The next day, in the orchard.
"You little ones, don't run around. Cinccino, take them out to play." Silas pressed down on the two Chikorita that had just dashed past him, grabbing them and handing them over to Tropius.
The two little ones struggled and wriggled in his hands, their four short legs kicking wildly.
Meanwhile, Cinccino, Popplio, Cyclizar and the others worked together to block and catch the other two troublemakers.
"You're the most well behaved one!" Silas reached out and teased the small one in his arms. Compared to the others, this little one was incredibly obedient and lovable.
"Chiko (〃'▽'〃)!"
The little Chikorita raised its head, the tender leaf on its head gently brushing against Silas as if responding to his praise, its eyes filled with happiness and affection.
Silas could not help but poke its soft cheek. Not only did the little one not dodge, it even leaned further into his palm.
"Then later, you're not allowed to leave. Stay in the corner and don't run around, alright?"
"Chiko!"
After signaling Tropius and the others to take the Chikorita outside to play, Silas waved at the two Meowth and Perrseker and the Applin group. Today, he needed their help.
A group of Pokémon followed him to the back of the orchard. The saplings planted earlier had grown into towering trees over the past two months.
The lush canopies were filled with blooming flowers, white, pink, red, and blue, all kinds of colors imaginable.
Even the air carried a faint floral fragrance, and when the wind blew, petals drifted down. Alolan Meowth stretched out its paw to catch them.
"Clap clap!" Silas clapped his hands to draw everyone's attention. "Everyone, let's help manually pollinate the special fruit trees!"
"Meow~" x3
The three cats responded energetically, while Applin and Appletun gathered closer as well.
As for Butterfree and the Appletun group, they were working in the outer berry forest, pollinating the ordinary trees.
Winter would arrive in a little over half a month. Pollinating now would allow them to harvest one last batch before the cold set in.
To increase yield, manual pollination was necessary.
"Meowth, Appletun, come here."
He beckoned them over and pointed at the flowers as he explained, "The ones with the small protruding stalk are male flowers. You can pick them and gently apply the pollen onto the female flowers."
While plucking a flower, Silas found another with a swollen base that looked like a tiny fruit. That was the ovary of a female flower.
He peeled back the petals, revealing the stamens covered in pale yellow pollen.
"Like this, press the male flower's stamens against the female flower's stigma and rub gently. The pollen will stick."
As he spoke, he demonstrated step by step. The movements had to be gentle, but also ensure even distribution of the pollen.
The Appletun leaned in closer, quickly understanding.
They followed Silas's example, searching through the canopy for male flowers.
"That's right! That's the one. Now just apply the pollen to the female flowers."
"Tun!"
Encouraged by the praise, the Appletun became full of energy.
They quickly mastered the process, darting between branches like a group of diligent little bees, busily pollinating.
The cats were not idle either. Climbing trees was effortless for cat-like Pokémon.
Alolan Meowth and the regular Meowth quickly got the hang of it, but Perrserker struggled a bit. After evolving, its strength had increased too much. With just a slight squeeze of its steel claws, the flowers would crumble.
After several attempts, Perrserker finally learned to control its strength and use a much gentler touch.
The Applin had their own method.
They clung to the trees and briefly slipped out of their apple shells. Their small green caterpillar-like bodies rolled around inside the blossoms, coating themselves in pollen.
Then with a roll, they transferred the pollen evenly onto the female flowers, more convenient than any brush.
The Applin worked enthusiastically.
Silas walked around beneath the trees, checking on everyone's progress.
"One, two, three… eight!" Silas suddenly stopped. "Huh? Why is there one extra? Did I count wrong?"
He counted again, and this time there were exactly seven Applin.
Sure enough, he had miscounted earlier.
"Be careful, alright? I'll go prepare a fruit and berry platter for you."
Calling out to them, Silas turned and headed back.
After he left, one green caterpillar pressed tightly against a leaf shifted slightly. A red core peeked out cautiously. It had almost been discovered.
It had been working so diligently that it forgot to stay alert.
Just as it was about to move, two Applin approached and nudged it with their heads, asking with concern if it was tired.
If it was, they could lend it their "little house" to rest in.
For Applin, they could not leave their apple homes for too long, or they would lose moisture and become weak.
The red core shook its head in refusal. It had no interest in living inside a drool filled house.
Meanwhile, while Silas and the others were busy pollinating, Dragonite arrived at the Pokémon town again after a week.
With a big scarf tied around its neck, Dragonite happily greeted the familiar Pokémon it passed.
"Draa!" (Manager Kirlia!)
"Kirlia~" (Oh, it's Dragonite, long time no see.)
"Draaa?" (Silas and I went out for a trip. Do you need any help?)
Dragonite explained briefly and, being warm-hearted, offered assistance.
After all, Kirlia was running the shop alone with a small Ralts, and they were always busy late into the night.
Kirlia shook her head. Recently, she had hired an employee, an Ambipom.
With its long tail, it could handle many tasks.
Dragonite felt a little disappointed. In just one week, the town had developed far more than it expected, and many of the Pokémon passing by were unfamiliar.
"Kirlia~ Kirlia!" (Litleo and the others seem to be looking for you. They asked us to tell you if we saw you.)
With something to do, Dragonite's enthusiasm returned. After waving goodbye to Kirlia and Ambipom, it began searching for Litleo and the others, eventually finding them in the town center.
After a brief conversation, Dragonite understood the situation.
"Draa~" (No problem. Silas and Jigglypuff will definitely welcome you to visit the ranch.)
Dragonite flew ahead, carrying Litleo on its back. Behind them followed an Altaria taxi, carrying Scraggy, Stunky, and two other companions.
…
"Don't move. Let me wipe off all the pollen on you first."
Holding a towel, Silas carefully wiped down each Applin.
With everyone's help, all the flowers had been pollinated in less than an hour.
Once cleaned, the Applin rushed over to the berry platter. It was filled with delicious berries and nutritious MooMoo Milk, all their favorites.
"Your turn, Meowth. You only get to eat after you're cleaned."
Silas treated everyone equally. Every Pokémon received food.
Looking at the group of Pokémon happily eating around him, Silas picked up a sneaky Chikorita that had been stealing bites. He poked its round little belly.
"You can't eat any more."
"Chiko~"
The Chikorita let out a soft, pleading cry and offered the berry it had been holding in its mouth to Silas.
Carrying the Chikorita out of the orchard, Silas noticed two additional Pokémon above them out of the corner of his eye.
"Did Dragonite bring friends?"
(End of Chapter)