Ashwin stepped into the field like a man crossing into a forgotten dream.
The earth beneath his feet was soft and springy, dotted with untamed patches of wild grass and a mosaic of blooming flowers. The land stretched out far and wide, its natural beauty left untouched. No fences. No barns. No paved roads. Just the low rustle of the breeze and the gentle buzzing of life hidden among the tall stems.
It was quiet, but not empty. The air was alive — humming with energy, with potential.
He let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
[Area Registered: Untilled Farmland Zone.][Environmental Status: Fertile — Ideal for Cultivation and Pokémon Habitation.][System Tip: Establish boundaries for effective land use. Pokémon can assist in land management.]
"So this is my farm," Ashwin muttered, scanning the overgrown terrain. "Looks like I've got my work cut out for me."
The field was framed by the whispering forest on one side and distant hills on the other. A stream glittered nearby, winding like silver ribbon through the grass. He could hear the gentle trickle of water over stone — a perfect source for irrigation, someday. Maybe even a bathing spot for Pokémon that liked water.
For the first time in a long while, his heart beat not with panic or pressure, but with something warmer. Slower. Hopeful.
He crouched, running his fingers through the dark soil. Rich. Moist. Warmed by the sun. Back in his old world, he'd seen gardens from the windows of passing buses — tiny things choked between buildings and fences. But this?
This felt like a promise.
A breeze swept through the meadow, rustling the tall flowers — and with it came a sound. Faint. Rhythmic. A delicate bzzzzzz that cut through the silence like a thread of golden silk.
He turned his head and caught sight of it.
A small shape hovered above the blossoms. Not a bee — not exactly — but something stranger, livelier. It had three small orange faces formed into a honeycomb, translucent wings fluttering so fast they blurred. Its body glowed in the light like polished amber.
A Combee.
It darted gently from flower to flower, collecting nectar with nimble grace, humming with life.
[Wild Pokémon Detected: Combee (♀) – Pollinator Species.][Affinity Response: Mild Curiosity.][System Note: Female Combee are capable of evolution into Vespiquen. Highly sought after by orchard and flower breeders.][Bonding Option: Available.][Trigger Condition: Allow Combee to forage safely on your land.]
Ashwin remained still, crouching low. He watched the Combee buzz over a bed of daisies, dip into a sunflower, then hover near a clump of vivid blue blooms he couldn't name.
It didn't flee at his presence.
Instead, one of its three tiny faces blinked at him in clear interest. Then it circled him — once, twice — wings creating a soft breeze on his cheek.
Ashwin smiled.
"No Poké Ball. No trainer battle. Just… flowers."
[Affinity Increased: +3][Passive Bond Established.][Daily Task Progress: Pollinate 1/3 Crop Types Completed.]
The Combee gave a satisfied buzz and returned to a thick patch of honeysuckle, collecting more nectar. It flitted about like it owned the place. Maybe it did.
Ashwin rose to his feet quietly. "You're not scared of me, huh?" he asked, watching it hover close again.
The Combee hummed softly in response, its flight lazy, unthreatened. It had accepted his presence. For now, that was enough.
[Initial Companion Status: Active.][Assigned Pokémon: Combee (♀)][Nickname: Not Set.][Behavior: Non-Hostile — Support Role Initiated.][Skill Detected: Nectar Scout – Can mark high-quality floral zones and attract other wild Pokémon.]
He exhaled slowly, still stunned.
So this was how it worked. No commands shouted. No fireballs or flying kicks. Just presence. Patience.
"This world really is different," he whispered. "It's not about being strong. It's about being part of something."
And for the first time in his life — it felt like he belonged somewhere.
He turned to look at the land again. He had no tools. No fence. No crops. But he had potential — and now, he had company.
[Main Objective: Establish Your Farmstead.][Sub-Objective: Develop a Sustainable Pokémon Habitat.][New Questline Unlocked: Foundation of Fame.][Progression Requirement: Grow with your Pokémon and your land.]
Ashwin looked back at the Combee.
"I think we're gonna make this work."
[BONUS QUEST UNLOCKED: Partner of the Fields][Objective: Bond with 3 Grass- or Bug-type Pokémon before the next full moon.][Reward: Toolset for Farm Construction + Breeder's Field Guide Lv.1]
His stomach growled — loud and unignorable.
"I should probably figure out where to sleep too…"
There was a patch of land just ahead, sloping toward a shallow valley. The grass was thinner there, the soil already naturally cleared. It might make for a decent place to pitch a tent or dig a root cellar.
As he moved toward it, the Combee followed — lazily hovering a few feet above his shoulder, occasionally dipping down to inspect a particularly bright flower.
It was small. Fragile, even.
But it had chosen to stay near him.
And that meant everything.