Pokémon: Farm Story

On a sunlit country road, an aged bus trundled slowly along the dusty path.

In the nearby fields, curious Poochyenas occasionally poked their heads out, their twitching noses catching unfamiliar scents in the air, their attention drawn to this creaky, ancient bus that seemed to have traveled this road for decades.

Overhead, Pidgeys spread their wings wide, basking in the sunlight.

The villagers working in the fields, noticing the Poochyenas' behavior, briefly glanced at the bus. However, they quickly lost interest, as if a passing stranger was hardly worth their attention.

Maybe a newcomer had arrived, but he didn't have the time to care about such things now.

With the harvest season in full swing, his focus was entirely on the crops.

If there really were outsiders, news would spread quickly in this small town.

After all, nothing much ever happened here.

Inside the bus, a boy named Natsume gazed silently out the window, watching the scenery pass by.

If everything went as expected, this small town would be where he'd spend the next several years of his life.

A few months ago, Natsume unexpectedly learned that he had inherited a farm from an uncle he'd barely met.

For Natsume, who had lived in this world for 18 years, it was a startling turn of events.

His previous life as an overworked corporate drone was one thing, but even in this life, his family situation could hardly be called harmonious.

If anything, he was practically alone in the world.

An engineer father and a breeder mother had tragically passed away during their honeymoon, leaving Natsume to fend for himself.

This kind of backstory would make him a top-tier antihero in any dystopian universe.

"We've arrived," came the creaking voice of the elderly driver as the bus screeched to a stop at a crossroads.

Disembarking, Natsume looked around in slight bewilderment, clutching an incubator holding a Pokémon egg while a crossbody bag hung over his shoulder.

He seemed completely out of place amidst the rustic scenery.

Just as Natsume was about to take out his phone, an elderly yet energetic voice called out:

"Are you Natsume?"

Turning around, Natsume saw a lively old man with white hair standing at the crossroads.

"Yes, that's me. And you are?"

The old man, accompanied by a Mr. Mime, smiled warmly and replied, "I'm the mayor of this town. Your farm isn't far from here. I'll take you there."

After pulling out his phone and comparing Natsume's appearance to a photo, the mayor confirmed his identity with a cheerful grin.

Natsume quickly stepped forward. "Thank you so much for the trouble."

"It's no trouble at all," the mayor waved dismissively, his friendly smile never faltering.

"I've heard a bit about your situation. You've been through a lot, haven't you? Don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything. Though the farm's been abandoned for a while, it should still be livable."

The mayor chatted nonstop as they walked, his Mr. Mime occasionally chiming in with expressive gestures.

Maybe it was just a trait of the elderly—once they started talking, their desire to share stories became unstoppable.

Whether it stemmed from years of experience or genuine care for the younger generation, the mayor's words were filled with advice and anecdotes.

Natsume learned a lot along the way, particularly about the state of his inherited farm.

It had been neglected for years due to his uncle's failing health. In its later years, the farm had been left to grow wild, practically indistinguishable from the surrounding wilderness.

"If anything," the mayor remarked with a chuckle, "the wilderness might even look a bit better."

'Why does this feel like I'm heading into a detective novel?' Natsume mused. 'Then again, I've never heard of a certain pint-sized detective bringing misfortune to his relatives.'

Brushing off his wandering thoughts, Natsume refocused on the mayor's words.

"I must say, I'm surprised you're willing to take on the farm," the mayor said. "Young people these days all dream of becoming famous Pokémon Trainers, chasing adventure and glory. Even those with family businesses rarely stick around."

"I considered becoming a Trainer at first, but in the end, I decided to take over the farm."

Natsume offered a small smile, choosing not to elaborate further.

Here's the truth: becoming a Pokémon Trainer is expensive. Extremely expensive.

The cost of Pokémon food, training facilities, medical care—it all adds up to an overwhelming expense.

While Natsume had some savings, it wouldn't last long if he pursued a Trainer's path. And success was far from guaranteed.

Becoming a strong Trainer required not just money but also exceptional Pokémon.

Sure, people liked to say, "There are no bad Pokémon, only bad Trainers," or point out how Giovanni's Beedrill was incredibly powerful.

But in reality, under equal training and resources, a Dragonite would utterly dominate a Beedrill.

Taking over the farm, on the other hand, felt far more practical and reliable.

Beyond that, the decision also reflected Natsume's own personality.

Once the farm was up and running, he could enjoy a relaxed life, maybe even travel the world.

It didn't sound so bad.

And why was Natsume so confident he could restore the farm? He had his reasons.

"We're here," the mayor said as they stopped at a fork in the road.

Following the mayor's gaze, Natsume saw…

A desolate landscape overgrown with weeds and scattered with jagged rocks.

Even the local Rattatas seemed to avoid the area.

Though he'd braced himself for the worst, the sight still left Natsume momentarily stunned.

"Don't be discouraged," the mayor said, trying to reassure him. "The original layout is still intact, at least."

Beside him, Mr. Mime gestured enthusiastically, as if trying to stage a comedic pantomime to lighten the mood.

To be honest, even the mayor felt a bit awkward.

For a young man, this would be a tough sight to face—a scene as disheartening as declaring your love for a celebrity one day, only for them to announce their engagement the next.

"It's fine, Mayor. I came prepared for this," Natsume replied, snapping out of his daze.

While the situation was a bit unexpected, Natsume remained confident.

"Come on out, everyone."

With a tap on his Poké Balls, three brilliant beams of light erupted, and three figures emerged.