Koraidon’s decision, Amusent Park, Alto Mare[359]
After collecting Snorlax's Poké Ball, Naoki rembered the purpose of his trip to Artazon Town.
The girl glanced apologetically at the empty snack boxes that Snorlax had devoured.
"I'm so sorry, but all the snacks for the Bug Catching Contest have been eaten by Snorlax. If I use the remaining berries to make them again, it’ll take about an hour..."
By now, the first group of bug-catching trainers who entered the nature park had likely already returned with the Bug-type Pokémon they caught.
Naoki saw the situation for what it was. He had only co to enjoy the atmosphere of the competition and wasn’t particularly invested in catching Bug-types.
"In that case, don’t worry about it," Naoki said with a reassuring smile.
The girl still looked apologetic. She had been the one to invite others to the Bug Catching Contest, and now their preparations had fallen short.
To make up for it, she said, "I’m truly sorry. We host two Bug Catching Contests a year, one now and another in the fall. I’ll write to your ranch and invite you to participate next ti."
Naoki smiled and nodded. "Alright, I’ll co by then."
He glanced at the now-empty entrance to the nature park and said to Cyclizar beside him, "Let’s head back."
"Raao," Cyclizar responded, carrying Naoki out of Artazon Town and back to the ranch.
The ranch was as lively as ever. Upon returning, Naoki dismounted Cyclizar and noticed Koraidon lying on the grass, basking in the sunlight.
Walking over, he gently called out, "Koraidon?"
Hearing Naoki's voice, Koraidon imdiately lifted its head and turned to look at him.
"Are you feeling better?" Naoki asked softly, sitting down beside it.
Koraidon blinked, startled that Naoki had picked up on its mood. Its expression turned downcast as it murmured,
"Raao..."
Naoki thoughtfully munched on a piece of seeds before stroking Koraidon’s head.
"If sothing’s bothering you, you can tell . Are you upset because I seed to favor Cyclizar yesterday?"
Koraidon's eyes widened in surprise, montarily caught off guard. It shook its head quickly. "Raao! Raao!" (No, not at all!)
"Then what is it?" Naoki coaxed gently. "Did I do sothing wrong?"
Koraidon hesitated before lowering its head onto its paws, a lancholy look spreading across its face.
How could it explain sothing like this?
After a long pause, Koraidon quietly murmured, "Raao..." (I want to stay with Naoki forever.)
mories of the past flashed through Koraidon’s mind.
The younger Cyclizar had always admired it from afar, staring at it with wide, curious eyes.
Even though Cyclizar had once been timid around it, it had made efforts to get closer and beco friends.
Cyclizar had shared gifts with it that Naoki brought back, even offering to share its mother's love when it learned Koraidon had none.
Koraidon didn’t want its younger self to endure the sa hardships it had. It wanted to protect its past self from the dangers of the machine and the perilous world beyond.
Yet, Koraidon also longed to remain with Naoki a little longer. It wasn’t ready to disappear—not yet.
Naoki, unaware of these heavy thoughts, speculated aloud, "Did you see the news on TV about people dying and leaving Pokémon behind to live alone in the world? Is that why you’re upset?"
Koraidon glanced at Naoki, startled. Then, after a mont’s hesitation, it nodded, choosing to let him believe the simpler explanation.
"Raao." (Yes.)
"You silly thing," Naoki said with a soft laugh, patting Koraidon’s head affectionately. "But you’re not like ordinary Pokémon!"
He looked thoughtful for a mont before explaining, "When people die, they don’t just vanish. Their souls leave their bodies and linger in the places they loved most."
"They remain until the gatekeeper of the spirit world, Dusknoir, cos to guide them into the spirit world for reincarnation."
Naoki smiled reassuringly. "If Dusknoir ever cos for , I’ll count on you to protect . Then I can stick around as a soul and stay with you forever."
Koraidon listened intently, its gaze unwavering.
Naoki had indeed never shared these things with Koraidon before.
But as Koraidon absorbed what Naoki said, it was struck by a sobering realization: it wouldn’t be able to stay with Naoki forever. When the ti ca, and it had to leave, who would be there to protect Naoki?
"Raao!"
The thought caused Koraidon to suddenly stand up, its golden eyes widening in alarm. It began pacing, its movents frantic.
This won’t do!
But what should it do?
An idea flashed through Koraidon’s mind.
Got it! It should teach its younger self so skills so that its past version could protect Naoki in its place!
Seeing Koraidon’s sudden burst of activity, Naoki could only sigh in exasperation.
"...Calm down," he said gently, "We don’t need to think about things like that right now. I’m not going anywhere anyti soon. I’ve got plenty of life left in !"
It felt a little unlucky to talk about death so casually, and Naoki quickly waved his hands to end the topic.
"Alright, alright! Let’s stop talking about that!"
Hearing Naoki’s words, Koraidon paused, visibly relaxing.
Naoki exhaled, relieved. "See? There’s no need to worry about that kind of thing."
Koraidon nodded. "Raao!" (Got it!)
Seeing its mood improve, Naoki couldn’t help but smile. He reached out playfully, pinching Koraidon’s nostrils. "Alright then, I’ll sleep on the floor with you tonight!"
It was a small gesture, but Naoki knew it would help reassure Koraidon.
As Alder had once said, no one could predict the future. What mattered most was cherishing the present and enjoying every mont with one’s Pokémon.
Hearing Naoki’s words, Koraidon’s eyes sparkled with joy. Without warning, it tackled Naoki to the ground, pinning him with its massive claws before licking his face with its big tongue.
Naoki, now covered in sticky Pokémon slobber, groaned silently.
Never mind... as long as Koraidon was happy.
Once it had finished its affectionate assault, Naoki stood up, wiping his face. "Alright, go play with everyone! I brought back a new Pokémon today, and now I need to help it settle in."
Koraidon nodded energetically before bounding off to join the others.
Naoki watched it for a mont before heading off to find the perfect spot for Snorlax on the ranch.
anwhile, Koraidon approached Cyclizar, its gaze serious as it stared into its younger self’s eyes.
...
Finding a suitable spot for Snorlax on the ranch wasn’t as complicated as it seed.
Snorlax was a remarkably easy-going Pokémon. It didn’t care much about its surroundings—whether it had a roof over its head or not. As long as the environnt wasn’t too extre, like a frozen tundra or an active volcano, it could happily sleep anywhere.
After a quick survey of the ranch, Naoki’s eyes landed on the open space across the river. The area was spacious and peaceful, making it a perfect spot for Snorlax.
He also considered the Pokémon’s unique traits.
Slides, seesaws, sand pits, tree swings, and maybe even a trampoline using Snorlax’s soft belly...
The ideas made Naoki chuckle, and he imdiately crossed the stone bridge to the other side of the river.
Standing in the open clearing, he pulled Snorlax’s Poké Ball from his pocket.
"Alright, let’s try this out," he said, tossing the ball.
In a flash of white light, Snorlax materialized on the grass, already lying on its back and snoring loudly.
Naoki chuckled softly. "So gentle... and its belly really could work as a trampoline."
With a playful grin, Naoki carefully climbed onto Snorlax’s massive belly, grabbing handfuls of its plush fur for balance.
Soon, Naoki was sprawled out across Snorlax’s enormous belly, which was delightfully bouncy and as soft as a water bed.
Snorlax: zzZ
“You’re still sleeping soundly, huh?” Naoki muttered, bouncing twice to test its resilience. Snorlax didn’t budge an inch, seemingly unbothered.
Above, the sky stretched in a vibrant blue, adorned with fluffy white clouds. A gentle breeze swept across the vast, open fields that extended as far as the eye could see.
Naoki lay back against Snorlax’s belly, his expression curious and amused, treating it like an open-air bed.
Two words ca to mind: pure bliss.
It wasn’t just children—adults would also love Snorlax’s unique charm.
After lounging for a while, Naoki reluctantly stood up, brushing fur from his clothes. He glanced at the surrounding greenery, his mind already buzzing with ideas for the area.
“First, we’ll plant a big tree next to Snorlax,” he mused aloud. “I’ll hang a wooden swing from its branches so my Pokémon and I can enjoy the breeze while swinging.”
He paused, envisioning the scene. “Next, we’ll dig out a large sandpit right here. Fill it with golden sand for building sandcastles and basking in the sun.”
Finally, Naoki decided, “We’ll set up a slide and a seesaw over on that side.”
In his mind, the perfect relaxation park was already taking shape, with Snorlax at its heart.
Sandpits and swings were easy to arrange—all it required was a trip to town for supplies. As for the big tree, he planned to enlist the help of the Calyrex to speed up its growth.
True to his word, Naoki got started that very afternoon. He drove into town to place an order for lumber and purchased a sapling guaranteed to grow tall and sturdy from Hugh’s Seed Shop.
He then visited the departnt store to buy a brightly colored slide and seesaw. To complete his preparations, Naoki made a detour to the beach, where he loaded the truck with fine, golden sand before returning to the ranch.
With everything gathered, Naoki rallied his Pokémon to help bring his vision to life.
Using a hamr and screws, they worked together to install the slide and seesaw on the grassy field. They dug a large pit with shovels, carefully spreading the truckload of sand inside.
Next, Naoki planted the sapling at the center of the park and called on Calyrex to lend its power.
In a flash of green energy, the tiny sapling transford into a majestic tree nearly eight ters tall, its thick branches swaying gently in the breeze.
The final touch was assembling the swing and securing it firmly to the sturdy tree.
By the ti evening arrived, the sky was painted with hues of orange and pink. Naoki stood at the edge of the newly completed park, beaming as he addressed the gathered Pokémon.
“Alright, everyone! From now on, this is your new play area. Have fun!”
He hadn’t even finished speaking before an excited group of Pokémon charged toward the park.
Ogerpon eagerly explored the swing, quickly figuring out how to sit and sway back and forth with ease. Its delighted giggles filled the air.
Dragonairs took an imdiate liking to the slide, flying up to the top before gliding down with excited hums.
anwhile, Glaceon and Alcremie tentatively approached Snorlax. After so cautious poking and a reassuring nod from Naoki, they began hopping onto Snorlax’s belly, treating it like a trampoline. Their laughter echoed across the ranch as they bounced and played.
Watching his Pokémon enjoy themselves in the park he had created filled Naoki with pure joy.
Determined to strengthen the bond between Snorlax and the other Pokémon, Naoki headed back to the house. He rummaged through his berry stash and prepared two large batches of Glutton Poké Blocks, crafting them with care.
Once the Poké Blocks were ready, he returned to the park and handed the treats to the eager Pokémon.
“As a thank-you for letting you all play on its belly, give this gift to Snorlax!” Naoki said with a smile. “And don’t forget to say thank you to it.”
“Pawmot!”
Pawmot nodded eagerly, took the two boxes of Poké Blocks Naoki handed over, and dashed back to Snorlax with them.
Snorlax, still half-asleep, sniffed the air as the enticing aroma of the Poké Blocks reached its nose. Slowly, it opened its drowsy eyes.
In front of it stood a group of tiny, cheerful Pokémon. They were smiling up at Snorlax, expressing their gratitude and offering the delicious treats.
For a mont, Snorlax stared in mild confusion, clearly taken aback by this unexpected gesture.
But soon, it recovered, took the two boxes of Poké Blocks, and swallowed them in a single gulp.
Feeling full and content, Snorlax let out a deep, satisfied sigh, stretched its limbs, and reclined back onto the grass. Its enormous belly lay exposed, inviting the small Pokémon to continue using it as a trampoline.
Naoki stood at a short distance, watching the heartwarming scene unfold. A smile spread across his face.
“Perfect,” he murmured. “The amusent park is a success.”
Next on his list was creating a Wooloo ranch to raise the fluffy sheep Pokémon. But before diving into his next project, Naoki decided he deserved a good night’s rest.
After a long and productive day, he returned ho, eager to enjoy the delicious dinner that sister Indeedee had prepared for him.
anwhile, in the Johto Region...
In a coastal city called Alto Mare, the expedition team had finally arrived after a long sea journey.
Alto Mare was a stunning city of waterways, with intricate canals winding through its streets. As the morning sun cast its gentle light, the entire city seed to glow with a tranquil radiance.
Residents navigated the canals in flat-bottod boats, their Pokémon accompanying them as they began their daily routines.
The harmonious sounds of market vendors, flowing water, and the chis of the grand cathedral’s bells intertwined, creating a lively yet serene atmosphere.
At the very top of the cathedral, unnoticed by the bustling crowd below, stood a Zapdos. Its sharp, piercing eyes scanned the city while a small satchel rested across its side.
Beside it were two smaller Pokémon: a Teddiursa and a w.
Teddiursa stood at the edge of the cathedral roof, gazing over the vibrant city with awe. Its round eyes reflected the beauty of the canals, markets, and the colorful hustle and bustle below.
“Ursa!” (How beautiful!)
w’s bright, azure eyes sparkled with excitent as it observed the humans and Pokémon scurrying through the streets and the tempting aroma wafting from food stalls.
“w!” it chirped, turning to Teddiursa. (Let’s go get so snacks!)
Teddiursa nodded eagerly in agreent.
The two Pokémon turned toward Zapdos.
Zapdos, towering and majestic, glanced at them with mild amusent before letting out a resigned sigh. “Zap.” (Go ahead. I’ll stay here and wait.)
Its imposing size made it difficult to move unnoticed in a crowded city, so it opted to remain on the rooftop.
“w~!”
“Ursa~!”
w and Teddiursa happily grabbed a few wild berries from Zapdos’s satchel before leaping gracefully off the cathedral roof.
Before landing, w silently transford its appearance, shapeshifting into a small Totodile. Disguised as the playful Water-type Pokémon, it joined Teddiursa in blending into the crowd.
The pair scampered down the cobblestone streets until they reached a cozy food stall brimming with delicious treats. Their eyes lit up as they spotted the candied berries on display.
The shopkeeper, a kind, elderly woman with white hair, noticed the two Pokémon and broke into a warm smile.
“Well, aren’t you two adorable?” she said. “Are you hungry? Would you like so candied berries? Here, have a taste!”
She handed them two skewers of candied berries.
Teddiursa and w accepted the treats gratefully, placing several wild berries and small pearls on the counter in exchange.
Naoki had taught them an important lesson: If you want sothing in a human town, never steal it. Always offer sothing in exchange.
The old woman blinked in surprise, touched by their thoughtfulness. Her smile grew even warr.
“Oh my, you’re paying for the berries? What polite little darlings you are! Here, have two more skewers. These are on the house.”
With their purchases secured, w and Teddiursa waved goodbye and darted back into the alleyways, their bellies full and their hearts light.
But just as they were about to return to Zapdos, Teddiursa froze mid-step. Its ears twitched, and it turned abruptly, staring down the alley.
“w?”
w, now back in its original form, tilted its head in confusion before following Teddiursa’s gaze.
Standing at the end of the alley was a young girl in a short skirt. Her wide, curious eyes were fixed on w.
Before either Pokémon could react, the girl darted forward, leaning in close to inspect w’s shimring body.
“w!”
“Ursa…” Teddiursa murmured uneasily.
Suddenly, the girl’s expression softened, and she broke into a radiant smile.
Then, her form began to shift.
The girl’s body transford, her silhouette becoming sleeker and more streamlined. Her lower half turned a vivid red, shaped like jet wings. Her feet resembled fins, and a blue triangle emblem appeared on her chest.
Her upper body remained white, with red markings around her face and triangular ears. A white pentagonal pattern adorned her forehead.
It was none other than Latias.
The legendary Pokémon blinked with an innocent, playful glint in her eyes and smiled warmly at the stunned pair.
For a mont, w and Teddiursa stood frozen, their astonishnt mirrored in their wide eyes.
...
Bonus Chapter
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