Naoki ultimately didn't make it to the Hoenn region.
Because just as he rushed back to the ranch, Dragonite returned with wounds all over its body.
Seeing this, Naoki froze for a moment before quickly running forward to check Dragonite's injuries.
The scales on Dragonite'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 to bring a bottle of Life Gogoat Milk for Dragonite to drink.
After finishing the bottle, Dragonite's physical state improved somewhat, but its spirits remained low.
It hung its head, casting a brief, sorrowful glance at Naoki before looking away, its heart heavy.
It hadn't been able to catch a fish larger than the tuna to give Naoki, and worse, it lost the battle with the massive fish Pokémon. In shame, it returned to the ranch.
"Ooo…"
Dragonite let out a small whimper, clearly feeling too humiliated to face Naoki.
"Forget it, I'm just glad you're back," Naoki sighed. He reached out and gently 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 Dragonite into the living room and approached Calyrex, asking the Pokémon to help as a translator.
"Tell me," Naoki said seriously, "why did you suddenly leave like that?"
'Leave?' Dragonite blinked, confused. 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 larger than the tuna.
So, it ventured into other regions. After much searching and asking around, it finally found the rumored location of a massive fish Pokémon.
Naoki was silent for a moment.
'This strange, competitive determination…'
Dragonite continued: "Awoo, awoo…" (That Pokémon lives in a very deep underwater cave…)
It described the scene in detail.
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 opened, they pierced through the stillness, and its voice was deep and ancient:
"Intruder, what brings you here?"
Dragonite had been awestruck by the Pokémon's imposing aura but had bravely explained its purpose:
"Ooooooo…" (I came here to find the world's largest 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 ocean! 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 enraged. The surrounding seawater seemed to boil, and enormous waves rose instantly, crashing against the cave walls.
Dragonite sensed the imminent danger. Its scales bristled as it prepared itself, energy coursing through its body. Wisps of white air began swirling around it, and a strong gust of wind swept through the dense underwater cave.
But just as Dragonite braced for an attack, the mysterious Pokémon abruptly stopped.
Kyogre stared at the Dragonite, confusion flickering in its golden eyes. It had sensed a presence from the Dragonite—one that resonated deeply with the sea as if sharing a connection.
This familiar aura tempered Kyogre's rage, not out of fear, but due to a memory, it couldn't ignore—its eternal rival.
The tenuous balance between land and sea persisted, hard-won and fragile. If its strength were to falter, its nemesis might seize the opportunity to upset this equilibrium, absorbing 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 naïve Dragonite, Kyogre's voice rumbled like an ancient tide:
"Defeat me, and you will earn my acknowledgment."
Thus began Dragonite's challenge.
Kyogre refrained from using its full strength or signature moves. Instead, it summoned the natural force of the ocean surrounding them. With this immense, inherent power, it effortlessly subdued Dragonite.
The defeated Dragonite sank into the sea, while Kyogre returned to the underwater cavern, slipping back into a deep slumber. Its patience would hold, waiting for the inevitable clash.
The battle between land and sea would never cease, whether decades, centuries, or millennia from now. Sooner or later, Groudon and Kyogre would face each other once more.
Naoki: "…"
He sighed heavily, realizing he had misunderstood Kyogre. It wasn't Kyogre that had attacked Dragonite—it was Dragonite who had provoked Kyogre.
Yet, what puzzled him was why Kyogre, despite its initial fury, had shown restraint and allowed the Dragonite to challenge it under specific terms.
As Naoki pondered the dynamics of Hoenn's legendary Pokémon, he quickly deduced the reason: Groudon.
Kyogre's actions, perhaps tempered by the delicate balance it shared with its rival, were a means to conserve its strength.
Naoki knelt in front of Dragonite, who was still looking downcast. "Forget about this time," he said gently, "but you must never put yourself in such danger again. Understand?"
Dragonite let out a mournful whimper. "Ooo…"
It hadn't meant to cause trouble. It just wanted to catch a big fish for Naoki, just like the working Dragonites had.
Naoki noticed the sadness in Dragonite's expression and let 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 confusion.
Naoki smiled, stepping closer to wrap his arms around the Pokémon in a warm embrace.
"Don't do anything dangerous. I don't care about big fish or grand gestures—I only care about you being safe. Do you understand?"
Dragonite's eyes lit up as it processed Naoki's words. Overcome with emotion, it extended its large claws and pulled Naoki into a heartfelt hug. "Awoo!"
Naoki chuckled softly, patting Dragonite on the back reassuringly.
"We don't need to take any risks. As long as we have enough food to eat, we can live peacefully, just like we do now," Naoki said gently.
Dragonite nodded happily, its earlier sadness melting away.
Naoki smiled warmly and let go of Dragonite. "That's settled then! I'm so glad you're back. Madame Dantes and everyone else were so worried while you were gone. I'll pack you some cookies later. Take them to the others in Kosaji Town and let them know you're safe!"
"Awoo~"
Dragonite agreed enthusiastically. It spent some time at the ranch with Naoki before taking the bag of goodies and soaring happily toward Kosaji Town.
The other Dragonites and Dragonairs at the ranch watched Dragonite leave, its cheery demeanor leaving them puzzled.
"Awoo?" One Dragonite tilted its head, wondering 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 exchanged confused looks and shook their heads. None of them had any answers.
Nearby, Koraidon lounged on the grass, basking in the sun. It glanced briefly at the commotion, yawned lazily, then closed its eyes and continued enjoying the peaceful afternoon.
...
February 29, Year 199 of the Alliance Calendar
Early in the morning, Naoki bid farewell to the Pokémon at the ranch. Riding atop Koraidon, he made his way toward Glass Bottle City.
As this trip was for an agricultural exchange, Naoki didn't anticipate having much time to explore. Plus, Kitakami Township was a remote village. 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 ranch to maintain its daily operations.
By nine o'clock, Naoki arrived at the airport. Since Koraidon couldn't be contained 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 was placed in the luggage hold.
Koraidon looked pitiful as it huddled in the corner of the hold. Naoki bent down, stroking its head gently. "Be good, okay? We'll be there soon!"
"Ah, gah..." Koraidon sighed, reluctantly 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 plane was the most practical option.
Settling into his seat, Naoki closed his eyes for a quick nap. He woke once to stretch, drink some water, and visit the restroom before returning to his seat to read.
After what felt like hours, the pilot announced that they were approaching their destination. Naoki stowed his book and prepared for landing. As soon as the plane touched down, he rushed to the luggage hold to check on Koraidon.
There, he found Koraidon curled up in the corner, looking dejected. Smiling, Naoki walked over and kissed its forehead. "Poor thing, I'm sorry you had to endure that. But guess what? We're here now!"
"Ah, gah?!" Koraidon's eyes widened in disbelief before it responded with a joyful "tongue lick" attack, covering Naoki in slobbery affection.
Nearby passengers overheard the exchange and assumed it must be a small, adorable Pokémon like an Eevee or Pikachu. Curious, they glanced 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 plane with Koraidon. His first priority was to locate the local Pokémon Center. Once there, he used the video phone to call back to the ranch, reassuring everyone that he had arrived safely.
With that taken care of, Naoki unfolded a map and began planning his route to Kitakami Township. Since Kitakami 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-checking 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 explained that Kitakami wasn't the name of a single town but rather referred to a broader region. Within the area, there was only one notable settlement: Mossui Town.
One section of the guide particularly captured Naoki's attention—a legend about the "Oni of Kitakami Township." The guide described the story as follows:
"Long ago, a terrifying oni haunted the mountains behind the village. Its presence struck fear into anyone who dared enter the forest. One fateful day, the oni descended upon the village, creating widespread panic. At that moment, three noble Pokémon—Munkidori, Okidogi, and Fezandipiti—stepped forward to confront the oni.
In a fierce battle, the three Pokémon managed to drive the oni back into the mountains, but at the cost of their own lives. To honor their bravery, the villagers buried them with respect and erected statues in their memory atop the mountain."
"Interesting," Naoki muttered to himself, intrigued by the tale. The story seemed unusually dark compared to most Pokémon legends, particularly with its explicit mention of the Pokémon's demise. It also raised questions. If the oni wasn't destroyed but merely driven back into the mountains, just how strong was it to defeat three opponents simultaneously?
Naoki paused his reading to glance up and survey the landscape ahead. As the towering mountains of Kitakami Township came into view, he knew they had arrived.
Looking down from the sky, he marveled at the region's natural beauty. The area featured tall, lush mountains with quiet farmland and apple orchards spread out at their base. At the heart of the region lay Mossui Town, a quaint settlement exuding a serene, traditional Japanese charm.
"Is this Kitakami Township?" Naoki's eyes sparkled with admiration as he took in the picturesque scenery.
The rural tranquility was a refreshing change from the Paldea region's bustling energy. The fields, orchards, and wooden architecture all blended seamlessly with the landscape, giving the place a timeless, idyllic quality.
"Not bad at all," Naoki remarked, impressed.
Spotting a road below, he leaned forward and gently patted Koraidon's back, signaling it to descend.
Since Mayor Thomas had mentioned that 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 landed.
Naoki approached her and showed his ID badge. The woman's expression immediately lit up with surprise.
"Where do you come from?" she asked.
Naoki smiled and gestured toward Koraidon, who was standing proudly behind him. "My Pokémon brought me here."
The woman chuckled warmly. "Well, that explains it! I was wondering why I didn't see the bus. Hello, Naoki. Welcome to Kitakami. I'm Hideko from the community center. Let's go! I'll take you to town."
"Thank you very much," Naoki replied politely. He and Koraidon followed Hideko along a cement road leading toward the heart of Kitakami.
Due to the twelve-hour time difference between 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 of orange over the quiet countryside.
As they walked, Naoki took in the unfamiliar scenery. Along the roadside, Pokémon of all kinds appeared in the grass: Dewpider spun delicate webs by the water's edge, Poochyena prowled stealthily through the underbrush, and Sunkern swayed gently in the breeze. Each Pokémon added to the tranquil, harmonious atmosphere of the region, blending seamlessly with its natural beauty.
The further they walked, the more the landscape shifted. Neatly arranged rice fields began to line both sides of the road. Naoki's curiosity deepened when he spotted Clawitzer and Wooper wandering through the flooded fields.
"Clawitzer and Wooper?" Naoki asked, unable to hide his surprise.
Hideko smiled knowingly. "They've been helping out in the rice fields for generations. Wooper enriches the soil, and Clawitzer helps manage water flow with its precision blasts. Their work has always been a great boon for the town."
Naoki had many questions running through his mind. Wouldn't Clawitzer accidentally damage the crops? And wasn't Wooper's body coated with toxins? But he held his tongue, marveling instead at the harmony between Pokémon and nature in this place.
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 clean cement, and traditional Japanese architecture dominated the town's aesthetic.
The population here was clearly skewed toward older residents. As dusk fell, elderly villagers strolled through the streets or sat in front of their homes, chatting softly. Pokémon moved freely through the town as though they belonged to its fabric.
Naoki saw a small Spoink bouncing beside a trainer, a Noctowl perched serenely on a rooftop, and a Vulpix lounging lazily 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 enchanted.
Koraidon, standing at his side, let out an exaggerated sigh. "Ah, gah..."
Once again, it seemed, Naoki had found something else to fawn over.
...
Next Bonus Chapter @1500 PS