"I'll leave it to you."
"Doom~"
Under the farm owner's command, the Houndoom pack looked up and howled in unison, just as they had when re-plowing the fields earlier.
[Sunny Day], [Flamethrower], activate!
As the raging flames spread and dyed the surroundings, not only did the hardened soil gradually absorb water and become soft again, but the berry saplings previously killed by frost also turned to ashes, serving as new fertilizer for this vast mountain orchard.
"Sa~"
Watching the originally destroyed orchard instantly revitalized, the frozen, barren land replaced by lush berry saplings, Hakuya couldn't help but nod with satisfaction.
Boom—!!!
Just as they finished planting the berry saplings, a series of huge explosions, accompanied by heat waves, struck violently like a landslide or tsunami.
"Meow-meow!!"
Skitty, who was about to wander around, was startled by the loud noise and pounced into her Trainer's arms.
"Something happened?!"
"Sa~"
Comforting the cute cat in his arms with his hand, Hakuya exchanged a look with Gardevoir beside him. They looked towards the direction of the explosion in unison—thick black smoke was rising from the vast forest not far away, and they could vaguely see scattered firelight and hear the crackle-pop of burning trees.
"Lilli~" Seeming to think of something, Lilligant tugged urgently at the farm owner's sleeve.
"Mmm... the fire is indeed a bit big..."
Hakuya rubbed her head gently, affirming her worry.
He didn't know what had happened, but a massive fire had broken out in the Hiyori Forest adjacent to the farm due to explosions.
If the fire was allowed to spread, not only would that forest be destroyed, but the entire Hinata Town would eventually be engulfed in a sea of flames.
And bearing the brunt of it would be their farm!
[Farm Upgrade Mission 4: An evil hunter organization has planted explosives to destroy the Hiyori Forest in order to capture Celebi. The spreading flames are constantly approaching the farm. To protect the farm, please stop them as soon as possible.]
[Mission Rewards: Rose Incense (Red), Mental Herb x200]
[Rose Incense (Red): An incense with a magical fragrance. Increases the power of Grass-type moves by 25%.]
Just then, the system's mechanical prompt sounded in his mind after a long absence.
Looking at the mission popping up on the system, Hakuya nodded thoughtfully.
"So that's it, a hunter organization..."
Originally, he was wondering which Trainer would be so bold as to openly violate League laws and use weapons of mass destruction in a forest full of wild Pokémon, causing such a serious fire.
But if it was those profit-driven Pokémon Hunters, creating such a commotion to capture Celebi, the Voice of the Forest, seemed logical.
"Mr. Hakuya, the forest seems to be on fire!"
Kimura, who also heard the roaring explosions, ran over anxiously, his face full of worry.
A group of panicked construction workers also put down their work on building the farm villa, following closely behind their captain.
"Don't worry. Just continue working according to the original plan; the fire won't reach the farm."
In response, Hakuya, who already had a plan in mind, just waved his hand slightly, still looking calm and composed.
"B... But we should also use Water-type Pokémon as soon as possible or..."
Unlike the calm farm owner, Kimura, as the construction captain, obviously didn't have such a big heart. Looking at the forest where the fire had become extremely fierce directly ahead, he couldn't help but wipe the fine sweat from his forehead.
Although he didn't know what happened, judging from the rising black smoke and the sound of continuous explosions alone, the Hiyori Forest was absolutely being swallowed by a monstrous fire right now.
If they delayed any longer, this forest fire would likely spread here...
The optimal solution was naturally to dispatch a sufficient number of Water-type Pokémon and have them use moves like Rain Dance or Water Gun to extinguish the fire.
But unfortunately, they only had a bunch of Fighting-type Pokémon right now. Apart from having enough strength to move things, trying to stop the fire was undoubtedly a fool's dream.
"I think we should still call..."
Just as Kimura turned around, preparing to have his subordinates call the fire department, a wave-like gale suddenly swept in from above.
"What's happening!?"
"The temperature suddenly dropped a lot..."
In an instant, the construction workers nearby erupted in chaotic exclamations.
Affected by the sudden cold wind, they all wrapped their thin clothes tightly around themselves without exception, shielding their faces from the biting wind that stung their skin.
Accompanied by crystalline ice shards falling leisurely, the figure of an extremely cool and noble bird Pokémon suddenly appeared in mid-air.
"Cooo-eee~"
"Articuno, I'll trouble you to use Snowscape later."
Without needing much verbal communication, Hakuya, who was already mentally connected with this legendary bird Pokémon, pushed off lightly and leaped onto her feathered back.
Although the system's ultimate mission was to find that evil organization and crush them completely.
But the urgent task was to extinguish this big fire first; otherwise, if it continued to develop like this, it would really affect his farm.
With Articuno's ability to control ice and snow, he could achieve this easily.
Finally, Hakuya didn't forget another thing. He looked down and shouted to the workers below.
"Mr. Kimura, I leave the construction of the farm villa to you."
"Un... Understood."
Looking at the figure soaring into the sky, Kimura swallowed nervously, his speech becoming stuttered at this moment.
No wonder this young farm owner was so calm just now. If it was this Pokémon, let alone the current fire, even if the entire Hinata Town fell into a sea of flames, it would eventually be extinguished by the blizzard...
"Cooo-eee~"
Accompanied by that cool, melodious bird cry echoing in mid-air, Articuno flapped her ice wings. Her beautiful long tail trailed behind, carrying howling icy wind and cotton-like white snow as she flew toward the Hiyori Forest not far away.
"Captain, this isn't a dream, is it?! That is... Ouch, it's really real!"
Seeing this scene, construction worker Ashin pinched his thigh in disbelief.
Only when the piercing pain surged through his whole body did Ashin, grimacing in pain, finally realize that the scene before him wasn't a daydream, but something actually happening!
It wasn't as troublesome as they thought. Just after this frost-like bird Pokémon gave a clear cry, the vast forest was shrouded in heavy snowfall, and the overflowing flames were extinguished visibly.
"There's no mistake... that is the Legendary Pokémon, Articuno."
After a long while, Kimura, who recovered his senses, still couldn't hide his shock as he sighed.
Guardian of the snowy mountains, possessing the ability to control ice and snow freely in legends...
To be able to capture such a Legendary Pokémon, Mr. Hakuya was indeed no ordinary farm owner—
Hiyori Forest.
"Piplup, use Water Gun!"
Blocked by the rising flames, a blue-haired, energetic girl commanded.
"Piplup-piplup~"
Dawn was a rookie Trainer.
Half a month ago, after receiving her starter Pokémon and Pokédex from Professor Rowan, she began her Sinnoh journey with the goal of capturing more beautiful and cute Pokémon, participating in Contests, and becoming a Top Coordinator.
But just as she and Piplup were preparing to cross the Hiyori Forest to reach Hearthome City for the Contest—the Hearthome Assembly—a sudden explosion and fire swept through the area.
"Piplup~"
"Good job, Piplup... Eh? Why is it suddenly snowing~?"
After high-fiving the successful little Piplup happily, Dawn felt the chill and looked up. A look of surprise instinctively appeared in her emerald-blue eyes.
At this moment, the blazing sun originally hanging overhead was covered by black clouds at some point. Biting cold wind wrapped in ice shards shuttled through the shade of the trees. Accompanied by the sudden drop in air temperature, white snowflakes drifted down.
As a Water-type Pokémon, little Piplup blinked, clearly liking this weather.
"Piplup-piplup~"
"Phew... although it's a bit cold, it seems like very good news."
Watching the heavy snow falling like cotton wool, completely covering the burning trees and bushes around them, the blue-haired energetic girl wrapped her clothes tighter. She couldn't help but blow hot air onto her cold, slender hands, but her face, like the Pokémon beside her, showed a joyful expression.
This way, they didn't have to worry about not being able to run out of the forest and turning into charcoal barbecue later.
Thinking of this, both Dawn and Piplup secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
After all, this explosion and forest fire were even more abnormal than the current blizzard—
"Piplup, let's leave quickly..."
"ROAR!!!"
Before the blue-haired energetic girl could finish her sentence, a deafening roar accompanied by the sound of trees cracking and being destroyed reached her and Piplup's ears.
"Piplup!"
Simultaneously with Piplup's panicked shout, the Pokédex in Dawn's hand broadcasted on its own:
"Ursaring, the Hibernant Pokémon. Evolution of Teddiursa. With its ability to distinguish any smell, it unfailingly finds food buried deep in the ground."
"Roar~"
Smashing the big tree blocking it with one palm, the ferocious Ursaring was finally exposed under the shadows of the forest.
Feeling that tyrannical, bloodthirsty aura, Dawn's expression froze, and she couldn't help but swallow nervously.
She could be certain that the Ursaring before her was definitely an overlord-level Pokémon in the Hiyori Forest.
Probably influenced by the explosion and forest fire, the already bad-tempered Ursaring reached the peak of its rage at this moment.
And as foreign humans and Pokémon, they were bound to face this guy's fierce attack!
"Piplup, use Peck!"
Although initially awed by its ferocious appearance, Dawn, recovering her senses, showed no fear or hesitation typical of a rookie Trainer. Instead, she directly commanded her Pokémon to attack.
"Piplup~"
In an instant, dazzling silver-white light coated Piplup's beak.
Accompanied by a sharp edge that was hard to look at directly, this penguin-like Pokémon leaped up, attacking Ursaring in a high-speed rotating posture.
But what neither the blue-haired energetic girl nor Piplup expected was that the gap in strength between them and Ursaring wasn't small at all; it was like a chasm—the tyrannical Ursaring just waved its palm slightly, and the charging Piplup was blasted away in an instant.
"Piplup!"
Diving to catch the nearly unconscious Piplup, Dawn also fell heavily to the ground.
And the still red-eyed Ursaring roared loudly, stirring up waves of echoes in the forest.
"Roar~"
With no intention of retreating, accompanying the ground being trampled into shocking cracks, the enraged Ursaring constantly approached the blue-haired girl before it.
"Milotic, Hydro Pump."
Just as Dawn was about to close her eyes in despair, a super-giant spiraling water column like a water tornado arrived suddenly, actually blasting the overlord-like Ursaring several meters away head-on.
Instantly, the wind howled, thick tree trunks tottered in the gale, and branches and leaves were ruthlessly stripped away, dancing in the sky.
"Are you hurt?"
Bathed in the dazzling light of the snow-filled sky, the figure of a black-haired youth walked slowly towards them.