Naoki slept soundly until seven in the evening.
Upon waking, he quickly grabbed a small meal to stave off hunger, then eagerly opened his backpack to take stock of the spoils from his recent adventure.
With a satisfying clink, a cascade of coins tumbled out, forming a small mountain on the floor.
The gleaming pile instantly captured the attention of the nearby Pokémon, their eyes wide with astonishment.
"Pawmot!"
"Mree!"
Naoki chuckled, reaching out to ruffle Pawmot's fur affectionately. "What do you think? Aren't these coins beautiful?"
"Pawmot!" Pawmot nodded enthusiastically, its eyes reflecting the golden light.
"Alright, go play for a bit," Naoki said with a grin. "I've got some counting to do."
He rolled up his sleeves and began meticulously counting the coins, his voice echoing softly in the room.
"One, two, three, four..."
Minutes stretched into hours as Naoki carefully moved the coins from one side to the other, counting each piece with precision.
"Seven hundred and twenty-three, seven hundred and twenty-four... seven hundred and sixty-six."
He straightened up, his brow furrowed. "Seven hundred and sixty-six coins in total?"
Naoki quickly calculated his total stash. "Let's see... I already had 230 coins before this. Add the 766... That's 996."
He froze. His eyes widened in disbelief. "Only four coins away from a thousand?!"
Naoki stared at the pile of coins, his face a mix of shock and exasperation. "You've got to be kidding me."
Unable to believe the numbers, Naoki decided to recount the coins. Ten painstaking minutes later, the result was the same—766 coins. Combined with the 230 coins he already had, the total remained maddeningly short of a thousand.
"Ugh..." Naoki groaned, collapsing dramatically onto the floor. "Of all the luck! The king leaves behind gold crowns, necklaces, even a gold toilet—but not a few extra Gimmighoul coins?!"
He covered his face, sighing heavily as Pawmot and the other Pokémon gathered around him, their expressions concerned.
"Pawmot?"
Naoki sighed again, waving a hand to reassure them. "I'm fine, I'm fine."
Still, he couldn't help but feel frustrated. He would have to pin his hopes on Geeta and the Paldea Alliance to help track down the final four coins.
With that thought, Naoki pulled himself together. First things first—he needed to give these coins to Gimmighoul and let it add them to its treasure chest.
Rising from the floor, Naoki made his way to the Pokémon Tavern and retrieved Gimmighoul's treasure chest.
As if sensing movement, Gimmighoul poked its head through the crack in the chest, its round eyes peeking curiously at the outside world. When it saw Naoki holding the chest, it relaxed, letting out a metallic jingle of relief.
"Gimm!"
Naoki smirked, leaning down to meet Gimmighoul's gaze. "Ready for a surprise?"
"Gimm?!" Gimmighoul's eyes sparkled with excitement. The last time Naoki had a surprise for it, it turned out to be the gold coins it had always dreamed of.
Naoki walked into the house, his arms full of anticipation, a wide grin on his face. Gimmighoul, still perched in its treasure chest, seemed to sense something special was about to happen.
As Naoki set down the backpack brimming with coins, Gimmighoul's eyes widened in disbelief. With an excited clang, it leapt up, accidentally knocking over the lid of its treasure chest.
"Go ahead!" Naoki encouraged, chuckling.
Gimmighoul hesitated for a moment, staring at the pile of glittering coins. It was a sight beyond its wildest dreams. For a moment, it almost seemed as if this couldn't be real—as though it had wandered into a dream where all its wishes came true.
Ordinary as it was, Gimmighoul had always harbored the simple dream of collecting coins, but this pile of shimmering treasure seemed too good to be true.
"Gimm?" it asked tentatively, turning back to Naoki. Its eyes sparkled with hope, but its tone was cautious. Could this treasure truly be for it?
Naoki smiled warmly and nodded. "Yes, they're all yours."
"Gimm!" Gimmighoul squealed, overwhelmed with joy. It launched itself out of the treasure chest and dove face-first into the pile of coins, the clink-clink of the coins echoing through the room.
It rolled around in the golden pile, nibbling on one coin here and sniffing another there, like a fish swimming through water. Its happiness was contagious, and Naoki couldn't help but laugh.
"Totally worth it," Naoki murmured, leaning back against the wall. All the effort—diving into quicksand, venturing into ancient ruins, and braving the dangers of the underground—was worth it for this moment of pure joy.
After basking in its newfound treasure, Gimmighoul began the laborious task of moving each gold coin into its treasure chest. Watching it work so diligently, Naoki couldn't help but join in.
The process was fascinating. The chest seemed to defy logic, swallowing every single coin without appearing to grow full. It was like a bottomless pit—an ability unique to the mystical Ghost Pokémon.
"Maybe this is just one of the many mysteries of Ghost-types," Naoki thought aloud. He recalled that Gengar, another Ghost Pokémon, was said to have a body that acted as a pocket dimension capable of storing items. Before space backpacks were invented, some trainers even used their Gengar to carry luggage while traveling.
As the last gold coin was stored, Gimmighoul leapt into the treasure chest itself, half-buried in the golden hoard. It looked utterly content, as if it could stay there forever.
But as it lay among the coins, a peculiar sensation washed over it. A mysterious energy seemed to rise from the coins, flowing into its small body. For a moment, Gimmighoul felt stronger, as though it were on the brink of a transformation.
The feeling lasted only a moment before fading. Gimmighoul opened its eyes, realizing that something was missing.
"Gimm!" it called out to Naoki, explaining what had just happened.
Naoki crouched beside it, a knowing smile on his face. "That's the start of evolution. You're close. As soon as you collect a thousand gold coins, you'll evolve into a more powerful form. People call it the richest Pokémon."
"Gimm…!" Gimmighoul's eyes lit up with excitement, sparkling like the stars. It clutched a coin close to its chest, brimming with determination. It wanted to evolve—it wanted to become the ultimate treasure guardian.
Naoki reached out, patting Gimmighoul on the head. "Don't worry. It won't be long now."
With that, Naoki turned his attention to the next step. All that remained was to wait for Geeta to reply with news of the remaining four coins.
Weeks passed. The calendar turned to August.
On August 10th, Year 199 of the Alliance Calendar, Naoki's wait finally came to an end.
Larry hurried to the ranch, a large briefcase in hand.
Dark circles under his eyes and his fatigued expression made it clear he hadn't rested in days. Dropping the bag onto the grass behind him, Larry greeted Naoki with a weary sigh.
"Naoki, I've brought the coins you needed," he said in a voice barely above a whisper.
"What was that?" Naoki asked, leaning in. Larry's voice was so faint it was almost inaudible.
Larry sighed heavily, repeating, "These are the coins you asked for. It took me over a week, traveling to six different cities to gather them. But I couldn't manage to collect a full thousand. I'm sorry—I did my best."
He opened the briefcase, revealing a glittering pile of coins. Judging by the size, there were at least a hundred coins inside.
Naoki's eyes lit up with excitement. This was it! These coins would finally allow the Gimmighoul to evolve.
"It's fine! This is more than enough!" Naoki reassured him enthusiastically. "Thank you so much, Larry!"
Larry's body swayed slightly. "It's my job," he muttered, his voice even weaker than before.
Naoki frowned, concerned. "How long has it been since you last rested?"
"Four days," Larry admitted. "There were other urgent tasks I had to take care of while collecting the coins."
Naoki shook his head in disbelief. "Why don't you take a break here at the ranch? You look like you're about to collapse."
Larry gave a small smile but shook his head. "I'll be fine. You go handle your business. I'll just sit here and enjoy the sunlight for a bit."
He sank down onto the soft grass, his gaze wandering across the vibrant ranch. The Pokémon roamed freely, creating an atmosphere of liveliness and harmony.
"This place is amazing," Larry said softly. "It's so peaceful. For someone like me, it's a world apart."
Naoki watched him for a moment, then said, "Wait here." He went inside and returned with a cup of hot black tea. But by the time he came back, Larry had already fallen asleep on the grass.
Larry's chest rose and fell steadily as he lay sprawled on the ground, his exhaustion finally catching up with him.
Naoki sighed. "Guess I'll let him sleep," he muttered, leaving the tea beside Larry.
Turning his attention to the coins, Naoki carried the briefcase to the Pokémon Tavern. Inside, the tavern was quiet, with the Gimmighoul atop its treasure chest.
Naoki approached the bar, his heart pounding with excitement. He opened the briefcase, pulling out four coins—the final ones needed for the Gimmighoul's evolution.
The small Pokémon's eyes widened as it sensed what was about to happen. "Gimm!" it chirped, trembling with anticipation.
Naoki grinned and said, "Here you go!" He dropped the coins into the treasure chest, which gleamed as if it had been waiting for this exact moment.
The instant the coins touched the chest, a surge of golden light enveloped the Gimmighoul. The coins began to swirl around it, forming a luminous vortex.
"Gimm!" The Gimmighoul let out a cry of pure excitement.
Unlike the standard evolutionary glow, this light was brilliant gold, radiating an aura of wealth and grandeur. The tavern was bathed in its dazzling glow, every surface shimmering as if plated in gold.
Naoki's eyes sparkled as he watched the transformation unfold.
For a fleeting moment, Naoki regretted not having a way to record the scene. If only smartphones existed—this would have been the perfect moment to share online. After all, this was likely the only evolution of its kind in the world.
As the light began to fade, the petite Gimmighoul was gone. In its place stood a magnificent new Pokémon, standing tall at 1.2 meters. Its body shimmered with gold, every inch radiating opulence.
Gholdengo was born!
Naoki gazed at the newly evolved Gholdengo, his excitement palpable as the golden Pokémon stood before him.
Gholdengo raised its shiny, metallic head to look at Naoki, its bright eyes sparkling with delight and gratitude.
In the next moment, Gholdengo leapt into the air, wrapping its arms around Naoki's neck in a joyful embrace. Its voice chimed like a bell, full of warmth and affection.
"Gholde~!"
Naoki immediately understood the sentiment behind Gholdengo's gesture. It was thanking him—expressing its heartfelt gratitude for helping it collect the coins needed for its evolution.
"Yes, yes!" Naoki exclaimed, his grin stretching from ear to ear. "Congratulations, Gholdengo! I'm counting on you from now on!"
"Gholde!" Gholdengo chimed enthusiastically, nodding in agreement.
Now, the question of what came next lingered in Naoki's mind.
Before its evolution, Gimmighoul had been shy and timid, preferring to remain hidden and avoiding human contact. But with its evolution into Gholdengo, its demeanor had undergone a complete transformation.
The Pokédex described Gholdengo as lively and cheerful, brimming with charisma and friendliness toward both humans and Pokémon alike. With such a vibrant personality, it was clear that Gholdengo wouldn't want to stay confined to the Pokémon Tavern like its former self.
Realizing this, Naoki smiled and said, "Let's go out together! It's time for you to meet everyone properly."
"Gholde~!"
Gholdengo's golden body shimmered with excitement. It had long been aware of the other Pokémon living on the ranch, having observed them from the shadows before its evolution.
Dragonite, Teddiursa, Pawmot, Koraidon, Cyclizar, Dragonairs, Alcremie… Gholdengo was eager to join them and make new friends.
Without hesitation, Gholdengo released its grip on Naoki and dashed ahead, bursting through the tavern doors and stopping just outside. It turned back, beaming expectantly at Naoki.
Naoki blinked in surprise before chuckling. "Eager, aren't you?" He followed Gholdengo's lead, stepping outside to join it on the ranch.
Once on the open grass, Naoki put two fingers to his lips and whistled sharply, his call echoing across the fields.
Within moments, Pokémon came running from all directions.
Koraidon, Cyclizar, Pawmot, Dragonite, Dragonair, Glaceon, Umbreon, Arboliva, and Alcremie all gathered, their curious eyes fixed on Gholdengo.
When the last Pokémon arrived, Naoki cleared his throat, gesturing toward Gholdengo. "Everyone, we have a new friend joining us. Meet Gholdengo, our newest companion!"
The reactions of the Pokémon varied, each expressing their curiosity and excitement in their unique way.
Dragonite and Dragonairs were immediately captivated by Gholdengo's dazzling, golden body. They moved closer, their eyes sparkling with wonder.
Koraidon stood at the back of the group, its arms crossed, wearing a cool, indifferent expression that suggested it was unimpressed—but Naoki could tell it was secretly intrigued.
Alcremie and the Eeveelutions were ecstatic, hopping happily in the grass as they greeted Gholdengo with enthusiastic cheers.
Pawmot scratched its head with a thoughtful look before breaking into a wide smile.
For Pawmot, the more companions around, the better. The liveliness of the ranch only amplified its vibrant personality. Gholdengo thrived in such an atmosphere.
To show its gratitude and friendliness to the Pokémon who warmly welcomed it, Gholdengo began to perform. It danced a mysterious yet captivating routine, the movements resembling an intricate street performance. Then, a magical spectacle unfolded.
Gold coins began to rain down from the sky, sparkling brilliantly under the golden rays of the setting sun. The coins glided gently, as though guided by some unseen force, landing softly in the outstretched hands of the Pokémon below.
Every Pokémon's eyes lit up as they looked skyward. The mesmerizing rain of gold coins was enchanting.
A bright smile adorned Gholdengo's face as it surveyed the delighted reactions of its new companions.
Naoki, standing nearby, was utterly stunned.
"Wow... amazing!" he muttered.
Giving out gold coins on a whim—was this the true power of a rich Pokémon? He suddenly realized why the Pokédex emphasized that Gholdengo could instantly make friends with anyone. It was a literal golden connection.
As Naoki continued to marvel at the scene, he noticed Ogerpon and others holding Gholdengo's hands, leading it enthusiastically toward the Snorlax Park. All the Pokémon seemed eager to spend time with their new companion.
Naoki glanced at the gleaming gold coin in his hand. Out of curiosity, he bit into it lightly.
It was solid. Real gold.
"So Gholdengo really can conjure gold coins," Naoki mused, still astonished. He speculated, "Are these coins formed from Steel-type energy?"
Such an ability was fascinating yet baffling. It defied all logic. Naoki couldn't help but feel a surge of relief and excitement—poverty would never be an issue with Gholdengo around.
...
At 4:00 p.m., Larry woke from his nap.
He opened his eyes to find himself lying on a comfortable bed. Stretching, he groggily left the room and made his way downstairs.
"Awake already?" Naoki called out, noticing Larry's presence as he poured tea.
Larry paused for a moment, remembering where he was, and nodded. "Thanks for letting me rest here," he said, his voice carrying a hint of gratitude.
"Don't mention it. Have some tea and snacks," Naoki offered with a smile.
Larry, visibly more refreshed, sat down on the sofa. Despite being a gym leader, his exhaustion mirrored the weariness of an overworked office worker. Naoki felt a pang of sympathy for him—Larry's demeanor reminded him of his own days as a corporate employee before arriving in this world.
"Were the coins I brought helpful?" Larry asked as he sipped the tea. Even the sight of extraordinary Pokémon like Gholdengo didn't faze him much—years of work had cultivated a calm acceptance of life's oddities.
Naoki nodded. "They were perfect. Thanks to those coins, everything is sorted now." He recalled how the mere four missing coins had nearly driven him to despair.
Larry gave a small, weary smile. "Good. It's just part of my job."
Naoki returned the smile but noticed something contemplative in Larry's expression.
After a pause, Larry spoke again, "There's one more thing I need to ask you."
Naoki raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
"I'd like to have a Pokémon battle with you," Larry said matter-of-factly.
Naoki blinked, caught off guard. "Huh?"
Larry explained further, "It's part of my assignment. The Chief specifically requested it. As a gym leader, it's my responsibility to ensure you're prepared for any challenges."
Understanding dawned on Naoki, though he still hesitated. "Shouldn't you rest a bit more?"
Larry shook his head. "No need. Let's get this over with. The sooner I finish this, the sooner I can relax."
Naoki sighed, a mix of amusement and exasperation. "Alright then."
Finishing his tea, Larry stood and followed Naoki.
Initially, Naoki planned to introduce Larry to the various Pokémon trials scattered throughout the ranch. But then, his gaze landed on Gholdengo, and an idea struck him.
A mischievous grin spread across his face. If Gholdengo could shower its opponents with gold coins during battle, this match might be even more entertaining than expected.
...
Next Bonus Chapter @1000PS
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