The school play Shauna mentioned before turned out to be part of Twinleaf Town's Autumn Festival, a Thanksgiving Day activity.
It's said that the people of Twinleaf Town pray to The Lake Trio for success in their studies and relationships, as well as the strength to not yield to hardships. Some say they pray to the God of Ocean Currents and Monsoons for safety when going out to sea, and others say they offer blessings to the Gods of Time and Space—
There are many sayings, but the most important meaning among them is gratitude.
Gratitude for meeting the people and Pokémon around them, gratitude for a bountiful harvest, gratitude for... everything.
This is the main purpose of this event.
Originally, the people of Twinleaf Town didn't have many activities at this time of year; they would just prepare food at home, have a meal with their families, and then go out for a walk to mark the end of it.
But this year, due to the reopening of the Breeding House and the fact that most people in Twinleaf Town had experienced the fever incident, the Thanksgiving Day activities organized by Mayor Quinn were unprecedentedly grand.
Lucas and the Breeding House were also invited to join.
Since today was Thanksgiving Day and school was out, Lucas also had Gothitelle close her Time Cottage for the day so they could enjoy the holiday.
Early in the morning, Shauna scrambled out of bed, leading Vulpix, Mime Jr., and Snorunt as they hopped and bounced around the Breeding House.
Bang bang bang.
"Uncle, it's time to get up! If you don't get up now, we won't make it in time."
Lilligant opened the door to let Shauna in. At this moment, Lucas was lying in bed, looking completely dazed.
Shauna climbed directly onto Lucas's bed and tugged at his arm.
"Hurry up and get up—"
She pulled Lucas up with all her might.
Lucas glanced at the time.
06:11
"It's only six o'clock. Besides, what's the rush for Thanksgiving Day?"
Lucas said, looking like he hadn't woken up yet.
Then he noticed Shauna standing on the bed, her small hands on her hips and her face puffed out as she stared at him.
Beside her, chimecho, Vulpix, Mime Jr., Snorunt, Pachirisu, and Gengar were also staring straight at Lucas.
Wait, Gengar, when did you sneak in?
Gengar grinned.
Wait, Pachirisu?! How did you sneak in too?!
Lucas rubbed his eyes and realized it was indeed that Pachirisu, which surprised him a little.
But seeing Shauna's huffy expression, Lucas quickly raised his hands.
"Alright, alright, I'm getting up."
After saying that, he grabbed Pachirisu and Vulpix, tucked them under his arms, pinched Gengar's cheek, and carried Snorunt toward the bathroom.
It wasn't until a wet towel was placed on its face that Pachirisu realized what was happening.
Pachirisu:?!
I don't need to wash my face!
Coming out of the bathroom, Lucas heard Shauna badmouthing him to Lilligant.
Seeing Lucas come out, she quickly covered her mouth with her small hands.
Lucas walked over to her and pinched her little cheek.
"Let's go."
Then, holding her hand with one hand and Lilligant's with the other, he went downstairs.
Looking at Shauna, who kept talking and had no appetite for breakfast.
Lucas smiled.
He understood Shauna's feelings very well; it was just like when he was a child—whenever there was a major event, he would be too excited to sleep or eat.
For example, on New Year's Eve, he would lie in bed unable to sleep, and on the morning of New Year's Day, he couldn't eat, always wanting to go out and wander the streets as soon as possible.
"Just drink the milk, if you can't eat, then don't."
Lucas said to Shauna.
Shauna happily picked up the milk and gulped it all down, then ran upstairs.
Today, Lucas would take Gengar and the others to accompany Shauna and Mr. and Mrs. Fujino to Twinleaf Town to watch Shauna's play.
By the time Lucas finished breakfast, Shauna had come back downstairs.
She had already changed into her costume, looking like a proper Magical Girl.
Even chimecho had been dressed up as a little flying pet.
Looking at Shauna, Lucas felt like something was missing.
Then Gengar handed Shauna a... wand?
That's more like it. Looking at the wand in Shauna's hand, Lucas nodded.
Then he looked at Gengar, "Where did you get that wand?"
Gengar pursed its lips and looked away.
Its eyes were darting around.
"You didn't..."
Lucas felt like he had discovered something and was incredibly surprised.
Gengar was shocked and quickly lunged forward to cover Lucas's mouth.
Seeing that it couldn't cover it, Gengar went straight for a Lick.
It was super effective.
After Mr. and Mrs. Fujino had also changed, Lucas went back to his room and put on the clothes Gothitelle had prepared for him.
Then, following behind Mr. and Mrs. Fujino and Shauna, he headed toward Twinleaf Town with Gengar and the others.
The Breeding Road leading to Twinleaf Town was already lined with vendors.
"Morning, Lucas." "Lucas, have you had breakfast? Want some? It's on the house." "Lucas, are you not open today?"
Lucas responded to each one with a smile.
"Good morning, I've eaten, you guys go ahead. I'm taking the day off to experience our Twinleaf Town's Thanksgiving Day."
Along the way, Lucas met many acquaintances.
Rhys, who was selling fish, had caught another Gastrodon. He and Floatzel were holding a fish even bigger than he was, promoting it.
Seeing Lucas, he even greeted him.
"Lucas, do you want this fish? I'll sell it to you at 50% off."
Lucas looked at the fish, which was about the same size as Dash, and shook his head.
How long would it take to eat that—
After saying goodbye to Rhys, it wasn't long before he reached Grandpa Yask and Teddiursa's stall.
Teddiursa's fur had become exceptionally bright and smooth, and its whole body seemed—
Lucas looked at the Teddiursa, which looked like a cylinder.
?! Where is my cute Teddiursa?!
Grandpa Yask saw Lucas and greeted him with a smile. Teddiursa also saw him and ran over to hug Lucas's leg.
"Yime yime."
Hello, Lucas.
Lucas reached down and expertly picked up Teddiursa.
Hiss—
He thought he had raised Vulpix well enough, and her size was already far beyond that of an ordinary Vulpix, but he didn't expect there to be such masters among the people!
Feeling the heavy weight in his arms and the incredibly comfortable feel, it was on par with Vulpix.
Lucas then put Teddiursa down.
He didn't expect that he actually couldn't handle the weight anymore.
"How has Teddiursa been lately?"
Lucas leaned down and patted its little head.
"Yime yime."
Very good, there's lots of delicious food every day.
Lucas wasn't worried about Teddiursa being overweight. Winter was approaching, and after winter arrived, Teddiursa would significantly reduce its activities, similar to hibernation. However, after being adopted by Grandpa Yask, it wouldn't hibernate but would still reduce its activities and rest well.
This was a living habit engraved in its genes; the energy consumption within its body would eventually make it return to its original appearance.
But it really was living too happily.
Seeing Teddiursa's happy and blessed face, as well as the constant gaze and smile on Grandpa Yask's face that never left Teddiursa, Lucas was also sincerely happy.
Being pulled by Teddiursa to its and Grandpa Yask's stall, Lucas took a look and saw that they were actually selling sweet honey!
Lucas looked down at Teddiursa, and Grandpa Yask on the side said with a smile, "Originally, I would buy some honey for it to eat every day. Later, it worried that I wouldn't have enough money, so it started sneaking out into the forest every day to steal some honey back. Sometimes when there's extra, it has me bring it out to sell to earn a little money. And so, early this morning, it dragged me out here to set up the stall."
"Yime yime."
Lucas, hurry up and praise me.
Lucas smiled and praised it a bit, then said, "Next time you go to steal honey, you'd better call Gengar. He's an old hand at it, a really experienced one."
Teddiursa looked at Gengar, who was giving it a thumbs up, and nodded cutely.
"But if you run into any trouble, remember to tell us. We'll go help you vent your anger."
"Yime yime."
Lucas took out some money to buy some honey, but Teddiursa and Grandpa Yask refused to take his money. He could only give up and plan to bring them something else as compensation next time.
After leaving Grandpa Yask's stall, he came to Grandpa Manny's stall.
Their stalls were close together.
The items displayed on it were, as always, seeds.
Grandpa Manny and Grandma had also changed into cute... Gengar pajamas.
"Look, Gengar, we're Gengars too."
Grandma said to Gengar with a smile.
Gengar went over to them and made a peace sign toward Lucas.
Gen Gengar—
Hurry up and take a photo for us, hurry.
Lucas took out his camera and snapped a few pictures.
Then Grandpa Manny bent down and picked up a large basket.
It was filled with snacks and toys.
They distributed them one by one to the Pokémon of the Breeding House.
Gengar, Lilligant, Dash, Machoke, Dash, Mime Jr., Vulpix, Gothitelle, Roserade, Azumarill, Vespiquen—
Since Shauna's hands were full, Mr. and Mrs. Fujino were carrying the gifts that people along the way had given to Shauna.
Lucas also received a gift from Grandma.
It was a peace knot.
Lucas smiled and said thank you, then carefully put it on his wrist.
This was their blessing for him.
Gengar also took out two small Gengar pendants and gave them back.
"I'm grateful for your existence."
Grandma took Lucas's face in her hands and gave him a kiss.
Grandma, who was from the Unova region, offered Lucas her most sincere blessing.
Gengar also pressed its big face forward.
Grandma laughed happily and then gave Gengar a kiss as well.
Watching Grandpa Manny and Grandma interacting with Shauna, Gengar, and the others.
Lucas smiled.
I should be the one saying that.
Thank you.
I'm grateful for your existence, grateful for your company.
Lucas watched Gengar, Pinsir, and Heracross as they constantly annoyed Grandpa Manny.
The smile on his face grew with their antics.
Feeling a cold sensation on his hand, Lucas looked down.
Lilligant was looking up at him.
Beside her were Gothitelle and Vespiquen.
You still say you're not a tsundere, Vespiquen!
Vespiquen narrowed her eyes and turned her head away.
Lucas burst out laughing.
Causing passersby to keep looking over.
۞۞۞۞
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