Tropius, a Grass and Flying-type Pokémon.
Whether in games or anime, their popularity is almost considered niche.
Furthermore, Tropius cannot evolve, its base stats are average, and its overall performance is unremarkable.
But even such a Pokémon possesses an ability that most other Pokémon do not have.
—Fruiting.
Sweet and delicious Berry fruit grows on their necks at regular intervals.
Although this fruit only bears twice a year, a Tropius with the Harvest Ability can significantly shorten this cycle, growing new Berries on its neck every one or two days.
In the anime, there are many ranches specializing in raising Tropius, where people regularly harvest the Berries produced by Tropius and then sell them or keep them for their children.
If their territory could also raise Pokémon like Tropius... then they would have another food source.
But just as Draconis was about to pursue that Tropius, it had already flown far away.
They currently have no Flying Pokémon, so it was impossible to catch up to that Tropius.
Draconis felt incredibly regretful, only able to watch the Tropius depart.
However, the only thing worth celebrating was, did this mean that Tropius resided nearby?
If that were the case, then as long as they continued to develop here, they would eventually encounter Tropius again.
"Let's go!"
Draconis returned to the riverbank and took the small wooden boat back to the territory.
"Your Highness, did you gain anything from your trip?" Alfred quickly stepped forward and asked.
Draconis nodded: "I discovered a monster called Mareep. We can use the wool from their bodies to make carpets and clothes."
After a pause, Draconis instructed again:
"Oh, Alfred, have someone build a ranch on the other side of the river later! It doesn't need to be too luxurious, just fence off a piece of land with wooden fences and have farmers plant pasture grass inside."
Now that they had a boat, they could slowly begin transporting timber to the other side of the river.
Finally, they would introduce a few Grass-type Pokémon into it.
The Grass-type energy emitted by Grass-type Pokémon can make the surrounding pasture grow more fertile, thus providing food for Mareep.
And Grass-type Pokémon do not need to be fed food. As the easiest type of Pokémon to raise and cultivate in the Pokémon world, they only need sunlight and water to live.
The two complement each other, creating a perfect ecological cycle ranch.
"Yes, Your Highness!" Alfred responded.
*
At the same time, deep in the forest, on a tall and sturdy tree.
The Combee's nest was built here.
The giant beehive exuded an alluringly sweet aroma. Under the command of a Vespiquen, Combee continuously flew in and out.
Anna and Zorua stood nearby, gazing at this incredibly lively scene.
The task entrusted by His Highness Draconis, they had completed it!
To build a good relationship with these Combee, for the past few days, she and Zorua had been helping these Combee search for flowers and protecting them as they gathered nectar to make honey.
At night, they even helped these Combee chase away other monsters that came to steal honey on multiple occasions.
After these days of interaction, these Combee and Vespiquen had begun to treat her as a friend.
And just then, the Vespiquen slowly flew to Anna's side. In her hand, she held a leaf containing a portion of transparent, clear, golden-colored honey, exuding an alluringly sweet aroma.
The Vespiquen handed this Sweet Honey to Anna.
Anna's eyes widened: "Is this... for us?"
The Vespiquen happily nodded.
"Thank you!"
Anna's eyes lit up. She thanked the Vespiquen, then shared the honey with Zorua, enjoying it together.
"So sweet!"
The Vespiquen's face showed a happy smile.
But soon, the Vespiquen seemed to remember something, and the smile on her face gradually disappeared.
She turned around and looked at the busy Combee with Anna, her eyes filled with worry.
Recently, this place had become increasingly unsafe.
Almost every day, other wild Pokémon would come to steal and snatch their honey.
Some despicable monsters even specifically chose to steal when they were sleeping... If this continued, the speed at which they made honey would soon be slower than the speed at which it was stolen.
Although Anna was there and would help them drive away the thieves, the Vespiquen knew very well that this was not a long-term solution.
Anna could not protect them forever.
Thinking of this, the Vespiquen looked distressed and couldn't help but sigh.
"Bee..."
"Huh? Vespiquen, are you worried?" Anna turned her head and asked, somewhat surprised.
"Bee."
The Vespiquen nodded gently.
But Anna couldn't understand her words.
And just then, Zorua, who was nearby, couldn't help but say to the Vespiquen:
"Woo?" (Are you worried that all the honey will be stolen if this continues?)
"Bee." The Vespiquen looked at this Zorua and nodded.
Zorua's mind recalled the task entrusted to her and Anna by His Highness Draconis. She immediately felt that now was a good opportunity to complete the task!
"Woo... woo." (If you are willing to trust us, I have a method that might be able to help you.)
"Bee?" The Vespiquen was startled and quickly looked at Zorua.
Zorua explained: "Woo." (On the outskirts of this forest, humans have established a territory there. Anna and I came from there. That place has recently been inviting Pokémon to join. If you are willing, you can also join that territory. The people there will protect you and help you gather nectar.)
Upon hearing these words, the Vespiquen's first reaction was not surprise, but contemplation.
There was no such thing as a free lunch in this world, and those humans would certainly not help them for no reason.
So, what was the price?
"Bee?" the Vespiquen asked.
Zorua replied: "Woo." (The price is that you will have to share a portion of your honey.)
"Bee..." The Vespiquen looked thoughtful.
Zorua continued: "Woo." (Don't be afraid that all the honey you make will be taken by humans. The king of that territory is a very good king. He will not only help you gather honey but also plant a flower field for you to live there.)
These were all things Anna had told her, and Zorua had lived there for so long that she also knew what those humans were like.
They would not harm Pokémon; instead, they would protect them.
Upon hearing these words, a glimmer of light flashed in the Vespiquen's eyes.
If all of this were true, then they could truly live the life they desired there.
As for sharing honey... the Vespiquen felt it was not a big deal.
As long as there was a flower field, they could continuously produce new honey.
And the reason she was worried now was that the flowers in the forest were limited. If they picked them all, they would have to go to more distant places to collect nectar.