Inside the lit cabin, Naoki and Cyclizar stared at the Pokémon they had dragged in from the field.
With a single glance, Naoki recognized the Pokémon.
The guardian deity of paradise, the Winged King, the ancient god.
These were the names associated with this Pokémon.
Originally nameless, it was dubbed Koraidon by the doctor who discovered it after it was summoned to this era.
That's right, Koraidon.
One of the legendary Pokémon from the game "Pokémon Scarlet." According to legend, it could split the earth with its fists.
There was no information about its ecology in the world yet, but some people believed it to be the ancient ancestor of Pokémon like Cyclizar.
Although similar in appearance to Cyclizar, Koraidon was known for its tenacious and violent nature.
Naoki looked at Koraidon, then at Cyclizar, and noticed the similarities in their appearance and skeletal structure.
So, the question was...
How did Koraidon end up here?
Naoki fell into deep thought.
He was recalling information about Koraidon from the game.
Summoned by Professor Olim through a time machine, it fled Area Zero after losing a territorial battle with another Koraidon. It eventually collapsed from exhaustion on a beach in southern Paldea and was found by the game's protagonist.
"So, what's the situation now?"
Naoki was confused. He looked at the innocent-looking Cyclizar across from him, then down at Koraidon.
Suddenly, Koraidon's closed eyes snapped open, its golden pupils filled with a ferocious aura, locking onto the human in front of it.
Naoki was shocked.
But then, the violent aura vanished, though Koraidon continued to stare at him.
Naoki tilted his head in confusion.
"Groo?" Cyclizar tilted its head as well.
Hearing the third party's call, Koraidon's expression changed slightly.
Upon seeing Cyclizar clearly, disbelief flashed in Koraidon's eyes, then a flicker of understanding.
Memories flooded back.
A long, long time ago, when it was still a Cyclizar, it had also encountered a Koraidon one night.
Today was just like that day.
However, back then, it was in the same position as the Cyclizar opposite it.
It looked at the Cyclizar, slightly frightened by its aura, and suddenly realized what had happened to the Koraidon it met when it was a Cyclizar.
That was itself.
It had fallen through a time warp, spending ten thousand years in a distant epoch. Finally recalled, it had arrived in an even earlier time period.
The Cyclizar's eyes were fixed on Koraidon, a tense energy crackling between them. Naoki, sensing the potential danger, quickly stepped in front of Cyclizar, shielding it from Koraidon's gaze.
"Hey there," he said, forcing a friendly tone, "are you alright? I saw you fall from the sky, so I brought you back to my place." It was best to tread carefully with this strange, seemingly aggressive Pokémon.
Koraidon's gaze shifted to Naoki, its eyes narrowing. A complex mix of emotions flickered across its face—disappointment, resentment, a tinge of jealousy. This Cyclizar was its past self, a reminder of a time before its evolution, before its journey through time and space.
Naoki silently observed Koraidon, his own heart pounding with a mixture of fear and curiosity. He mirrored Koraidon's stillness, hoping to avoid provoking it.
Suddenly, a loud growl erupted from Koraidon's stomach, shattering the tense silence. Naoki blinked, a wry smile tugging at his lips. He and Cyclizar had already eaten, but it seemed their unexpected guest was famished.
"Are you hungry?" Naoki ventured, "I have some food here. Would you like some?"
Koraidon's demeanor changed instantly, its aggressive posture softening. It nodded eagerly, its earlier ferocity replaced by a childlike eagerness for sustenance.
Naoki couldn't help but chuckle inwardly at the Pokémon's sudden change of heart. He stood up, beckoning Cyclizar to follow him to the cupboard. There, he retrieved a fresh piece of pork belly he had purchased earlier that day.
Pork belly, with its perfect balance of lean and fatty meat, was ideal for hearty Pokémon like Koraidon. He carefully washed and trimmed the meat, then sliced it into bite-sized pieces, placing them in a bowl.
Next, Naoki gathered the seasonings he had purchased: dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, black pepper, and cornstarch for thickening. He combined these in a bowl, mixing them thoroughly with the pork belly until the meat was evenly coated. Once the flavors had melded, he transferred the pork to a skillet and began to cook it slowly over medium-low heat.
Soon, golden fat began to sizzle, filling the room with an irresistible aroma. The marinated pork slowly turned a rich golden brown, its succulent juices bubbling enticingly.
Naoki glanced back at Koraidon, who had shifted to a quadrupedal stance, its eyes glued to the pan, drool dripping from its chin. Even Cyclizar, despite having already eaten, couldn't help but salivate at the tantalizing smell.
Naoki smiled to himself. He estimated the cooking time, and when the pork was done, he divided it into two plates. As he looked down, information about the dish materialized in his mind.
Pan-Seared Pork Belly (B): Ingredients, heat, seasoning, and unique cooking techniques create this popular dish. The juicy, flavorful pork belly provides unparalleled vitality to Pokémon.
Cooking Effects: Major Physical Recovery, Major Strength Increase, Minor Experience, and Insight Gain for Pokémon. Duration: 60 minutes.
Comment: Fresh ingredients and excellent cooking skills combine to create this delicious pan-seared pork belly, perfect for Pokémon who crave power.
"Huh?" Naoki was surprised by the high quality of the dish. But he noticed the short duration of its effects. He recalled the black truffle he had found earlier. Could adding this rare ingredient make the effects permanent? He would have to experiment later.
He brought the plates to Cyclizar and Koraidon, watching as they devoured the pork with gusto. Then, an idea struck him. He retrieved two glasses, two berries, and two bottles of Moomoo Milk. A refreshing juice would be the perfect complement to the rich meal, and he was curious to see if squeezing juice directly from the fruit would trigger his cooking ability.
The berries resembled ordinary fruits, but there weren't enough to make a full serving of juice. Naoki decided to add some milk to the mix. After washing his hands, he squeezed the juice from the berries into the glasses, then added the Moomoo Milk and stirred.
The milk, purchased from the Mesagoza Market, was a 500 ml bottle and had cost him 120 Pokédollars. As the juice and milk blended, Naoki watched as information about the concoction appeared in his mind.
Berry Milk (C): A blend of fresh berries and nutritious Moomoo Milk, this fruity drink is a delightful treat for Pokémon.
Cooking Effect: Limited to Miltank or Tauros. After consumption, the quality of milk produced by the drinker will be slightly improved, making it tastier and more nutritious.
Comment: Delicious berry milk, a treat you deserve!