What hatched was a Pokémon resembling a moth larva: its head and upper body covered in thick, fluffy fur, with black claws and a black face, while its lower body was brown like a cicada pupa.
At this moment, it looked just like a burning torch.
The five slightly curved, flame-like antennae at its head constantly absorbed the surrounding fire, and the blazing flames revolved around it like a fiery halo, dazzling like a sun halo dominated by red.
Indeed.
This was the first time a Pokémon hatching on the farm had caused such a commotion.
Everyone stared wide-eyed, slightly shocked by the scene before them—even their breathing became unconsciously cautious.
Nearby, Moltres and Arcanine noticed the rapidly diminishing flames. While marveling at how much fire Larvesta could devour, they also channeled their fire-type energy to release more flames.
Compared to the carefree Arcanine, Moltres was noticeably more cautious. Keeping its divine, rainbow-colored Sacred Fire in check, it carefully released its own flames with some restraint.
Larvesta ate flames for nearly ten minutes before gradually slowing down.
Seeing this, the two Pokémon stopped releasing fire and fixed their gaze on the tightly closed-eyed Larvesta, waiting for its reaction.
Without fire-type Pokémon sustaining it, the burning flames dissipated like rootless duckweed, revealing a charred, raised "little hill."
Lucas took two steps forward and tentatively called out, "Larvesta?"
It was as if his voice had pressed a start button. Larvesta's tightly shut eyes trembled, then slowly opened, revealing a pair of sapphire blue eyes.
It looked around, then faced Lucas and softly cried out.
"Lah?"
Strangely, even without Calyrex, Oranguru, or Moltres translating, Lucas could understand what Larvesta meant.
He smiled and reached out his right hand, saying, "Welcome to this world, Larvesta."
Larvesta stared at him for a moment, then, with its two pairs of little black legs under its body, approached Lucas's outstretched palm and nuzzled it with its head, all under the watchful, slightly wary gaze of Ceruledge.
"Lah~"
What did it feel like? The first sensation was fluffy and warm, just like petting a little lamb.
Even its cry sounded like a lamb.
Lucas silently made a mental note as he gently stroked it.
Staring at Larvesta's face, Lucas felt an odd sense of déjà vu.
From the side, it really did look like Arceus.
If it were a shiny variant, even its eye color would be identical—a little Arceus.
Seeing Lucas interact with Larvesta, Ceruledge breathed a sigh of relief, took a few steps back, and resumed its role as the silent knight.
Nearby, Luxray, who had remained calm and composed throughout, glanced at Ceruledge, the corners of its mouth curving into a slight smile.
Whenever Lucas's safety was at stake, Ceruledge always became overly anxious and alert.
In this respect, Luxray found Ceruledge rather "cute."
Seeing Lucas quickly become close with Larvesta, many Pokémon on the farm couldn't hold back their curiosity.
"Vini~!"
Victini flew over eagerly, hoping to bond with a fellow fire-type and maybe recruit Larvesta as its little buddy, ready to serve at its side.
It had long envied Arcanine and Dachsbun's relationship.
But—having not noticed earlier—now that it approached, Victini was shocked.
Compared to Larvesta, Victini was like a tiny dwarf! How could a boss be shorter than their sidekick?
Victini's previously sunny expression silently crumbled.
"Bonnie…"
Ogerpon was also surprised to see that Larvesta was about the same height as itself, thinking it was its first time seeing a bug-type Pokémon so big right after hatching.
The Pokémon reacted differently, and Lucas also noticed Larvesta's size. Even though it had just been born and wasn't fully grown, counting the antennae, it was already more than a meter tall.
That was longer than his own leg—ridiculous!
After enough petting of the fluffy Larvesta, Lucas tried to shake the front pair of its three pairs of little black claws.
"Mehla~"
Seeing Larvesta enjoying itself, Lucas sighed inwardly again.
It really was like a little lamb.
Larvesta's sudden hatching was unexpected, but it injected new energy into the farm.
Its natural fire-type affinity was excellent. Judging from how much fire it could devour, one could see its extraordinary talent.
Combined with the powerful life force blessed by Calyrex, as a bug-type Pokémon, its constitution was extremely healthy—just like a little Sandshrew.
In a sense, Larvesta was born with a silver spoon in its mouth.
This species of Pokémon was naturally long-lived. Some ruins in Unova still had Volcarona that had survived hundreds of years.
As for Alder's Volcarona, that was a rare case—too many old injuries flaring up at once caused its decline.
Normally, a Volcarona's lifespan would be enough to outlive Lucas and several generations after him.
Perhaps because it had absorbed so much fire and needed time to digest, Larvesta, not shy at all, interacted with Lucas and the other Pokémon for a while before sleepiness overwhelmed it. Its eyelids drooped a few times, and it soon fell into a deep sleep.
Seeing this, Lucas asked Swampert and Mudsdale to fill in the land and then moved Larvesta back to the house where he was still living.
On the equally fluffy carpet, Larvesta clearly slept more comfortably.
Like a fuzzy ball, it lay quietly on the carpet, sound asleep.
Before leaving, Lucas still instructed Oranguru and Calyrex to keep an eye on it. If Larvesta accidentally released uncontrolled flames, the house could be destroyed.
With everything properly arranged, and even a few portions of transitional food prepared for Larvesta, Lucas finally set out with Serperior.
Yesterday, when Tinkatink came to the farm for supplies, she mentioned that Houndoom "Dire Tiger" said they had gathered enough strength and could launch their coup at any time.
However, despite their unwillingness, whether it was Dire Tiger or the Houndoom who had bowed in defeat to the Eevee sisters, neither of the young dogs could match the Houndoom boss.
With the protection of the boss's loyal followers, their best effort was to isolate the boss.
It seemed they would still need Serperior's help.
But that was no real problem. For such a small issue, Serperior didn't even need to act personally.
Lucas wanted to call Arcanine, but had no idea where it went after their last meeting.
He went to Arcanine's usual hangouts but only found Dachsbun, lying belly-up and sleeping soundly without a care in the world.
Lucas could guess why Dachsbun didn't disappear with Arcanine.
Most likely, Arcanine thought Dachsbun's legs were too short to keep up, so it didn't bring it along.
Otherwise, with how clingy Dachsbun was, would it really be napping here?
Staring at Dachsbun for a while, a thoughtful look appeared in Lucas's eyes.
A few seconds later…
He bent down, scooped Dachsbun up, and muttered to himself, "No time left, it'll have to be you."
With that, Lucas tucked the warm, fluffy, bread-scented Dachsbun under his arm and strode toward the farm gate.
Serperior watched from the side: "…"
(￢_￢)
Rolls eyes.
Dachsbun's sleep quality was unbeatable.
It only woke up after Lucas and Serperior met up with Tinkatink.
Looking at the unfamiliar surroundings and sniffing the new scents, Dachsbun's brain lagged for a few seconds before slowly coming back online.
Its glossy, dark brown eyes gazed at Lucas and Serperior. With a big heart, it instantly adapted to the new situation, wagged its tail, and whined for Lucas's attention like a needy baby.
This scene was just in time for Tinkatink and Houndoom "Dire Tiger" to witness as they approached.
Dire Tiger glanced at Tinkatink, recalling her mention that Serperior wouldn't intervene and that another dog Pokémon would be stepping in.
Then it looked at Dachsbun.
Less than fifty centimeters tall, with no visible parts for attacking, and emitting the pleasant scent of freshly baked bread.
Are you sure this one can beat the battle-hardened Houndoom boss with scarred horns?
Tinkatink: "...Kanu."
She didn't know either.
Tinkatink had only joined the farm recently and was still figuring things out.
But with Serperior overseeing things, even if Dachsbun lost to the Houndoom boss, it wouldn't be a problem.
"Tinkatink, Dire Tiger, you're back!"
Still busy rubbing Dachsbun's head, Lucas looked up toward the cave entrance, temporarily letting Dachsbun go, his gaze landing on Houndoom.
This made Houndoom's muscular body shudder slightly.
This human's techniques were extraordinary!
But Lucas really didn't plan to pet Houndoom this time. Instead, he frowned, muttering thoughtfully, "Hmm, Dire Tiger. That name sounds too fierce… and doesn't really suit you."
"You could be called Lucky, Blackie, Big Black, or Whitey."
The more he spoke, the brighter Lucas's eyes became, making Houndoom feel like he'd be renamed at any moment.
Fortunately, Serperior hadn't forgotten the real task. With a swift flick, it lightly tapped Lucas's hand with its vine, bringing him back to business.
Houndoom looked at Serperior with gratitude.
No joke—if Lucas called him Lucky, Whitey, or Blackie in front of his underlings, his dignity would be in ruins.
Thinking of this, Houndoom, fearing for any further delay (i.e., being forcibly renamed), howled at Lucas and the other Pokémon.
The coup team had already assembled under the crooked tree at the mountainside. With Lucas's command, they could begin the coup at any time!
Today was the day of the uprising!
…