Naoki made his way back to the ranch.
"All settled?" Iono asked as he stepped through the door.
Naoki nodded. "I placed the stones at the World Tree. As long as that sanctuary remains hidden, the sa disaster won't happen again."
"That's a relief," Iono said, letting out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.
Later that evening, Naoki opened his Rotom Phone and began searching online for more information about Team Plasma.
As he rembered, they were a group active in the Unova region that publicly promoted "liberating" Pokémon from humans, claiming that Pokémon suffered under human command and deserved freedom. They even gave speeches across major cities to spread their philosophy.
But the truth was far more sinister.
Team Plasma wasn't aiming to protect Pokémon, they were manipulating the public to make trainers abandon their partners. And once they did, Plasma mbers would swoop in and take those Pokémon for themselves, amassing power behind a noble-sounding lie.
Naoki kept scrolling, but aside from archived speeches and a few scattered news reports, there wasn't much useful intel.
After a mont of thought, he ssaged an old contact.
[Naoki]: Heard about this group called Team Plasma going around Unova spreading that "Pokémon liberation" ssage? It reeks of cult vibes. You guys doing okay over there?
A reply ca quickly.
[Alder]: Heh, even folks in Paldea have heard of them now? Yeah, they're a strange bunch. They preach about freeing Pokémon from Poké Balls, but the truth is uglier. If you disagree with them, they'll straight-up steal your Pokémon. The League's already prepping an investigation. This can't go unchecked.
Naoki's fingers paused for a second, then he typed:
[Naoki]: I heard their leader's na is Ghetsis. Seems like soone you'll want to keep an eye on.
Almost imdiately, Alder started a video call.
His face popped up on-screen, wide-eyed and surprised. "Wait, how do you know that na?"
Naoki grinned. "Internet gossip. Netizens say a few Plasma mbers drop his na all the ti, it seems like they really idolize the guy."
Alder nodded and said, "Alright, I'll assign soone to investigate it. Anyway, I've still got official duties to handle, let's catch up another ti!"
"Sounds good. Take care!"
With that, the call ended. Naoki had passed along everything he needed to. From here on, it was up to the Unova League to handle the rest.
...
The next morning, w and Teddiursa finally returned to the ranch.
The mont they saw Victini, the three Pokémon rushed toward each other and embraced, tears welling in their eyes. Their joyful reunion was full of sniffles, laughter, and tight hugs.
Naoki and Iono stood nearby, smiling warmly at the heartwarming scene.
That afternoon, to celebrate the occasion, Naoki prepared a huge lunch for them, packed with berries, Poffinn, and all their favorite dishes.
After the al, when Victini heard that w and Teddiursa were setting out again on their journey, it made a quiet decision in its heart.
It wanted to join their Adventurer's Guild and travel the world helping Pokémon in need, just like w and Teddiursa did.
More than anything, though, Victini just wanted to be with its friends.
Of course, it didn't say that part out loud.
Naoki, as always, supported their decision. He was glad to see Victini no longer burdened by the shadows of its past.
The tragedy that had haunted it for over a thousand years had finally found peace. The old king had not perished in despair, but instead passed away gently with dignity and warmth. With that, Victini's wound had healed.
As Naoki watched Victini race around the yard, laughing with w and Teddiursa, he let out a soft sigh of relief.
The sadness in its heart had finally lifted.
And now, with Victini joining, the Hero's Expedition Team had officially grown to four mbers, including Zapdos, who helped Naoki battle in the gym.
A strong lineup.
The three Pokémon stayed at the ranch for three more days, relaxing and spending ti with the others.
Then, when they were ready, they resud their journey.
Victini and Teddiursa rode on a transford w, now shaped like a giant Toucannon, and waved joyfully to Naoki and Iono from the sky.
Naoki waved back with all his strength, smiling until they disappeared beyond the horizon.
Only when the speck of their silhouettes vanished from sight did he lower his hand.
Ti flowed on.
After the blazing heat of sumr, the crisp air of autumn gently rolled in.
The trees behind the ranch began to change color. Their leaves turned golden and russet, and every ti the breeze passed through the hills, a shower of autumn leaves would fall like a cascade of fiery snow.
A thick blanket of leaves soon covered the mountainside.
...
Naoki hadn't run a stall in years.
It had been more than four years since he last set one up, back when he and Koraidon rented a space during the Elif Cherry Orchard's Festival, where they sold a few simple dishes to visitors.
Now, with the Harvest Festival just around the corner, Naoki was once again faced with the question:
What should they sell this ti?
Should it be fresh crops? Juicy fruits? MooMoo Milk? Sweet, ripe apples? Or perhaps so of their beloved handmade snacks?
There was no need to rush the decision. The festival wouldn't officially begin until the following evening, giving them the entire day to think it over.
Mayor Thomas had set up plenty of stalls this year. As long as they registered in advance, they'd be guaranteed a space to set up and sell.
Even though the official event was still a day away, news of the festival had already spread far and wide. Trainers and tourists had begun arriving early, eager to catch the festive atmosphere.
During the day, a small commotion broke out near the town square involving a group of wild Falinks.
Curious, Naoki headed over, but by the ti he arrived, another trainer had already handled the situation.
According to Ivan, who stood nearby, one of the Falinks had fallen into a barrel of fireworks. The rest of the squad, in a panic, had blocked the townspeople from approaching. A passing trainer realized what was happening and quickly stepped in to help. They rescued the stuck Falinks unit, and everything was resolved peacefully.
As a reward, the grateful townspeople launched the fireworks early, and the night sky lit up with a dazzling display of color and light.
It was a beautiful, joyful end to the day.
With the festival's soft hum still lingering in the air, Naoki made his way ho beneath the moonlight. The path to the ranch glowed under the soft silver beams, and the chirping of bug Pokémon echoed from the grass, filling the night with peaceful sounds.
Back at the ranch, most of the Pokémon had already drifted off to sleep. Naoki made his usual rounds with a flashlight in hand, checking to ensure no one had wandered off.
Once he confird everyone was safe, he headed ho to wash up and call it a night.
Koraidon lay beside the bed, sleep already tugging at his eyelids. He yawned widely, tears gathering at the corners of his eyes as he fought to stay awake and watch Naoki.
"Go on, get so sleep. I'll just take a quick shower," Naoki said with a chuckle, patting Koraidon's head.
"Agah..." Koraidon murmured sleepily, resting his head on his arms and dozing off with a soft breath.
But just as Naoki was settling into bed, Iono suddenly let out a surprised gasp.
"What's wrong?" Naoki jumped up instantly.
"I think the baby just moved!" Iono said, placing a hand over her belly in awe. "She kicked !"
Naoki leaned in closer, placing his ear gently against her belly. After a few silent monts, he felt it—a faint but unmistakable movent.
"Hey there, baby, it's Daddy. Can you hear ?" he asked softly, hoping for another response.
But there was no reply, and the tiny motion didn't return. Perhaps it had just been his imagination.
Iono giggled. "She's still so little. You think she can hear you already?"
Naoki shrugged, smiling. "Well, can't hurt to try."
But with that mont passed, the two soon returned to bed.
...
anwhile, far away in the western mountains of the Galar region, in a place known as Suden Town...
A lone traveler carefully navigated the steep, rocky paths that cut through the wilderness.
Sonia adjusted the backpack on her shoulders as she climbed, her boots crunching against the gravel. The towering cliffs and endless valleys here ford a maze of unforgiving terrain, one rarely traversed by anyone aside from dedicated backpackers and explorers.
She hadn't planned on venturing this deep into the wilderness.
But according to her research, the hero she'd been chasing—a mysterious figure whispered of in legend, was last seen sowhere nearby.
"It should be just ahead," Sonia muttered, her gaze fixed on the map in her hand.
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