Two days later, the ranch was clear of trees and rocks, leaving only a carpet of uneven grass. Cyclizar frolicked in the newly opened space while Koraidon stood beside Naoki, maintaining a respectful distance from its past self.
Koraidon was still unsure how to interact with its past self, so it kept its distance. Cyclizar, on the other hand, was confused by Koraidon's occasional glares and the intimidating aura it exuded. It didn't dare approach the powerful Pokémon.
Naoki, oblivious to the silent tension between the two, had been consumed by the ranch work. Now, standing beneath the eaves, he surveyed the transformed landscape with satisfaction.
The removal of the trees had opened up the view, allowing him to see the entire ranch from the house.
"Finally!" Naoki exclaimed, turning to count the wood stacked behind the house. There was enough to build the chicken coop. It was time to head to Mesagoza and ask Kora the carpenter for help.
He mounted Cyclizar, then addressed Koraidon, "You're in charge of guarding the house while I'm gone."
Koraidon's crest fell. It shot a resentful look at Cyclizar.
Naoki, sensing the tension, reached out to pat Koraidon's head. "Be good," he said soothingly. "I'll take you out next time."
Koraidon perked up, its tongue lolling out in a happy grin as it licked Naoki's hand.
Leaving Koraidon behind, Naoki gave Cyclizar's shoulder a gentle squeeze, and they set off for town. As the ranch and Koraidon disappeared from view, Naoki couldn't help but think, "Not having Poké Balls is a bit inconvenient. I can't always carry my Pokémon with me."
Bringing Koraidon along would be too conspicuous, and Naoki preferred to keep a low profile. Poké Balls weren't expensive, so he decided to buy a few as a backup. He could let his Pokémon roam freely on the ranch and only use the Poké Balls when traveling.
As soon as he reached Mesagoza, Naoki made his way to a store specializing in trainer supplies and purchased several standard red-and-white Poké Balls.
Afterward, Naoki visited the Mesagoza Market to purchase ingredients for the coming days, then headed to the carpentry shop.
From afar, he spotted Kora, the shop owner, hard at work. She wore khaki overalls and a pink shirt, her pink hair tied in a high ponytail with a headband holding back her bangs.
Kora had a classic oval face, and her years of carpentry had given her a strong, capable physique. She exuded an air of warmth and competence.
She was sawing wood when she heard footsteps behind her. Turning around, she immediately recognized the young rancher.
"It's you!" she greeted him with a smile. "The weather is lovely today. How's the ranch coming along?"
"Almost done, Ms. Kora," Naoki replied, then explained his reason for visiting. "I'd like to ask you to build a chicken coop for me."
Kora's eyebrows rose in surprise. "So soon? It hasn't even been a week, has it? Have you saved up enough money already?"
Naoki nodded, grinning. "Cyclizar has been a great help, so we've made fast progress."
Kora glanced at Cyclizar and nodded in understanding. "I see. Give me a moment!"
She disappeared into the house, returning with measuring tools and an adult Cyclizar.
"Alright, let's go to your ranch," she said. "I need to survey the area and choose a suitable location. Once we decide where to build the chicken coop, I'll bring my team tomorrow morning to begin construction."
"Okay," Naoki agreed, mounting Cyclizar and leading the way. Kora followed on her Cyclizar.
About half an hour later, they arrived at the ranch.
From a distance, Naoki spotted Koraidon waiting for him at the entrance of the ranch. The Legendary Pokémon had been lying on the grass, bored, but upon seeing Naoki, it jumped up excitedly.
Kora also noticed the Pokémon, a creature unlike any she had seen before.
"Is that yours too?" she inquired, her curiosity piqued.
Kora wasn't a trainer, and her knowledge of Pokémon was limited to those commonly found around Mesagoza and those she occasionally saw on TV. To her, Koraidon was simply an unfamiliar Pokémon, and she didn't show much surprise.
"Yes, it is," Naoki replied with a smile. "Thanks to its help, I was able to gather enough materials so quickly."
Kora nodded, satisfied with the explanation.
They dismounted from Cyclizar at the entrance to the ranch. Naoki gave Koraidon a reassuring pat on the head, then led Kora on a tour of the property. Cyclizar and Koraidon followed at a leisurely pace.
Kora was impressed by what she saw. "You've done a wonderful job here!" she exclaimed.
A fond memory surfaced. "I came here as a child," she reminisced. "My parents brought me to experience milking Miltank. The owner back then was a very kind old man who welcomed us warmly."
"That was my grandfather," Naoki replied, drawing on the original owner's memories. "My parents were ill and needed a better climate, so we moved to the Hoenn region when I was young."
"I see. That explains why I didn't see you then." Kora nodded in understanding. "Have you decided on a location for the chicken coop?"
Naoki pointed to a cleared area on the western side of the farmland. "Right there."
The location was close to the river, and Naoki planned to build a wooden fence around the coop so the chickens could roam freely on sunny days.
Kora surveyed the spot, nodding approvingly. "That's a great location. You could even build a water wheel by the river. You could use the power of the flowing water to grind the wheat and corn you grow, creating flour and cornmeal for yourself and your Pokémon."
Naoki's eyes lit up. "A water wheel? That's a great idea!"
Kora chuckled. "Of course, that's a separate project. When you have enough funds, I'd be happy to help you build it."
Naoki smiled, appreciating Kora's enthusiasm and expertise.
With the location decided, Kora took out her tools and began taking measurements. Once she had gathered the necessary data, she continued her tour of the ranch, guided by Naoki. After all, they would be working together closely in the future, so it was essential to understand the layout and discuss potential plans for the ranch's development.
...
Hey everyone! I've noticed we only have a few reviews for this story so far. Reviews really help to get the story noticed by more readers, so if you've enjoyed it, please consider taking a couple of minutes to leave one. And don't forget to toss a Powerstone our way too! Every bit helps!