In the dim forest, a Gardevoir stood silently with several Ralts, waiting.

  About a month ago, the forest they lived in underwent a sudden and eerie transformation.

  From the forest's heart came an indescribable presence, an oppressive aura that sted only a moment but was enough to ule every Pokémon in the area—especially the Psychic-type Gardevoir.

  Had it not been for their aral ties to the forest, Gardevoir would have instantly teleported away with her younger siblings.

  And that’s precisely what she had done initially—rushing home with Teleport to gather her Ralts siblings.

  As for her Galde brother?

  He’d manage. Probably.

  But for various reasons, they hadn’t been able to leave immediately. Troubled by this growing uhey stayed a while longer.

  It wasn’t long before the forest began to die.

  Starting from the tral spring, “death” quietly spread.

  Trees turned an ashen gray and withered, crumbling to powder at a mere touch. The ground cracked and became barren, while the once-clear spring transformed into a stagnant, turbid pool.

  The Pokémon residihe ter visibly aged at an arming rate.

  Within just days, those closest to the source became frail and decrepit. Muscles atrophied, bones weakened, and even minimal movement inflicted severe damage upon their bodies.

  Fleeing wasn’t an option—they could only lie helplessly, waiting for death to cim them.

  Their clouded eyes reflected no trace of hope or will to live.

  Galde had witnessed all of this firsthand during his reaissance.

  That moment, he wholeheartedly agreed with his sister’s initial instinct.

  We should have fled this pce ages ago!

  Luckily, their home on the forest's outskirts had spared them from the worst effects.

  Even so, fatigue weighed heavily on Gardevoir and her siblings. Their psychic prew dull, and their internal energy became sluggish and unresponsive.

  Given time, they, too, would succumb to the same fate as those at the forest's ter.

  Determio protect his family, Galde had quickly whisked his siblings away from their long-time home.

  Leaving behind the memories of their years there ainful, but their lives were far more valuable.

  You rebuild a home, but there’s no ing back from death.

  “Galde!”

  A sudden ripple in the air heralded Galde’s arrival in front of Gardevoir.

  “Sis?”

  His psychik reached out, eg their thoughts.

  Galde began reying everything he had observed and the clusions he’d drawn.

  First, his assessment of Natsume: this human seemed trustworthy.

  Not only was Natsume kind, but he also had the resources to care for their family. The Pokémon living on his farm were healthy and thriving.

  Moreover, Natsume wasn’t an ordinary human. There was something about him—an energy within him that resonated deeply with Galde’s Psychises.

  This mysterious energy was the Viridian Force, an innate gift Natsume had struggled to trol in his youth. Back then, it had made him a mag for Pokémon, much like a walking treasure trove.

  Even now, Natsume was still like ip to certain Pokémon. The neighbmeow, for instance, practically turned feral every time she saw him.

  “I think we should approach him. He seems reliable,” Galde cluded fidently, seated cross-legged.

  Despite being the elder sibling, he had no qualms about deferring to Gardevoir’s judgment.

  After all, his analytical skills left much to be desired.

  Why stress myself when I have aernal brain to do the thinking?

  After a moment of thought, Gardevoir made her decision.

  “We’ll meet him.”

  Even if they ultimately chose not to stay, they could always retreat if necessary.

  This was no small step fardeviven her acute awareness of how humans often coveted her kind.

  To most humans, Gardevoir was irresistible—a bination of power, elegance, and allure.

  Whether they sought strength, beauty, or panionship, there was no reason to reject her species.

  Even for those with astes, the male “Sirknight” form offered its oeal.

  Galde, meanwhile, had always been a little less popur—through no fault of his own.

  It wasn’t about strength or appeara was just human preferences.

  The human psyche truly is a strange and terrifying thing...

  ---

  Unaware of the impending arrival of a “Gardevoir family,” Natsume was busy reviewing his farm's yout.

  Natsume spread out the farm's blueprints, gesturing as he spoke. Beside him stood muscur girl Miss Machamp, who had been overseeing the farm's stru.

  Thanks to her effit work and agreeable nature, Natsume saw o hire another stru team. After all, horror stories about disho tractors were rampant online. He'd even sidered capturing a few Pokémon specialized in stru to hahings himself.

  “Leave it to me!”

  The muscur girl spped her chest with a resounding thud, brimming with enthusiasm. As she took the blueprints, she couldn't help but marvel at Natsume's progress.

  Now, Natsume was even expanding his Pokémon popution, bringing iire families.

  Her own life had transformed alongside the farm's growth. No loeetering on the edge of bankruptcy, she could finally afford small luxuries: Grabbing street snacks without cheg prices, adding sausage and eggs to her instant noodles....

  Just keep w hard! month, maybe I'll myself to something eveer!

  “Work hard, everyone!” she rallied her Machamp crew.

  “Let’s do this!”

  Behihe team of Machamp and other muscur Pokémon raised their fists, their spirits abze with determination.

  Watg this dispy, the shiny Furret lounging by Natsume’s feet gave an approving nod.

  Good energy. Nice!

  Just as Natsume was about to head off to prepare pokéblocks, a Mightyena wearing a red scarf dashed toward him.

  “Woof! Woof!”

  The retly evolved Mightyena skidded to a dramatic stop, wagging its tail as he delivered an urgent message to Natsume.

  Gcell