November 5. Early Morning.
A day had passed since Lucas left Area Zero and returned to the farm.
Yesterday, when he and Arven had been picking out necklaces in Medali, the outdoor temperature had still been around 10°C. Just an underlayer, a long sleeve, and an overcoat were enough.
But now, as he got up in his autumn pajamas, Lucas felt the undeniable coldness. The carpet by his bed was off for washing, his slippers missing, so he stepped barefoot on the chilly ground.
His toes curled from the freeze, and his fuzzy, just-awake brain let out a surprised yelp.
Like the floor was "burning hot," Lucas hopped back onto the bed, hugging the soundly sleeping Larvesta for warmth.
Larvesta slept on, but the Luxray beside the bed lifted an eyelid, licked its paw, and got up to stretch.
Having noticed the temperature drop on patrol at night, Luxray wasn't bothered thanks to its excellent fur, as long as things didn't get too cold.
Seeing Lucas curled tightly under the blankets, Luxray shook its head.
Might as well remind Moltres to turn on the heating soon.
But first, perhaps go help Lucas find the slippers Arcanine might have buried around the farm.
With its powerful hind legs, Luxray stood, opened the bedroom door with its forepaws, and strolled out, closing the door behind.
About five minutes later, Lucas finally poked his head out from the covers, exhaled a visible puff of white, and muttered, "Winter's here."
After washing up and bundling into thicker clothes, he dared open the window.
As he opened the curtains and the window, a cold wind carrying snowflakes rushed in.
Forgetting the chill, Lucas stared wide-eyed at the gray sky. "It's snowing?"
Outside, it looked like the sky had sighed and let down the first snow.
The snowflakes drifted, like soft feathers accumulating on the buildings, a thin silver veil.
On the lawn, a dusting of snow made it look like a white-green carpet.
Suddenly, an excited cry caught Lucas's attention.
He looked outside to see the Eevee sisters bursting from the house, eyes dancing with excitement at their first snow, leaping and playing in the wintry air.
"The first snow of winter, huh…"
Lucas looked out the window, reached out a hand to feel the icy touch of a snowflake, and smiled wryly.
He could imagine everyone on the farm doing the same, pausing to enjoy the winter's beauty.
Ninetales, Abomasnow, the Sandshrew family, Regice, and Glastrier would all get to enjoy their element without relying on the artificial cold room.
With the recent farm expansion, there was more open space; Calyrex could even drag out the Rayquaza ice sculpture as a slide for the Eldegoss, Politoed, and others.
Once the snow accumulated more, they could even make more fun ice sculptures.
"It's a pity the Delibird isn't around… It's probably already reached Hoenn by now?" Lucas sighed, then casually put on the silver feather necklace and crystal pendant, and left the room.
Oranguru was likely handling shipping data; Lucas didn't disturb it, just went straight to the door, ready for a stroll before breakfast.
Right then, he ran into Calyrex returning.
"Going out for a walk?" Calyrex's gentle voice echoed in his mind.
Despite being a Grass type, Calyrex could handle Crown Tundra-level cold—this temperature was nothing.
"I noticed the temperature dropped below zero—thought I'd check the farm for any problems."
Lucas nodded, took down his coat, and switched to thicker shoes.
"By the way, when I get back, I'll make breakfast. Cosmog doesn't need food yet, right?"
Calyrex blinked, its psychic power rippling up to the second floor of the new house.
"No, still asleep."
"Got it."
Lucas smiled, heading out.
The Eevee sisters soon shook off their snow and bounded after him—they knew that when Lucas was up, he'd usually take a walk, and they wanted to come along.
By the time Lucas had checked the farm and made breakfast, it was already 9:30 AM.
Time to change clothes and prepare for class at Naranja Academy.
Right on cue, Oranguru came out, handing Lucas a hand-knit wool scarf—its handiwork, known to everyone.
With the new scarf, Lucas's neck stayed warm.
"I'm heading out—won't be back for lunch today."
Oranguru called after him, hesitantly using psychic communication: "Serperior doesn't seem too well lately."
As the farm's butler, Oranguru felt obliged to look after everyone's health.
In his observations, besides Serperior, Dragonair, Appletun, Applin, Tropius, Vespiquen, and her three Combee were all a bit down in spirits lately.
Oranguru suspected it was from the cold, but still felt Lucas should know.
Hearing this, Lucas paused, snatched Victini (trying to sneak after him) for a hand warmer, and said: "No worries. It's just like Ninetales and the other Ice-types in summer—they struggle with colder winter temps."
"Last winter, Serperior camped beside the old fireplace all season. They all have a bit of a hibernation instinct."
"The heating should be running soon, and Ninetales and the others will be fine indoors. As for Appletun and friends, they'll move in from the new orchard."
This winter, Lucas wasn't planning on much farming.
While the farm could keep producing, he decided to let the fields rest—no need to keep busy all year, especially when not in debt to the Paldea League!
Oranguru had also told him that Siebold would visit soon, and once those last harvests were in, they'd enjoy a real winter break.
After busy springs, summers, and autumns, they deserved a rest in winter.
With Oranguru reassured, Lucas waved, called out Dragonite, and said, "Ten minutes until class. Help me out, please, Dragonite!"
Dragonite, just released: "..."
Speechless. (￢д￢.)
…
Naranja Academy, Battle Hall
Looking at the pile of "fainted bodies" around him, Lucas cheerfully said, "That's warm-ups done. Shall we talk about plans for this winter?"
"What kind of warm-up is this!" Arven muttered, heartbrokenly returning his battered Pokémons.
Eri, Penny, Paul, and even Ortega and Aliquis, who'd joined as observers, all returned their own defeated Pokémon, wholeheartedly agreeing with Arven's complaint.
Only Shizuka and Nemona had been spared; everyone else bore the brunt of the "training."
Calling it a warm-up was a joke—aided by Victini, Pawmot's punches nearly KO'd them for real!
Lucas ignored the complaints, glancing at Nemona, who seemed unsatisfied. Whew. Luckily, he'd sent her after the others; otherwise, she'd be pestering him for endless battles.
A fight or two was fine, but too much was exhausting. At least Nemona would soon leave on another journey.
"Ahem—"
Clearing his throat, Lucas got all the students' attention.
"In a few days, the Blueberry Academy from Unova will arrive. As for the team representing our academy—Chairwoman Geeta will probably select you guys."
"Winter's here; everyone's a little sluggish, me included, but you still need to keep up your battle readiness. Nobody wants to lose on their home turf, right?"
Everyone nodded firmly—even if they complained, no one wanted to lose, especially Aliquis. Having heard his brother was on the visiting team, he was determined to prove himself.
Seeing their fighting spirit, Lucas grinned, which made Arven and the others nervous.
"So from today until Blueberry Academy arrives, I'll leave Nemona in charge of your special training."
The group: "!!!!!"
We thought you were our teacher, but you want us to die of exhaustion!?
Nemona, resolute as always, declared, "I'll do my best to train everyone!"
Lucas watched Paul and the others' expressions with amusement, all while petting Shizuka's Bulbasaur on his lap.
This way, he met Nemona's craving for battle, helped train the students, and managed to take it easy himself—three birds with one stone.
Perfect!
Dodging Penny and the others' resentful stares, Lucas added:
"After Blueberry Academy's visit, Nemona will leave for the Battle Frontier for her journey, and Paul's volunteered to join her."
"I recommend traveling in groups of three—any other volunteers?"
…
November 7
After the first snow, the temperature kept dropping—like a plummeting green stock line, it quickly fell to over ten degrees below zero. The "cute, fluffy" first snow turned into a thick blizzard.
After a day and night of heavy snow, all of Paldea was wrapped in magnificent white—an entire world transformed.
The farm was blanketed in thick snow.
Many Pokémon born this year were seeing it for the first time, and the winter wonder fueled their excitement.
Early in the morning, like they'd agreed on it, the Pokémon streamed out the main gate, into this newfound white world.
Victini zipped over the new field.
Arcanine, the Eevee sisters, and others left paw prints like plum blossoms across the snow.
Dachsbun was more calm, perhaps used to winters back at the old ranch, but soon joined in the games.
Houndoom, on the other hand, stepped out, felt the cold, and instantly retreated—no way it could handle that frozen floor!
Watching this scene, Lucas laughed: "You're a Fire-type, Houndoom! Won't you go be a 'dog artist' and paint some plum-blossom prints in the snow?"