Pokémon: Chef Trainer

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"Heath, big bro, the day to receive your starter Pokémon is just around the corner. Are you planning to get one?" Ash munched on a freshly made pancake roll as he posed his question curiously.

"Hm? Me? I don't think I will. I've already caught a Pokémon," Heath replied casually, wiping the griddle with a spatula to remove some burnt batter. He froze for a moment upon hearing Ash's question but quickly smiled and shook his head.

In the past, the idea of receiving a starter Pokémon had seemed impossibly distant to Heath. But now, with his debts paid off, a Farfetch'd in his possession, and his "golden finger" ability in play, Heath's longing for a starter Pokémon had diminished considerably.

"What?! Really? What kind of Pokémon is it? Can I see it?" Ash's eyes lit up with excitement as he leaned forward eagerly.

Heath smiled and took out his Poké Ball. Originally, he intended to release his Pokémon in a normal way, but upon seeing Ash's enthusiasm, he couldn't resist trying something a bit more dramatic.

"It's you! Farfetch'd!" Heath shouted with exaggerated flair as he tossed the Poké Ball in what he considered a cool and flashy manner.

The moment the words left his mouth, Heath regretted it. As a man in his mid-twenties mentally, he found such a declaration incredibly embarrassing. His face flushed slightly as he wondered how Ash could shout similar lines so effortlessly.

"Wow! That was amazing!" Ash clenched his fists, his eyes sparkling with admiration. To him, Heath's Poké Ball throw was nothing short of heroic.

As the light from the Poké Ball faded, a Farfetch'd clutching its signature leek appeared before them, fast asleep.

Bystanders stopped in their tracks, surprised to see a Farfetch'd, a species notoriously rare in the Kanto region. However, their astonishment quickly turned to understanding upon noticing Officer Jenny, who often patrolled near Heath's food stand.

Everyone in the region knew how strictly Kanto protected Farfetch'd. The fact that Heath had been able to capture one meant it must be officially registered with the Pokémon League. Even the infamous Team Rocket would think twice before attempting to steal such a Pokémon, knowing the risks of provoking the League.

Compared to the vast League, Team Rocket was but a minor nuisance. If not for their tendency to operate from the shadows, they might have been wiped out long ago. Interestingly, Team Rocket was notably absent in Viridian City despite their boldness elsewhere in Kanto.

"That was so cool, Heath! You're amazing!" Ash beamed, his face filled with admiration. Heath stroked his chin thoughtfully. Could it be that Ash's later habit of dramatic declarations started here with him?

"Well, of course," Heath replied with a chuckle as he fed a small silver treat to Farfetch'd. The Pokémon woke with a crunching sound, energized and alert. Ash didn't get a good look at what Heath had fed it but assumed it must be some kind of snack.

Heath glanced at Ash approvingly. It seemed hosting Ash had earned him a Silver Bottle Cap, which he promptly used to max out Farfetch'd's defensive stats. While he had hoped for bonuses to speed or attack, it seemed his Farfetch'd was destined for a tanky build.

"Far! Farfetch'd!" Farfetch'd flapped its wings enthusiastically, looking more spirited than ever.

Ash, brimming with curiosity, circled the Farfetch'd like Luffy eyeing treasure. He reached out to pet the Pokémon, but Farfetch'd tightened its grip on its leek, its eyes wary.

Heath quickly intervened, stepping between Ash and Farfetch'd. "Careful! That leek isn't just food—it's also a weapon. Farfetch'd is still new to me, and I don't want it to accidentally hurt you."

"Far!" Farfetch'd gave an enthusiastic nod before shuffling closer to Heath, its behavior almost sycophantic. It wagged its tail feathers as if asking for more snacks, earning an amused smile from Heath.

Watching this display, Heath couldn't help but compare Farfetch'd to a Growlithe. Meanwhile, Ash crouched nearby, inspecting the Pokémon with unbridled curiosity. A species he had only ever seen on the news was now right before his eyes.

As Heath prepared another pancake roll, he sensed something unusual. Turning around, he noticed Farfetch'd watching his every move, leek in hand, as if…

"Are you interested in cooking, Farfetch'd?" Heath asked, intrigued. The Pokémon's posture seemed to suggest it wanted to try making food itself.

"Far!" Farfetch'd nodded enthusiastically and waddled over to the griddle.

Heath raised an eyebrow. Was it really planning to cook?

A Pokémon famous for its culinary taste now wanted to become a chef. The idea felt absurd, yet Heath found it oddly amusing.

"Well, it's just a pancake roll. Why not give it a shot?" Heath stepped aside, allowing Farfetch'd to take over.

As expected, the Pokémon struggled to wield the spatula with its wings. Yet, after some effort, it managed to flip the batter. Heath offered guidance as Farfetch'd worked.

The result? A charred pancake resembling a hockey puck.

Heath stared at the griddle, lost in thought. How had it managed to ruin a simple pancake roll, even with his supervision? Nearby, Ash was laughing so hard his shoulders shook.

[Farfetch'd has made a pancake roll, unlocking the long-term quest: Pokémon Chef.]

 [First step: Train Farfetch'd to create a perfect pancake roll independently. Special rewards await upon completion.]

Heath blinked in surprise. This could trigger a quest? But the term "long-term" made him uneasy. Did this mean he had to train Farfetch'd to become a professional chef? That sounded daunting.

Still, the promise of a special reward was tempting. Heath had noticed his "golden finger" ability often tied rewards to cooking and hospitality. Hosting famous guests like Ash and Giovanni had yielded valuable items, while ordinary customers provided small trinkets.

Looking at the charred pancake and Farfetch'd, who was now tiptoeing away, Heath sighed. This quest would be anything but easy.

"Well, guess we'll make do," Heath muttered, resigned to his fate. What else could he do?

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