On January 9th, Year 203 of the League Calendar, spring arrived in northwest Paldea, gradually warming the land after a long winter.
People shed their heavy coats for lighter jackets, taking strolls with their Pokémon through mountains and forests. A new season of adventure had begun.
At the same time, the Great Heroic Expedition Team, comprising Mew, Zapdos, Teddiursa, and Victini, officially set off on a new journey. Their destination: the Kalos region.
With her health fully recovered, Iono had returned to her duties as the Gym Leader of the Levincia Gym.
Naoki remained at Tree House Ranch, continuing his work and caring for their child. Thankfully, with the help of the Indeedee, he didn't need to worry too much.
Elara, still an infant, spent nearly 20 out of 24 hours each day sleeping. To Naoki, life felt remarkably similar to how it had always been—quiet, steady, and full of Pokémon.
The three Legendary Beasts—Entei, Raikou, and Suicune—continued to fulfill the mission given by the Phoenix King, keeping a close and protective watch over the future Rainbow Hero. With them, as well as trusted companions like Cyclizar and Dragonite, Naoki had little concern about Elara's safety.
Lately, he'd been hearing about rapid developments in Kosaji Town. Curious, Naoki decided to finish his daily ranch chores and take Koraidon into town for a stroll through the newly built streets and alleys.
Kosaji Town had undergone dramatic changes since the turn of the year.
Construction was booming across the town. Workers in yellow safety helmets bustled about, assisted by Pokémon like Machoke and Conkeldurr, hammering away at scaffolding and lifting beams to raise new high-rise buildings.
Further down the road, Naoki arrived at the location of the old Kosaji Market.
Once a humble greenhouse-style farmer's market, it had been completely renovated. The greenhouses had given way to modern storefronts, and the scale of the marketplace had expanded significantly. It now resembled a bustling supermarket district filled with new life and opportunity.
The town was thriving.
Naoki paused for a moment, taking in the sight, then continued walking deeper into town.
He passed many familiar spots, eventually finding himself at the seafront—the very place Kelly had mentioned before.
Kosaji's port terminal was under active construction. Large cranes lifted materials across the site, and workers were setting down the foundation for new lighthouses. Several ships floated offshore, docked and ready for use.
Although the port was not yet finished, Naoki could already imagine a future where cargo ships from all corners of the world arrived here, bringing goods and Pokémon alike. Those goods would be sold in Kosaji's new market district, further solidifying the town's status as a rising economic hub in Paldea.
Naoki's heart swelled with a quiet pride. One day, they wouldn't need to travel to other cities for supplies, they'd be able to board a ferry right here at the Kosaji port.
After his walk through town, Naoki rode Koraidon back to the ranch.
First, he quietly entered the room to check on Elara. She was still fast asleep, curled up beside the newly hatched Larvesta, both of them breathing softly in rhythm. Naoki smiled at the peaceful sight, then gently closed the door behind him.
The living room was relatively quiet.
Dragonite had flown out on a delivery run. Pawmot was helping Meltan tend the chicken coop, and Miltank had wandered off to graze on the sun-dappled hillside.
Naoki considered checking on Sylveon's special training, but before he could, his Rotom started ringing with an incoming video call.
Dr. Sada
He tapped the screen to accept the call, and the familiar face of the Paldean Pokémon researcher appeared, beaming as always.
"Long time no see, Naoki!" she greeted cheerfully. "Sorry I didn't send my congratulations earlier. I've been buried in research these past few weeks!"
"It's okay, Doctor," Naoki replied with an easy smile and shook his head.
Dr. Sada offered a gentle smile and then asked, "How's your baby doing? Is it a boy or a girl?"
"It's a girl," Naoki answered proudly. "She just turned one month old. She's sleeping peacefully right now!"
"That's wonderful. Congratulations! You've officially joined the club of parents," Dr. Sada said warmly.
Now a parent herself, with their research entering a new phase, Dr. Sada felt like life was finally flowing in a good direction. Perhaps seeing the happiness on Naoki's face reminded her of when her son, Arven, was born. The memory stirred something deep inside her.
But then came the guilt. For so many years, she and her husband had been buried in research, distant from their child. Dr. Sada lowered her gaze, a shadow passing over her expression.
"I wonder how Arveb is doing these days…" she murmured.
Naoki blinked. "Huh? Haven't you spoken with him recently?"
Dr. Sada's shoulders sank. "Since he's gotten older, he's become more and more independent. These days, he barely reaches out to us. I usually have to ask the school principal for updates."
Naoki was silent. Doing the math in his head, he realized Arven must be around thirteen or fourteen now. That difficult age. Add in a lack of family presence, and it was no wonder he might become withdrawn.
Left unchecked, this was exactly the kind of isolation that could cause him to grow into the distant, silent, and emotionally sensitive version of himself, just like in the games.
It wasn't fair. No child should be left to grow up feeling like that.
"I'll reach out," Naoki said. "I'll invite him to the ranch. Even if it's just a meal, it might help."
"Thank you, Naoki," Dr. Sada said, sincerely grateful. She and her husband, Professor Turo, had always appreciated how much Naoki had done for Arven behind the scenes.
"Well, once our research on the Paradox Pokémon is finally wrapped up, Turo and I will leave Area Zero and return to the surface. When that happens, we'll visit the ranch together, with Arven."
Naoki nodded, but deep inside, he worried that by then it might be too late. A child's personality doesn't stay malleable forever. Once formed, it's hard to change.
But Dr. Sada couldn't just abandon her research at the Great Crater of Paldea. She was trying to do what was right for the future in a broader sense. That didn't make it any easier to swallow.
"Hah, let's not dwell on that for now," Dr. Sada said, lightening the mood. "How's Koraidon doing?"
"Koraidon!" Naoki called.
A moment later, Koraidon trotted in from outside, its massive head nudging into the frame of the video screen.
"Agasss?" it chirped curiously.
"So lively as always!" Dr. Sada laughed. "Every time I see Koraidon living peacefully at your side, it gives me hope. Maybe one day, Pokémon from the past and future really can coexist with the ones we live alongside today."
After the call ended, Naoki sat in thought for a while. Then, he picked up his Rotom Phone and sent a message.
[Naoki : Hi Arven, how have you been lately? Would you like to come visit the ranch for a day?]
At the academy, in the Paldea region, Arven heard the chime from his Rotom Phone. He picked it up and glanced at the message.
[Arven: Thank you, Mr. Naoki. I'm very sorry, but there's something going on at the Academy right now… I can't leave.]
At first, Arven was hesitant to visit. He didn't want to trouble Mr. Naoki or intrude on his life.
But soon after, another message came through.
[Naoki: Huh? My daughter was just born, and I was hoping you could come meet her...]
Arven paused, stunned.
Mr. Naoki's child… was born?
Wouldn't it be rude not to go…?
He thought it over for a moment, then made up his mind.
[Arven: Congratulations, Mr. Naoki. I should be free tomorrow—I'll come by for a visit!]
[Naoki: Want Dragonite to come pick you up?]
Embarrassed to impose, Arven replied quickly:
[Arven: No, no, it's fine! There's a Flying Taxi from Mesagoza straight to Kosaji Town. I'll just take that!]
[Naoki: Great, I'll be waiting for you at the ranch!]
After the chat ended, Arven let out a small breath of relief.
Just then, an energetic voice called out from behind him.
"Arven! Let's have a Pokémon battle!"
He turned to see Nemona in her academy uniform, eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
Nemona had only started school this year. But because they'd met once before, back when she visited Naoki's ranch as a child, she recognized Arven right away and had immediately rushed over to challenge him to a battle. After a few friendly exchanges, the two had become close.
But Arven was never big on Pokémon battles. He gave a small shake of his head.
"Not today. I'm going to visit Mr. Naoki tomorrow. His baby was just born."
Nemona's eyes lit up.
"Mr. Naoki's baby was born?! I want to go too!"
The thought of meeting Mr. Naoki's child and getting to challenge him to a battle was way too exciting for her to pass up!
Just imagining it made her heart race with excitement.
Arven: "…"
"You'll have to ask Mr. Naoki yourself," he said, a bit exasperated.
When Naoki heard that Arven and Nemona wanted to visit the ranch together, he was more than happy to welcome them. He messaged back right away, saying he'd prepare a delicious feast to celebrate.
"Yes!" Nemona cheered, raising her fist in the air.
Arven: "…"
...
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