The morning sun bathed the Ashwin Farm in a golden hue, its warm rays gently waking both the flora and fauna that had begun calling this land their home. The gentle hum of Combee wings, the soft rustling of leaves stirred by Gogoat's steps, and the cheerful chirping of early-bird Pokémon filled the air with a quiet but thriving life.
Ashwin stood by the old wooden railing overlooking his farm, sipping a cup of herbal tea brewed from leaves grown in the Grotto itself. His gaze drifted across the expanse—what was once a simple, untended plot of land had now transformed into a bustling haven for both rescued and tamed Pokémon. And today marked a new beginning.
A low chime echoed in his head.
[New Quest Unlocked: Healing Hands, Kind Hearts]Objective: Treat and care for Pokémon brought by local breeders and wandering trainers.Rewards: EXP, Local Reputation Boost, Rare Items, and System Credits based on number healed.
[Time-Limited Quest Unlocked: Trade Winds Rising]Objective: Secure 3 new business partnerships for long-term trade within 3 days.Rewards: Grotto Expansion – Trade Wing, Reputation (Business Tier), and Rare Evolution Materials.
He blinked at the notifications and smiled. "So, today's the day I step into the business world for real," he murmured.
Ashwin's Grotto had changed significantly after the smuggler raid. With the latest expansion complete, the System had granted him access to specialized sub-spaces—zones tuned for different Pokémon types. Each sub-zone mimicked natural environments: lush woods for Grass-types, warm volcanic terrain for Fire-types, and even a small, serene lake for Water-types. The newly rescued Pokémon had begun settling in, slowly but surely warming up to the life Ashwin offered.
Today, however, the focus was on interaction. Word had spread fast after the rescue, albeit in rumor. Local breeders and trainers had begun arriving with injured, sick, or exhausted Pokémon, hoping for a touch of Ashwin's miraculous skill.
A young boy arrived, his eyes red from crying. In his arms was a limp Lotad, its leaf hat dried out and pale.
"I-I found her near the riverbank… I don't know what happened," the boy stammered.
Ashwin knelt down and gently took the Pokémon, his hands already glowing faintly as the System-assisted medical scan initiated.
[Initiating Diagnosis... Moderate Dehydration, Minor Poison Exposure Detected.]
"Don't worry," he smiled. "She'll be alright. Just needs a little care."
Throughout the day, more arrived. A Machop with a dislocated arm. A Budew suffering from nutrient imbalance. A Pidgeotto with a fractured wing. Ashwin worked tirelessly alongside his team—Munchlax sorting berries, Vespiquen and Combee preparing medicinal honey, and Skwovet organizing herbs.
Every treated Pokémon brought a flash of notification:
[+2 Treated — +1% Quest Progress][+1 Rare Berry Extract Acquired][Local Reputation Increased: Noted Healer]
At the end of the day, Ashwin had treated over 30 Pokémon. Many trainers left behind heartfelt thanks, a few berries, or evolution stones as offerings.
He sat in his home's kitchen with Munchlax sitting on his lap, munching away at a bowl of dried fruit.
"I think this is working," Ashwin said, eyes distant but hopeful.
As night fell, a new group arrived—older trainers, more business-savvy. These weren't here for healing, but for potential collaboration. The Trade Winds quest had entered its second stage.
First was a breeder from Cypress Town, specializing in Bug-type Pokémon.
"I heard you've got a natural honey source… Vespiquen, right?" the man asked. "I'd like to set up a regular honey supply chain."
Ashwin nodded. "You provide ingredients or crops we can't grow locally, and we'll ensure monthly deliveries."
[Trade Agreement #1 Formed][+Trade Route Established – Cypress Bugline]
Next came a duo from the southern coast, running a Poképuff bakery with a specialty in organic flavors.
They toured the herbal section of the farm, sampled some of the experimental ingredients grown in the Grass-type zone, and immediately proposed a partnership.
[Trade Agreement #2 Formed][+Trade Route Established – Paleta Shores Bakery]
The third arrived at dawn—a woman dressed in researcher garb from the Twilight Guild. She studied the healing properties of wild-grown ingredients.
"Are you the one growing Marshroot and Dawnleaf in isolated chambers?" she asked excitedly. "If you're willing to supply our labs, we can fund expansion in your Grotto's botanical section."
Ashwin grinned. "You've got yourself a deal."
[Trade Agreement #3 Formed][Quest Completed: Trade Winds Rising][Rewards Unlocked: Trade Wing Construction, Rare Evolution Materials ×3, +500 Reputation]
Later that evening, the system chimed again.
[Quest Update: Healing Hands, Kind Hearts]Current Progress: 65 Pokémon TreatedThreshold for Reward Tier 1: 50 Pokémon — Reward Claimed!• Grotto Upgrade Token ×1• Local Reputation +300• System Credit ×1000• Bonus: Loyalty Boost to Treated Pokémon's Trainers
[Next Tier Unlock at 100 Pokémon]
Ashwin leaned back, exhausted but deeply fulfilled. Around him, Gogoat rested under the trees, Munchlax now curled near the porch, and Combee hovered around Vespiquen's nest. The trainers' Pokémon he'd helped had left behind a trail of thankfulness and faith.
As the stars took over the sky, Ashwin's gaze shifted to the northern field. The land had already begun preparing itself for the next phase of development.
[Farm Project Unlocked: Expansion Phase II - Healing Grove & Trade Courtyard]Construction will begin automatically in 12 hours.
He opened the notebook where he tracked daily tasks and scribbled a new heading:
Tomorrow: Begin 'Project Bloom'—Full Agricultural Expansion.
Because the Ashwin Farm wasn't just a sanctuary anymore—It was becoming the cornerstone of a new, gentler world.