Naoki gazed in amazement at Latias, who was following Zapdos.
What's going on? Is this Latias a new friend brought back by the Hero Expedition Team?
As we know, legendary Pokémon like Latias and Latios often exist in small groups. They aren't the only ones of their kind—some are known to reside in the Johto region, while others are native to Hoenn.
But this Latias… where exactly is it from?
While Naoki observed Latias with curiosity, Latias was also studying Naoki. Could this be the human Mew and Baby Bear mentioned—the one called Naoki?
At that moment, Zapdos landed in the pasture. Carefully, it removed a photo from its bag with its beak and handed it to Naoki.
Naoki accepted the photo, glanced down, and instantly realized where this Latias was from.
It's the Latias from the movie Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias!
"Are Baby Bear and Mew still traveling through the Johto region?" Naoki wondered aloud. After all, the events of that movie take place in a water city called Alto Mare, located in the Johto region.
Naoki vividly recalled the plot of that story. Two female thieves had captured Latios in their attempt to steal the treasure, a treasure that safeguarded the city. Their actions corrupted the pure energy of the treasure with their selfish intentions, nearly causing a flood that would have submerged the entire town.
At the critical moment, Latios—Latias' elder brother—sacrificed himself to save the city, merging with the treasure to purify its energy and restore balance.
Naoki studied the photo in his hand. The background was a lush secret garden filled with vibrant trees, soft grass, and a sparkling fountain.
In the photo's center stood Mew and Baby Bear, with Zapdos towering protectively behind them. Latias and Latios poked their heads out playfully from either side of the group.
It seemed the Hero Expedition Team had taken part in that story, but what role did they play? Could they have altered the outcome, preventing the tragic sacrifice of Latios?
Curiosity filled Naoki as he invited Zapdos and Latias inside. He offered them juice and snacks, ensuring they felt at home while he munched on a piece of seed crisp.
As Latias curiously inspected Naoki, he asked, "How is your brother, Latios? Is he doing well?"
Latias blinked, startled by the question. A look of surprise spread across its face. "Latia?" (How do you know about my brother?)
Naoki smiled knowingly. "Not only do I know about him, but I also know that you and Latios are the guardians of Alto Mare. You've been protecting the Soul Dew in your secret garden."
Latias couldn't hide its astonishment. "Latia!" (That's incredible!)
It was true—Naoki seemed to know an extraordinary amount. Latias started to see why Mew and Baby Bear spoke so highly of him.
"Is Latios okay?" Naoki asked again, his voice warm.
Latias tilted its head in confusion, unsure of what he meant, but eventually answered, "Latia? Latia!" (Of course, my brother is fine! He's probably resting on the big tree in the secret garden right now!)
Naoki felt a wave of relief. He wanted to confirm whether the story had unfolded as he remembered. "And the bad guys? Were they caught?"
Latias immediately thought of the two thieves who had tried to steal the Soul Dew. It nodded enthusiastically. "Latia! Latias!" (We caught them! Lorenzo handed them over to Officer Jenny. But… how do you know this, Naoki?)
"That's my secret," Naoki replied with a mysterious smile.
Latias' admiration for Naoki grew. This human was truly remarkable!
Looking back at the photo, Naoki realized the Hero Expedition Team must have altered the course of the story. Latios, who was supposed to have sacrificed himself, was still alive and well.
"You really are heroes," Naoki thought with pride. He turned to Latias, who was now watching him with curiosity.
Latias, mistaking Naoki's concern for admiration, said happily, "Latias!" (My brother is protecting the city! He can't leave right now. If you want to see him, Naoki, you should come to Alto Mare!)
Naoki shook his head, smiling. "No need. Knowing he's safe is enough for me. You and your brother are truly worthy guardians."
Latias blinked in confusion but felt touched by his words.
After placing the photo in a frame, Naoki turned to Zapdos. "The World Tree has grown a lot. Do you want to check it out?"
Zapdos nodded. "Zap!" (I already saw it from the sky!)
"Do you want to stay there now?" Naoki asked.
Zapdos shook its head. "Zap!" (Not yet. I want to keep traveling with Baby Bear and Mew!)
"Fair enough." Naoki respected its decision.
Latias, however, seemed intrigued by the mention of the World Tree. Naoki noticed its interest and decided to show it the magnificent tree.
"This is the World Tree," he explained, gesturing proudly at the towering giant. "Just a few months ago, it was a small sapling. Thanks to Calyrex and the Gogoats, it has grown to this size."
Latias stared in awe. It had heard about the World Tree from Mew and Baby Bear but hadn't expected it to be this magnificent.
Someday, the Hero Expedition Team's secret base would flourish here, welcoming all the friends they'd made on their journey.
'We all live in the tree, so we don't have to worry about being separated forever after parting ways... Latias recalled Teddiursa's words, her heart racing with wonder.
"Latias?" Latias asked eagerly. (Can my brother and I come to play at the World Tree too?)
Naoki paused briefly, then smiled warmly. "Of course."
He remembered Latias and Latios as two incredibly fast Pokémon, capable of reaching Mach 4 speeds—faster than a jet. It would be easy for them to travel back and forth between Alto Mare and the World Tree. However, as guardians of the Water City, he doubted they would move their home to the World Tree like Zapdos had.
Hearing Naoki's approval, Latias cheered happily, eager to share the news with her brother as soon as possible.
Zapdos, whose energy had recovered, was also ready to rejoin Baby Bear and Mew on their journey.
Naoki, understanding their intentions, didn't hold them back. After replenishing their supplies, he bid the pair farewell. "Travel safely, and take care of each other!"
"Zap!" Zapdos nodded firmly.
"Latias!" Latias responded cheerfully. (Naoki, we'll meet again!)
"I'm looking forward to it," Naoki replied with a smile, watching as the two Pokémon disappeared into the horizon.
As he returned to the ranch, Naoki reflected on the interconnected events that had unfolded. From Baby Bear meeting Mew and forming the Hero Expedition Team to their influence spreading as far as altering the fate of Latios—Naoki was in awe of how far their journey had reached.
Who would've thought that the little Pokémon who once scavenged for food would become part of something so significant?
Naoki's thoughts turned to Pawmot, whose transformation had been just as remarkable. After receiving the King's Power, Pawmot had grown mature and responsible, taking on the role of managing the ranch's Pokémon.
Bring them to play together, and reconcile the relationship between Psyduck and the conflict over tree fruits with the same calm authority as Ash's Bulbasaur had done in the past.
Koraidon wouldn't take on these responsibilities, nor would the Cyclizar. Dragonite and the others spent their days in a cycle of eating, working, and sleeping. Responsibilities like managing the ranch's harmony and organizing others were far from their interests.
Even though Ogerpon was incredibly strong, its personality wasn't much different from that of the Alcremie. It spent its time playing and frolicking around the ranch, enjoying its days like a carefree child.
Naoki smiled fondly, realizing how much the Pokémon around him had grown.
That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, a visitor arrived. Zack had come to pick up his goods, but his attention was immediately drawn to the towering tree dominating the ranch's skyline.
"When did that appear?" Zack asked in shock, staring at the enormous tree. "It wasn't here yesterday!"
Naoki scratched his head sheepishly. "It's... a long story. Let's just say it's thanks to Pokémon power."
Zack, knowing Naoki had befriended Calyrex, immediately caught on. "Wait, is this the work of Calyrex?"
Naoki nodded. "Exactly. I wanted to create a giant treehouse for Pokémon to live and play in, so I asked Calyrex to help nurture this tree."
Zack whistled in amazement. "I see... But it's huge! Won't it outgrow the ranch? You might run out of space for planting."
"Well, this is certainly a problem," Naoki murmured as he thought of the agreement he had with Giratina.
'But I'll figure out a way to relocate it when the time comes.'
However, the question of where to move it remained.
And what about the Gogoat and Arboliva that spent their days under the shade of the tree? Would they adjust to a new environment?
For a fleeting moment, Naoki wished he could borrow Doraemon's Shrinking Lamp—shrink the World Tree for safe transport and then restore it to its full size once it reached its new location.
"Alright," Zack said, still looking a bit bewildered. He muttered about the tree being "too massive" while loading Moomoo Milk into his truck.
But it wasn't just Zack who was captivated by the colossal tree. Trainers passing by were drawn to it, their curiosity pulling them to the ranch like a magnet.
Naoki had just managed to send off a group of trainers when, to his dismay, he saw a busload of students from Naranja Academy arriving for what seemed like a field trip.
He massaged his temples, envisioning an endless stream of visitors turning his peaceful ranch into a bustling tourist attraction. The World Tree at the center of it all, like a natural theme park wonder.
No. This couldn't continue.
That afternoon, Naoki approached Giratina with an idea: relocating the World Tree to the Reverse World temporarily.
Giratina blinked, perplexed. "The World Tree?" It had no idea what Naoki was referring to.
So, Naoki led the massive Pokémon to the ranch and pointed at the towering tree. "See that? That's the World Tree."
The moment Giratina laid eyes on it, it froze.
From the tree emanated an overwhelming natural energy—a vibrant, life-giving force as boundless as the ocean. The sheer magnitude of its presence made Giratina pause.
"What... is that?" Giratina's deep, resonating voice carried an edge of disbelief.
"The World Tree," Naoki replied straightforwardly. "I wanted to ask if you could help me get it into the sky."
Giratina said nothing, its gaze fixed on the tree. It could almost envision the profound impact this tree would have on the balance of the world once fully grown.
No—not just this world. Giratina could feel that even its own Reverse World would undergo a beneficial transformation if the tree reached its prime.
For a rare moment, Giratina fell into silence, the imposing stillness adding to its already intimidating presence.
Naoki tilted his head. "Um... are you okay?"
After what felt like an eternity, Giratina finally spoke: "I don't know where this tree originated, but I can tell you this—it will change the rules of this world. And when that happens, He will take notice."
Naoki furrowed his brow. "He? Who's 'He'?"
He was just growing a tree. Who could possibly take issue with that?
Then it dawned on him. Of course. The He Giratina was referring to could only be Arceus, the God of Creation.
Giratina confirmed it with a low growl. "This world, and even us... all of it was created by Him."
Though its tone carried a hint of reluctance, the truth was undeniable.
Time, space, emotion, wisdom, willpower, and the antimatter that supports the real world…
All of it originates from that one existence.
Naoki stood there, stunned. It was almost too much to believe. "Arceus wouldn't punish me just for planting a tree, right?"
The thought of such a grand entity being petty made Naoki mutter under his breath, "That God of Creation must be stingy…"
But from what Giratina had said, the growth of the World Tree wouldn't just be an ordinary event. It had the potential to reshape the entire planet.
The creation of new natural resources, the emergence of more Pokémon species… this tree could bring extraordinary changes to the world.
Giratina, however, had no way of predicting how Arceus might react. It did know one thing: causing a little trouble for Arceus would bring it immense satisfaction.
With that mischievous thought in mind, Giratina transformed into a dark shadow, flowing across the ground toward the World Tree.
As Naoki and his Pokémon watched, an awe-inspiring scene began to unfold.
The shadow expanded, shimmering like a dark lake, and the massive World Tree started sinking into it, disappearing inch by inch.
The Gogoat, who had been tending to the tree, were alarmed. They stamped their hooves nervously and bleated in protest, preparing to intervene.
Naoki quickly stepped in, gently pulling the Pokémon back. "Calm down! Don't worry, the World Tree hasn't disappeared—it's just being moved to a safer place."
Hearing his reassurance, the Gogoat hesitated, then finally settled down, though their wary eyes remained fixed on the scene.
It wasn't long before the tree was completely engulfed by the shadow. Where the massive tree had once stood, there was now nothing but an empty expanse of grassland.
Naoki blinked, marveling at the sight. "Giratina's power is incredible," he murmured.
Turning to the Gogoat, he said, "Come on, let's go see where the tree has gone."
Naoki led his Gogoat into the Reverse World.
As soon as they arrived, Naoki's eyes widened.
There, in the distance, stood the World Tree—more majestic than ever. Its roots dug firmly into the ground of a massive floating island, while an ethereal waterfall flowed upward, defying gravity, and providing a steady stream of water to nourish the tree.
The Gogoats rushed ahead, circling the tree excitedly. They pressed their heads against the trunk, channeling Grass-type energy to nurture the tree as they always did.
Naoki observed the scene closely, his heart settling with relief when he saw that the World Tree remained vibrant and free from any signs of withering or decay.
After some thought, he realized this made perfect sense. Given the immense size of the World Tree, if it relied solely on soil nutrients for its growth, the entire ranch might not be sufficient to sustain it.
The combination of the Gogoat's Grass-type energy and the power of Calyrex seemed to provide the perfect balance to meet the tree's extraordinary needs.
Still, one concern lingered in Naoki's mind:
Could the Reverse World's reversal energy, which defied the natural laws of life, alter the World Tree and turn it into a destructive force?
As though sensing his unease, Giratina, who had been silently observing from a distance, finally spoke:
"The life force of this tree is beyond anything I've encountered. Even with all my power, I couldn't alter its essence."
Hearing this, Naoki relaxed.
With a calm smile, he turned to Giratina and said, "In that case, I'll leave the World Tree here under your care for up to two years. Please keep the portal between the worlds open so the Gogoat and Calyrex can regularly visit to help nurture it."
In the Reverse World, the basics for the World Tree's survival—soil and water—were already present. Additionally, a special Sunflower provided sunlight. This mutated species produced warm, radiant light on a regular schedule, perfectly suited for the tree's needs.
Giratina's crimson eyes glimmered with a mix of curiosity and reluctance. Despite its temperamental nature, it was bound by its word and nodded in agreement.
Naoki, however, remained cautious.
Back on the ranch, he gathered the Dugtrio, tasking them with improving the arable land on the floating island where the World Tree had taken root. This would ensure the tree's growth remained steady.
He also transported over a dozen Sunflowers to the floating island and fed the Gogoat a Lucky Pudding, a special dish designed to boost their luck.
Naoki clapped his hands and declared, "Alright, now use your Grass energy to cultivate these Sunflowers. Let's see if we can turn them all into the special Sunflowers!"
The Gogoat, fully understanding the importance of their task, braced themselves with determination.
"Mea!" they cried energetically.
Releasing their signature Grassy Terrain, a dazzling emerald glow spread across the island, enveloping both the World Tree and the surrounding Sunflowers.
Under this radiant light, something extraordinary happened.
One Sunflower began to transform, its petals gleaming with a warm, golden hue as it emitted a soft, comforting glow.
Naoki's face lit up with satisfaction as he examined the transformed plant.
[Sunflower Bloom]: A special crop that originated as an ordinary Sunflower. After being nurtured by Gogoat, it underwent a miraculous evolution. The Sunflower Bloom emits regular sunlight, illuminating its surroundings and providing warmth. When its fruits are used in cooking, they imbue dishes with the effects of a 'Sun Stone.']
...
Bonus Chapter