Chapter 26: Observation Records of Petilil

The workshop had gained a new companion, but when Ivybud was released again, she seemed somewhat bewildered by the tasks Lightmoss requested of her.

Tilting her head, she made a soft sound.

“Ivy...?”

What was this work? Was it just constant battling...?

Ivybud didn’t quite understand what it all meant, but Lightmoss explained that she wanted her help in nurturing the herbs. In return, Lightmoss would provide her with the corresponding medicinal plants.

“It’s like trading your leaves for medicine—giving something and receiving something back. The cost is time, and that’s what work is. You’ll help me tend the herbs and crops, aiding their growth—that will be your job.”

“And helping me with my work is different from assisting others. I’m a craftsman of tools; I specialize in making items with unique powers and gathering rare materials. Through this process, both you and I will gradually grow stronger and better.”

“Ivy?”

Ivybud still had many questions, but the offer of herbs as a reward moved her heart. Seeing her gaze waver, Lightmoss nodded in agreement: “Healing herbs can certainly be part of the payment.”

“So, I must help them grow quickly.”

“I’m worried that the Walking Grass might have come here to scatter seeds. They mean no harm, but they do negatively impact the growth of medicinal herbs. Every Pokémon’s type is different, and even among those with the same type, their ecological traits, natural characteristics, and effects on the surrounding environment vary.”

Lightmoss explained this to Ivybud, clarifying that she hadn’t disliked her before; that was why she was asked to leave the herb field.

Spiritblade offered a fitting endorsement, adding that it had heard Lightmoss speak of a powerful Grass-type Pokémon on a distant land. Unlike any other Grass-type Pokémon, its very presence caused forests to wither and the earth to become barren. Therefore, any Grass-type Pokémon entering the fields must be carefully identified and assessed.

“Yo!”

Of course, that earth-wasting Pokémon wouldn’t appear here, but each Grass-type Pokémon has different habits and abilities, and their effects on farmland can be both beneficial and harmful.

Ivybud was instantly captivated and responded in amazement:

“Ivy~!”

There was such a Grass-type Pokémon?

If it was Grass-type, why would it destroy forests and soil?

“See? Pokémon are wondrous creatures, even you can’t fully understand them. For us humans, learning how to coexist and balance with Pokémon is crucial.”

Lightmoss smiled, and after some thought, Ivybud agreed to her request.

This wasn’t about capturing, merely helping—just as Lightmoss invited the Dugtrio and Diglett to aid in plowing.

So, Lightmoss and Spiritblade took Ivybud wandering through the herb and crop fields. Lightmoss explained the various areas where herbs were planted, their approximate growth speeds, as well as the regular crop and berry zones. She described cultivation techniques and methods, including technologies that could be utilized.

Ivybud’s eyes began to whirl in confusion.

She was a Grass-type Pokémon herself yet couldn’t comprehend any of it!

Human knowledge... so incredible!

“Pokémon live by their types and instincts. Grass thrives in forests, Ground in deserts, Rock in caves, Water near water’s edge... but humans are different. We must master vast knowledge, properly use resources and materials to live better in every region.”

After completing the tour, Lightmoss asked to see Ivybud’s moves and hoped to understand the kinds of Pokémon she faced.

“Knowing the enemy’s type, abilities, and moves is how you fight wisely, increasing your chances of victory.”

At first stubborn, Ivybud now felt somewhat uncertain—so much human knowledge overwhelmed her. Yet Spiritblade’s assurance helped her settle down again.

“Ivy~ Ivy~... wow, wow!”

“Yo... yo...”

Ivybud vividly described the “enemies,” while Spiritblade translated:

They were round, ball-like Pokémon, about six in number, one the largest with fierce eyes.

The smaller balls were wood-colored on the bottom and red on top, their gaze somewhat comical.

The largest one was the reverse—wood-colored on top and red below.

They appeared near the end of spring in Ivybud’s habitat, spraying electric seeds everywhere and even exploding!

“Electrode and Voltorb? But by their colors...” Lightmoss’s expression shifted to surprise.

These colors weren’t those of normal Electrode and Voltorb but of the Verdant form!

The Verdant Electrode and Voltorb supposedly share body components with pine cones. Their types are Electric and Grass, possessing Soundproof, Static, and Explosion abilities.

Yet, Verdant Electrode’s personality is friendly; they often gather laughing happily, opposite to the perpetually angry normal Electrode.

“Competing for habitat, bodies like pine cones, the Verdant form vanished a century ago and is rare... Wait, could there have been many pine cones in Ivybud’s original home?”

Pine cones also grow in fertile lands; if habitats overlap, such conflicts can occur. But since the Verdant Electrode had long disappeared, and Ivybud was scarce in the Sinnoh region, this habitat dispute was a rare incident.

It was a turf war among Grass-type Pokémon for soil and pine cone territory.

Still, if pine cones truly existed there, Lightmoss felt a spark of excitement.

They’re crucial for making Poké Balls and Sticky Balls.

“I see. Sinnoh’s climate has changed, causing the Verdant forms to fade. Yet this forgotten ancient land of the capital still has a similar climate, allowing Verdant-type Pokémon to arise. Perhaps some Pokémon were brought here by ancient Sinnoh people and gradually took root.”

“One Verdant Electrode evolved into a Verdant Voltorb, aiming to expand its numbers by targeting Ivybud’s pine cone territory!”

Lightmoss thought, no wonder Ivybud always returned wounded—she’d been facing a group of self-destructing bombs all along.

“In short, by working with me, you’ll grow stronger. But first, let me see what moves you’ve mastered.”

With that, Spiritblade began a one-on-one battle with her, demonstrating her moves.

This also helped Ivybud showcase more skills.

During the demonstration, Lightmoss took out her notebook and began recording, observing Ivybud’s techniques.

First came powder moves: Stun Spore and Sleep Powder, followed by Leech Seed. But because it was raining, the powders turned sticky and gooey upon release, never reaching Spiritblade.

Lightmoss saw Protect, a pale green barrier appearing before Ivybud, blocking one of Spiritblade’s random attacks!

However, Ivybud struggled to handle the next round, using Magical Leaf and Extreme Drain. When pushed back by Spiritblade, she used a strange move.

There was nothing visible before, yet it was as if an invisible air fist was launched, faint energy shimmering subtly, striking Spiritblade... but to no effect!

Ghost-types are immune to this move!

“Vacuum Wave?! Fighting-types can’t hit Ghost-types. No, Ivybud can’t learn that move.”

“A neutral move without special effects is Normal-type... Could it be ‘Endure’?!”

This guess made sense. Ivybud could indeed learn Endure, and since she’d been “enduring” her way back to her home twice, it was natural she knew this move.

Normal moves also can’t harm Ghost-types, though physical contact exists since Spiritblade has a tangible form.

Yet this ordinary impact is little more than a bump, perhaps even weaker. Spiritblade merely paused briefly before resuming the attack.

Had Ivybud learned this move during the battle to reclaim her habitat?

What would come next...

“Yo!”

Spiritblade swung a Psycho Cut, but Ivybud did not fall. Instead, she displayed an energy-gathering effect and appeared before the Psycho Cut struck.

“Indeed, it’s ‘Endure.’”

Endure, Protect, and now also ‘Stiffen’ (or ‘Brace’).

Suddenly, Ivybud seemed exceptionally resilient.

Protect blocked one attack, Endure blocked another, but two self-destruct bombs remained.

Then Ivybud used Photosynthesis, but because it was raining, the recovery was minimal and she was soon defeated by Spiritblade.

‘Moves learned: Stun Spore, Sleep Powder, Leech Seed, Magical Leaf, Extreme Drain, Endure, Protect, Stiffen.’

‘Ability: Contrary.’

Lightmoss jotted down notes.

‘Ivybud, a Pokémon from the Sinnoh forest.’

‘A somewhat stubborn personality.’

‘Encountered outside the workshop’s herb fields.’

‘Dislikes bitter flavors.’

‘Tenacious and unyielding.’