Inside the lit cabin.
Leo and Cyclizar stared at the Pokémon lying on the floor, whom they had dragged in from outside with combined effort.
With just one glance, Leo recognized its identity.
The Guardian of Paradise, the Winged King, the God of the Past...
These were all names for this Pokémon.
Originally, it had no name. It was only after being summoned to this era that the professor named it Koraidon.
That's right, Koraidon.
One of the cover legendaries of the game Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. It is recorded that it once split the earth with its fists.
Currently, everything about its ecology remains a mystery in this world, but some believe it is the ancient form of Cyclizar...
Although similar in appearance to Cyclizar, Koraidon is far more tenacious and ferocious in temperament.
Leo looked at Koraidon, then at Cyclizar, noting that their skeletal structures were indeed very similar.
So, here comes the question.
Why would a Koraidon appear here?
Leo fell into deep thought.
He sifted through information about Koraidon from the game in his mind.
Summoned by Professor Sada via a time machine... lost a territory dispute with another Koraidon in Area Zero... escaped and crashed on a beach in southern Paldea from exhaustion... found by the protagonist...
"So, what exactly is the situation now?"
Leo was confused. He exchanged a glance with the innocent-looking Cyclizar opposite him, then looked down at Koraidon.
The next second, Koraidon's tightly shut eyes snapped open. Its golden pupils, filled with a ferocious aura, locked onto the human before it.
Leo jumped in fright.
But immediately, the ferocious aura vanished, though Koraidon continued to stare at him.
Leo: "?"
"Gaa-ow?" Cyclizar tilted its head to the side.
Hearing a third party's voice, Koraidon's expression shifted slightly.
Upon seeing the Cyclizar clearly, Koraidon's eyes first showed disbelief, followed by a dawn of understanding.
Memories flooded its mind...
Long, long ago, when it was still a Cyclizar, it had also encountered a Koraidon on a night just like this.
Today was just like that day in the past.
Except, back then, it had been in the position of the Cyclizar opposite it.
It looked at the Cyclizar, who was cowering slightly under its aura, and suddenly realized what that Koraidon it had met back then truly was.
It was itself.
It had fallen into the time machine, waited in a distant era for ten thousand years, and was finally summoned again—only to arrive in an even earlier timeline...
Koraidon stared intensely at the Cyclizar.
Seeing the standoff, Leo feared this unknown Koraidon might suddenly go berserk and attack Cyclizar.
He quickly stepped in front of Cyclizar, blocking Koraidon's line of sight. Steeling himself, he tried to sound as friendly as possible. "Haha, um... are you okay? I saw you fall from the sky earlier, so I brought you back to my home."
With such a strange and ferocious Pokémon, it was better to be cautious.
Seeing Leo protecting Cyclizar, Koraidon's feelings became complicated.
It watched this scene with a sullen, unhappy expression. For some reason, it felt a little jealous.
What made it even more complicated was that the Cyclizar was itself.
Its past self...
Leo silently observed Koraidon's movements.
The enemy doesn't move, I don't move.
But then, a loud growl erupted from Koraidon's stomach.
Grrrrumble...
The air in the room instantly turned awkward.
Leo: "..."
He and Cyclizar had already eaten dinner. Seeing that Koraidon didn't seem inclined to rampage, he quietly let out a sigh of relief and asked, "Hungry? I have some food here. Do you want some?"
Koraidon immediately nodded obediently, the ferocious demeanor from before vanishing completely.
Changes its tune the moment it hears about food... Leo mentally face-palmed.
Still, he stood up, took Cyclizar to the cupboard, and pulled out the fresh ingredient he had bought today—a cut of pork shoulder.
The meat was lean but not tough, fatty but not greasy. Pan-fried, it would be tender and juicy—perfect for a large Pokémon like Koraidon.
He washed the meat, trimmed the excess fat and skin, and cut it into moderately thin slices, placing them in a bowl.
Leo then took out his newly bought seasonings: dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, black pepper, and starch for thickening.
He added the seasonings to the bowl one by one, mixing them thoroughly with the meat. Once the meat had absorbed the marinade, he placed it into the pan and began to cook it slowly over medium-low heat.
Soon, golden fat began to render from the meat. Accompanied by the sizzling sound of frying oil, a tantalizing aroma spread through the room.
The pork, fully absorbing the marinade, slowly turned golden brown. The fresh meat seemed full of vitality, trembling slightly in the rich fragrance and oil, bursting with savory juices.
During the process, Leo glanced back.
Koraidon had unknowingly switched to its quadrupedal "Sprint Build," drooling as it watched the pan.
Nearby, Cyclizar, despite being full, was uselessly gulping down saliva at the smell.
Leo laughed. Estimating the time, he plated the pork chops onto two clean white plates once they were ready.
Looking down, information about the dish appeared.
`
Cooking Effect: Stamina Recovery (Large), Strength Boost (Large), Experience & Insight Gain (Small). Duration: 60 minutes.
Evaluation: Fresh ingredients and excellent culinary skills bring you these delicious pork chops. Perfectly suited for Pokémon pursuing strength.]
"Huh?" Leo was surprised.
The effect of these pork chops is that good?
The duration was a bit short, though.
Leo thought of the Black Truffle he had found. If he added that enhancing ingredient, would the duration become permanent?
"I'll have to try that when I get the chance."
He placed the plates in front of Cyclizar and Koraidon, watching them devour the food. After a moment's thought, he turned back and took out two brand-new glasses, two berries, and two bottles of Moomoo Milk.
After eating meat, how could they not have a glass of fresh juice to cut the grease?
Besides, Leo wanted to know if juicing berries directly would produce magical buffs like cooking did.
Berries looked like fruit, but since he didn't have enough for pure juice, he planned to mix them with milk.
After washing his hands, Leo squeezed the juice from two berries into the glasses and stirred in the milk.
He had bought the milk at the Porto Marinada Market—500ml for 120 League Dollars a bottle.
Soon, the berry juice and milk were mixed.
Leo focused his gaze. Sure enough, information about the Berry Milk floated into his mind.
`
Cooking Effect: Cow Pokémon Exclusive. Upon consumption, slightly improves the quality of milk produced by the consumer, making it taste better and more nutritious.
Evaluation: Delicious Berry Milk—you deserve it!]