There were guests at the ranch at noon, so lunch was especially lavish.
Korrina and Morpeko, one human and one Pokémon, seemed to be competing over who could eat more. Between them, they polished off more than a dozen bowls of rice.
Each of them ate until their stomachs were round and full, then collapsed onto the sofa, too stuffed to move even a finger.
Shaking his head with a helpless smile, Silas reminded them not to overdo it, then personally carried a portion of lunch to the cave.
Minccino and the others were still rehearsing; that evening, they were going to attempt their very first performance at the ranch.
"Have you chosen a song yet?"
Picking up a small dried fish to feed to Popplio, Silas asked curiously.
"We've chosen one, Silas. Minccino and the others already know how to sing it."
Diancie answered him while taking small, elegant bites of her diamond cake.
Beside her, the two little Pokémon had their cheeks puffed full of food. They nodded enthusiastically at Silas.
They had studied very diligently all morning. Performing at the ranch tonight definitely wouldn't be a problem.
"Then I'll go inform the other Pokémon at the ranch. How about we hold it in the open space in front of the cabin?"
"Min Min~"
(We'll listen to you, Silas. Please help us set everything up.)
He gently tapped the little one's forehead. They were always finding new things for him to do.
Minccino immediately wrapped her arms around him in a flattering hug, pressing her face against his, then even took his hand and placed it on her soft little belly.
Half an hour later, Silas left them to continue rehearsing.
As for him, he went to take care of all the behind-the-scenes arrangements. After all, these were his precious little darlings—if he didn't spoil them himself, who would?
He went around notifying each Pokémon at the ranch. When they heard that Minccino and the others would be performing that evening, every single one of them expressed that they would definitely come to watch.
Among them, the most excited were undoubtedly the Carbink. They ran around spreading the news to one another, all declaring that they must attend Princess Diancie's performance that night.
Later, when Korrina found out, she grabbed Silas's arm and shook it coquettishly, begging him to let her stay a little longer before going home—she wanted to watch the performance too.
Silas contacted Korrina's grandfather, Gym Leader Gurkin, through his Xtransceiver in advance. After receiving his consent, Silas finally agreed to let Korrina stay.
With an audience secured, he still needed to prepare the stage.
There was no way to build a permanent stage at the ranch for Diancie and the others, so Silas decided to cordon off an area instead, decorating the perimeter with flowers and colorful lights to serve as a temporary stage.
It would be more than sufficient for Minccino and the others' performance. Thoughtfully, he also prepared glow sticks for the other Pokémon, doing his best to give Minccino and the band the most wonderful experience possible.
Just as Silas was bustling about, busy as a bee, Cyclizar suddenly poked him and then pointed up at the sky, signaling for him to look.
When Silas raised his head, he saw a bird Pokémon circling above the ranch.
It was cloaked in dark navy-blue feathers, with red claws and a red underside, while the feathers on its belly were white. Its flying posture was exceptionally graceful and pleasing to the eye.
It was the Swallow Pokémon—Swellow.
Just as Silas was about to ask what it had come to the ranch for, the Swellow swooped lower and dropped an object.
The item drifted lightly through the air, spinning several times before Cyclizar caught it and handed it to him.
"Cyc~"
(It's a messenger sent by Chatot.)
"How do you know?"
While asking curiously, Silas began unwrapping the object, which was bundled in leaves.
"Cyc!"
(It said so itself just now! It said it was sent by Leader Chatot to deliver something to a human named Silas.)
"I see."
Understanding dawned on him. Silas quickly finished unwrapping the package. Inside was nothing but a single feather. He examined the leaves carefully to confirm there were no words or drawings written on them.
A feather? Could it be Chatot's?
It didn't look like it.
Driven by curiosity, he picked up the feather. Instantly, his system panel provided feedback.
[Lunar Feather: A legendary ingredient. A feather that radiates a moonlight-like glow, said to contain the power to dispel nightmares.
Special Effect: Sweet Dream Factor (When placed beneath the moon, the Lunar Feather can absorb moonlight and generate Sweet Dream Factor.)]
A Lunar Feather!!!
Holding the feather in his hand, Silas was filled with astonishment, his eyes widening dramatically.
He had never expected that Chatot would send him such a grand gift.
And that fellow's luck was simply unbelievable!
To encounter two Legendary Pokémon in succession and even pluck a feather from the Lunar Pokémon, Cresselia!
Carefully storing the Lunar Feather away, Silas cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted toward the sky, "Swellow, come down and rest for a while! I'll get you some delicious food!"
"Swel~"
Perhaps because it sensed the lingering aura of Chatot and Zapdos at the ranch, Swellow carefully avoided the areas where Kangaskhan, Mudsdale, and Cyclizar were gathered, and instead landed in front of the ranch house.
Silas retrieved some Poffins suitable for bird Pokémon from the refrigerator and placed them before Swellow.
After all, it had delivered a message for him. The journey must have been long and tiring; it was only right that he treated it well.
Swellow chirped its thanks politely—it was a very well-mannered young lady.
Standing nearby, Silas took the opportunity to inquire about Chatot and Zapdos' situation. Through Swellow's somewhat abstract gestures and explanations, he roughly understood where they were.
They had left the Sinnoh region and followed the ocean current route opened by Lugia to travel toward another region.
"That region's air is terrible. Half of the land is covered in black-gray ash. Many of your companions couldn't endure it?"
"Swel Swel!"
Swellow nodded vigorously and pushed the empty plate back to Silas.
Half the region covered in ash—there could only be one place like that: the Hoenn region.
He hadn't expected Chatot and the others to travel so far!
After eating the Poffins Silas had prepared, Swellow felt its body brimming with renewed strength.
It chirped twice at Silas, as though bidding farewell.
Then Swellow retraced its route, flying back the way it had come.
It was much faster than when it had arrived.
Before long, its figure shrank into a tiny black speck against the horizon, until it disappeared completely from sight.
Watching it leave, Silas felt a deep sense of melancholy.
At the same time, the weight in his heart lifted somewhat—at least Chatot and the others seemed to be doing alright out there and had not encountered any danger.
What Silas did not know was that the flock led by Chatot had nearly been wiped out.
And the Swellow sent to deliver the message had only recently joined them in the Hoenn region—chosen specifically so that, even if Silas asked many questions, he would not learn the full truth and worry excessively.
…
After dinner, night fell completely.
At this hour, the ranch would normally be quiet, but tonight was different.
The area in front of the ranch house was brightly lit, and the sounds of Pokémon rose and fell in waves.
The Carbink lined up in long rows, standing neatly in the designated spots.
Each held a small gem glow stick in their hands. In the darkness of night, the sticks shimmered with different colored lights, creating the perfect concert atmosphere.
It was so convincing that even Minccino and the others backstage couldn't help but feel nervous.
Their little hands were clenched tightly together, afraid of making a mistake. Six anxious eyes turned simultaneously toward Silas.
Seeing their tense expressions, Silas smiled and stepped forward to comfort them one by one.
"There's no need to be so nervous. Just imagine all the Pokémon in the audience are carrots and cabbages."
Diancie closed her eyes and replaced her subjects with imaginary carrots and cabbages in her mind. The tension in her heart faded by more than half, and a sweet smile curved across her lips.
"Silas, I feel much better now. We will definitely complete the performance perfectly."
"Min~! (^-^)?"
"Lioo! (っ*^*っ"
The three little ones encouraged each other, and most of their fear gradually melted away.
Seeing that they were almost ready, Silas clapped his hands lightly and said with a grin:
"Alright, little stars—it's time for you to make your grand entrance."
(End of Chapter)