Pokémon: Farm Story

A couple of minutes later, another pair of eyes joined the rooftop spectators.

Apart from the Slakoth-like Buneary, which had dozed off in its nest and couldn't be dragged out even after two tries, and the Pokémon that claimed their own territories outside, every member of Natsume's household had gathered on the second-floor terrace, intensely observing the spectacle below.

Each had their own commentary on the scene:

• Buneary: "Looks like it's trying hard."

• Persian: "Zero points. Already exposed."

• Butterfree: "Five points for bravery."

• Corvisquire: "Not even half as good as me."

The Pokémon below, still painstakingly sneaking forward, had no idea that its so-called "stealth mission" had long been noticed.

(Sidenote: These covert operations tend to end in chaotic group confrontations, don't they?)

"Woof!"

After a seemingly endless "stealth approach," the small figure finally reached the pile of junk and eagerly turned its attention to the glass marbles within.

Thanks to the moonlight being blocked by clouds, the marbles had lost their previous luster and allure, looking like nothing more than ordinary, cheap toys you'd find discarded by the roadside.

Even so, the small figure's eyes sparkled as if beholding the most precious treasures in the world.

"Woof!"

With a trembling paw, it reached for the marbles, savoring the moment. Time seemed to stretch infinitely long, even for Natsume and the others watching from above, holding their breath.

Finally—

"Woof!"

Cradling a few glass marbles, the tiny figure looked as though it held the most valuable treasure in existence. The glimmer in its eyes outshone the marbles themselves.

"Woof-woof~"

Hugging its hard-won "treasure," the small Pokémon spun around in joyous circles. A faint melody of delight seemed to drift in the wind, a clear testament to its excitement.

Even the moon, once hidden behind clouds, shyly peeked out, casting its soft glow over the scene.

Under the moonlight, the glass marbles regained their brilliance. The little Pokémon hopped with glee, as if it had received the doll it always dreamed of.

However, happiness is fleeting—for humans and Pokémon alike.

The marbles weren't dropped or lost. No, the little Pokémon suddenly realized—it had been spotted.

As moonlight illuminated the ground, shadows took shape, revealing outlines of everything around, including Natsume and his companions.

Frozen in place, the tiny figure slowly turned around like a rusted machine, stiff and hesitant. Its mind, overwhelmed by the realization of exposure, had gone blank.

For a few seconds, it stared at the rooftop figures bathed in moonlight, their sharp gazes seemingly drilling holes into its small frame. Shadowy outlines and eerie red glows flickered in the darkness.

At least, that was Corvisquire's imagination of the scene.

In reality, upon seeing Natsume, the poor Pokémon's mind crashed entirely. No thoughts of escape plans or survival tactics remained—just one overwhelming realization: Oh no, I'm done for.

Its body screamed for action: "Think of something!"

Its brain: "...Program not responding."

After several agonizing seconds, it finally screamed and bolted. Beneath its tattered cloak, stubby legs churned, creating a comically frantic image as it dashed toward the forest.

"Wait!"

Natsume instinctively reached out, but the little figure was astonishingly fast, vanishing into the tree line with just a few strides.

"Squawk!"

"Should I chase it? I can catch up."

Corvisquire, snapping out of its daydreams, eagerly looked to Natsume for the go-ahead. It had already visualized countless scenarios:

• A swift and clean takedown, followed by a cool "You've got a long way to go," before flying off triumphantly.

• A hard-fought victory, leading to a mutual nod of respect, leaving behind an epic silhouette.

• A narrow defeat, only to rally with its teammates, shouting, "Never underestimate our bond!" as it unlocked its hidden power to emerge victorious.

The last scenario—getting crushed outright—was, of course, excluded.

But Natsume crushed Corvisquire's enthusiasm with a wave of his hand.

"No need."

Snap.

Somewhere, Corvisquire's dreams audibly shattered.

"It's just a bunch of old marbles. I was going to give them to the kids in town anyway. If it likes them, it can have them."

These were childhood toys. Once, they might've sparked arguments or even ended friendships. Now, they barely mattered.

Natsume suddenly understood why characters in stories reconcile over "lost treasures" in their later years.

"Woof?"

The little figure, now at the forest's edge, noticed no one was chasing it. It hesitated, slowing its steps until it came to a stop just before vanishing into the bushes.

Glancing back nervously, it saw Natsume waving at it.

There was no greed, no anger in his expression—just a calm, amused smile, as though he'd witnessed something delightful.

"Woof…"

After a moment's hesitation, the little Pokémon stepped forward, its body half-hidden in the underbrush. With one final glance, it raised a paw and waved back vigorously before disappearing into the forest.

On the ground where it had stood lay a small object.

Natsume, however, wasn't paying attention to that.

"Was that… a Ogerpon?"

Although it was only a fleeting glimpse, Natsume had clearly seen the Pokémon beneath the cloak.

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