Chingling was the pre-evolution of Chimecho.
Compared to Pokémon like Aggron and Flygon, Chimecho weren't particularly skilled at Pokémon battles.
Over thousands of years of coexistence, they had completely integrated into human life.
Chimecho liked to hang from tree branches or house eaves using the suction cup on their heads. When the hot season arrived, they would fly about lively, looking just like a string of wind chimes.
When a gentle breeze blew, Chimecho would produce clear, pleasant bell sounds.
This was how Chimecho had integrated into human life—hanging from eaves like wind chimes, while people believed their sounds would bring happiness and good fortune.
In the anime, James from Team Rocket had a Chimecho.
Looking at this egg, Carver figured that if things went as expected, the Chingling egg probably wouldn't sell anytime soon.
"...Well, if it doesn't sell, I'll just raise it myself," Carver thought.
The breeding house's eaves happened to have an open position that could be left for Chimecho.
Next was the Castform that would hatch in three days.
This Pokémon would be very useful to Carver—with it, the herb garden could achieve automated watering.
Carver put down the egg in his hands, got up, and went downstairs to check the herb garden.
The herbs and vegetables he'd planted last time were beginning to sprout under Oddish's careful tending.
Neat rows of seedlings lined the furrows, growing quite well.
The nearby berry trees had produced another batch of fruit. Carver called Bewear over and used baskets to pick them all.
The plump, juicy berries filled an entire basket. Carver brought them back home and divided them into two portions—one for juicing to feed the Pokémon, the other for making Pokéblocks.
That evening, after dinner, Carver sat with all the Pokémon in the main hall to watch television.
The TV was broadcasting a news program covering recent major events in the Hoenn region—things like mass appearances of wild Pokémon in certain areas, incidents of wild Pokémon losing their minds and attacking citizens near various cities.
Occasionally, it also showed news from other regions.
Nearly two hundred years had passed since the Pokémon League's establishment, and during this time, the various regions had gradually strengthened their connections.
Carver watched with great interest, while the surrounding Pokémon were also very curious about this talking, glowing box.
Watching television was something they had never experienced before in their previous lives.
"Clefairy?!"
When a Pokémon appeared on the TV, one Clefairy couldn't help but cry out in surprise.
Was that Pokémon trapped inside that little box?
Another Clefairy grabbed a broom and was about to charge forward to smash the TV, wanting to rescue the trapped Pokémon.
"!!!"
Carver was startled and quickly stopped them: "Stop!"
"Clefairy?" The Clefairy stopped and looked back with confusion.
"Put the broom down first. The Pokémon in there is just a recording—no Pokémon are actually trapped inside!" While explaining, Carver introduced the device to the Pokémon: "This is a television."
"Growl?" Television? What was a television?
"It's a machine that can play videos." Not knowing how else to explain, Carver simply picked up the remote and changed channels.
Soon, the screen switched to a cooking show.
On screen, a beautiful girl wearing a chef's hat was working with an Alcremie to make sweet, soft cream cake.
The pink-toned background, white cream as soft and fluffy as clouds, topped with a few strawberries—it looked both healing and tempting.
The Clefairy were instantly captivated by the strawberry cream cake on television.
"Clefairy!"
Some Clefairy even started drooling.
That thing called cream cake looked so delicious!
Carver: "..."
He wouldn't mind making one for the Clefairy to try, but there were no eggs or cream at home—even a clever cook can't make a meal without ingredients.
However, there was a dessert shop in Autumn Leaf Town. He could go buy some later for the Pokémon at the breeding house to try.
Thinking about how Bewear, Growlithe, the Clefairy, and Oddish had probably never eaten cream cake, Carver felt a pang of sympathy, as if he'd somehow shortchanged them.
Tomorrow, he absolutely had to go to Autumn Leaf Town and buy a bunch of cream cakes for the Pokémon at home to try!
When Carver told the Pokémon about his plan, he was immediately met with their cheers.
"Clefairy~!"
They looked just like little children.
Carver couldn't help but smile: "Don't worry, I've got you covered."
The Clefairy continued watching the cooking show.
Growlithe, Oddish, and Bewear were also very interested in the desserts.
At some point, a light rain had begun falling outside, pattering against the breeding house roof.
On this rainy night, Carver and the Pokémon huddled together on the sofa watching television.
He looked around at the group of Pokémon beside him, feeling deeply moved.
Who hadn't fantasized about living with Pokémon when watching the anime as a child?
And now, fantasy had become reality.
This feeling... was amazing!
The next morning brought continuing light rain, making it unsuitable to go out.
Looking at the damp air outside the window, Carver didn't want to leave and decided to wait until the rain stopped before going to Autumn Leaf Town to buy cream cake.
However, just because he didn't want to go out didn't mean others felt the same way.
Early in the morning, Steven, having returned from Rustboro City to fulfill his promise, knocked on the breeding house door.
His hair was damp from the rain, plastered wetly to his forehead, and his clothes showed obvious water stains.
Seeing who it was, Carver was slightly surprised.
Steven entered and approached the counter, then removed his backpack and began taking out Moon Stones one by one.
This elegant young heir spoke: "Our agreement is now complete."
Steven had brought a total of twenty Moon Stones—not only enough for all the Clefairy in the breeding house to evolve into Clefable, but with eight extras to spare. Quite generous indeed.
"That's too many..." Carver said in surprise.
Steven smiled slightly: "These Moon Stones are nowhere near as precious as that meteorite you gave me. Also, to thank you for your trust, please accept this additional gift."
With that, Steven pulled another stone from his pocket.
It was a beautiful stone shaped like a marble with peculiar patterns inside.
Carver instinctively looked at the stone.
The next second, information about that stone floated up in his mind.
[Dragonite Mega Stone: A miraculous Mega Stone that allows Dragonite to Mega Evolve when held during battle.]