The phone in his pocket kept ringing—a sign that friends from far away were sending their New Year greetings.
In the living room behind him, the TV show had its host announcing the New Year's countdown at the foot of the brightest skyscraper in Levincia, under a shower of neon lights.
From distant Los Platos, the faint chimes of a clock marking the New Year could be heard following the explosive sounds of fireworks.
But Lucas wasn't paying attention to any of that now.
He gazed at the slightly awkward-looking Calyrex, Zygarde Core, and the visibly guilty Moltres and Victini, both trying to quietly sneak away.
The answer was obvious.
"You two aren't getting any dessert for the next few days."
Moltres and Victini stared in disbelief. Lucas, feeling his heart harden like an old timer who'd spent a decade gutting fish in Porto Marinada's market, coldly announced their punishment.
Realizing Lucas meant it this time, Moltres and Victini, with a "let's go down together" mindset, immediately ratted out Tinkatuff—the one who came up with the idea. Even Arcanine, who simply helped light the fuse, wasn't spared.
That was a perfect illustration of what you'd call fake friendship.
Thinking some habits had to be nipped in the bud, Lucas wasn't lenient this time and docked their snacks too.
Then Lucas turned his gaze to Zygarde Core and Calyrex.
Zygarde Core panicked before Lucas could speak, already planning to invisibly sneak away.
Back at Terminus Cave, all it did was sunbathe every day to the point its mouth was getting parched. Now that it finally found delicious food with symphonic flavors, how could it resist?
Without hesitation, Zygarde Core spilled that it had only joined in because Calyrex reassured it and was the first to inject power.
"Really, I was just an unknowing accomplice! Let's each take a step back and call it even—yeah?"
It tried to sound fierce but came off as utterly timid.
Lucas twitched his lips. He hadn't expected this tactic to work on Zygarde Core and made a mental note for future use.
He then looked at Calyrex.
Lucas had always found Calyrex collected and reliable. If he hadn't witnessed this himself, he could've never imagined Calyrex involved in something so reckless.
In fact, its "contribution" was second only to Tinkatuff, the ringleader.
"This is what you call 'not powerful'?"
Lucas looked at it with exasperation.
Calyrex awkwardly looked up at the sky. Usually so methodical, even Calyrex's words betrayed guilt this time.
"I specifically reduced the energy from the 'Astral Barrage', thinking that would be enough, but I didn't notice—"
Calyrex's voice trailed off. The bit about "Victini secretly injecting its limitless energy to amplify it all" was something it just couldn't bring itself to say.
Lucas glanced again at his downcast Pokémon and pieced together the situation.
Moltres had put a bit of its "Sacred Fire" into the fireworks. Zygarde Core had gone straight for "Core Enforcer". Calyrex's addition was "Astral Barrage," but even with some neutralization, the firework might have exploded before taking off.
The fireworks were indeed not "powerful" in Calyrex's precognition, but Calyrex's nod inspired the Zygarde Core to join and convinced Victini—formerly hesitant—after Moltres egged it on, to inject a surge of its amplifying, Infinity Energy.
The result? A scene that rivaled a missile or even nuclear explosion.
Thankfully, the launch was high enough that, except for scattering all the clouds and revealing a beautiful night sky—and the thunderous sound—there was no major harm.
"Alright, everyone stay home for now. I'll head to the police station and explain, so the night shift doesn't lose sleep over this."
Lucas started towards the door, then paused, suddenly turning to his preparing Falinks and said, "Oh, and pack some dumplings for me to take along."
"Can't visit empty-handed," he chuckled.
Soon after.
Lucas couldn't have imagined almost spending his New Year's Eve at the Los Platos police station.
Luckily, Officer Jenny was exceptionally understanding—possibly owing to the piping hot dumplings, or perhaps because she knew Lucas's identity.
Either way, she only confirmed that no townsfolk were startled—everyone thought the surprise was arranged by Elsa, the mayor. After delivering a few words of advice and filing a simple report, she hurried him home.
—She was about to clock off, after all.
Heading back to the farm, Lucas checked his phone for messages.
Most were New Year's wishes from friends—old and new—via text.
Whether Geeta, Hassel, and Arven from Paldea, or later ones from Nemona and Professor Oak, all had sent their greetings.
Lucas replied one by one before powering off his phone, walking briskly back to his farm, whose lights were still kindly left on for him.
After a mess comes clarity, and so a fresh heart welcomes the new year and a new day!
…
League Calendar Year 799, January 1st.
Early in the morning, Lucas awoke to a wet face—courtesy of Arcanine's slobber.
Opening his eyes, he unsurprisingly found Arcanine gazing at him with eager eyes.
As the one who'd raised this troublemaker from a pup, Lucas could always tell what Arcanine wanted just by the way it stuck its butt out. The motivation was obvious—Arcanine wanted first dibs on Alcremie's special dessert for New Year's Day.
Long used to this, Lucas calmly wiped away the drool and said as he headed to the sink, "Watch yourself eating, or you'll plump up like your mother."
Arcanine: "..."
You cold, heartless trainer! I'll never forgive you!
"Eevee~"
His sister, the empathetic Eevee, gently placed her pink-padded paws on Arcanine's shoulder, offering consolation.
It was fine—Alcremie loves sharing her desserts. All it took was a little flattery last time, and she'd sneak extras for everyone.
Hearing this, Arcanine instantly perked up, tail wagging like a broom.
Shape-wise, it kind of looked like a cloud-shaped stone.
"Serpy~"
Serperior slithered down from the bed. Its gaze lingered knowingly on Arcanine—a wry smile in its eyes.
Moltres could never compare! Look at the Dragonite and Tropius it took care of—they were so obedient and even helped on the farm.
Not to mention, Moltres was also a co-conspirator last night, second only to Tinkatuff.
Thinking this, Serperior could barely suppress its amusement.
Her mood instantly lifted after Lucas handed out sweet rice balls last night—giving Moltres theirs first had annoyed her, but no longer.
She could always comfort herself just fine.
On New Year's Day, Corviknights got a rare break from their milk and grass-delivery duties. Lucas gave them the day off so they could return to their woodland domains and, for the first time in a while, have a friendly "squabble" with the Talonflame tribe—just for exercise.
He'd long notified his customers of the business holiday. Most understood. Anyone with special needs had stocked up already—true, not as fresh from the fridge, but still drinkable.
Breakfast on New Year's: wholesome rice porridge made by Audino, and various snacks prepared by Falinks.
Feeling full and satisfied as he gazed out at the rare clear sky, Lucas wondered if Calyrex and friends' three epic fireworks last night had blown away every cloud around Los Platos. No rain, no snow—only clear, blue expanse. Just looking at it was uplifting.
A rather embarrassed Calyrex, riding Glastrier, had disappeared somewhere.
In Oranguru's opinion, the fact that Lucas did not berate Calyrex actually made Calyrex feel even more guilty than Arcanine and the rest.
Still, since nothing serious happened, these little issues would soon blow over.
The morning passed as Lucas, surrounded by the warmth of his house, played puzzle games and watched TV shows with Victini, Larvesta, and the others.
He noticed that Iono was broadcasting her New Year's livestream. She was out in Levincia, challenging trainers to one-on-one Pokémon battles on the street.
Seeing her Terrastalized Bellibolt eliminate a poor Mareanie in one shot, Lucas realized he'd underestimated Iono's lack of scruples—she really was bullying the weak as a Gym Leader, right out in broad daylight.
Fine, just wait till those kids grow up—her Mareanie will be back for revenge.
Watching the storm of comments in her livestream, Lucas realized her popularity had soared even higher in just a few months.
At this rate, it wouldn't be long before the entire region of Paldea would be watching her super-popular streams, just like in the original story.
"Hmm, I should probably begin planning for some merchandising."
With spring approaching, the newly expanded farm would be producing even larger harvests compared to last year. Lucas's ambitions would go beyond Los Platos—he wanted his farm's products to top the list in all surrounding towns... or even all Paldea!
Next step: save up, and when the time was right, build the farm's own ecological domed greenhouse!
Afternoon.
Calyrex returned on Glastrier, bringing back a collection of odd stones from who-knows-where.
Everyone's attention in the farm was drawn to the kitchen.
Alcremie had spent ages preparing sweets themed for New Year's—persimmon-shaped mochi stuffed with various fillings, with hints at a secret version.
There were also creamy pumpkin mochis, taro tarts, water chestnut cakes, nougat confections, donuts, and Alcremie's signature cream desserts.
Especially that persimmon-shaped mochi, which Lucas felt had it all—the look and the taste: adorable and bouncy like real fruit, its orange-colored skin boasting a translucent layer of glutinous texture, faintly revealing the color of the filling.
With Arcanine drooling and staring longingly, Lucas ended up eating several himself.
As for Arcanine and Victini sneaking off to sweet-talk Alcremie for extra treats—of course Lucas knew! Still, his public stance was enough; he just wanted them to realize not to make impulsive mistakes next time. Privately, he always turned a blind eye to their shenanigans.
Just like with Zygarde Core.
After eating, Lucas toured the farmed fields.
He'd replaced the old secret seasoning patches and special gold-and-silver fruit trees with black soil salvaged from war ruins.
That soil, long saturated with Tapu Bulu's power, had nutrients that far surpassed any other soil—perfect for these rare crops.
He also planted flower seeds brought from Alola in the greenhouse, including the Gracidea seeds gifted by Mr.s Hideko and Mr. Yukito.
Lucas didn't rush their growth—he simply tended the fields like normal, regularly applying "Grassy Terrain" instead of forcing Pokémon to accelerate anything.
Once spring arrived, these seeds would sprout and blossom in their own time.
Then Vespiquen and her Combee squad could harvest nectar, preparing an assortment of honey flavors.
The blooming Gracideas might even attract some Shaymin, building a special bond with the farm or its Pokémon.
Finishing his rounds, he checked on the new orchard, confirming that Shuckles and Applin were still hibernating, before returning home as night fell.
Just as the usual routine of Victini infusing Infinity Energy into a crystal jewel finished, something completely different happened—something neither Lucas nor the others could have predicted.
The crystal jewel, unsupported by any outside force, began to float in the air.
Its dull color shifted as if it came to life, sparkling with gem-like brilliance.
Lucas's eyes widened in surprise.
At the peak of its shine, the crystal began to change—as if evolving! Out stretched four little feet, a deep blue head, and a dainty little tail.
The Pokémon born from crystal seemed groggy, letting out a big yawn. Then, its beautiful magenta-lined eyes slowly opened.
…