by the back of his shirt. "What are you doing up here with that face? Didn't we talk about this yesterday?"

Arven yawned, barely awake. "I just… didn't sleep much…"

Eric raised an eyebrow. "How late were you up?"

"…Four in the morning," Arven admitted sheepishly.

Eric froze. "Four," he repeated, his voice flat. He stared at the boy for a moment, his expression blank. "You know what? Forget it."

Letting out a long sigh, Eric released Arven and shook his head. "Go wash up. I'm making lunch."

Arven obediently nodded and shuffled toward the bathroom in his slippers, leaving Eric to head to the kitchen.

---

In the kitchen, Eric opened the cabinets to take stock of his remaining supplies. "Man," he muttered, "a fridge would really come in handy. I could store some meat… but with money as tight as it is, I'll just have to make do. Looks like we're going vegetarian today. How about… curry? Pecha Berry curry, to be exact."

Pulling out carrots, onions, and the half-used bag of curry powder, Eric began his preparations.

For the protein, he grabbed a few plump Pecha Berries. These had been a gift from Peter at Jones Farm a small sample for Eric to try.

Their light flavour and subtle sweetness made them a surprisingly good meat substitute. Eric had tried this recipe before, and it turned out well enough.

Cooking curry was straightforward. Eric started by stir-frying the vegetables in a bit of oil, being careful not to let them brown.

Since Pecha Berries could turn bitter if exposed to hot oil, he added them only after simmering the vegetables in water. Once the berries were in, he stirred in the curry powder and let the sauce thicken over a gentle flame.

When the curry was done, Eric tasted a spoonful. The mildly sweet sauce had a smooth, layered flavour, with the Pecha Berries lending a delicate fruitiness.

It was light, comforting, and perfect for a farm lunch.

"Not bad," Eric said to himself. "Eldegoss and the Cottonee should like this."

He adjusted the flame under the pot, letting the curry simmer on low heat. As he worked, Eric couldn't help but think back to his days with Aegislash.

Its precise control over Sacred Sword's flames had always made cooking so much easier. Without it, he often ended up covered in soot while cooking over a wood fire.

"At least this town has electricity and running water," Eric muttered, glancing around the modest kitchen.

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