At noon, Naoki invited Max to stay at the ranch for lunch. They spread a pink checkered tablecloth on the grass, arranging an assortment of food on it. There were sandwiches, milk, steamed eggs, and smoked sausages, all ready to be enjoyed.
The two of them sat with a group of Pokémon gathered around, and as they ate, Naoki began to ask Max about other cities and Naranja Academy.
Max eagerly shared what he knew. "Naranja Academy is a very old school, famous worldwide. It's said that the school was first founded eight hundred years ago."
"The campus is always lively! Since there's no age limit for admission, you find students of all ages there—from children to the elderly, and even trainers from other regions."
"In addition to taking classes with Pokémon, students can also learn about the history of the Paldea region and various ancient legends. These legends have attracted many people who are eager to pursue them!"
"Oh?" Naoki's interest was piqued. "What kind of legends?"
Max was a little surprised by Naoki's curiosity. "Mr. Naoki, you're really interested in these legends?"
Naoki smiled, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "The pursuit of legends is a man's romance!"
Max hesitated for a moment, then admitted, "Actually, I don't know too much! But I do know about the legend of the treasure in the Paldea Crater and the legend of the Treasures of Ruin ."
He continued, "It's said that during the Paldean Empire, about 2,000 years ago, the emperor heard of a mysterious treasure hidden at the bottom of the Paldea Crater. To find it, he sent many expeditions into the crater."
"But the terrain inside the crater is incredibly complex, and there are many bizarre rumors about it. No one has ever reached the depths."
"Even so, countless adventurers flocked there, driven by the stories of treasure. This enthusiasm lasted nearly 1,000 years, and that period later became known as the 'Age of Exploration.'"
'The treasures buried deep in the Paldea Crater', Naoki thought to himself, intrigued. He knew there were many mysteries shrouded within, and that they were likely connected to the mysterious Pokémon known as Terapagos.
Naoki nodded and then asked, "And what about the Treasures of Ruin ?"
Max explained, "This legend also comes from the era of the Paldean Empire."
"At that time, a merchant from a distant land brought four treasures to the king: a vessel, a sword, a tablet, and a set of beads."
"The king was delighted and threw a grand banquet, inviting all his ministers to celebrate in the palace. But that very night, the four treasures suddenly transformed into Pokémon and began wreaking havoc, destroying the entire royal city."
"It's said that the true forms of these treasures were Pokémon that had traveled for ages, absorbing many desires and curses. When they were given to the king, his greed awakened them."
"Eventually, the king enlisted the help of a powerful Pokémon Trainer who managed to subdue the four Pokémon and seal them away in four ancient shrines, each with eight stakes. The legend goes that only someone with a pure heart and mind can break the seals and allow the four Ruinous Pokémon to reemerge into the world."
Naoki nodded thoughtfully. The history Max shared was familiar to him, confirming much of what he already knew.
The vessel, sword, tablet, and beads each correspond to four Pokémon in the Paldea region: the Ancient Vessel Stag, Ancient Sword Leopard, Ancient Tablet Snail, and Ancient Jade Fish. These Pokémon held a status in the region akin to the second-tier legendaries found in other regions.
But unlike Zapdos, Articuno, and Moltres, these four Pokémon were harbingers of disaster.
The Ancient Tablet Snail, in particular, could drain the life force from plants and trees, leaving everything around it desolate in an instant. If such a creature were to appear on his ranch, it would spell ruin.
"What a pity," Naoki mused. He had originally entertained the idea of having Koraidon kidnap a few legendary Pokémon, especially the Ancient Sword Leopard, which resembled a majestic snow leopard.
With its ice-type abilities and thick fur, it would be the perfect companion, providing both warmth and a cool breeze—a living, breathing Ancient Sword Leopard-brand air conditioner for the summer. But now, it seemed that idea was out of reach.
After finishing his story, Max glanced at the Dragonite nearby and couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Naoki, you must have been a really great trainer before, right?"
"What?" Naoki blinked, slightly surprised by the question. He quickly shook his head, smiling modestly. "No, I'm just a rancher."
But Max's face showed clear disbelief.
'How could that be? Max thought. How could someone who isn't a trainer capture so many Pokémon'? Not to mention Dragonite and Koraidon alone are not Pokémon that just anyone could control.
If Naoki wasn't a strong trainer, how could he have earned their loyalty?
Naoki could only maintain a polite smile, not wanting to delve into the details of his past.
Just then, a sudden movement on the grass caught Max's attention.
Since Naoki had his back turned, he didn't notice it right away. But Max's eyes widened in shock and disbelief at what he saw.
Noticing Max's reaction, Naoki grew concerned. "What's wrong?"
Max pointed toward the field with a blank expression. "What's going on?"
Naoki turned around to see three Skiddos, to be exact—dancing on the green grass. But something was unusual.
Naoki: "…"
Max exclaimed, "They're glowing!"
Naoki: "…"
For a moment, Naoki didn't know what to say.
'The Skiddo should have already released their energy for the day. So why are they'?
After a moment of pondering, Naoki decided to investigate. He stood up and walked over to the pen to check on the situation.
When Naoki saw the empty food trough, the thought 'as expected' immediately came to his mind.
The grass dumplings there had been devoured once again.
'So that's it'. 'The energy they expended this morning has already been replenished.'
'These three gluttons!'
Naoki gritted his teeth, already deciding that he would need to control how much grass dumplings his Skiddo would eat in the future.
But before he could take any action, an incredibly powerful surge of Grass-type energy suddenly erupted from the three Skiddo in front of him.
"Baa..."
Under the puzzled gazes of the Skiddo, a dazzling light suddenly burst from their bodies.
The energy that had been building up over several months was finally unleashed at this moment.
"Buzz!"
With a low humming sound, the Grass-type energy spread rapidly in all directions, moving too fast for the naked eye to follow. Waves of energy rippled through the air, and within seconds, the entire ranch was enveloped in the glowing light.
In the midst of the light, the bodies of the Skiddo began to change rapidly.
Their bodies grew larger, the horns on their heads extended and curved gracefully, the grass on their backs became lush and vibrant, and their once-cute eyes now shone with determination and strength.
Naoki's eyes were glued to his evolving Skiddo, taking in every detail of the transformation.
Max, standing nearby, stared up at the strange phenomenon unfolding above his head, watching the green light float through the air. Then he looked at the three Skiddo, now enveloped by the light, and his expression grew bewildered.
"???"
'What kind of power is this?' Max thought, his mind struggling to process what he was seeing. 'Is this really the Skiddo I remember?'
'Why do they seem... different?'
At that moment, Max felt his entire worldview shatter.