The breeding house had become unusually lively that morning.
With the arrival of the new egg-hatching machines, the entire facility entered a new phase of development.
When it came to moving heavy equipment, few humans could compete with Dai Yui.
Together with Leon and Machamp, he carried the large incubation machines into the building.
"Careful, careful. Move slowly."
"A little to the left."
"Yes, that room over there."
The sound of moving equipment echoed through the halls.
Joy and Chansey had also come over from the Pokémon Center to watch.
"You're finally going to start hatching Pokémon eggs?"
Amanda smiled and nodded.
"Yes. If any problems come up in the future, we'll have to rely on you."
Joy immediately responded with a smile
"Please leave it to me."
"Sey~"
Amanda looked at the excited Chansey and laughed.
"I'll be relying on you, too, Chansey."
Meanwhile, Austin had his own work to do.
He first went to find Arcanine.
"Come on. Let's go for a walk."
"Arcanine!"
The former police Arcanine immediately wagged its large, fluffy tail.
Looking at the happiness in Arcanine's eyes, Austin nodded with satisfaction.
The treatment was working. The trauma that had haunted Arcanine for so long was gradually fading. A full recovery no longer seemed far away.
Daily exercise, walks, and social games had helped rebuild Arcanine's confidence step by step.
Watching Arcanine improve, Austin couldn't help thinking about another Pokémon.
Feebas.
What kind of activity could help Feebas?
Austin had been thinking about this problem for days.
He had even considered entering Feebas into a competition.
Unfortunately, that idea failed immediately. Feebas refused to leave the rock pond.
Austin couldn't force it.
The trust they had slowly built was extremely fragile.
One wrong step could destroy it all.
At present, Feebas resembled a valuable porcelain vase.
It needed careful handling, patience, and time.
Fortunately, Feebas had finally begun communicating.
That alone proved Austin's treatment was producing results.
Today's walk with Arcanine served another purpose.
Austin intended to recruit new employees.
More specifically, security guards.
The incident with the Rainbow Biker Gang had served as a warning.
For a long time, Austin had viewed the world too optimistically.
Perhaps it was because of his experiences.
Perhaps it was because of the peaceful atmosphere surrounding his loving family.
Or perhaps it was because of the idealistic image he once held of the Pokémon world when watching the anime.
Regardless, reality had reminded him of something important.
Bad people existed here, too.
The breeding house has so far been peaceful.
Because of that, security had never been considered necessary.
His father and mother handled human recruitment.
Austin handled Pokémon.
Given the current size of the Breeding House, hiring two security guards for the main entrance was entirely reasonable.
Considering day and night shifts, they might eventually require four.
He had already left the human side of the hiring process to his mum and dad.
The two of them had excellent judgment when selecting employees.
As for Austin, he intended to recruit Pokémon.
Yesterday, Arcanine accomplished something remarkable.
The former police Pokémon had finally stepped outside the area where it had confined itself.
Previously, although Arcanine could move around the Breeding House, it never ventured beyond the grounds.
But yesterday, the Arcanine that had leaped over dozens of wild Pokémon had reminded Austin of something.
Arcanine was still a protector.
Walking through the wetlands and lakes of the Safari Zone, Austin was greeted by familiar faces.
"Buizel~"
"Morning, Buizel."
"Zel!"
The energetic Pokémon waved enthusiastically.
This particular Buizel loved battles and challenged nearly every strong Pokémon it encountered.
Winning or losing never mattered.
"Not today."
Austin smiled.
"I have something important to do."
After climbing the hill, he found Luxray lying atop a large rock.
The majestic Electric-type appeared asleep.
Around it, several Shinx noticed Austin and immediately ran over.
Their cries rose one after another.
When the Breeding House had first opened, these Shinx would have shocked him with electricity whenever they met him.
Now, they treated him like family.
His growing affinity with Pokémon only strengthened that connection.
Austin stopped below the rock.
"Luxray."
The large Pokémon opened one eye.
Its tail flicked lazily.
Luxray had always possessed an aloof personality, and Austin was already accustomed to it.
"I want to invite you to join the Breeding House."
The golden eyes opened completely.
Austin continued.
"I'd like you to protect this place together with Arcanine here."
He had already made plans the previous night. Two guard stations would be built, one beside the front desk service center and another directly opposite it.
The guard posts would become the resting places for Arcanine, Luxray, and the human security staff.
With both security guards and Pokémon standing watch, if something like yesterday's incident happened again, there would be no need for Dai Yui and Ryu to rush out in a hurry to defend the Breeding House.
"Working hours are from eight-thirty in the morning until four-thirty in the afternoon. After that, you're free to go home."
Austin smiled.
"Your meals will be provided, and you'll also receive extra Energy Cubes every month. What do you think?"
The Breeding House already fed the nearby wild Pokémon regularly, though not every meal. Most of the wild Pokémon still searched for berries and food in the surrounding wilderness.
Luxray remained sprawled lazily atop the rock. Only the tip of its tail flicked back and forth, showing that it was seriously considering the offer.
"It's alright. Take your time. You can give me your answer tomorrow."
Luxray slowly nodded.
"Ray."
After speaking with Luxray, Austin continued his walk with Arcanine.
The walk itself was part of the treatment.
It also gave Arcanine time to think.
A partnership between Luxray and Arcanine would already be enough to protect the Breeding House. There was no need to recruit more Pokémon.
Eventually, Austin and Agni climbed to the top of a hill overlooking the Breeding House.
From here, they could vaguely see Zenith floating above the training field while Ryu practiced nearby.
Austin sat beside Arcanine and gently stroked the thick mane resting against his side.
"Arcanine, you heard what I said earlier. Are you willing to protect the Breeding House? To protect everyone?"
Arcanine's ears twitched.
Its Ability was Justified.
Justice had always been engraved deep within its heart.
It remembered its days as a police Arcanine.
Every operation.
Every emergency.
Every battle.
It had always charged first.
Riot control.
Search and rescue.
Pursuit operations.
Whenever danger appeared, Arcanine was the one leading the charge.
With flames blazing across its body, it had once led other police Arcanine into battle against criminal organizations.
It was always the first to move.
Always the one standing at the front.
It should have become one of the most outstanding police Arcanine in the entire unit.
Then came the explosion.
The blinding flash grenade.
The deafening Self-Destruct from Electrode.
Its career ended at its peak.
Beneath the thick fur covering its body were countless scars.
Scars earned through duty.
Scars earned through battle.
Scars that served as its medals.
The nightmares remained.
In the middle of the night, Arcanine would wake from dreams of blood and fire.
It remembered lying helplessly in a pool of blood.
The world had become gray.
The only thing left was the endless ringing in its ears.
As the memories resurfaced, Arcanine's body trembled.
The shaking came involuntarily.
No matter how hard it tried, it could not stop.
Arcanine hated itself for that weakness.
At that moment, a warm hand gently brushed through its mane.
"I'm here."
Arcanine slowly rested its head upon Austin's lap, closing its eyes.
The warmth of that hand remained.
After a long silence, Arcanine opened its eyes again.
For the first time since Austin had met it, determination had returned to those eyes.
Austin smiled.
"So that's your answer?"
Arcanine rose to its feet.
The wind swept across the hilltop, causing its magnificent mane to sway.
Its eyes were steady.
Its posture was proud.
The retired police Pokémon once again stood like the guardian it had always been.
"Arcanine!"
Austin looked directly at it.
"You want to protect everyone?"
Agni answered without hesitation.
"ArcaNINEE!"
. . .
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