The next day.
Unknowingly, more than a month had passed since Lucas began officially planting crops with his new seeds.
It was now mid-February, with less than half a month until the spring break at Naraja Academy. In two days, the date Lucas had agreed on with Geeta would arrive; then, he'd head to Glaseado Mountain to start his mission targeting Hunter J.
So of the crops had already ripened, and with the help of all his Pokémon, the harvest filled up the warehouse previously built by the Machamp Construction Team.
A few days ago, the Machamp team had completed replacing all the fences on the ranch. The new fences not only brought a sense of safety to the weaker Pokémon on the farm but also protected against wild Pokémon outside who weren't able to climb over them.
Having settled the final paynt for the Machamp team, Lucas still had so money left and had begun considering how to expand the farm further.
After deducting the 80,000 PokéDollars spent on the fences, adding the 123,000 from selling fluffy cotton, 50,000 in teacher's salary, and his previous savings, Lucas still had just over 100,000 PokéDollars on hand.
The top priority was fish fry. Currently, only Swampert, Poliwag, Poliwhirl, and Dragonair lived in Thunder Lake, leaving vast areas unused.
Not to ntion, many Pokémon on the farm enjoyed eating fish, and Lucas himself sotis craved carp soup or grilled fish.
He planned to set up a net across the lake to designate separate areas for the fry and the Pokémon, making fishing easier while not disturbing the Pokémon too much.
Next, Lucas intended to expand a small house nearby to serve as living quarters for the Pokémon. As more Pokémon joined the farm, the small cottage was gradually becoming crowded.
The area near the living room fireplace on the first floor was claid by Moltres, with Growlithe sotis joining it or running off to Lucas's room.
Four flowerpots lined up on the third-floor balcony were ho to the Eldegoss and Dolliv.
Comfey and Dachsbun didn't have fixed sleeping spots; they could sleep anywhere in the house. Milcery usually slept in the cupboard, but the main Pokémon team took up much more space.
Ceruledge had its own room, and Serperior, though it liked sleeping in Lucas's room, also had its own space and would return there if it got upset.
Mimikyu was either in the bed or at the headboard, while Luxray liked sleeping beside Lucas's bed, sotis giving up the spot for Dragonite and sleeping by the door instead.
For now, things were manageable, but if more Pokémon joined or so eggs suddenly appeared, the house would definitely be too small.
To prevent that, arranging extra housing for the Pokémon was necessary.
…
Farm Fields.
Lucas gazed at the golden field before him, watching as Growlithe and Dachsbun joyfully ran around. A smile appeared on his face.
Following the other crops, the wheat—nurtured by Dachsbun's fragrant presence—had also fully ripened. Once harvested, it could be processed into flour or brewed into wheat beer using the sprouted seeds.
There were places that could help with these processes, but this ti, Lucas wanted to try making them himself.
Though he was old enough to drink, Lucas wasn't actually interested in alcohol; he just wanted to try brewing so out of curiosity.
His plan was to grind the harvested wheat into flour and make all kinds of noodles and pastries.
After inspecting the wheat field, Lucas moved to the berry tree area. The once-small saplings now had lush branches and leaves. Thanks to the care of several Grass-type Pokémon, it wouldn't be long before they bore fruit.
"Delibird!"
Lucas had planned to check the flower field next, but suddenly, Delibird flew down from the sky, flapping energetically to tell Lucas that a guest had arrived at the farm's entrance—Luxray had sent it to fetch Lucas.
Lucas paused, suddenly rembering he'd arranged with Perrin to take photos today.
Since she'd won awards for photography, her skills should be pretty good. Besides, Lucas didn't know any other photographers and figured it was better to ask Perrin for help.
She seed reliable enough.
"Wow, so this is Lucas's farm? It's pretty big~"
Perrin picked up her cara. Through the lens, she could clearly see the freshly harvested farm and, not far away, a golden wheat field, making her fingers itch to take pictures.
Usually, she photographed Pokémon or people and seldom captured such pure rural scenes. Maybe, just maybe, she could rediscover her lost inspiration here on Lucas's farm.
"Luxray~"
After sending Delibird to call Lucas, Luxray returned, walking with a powerful stride. With its head held high, it looked less like a cat and more like a battle-hardened lion, its aura fully restrained.
Perrin's eyes lit up, and she snapped a picture of Luxray.
There were few Luxray with such bearing—even in Sinnoh! This one was a totally different style from Volkner's, whom she once photographed for the Sinnoh League. To Perrin's taste, this Luxray's aura was spot-on!
Unable to stop herself, Perrin kept pressing the shutter, but couldn't help but wonder: with that Dragonite and this Luxray, was Lucas really just an ordinary farr?
Just then, Lucas arrived at the farm gate, having been called by Delibird. Seeing Perrin frantically posing and photographing the calm Luxray, Lucas was speechless.
How much did she love taking photos? Don't use up all your mory!
But Perrin, as if she could read minds, pulled out a stack of labeled mory cards from her waist pouch and proudly introduced her royal treasury: "A qualified photographer must be prepared with enough mory cards!"
"Oh, and I brought enough batteries to last half a year, even if I get lost in the wild."
Lucas: "..."
Alright, as long as you're happy.
…
"Family portrait?" Perrin followed Lucas into the farm, lowering her cara slightly. "It's an area I've never tried, but I've studied up a bit. Just don't expect too much, okay?"
"After all, I'm in a bit of a slump right now."
She was confident in her composition but couldn't guarantee the pictures would be lively, or capture each Pokémon's personality vividly.
Lucas, unfamiliar with her obsession over her artistic slump and pursuit of photographic quality, found it odd. Wasn't a family portrait just about a warm atmosphere with everyone in the fra?
But Perrin seed to care about sothing else, and since they weren't that close, Lucas didn't pry.
As they walked toward the cottage, with Luxray and Delibird trailing behind, Perrin curiously surveyed the surroundings.
Only after entering did she realize how large the farm really was.
Refocusing, Perrin asked, "For the family portrait, have you decided where you want to take it?"
"For now, I'm thinking in front of the house," Lucas replied, a bit stiffly.
Honestly, he hadn't thought much about where to take the picture and just blurted that out.
Arriving at the cottage, Perrin examined the slightly aged house, stroked her chin, and asked, "Just curious, how many Pokémon do you have, and how many people live on the farm? How many are you planning to squeeze into one photo?"
Lucas was stumped—he'd never really counted his Pokémon.
Counting his main team of six, Growlithe, the Eldegoss, and so on, plus Moltres, he had a total of twenty-six Pokémon!
"Uh, twenty-six Pokémon. As for humans, just ."
After ntally counting several tis, Lucas finally gave the number.
"Just you? That's impressive," Perrin said with a hint of respect. She almost burned out caring for just Noctowl, Leafeon, and Growlithe—Lucas had two dozen different Pokémon to look after.
But having a concrete number helped. Perrin thought for a mont and said, "Could you show around your farm and introduce to your Pokémon? I think there might be a spot here that's even more aningful for a family photo. This house… it still carries the feeling of its previous owner, doesn't it? In my opinion, a family portrait should be taken sowhere that carries mories you created together with your Pokémon."
Lucas was silent for a mont, impressed by Perrin's observational skills. He nodded, "I understand. Let's start the tour from the house."
"You can really feel the lived-in atmosphere. Old, but very cozy."
Walking on the wooden floor, Perrin's cara kept moving. On the first floor were little nests for unknown Pokémon and various old but well-maintained furniture.
Was it her imagination? Sothing seed to be moving in the cupboard outside what looked like the kitchen.
Perrin's cara moved again, this ti focusing on the living room. Was it her imagination, or did she sense a continuous warmth from that area?
The weather was already warm, so why was the fireplace burning?
Or maybe a Fire-type Pokémon was resting in the living room?
"Can I check over there? That's where one of your Pokémon is, right?" Perrin asked.
Lucas followed her gaze. The Pokémon in the living room was likely Moltres.
Since he'd invited Perrin to take the family portrait, Moltres—though lazy and only eating without helping—was still Growlithe's foster parent. It had to be in the photo, and Perrin would find out about it anyway.
Lucas reminded her, "No problem, but be careful; that Pokémon has a bit of a fiery temper."
Perrin nodded. She knew Fire-types could be hot-tempered; as long as she didn't provoke it, she'd be fine.
Stepping lightly, Perrin entered the living room and froze.
What did she see?
The fireplace was unlit, but lying on the rug was a Pokémon with brilliant, leaping flas on its body—its fiery crown marking its identity.
The legendary bird: the bringer of spring to snowy lands, the sacred fla of Kanto—Moltres.
The orange flas on its wings danced with each breath, but Perrin herself barely dared to breathe.
Her mind was in chaos. Even as soone from Sinnoh, she'd heard the tales of Moltres in Kanto. Yet, here the living legend was, calmly resting in the farm of a self-proclaid ordinary farr.
Perrin felt her worldview collapse.
She glanced at Lucas in panic. After he signaled her, she swallowed and carefully backed out of the living room.
On the second floor, clutching her chest, Perrin's heart still hadn't cald. Before she could ask, Lucas explained, "Growlithe was hatched with Moltres's help. It's just staying here for now, so don't stress."
"Is that so…?" Perrin's eyes widened. Was this legendary bird actually kind-hearted, helping hatch Growlithe?
She let out a breath. "That scared —never thought the legendary bird would be here. If this got out in Kanto, it'd cause a sensation!"
A legendary Pokémon living on a farm—even fiction wouldn't dare write this!
Lucas knew Perrin had the wrong idea about Moltres, but he didn't bother correcting her. Smiling, he said, "Let's continue the tour."
Perrin nodded. "Alright."
Lucas showed Perrin around the cottage, introduced the Pokémon staying inside, then led a large group of Pokémon to the fields, lake, and ranch, finally gathering all the Pokémon together.
Perrin witnessed Thunder Lake, ho to Dragonair and Swampert, the vast ranch with Mudsdale and Sawsbuck, and the fields where Comfey and the Eldegoss worked miracles with their grassy terrain.
Then Perrin paused, falling into thought.
She had three options in mind: the sprawling ranch, picturesque Thunder Lake for photos with Water-types, and the golden, unharvested wheat field.
She'd heard Lucas had prepared a flower field for photos, but since the flowers weren't blooming yet, she had to give up on that idea.
After a fierce internal debate, Perrin decided: "Let's go to the wheat field. A golden field at harvest, surrounded by the Pokémon who built this farm with you—I think that's perfect!"
Along the way, she'd heard from Lucas about the Pokémon's contributions. Her intuition told her this was the best choice.
Lucas accepted the professional's suggestion and led all the Pokémon to the wheat field.
Sunlight poured down, making the field shine like a sea of gold. Ripe wheat swayed gently in the breeze, glimring yellow.
Lucas stood with his many Pokémon at the edge of the field. Luxray and Serperior flanked him on either side, with Mimikyu and Milcery perched on his shoulders, and Lucas cradling Delibird in his arms.
The tiny Eldegoss, Dolliv, Dachsbun, Poliwhirl, Poliwag, and Growlithe stood up front.
Dragonair and Dragonite soared overhead, while Ceruledge and Swampert stood guard on the sides like knights.
Even the Sawsbuck and Mudsdale, large as they were, stood out at the back. Moltres, giving face, flew above the wheat field.
Each Pokémon wore a flower crown woven by Comfey, and Lucas's own crown was crafted personally by it.
Every Pokémon's face bead with happiness; their first family photo was a joy, and they looked forward to it with excitent.
Seeing such a heartwarming scene, a smile crept onto Perrin's face. She felt that today, she might finally take a photo that would renew her spirit.
"Say cheese with ~"
"Cheese~"
As the shutter clicked, ti seed to pause—mories captured in a single photograph, preserved in the cara forever.
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