The gentle clatter of hooves on dirt echoed through the hillside path as Ashwin made his way toward Willowbrook Town, with Combee fluttering just ahead and Bounsweet nestled comfortably in a handmade pouch across his chest. The scent of blooming grass, distant orchards, and turned soil filled the air.
The town of Willowbrook came into view as the morning mist faded.
Wooden buildings with ivy-draped balconies flanked a cobbled main road. Children chased Sentret across the square while elderly vendors sold jars of honey and sweetroot extract. A fountain bubbled in the town center, reflecting the warm glint of the rising sun.
A wooden arch greeted him at the entrance:
"Welcome to Willowbrook — Where Care Grows Strong."
[System Alert – New Zone Discovered: Willowbrook Town][Zone Attributes: Farm-Friendly, Herb Growth +5%, Wild Pokémon Friendly][Map Registered – Main Areas Unlocked: General Store, Bulletin Board, Pokémon Center, Seed Exchange, Guild Hall]
Ashwin inhaled deeply. "Feels like I've walked into a Ghibli movie."
He didn't know much about this world's intricacies yet, but if he was going to grow crops, raise Pokémon, and live with purpose, it would start here.
Ashwin made his way first to the Guild Hall, the largest building in town, built from river stone and oak wood. A massive Wyrmwood tree grew behind it, its limbs hanging like a guardian over the village.
Inside, a grizzled man with a thick mustache and weathered hands sat behind the counter, sorting through scrolls and parchments.
"Welcome to the Willowbrook Guild," the man greeted. "Name's Halston, Guild Leader."
"I'm Ashwin. I just started a farm on the Lupine slope."
Halston looked him over with sharp eyes. "New blood's always good. You'll need to register to accept any official quests."
Ashwin nodded.
Halston handed him a small, worn book embossed with the guild's symbol.
[System Notification – Guild Registration Complete][Player Status Updated: Registered Member of Willowbrook Guild][Access Unlocked – Official Quests & Bulletin Board][Guild ID Issued – Status: Novice]
Halston smiled slightly. "Good. The board's out front. Look for quests that fit your skill. Start small."
Ashwin stepped outside to the bustling town square. Near the fountain, a large wooden board displayed several notices.
His eyes caught one in particular:
[URGENT REQUEST] – LOST BIDOOF"Name: Nibble. Friendly, round, and a bit dim. Last seen waddling toward the forest river path."Please contact Guild Hall or Granny Mira. Reward offered.
[Reward: 80 Gold + Reputation Boost]
He paused. A simple task, but something about it tugged at him.
Ashwin touched the guild book in his pocket and spoke quietly, "Let's do this."
Back inside the Guild Hall, Ashwin approached Halston.
"I want to take the lost Bidoof quest."
Halston nodded, pulling out a folded map.
[Quest Accepted – "Nibble the Bidoof"][Objective: Search the Riverpath Woods near Willowbrook][Time Limit: 2 Days][Reward: 80 Gold + 10 Reputation][Bonus Reward: Unknown]
"Granny Mira raised that critter since it was a kit," Halston said gruffly. "If it's lost, better you find it."
Ashwin tucked the map safely into his satchel and made his way toward the town outskirts.
The trail beyond the village was quiet, the canopy growing denser with each step. Birds flitted between branches. A Budew sipped from a nearby puddle and darted away when Ashwin approached.
Combee hovered above, scanning for pollen trails. Ashwin crouched near a patch of crushed grass. He ran his fingers along the dirt—small, rounded footprints.
"Too wide for Sentret… definitely Bidoof," he muttered.
He followed the trail through brush and past a fallen tree, until the gentle gurgle of a river reached his ears.
Then came a soft whimper.
Ashwin turned toward the sound and spotted a huddled brown form half-submerged in the shallow bank—Bidoof, shaking and covered in mud, its fur matted with burrs.
"Gotcha," he said, moving slowly.
Suddenly—
Rustle. Snap.
From the brush leapt a black-and-white blur with a sharp tongue and red eyes: a Galarian Zigzagoon.
It growled protectively and planted itself between Ashwin and the Bidoof, puffing up its fur.
[Wild Pokémon Detected: Zigzagoon (Galarian)][Type: Dark/Normal][Temperament: Territorial][Status: Guarding weakened target][Warning – Attempting retrieval may provoke battle.]
Ashwin raised his hands. "Easy… I'm not here to take your territory. I just want the Bidoof."
Zigzagoon narrowed its eyes but didn't attack. It looked tired—its fur clumped from rain and dirt. A shallow scratch marked its left hind leg.
Ashwin reached slowly into his pouch and pulled out an Oran Berry.
He set it on the ground and backed away.
Zigzagoon sniffed it, warily glanced at Combee, and then devoured it in two bites. Then, with one final growl, it stepped aside and allowed Ashwin to kneel near the Bidoof.
"Come on, buddy. Let's get you home."
[Quest Update – "Nibble the Bidoof": Complete][Reward: 80 Gold, 10 Reputation]
[Wild Zigzagoon shows signs of Affinity due to empathy and feeding][Capture Opportunity Available – Pokéball Use: 1x Basic Pokéball Remaining]
Proceed?
Ashwin looked at the Zigzagoon, which now watched him from a safe distance, still growling softly—but no longer with hostility.
"…You've got guts. And heart."
He tossed the Pokéball gently.
The ball shook once… twice… ding.
[Zigzagoon (Galarian) Captured!][Role: Scout & Stealth-Type][Ability: Pickpocket][Bonus Trait: Night-vision tracking]
[System Notification – Team Slot 4/5 Filled][Synergy Bonus: "Shadow and Soil" – +5% detection of hostile presence during night farm work or raids]
Ashwin smiled as he slung the ball onto his belt and cradled the now-dozing Bidoof.
Granny Mira wept when he returned her Pokémon. The town whispered of his compassion. And Ashwin? He didn't care much for praise.
But when he returned to his farm under twilight, and Zigzagoon sniffed along the fencing to chase off scavenger Rattata while Combee buzzed overhead and Bounsweet danced beneath the orchard saplings...
He felt something new blooming beneath the surface.
Belonging.