Pokémon: The Reemployment of the Retired Champion of Paldea

The ground became Grassy Terrain, glowing with a soft green light—making it feel like the land of Oz.

Lucas could clearly see that, thanks to the Pokémon's intentional focus, the saplings received most of the energy.

Almost visibly, the saplings grew a bit taller and sprouted fresh green leaves.

Once the four Pokémon, visibly tired, stopped sustaining the terrain, Lucas measured again.

He was shocked.

Each sapling had grown nearly a tenth in height!

The numbers might not seem huge, but considering the Eldegosses' and Comfey's stamina and the frequency of Grassy Terrain use—

Lucas estimated that, if they used Grassy Terrain on the saplings every day, the trees could mature and bear fruit in about a month!

He'd read many books about agriculture at the Naranja Academy. One, "A Brief Discussion of Pokémon Moves and Plants," had a chapter on Grassy Terrain's effects on crops.

The conclusion:

"Based on rigorous data, Grassy Terrain's effect on crops varies with the Pokémon's strength and move proficiency. For most Pokémon, Grassy Terrain only provides extra nutrients, slightly speeding growth."

"If you want crops to grow visibly faster, you need a high-level Pokémon using Grassy Terrain."

Eldegosses and Comfey were just recently evolved, so their effect was limited.

But under Tapu Bulu's guidance, they could combine their Grassy Terrain into a single large field, achieving the effects of a high-level Pokémon.

No wonder Tapu Bulu was called the Sage of Grassy Terrain.

After some thought, Lucas glanced at the exhausted Eldegosses and Comfey lying on them. It seemed the combined move was more tiring than a normal Grassy Terrain.

So, considering their limits, using Grassy Terrain twice a day—once on the trees in the morning and once on the crops in the afternoon—was just right.

It would train them without overburdening them.

Lucas fed them some food and let them rest, then fetched Dragonite.

He'd already fertilized the soil and watered the saplings; Grassy Terrain had put them in optimal condition. Only one thing left—

Provide bright sunlight for photosynthesis.

Normally, Lucas didn't interfere with the weather unless necessary. While Pokémon that could use weather-changing moves weren't rare, they weren't common either.

Like how Serperior just couldn't learn Grassy Terrain but easily picked up Grassy Glide and Seed Bomb; some Pokémon excelled at weather moves, others not.

If Poliwhirl evolved into Politoed, it would be great at rain moves.

His Swampert was more of a brawler, able but not skilled at Rain Dance. The true weather expert was Dragonite.

Same for Serperior and Sunny Day.

Dragonite, even after evolving could still use Rain Dance, Sunny Day, Sandstorm, and Hail.

Lucas' Dragonite was best at Rain Dance, followed by Sunny Day; it hadn't learned Sandstorm or Hail.

After Lucas explained, Dragonite nodded obediently, soared up, and fired a reddish orb to clear the clouds above the farm.

Warm sunlight bathed the crops, making them stretch as if enjoying the rays.

The Eldegosses, Smoliv, and Comfey found a sunny spot, rooted themselves, and started photosynthesizing.

Their relaxed faces showed how comfortable they were—Lucas almost wanted to try photosynthesis himself.

Alas, he couldn't become a plant.

Serperior's reaction, though, was interesting: it wiggled its tail and body, clearly itching to fire a Solar Beam now that Sunny Day made it easier.

Solar Beam was one of Serperior's strongest attacks, and combined with its sunlight-enhancing ability, its power soared under Sunny Day. Lucas never let it use the move during normal training.

The Grassy Terrain test results made Lucas very happy. But with that done, he hurried over to Thunder Lake.

The lake's water was fine, thanks to Swampert and Poliwhirl's care. Next, he'd consider adding fish.

But that wasn't the point.

Today, Lucas, Swampert, Moltres, and the Poliwags were about to witness Growlithe's challenge for revenge.

After training with Kukui's Lycanroc, Growlithe had learned several new moves and couldn't wait to challenge Poliwhirl for a rematch.

Even if it was a laid-back dog, it still had its pride!

Poliwhirl gladly accepted—if it could beat Growlithe once, it could do it again.

It had already beaten Growlithe as a Poliwag, and now, as a freshly evolved Poliwhirl, it was stronger than ever.

Both sides were raring to go—neither willing to back down.

"I won't give orders. You two can fight and judge for yourselves."

As a Trainer, you have to be fair to everyone—or at least, not show obvious favoritism.