Pokémon Chef

"Heath, it's almost time to pick up our starter Pokémon. Are you going to get one?" Ash asked curiously as he munched on the Jianbing Guozi Heath had made for him.

"Hm? I'm not planning to. I've already caught a Pokémon." Heath was scraping the burnt batter stuck to the griddle with a spatula. Ash's question caught him off guard, but then he smiled and shook his head.

Before, getting a starter Pokémon had been completely out of Heath's reach. But now that he had paid off his debts, obtained Farfetch'd, and gained his cheat, he felt much less bitter about missing out on one.

"Huh?! What Pokémon is it? Can I see?" Ash instantly perked up, looking at Heath expectantly.

Heath smiled and took out his Poké Ball. He had intended to release his Pokémon normally, but the sight of Ash suddenly gave him a bold idea.

"Farfetch'd, I choose you!" Heath shouted with all the dramatic gusto he could muster, then tossed the Poké Ball in what he thought was an incredibly cool way.

He regretted it the moment the words left his mouth. For someone with the mind of an adult in his twenties, shouting that line was far too embarrassing. Heath actually blushed with awkwardness, wondering how Ash could say it so naturally.

"Whoa!" Ash clenched his fists, his eyes practically sparkling. He thought Heath's Poké Ball throw was so cool!

When the light from the Poké Ball faded, a Farfetch'd appeared before Heath and Ash, fast asleep with his leek clutched in his wings.

The passersby stared at the Farfetch'd in front of Heath in surprise. That was an incredibly rare Pokémon! Still, seeing Officer Jenny, who often passed Heath's stall on patrol, reassured them somewhat.

Everyone knew how strictly Farfetch'd were protected in Kanto. If a trainer had been allowed to catch this one, that meant he was registered with the League. Even Team Rocket, whose notoriety had been growing lately, would have to think twice before making a move.

Compared to the enormous League, Team Rocket was little more than a pipsqueak. If they weren't hiding in the shadows, they would probably have been wiped out in minutes.

And for some reason, despite running rampant throughout Kanto, Team Rocket rarely appeared in Viridian City.

"That was so cool! Heath, you're just so cool!" Seeing Ash's starry-eyed expression, Heath rubbed his chin. Don't tell me Ash picked up those habits of his from me?

"Of course I am." Chuckling, Heath slipped a little silver object into Farfetch'd's mouth. Farfetch'd woke with a crunch. Ash hadn't seen it clearly and assumed it was some kind of snack.

Heath looked at Ash in satisfaction. As expected of the protagonist, serving him had earned Heath a Silver Bottle Cap. Now that he had used it, Farfetch'd's defense individual value had been maxed out.

Heath felt a little helpless. He actually thought attack and speed were more important, but apparently Farfetch'd was headed for an all-defense build.

"Farfetch'd! Farfetch'd!" Farfetch'd flapped his wings excitedly, looking much more energetic.

Meanwhile, Ash circled Farfetch'd with an expression straight out of Luffy's playbook, even trying to reach out and pet him. Farfetch'd was much warier around strangers. He watched Ash, gripping his leek tightly.

Heath knew that Farfetch'd was on guard. The leek in his wings wasn't just food; it could also serve as a weapon.

"Farfetch'd, want something to eat?" Heath hurriedly blocked Ash's way. He had only just caught Farfetch'd, and he didn't want him accidentally hurting Ash.

"Fetch'd!" Farfetch'd nodded emphatically, then stood beside Heath, wiggling his rear with an eager-to-please look.

Heath didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Honestly, this Farfetch'd... If he didn't know better, he would have thought he'd caught a Growlithe.

Ash crouched beside Farfetch'd and studied him curiously. Seeing a Pokémon he had only ever seen on the news filled him with curiosity.

Heath deftly prepared a Jianbing Guozi, but as he worked, he noticed something odd. He glanced back and saw Farfetch'd watching his movements intently, turning the leek in his wings as though he were...

"Do you want to learn to cook, Farfetch'd?" Heath's interest was piqued. Farfetch'd looked as though he wanted to try making a Jianbing Guozi himself. Although Heath doubted those wings could hold a spatula, he asked anyway.

"Fetch'd!" Farfetch'd nodded and eagerly walked over.

Heath pursed his lips. He really wants to cook?

A Pokémon renowned throughout the world for being delicious had actually developed an interest in cooking. Heath couldn't help feeling that something was a little off about this world.

Still, it was only one Jianbing Guozi, and Heath didn't mind letting Farfetch'd try. He soon stepped aside to let him take over.

Just as Heath had expected, Farfetch'd struggled even to pick up the spatula with his two wings. Before long, though, he managed it. Heath watched quietly, giving him instructions on how to make the Jianbing Guozi.

Looking at the Jianbing Guozi on the griddle, which now resembled an iron discus, Heath sank deep into thought.

How had Farfetch'd managed to burn the Jianbing Guozi even with Heath standing right beside him giving instructions? Had he not noticed Ash's shoulders shaking with laughter nearby?

[Farfetch'd made a Jianbing Guozi, unlocking the long-term quest "Pokémon Chef."]

[The first step toward becoming a Pokémon Chef: Train Farfetch'd to make a perfect Jianbing Guozi independently to receive a special reward.]

Heath froze. This could unlock a quest too? Still, the words "long-term quest" gave him a headache. Is this quest going to make me train Farfetch'd into a professional chef? That would be way too hard.

But he had to admit, the special reward was very tempting. So far, Heath had found that his cheat's activation conditions generally involved cooking and food. Serving customers tended to earn him rewards, while serving famous customers tended to earn him better ones.

Both Ash and Giovanni had given Heath excellent rewards, while ordinary customers had provided little candies.

Still, looking at the black discus in front of him and Farfetch'd tiptoeing away in an attempt to sneak off, Heath felt that this would be a very arduous task.

"Ugh, we'll just have to make do." Heath sighed. What else could he do? He felt utterly hopeless too.