The residents of the territory moved with hurried steps. Even without much life experience, anyone could tell from this sight: a blizzard was coming.
For days now, everyone had been working day and night at the logging site.
Thanks to their combined efforts, the construction of the wooden houses was nearly complete, only a few remained unfinished before the project would be done.
Inside his tent, Lucien sat and issued orders to Elif.
"Elif, spread the word. Have everyone pick up the pace. And what about food, how has gathering gone these past few days?"
Elif bowed slightly. "In addition to the black bread, white bread, ham, and smoked meat we already stored, the people have gathered a good amount of tree fruit and wild berries.
"And with your Dratini and Snover helping, the warehouse now holds a large supply of frozen fish. Some have even begun smoking them to extend storage time.
"With what we've put away, we have more than enough to survive the winter."
"That's good." Lucien let out a quiet sigh of relief.
"The temperature is dropping again. Since we have enough food, send the foraging teams to help collect firewood. Before the blizzard hits, we must gather enough logs for warmth."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
As for Fire-type Pokémon, the only one nearby was a powerful Ninetales. With their current strength, they could only put that plan aside for now.
The other Pokémon would have to wait until winter passed and spring returned.
Lucien continued planning aloud:
"Also, have Lila prepare herbs for treating frostbite and fevers, so no one falls ill in this cold."
"Understood, Your Highness!" Elif replied, then hurried from the tent to carry out the orders.
"Li-li-li…"
In front of the tent, five Minccino huddled together, their eyes fixed nervously on the sky.
Pokémon senses were always sharper than those of humans. The moment the weather began to shift, they felt it.
Now, worry and unease were written all over their little faces.
"Li-li-li…"
The Minccino were panicking.
By instinct, before winter came, they would normally store up plenty of food to see them through the cold.
But this year was different. Their home had been cut down, and in all their time with Lucien, they had never once seen him bring food back with him.
One Minccino tried to ask Lucien directly, but gave up, he couldn't understand them.
'Could it be that this human didn't have the habit of storing food?'
The Minccino grew even more anxious.
"Li-li!" 'If that was the case… wouldn't they starve?'
The five Minccino grew more and more uneasy until one suddenly remembered something.
"Li-li-li!"
Back in autumn, hadn't they stashed away a huge supply of chestnuts, acorns, and tree fruit deep in the forest?
"Li-li-li!" another chimed in, recalling it too. They had hidden it all inside a stone cave.
With that reminder, the others nodded vigorously.
Without hesitation, the five Minccino dashed off into the snow, racing toward the stone cave.
Before the blizzard arrived, they had to bring all those chestnuts and berries back!
And so, as Lucien stared in amazement, the five Minccino dashed off into the snow, their small figures quickly vanishing from sight.
Lucien blinked. "Huh?"
"Where did they run off to?" he asked Dratini.
"Woo…" Dratini tilted its head, unable to answer.
Just then, a voice called from outside the tent, asking permission to enter.
A freckled, short-haired girl stepped inside, her face tight with worry.
Lucien recognized her at once, it was Megan, the girl he'd tasked with looking after the six Magikarp.
"What is it, Megan?" Lucien asked.
"Your Highness…" Megan hesitated. "The weather's been so cold lately. The pond keeps freezing over every day. I'm worried the Magikarp might freeze too. Could I… could I bring them home for the winter, and return them to the pond once the season passes?"
Lucien raised an eyebrow in surprise.
It seemed that after so much time caring for them, this girl had truly grown attached to the six fish Pokémon.
She wasn't entirely correct, though. While the surface of the water might freeze in winter, the temperature beneath the ice remained relatively stable. The Magikarp would be fine.
Still, Lucien was delighted to see one of his people forming a bond with Pokémon. He nodded. "Of course. But remember, they can't stay out of water for long."
Megan's eyes lit up as she heard his approval. "Yes, I know! My brother helped me build six wooden troughs, one for each Magikarp!"
Megan's family had recently been given a wooden house, where she lived with her older brother, Chris.
"In that case," Lucien said warmly, "I'll leave the Magikarp in your care."
"Thank you so much, Your Highness!" Megan bowed deeply before hurrying out with a bright smile.
Lucien couldn't help but grin as he watched her leave.
It was a small thing, but meaningful. Perhaps, under Megan's care, those Magikarp might one day evolve into mighty Gyarados.
After all, miracles like that were nothing unusual in the world of Pokémon.
A while later, however, the Minccino still hadn't returned.
Lucien frowned, rising to his feet as worry crept in. He was just about to step outside to search for them.
But when Lucien and Dratini reached the place where the Minccino had been seen, Dratini suddenly stiffened. The little dragon turned its head sharply, staring off into the trees.
"Hm?"
Lucien crouched down. "What is it, Dratini?"
Following Dratini's gaze, Lucien spotted a familiar silhouette half-hidden behind a snow-covered trunk.
His eyes widened. "That's… Snivy?"
The Grass Snake Pokémon tensed, and the instant it realized Lucien had noticed, it darted as if to flee.
"Wait, Snivy!" Lucien called out.
The little Grass-type froze, turning its head slightly, its crimson eyes meeting his.
Lucien jogged forward, careful not to seem threatening. "Snivy, the Minccino told me you live here too. I'm… sorry we destroyed your home when we settled here."
He took a breath, voice soft but urgent. "A blizzard's coming. It'll be dangerous to stay out in the wild. You're a Grass-type, and even though you don't hibernate, winter will sap your strength and make you vulnerable."
Dratini coiled at his side, nodding quietly in agreement.
Lucien spread out his hands. "So why not join us? Spend the winter in our territory. Next spring, I promise I'll help you plant a new fruit orchard. A new home… just for you."
Snivy hesitated. It gave Lucien one last unreadable look, then flicked its tail and vanished into the trees with effortless grace.
Lucien stood there, stunned. "..."
Why did Snivy always run at the last moment, yet keep reappearing nearby?