Mudbray was so relaxed, it only moved when Lucas spoke.
After introducing Mudbray, Lucas turned to Swampert. "Swampert, stay behind after this. We'll find a good spot to make some mud for Mudbray."
"Swampert~."
Swampert nodded in agreement.
As a fellow Ground-type, Swampert didn't mind helping Mudbray. No trouble at all.
With three new members introduced, Lucas looked for Milcery — it floated into his palm on its own.
Even in a new environment, Milcery was lively, curiously observing the others.
When Milcery appeared, the other Pokémon's noses twitched — they could smell a sweet fragrance in the air.
Especially Dragonite, who loved sweets. It floated over, its face almost pressed against Milcery, looking like it wanted to gobble it up.
Milcery wasn't scared — it giggled as if Dragonite was playing with it.
Lucas shoved away Dragonite, whose mouth was starting to water, and said helplessly, "This is Milcery. Don't be fooled by how cute and tiny it is — it'll one day make delicious cream for desserts."
At the mention of desserts, not only did Dragonite's eyes light up, but even the usually grumpy Serperior looked interested.
Serperior suddenly felt that more members wasn't a bad thing. After all, they couldn't threaten its status or sneak into Lucas's bed at night like it could.
This gathering was just to familiarize the four new Pokémon with Luxray and the others, so they wouldn't be mistaken for wild intruders and chased off.
Neither Fidough nor Smoliv had any wild survival skills — they'd spent their lives on the farm, and could easily get into trouble.
After the meeting, Lucas strolled with Swampert and Mudbray through the farm.
The entire Farn was now covered in lush grass, ready to welcome more Pokémon or livestock.
Though Mudbray's main food was grass, it also needed mud in its life.
Mudbray liked to play in the mud to relax and relieve stress. As Lucas had recently been studying Pokémon psychology, making a mud pit was a top priority.
Since he picked Mudbray himself, and it had shown affection for him, communication was easy.
Lucas let it pick a spot to make its mud patch. Even the usually wooden Mudbray got excited.
It trotted off and quickly found a spot at the border of the farm and lake.
Mudbray pawed away grass and took a bite of dirt. After chewing, it spat out a lump of soft mud.
This wasn't the Mud-Slap move, just a plain lump of mud.
Basically, mud is dirt mixed with water.
So, the next step was simple.
Lucas and Mudbray stepped back, then looked at Swampert.
Swampert nodded, powered up, and — using minimal power — sent a surge of muddy water churning out.
In a flash, a patch of muddy swamp was formed.
Seeing its beloved mud, Mudbray affectionately nudged Lucas's pants, then gleefully dashed into the mud, happily playing.
From now on, this mud patch was Mudbray's home.
Lucas believed more Pokémon would join here in the future.
Leaving Mudbray in Swampert's care, Lucas hurried back home.
Besides Mudbray, he still needed to arrange housing for the other three Pokémon.
Opening the door, he saw the Pokémon who'd gone inside first. Lucas's eyes quickly locked onto Smoliv, following the three Eldegoss like a little sidekick.
The Eldegoss had just returned from the storeroom. Normally, their cotton would naturally fall off if not used, so they had a routine of going to the storeroom to shed it.
Seemingly tired, the Eldegoss lined up on the balcony, where there were three flowerpots. On sunny days, they'd root there to rest, and at night Lucas would move the pots back inside.
As usual, the Eldegoss each jumped into a pot, leaving Smoliv anxiously looking around.
"Smoliv…"
With only three pots, Smoliv, left out, was very uneasy.
Smoliv's anxiety made the Eldegoss nervous too. Remembering Lucas's request to take care of Smoliv, the leading Eldegoss hesitated, then jumped out to give up its spot.
Smoliv hesitated, but encouraged by the Eldegoss, nervously hopped into the pot.
Feeling the comfort of the soil, Smoliv finally relaxed, eyes squinting contentedly.
After a moment, it opened its eyes and looked at the Eldegoss with worry and guilt.
It had taken the Eldegoss's pot — what would the Eldegoss do now…?
"Elde~"
The experienced Eldegoss smiled, telling Smoliv not to worry.
Even if it gave up its spot, Lucas would surely get a new pot soon. The Eldegoss understood.
Watching all this, Lucas smiled, feeling great. With the Eldegoss' care, Smoliv would surely fit in.
Leaving the third floor, Lucas went to the storeroom — he remembered buying extra pots just in case.
On the first floor, passing the living room, Lucas was startled by a strange combination.
Moltres, looking a bit fatter than before, was there — but behind Growlithe, trailing along, was… Fidough?
Lucas remembered leaving Fidough in Luxray's care. How did it end up as Growlithe's little follower?
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