In i’s arms, a tiny Pokémon, bearing a striking resemblance to Phione—roughly 70% similar—waved at Natsu, as if greeting him.
At the sa ti, it casually popped a few Pokéblocks into its mouth.
Munch, munch... this stuff... munch... is actually pretty tasty.
Manaphy—the mythical Water-type Pokémon known as the "Prince of the Sea."
It had two long, antenna-like appendages on its head, ending in small round spheres. Above its large, expressive eyes, two dark markings connected to a yellow dot, and a red gem was embedded in the center of its chest.
Its arms were longer than its body, while its legs were quite short.
According to legend, Manaphy's body was composed of 80% water, making it highly susceptible to environntal changes.
At first glance, Manaphy and Phione both appeared as small, adorable Pokémon. However, unlike Phione—who could arguably be nominated for the title of Weakest Mythical Pokémon—Manaphy was the real deal, a genuine Prince of the Sea.
With a perfectly balanced stat distribution of 100 across all six attributes, Manaphy was a textbook example of a well-rounded fighter.
So Pokémon were called "balanced" because they lacked standout strengths.
Others were called "balanced" because they had no weaknesses.
Additionally, Manaphy possessed an innate, mysterious ability that allowed it to connect with any Pokémon on a deep, emotional level.
Legend had it that in ancient tis, whenever the wrathful god of the sea was enraged, it was always Manaphy who managed to calm its fury.
Perhaps it was this very power that made Manaphy so special.
"Mana!"
Realizing that the Pokémon in her arms wasn’t actually one of the farm’s residents, i gently set Manaphy down on the ground.
Unbothered, Manaphy stretched out its tiny hand toward Natsu.
I’m adorable. Now, give food.
Though it didn’t speak, its intentions were crystal clear.
"Here."
Natsu reached into his pocket and pulled out a sealed bag of Pokéblocks, handing it to Manaphy while observing the mythical Pokémon with curiosity.
So Pokémon ruled over life.
So Pokémon governed ti and space.
And this one? It might just be the god of freeloading. (Cross that out.)
"Mana!"
Accepting the Pokéblocks, Manaphy gave Natsu’s arm a friendly pat.
Kid, you’ve got potential.
It was acting like a seasoned elder.
Well, considering how long it had probably lived, that wasn’t too far from the truth.
"Suo."
What are you eating? Give so!
Just as Manaphy was happily snacking away, a fluffy little head suddenly pushed its way into the scene.
Manaphy nearly dropped its Pokéblocks in surprise.
Turning its head, it found itself face-to-face with Zorua.
Or rather—Zorua's true nature.
Plop.
Dazed, Manaphy let the Pokéblock in its hand fall to the ground.
It looked as if it had just seen sothing incredibly unexpected.
"Mana!"
"Suo suo."
"Mana?"
"Suo."
The two tiny Pokémon stared at each other with wide, mischievous grins, their eyes shining with excitent.
With a sly smile, Zorua leaned in close and began whispering sothing to Manaphy.
"Do they... know each other?"
Still recovering from the shock of identifying Manaphy with her Pokédex, i now found herself watching the two as they chatted like old friends.
They stuffed their faces with Pokéblocks.
They chugged juice made from freshly picked berries.
The scene was oddly surreal.
"I guess they do."
Natsu had suspected they might be acquainted, but he hadn’t expected them to be... drinking buddies?
Forgive him for using that phrase, but that’s exactly what they looked like right now.
Honestly, if soone told him these two had once road the streets together as a mischievous phantom thief duo, he’d probably believe it.
The energy was exactly like those classic ani duos who reunite after years apart.
"Suo suo."
After polishing off an entire bag of Pokéblocks, Zorua trotted over to Natsu, its tail wagging happily.
Following behind was Manaphy, staring at Natsu with a look of mild suspicion—almost as if it were evaluating him.
"Suo suo."
According to Zorua, Manaphy had simply left its Sea Temple to wander around out of boredom.
Coincidentally, it had been born around that ti, so it had instinctively followed a familiar feeling all the way here.
No hidden motives or grand reasons—just a casual post-nap stroll.
It planned to hang around the farm for a while.
And, of course, it would pay for its room and board.
"Mana!"
Manaphy nodded firmly in agreent.
Though it still harbored so doubts about Zorua’s story, it was an old friend—so it chose to trust first, and question later.
"I see..."
Looking at Manaphy, Natsu found himself feeling a little dazed.
"What exactly did you just say to it?"
Nothing at all!
Zorua tilted its head, eyes filled with an innocent and blissfully ignorant look, as if saying, "I'm just a little fox, I don’t understand what you’re talking about."
Truth be told, Manaphy’s sudden arrival left Natsu feeling a bit at a loss.
After a mont of thought, he turned his gaze back to Zorua.
Now that it was confird Manaphy had no ill intentions, the solution was quite simple.
"Zorua, you're in charge of looking after Manaphy."
"Suo?!"
?
Are you serious, my friend?
Zorua's face was a perfect display of disbelief.
You want , a baby who still needs help with als, to take care of soone else?
You must be joking.
"Don’t worry, I believe in you, Zorua."
Natsu patted Zorua’s furry little head, signaling his confidence, before turning away to handle other matters.
That left Zorua and Manaphy standing there, staring at each other.
"Suo?"
How about I show you your kids?
Zorua tentatively suggested.
"Mana."
No thanks, what's so interesting about that?
Manaphy flatly refused.
It had far too many children—so many that it couldn't even keep count.
After all, this was the Pokémon responsible for turning Phione into an entire species.
Once again, soone really needs to investigate Manaphy’s personal life. (Redacted.)
So, technically speaking, despite its small and cute appearance, was Manaphy actually a... seasoned mother?
Cough cough. Best to skip that topic.
---
After preparing a nutrient-rich al for the Ampharos and Flaaffy herds and promising to shear their wool in the evening, Natsu led i toward the farm’s entrance.
As for the group of Ghost-type Pokémon that Hisuian Zorua had ntioned earlier, Natsu figured it was worth checking out.
People often say that all Pokémon are inherently kind.
But when it cos to Ghost-types, that sentint might not always apply.
Many Pokédex entries for Ghost-type Pokémon contain words like grudges, death, revenge, and other ominous terms.
The origins of most Ghost Pokémon weren’t exactly pleasant.
To be blunt, they were often downright tragic.
Legend has it that in the beginning, Ghost Pokémon were extrely rare.
Most of them were once powerful Pokémon who, upon death, beca Ghost-types due to lingering regrets.
Because of their formidable strength in life, these reborn Ghost-types were equally powerful in death.
This is what we call Pokémon reincarnation.
But over ti, ordinary Ghost Pokémon started appearing.
They weren’t as powerful as their ancient counterparts, but their fighting style was unpredictable and eerie.
Many inexperienced trainers found themselves tornted by them.
Even veteran trainers had to be on high alert when facing Ghost-types.
By the modern era, however, the overall power level of Ghost Pokémon had skyrocketed.
According to so researchers, this was due to modern humans carrying more resentnt and negative emotions than any other era in history.
As a result, Ghost Pokémon no longer needed to scare people to grow stronger.
Just hanging around an office building was enough to make them level up.
This is the natural advantage of being a Ghost Pokémon.
"Absol, Mightyena, and Ogerpon."
"You three, co with ."
After searching the farm, Natsu realized that among the Pokémon with decent strength and relatively reliable personalities, the only real option was Mightyena—the older brother of the pack.
As for Absol?
Sure, its strength was solid.
But its personality was... questionable.
This guy was gradually turning into a full-fledged husky.
If Corviknight was the husky of the skies, then Absol was just a straight-up husky.
Most of the ti, its frustrating antics were masked by its cool and aloof exterior.
It looked dignified and serious, but its brain?
A total ss.
"Absol!"
Leaping gracefully from the bushes, Absol shook off the leaves clinging to its fur and gazed at the fallen autumn leaves on the ground.
"Ah, autumn is here."
"Which ans winter isn’t far behind."
Everyone knows that out of the four seasons, sumr and winter feel the longest, while spring and autumn pass by in a blink.
For most wild Pokémon, winter was an incredibly tough season.
The cold was one problem.
The scarcity of food leading to intense territorial conflicts was another.
But now?
That has nothing to do with anymore.
I’m a trainer’s Pokémon now!
And I secured this gig all on my own! (Proud face.)
"Woof!"
Following closely behind was Mightyena, a red scarf tied around its neck.
Unlike most Pokémon, it carried itself with a calm and steady deanor.
Strange, considering its father had completely devolved into a brainless goofball who spent his days rolling around the farm and chasing butterflies.
Even Natsu found it baffling.
Mightyena’s mother? Utterly disappointed.
But the older brother?
Completely different.
It hadn’t inherited any of its dad’s dumb genes.
Perhaps this was what people ant by "filtering out the bad and keeping the good."
Looking at Mightyena’s commanding presence, Natsu couldn’t help but feel a little nostalgic.
Originally, he had given Mightyena the red scarf just as a simple reward—a way to recognize the smartest and most obedient pup of the litter.
But after a while, he realized sothing.
This scarf-wearing Mightyena looked very familiar.
Then it hit him.
Back in the day, one of his favorite gas featured a pet called "Guardian Hound."
It had the exact sa look.
Damn, ti flies.
One mont, you’re a kid playing gas.
The next, you’re standing here reminiscing about it.
Finally, the last one to arrive—Ogerpon.
It hopped excitedly onto the scene, still wearing the mask Natsu had given it.
Over ti, Natsu had bought many different masks for Ogerpon.
Partly as gifts.
Partly to satisfy his own shopping addiction.
Sotis, Natsu just got an overwhelming urge to buy things.
Coins, quirky toys, fancy tea sets he’d never use, random desk decorations—
He wanted all of them.
But if it was for himself?
He’d find every excuse not to buy it.
And if he did buy sothing, it’d be the cheapest option possible.
But if it was for soone else?
Now that was a different story.
Like recently, when he bought i a ton of things.
Shoes, clothes—you na it.
Basically, anything he had seen before and thought "i might need this soday," he bought.
And i?
She did the sa for him.
Lately, everything Natsu wore was sothing i had bought.
Shirt, jacket, pants, shoes—
His entire outfit today?
i-picked.
Neither of them minded this arrangent.
For both of them, it was the first ti receiving thoughtful gifts from soone of the opposite gender.
It felt... kinda nice.
When Natsu first bought i a gift, there was an indescribable feeling in his chest.
Sothing stirring inside him.
But let’s not dwell on that.
Lifting Ogerpon up by its tiny armpits, like picking up a baby, Natsu grinned mischievously.
Sotis, cute things just make you want to ss with them.
Especially when their little legs flailed helplessly in the air.
It was hilarious.
"Uhmah! Uhmah!"
Ogerpon flailed its stubby arms at Natsu in protest.
"Alright, alright. I’m counting on you today."
"Uhmah!"
Once set back on the ground, Ogerpon patted Natsu’s leg in reassurance.
Pfft. A bunch of Ghost Pokémon?
I’ll wreck them myself!
"i, do you want to co along and take a look?"
Natsu was a rather reserved person who often preferred quietly doing things on his own.
anwhile, whenever i saw him engrossed in sothing, she would simply stay by his side, quietly accompanying him.
She never asked too many questions, nor did she interfere or give unsolicited advice.
And whenever Natsu needed to vent or share his thoughts, she always listened with patience.
"Ah, I don’t have any issues with that," i resp
onded after thinking for a mont.
Her current team didn’t include any Pokémon particularly adept at dealing with Ghost-types, but if it ca to a regular battle, she figured she’d be able to hold her own just fine.
"Alright then, let’s head out."
"I’m counting on you to keep safe, smart, handso, and incredibly strong Natsu!"
"But of course, my gentle, beautiful, and ever-so-understanding i.”
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