Naoki ultimately didn't make it to the Hoenn region.

  Because just as he rushed back to the ranch, Dragourned with wounds all over its body.

  Seeing this, Naoki froze for a moment before quickly running forward to check Dragonite's injuries.

  The scales onite's body were damaged, and red marks caused by heavy impacts streaked across its abdomen. It looked disheveled and weak.

  "Why did you have to go so far?" Naoki's heart ached as he urgently asked Indeedee t a bottle of Life Gogoat Milk foo drink.

  After finishing the bottle, Dragonite's physical state improved somewhat, but its spirits remained low.

  It hung its head, casting a brief, sorrowful g Naoki before looking away, its heart heavy.

  It hadn't been able to catch a fish rger thauna to give Naoki, and worse, it lost the battle with the massive fish Pokémon. In shame, it returo the ranch.

  "Ooo…"

  Drago out a small whimper, clearly feeling too humiliated to faaoki.

  "Fet it, I'm just gd you're back," Naoki sighed. He reached out aly stroked Dragonite's head, speaking softly. "I'm sorry. I didn't think about how you felt. I won't make that mistake again."

  Hearing Naoki's apology, Dragonite's dejected eyes lit up slightly, though it still lowered its head with guilt.

  Naoki guided Dragoo the living room and approached Calyrex, asking the Pokémon to help as a transtor.

  "Tell me," Naoki said seriously, "why did you suddenly leave like that?"

  'Leave?' Dragonite blinked, fused. It hadn't run away at all!

  "Awoo!"

  With Calyrex's help, Naoki quickly pieced together the story.

  It turned out that Dragonite hadn't run away from home—it had left to find a bigger fish in the sea to give as a gift to Naoki.

  It had scoured the seas around Paldea but couldn't find anything rger thauna.

  So, it ventured into ions. After much searg and asking around, it finally found the rumored location of a massive fish Pokémon.

  Naoki was silent for a moment.

  'This strange, petitive determination…'

  Dragonite tinued: "Awoo, awoo…" (That Pokémon lives in a very deep uer cave…)

  It described the se iail.

  It had stumbled into the Pokémon's home and unwittingly woken it from its slumber.

  The cavern had been mysterious and silent, the waters dark. When the Pokémon's golden eyes opehey pierced through the stillness, and its voice was deep and a:

  "Intruder, what brings you here?"

  Dragonite had beeruck by the Pokémon's imposing aura but had bravely expis purpose:

  "Ooooooo…" (I came here to find the world's rgest fish to give to Naoki…)

  The statement had left Kyogre incredulous. The biggest fish? How absurd! It was the embodiment of the sea itself, the primal ruler of the o! And Naoki—Kyogre mused—must surely be a human.

  Its aura grew heavier, and its golden gaze sharpened. A human name was mentioned. Naoki.

  A weak Dragonite, wanting to give me to a human?

  The sea god was ehe surroundier seemed to boil, and enormous waves rose instantly, crashing against the cave walls.

  Dragonite sehe immi danger. Its scales bristled as it prepared itself, energy c through its body. Wisps of white air began swirling around it, and a strong gust of wind swept through the dense uer cave.

  But just as Dragonite braced for an attack, the mysterious Pokémon abruptly stopped.

  Kyogre stared at the Dragonite, fusion flickering in its golden eyes. It had sensed a presence from the Dragonite—ohat resonated deeply with the sea as if sharing a e.

  This familiar aura tempered Kyogre's rage, not out of fear, but due to a memory, it couldn't igs eternal rival.

  The tenuous baween nd and sea persisted, hard-won and fragile. If its strength were to falter, its nemesis might seize the opportunity to upset this equilibrium, abs nature's energies to expand its dominion.

  It doesn't want to see Groudon standing triumphantly on a mountaintop, setting off fireworks as if celebrating a victory.

  So, it quelled its anger. Looking at the ambitious yet na?ve Dragonite, Kyogre's voice rumbled like an aide:

  "Defeat me, and you will earn my aowledgment."

  Thus began Dragonite's challenge.

  Kyogre refrained from using its full strength nature moves. Instead, it summohe natural force of the o surrounding them. With this immense, i power, it effortlessly subdued Dragonite.

  The defeated Dragonite sank into the sea, while Kyogre returo the uer cavern, slipping bato a deep slumber. Its patience would hold, waiting for the iable csh.

  The battle between nd and sea would never cease, whether decades, turies, or millennia from now. Sooner or ter, Groudon and Kyogre would face each other once more.

  Naoki: "…"

  He sighed heavily, realizing he had misuood Kyogre. It wasn't Kyogre that had attacked Drago was Dragonite who had provoked Kyogre.

  Yet, uzzled him was why Kyogre, despite its initial fury, had showraint and allowed the Dragoo challe under specific terms.

  As Naoki pohe dynamics of Hoenn's legendary Pokémon, he quickly deduced the reason: Groudon.

  Kyogre's as, perhaps tempered by the delicate ba shared with its rival, were a means to serve its strength.

  Naoki k in front onite, who was still looking downcast. "Fet about this time," he said gently, "but you must never put yourself in such danger again. Uand?"

  Drago out a mournful whimper. "Ooo…"

  It hadn't meant to cause trouble. It just wao catch a big fish for Naoki, just like the w Dragonites had.

  Naoki noticed the sadness in Dragonite's expression a out a sigh. He reached out and stroked Dragonite's head gently.

  "I don't want the biggest fish in the world."

  Dragonite raised its head, looking at him in fusion.

  Naoki smiled, stepping closer to his arms around the Pokémon in a warm embrace.

  "Don't do anything dangerous. I don't care about big fish raures—I only care about you being safe. Do you uand?"

  Dragonite's eyes lit up as it processed Naoki's words. Overe with emotion, it extes rge culled Naoki into a heartfelt hug. "Awoo!"

  Naoki chuckled softly, patting Dragonite on the back reassuringly.

  "We don't o take any risks. As long as we have enough food to eat, we live peacefully, just like we do now," Naoki said gently.

  Dragonite nodded happily, its earlier sadness melting away.

  Naoki smiled warmly a go ohat's settled then! I'm so gd you're back. Madame Dantes and everyone else were so worried while you were gone. I'll pack you some cookies ter. Take them to the others in Kosaji Town ahem know you're safe!"

  "Awoo~"

  Dragonite agreed enthusiastically. It spent some time at the ranch with Naoki before taking the bag of goodies and s happily toward Kosaji Town.

  The other Dragonites and Dragonairs at the ranch watched Dragonite leave, its cheery demeanor leaving them puzzled.

  "Awoo?" One Dragoilted its head, w aloud, 'Did it find some Poffins lying around?'

  For them, finding a Poffin on the road was cause for celebration.

  The rest of the group exged fused looks and shook their heads. None of them had any answers.

  Nearby, Koraidon lounged on the grass, basking in the sun. It gnced briefly at the otion, yawned zily, then closed its eyes and tinued enjoying the peaceful afternoon.

  ...

  February 29, Year 199 of the Alliance dar

  Early in the m, Naoki bid farewell to the Pokémon at the ranch. Riding atop Koraidon, he made his way tss Bottle City.

  As this trip was for an agricultural exge, Naoki didn't anticipate having much time to explore. Plus, Kitakami Township was a remote vilge. He decided to travel light, bringing along just five Pokémon: Koraidon, Pawmot, Cyclizar, Flutter Mane, and Dragonite.

  The rest of the Pokémon stayed behind at the ranaintain its daily operations.

  By nine o'cloaoki arrived at the airport. Since Koraidon couldn't be tained in a Poké Ball, he purchased a separate ticket for it. However, due to Koraidon's size, it couldn't fit in the passenger seats. At the flight attendants' suggestion, Koraidon ced in the luggage hold.

  Koraidon looked pitiful as it huddled in the er of the hold. Naoki bent down, stroking its head gently. "Be good, okay? We'll be there soon!"

  "Ah, gah..." Koraidon sighed, relutly agreeing.

  Naoki felt a pang of guilt but had no other choice. He didn't know Kitakami Township's exact location, and flying there on Pokémon alone wasn't feasible. Traveling by pne was the most practical option.

  Settling into his seat, Naoki closed his eyes for a quiap. He woke oo stretch, drink some water, and visit the restroom before returning to his seat to read.

  After what felt like hours, the pilot annouhat they were approag their destination. Naoki stowed his book and prepared for nding. As soon as the pouched down, he rushed to the luggage hold to che Koraidon.

  There, he found Koraidon curled up in the er, lookied. Smiling, Naoki walked over and kissed its forehead. "Poor thing, I'm sorry you had to ehat. But guess what? We're here now!"

  "Ah, gah?!" Koraidon's eyes widened in disbelief before it responded with a joyful "tongue libsp;attack, c Naoki in slobbery affe.

  Nearby passengers overheard the exge and assumed it must be a small, adorable Pokémon like an Eevee or Pikachu. Curious, they gnced over—only to be startled by the sight of Koraidon, a massive, intimidating creature.

  Their stunned expressions said it all: This is supposed to be a 'small, cute Pokémon'?

  Naoki was oblivious to the puzzled expressions of other passengers as he disembarked from the ph Koraidon. His first priority was to locate the local Pokémoer. Ohere, he used the video phoo call back to the ranch, reassuring everyohat he had arrived safely.

  With that taken care of, Naoki unfolded a map and began pnning his route to Kitakami Township. Siakami was a remote area far from major cities, the only direct transportation option was a bus. However, with Koraidon by his side, the need for a bus was eliminated.

  After double-cheg his route, Naoki climbed onto Koraidon's back. Together, they took to the skies, heading toward Kitakami Township.

  During the journey, Naoki pulled out a tourist guidebook he had picked up at the airport and began reading about Kitakami Township.

  The guide expihat Kitakami wasn't the name of a siown but rather referred to a brion. Within the area, there was only oable settlement: Mossui Town.

  Oion of the guide particurly captured Naoki's attention—a legend about the "Oni of Kitakami Township." The guide described the story as follows:

  "Long ago, a terrifying oni hauhe mountains behind the vilge. Its preseruck fear into anyone who dared ehe forest. Oeful day, the oni desded upon the vilge, creating widespread panic. At that moment, three noble Pokémon—Munkidori, Okidogi, and Fezandipiti—stepped forward to front the oni.

  In a fierce battle, the three Pokémon mao drive the oni bato the mountains, but at the cost of their own lives. To honor their bravery, the vilgers buried them with resped erected statues in their memory atop the mountain."

  "Iing," Naoki muttered to himself, intrigued by the tale. The story seemed unusually dark pared to most Pokémon legends, particurly with its explicit mention of the Pokémon's demise. It also raised questions. If the oni wasn't destroyed but merely driven bato the mountains, just how strong was it to defeat three oppos simultaneously?

  Naoki paused his reading to gnce up and survey the ndscape ahead. As the t mountains of Kitakami Township came into view, he khey had arrived.

  Looking down from the sky, he marveled at the region's natural beauty. The area featured tall, lush mountains with quiet farmnd and apple orchards spread out at their base. At the heart of the region y Mossui Town, a quailement exuding a sereraditional Japanese charm.

  "Is this Kitakami Township?" Naoki's eyes sparkled with admiration as he took in the picturesque sery.

  The rural tranquility was a refreshing ge from the Paldea region's bustling energy. The fields, orchards, and wooden architecture all blended seamlessly with the ndscape, giving the pce a timeless, idyllic quality.

  "Not bad at all," Naoki remarked, impressed.

  Spotting a road below, he leaned forward aly patted Koraidon's back, signaling it to desd.

  Since Mayor Thomas had mentiohat someone would pick him up at the station and take him to Mossui Town, Naoki wasn't surprised to find an older woman with white hair waiting at the bus stop by the highway when Koraidon nded.

  Naoki approached her and showed his ID badge. The woman's expression immediately lit up with surprise.

  "Where do you e from?" she asked.

  Naoki smiled aured toward Koraidon, who was standing proudly behind him. "My Pokémht me here."

  The woman chuckled warmly. "Well, that expins it! I was w why I didn't see the bus. Hello, Naoki. Wele to Kitakami. I'm Hideko from the unity ter. Let's go! I'll take you to town."

  "Thank you very much," Naoki replied politely. He and Koraidon followed Hideko along a t road leading toward the heart of Kitakami.

  Due to the twelve-hour time differeween Kitakami and the Paldea region, along with the time spent traveling, the sun was already beginning to set as they arrived. The sky painted a vibrant gradient e over the quiet tryside.

  As they walked, Naoki took in the unfamiliar sery. Along the roadside, Pokémon of all kinds appeared in the grass: Dewpider spun delicate webs by the water's edge, Pooa prowled stealthily through the underbrush, and Sunkern swayed gently in the breeze. Eaon added to the tranquil, harmonious atmosphere of the region, blending seamlessly with its natural beauty.

  The further they walked, the more the ndscape shifted. ly arranged rice fields began to lih sides of the road. Naoki's curiosity deepened when he spotted Cwitzer and Wooper wandering through the flooded fields.

  "Cwitzer and Wooper?" Naoki asked, uo hide his surprise.

  Hideko smiled knowingly. "They've been helping out in the rice fields feions. Wooper enriches the soil, and Cwitzer helps maer flow with its precision bsts. Their work has always been a great boon for the town."

  Naoki had many questions running through his mind. Wouldn't Cwitzer actally damage the crops? And wasn't Wooper's body coated with toxins? But he held his tongue, marveling instead at the harmoween Pokémon and nature in this pce.

  After passing through the fields, they finally entered Mossui Town. The rural settlement had a quiet charm, distinctly more tranquil than bustling Kosaji Town. The streets were paved with t, and traditional Japanese architecture domihe town's aesthetic.

  The popution here was clearly skewed toward older residents. As dusk fell, elderly vilgers strolled through the streets or sat in front of their homes, chatting softly. Pokémon moved freely through the town as though they beloo its fabric.

  Naoki saw a small Spoink boung beside a trainer, a Noctowl perched serenely on a rooftop, and a Vulpix lounging zily on the eaves of a building.

  Naoki's gaze locked onto the Vulpix.

  "There's a Vulpix here!" His eyes sparkled with excitement.

  The Vulpix, with its soft fur and snowy white belly, was beyond adorable. He couldn't help but stare, utterly ented.

  Koraidon, standing at his side, let out an exaggerated sigh. "Ah, gah..."

  Once again, it seemed, Naoki had found something else to fawn over.