Every morning when Lucas woke up, the same thought crossed his mind.
The orchard would be ready for harvest in just over a month.
According to Fujiyama’s notes, the Sitrus Berries and Pecha Berries growing on the hillside would ripen between late September and early October.
By his calculations, there was only a little over a month left.
This would be his first harvest since taking over the farm.
He would be lying if he said he wasn’t nervous.
Every one of those fruit trees had been planted by Fujiyama over the course of thirty years.
If he ruined his very first harvest…
He wouldn’t just disappoint the old man.
He wouldn’t be able to forgive himself.
Because of that, Lucas paid special attention to watering the orchard.
The farm’s irrigation system drew fresh spring water from higher up the mountain.
Although Fujiyama’s canals were old, the recent renovations had restored them to perfect working order.
Every morning, Lucas climbed the hillside with Ralts and Bulbasaur.
He walked along the irrigation channels, opening each sluice gate one by one and watching crystal-clear water flow gently into the orchard, nourishing the roots of every tree.
The work wasn’t difficult.
Just time-consuming.
Watering hundreds of trees took up almost the entire morning.
Ralts rested comfortably on his shoulder.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, scattering golden patches across its white body.
Bulbasaur faithfully followed behind him, its four little feet leaving tiny footprints in the soft earth.
It had grown noticeably over the past few weeks.
The bulb on its back had become larger, and the pink petals emerging from it were beginning to show signs of blooming.
Lucas stopped beneath a mature Sitrus Berry tree.
Looking up, he admired the heavy fruit hanging from its branches.
The fist-sized berries had begun turning golden-yellow.
Their smooth skins gleamed under the sunlight, looking plump and juicy.
The weight of the fruit bent the branches downward.
Lucas reached out and gently touched one.
Its skin felt smooth, cool, and firm.
Leaning closer, he caught its sweet, refreshing fragrance.
“It looks delicious…”
He couldn’t help swallowing.
Ralts peeked over his shoulder.
Its crimson eyes fixed on the berry for several seconds before its tiny hand reached toward it.
Lucas quickly caught its wrist.
“Not yet.”
“It’s still not ripe.”
“We can’t waste it.”
“I’ll let you eat one once it’s ready.”
“Will one be enough?”
Ralts tilted its head.
Then slowly shook it.
“Two?”
Another shake.
Lucas sighed.
“Then how many do you want?”
Ralts raised both hands and gestured enthusiastically.
Lucas stared for several moments…
Completely unable to understand what it meant.
Finally…
He gave up.
Bulbasaur, meanwhile, showed almost no interest in the berries themselves.
Instead, it focused entirely on the soil surrounding the trees.
It slowly circled each trunk, gently nudging the earth with its head as though checking its condition.
Lucas soon realized Bulbasaur possessed an incredible instinct for plant care.
It always noticed first when a tree lacked water or when the soil had become too compact.
Sometimes…
Lucas even thought that once Bulbasaur evolved into Venusaur, managing the orchard would become effortless.
As Lucas watered the second row of trees…
The sound of flapping wings echoed overhead.
Looking up…
He spotted three gray birds streaking across the sky.
Their rapid wingbeats carried them swiftly over the orchard.
Squinting into the sunlight, Lucas quickly recognized them.
Taillow.
One of Hoenn’s most common Flying-type Pokémon.
Fast.
Fearless.
Usually traveling in flocks.
They had probably caught the scent of the ripening berries.
“They’re back again…”
Lucas sighed.
This wasn’t the first visit.
Since the previous week, bird Pokémon had frequently been circling above the orchard.
At first…
Only one or two appeared before flying away.
Recently…
Their numbers had steadily increased.
Besides Taillow…
He had also noticed several Pidgey.
Their brown feathers and rounded bodies made them easy to identify.
Unlike Taillow, they flew more quietly and were much harder to notice.
Following Fujiyama’s instructions, Lucas had hung reflective strips throughout the orchard.
Whenever the wind blew, they flashed brightly, scaring away curious birds.
It worked…
For now.
But once the fruit fully ripened…
A few reflective ribbons wouldn’t stop hungry Pokémon.
He would eventually need a better solution.
Just then…
Another set of wings cut through the air.
This time…
The wingbeats were slower.
Heavier.
More controlled.
Lucas looked upward.
Perched atop the tallest tree at the edge of the orchard was a Pokémon much larger than Taillow.
It folded its wings neatly as it balanced on the branch.
Brown feathers.
A cream-colored chest.
Dark-tipped tail feathers.
Most striking of all…
Its amber eyes calmly surveyed the entire orchard with the confidence of an experienced hunter.
Pidgeotto.
Lucas froze.
Water continued pouring from the watering can…
Straight onto his shoes.
He didn’t even notice.
Pidgeotto.
A Pokémon native to the Kanto region.
The evolved form of Pidgey.
Its presence meant there were likely Pidgey nearby…
Or perhaps even a Pidgeot somewhere in the area.
None of that mattered.
What mattered was…
Pidgeot.
A powerful flying Pokémon.
Large enough to carry a person.
Gentle enough to train.
Fast enough to travel anywhere.
Lucas had wanted a rideable Pokémon for days.
Only yesterday he had spent two exhausting hours walking just to purchase a Mareep Egg.
If he had a Pidgeot…
Travel would become infinitely easier.
Besides…
Pidgeot was undeniably cool.
Pidgeotto calmly observed the orchard for several moments.
Apparently satisfied…
It suddenly launched itself from the tree.
Gliding gracefully over the treetops, it landed lightly among the branches of a Sitrus tree.
Its sharp talons grabbed a nearly ripe berry.
Without hesitation…
It pecked a large bite from the fruit.
Lucas’s eyebrow twitched.
“Hey!”
He shouted.
Pidgeotto immediately looked toward him.
The half-eaten berry remained in its beak.
Instead of looking guilty…
It casually took another bite before flying back to its branch.
Ralts immediately jumped from Lucas’s shoulder.
The red horn on its head glowed with pale blue psychic energy.
Confusion was ready.
Bulbasaur lowered its body as well, preparing to attack.
Lucas quickly stopped both of them.
“Wait.”
“Don’t rush.”
“I’ve got an idea.”
Opening the System Store, Lucas browsed to the Flying-Type Pokéblock section.
The basic version cost 100 League Currency each.
The same price as Ralts’ favorite Pokéblocks.
After thinking briefly…
He purchased five.
Choosing a clear area in the orchard…
He placed the first Pokéblock on the ground.
Ten meters farther…
He placed the second.
Then the third.
The fourth.
And finally…
The fifth.
Each one led progressively closer to where he intended to stand.
The last Pokéblock rested less than two meters away beside a flat stone.
Once everything was arranged…
Lucas quietly retreated with Ralts and Bulbasaur to the opposite side of the orchard.
Hidden behind several fruit trees…
They crouched down.
“Now…”
“We wait.”
Ralts extended a little psychic energy, carefully monitoring Pidgeotto’s movements.
Bulbasaur lay quietly beside Lucas like a statue.
Fortunately…
They didn’t have to wait long.
After watching cautiously from the tree…
Pidgeotto finally descended.
Its landing was remarkably graceful.
Barely flapping its wings, it glided silently toward the first Pokéblock.
It studied the strange blue cube.
Then carefully looked around.
Satisfied there was no danger…
It pecked once.
Then again.
And again.
Within moments…
The first Pokéblock disappeared.
Pidgeotto casually walked toward the second one.
This time…
Its movements were noticeably faster.
Its caution had already begun fading.
Hidden nearby, Lucas watched silently.
As Pidgeotto moved closer…
He noticed something interesting.
This individual was larger than an ordinary Pidgeotto.
Its chest was broader.
Its wings noticeably wider.
Clearly…
This wasn’t an average specimen.
If it eventually evolved into Pidgeot…
Its flying ability would likely surpass most others.
One Pokéblock disappeared.
Then another.
Then another.
Finally…
Pidgeotto reached the fifth Pokéblock.
Less than two meters from Lucas.
Completely focused on eating…
It never realized someone was hiding nearby.
Lucas slowly stood.
Pidgeotto instantly froze.
Its amber eyes locked directly onto him.
Its wings spread halfway.
Its body leaned backward.
Ready to escape at any moment.
There was no fear.
Only caution…
And a tiny hint of hesitation.
Because…
It hadn’t finished eating.
Lucas moved very slowly.
Reaching into his pocket…
He removed another Pokéblock.
He had secretly purchased an extra one.
Holding it open in his palm…
He allowed its sweet aroma to drift through the air.
Pidgeotto looked at the Pokéblock.
Then at Lucas.
Then back again.
Its wings remained partially spread.
But…
It didn’t fly away.
“Come here.”
Lucas spoke softly.
His calm voice resembled someone gently calling a trusted companion.
At that moment…
Ralts stepped out from behind him.
It walked to Lucas’s side before looking directly at Pidgeotto.
Then…
It let out a gentle cry.
Soft.
Clear.
Almost conversational.
Pidgeotto looked down at Ralts.
Ralts cried again.
Longer this time.
Its tone rose and fell naturally.
Although Lucas couldn’t understand Pokémon language…
He could guess what Ralts was trying to say.
Especially after it rubbed affectionately against his leg before glancing toward the Pokéblocks.
The meaning seemed obvious.
My Trainer has plenty of delicious food.
Pidgeotto slowly relaxed.
Its wings lowered slightly.
Lucas crouched and gently placed the Pokéblock on the ground.
Then…
He stepped backward.
Ralts and Bulbasaur followed.
Leaving enough space for Pidgeotto to feel safe.
Pidgeotto hopped down from the stone.
Approached carefully.
And began eating.
This time…
It finished the Pokéblock much faster.
Almost as though gathering courage.
When it was done…
It looked directly at Lucas.
Its expression clearly asked one question.
Any more?
Lucas smiled.
He quietly placed another Pokéblock on the ground.
Pidgeotto happily finished that one too.
This time…
Instead of immediately searching for more…
It simply stood there.
Tilting its head.
Studying Lucas.
The caution lingering in its amber eyes gradually faded.
Lucas slowly extended his hand.
Palm upward.
Moving as gently as possible.
His fingers approached inch by inch.
Pidgeotto watched closely.
Its body leaned back slightly.
Yet…
It never retreated.
Lucas’s fingertips finally brushed its soft chest feathers.
They were far warmer than he had imagined.
The cream-colored feathers trembled gently beneath his touch.
Pidgeotto stiffened for a brief moment.
Then slowly relaxed again.
Its breathing quickened slightly.
But it neither fled…
Nor attacked.
Lucas gently withdrew his hand.
Then removed an empty Poké Ball from his belt.
Carefully…
He placed it on the ground between them.
Pidgeotto stared at it.
Ralts cried out once again.
This time…
Lucas understood the meaning even more clearly.
After calling out…
Ralts looked at Lucas.
Then at the Pokéblocks.
The message couldn’t have been more obvious.
My Trainer has lots of Pokéblocks.
Pidgeotto lowered its gaze toward the Poké Ball.
Looked back at Lucas.
Then stared at the Poké Ball once more.
Its wings folded completely.
Its posture relaxed.
For several thoughtful seconds…
It simply stood there.
Thinking.
Finally…
Pidgeotto lifted one claw.
And pressed the button on the Poké Ball.
A flash of red light enveloped it.
The Poké Ball landed gently on the grass.
It shook once.
Twice.
Three times.
Then…
It became still.
Click.
The capture was successful.
Lucas stared at the Poké Ball for a long moment before bending down to pick it up.
Smiling…
He released Pidgeotto once again.
Ralts immediately jumped onto his shoulder, happily crying in celebration.
Bulbasaur let out the loudest, happiest growl Lucas had ever heard.
Their family had just gained a new companion.