"What else can we do..." Naoki sighed softly, then released Articuno and Moltres from their Poké Balls and returned to the matter at hand.
"Articuno, there's sothing I'd like your help with," he said sincerely.
"Arti?" Articuno tilted its head, clearly curious.
Naoki studied the bird's icy plumage, then asked, "That bun you just ate—it should've boosted the Ice-type energy in your body quite a bit, right?"
Based on how much Zapdos improved after eating the Lightning Bun, he figured the effects on Articuno and Moltres would be similarly significant.
As expected, Articuno gave a firm nod.
"Arti!"
Indeed, the ice-type energy within its body increased by nearly 40%!
Naoki smiled. "That's perfect. You've seen the World Tree, right? I want to create an icy habitat within it—an area suitable for Ice-type Pokémon to live. That's where I'd like your help."
He explained further: he wanted Articuno to use Blizzard to create heavy snowfall across an entire canopy layer of the World Tree. Once the snow settled, the World Tree would gradually adapt its temperature and environnt, transforming the entire tier into a snowy bio.
And after that, Articuno could make that place its ho.
As for Moltres, Naoki already had plans—it could move to the volcanic region near Groudon's domain, where fire-types thrived.
"Arti!" Articuno chirped in agreent without hesitation. This kind of task was easy for it!
"Great," Naoki nodded, checking the ti. It wasn't even 9 p.m. yet.
"Let's head over now."
There was no need to pack anything. Naoki climbed onto Koraidon's back, and as usual, a group of energetic Pokémon who weren't sleepy insisted on tagging along.
Alcremie, Eeveelutions, Dratini, and Happiny scrambled onto Naoki's shoulders and lap like a bunch of cuddly plush toys.
Butterfree, Dragonite, and Pawmot fluttered into the air, following behind.
Ogerpon, Cyclizar, and Greavard hitched rides on the backs of the three Legendary birds.
Once the group was assembled, they soared through the sky toward the World Tree. Passing through the shimring lake into the Reverse World, they erged near the Expedition Guild base beneath the tree.
Even at night, the guild was brightly lit and full of life.
Pokémon who had worked hard all day—tending crops, picking berries, or training in the fields—had now gathered to relax and unwind.
So were enjoying sushi at Tatsugiri's sushi bar, while others were drinking berry juice at the tavern run by owth and Pikachu. A few Pokémon, exhausted from their daily efforts, had already curled up in their cozy little cabins to sleep.
Naoki even spotted several Dragonites from Dragonite Island visiting the guild. When they saw him, they let out cheerful roars and rushed over to greet their colleague, the friendly Dragonite by Naoki's side.
The mont Koraidon touched down, Naoki's group of Eeveelutions scattered in all directions like kids let loose at a festival, joining the rrymaking without a second thought.
Naoki: "…"
Yeah. They definitely ca just to play.
"Happy?" ca a soft cry from his shoulder.
Happiny, perched on Naoki's shoulder, looked around with wide-eyed curiosity. Everything here felt so alive and bustling!
After all, this was Happiny's first ti visiting this place.
Naoki smiled gently and introduced the surroundings. "This is the World Tree. It's part of our ho now. All the Pokémon here co from different places, but everyone lives together in harmony."
"Happy…" Happiny clutched its precious round stone and hopped off Naoki's shoulder, eyes sparkling with excitent as it took in the sights around it.
It really was lively!
"Go on, explore a little and have fun with everyone," Naoki encouraged with a soft chuckle. "I'll co get you once I'm done."
Happiny paused, looking uncertain. "Happy?"
Could it really just join in like that? It didn't know anyone here yet.
Noticing this, Alcremie and Pawmot stepped forward.
"Pamo!"
"Alcremie!"
They chirped enthusiastically, offering to show Happiny around.
Naoki smiled warmly. "Then I'll leave her in your care."
"Pamo!" Pawmot nodded and happily led Happiny away alongside Alcremie to explore the facilities.
With that, Naoki, along with Koraidon and the others, quietly slipped away and took the World Tree's elevator to the lower layers—specifically, the Land of Earth, where Groudon resided.
This area extended outward from Groudon's volcanic domain. Beneath the volcano lay dense red terrain, shaped by long-cooled magma. The region was dotted with bubbling hot springs and steaming earth. The farther one traveled from the volcano, the cooler the ground beca, until it transitioned into dry, rocky terrain at the edges.
Naoki noticed that Kubfu wasn't around—likely still training with Kyogre.
Glancing toward the smoking volcano, Naoki turned to Moltres.
"Alright, Moltres, this is where you'll be living from now on."
"Woo…" Moltres hesitated. Sothing about this place didn't feel quite right.
An intense pressure filled the air, one unlike anything it had ever encountered. It looked around warily and quickly locked onto the source—it was coming from within the volcano.
Just then, sensing the unfamiliar presence, Groudon erged from the crater.
The mont the two Pokémon locked eyes, Moltres froze.
A bold exclamation mark practically hovered over its head.
!
"Don't worry," Naoki said calmly, "That's Groudon—the guardian who created this land. He won't harm you."
"Woo…" Moltres still looked anxious, feathers flaring slightly in instinctive defense.
Naoki turned toward Groudon again. "Groudon, this is Moltres. It'll be staying here from now on. Please look after it."
After all, Moltres was now his official partner, safely registered inside a Poké Ball.
Groudon, silent and towering, gazed at the Fire-type bird with its glowing golden eyes.
Groudon didn't seem to mind much.
After all, many humans and Pokémon already lived peacefully across the lands it had once forged.
Once it confird there was no threat, Groudon turned around and disappeared back into the heart of the volcano.
"Moltres, you can stay here from now on," Naoki said, turning to the firebird. "If you get hungry, you're welco to head to the Expedition Guild for a al. Alright, we'll head off for now."
With those parting words, Naoki gave a wave and left.
In a flash, Moltres was left alone in the lava-dotted land.
It nervously eyed the volcano for a long ti, only relaxing after confirming that Groudon held no hostility toward it.
Letting out a soft cry, it flapped its blazing wings and glided across the steamy skies before settling down in a quiet cave where magma flowed like rivers. The warmth soothed it—it was the perfect ho.
anwhile, Naoki had already descended to a lower level of the World Tree's Earth Region, this ti with Articuno by his side.
This level was completely untouched.
Verdant greenery blanketed the hills. Thick grasses swayed in the breeze, trees bore ripe fruits, and sunlight bathed the land in golden warmth. It was alive in every sense.
Articuno looked around, then turned to Naoki with hesitation in its eyes.
"Artii?"
Are you sure you want to use Blizzard?
If I do… this entire lush paradise will be buried in snow.
Naoki gave a firm nod. "Do it. These plants won't die. They're part of the World Tree's ecosystem. Once the snow falls, they'll adapt and thrive in another form."
Hearing his reassurance, Articuno hesitated no longer.
With a powerful beat of its wings, it soared into the sky.
Tiny blue ice crystals drifted from its body like stardust. Then, with a sharp and elegant cry, Articuno unleashed a freezing gale.
The temperature dropped in an instant.
A fierce blizzard roared through the air, and snowflakes began to fall thick and fast, blanketing the once-green world in layers of white.
Before long, a vast frozen field stretched as far as the eye could see. Towering snow-covered cedars dotted the landscape, and whenever the wind stirred, flurries would shake loose from the branches, revealing deep green, needle-like leaves beneath.
As Naoki took in the transformation, a vivid scene ford in his mind:
A herd of Mamoswine slowly lumbering through the snow-laden forest. As their bodies brushed past the trees, powdery snow would tumble off the branches. A mother Mamoswine might stop and nudge her slower child forward—the little Swinub struggling to keep up in the thick snow.
It was perfect.
A land of pure white, made for Ice-type Pokémon.
Articuno glided down and landed beside Naoki, its icy wings gleaming in the moonlight.
"Thank you, Articuno. This will be your ho now," Naoki said gently, his voice full of gratitude.
"Artii!"
Articuno nodded, clearly pleased. Its pale blue eyes sparkled. It liked this place—a lot.
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