Naoki followed the Dugtrio into the salt house, desding a set of underground stairs until they reached the caverhe Naclstack group resided.

  Drip… drip…

  The cave was eerily silent, save for the faint sound of water droplets eg iill air. The Naclstack were scattered across the ground, pying peacefully among themselves.

  Uhe Dugtrio's' guidanaoki was led to a particur se of the rock wall. He immediately noticed an area of the wall that seemed out of pce—its color sharply trasted with the rest of the stone.

  "Squeak, squeak!" The Dugtrio chittered, pointiedly at the unusual rock.

  Naoki leaned in for a closer look, noting the jagged marks where something had been gnawing at the stone. Intrigued, he turo the Dugtrio. " you dig this sto for me?"

  The Dugtrio chirped in agreement and swiftly dove into the soil, leaving small mounds in their wake. Within moments, they tunneled around the rock, loosening it from its surrounding material.

  With a heavy thud, the stoo the ground.

  "Huh…" Naoki crouched to i it more closely. The texture and color seemed oddly familiar. He couldn't quite pce it at first, but then a thought struck him.

  "It looks like… could this be aone?"

  To firm his suspi, Naoki hurried back to the living room arieved aohat Teddiursa had gifted him. Returning to the cavern, he pared the two stones. His heart skipped a beat when he realized his guess was correct.

  This was a raw, unpolished vein of Everstone.

  Looking closer, Naoki noticed the gnaw marks on the surfad felt a wild theory f in his mind. 'Could it be… were the Naclstaibbling on this stone?'

  He gathered the Naclstack group and poio the rge Everstone. "Did you eat this?" he asked.

  The Naclstack surrouhe stone, examining it curiously before noddihusiastically. "Stack~!"

  Naoki's jaw dropped. "You did? Why would you…?"

  Through Calyrex's telepathic transtion, Naoki learhe full story. One of the Naclstack had stumbled upon the Everstone and, out of curiosity, chipped off a small piece to taste it. Finding it bnd and unpleasant, it decided to py a tri the others, g it was delicious.

  Naturally, the other Naclstack were intrigued. One by ohey took bites of the Everstone, only to realize they'd been tricked. This led to a pyful but chaotic chase around the cavern, with the mischievous Naclstack being "punished" by its peers. Eventually, they all grew tired and fell asleep, leaving the Everstely untouched.

  As Calyrex trahis, Naoki could only hold his forehead in exasperation. "So that's why none of you evolved intanacl yet…"

  He straightened up and crossed his arms, putting on a mock-serious expression. "Alright then, who was the first to discover this stone?"

  The Naclstack froze, their earlier pyfulness repced by sheepish guilt. Heads drooped, and they avoided Naoki's gaze like children caught i.

  Finally, the troublemaker Naclstack timidly stepped forward and squeaked, "Stack…" admitting its guilt.

  Naoki leaned down aly poked the little Naclstack's head. "You little rascal."

  The Naclstack looked away, its tiny eyes darting nervously as if searg for an escape.

  Naoki sighed, his stern facade melting into a soft smile. "Alright, alright. I'm not actually mad. It's not a big deal."

  The Naclstack froze for a moment, then suddenly lit up with excitement.

  However, Naoki's words quickly extinguished their joy and filled them with arm.

  "If you keep eating this stone, you won't be able to evolve intanacl."

  "Stack?!" the Naclstack excimed in shock.

  Naoki turned and addressed the group, expining with a serious tohis is aos special property prevents Pokémon from evolving. If a Pokémon holds ests it, further evolution bees impossible."

  Typically, Everstone deposits like this one would be mined, refined, and polished into small, portable stohese would then be distributed to Pokémoers and stores, avaible for trainers or Pokémon who hem for specific purposes.

  The Naclstack began to panic. They had been looking forward to evolving intanacl to better proteaoki and their dear friend, Alcremie. They'd even made a pact with Naoki: ohey evolved, they'd let him ride on their backs as they carried him across the grassy fields.

  But now… did this mean they'd never evolve?

  The Naclstack huddled together nervously, their gazes shiftiween the offending Everstone and Naoki. One of them, trembling slightly, finally stepped forward and squeaked, "Stack?"

  Naoki uood their . It was asking if there was still a ce they could evolve.

  Naoki thought hard. As Rock-type Pokémon, the Naclstack had unique physiologies that allowed them to e and digest minerals and stones, breaking them down into energy and nutrients for their bodies. However, the Everstone might be an exceptioo its unique properties.

  Looking at the Naclstack's anxious faces, Naoki felt uhe Everstone might not be digestible at all, which would expin why the Naclstack hadn't evolved yet. But this was a blind spot in his knowledge, and he didn't want to make any assumptions.

  "Let's go to the Pokémoer and have you all checked out," Naoki said decisively.

  He returo the house to retrieve their Poké Balls, ensuring they were ready for transport. After inf Kelly and leaving the ran the capable hands of Indeedee, he called for Cyclizar and rode swiftly to Kosaji Town.

  The Pokémoer was quiet when Naoki arrived, with only a few trainers lingering from the previous night. Behind the ter, Nurse Joy was taking a rare moment of rexation.

  She perked up upon seeing Naoki. "Oh, Mr. Naoki! What brings you here today? Are the Pokémon at the ranch feeling unwell again?"

  Naoki nodded and expihe situation. "My Naclstack actally ate Everstones, and it seems to be preventing them from evolving. I'd like to have them examined."

  Nurse Joy's expression became serious. "Uood. Let's head to the examination room."

  In the room, Naoki released eaaclstae by one. Using an X-ray-like mae, Nurse Joy began the ss. On the s, a small, ued shadoeared in the first Naclstack's body.

  "That's defihe Everstone," Nurse Joy firmed. "Its unique properties make it iible, even for Rock-type Pokémon. Some trainers even iionally have their Pokémon swallow Everstoo prevent unwanted evolutions during battles."

  She sighed, clearly disapproving. "But I've seen several cases where the Pokémon ended up with stomachaches. We always had to induiting to remove the stones."

  Naoki's face twitched. "That's… incredibly irresponsible."

  Nurse Joy tihe ss for the remaining Naclstack, finding Everstones of various sizes in each of them. She turo Naoki with a ge firm tone. "In this case, indug vomiting is the only solution."

  Hearing this, the Naclstack perked up, realizing that the stones could be removed. Their earlier panic faded, repced with visible relief and even a hint of excitement.

  Naoki sighed, exasperated but amused. "No more eating random things, uood?"

  "Stack!" The Naclstaodded in unison, their voices ear.

  Naoki felt a weight lift off his shoulders. Turning to Nurse Joy, he said, "I'll leave them in your care, Miss Joy."

  Nurse Joy gave a gentle smile. "It's the duty of every Joy to care for Pokémon. Don't worry, Mr. Naoki. Please wait outside for a moment."

  Nodding, Naoki turo the Naclstack. "Listen to Nurse Joy, alright?"

  The Naclstack responded with a cheerful "Stack!" as Naoki left the room, apanied by his Cyclizar, to wait in the Pokémoer's lobby.

  A short while ter, Nurse Joy emerged from the treatment room with five pale but noticeably relieved Naclstack following her. Her assistant Pokémon carried a tray holding the removed Everstones.

  "All done," Nurse Joy said with a reassuring smile.

  Naoki paid the sultation fee arieved the Poké Balls, calling the Naclstack back to rest. "Thank you for your help, Miss Joy," he said sincerely.

  Nurse Joy handed him the Everstones, noed ly in tissue. "These might still be useful. Everstones are worth about 3,000 Pokédolrs ea the market."

  Naoki accepted the buhinking he might frame them ter as a lighthearted reminder of the Naclstack's "dark history." With a polite goodbye, he hopped on Cyclizar and rode back to the ranch.

  As they returned, Alcremie rushed out to meet them, cirg the Naclstad iing them with evident . It moved from oo another, carefully cheg for any signs of harm.

  Only after firming they were all intact did Alcremie visibly rex. Pg its tiny hands on its hips, it puffed out its chest with pride.

  "What's this?" Naoki teased with a grin. "Worried they might've been bullied?"

  "Alcremie!"

  Alcremie responded, its tone fident as it decred it would protect the Naclstack from all harm. After all, just the other day, it had used its Metroo perform an incredibly powerful move!

  Naoki chuckled at Alcremie's endearing bravado, and the Naclstack seemed to share in the cheer, their spirits lifted.

  Then, suddenly, a brilliant white light enveloped the Naclstaaoki froze, wide-eyed as the Pokémon began to glow, their forms shifting and growing within the radiant light.

  The Naclstack were evolving.

  Their bodies stretched and expahey stood upright, their frowing tall and imposing. As the light faded, what stood before Naoki were five t Garganacls—majestic, sturdy, and exuding an aura of strength and prote.

  Their , glistening bodies emitted a faint, pleasant salty aroma, and the golden sunlight streaming down made them appear almost divine.

  Naoki snapped out of his astonishment, a warm smile spreading across his face. "gratutions," he said, his voice filled with pride. It seemed the Naclstack had met all the ditions needed for evolution.

  "Garganacl!"

  The Garganacl rumbled joyfully, their deep, resonant voices akin to the sound of rocks colliding. Their happiness alpable.

  One of the Garganacl stepped forward, its massive frame moving with deliberate strength. It crouched slightly, extending its arms in an unmistakable invitation for Naoki to climb aboard.

  Naoki hesitated, a rare flush of embarrassment creeping onto his fabsp;

  After their evolution, the t Garganacl stood proudly, their new height of over two and a half meters making them truly imposing. However, for Naoki, who was six feet tall, riding oill felt a bit embarrassie their size.

  The Garganacl, oher hand, didn't think twice. When Naoki hesitated to climb on, one of them scratched its head in fusion before reag out with a massive hand, pig Naoki up like a child aly pg him on its shoulder.

  Naoki: "…"

  "Garganacl~!"

  The Garganacl let out a deep, delighted rumble.

  The other Pokémon quickly gathered around, intrigued by the sight. Naoki turned his head just in time to see Alcremie perched fidently atop anarganacl, striking a anding pose like the captain of a grand ship.

  "Mree!" Alcremie waved its tiny arms, brimming with determination.

  To everyone's surprise, a purple, bde-like light began to form at Alcremie's fiips. It shimmered ominously before slig through the air with an intense force. The sheer power distorted the space around it, leaving faint ripples.

  "Boom!"

  The energy bde struck the ground, leaving a sizeable crater in its wake.

  "Mree!" Alcremie froze, panicked by its own power.

  Naoki: "…" 'That's not how you use Sacred Sword!'

  He sed the area and was relieved to see Farfetch'd still immersed in its training with the wooden dummies. 'Good,' he thought. 'If it saw that, I'd never hear the end of it.'

  After a while, Naoki mao dismount, but the arganacl quickly surrounded him, each eager for their turn to carry him.

  Naoki: "…"

  Resigned, he took turns riding eae until all five were satisfied. Only then did they let him go.

  "Alright, everyone! Go have fun! I still have things to take care of," Naoki said, waving them off.

  The Garganacl rumbled happily before lumbering off, standing guard like sentinels over the ranch.

  By midday, Kelly aeam had nearly finished installing the heating pipes throughout the house. Naoki returned io find her w on the final task: renovating the kit.

  She had modified a et, turning it into a funal stove that ected seamlessly to the heating system. "All done!" Kelly decred, brushing off her hands with a satisfied smile.

  Naoki ied the work carefully. The work of pipes ran effitly throughout the house, eg the living room, kit, bedrooms, and even the sed-floor rooms. The setup looked just like the one from the animated show The Cozy Slugma House.

  "Are you happy with it?" Kelly asked.

  Naoki nodded. "It's perfeow the Slugma explore the house without any trouble."

  "I also left the inal stove intact," Kelly added, pointing to it. "It's lined with a heat-dug material that allows you to cook directly with the Slugma's heat. Just position them below, and you're all set."

  Naoki raised a . "What about summer? Won't the heat make the house unbearable?"

  Kelly grinned. "The pipes are io preve from esg. In summer, you simply close the vents, keeping the house cool."

  "Great! That's a relief." Naoki thanked her and paid the agreed fee before seeing Kelly aeam off.

  Baside, the Slugma wasted no time expl its new home. It crawled through the pipes, its magma-like body glowing warmly and lighting up the vents throughout the house. Wherever it went, warmth and light followed, creating a cozy atmosphere.

  Naoki watched with amusement as it made its way to the sed floor, aually returo its usual spot by the firepce.

  When it reached the kit, Naoki crouched and tapped the stove. "Hey, over here!"

  "Goooo?" The Slugma turned, crawling over slowly.

  Naoki fed it two berries with a fond smile. "Eat up! This is your home now. Take it easy and enjoy!"

  The Slugma chirped tentedly as it chewed the berries. Suddenly, a soft "bang bang" sound emanated from its body, followed by a puff of white smoke esg through the house's ey.

  Outside, Pawmot saw the smoke and immediately uood that the Slugma was happy. Excited, it dashed inside, carrying a small stash of fruits and shiny tris.

  "Pawmot!" Pawmo offered its treasures to the Slugma, which accepted them graciously and begaing slowly.

  The sight of the two Pokémon bonding warmed Naoki's heart. With a satisfied smile, he thought to himself, Now, this truly feels like a warm Slugma home.