After all, each of the three Legendary Beasts had their own sacred duties. They were rarely in one place for long. In the anime, they were always wandering, guarding nature. Suicune had even been captured by poachers using a bug net, though Naoki still wasn't sure if that was this Suicune or another one entirely.
Hearing his question, Suicune stepped forward. Its sapphire eyes shimmered in the firelight as it answered him with gentle telepathy:
"Lord Ho-Oh has given us a new mission."
Entei spoke, its deep voice resonating through the room:
"Lord Ho-Oh foresaw that Elara may one day become the next Rainbow Warrior. Like you, she possesses the power of nature within her."
Raikou stepped forward, lightning crackling faintly from its mane.
"Until the day she comes of age," it said solemnly, "we will remain by her side. We will protect her, guide her, and help her awaken her true potential."
Hearing their words, Iono gasped and covered her mouth in shock.
Wait... the three Legendary Beasts were going to stay and protect her daughter?
Naoki, equally stunned, hesitated before asking, "Are you saying... Ho-Oh asked you to do this?"
The three Legendary Pokémon all nodded in unison.
"But... don't you all have other responsibilities?" Naoki asked, still trying to wrap his head around it.
After all, Suicune wandered the world purifying polluted waters. Raikou channeled lightning to awaken sleeping forests. Entei's roar was said to cause volcanoes to erupt.
They were guardians of nature, each bound to their own sacred task.
Yet Entei stood tall, voice unwavering:
"To guide the one chosen by the Rainbow Wing—that is also part of our sacred duty."
Naoki fell silent.
That… made sense.
In the movie, Ash too had been chosen by the Rainbow Wing, and it was the three beasts who guided him on his journey to meet Ho-Oh. Now, his own daughter was being watched over the same way.
Still, the idea of the three Legendary Beasts… acting as Elara's guardians? It stirred an image in his mind that was hard to shake.
He imagined Elara at age ten, standing before her first Pokémon selection.
And then he stepped forward, arms wide, introducing her "starter choices."
Other kids: "I got Fuecoco!"
"I picked Sprigatito!"
"I chose Quaxly!"
Elara: "My three choices are Raikou, Entei, and Suicune."
Naoki's expression twisted. "…"
Just imagining it made him chuckle helplessly.
"Well then… I'll leave her in your care," he said at last, bowing slightly.
The three sacred beasts dipped their heads in acknowledgment. It was settled, they would stay.
Naoki's eyes then drifted to Entei.
There was something about this Entei in particular, a strong, calm presence that reminded him of the Entei from Spell of the Unown: Entei, the movie with the Crystal Tower.
That Entei had taken on the role of a father to a little girl named Molly…
This one felt the same: noble, protective, and steady.
Entei noticed Naoki staring and tilted its head.
"What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Naoki grinned. "Do you know Molly?"
"No," Entei replied, shaking his head gently.
"I figured," Naoki nodded. That Entei from the movie had been created by the power of the Unown, a projection, not the real one.
Entei still looked confused, but his nature wasn't the type to overthink. If he didn't understand something, he just moved on. Simple as that.
And so, the three Legendary Beasts—Entei, Raikou, and Suicune—began their stay at the ranch.
The next morning, as the weather warmed and sunlight filtered through the winter clouds, Naoki got to work.
He carefully carried both the fiery-red Pokémon egg and little Elara to the ranch's breeding treehouse.
The tree had once been Iono's favorite napping spot, and it still held one of her old soft blankets, neatly folded in the corner.
To ensure warmth, Naoki called over his Flareon.
"Flareon, can you help us out today?" he asked, patting its head.
"Buyi~" Flareon chirped, hopping gracefully into the treehouse.
Naoki gently laid Elara and the Volcarona egg down inside, arranging the blanket around them.
Flareon immediately curled around them protectively, wrapping its large, fluffy tail over both Elara and the egg. Warmth radiated from its body, filling the treehouse like a living heater.
"Thanks, Flareon," Naoki smiled, rubbing its ears. "I'm counting on you."
"Bui!" Flareon barked happily, proud to help.
To Naoki's surprise, the moment Flareon settled in, the rest of the Eeveelution family began arriving, one after another.
Sylveon trotted over with a ribbon-like wave, gracefully climbing in to nuzzle Elara. Umbreon padded in silently and curled beside the egg. Espeon perched near the doorway, keeping watch. Leafeon brought in a fresh leaf to line the nest. Jolteon crackled gently with static warmth. Glaceon sat nearby, ensuring no outside chill leaked in. Even the Partner Eevee leapt in and settled beside Flareon.
"Buee~ Buee~!" they all called in soft harmony, gently cuddling around Elara and the egg in a circle of love, fluff, and warmth.
Naoki stood at the entrance of the treehouse, momentarily stunned by the sight.
A whole family of Eeveelutions… all coming together to protect one tiny baby girl and a soon-to-hatch Pokémon egg.
A warm smile touched his lips.
"Thank you, everyone," he said quietly.
"Buee~!" they replied in chorus, tails wagging.
Not far off, the three Legendary Beasts watched the scene in silence.
...
After Naoki posted the news online, not only did Alder and his friends across different regions hear about it, but soon everyone in the nearby town knew: Naoki and Iono had welcomed their baby into the world.
At 9 a.m., while Naoki was busy milking the Gogoat herd, Mrs. Dantes arrived at the ranch with a handmade gift bag in her arms.
Five years had passed, and Mrs. Dantes's hair had turned completely white. The wrinkles on her face had deepened, but thanks to her regular orders of fresh milk from Naoki's ranch, she remained strong and full of energy.
"Mrs. Dantes! What brings you out here?" Naoki hurried over to greet her.
The old woman smiled warmly, kindness written across her face. She opened the bag and carefully took out a tiny, hand-stitched baby dress.
"Naoki," she said gently, "I heard from Ivan that you and Iono had your baby. So I came to visit. I made this dress for her. It's woven from Mareep wool—very soft and warm."
Naoki looked at the little sweater and was touched. The design was adorable, and from the detail, it was obvious it couldn't have been made overnight.
She must have started working on it long ago.
"Thank you so much," Naoki said sincerely. "She's sleeping over in the treehouse—come, I'll show you."
"Of course," Mrs. Dantes said, beaming.
They walked to the cozy breeding treehouse. Inside, Elara lay sound asleep, nestled in the warmth of the blankets, surrounded protectively by a circle of fluffy Eeveelutions.
Mrs. Dantes gasped softly. "Oh, what a darling! Sleeping so peacefully..." Her eyes sparkled with joy. "Have you given her a name yet?"
"Yes," Naoki said. "Her name is Elara."
"Elara… Elara…" Mrs. Dantes repeated the name with a smile. "Lovely."
Naoki nodded, touched by her words.
The old woman lingered for a while, gazing at the baby girl before finally saying goodbye. She was tired, and the walk home would take some time.
Naoki and Iono walked her to the edge of the property. On the way back, Iono whispered, "Mrs. Dantes is such a kind soul."
"She is," Naoki agreed. "She's always been fond of children and Pokémon. Back when she ordered milk from us, she used to bake cookies for Dragonite every time it delivered her order."
He paused, thoughtful.
She was seventy-five now. In another five years, she'd be approaching Eighty. Even in the Pokémon world, that was already a long life, most people rarely lived to see a full century.
Naoki sighed softly. "I really wish times like this could last forever."
Later that morning, another visitor arrived.
Mayor Thomas.
Wearing his usual top hat and leaning on his wooden cane, he approached the treehouse. By his side rode a Cyclizar with a scarf, fluttering in the wind.
He stood before the treehouse for a long time, gazing quietly inside.
"Wonderful. Just wonderful," he murmured. "Your grandfather can rest easy now."
Tears welled in his eyes as he looked around the ranch.
The neat rows of berry fields. The lush orchards stretching into the distance. The barns, the chicken coops, the Gogoat sheds. The shining milk canisters arranged like old sentinels.
Everywhere he looked, Pokémon thrived. The ranch was alive—more vibrant than it had ever been, even during its golden years.
He wiped his eyes and turned toward Naoki.
"We're getting old," Mayor Thomas said, voice heavy with emotion. "From here on, the future belongs to young folks like you."
Naoki's eyes drifted toward Elara, who was still sleeping peacefully beneath a nest of Eevee fur and Mareep wool.
"Yes," he said softly.
Naoki was already twenty-five this year, which meant he was closing in on his thirties. Just five more years, and he'd officially become "Uncle Naoki" to the next generation.
He stood quietly outside the treehouse, reflecting on the passage of time.
Mayor Thomas and his partner, the scarf-wearing Cyclizar, didn't linger too long. With the town expanding rapidly in recent years, the mayor had plenty on his plate.
After visiting Elara, Mayor Thomas bid Naoki farewell and returned to town.
The next visitor to arrive was Kelly, who brought along a beautifully carved wooden toy for the baby.
"Congratulations!" Kelly smiled as she handed over the gift.
Naoki grinned. "Thanks. So, when's your wedding?"
"You can't rush these things," Kelly chuckled and shook her head. But there was something different about her tone, she hadn't come just to give a gift.
"I actually came to say goodbye," she admitted. "I'm leaving the town."
Naoki blinked, surprised. "Huh? What about your shop?"
"You didn't hear?" Kelly tilted her head.
"Hear what?"
"The town's been booming lately," she explained. "With the development picking up, more and more investors are showing interest. New shops are popping up everywhere, and I heard the Paldean League is planning to open a new port nearby."
Naoki realized then that Kosaji was slowly transforming into a modern town. For old-school artisans like Kelly, it was becoming harder to maintain a foothold.
"Still, that's only part of it," she continued. "More than anything, I want to go see the world."
Kelly smiled wistfully. "I'm almost thirty. I've lived in this town my whole life. I've never traveled. I want to know what it's like to explore the world with a partner Pokémon."
Naoki paused, then nodded in understanding. "I get it. Wishing you a safe and wonderful journey, Kelly."
"Thanks. I'll be rooting for you too."
And just like that, Kelly left.
Though Naoki accepted it with a smile, her departure left a quiet ache in his heart. She had been there since the very beginning, helping build everything—his home, the Miltank barn, the chicken coop, even the ranch's tool shed. Every nail, every beam, had Kelly's craftsmanship in it.
He sighed. But that was life, wasn't it? Everyone had their own path to follow. All he could do now was quietly send her his best wishes.