Chapter 101: Lucky Pudding (S)
'That's honey fudge'! Naoki thought excitedly.
Gelatin powder stabilizes the structure, making it perfect for creating foods like jelly, mousse, cheese—and, of course, fudge.
Recalling the method for making honey marshmallows, Naoki began a new round of production.
First, he mixed the gelatin powder with water. Then, he combined honey and lemon juice, placing them into a pot and cooking over medium-low heat until they were slightly warm. Finally, he poured the prepared gelatin mixture into the pot, stirring until it was completely melted, becoming clear and golden with no impurities.
'This is looking good', Naoki thought as he turned off the heat, allowing the mixture to cool a bit before pouring it into the mold that came with the refrigerator. He then placed it in the fridge to set.
While waiting for the fudge to set, Naoki busied himself with making other honey-based dishes. However, the results were less than ideal.
[Honey Grilled Fish: Cooking Effect: Physical Strength Restore (Large)]
[Honey Lemonade: Cooking Effect: Refreshing. After consumption, it will eliminate fatigue and restore energy.]
"Neither of these will work!" Naoki muttered, feeling a bit down as he looked at the dishes he had prepared.
Just then, the alarm clock rang, signaling that the honey fudge was ready. Naoki opened the refrigerator, retrieved the mold, and carefully removed the solidified honey marshmallows. As he looked at the golden, square treats, information about them appeared in his mind.
[Honey Gummy Candy (A): This gummy candy is made from honey and lemon. It is sweet and sour, chewy, and quite popular with some Pokémon.
Cooking Effect: (Apply oil to the soles of the feet) After eating, the Pokémon will gain the skill: it will definitely escape, regardless of the opponent's strength.
Comment: Don't underestimate this small piece of candy!]
"Apply oil to the soles of your feet? What a weird effect." Naoki muttered, staring at the honey candy with a puzzled expression.
He then glanced over at Teddiursa, who was happily eating pudding beside him, and thought, 'This skill might not be of much for other Pokemon, but it could be invaluable for Teddiursa'.
'If Teddiursa encounters a dangerous Pokémon it can't defeat, it can simply run away and be guaranteed to escape. From that perspective, this honey candy might be even more useful than the honey buns I made earlier'.
Naoki's mind began to wander, imagining the possibilities.'The combination of Teddiursa's Pickup ability, lucky pudding, and honey gummies could give it the power to steal from legendary Pokémon'!
He envisioned Teddiursa sneaking up to a Zapdos, plucking a feather, and then darting away, leaving the furious Zapdos discharging electricity helplessly in the air.
'This could get really exciting'. Naoki thought, chuckling to himself.
He immediately fed Teddiursa a large piece of the honey gummy candy. Then, with a serious expression, he said, "Listen, if you ever encounter danger out there—like a really strong Pokémon—don't hesitate. Just turn around and run. Understand?"
"Ursa!" Teddiursa nodded eagerly, fully agreeing with Naoki's advice.
Watching Teddiursa, Naoki couldn't help but think, 'Maybe I didn't need to remind it after all'.
'After all', Naoki recalled, 'Teddiursa came to the ranch to steal honey, and when it realized the place was too dangerous, it immediately chose to escape'.
'At heart, Teddiursa is still a cunning little bear'.
Naoki smiled, shaking his head at the thought. "You're going to do just fine out there".
Naoki turned around and continued to study the new dish.
However, after three days of research, he still failed to come up with a new dish with magical effects.
The dishes he developed either restored physical strength or energy, and some even attracted attention, making Pokémon so immersed in happiness that they ignored external things.
Time passed quickly and in the blink of an eye, it was the day when Teddiursa would leave.
On this day, Naoki brought Koraidon and the other Pokémon to see Teddiursa off in front of the ranch.
Teddiursa looked reluctant.
"Ursa."
Naoki smiled and encouraged, "Go ahead! If one day you don't want to travel anymore, just come back to the ranch. I'll prepare a magnificent honey feast for you."
"Ursa." Teddiursa wiped away its tears and nodded heavily.
Before leaving, Teddiursa expressed the desire for another piece of pudding.
Seeing this, Naoki turned back to the kitchen and started making it.
'The ones I made previously were eaten up by Teddiursa and Mew, Naoki recalled. 'I won't see Teddiursa again for a while'.
Naoki hoped that Teddiursa could live safely and smoothly along the way and fulfill its dreams.
The road of life continues to extend, and Teddiursa will start a new life with Mew.
With this sincere wish, Naoki made the last pudding for Teddiursa.
Forty minutes later, the pudding was freshly baked.
Naoki took it out of the refrigerator and wanted to give it directly to Teddiursa, but when his eyes met the pudding, he saw a different effect from before.
[Lucky Pudding (S): A dessert made with sincere wishes, crafted with whipped cream, Moo Moo Fresh Milk, and honey.
Effect: Good luck always accompanies you. After eating this dish, the luck of humans and Pokémon will be permanently improved. The chance of Pokémon finding rare items while traveling will be permanently increased.
Comment: A delicious dessert that makes people and Pokemon feel happy and brings good luck.]
? ! !
Naoki opened his eyes wide and looked at the pudding in disbelief.
'The effect has changed from a short time to a permanent one! What happened?! The production process and materials used are exactly the same, so why is there such a big difference in the effect'? Naoki wondered.
'Is it because of the different moods when making it'?
Naoki looked up at Teddiursa, who was gazing at him with bright black eyes, eagerly waiting to eat the last piece of pudding before embarking on its journey.
He was slightly hesitant.
Because this pudding can also be eaten by humans, and the effects after consumption are permanent.
But…
Looking at Teddiursa in front of him, Naoki took a deep breath and decided to give the pudding to it.
"Eat it!"
Teddiursa happily took the pudding and ate it in one bite, then jumped into Naoki's arms and hugged him tightly.
Naoki reached out and caught Teddiursa, gently patting its back.
After a while, Teddiursa jumped down.
It walked outside, waved to Naoki, and then rode on Mew, who had transformed into a Toucanon.
The "Toucanon" flapped its wings and flew high into the sky.
They kept flying, flying towards their dreams and the distance, with the desire to see this vast world.
They don't know how long it took, but a blue sea appeared in front of them.
Next to the sea was a beautiful coastal city with countless cruise ships docked at the port.
Mew landed with Teddiursa on one of the luxury cruise ships that was about to depart.
There was a flash of light, and the Toucanon disappeared, replaced by Mew.
Mew and Teddiursa floated above a hidden deck, looking ahead happily.
"Buzz——!"
A melodious whistle sounded, and the cruise ship below slowly started, sailing toward the blue sea.
A human voice came from the loudspeaker on the cruise ship:
"Attention, passengers, the S.S. Anne has officially begun its voyage. The next stop will be the Kanto region, Vermilion City!"
...
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