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The warm tropical air of PokeIsland welcomed Xpovac, Maria, and Swampert as they emerged from Mew's teleportation. Palm trees swayed gently in the breeze, and the faint sound of Pokémon playing in the distance filled the atmosphere with a sense of calm. Xpovac turned to Maria, a spark of excitement in his eyes.
"Come on, let me show you around," he said, beckoning her to follow. Maria, still processing the teleportation and the strange new world she found herself in, nodded and trailed behind him.
As they walked, Xpovac guided her past various sections of the island. The path led through lush forests, sprawling meadows, and even some rocky cliffs. Along the way, Maria could see several Pokémon in their natural habitat—s. There was a group of Squirtles playfully shooting jets of water at each other near a small pond, while a Nidoking and Nidoqueen were locked in what looked like a friendly sparring match. Each Pokémon appeared content, their eyes reflecting a loyalty to Xpovac.
"This place is... different," Maria said, unable to find the right words. "I've never seen creatures like these."
"They're called Pokémon," Xpovac explained. "Each one has its own unique abilities and personality. I've made friends with many of them over the years. They're not just partners; they're family."
He led her to a clearing where several large stone structures stood—PokéBall-shaped domes that housed various facilities. There was a Pokémon Healing Center, a Training Ground, and even a Pokémon Habitat Zone designed to mimic different types of environments.
As they approached the base, Xpovac waved over a few familiar faces. Mew floated around curiously, followed by Pikachu, Charizard, and Lucario. The three Pokémon stood side by side, displaying a sense of camaraderie that had been forged through countless battles and adventures.
"Maria, meet some of the Pokemon of the island," Xpovac said, motioning toward the Pokémon. "This is Pikachu, Charizard, and Lucario. They're some of the strongest wild Pokémon on the island."
Pikachu let out a cheerful "Pika!" while Charizard flared its wings and unleashed a small burst of fire into the sky. Lucario merely nodded, its calm gaze assessing Maria for a brief moment before turning back to Xpovac.
"Well, aren't you popular?" Maria teased with a slight smile. "It's like you've built an army."
Before Xpovac could respond, Ace emerged from one of the stone structures, walking toward them with a slightly concerned look. His freckled face wore a frown, and his usual carefree demeanor seemed subdued.
"Xpovac, I need to talk to you," Ace said, his voice more serious than usual. His gaze shifted to Maria briefly before returning to his friend. "It's about Yamato."
Xpovac's eyes widened, and he scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Oh…right," he said with a sheepish chuckle. "I completely forgot to look for her while we were in Wano."
Maria's eyes flicked toward Xpovac, curiosity piqued. "Yamato?" she asked. "As in Kaidou's son—or daughter, depending on how you see it?"
Ace nodded. "She's a friend of mine. We were hoping Xpovac could find her during his time in Wano." He gave Xpovac a pointed look, clearly disappointed. "But I guess that didn't happen."
Xpovac sighed. "My bad, Ace. It's been a bit hectic. I'll make it a priority to find her once things settle down here." He then turned to Maria. "If you know anything about Yamato's whereabouts, it would help."
Maria considered it for a moment, then shook her head. "I don't know exactly where she is. Last I heard, she was still defying her father's wishes. She might be in hiding somewhere on Wano."
Ace gave a resigned nod. "I appreciate you keeping her in mind," he said, turning to walk away. "Just…let me know if you find her."
After Ace departed, Xpovac resumed showing Maria around, leading her into the main base, a large, futuristic structure built into the side of a hill. They walked down brightly lit hallways adorned with digital displays showcasing maps and current Pokémon activity.
"This is the main hub," Xpovac explained as they arrived at a spacious room with various monitors, some showing different parts of the island while others displayed tactical information. "We use it for monitoring, planning, and training."
Maria seemed impressed, though she kept a neutral expression. "You've really thought of everything, haven't you?"
"More or less," Xpovac replied with a grin. "Come on, I'll show you your room."
He led her down another hallway lined with rooms, each door labeled with names or symbols. Xpovac stopped at one near his own room. "This will be yours," he said. "It's next to mine, at least until we decide to share one," he added with a teasing wink.
Maria raised an eyebrow but didn't comment on the suggestion. "Thanks," she said simply, stepping inside to take a look. The room was spacious, with a bed, desk, and a small balcony overlooking the Training Grounds. It was surprisingly comfortable, even luxurious.
"I'll leave you to get settled," Xpovac said before turning to leave. "I have a few things to take care of."
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Once alone, Xpovac activated the items he had received from the quest. The "Country Maker" and "Goods and Resources for the Country" manifested in his inventory as glowing orbs of energy. He took them outside to an open field on the island and unleashed the power stored within the orbs. A radiant wave of light shot out in all directions, covering the entire island. It felt as though the very ground beneath his feet was shifting, pulsating with newfound energy.
A system prompt appeared in his mind.
Island Transformation Initiated. Time Until Completion: 48 Hours.
"Alright," Xpovac murmured, brushing off his hands. "Let's see what this 'country' ends up looking like."
---
The following two days were spent preparing. Xpovac, determined to keep everyone informed, called a meeting for all the residents of PokeIsland, both human and Pokémon. They gathered in the war room, a large chamber designed for strategic discussions. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation and curiosity.
As the crowd assembled, Xpovac took his place at the front of the room, a map of the island displayed behind him. Maria stood nearby, observing the proceedings.
"Everyone, listen up," Xpovac began, his voice steady and authoritative. "In less than 48 hours, this island will undergo a massive transformation. Thanks to a quest I completed, PokeIsland is evolving into a full-fledged country. That means changes in the landscape, infrastructure, and resources. We're getting everything we need—food, housing, defenses, and more. But with these upgrades come responsibilities."
He looked out over the group, which included Ace, Mew, Lucario, and several other prominent Pokémon. "We'll need to work together to adjust to these changes. The island's size will increase, and the terrain may shift. Our roles may expand to cover new duties, like trade, defense, and management. Everyone needs to be prepared for the unexpected."
Ace raised his hand. "Xpovac, what do you mean by 'defense'? Are we expecting any trouble?"
"Not immediately," Xpovac said. "But with the island becoming a country, we'll attract attention. It could be pirates, the World Government, or something else entirely. I want everyone to be ready for any possibility."
Maria stepped forward, adding, "We also need to ensure we're self-sufficient. We'll have access to all the essentials, but we should start thinking about long-term plans—farming, training, and forming alliances. We're not just building a country; we're building a future."
Her words seemed to resonate with the crowd, particularly the Pokémon who had grown attached to the island as their home. Xpovac noticed several of them nodding in agreement.
"Exactly," he continued. "For now, focus on getting familiar with the changes as they happen. We'll have a follow-up meeting once everything is settled."
---
With the meeting concluded, Xpovac spent the remaining time with Maria, getting to know her better. They walked along the beach, watching the sunset paint the sky in shades of orange and pink. The two of them spoke openly, their conversations shifting from lighthearted banter to deeper topics. Xpovac learned about Maria's past, her rise through the ranks of the Beast Pirates, and her ambitions beyond simply following Kaidou's orders. Maria, in turn, became more intrigued by Xpovac's goals for PokeIsland, especially after seeing how deeply he cared for his Pokémon companions.
On the second night, as they stood atop a cliff overlooking the sea, Xpovac felt a strange pull in the air. The system's voice echoed in his mind.
Island Transformation Complete.
The ground beneath them trembled, and an invisible force seemed to spread across the entire island. PokeIsland began to change before their very eyes. The once simple landscape expanded, stretching out in all directions. New structures materialized—fortified walls, towers, and even a central city that seemed to emerge from the very earth. Rivers formed, flowing into sparkling lakes, and vast fields appeared, ready for cultivation. The sky overhead felt broader, as if the horizon had been pushed back.
Maria gripped Xpovac's arm,
her eyes wide with amazement. "It's… incredible," she whispered.
The transformation settled, and the air grew still. Xpovac looked out over his new kingdom—his country—and a slow grin spread across his face.
"This is our new home," he said, his voice brimming with confidence.
And with that, he smirked.
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