After taming the Sandslash family, the time had reached noon. The scorching sun hung high in the sky, and Wen Qi felt the heat of the sunlight. Realizing it was also time for a meal, he decided to head back home.
The afternoon sunlight spilled across the villa's courtyard, spreading a serene and peaceful atmosphere. Wen Qi had just finished a hearty lunch and was now sitting comfortably on the sofa, resting with his eyes closed, savoring this rare moment of tranquility. After a brief rest, he felt refreshed, as if reenergized. He got up from the sofa, intending to continue checking on the farm.
Leaving the villa, he strolled along the path leading to the farm, breathing in the fresh air and admiring the surrounding scenery. The area was shaded by lush trees, filled with the songs of birds and the fragrance of flowers, presenting a vibrant and lively scene before his eyes.
However, when Wen Qi reached the river at the edge of the farm, his brow furrowed slightly. In his memory, this river had been a highlight of the farm—clear water, leaping fish, and shimmering ripples. But now, the river appeared murky, with sediment deposits, clearly neglected for a long time. He mused to himself that he would need to hire an engineering team to clean it up properly.
Standing by the river, Wen Qi's gaze shifted to the empty grassland beside it. This patch of grass had once been part of the pasture, but due to various reasons, it had become desolate and barren. A thought stirred within him: to make the farm more complete, he needed to visit other pastures and purchase some Pokémon to populate this grassland.
After some deliberation, Wen Qi decided to buy some Miltank to enrich the farm. These Miltank could provide fresh milk, boosting the farm's income, and also supply high-quality dairy products to nearby residents—a win-win situation. Additionally, Mareep were a good choice. Their soft, fine wool could be made into warm clothing, and the evolved form, Ampharos, was powerful in battle. If he could capture one, it would greatly benefit the farm.
With this in mind, Wen Qi's heart filled with anticipation. He decided to visit nearby pastures in the next few days to select healthy, high-quality Pokémon to enhance his farm. He believed that with these new members, the farm would radiate new vitality and energy.
As he walked, Wen Qi arrived at the foot of the hill behind the farm. He had originally planned to climb up and enjoy the view from the summit, but his attention was now drawn to a scene at the base of the hill. A Skiddo was quietly grazing, its body shimmering with a faint luster, appearing exceptionally elegant. It moved unhurriedly, chewing on tender grass while occasionally lifting its head to gaze into the distance, as if appreciating the peaceful world.
Wen Qi looked at this Skiddo, feeling a strange sense of familiarity. He tried to recall where or when he had seen such a Skiddo but couldn't remember. This feeling left him a bit puzzled, yet it was more of an inexplicable warmth. He stood there quietly, watching the Skiddo graze, enjoying this rare moment of peace.
In that moment, Wen Qi seemed to forget the passage of time and the noise of the world, wanting only to immerse himself in this tranquility and harmony with the Skiddo. However, just as he was lost in this serenity, the Skiddo seemed to sense his presence. It raised its head, looked at Wen Qi, and its eyes sparkled with an unusual light.
Wen Qi felt the Skiddo's excitement. Though he didn't fully understand why, a wave of familiarity surged within him. He slowly approached the Skiddo, trying to establish a deeper connection. The Skiddo, as if sensing Wen Qi's goodwill, ran over swiftly, each step full of strength and enthusiasm.
When the Skiddo reached Wen Qi, it lowered its head, sniffed him, and showed great excitement. Wen Qi watched this scene, filled with confusion and curiosity. He didn't know why the Skiddo was so agitated or what connection he had with this goat. But regardless, he felt the Skiddo's kindness and closeness, which surprised and warmed him.
Just then, a flash of light struck Wen Qi's mind, awakening a buried memory. He remembered this Pokémon, Skiddo—it had been by his parents' side, their loyal companion. But why was it here now? Wen Qi was filled with confusion and doubt. Wasn't he remembering correctly? That sudden plane crash had taken his parents and the Skiddo away into the sky. It was an eternal pain in his heart, one that made his heart ache every time he thought of it.
Yet, this goat before him was so similar to the one in his memory, almost identical. Wen Qi stood there, staring blankly at the goat, his heart full of questions. Had this goat escaped that disaster? Or was his memory flawed? It all seemed beyond his understanding.
He approached the goat, gently stroking its fur, trying to find clues from it. But the Skiddo just stood there quietly, as if waiting for something. Wen Qi knew he had to figure this out quickly. Perhaps this Skiddo could reveal the truth about that disaster, or maybe it could become a new hope in his heart. Either way, he had to find answers.
So, Wen Qi decided to communicate with the Skiddo using the power of Tokiwa. He asked softly, "Skiddo, is it you? Weren't you supposed to be with my parents? Why are you here?"
Upon hearing this, the Skiddo's eyes showed a hint of sorrow. It said sadly, "I was left by the owners to watch the farm. I waited and waited for so long, but the owners never came back. I didn't know how to find them, so I just kept waiting here."
Hearing the Skiddo's story, Wen Qi finally understood why it was here. Initially, he had held onto a sliver of hope that he might find his parents, who had disappeared in the plane crash, here. But as he listened to the Skiddo, he gradually realized things weren't that simple. The Skiddo still looked healthy and lively, but it seemed unaware that its owners had passed away. Watching it frolic carefree on the grass, Wen Qi felt a complex mix of emotions. He felt both pity for the Skiddo's innocent ignorance and helplessness over his own loss.
Wen Qi knew he should tell the Skiddo the truth about his parents, even if it was harsh. He took a deep breath, trying to keep his voice calm: "Skiddo, it's not that my parents didn't come back for you. Two years ago, they went missing in a plane crash—basically, they've passed away. I was too heartbroken to come back before, and I didn't know you were still waiting here on the farm."
The Skiddo's eyes filled with deep sorrow at Wen Qi's words. It stood quietly to the side, ears drooping, as if listening to a distant, sad past. Wen Qi looked at it, his heart also heavy with grief and helplessness. He knew he couldn't change the past, but he could do his best to care for this Skiddo that had lost its owner.
"Skiddo, even though your owners are gone, I'll take care of you as best I can. From now on, you'll live with me on this farm," Wen Qi said softly.
The Skiddo lifted its head, looking at Wen Qi with a newfound gratitude and trust. It gently nuzzled against Wen Qi's leg, as if expressing its thanks. Wen Qi crouched down, softly stroking its fur, his heart filled with warmth and hope.
"Your owners have left us forever, gone to a distant world we can't reach," he said.
The Skiddo seemed to understand these words. It slowly raised its head, tears glistening in its eyes. It recalled the warm and beautiful times it had shared with its owners. The owners had always gently stroked its fur, carefully prepared its food, taken it for walks on sunny days, or weathered storms together. And it had always loyally stayed by their side, no matter the hardship.
But now, the owners were gone forever, leaving only deep loneliness and endless loss. It longed to feel their warmth again, to hear their calls, but those tender scenes and sounds had become distant memories. The Skiddo stood there silently, letting sorrow wash over it. Despite the pain, it knew life had to go on. For its owners, and for itself, it would live on bravely, facing each day ahead.
Looking at Wen Qi, perhaps it could find that warmth and companionship once more.