That Snivy did not show aggression like the Minccino, nor did it turn and run in fear like the Deerling.
It stood behind the snow-covered tree, looking at Draconis for a long time.
It wasn't until Draconis opened his mouth, about to say something, that the Snivy seemed to finally come back to its senses.
It took one last look at Draconis, then silently turned and quickly disappeared into the forest.
"Wait!"
Draconis's outstretched hand stopped in mid-air.
But that Snivy was very agile; in the blink of an eye, it was gone.
Draconis: "..."
Snivy!
He hadn't expected that a Pokémon like Snivy would inhabit this place!
Dratini's growth speed was too slow. During this time, Draconis had been thinking about whether he should first find a fast-growing Pokémon, similar to Ash's Butterfree, to help him through the early stages.
But he had never been able to find a suitable Pokémon.
Although Cryogonal and Piloswine also inhabited the vicinity, they were clearly not suitable for beginners.
And now, his desired target had appeared!
Snivy, the Grass-type starter of the future Unova region, has a gentle disposition, moderate growth speed, and after its three stages of evolution, Serperior possesses an extremely high potential.
It was simply the perfect partner for a beginner!
But there was currently a problem.
That Snivy had run away... Draconis walked to where the Snivy had just stood, his gaze fixed in the direction it had just left.
That was the deep part of the forest.
Although his heart was filled with excitement at the appearance of Snivy, Draconis was not carried away by it.
"Entering the deep forest alone to search for Snivy would be a bit too irrational," Draconis fell into contemplation.
As far as he knew, unless there were special circumstances, most Pokémon would always stay within a fixed area.
They would almost never leave this place to move to other areas, because doing so would very likely intrude on other Pokémon's territory and be attacked as an invader.
This also meant that there was a high probability that this Snivy was still in this area.
As long as it didn't go too far, he would eventually be able to see Snivy again.
"Perhaps I can also ask the Minccino about Snivy's whereabouts."
Thinking this, Draconis returned to the tent.
However, as soon as he entered, he saw an astonishing scene.
The originally somewhat dirty tent was now exceptionally clean, tidy, and bright; some places even glowed!
And the five Minccino were now scattered throughout the tent, diligently helping to clean with their fluffy tails.
"W-what's going on?" Draconis couldn't help but ask aloud.
"Woo..." Dratini curled up on a thoroughly cleaned table, a pitiful expression on its face.
Draconis: "?"
Why did Dratini look like it had been ostracized?
However, the next second, he knew what was going on.
One of the Minccino had already cleaned up to his side.
Looking at the carpet he had dirtied, the Minccino let out a disgusted Growl: "Minccino!"
It pushed Draconis with its small hand. Draconis moved aside, thinking that Dratini was probably also driven onto the table in the same way.
Then, that Minccino began to meticulously clean the dirty carpet.
It wasn't until the area was Refresh that the Minccino's face showed a satisfied expression.
It wiped the sweat from its forehead with its small paw and let out a long sigh: "Minccino~!".
Finally, everything was cleaned!
If nothing unexpected happened, they would spend this cold winter in this place.
They couldn't let this place stay dirty.
Their nest must be the cleanest and tidiest place in the world!
Draconis: "..."
So, these Minccino were disgusted by his tent being too dirty?
However, after their cleaning, the entire tent did become much cleaner.
The five Minccino jumped onto Draconis's bed. That was the softest and warmest place in the entire tent, so, from now on, this would be their nest!
Draconis took the opportunity to glance at the information of one of the Minccino.
[Pokémon: Minccino]
[Type: Normal]
[Gender: Female]
[Ability: Technician]
[Moves: Tail Whip, Pound, Baby-Doll Eyes, Swift, help, Tidy Up]
[Friendship: 30 (Max 100, can exceed max under special circumstances.)]
[Pokémon History: Kingdom Year 145, Minccino was born.]
[Kingdom Year 148, Minccino was invited to temporarily join Draconis's territory.]
These five Minccino, plus the six Magikarp he had raised before, brought the number of his Pokémon subjects to 18.
This was already a very exaggerated number.
"Minccino?"
The Minccino looked at Draconis.
Draconis cleared his throat, smiled, walked over, and sat on the edge of the bed, saying:
"By the way, Minccino, I have something I want to ask you."
The Minccino's face showed a puzzled expression.
"Minccino?"
"Do you know a Pokémon called Snivy? It's green, like a small snake," Draconis asked.
"Minccino...?" Hearing this, the Minccino looked thoughtful.
Soon, one of the Minccino gave an answer: "Minccino!"
Seen it? Draconis raised an eyebrow and asked again: "Does it also live in this area, like you?"
The Minccino nodded its little head: "Minccino!"
Doesn't that mean that the Snivy's home was also cut down by them?
Different Pokémon react differently to such situations.
Minccino would fight to protect its home, Deerling would choose to flee out of fear, so what choice would Snivy make?
Draconis felt a bit guilty. As things stood, he could only try his best to compensate these Pokémon in his own way, helping them get through this cold winter.
Putting aside whether to catch it or not, if Snivy was willing, Draconis wouldn't mind letting it join the territory as well, and help it rebuild a berry forest as a new "home" next year.
*
On the first night of joining the human territory, the Minccino slept exceptionally soundly.
Orange-red charcoal fire burned inside the tent; there was no wind, snow, or bad guys here.
At this moment, all five Minccino were huddled on Draconis's bed, surrounding him and Dratini in the middle.
Looking at the Minccino sleeping on his head, on the blanket, by his feet, and on his stomach, Draconis couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.
"...Are you sure you're not too crowded?"
"Minccino~?" Not crowded at all?
The Minccino only felt extremely comfortable, and when they were in the tree hollows before, they all kept warm by huddling together!
Draconis: "..."
Oh well, considering they helped clean, he would allow them to sleep on his head.
However, it had to be said, being surrounded by warm, fluffy Minccino really felt quite warm.
"Dratini, sleep!" Draconis stroked Dratini's head and said softly: "Sleep!"
Nestled in Draconis's warm embrace, Dratini quickly fell into a peaceful, deep sleep.
"Swish swish!"
In the night, two Vine Whips shot out from below, wrapping around a thicker branch.
Snivy used the momentum to reach the tree. It stood above, looking down at the human territory below, where specks of fire glowed.
"Snivy..."