The morning sun cast a golden hue over the landscape as Boe Sen and Olive continued their journey. After a night of peaceful rest in Floccesy Town, the pair walked with renewed energy, eager to explore their next destination. As they rounded a bend in the path, the lush greenery of the countryside gave way to the open fields and rolling pastures of Floccesy Ranch, on the northern part of Route 20.
Floccesy Ranch was a picturesque farm nestled beside a gentle river. The scene was idyllic: a large, rustic barn stood at the center, surrounded by neatly tended fields, grazing Pokémon, and a wooden fence that seemed to stretch endlessly across the property. The fence, Boe learned from the sign posted at the entrance, was built originally to protect Pokémon from harm, and now it served as a barrier that allowed various wild Pokémon to roam freely within the ranch.
Boe and Olive made their way up the gravel path leading to the main farmhouse. As they approached, they were greeted by the sight of a sturdy, middle-aged man working diligently on a fence post and a young girl of about ten years old, who was feeding some Pokémon with a basket of feed.
The man looked up and smiled warmly. "Welcome to Floccesy Ranch! I'm Travon, the owner. And this here is my granddaughter, Ellie." Travon's weathered face and friendly demeanor spoke of years spent working on the farm, while Ellie's bright eyes and cheerful disposition hinted at her love for Pokémon and the farm life.
Ellie waved excitedly. "Hi there! Are you a Pokémon Trainer? We get a lot of Trainers passing through here!"
Boe returned the wave, his face lighting up with enthusiasm. "Hi, I'm Boe Sen. I just started my journey as a Pokémon Trainer, and Olive here is my first Pokémon."
Ellie's eyes sparkled as she looked at Olive. "Wow, a Snivy! That's so cool! We've got all kinds of Pokémon here. Some of them aren't even from Unova!"
Travon nodded in agreement. "That's right. The fence we built years ago started as a way to protect our Pokémon, but it's become a haven for many different species. We've got Pokémon from all over the place, so it's always an adventure seeing what new ones show up."
Boe looked around with interest. "Can I explore the ranch and see the Pokémon?"
"Of course!" Travon said with a grin. "Feel free to look around. Just be sure to respect the Pokémon and their space. If you need anything or have any questions, don't hesitate to ask."
As Boe and Olive wandered through the ranch, they were greeted by a delightful array of Pokémon. There were a bunch of Mareep, wild Pokemon like Pidove and Patrat, as well as the family Pokemon Herdier. The Pokémon were active and content, showing no fear of the humans who visited their haven.
Ellie joined Boe and Olive as they explored, pointing out various Pokémon and sharing stories about each one. "That's Lillipup over there," she said, pointing to a small, timid Pokémon watching from a distance. "He wandered onto the farm by himself one day. He's a bit shy and prefers to observe from afar."
Boe spotted the Lillipup near the edge of the field, its brown fur blending with the earthy tones of the landscape. The Pokémon watched the other Pokémon play and interact from a distance, its big eyes filled with curiosity but remaining cautiously distant.
"He's such a sweet little Pokémon," Ellie continued. "He's been here for a while, but he's still getting used to being around other Pokémon and people."
Boe felt a pang of sympathy for Lillipup. "Maybe he just needs some time to adjust," he suggested. "It must be overwhelming to suddenly find yourself in a new place."
Travon nodded thoughtfully. "Exactly. We try to give him the space he needs while also ensuring he feels welcome. It's a slow process, but we're hopeful he'll become more comfortable over time."
Boe noticed Lillipup watching from a distance. Feeling a bit of sympathy for the shy Pokémon, Boe decided to approach it gently. He slowly walked towards the Lillipup, extending his hand in a friendly gesture.
"Hey there, little girl," Boe said softly. "Mind if I join you?"
Lillipup's ears perked up, and she hesitated for a moment before taking a few cautious steps towards Boe. Olive watched with curiosity as Boe took out a small ball of Pokémon food from his bag and held it out to the Lillipup.
The Lillipup sniffed the food tentatively before taking a small bite. Boe smiled, pleased to see the Pokémon starting to relax. "I've got more where that came from," he said, gently tossing a few more pieces on the ground.
As the Lillipup enjoyed the treats, Boe slowly sat down beside it. He began to gently play with the Pokémon, rolling a small ball across the grass. To Boe's delight, the Lillipup started to chase after it, its earlier shyness melting away. Olive watched with a relaxed smile, clearly enjoying the interaction.
Boe laughed as Lillipup batted the ball around, her playful nature shining through. "You're pretty cunning aren't you," Boe said with a grin. "You've got some great moves!"
As the afternoon wore on, Boe and Olive sat by the river, watching the Pokémon play and interact. Boe reflected on how his journey had already introduced him to so many new experiences and friends. The peacefulness of the ranch and the kindness of its inhabitants provided a welcome break from the more intense moments of his travels.
Before long, it was time for Boe to continue his journey. He thanked Travon and Ellie for their hospitality and the chance to experience Floccesy Ranch. "I really appreciate the opportunity to explore your ranch and learn about the Pokémon here. It's been an amazing experience."
As Boe reached the ranch gate, Travon called out, noticing the Lillipup following closely behind. "Looks like Lillipup has taken quite a liking to you," Travon said with a chuckle. "If you'd like, you can take her with you. She's not really ours, and I think she'd really enjoy traveling with a Trainer who cares about her."
Boe's eyes lit up with enthusiasm. "I'd love that! He's been so much fun to play with, and I think she'd be a great addition to my team."
Travon smiled and handed Boe a Poké Ball. "Here you go. Just make sure to take good care of him."
Boe nodded gratefully, taking the Poké Ball and gently tapping it against the Lillipup. The Pokémon was enveloped in a flash of red light and, with a satisfying click, the Poké Ball settled. Boe picked it up, his face beaming with excitement.
"I'm going to call her Selen," Boe said, looking at the Poké Ball with a sense of accomplishment. "It suits her perfectly."
As Boe prepared to leave, Selen's Poké Ball nestled securely in his bag, he took one last look at the ranch. "Thank you again, Travon. This place has been amazing, and I'm grateful for the chance to meet Selen."
Travon waved with a smile. "Good luck on your journey, Boe. I'm sure you and Selen will have many great adventures together."
With a final farewell and a promise to return someday, Boe and Olive set off down the road, Selen's Poké Ball resting in Boe's bag. The horizon stretched out before them, and Boe felt a renewed sense of excitement for the journey ahead, ready to face whatever challenges and discoveries lay in wait.
Boe Sen, Olive, and Selen walked across the river on Route 20, their destination set for the nearby Virbank City. As they rounded a corner of the route, Boe noticed a small, inviting grove to the side—a place he had heard about but hadn't yet visited. According to local lore, Pledge Grove was home to an ancient, legendary stone said to be connected to the mythical Swords of Justice.
Curiosity piqued, Boe guided Olive and Selen into Pledge Grove. The area was serene, with sunlight filtering through the trees and casting a warm, dappled glow over the clearing. In the center stood the stone—an enormous, weathered monolith covered in intricate carvings that seemed to pulse with a soft, otherworldly light.
"Wow," Boe murmured, his eyes wide with wonder. "Look at the size of that stone."
Olive and Selen looked up in awe, the Grass-type and the newly caught Lillipup both taking in the sight. Boe carefully pulled out his notebook and began sketching the stone, capturing the detailed carvings and the overall grandeur of the ancient structure. The Pokémon watched quietly, sensing the significance of the moment.
As Boe sketched, he noticed that the carvings depicted majestic, armored figures in striking poses. Each figure seemed to convey strength and nobility, evoking tales of heroic deeds and ancient battles. Boe's heart raced with excitement as he traced the patterns with his pencil, feeling a deep connection to the legends of Unova.
After some time, Boe closed his notebook and admired his work. "This is amazing," he said, turning to Olive and Selen. "I've read about these legends, but seeing it in person is something else entirely."
While Boe was speaking, Selen, who had been exploring the grass near the stone, suddenly perked up with excitement. Lillipup's keen nose had detected something unusual buried in the foliage. Selen used her paws to carefully dig out a small, glinting object—a black belt with an intricate design.
Boe's eyes widened in surprise as Selen brought the item over. "What's that you've found, Selen?" he asked, kneeling down to inspect it.
The item was an Expert Belt, a rare and valuable item known to enhance the power of a Pokémon's super-effective moves. Boe took the belt from Selen's paws and examined it closely. "This is an Expert Belt!" he exclaimed. "It's perfect for giving our Pokémon an extra boost in battles."
Selen wagged her tail happily, proud of her find. Boe attached the Expert Belt to Selen's harness, knowing it would be a valuable asset in their upcoming battles. "Great job, Selen!" Boe praised, giving the Lillipup an affectionate scratch behind the ears.
Just then, a subtle shift in the atmosphere made Boe pause. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, and for a brief moment, he felt a presence—something ancient and powerful. Boe's gaze moved toward the edge of the grove, where a shadow seemed to flicker among the trees. It was a fleeting glimpse, a shadowy figure with an imposing, armored form, disappearing into the dense undergrowth before he could fully comprehend it.
"Did you see that?" Boe asked, his voice low and filled with awe. Olive and Selen looked around, their senses heightened, but the shadow was gone, leaving only the peaceful hum of the grove.
Feeling a mix of excitement and unease, Boe recalled his Pokémon into their Poké Balls, making sure they were safely contained. The encounter had left him with a sense of wonder and anticipation, knowing that Unova's world was filled with mysteries yet to be uncovered.
With a final, wistful glance at the ancient stone, Boe turned and headed back to the path leading out of the grove. The sky was beginning to darken as twilight approached, and the distant lights of Virbank City beckoned.
As he continued along Route 20 towards Virbank, Boe felt invigorated by the glimpse of the legendary and the connection to the ancient lore. The discovery of the Expert Belt added to his excitement, making him feel more prepared for the adventures ahead. With Olive and Selen by his side, he was ready to face whatever came next on his journey through Unova.