Several days had passed, Wade solely focused on training his pokemon, while reading on ways to train Feebas up. Apparently the fish also knew how to use Tackle, meaning Houndour and Feebas can spar at the very least. This led to Wade having the two spar while also having them race each other around the lab's building for a few laps. Wade wasn't sure how well this was paying off, but he could tell it was at least doing something.
With each day, Houndour and Feebas could keep running for a little bit longer, while Houndour could now hold a Flamethrower for a minute and 10 seconds. It was an improvement, and he was happy with that. Wade also found a book in Juniper's Library that was filled with recipes for pokemon food. So whenever he wasn't coaching his pokemon, Wade found himself in the kitchen and testing the recipes out.
Houndour, much like a dog, would stick to his trainer like glue while his trainer worked in the kitchen. Wade found it a bit helpful, as Houndour could be a pretty good taste tester. So far Houndour seemed to really like 'Meat, Veggie, and Berry Medley' minus the berries. As it turned out, berries were pretty expensive, specifically Pokemon Berries.
A bunch of research later, and it turned out that Oran Berries, Sitrus Berries, and other berries that existed in the games(and existed in this world too) were specifically called Pokemon Berries. Pokemon really enjoyed them and the berries can be very beneficial, with Oran Berries being what is essentially a pain killer and a shot of caffeine. A Sitrus Berry straight up healed you, got a minor cut? A Sitrus Berry could probably heal it. Broken arm? eat a Sitrus Berry and it'll heal much, much faster. Some of these berries even made a pokemon faster or stronger.
What Wade also found interesting was that all Pokemon Berries plants share a common ancestor. This was especially interesting he asked Professor Juniper about this, who had happily explained to him the Pokemon World's history of plant life. Juniper also took the liberty to explain how Pokemon split off from Animals approximately Three Billion and a half years ago back when they were single celled organisms… Pokemon Cells were entirely different from animal cells.
It was some good time with Juniper. Wade thought she was cute when she started to geek out over something science or biology related, and he got to learn something in the process. It turned out that the Professor was an excellent teacher, managing to make whatever she was telling Wade engaging, while also being interested in what she was talking about. The Professor even helped Wade get a feeling for cooking pretty quickly in a simple, fun way.
"Think of it like a puzzle, each ingredient goes together. It's just a matter of putting it together to get what you're cooking together," she would say. Wade, while not being good at solving puzzles, did enjoy doing them from time to time, so he took it to heart. While he did kind of burn the first few dishes, added a little too much of one thing, or simply undercooked something, he started picking up things here or there. For instance, Juniper told him that the Pokedex has a food thermometer in it. If only Wade knew about that before he almost fed Houndour undercooked meat. cooking vegetables came to Wade easily though as he just had to boil or steam them, which was simple enough.
Today, Wade finally made a dish that wasn't screwed up in some way. He fully expected it to be burnt, horribly overdone, or a little too much seasoning. Wade pulled a tray out of the oven to find that it wasn't overcooked, and stuck an actual food thermometer into it(he didn't want to stick his Pokedex in it. That would be horrible). It was the right temperature, he even took a bite to try it, and it wasn't terrible! It'd actually be pretty good if it didn't look like mush. He took a few spoonfuls and stuck them in Houndour's dish and did the same for Feebas. After that, Juniper turned the oven off and the stove off, and Wade portioned out a vegetable medley for Girafarig.
Wade set his pokemon's bowls in front of the corresponding animals, and they all began to eye their food, with Houndour giving it a sniff, Feebas simply began to eat, and Girafarig sniffed and scarfed down a chunk of a pickle.
"So, how does this taste? Chicken and Egg Medley… this book has a preference for mixing shit together and calling it 'medley.' If it tastes good to you, then I won't question it, but why is most of the recipes just taking a few things and mixing it?" Wade asked.
"Well, pokemon really don't mind if their food looks like… mush. They mostly care if it's tasty," Juniper chucked when Houndour paused for a moment after taking a bite, and quickly began to dig in. "So the cookbook is mostly about being simple, nutritious, easy to follow, without having to nail a presentation. Some of it's even good to just eat yourself." She nodded when Girafarig didn't complain about having the same dish.
"At least Girafarig seems to like the first vegetable medley in the book. Sometimes I might swap beans out for actual meat so that Girafarig can get the missing proteins that beans just don't have… unless I use soy beans right? I… I dunno," Wade pointed at the book. "I kinda get what each recipe is doing, but I don't think I can come up with anything on my own. I'm just happy that my pokemon won't be eating what is basically really healthy cereal." He shrugged. "And I guess I don't need to do anything more than regurgitate the same recipes for my pokemon."
"Well, I'm glad I could help you out, Wade. Since I think you should now know at least a few recipes for herbivorous and carnivorous pokemon food. Along with a few omnivorous meals in case you need to switch it up for health, or even if your pokemon wants to eat something that isn't the same dish a couple times a say."
"Yeah, though if recipes like these, and many online are simple and easy, why do people feed their pokemon the league branded trash?"
"Well, some trainers are lazy asses, and others are children who mainly know how to work a microwave at most. So the league then comes in and offers their pokemon food and even offers frozen food for trainers. There's even some grab and go MREs for when trainers are going on the road… I've had a few since I do go a few days where I don't have time to cook or wait for takeout. It's all pretty decent, but their pokemon food is a bit lacking…" Juniper shook her head. "Sure there is 'seasoning' for pokemon food, but it hardly helps in the flavor. Even if the pokemon themselves don't mind, I do, and you do too. I…" Juniper took a deep breath, knowing she was about to get political.
"I'll be honest, the league's politicians kinda treat pokemon as an after thought. I mean, Pokemon League trainer food is actually on the same level as some restaurants, while the league branded pokemon food… in your words 'it's just really good, healthy cereal.' I'd say it's a bit messed up, and it's kind of why I support what Team Plasma is doing," Juniper said.
"I… wouldn't support Team Plasma. You know how pokemon is simply a franchise based on video games?" Wade asked.
"Yeah, I never got to ask you what was in those games."
"Well, I can tell you about them any time… but if what happens in the games happens here, then Team Plasma is a genuine threat. Some members are in it because they genuinely believe in pokemon being our equals, where others know the true purpose for Team Plasma is world domination. Team Plasma just wants to take people's pokemon, and then use their own pokemon to rule the world. That's what their leader wants at least, and they even got a hippy to cover up their actual plans," Wade explained.
"Well, I can at least agree with you on that. Team Plasma's means of spreading their morals, if those are their morals, a little violent. Like, leaving a trainer and pokemon-less beaten to a pulp, kind of violent. Though if those games do pretty much tell you the future, then that means you have an advantage. I can warn a few people I know in the league to have Team Plasma under watch. Then you can try to prepare and steer from danger."
Wade chuckled. "Uh, I think White or Cheren might just end up challenging the Champion at some point. N, their false leader, is probably gonna end up fighting them. This wouldn't be too big of a deal if it weren't for the fact that Reshiram or Zekrom get awoken. Oh… and I think a few people get crucified. God, the manga was fucked up."
"What now?" Juniper asked.
"Eh, don't mind that for now. It's just some franchise stuff," Wade yelped. "Houndour, if you wanted seconds you could just ask? Don't hit my shin with your bowl. Even if you're gentle, I'm a twig and a pussy. So please don't hit me with your bowl," Wade shook his head. Houndour dropped his bowl, after realizing he actually did hurt Wade, and immediately tried to comfort his trainer. Wade's heart melted when Houndour gave him puppy eyes.
"Don't worry buddy, I'm fine. I didn't get hurt that much. Just don't do that constantly, or I will get a permanent bruise on my shin, which won't be fun." Wade took the bowl from Houndour's jaws, filled it up with some more food(even stuck some of Girafarig's food in), and settled it down in front of Houndour. The canine licked his trainer's hand, walked around the bowl, and sat on his trainer's foot. Wade knew it kind of meant 'This human is mine' after studying dog behavior; he had to when working at a pet store as it made working with dogs when he had to help the vet with a check up.
"Least PetSmart was good for something," Wade chuckled as his Houndour began to dig into his meal. "Say Juniper, I want to ask you something. It's about this goal I came up with, and I want to know your opinion on it," Wade asked. The professor nodded after hanging up her apron. Underneath it was a simple, light blue shirt and a matching pair of tight fitting pants. While they were covered up by the apron, Wade couldn't help but appreciate how the pants accentuated Aurea's hips.
"So what's the goal you want to talk about?"
"Well… I was wondering about how easy it would be to change people's outlook on Houndour and Houndoom. I mean, my Houndour's just a big baby that only allows a select few to pet him. I've seen a few videos of Houndoom acting similarly, where none of the Houndoom were owned by 'professional' pokemon trainers. So something tells me that something's up. Back where I'm from, people would do anything to win even in a local video game tournament where there's no prize. I'd assume that people here would be willing to cheat or do some wack shit to their pokemon. I mean, remember that Houndoom that was a living skeleton that attacked her trainer?" Wade asked.
Juniper just nodded. "Are you saying that trainers are likely get attacked by their Houndoom because they had it coming to them?"
"Well, how often is it found that league trainers mistreat their pokemon?" Wade asked.
"Quite often actually…" Juniper's eyes widened. "I see what you're getting at, mister. You think that most of the Houndoom attacks are from Houndoom that are being mistreated, and you want to show everyone how nice they can be?" Juniper asked.
Wade pulled out his pokedex and quickly pulled up a video. "Remember this Houndoom?" Wade showed the professor a very familiar clip. It was the same one she had first shown Wade while explaining why Houndoom get such a bad reputation. "This, this is the same Houndoom," Wade pulled up another video where school children are playing with Houndoom. Even with her tail being pulled on, she never did anything more than give a warning growl to any of the children, and was pretty gentle. Juniper could tell that the Houndoom was actually having a good time, enjoying her new life. "She's a class pet for some trainer school in Johto. Heck, Houndour might've been staring at her a little too long."
This elicited a nip from said Houndour.
Juniper nodded. "I see… I can help you out with this goal, if that's what you're asking. There's quite a few trainers already trying to do what you want to do, so it seems feasible. I can ask trainer schools in various towns to let you give a lecture and showcase Houndour, or Houndoom once he evolved. Show'em that Houndoom as a species aren't the embodiment of evil put into a canine-like pokemon," she offered.
"You'd do that for me?" Wade asked. Houndour got off of his trainer's foot, anticipating what would happen next.
"Of course, but you have to be a bit more confident if you want to speak in front of children- oof!" Juniper was quickly pulled into a hug by Wade and she giggled.
"Thank you, Aurea!" Wade realized what he just did and backed off. "Uh… sorry about that. I just got a bit excited… thank you for offering to help me out with my goal, as outlandish as it seems," he scratched the back of his head. "If you want, you can slap me in the face for getting in your personal space so suddenl-" Wade paused when Juniper planted a kiss on his lips.
"Wade, we're dating! You think I'm going to get mad at you for hugging me? I'm your girlfriend, you're my boyfriend. I just offered to help you out with something you seem passionate about. Otherwise you wouldn't have found that video of that starved Houndoom from the Hoenn league?" She put her hands on her hips. "I'm more than willing to help, and it's nice to see how excited you get about somebody lending a hand in what you want to do!"
Houndour snickered when he noticed how his trainer just froze in place. Wade was just blankly staring at Juniper, who had just noticed that she broke her boyfriend, and was trying to fix him. "I think Wade and Juniper are about to mate," he whispered to Feebas, who giggled.
"Well, they do seem like it, even if I can't exactly smell their hormones." Feebas said, noting how Juniper lightly slapped Wade in the face. This brought her poor trainer out of his stupor, and he scratched the back of his head.
"You know, I think Wade caught a nice female," Girafarig said. "She's more than willing to help Wade at a moment's notice, and Wade seems to love her. I'd give it a year or two before they're married with a kid on the way," he snickered. "If Wade doesn't become a statue each time Juniper shows him affection," he added. Professor Juniper then hugged Wade, and it looked a bit funny since Juniper was actually taller than Wade by a few inches. Their trainer was a midget.
"Well Wade, are you forgetting something?" Professor Juniper asked.
"Wha?"
"I just kissed you, so it's only fair that you kiss me in return," Juniper giggled when Wade began to process what she just asked. She then paused when Wade kissed her, much like Wade had when she had done the same moments prior. To the professor's credit, she didn't remain frozen for long and grinned. "I wasn't actually expecting a kiss from you, but I'm not complaining either," she giggled. Wade's eyes flashed, like an idea came to mind. "What are you thinking about now? W-what are you?"
Juniper was now being held, bridal style, in Wade's arms. It looked like Wade was struggling a little bit to keep her lifted up, but seemed to be dead set in his resolve to hold a woman that was taller than he was. "Well… I'm holding you, what else am I…" he paused and looked to the kitchen door, which was open just a crack. White was sitting behind the door with a camera pointed at the two of them… she had just recorded the whole thing and uploaded it to the internet.
Wade cleared his throat and settled Juniper down, which was met with a kiss on his cheek. "That's for doing that out of nowhere," Aurea folded her arms.
"Sorry," Wade said.
"No worries, Wade. Wait, you didn't freeze up after I kissed you?"
Wade grinned. "I'm gaining immunity!" He yelped when Houndour nipped his foot.
Wade's Pokedex then started going off constantly while Juniper's phone was doing the same. Juniper's was about asking her who the mystery man was, while Wade's was telling him some very friendly things. "These guys want me to kill myself…" Wade shrugged. "I guess they don't like how I'm dating you?" Wade then began typing something, which Professor Juniper had seen while peeking over his shoulder.
"Well PokeGod 27, I do hate being alive, but I've got stuff to do and things to live for. Thank you for the advice though. I'll tell you how suicide works for me," was what Wade had just responded with.
"So now you gain some confidence?" Professor Juniper asked.
"Nah. I just got the coolest Houndour in the world, the prettiest scientist in the world, and the best pet fish anyone can ask for. And I've got a pet giraffe. Those are all things I've got to live for… and I know Houndour will protect me if PokeGod 27 wants to find and skin me," he looked down at Houndour. "Right, Houndour?" Wade asked. The canine barked and nodded. "I… should probably turn off notifications from the forums for a bit though. I want to be able to enjoy the rest of the week."
"Well, in about four days, White turns 10, and you'll be following her out of the lab… don't worry though. We'll have dinner a few days before then, and talk about dates. Distance isn't an issue, Gothetelle can teleport. So don't worry about planning a date out in correlation to the train station schedules," she said.
"I won't… maybe. Wait a second, teleportation?" Juniper giggled at Wade's sudden confusion.
"You've got a lot to learn, my dear.."