After finishing the follow-up work, Victor and the others sat in Professor Rowan's lab, chatting idly and discussing the future of the rescued wild Pokémon.
Shana, holding the Petilil, sat among the Nurse Joys and Officer Jennys (from both Twinleaf and Sandgem). The Vulpix and Mime Jr. had also been picked up by them. The Gothita stayed close to Mime Jr., whispering secrets to it.
Only Celebi remained perched on Victor's head.
Shana blinked her eyes, eating the snacks Gengar shared with her, and listened carefully to the conversation between Victor and Professor Rowan.
"We'll keep the injured Pokémon here at the lab," Professor Rowan said. "Once they're healed, depending on their choice, we'll either release them back into the wild or help them find trainers. If they want to stay at the lab, that's fine too."
Hearing Professor Rowan's words, Victor nodded.
"Victor," the Professor continued, "would your Breeding House be able to care for some of these Pokémon? These emotionally scarred ones... if they stay here at our lab, we don't have the experience, and we already have so many Pokémon living here, we might not be able to notice changes in their condition in time."
Victor nodded. Jenny had mentioned this possibility before he arrived.
And he agreed that his Breeding House would be a better place for them than the lab. Firstly, his Breeding House didn't have many Pokémon yet. Secondly, Shana, Petilil, Tinkerbell, and the others could help care for them. Thirdly, his Breeding House and the forest had already formed a close connection, allowing these Pokémon to interact more with different wild Pokémon, which could effectively help heal their trauma.
"My Breeding House happens to not have many Pokémon right now, so I agree it would be better to place them there. I trust Shana and the others will take very careful care of them," Victor replied.
Hearing Victor's words, Shana blinked her sparkling eyes, then put on a serious expression and mimicked Victor's nod. Finally, she added in a clear, crisp voice, "I think so too."
This made everyone burst into laughter.
After the laughter subsided, Professor Rowan looked at the young man before him. He could already sense his deep love for Pokémon, which was why he felt comfortable entrusting these Pokémon to Victor. After all, all the Pokémon at his Breeding House trusted him deeply. "Your Pokémon trust you a lot," the Professor remarked.
Seeing Professor Rowan's serious walrus mustache curve into a smile, Victor was a bit stunned. He had heard that phrase before.
"A friend of mine said that too," Victor said.
"Oh? And how did you reply?" Professor Rowan asked.
"I said I trust them a lot too."
Hearing this answer, Professor Rowan seemed to have known Victor would say that. "I see the shadow of a former student of mine in you," he said.
Victor had a premonition. "Shirona?"
This time, Professor Rowan was shocked. The Sinnoh Champion's name was Shirona (Cynthia), but only those close to her called her that. "Is that so? So you know each other."
"We are friends," Victor confirmed.
Professor Rowan now had no further doubts. Anyone Shirona (Cynthia) knew could be trusted.
Just then, Victor followed Professor Rowan's gaze to the Gothita. Seeing the Professor about to speak, Victor raised an eyebrow.
"Professor, this Gothita is—"
Before Professor Rowan could speak, the Sandgem Town Nurse Joy interjected, "This is also one of the Pokémon rescued from the hunters. However, it was only captured for a very short time and wasn't harmed, so it recovered quickly and has been helping us care for the injured Pokémon. It's a very obedient Pokémon."
Victor narrowed his eyes and focused his attention.
[Gothita]
[Gender: Female]
[Type: Psychic]
[Ability: Competitive]
[Known Moves: Pound, Confusion, Play Nice, Psybeam, Charm, Psyshock, Hypnosis, Future Sight, Dark Pulse, Light Screen]
[Mood: Happy]
[Status: Shy, Happy]
[Friendship: 80 (You are Mime Jr.'s trainer, and you also helped these Pokémon)]
[Introduction: A Gothita that was trafficked. Possesses considerable strength. However, it seems to have been drawn to Mime Jr. and has cast itself in the role of Mime Jr.'s older sister?]
He then spoke again, "Gothita, would you like to come back to the Breeding House with us?"
"Goth?" Gothita looked at Victor with its crystal-blue eyes, tilted its head slightly, and regarded him curiously.
Victor cleared his throat. "After all, if all these Pokémon come to the Breeding House, Gengar, Mime Jr., and I will probably be very busy."
"Goth?!"
"And Mime Jr. seems to really like you as a friend," Victor added.
"Mime~" Mime Jr. chirped happily, agreeing with Victor. It really liked its new friend too.
Tenderness filled Gothita's crystal-blue eyes. It looked at the happy Mime Jr., then nodded.
"Goth~"
"Mime, mime~" Mime Jr. became even happier hearing Gothita's answer. Seeing Mime Jr. so happy, Gothita also smiled happily.
The Twinleaf Officer Jenny and Nurse Joy exchanged a look, a hint of resignation in their eyes. One good trick is all he needs.
Professor Rowan, who had been watching, only spoke after Victor finished. "You rascal! I was originally planning to have it stay and help me manage the lab, but you beat me to it." Professor Rowan really had wanted Gothita to stay, as Gothita are known to be quite skilled in this area, especially their evolution, Gothitelle.
Victor grinned. "Hehe."
"Oh well," Professor Rowan waved his hand. "Since it agreed to go with you, then so be it. Consider it thanks for letting us study Celebi." He then looked at Victor. "Next time I ask you to come help, you can't refuse. You have to promise me that."
"Don't worry, Professor," Victor assured him.
They looked at each other and then both burst into laughter.
Professor Rowan really liked Victor's personality. He loved Pokémon, was easy to talk to, seemed to have a close relationship with his former student Shirona (Cynthia), and was occasionally mischievous, but harmlessly so.
"Once these Pokémon have recovered," the Professor continued, "you can either release them back into the wild, help them find a trainer, or keep them at your Breeding House. All are acceptable options."
"When the time comes, I'll help you get the necessary certification, so you can charge a certain fee when you help them find trainers."
"A referral fee for finding trainers?" Victor asked.
"Now that you mention it, yes. A referral fee. That's a good term for it. Hahahaha," Professor Rowan laughed heartily. As expected of the young man I have high hopes for.
"But you can't charge a fee for finding them trainers without the certification?" Victor asked, puzzled; this was the first time he had heard of such a thing.
"Of course," Professor Rowan explained. "You're not a Professor's research lab. Without this certification, if you charge a fee for finding trainers for wild Pokémon, it's no different from what the Pokémon hunters do."
Victor nodded, understanding now.
"It's a necessary measure to protect these wild Pokémon," Professor Rowan added comfortingly.
"Then I'll be counting on your help, Professor," Victor said.
Professor Rowan nodded, then stood up and walked out.
...
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