Alder looked at the young man in front of him, suppressing the hope and nervousness bubbling within, and asked politely, "Excuse me, is this Naoki Ranch?"

  Naoki snapped out of his thoughts and, reizing the man immediately nodded. "Yes, it is. Wele, Mr. Alder."

  "You know me?" Alder's eyebrows raised in slight surprise.

  Naoki offered a small smile. "The champion of the Union is quite famous, even in far-off pces like Paldea."

  Alder's face turned red. He knew well enough that his reputation as Unova's Champion was mostly fio his hion. The idea that his fame had spread to a distant region like Paldea seemed highly unlikely, especially since he had retired from his duties as Champion some time ago.

  'Could Naoki be a fan?' That would expin why he had reached out through Leon, Gar's Champion, to invite Alder to the ranch.

  Unaware of Alder's internal musings, Naoki thought about the reason for his visit—Alder's injured Vola. Gesturing toward the door, he said, "Please, e inside so we discuss this properly."

  "Of course," Alder agreed, gripping the strap of his backpack tightly. He followed Naoki into the house, his emotions a jumble of anticipation and fear. While he hoped beyond measure that this rancher could heal Vola's lingering injuries, he also feared the worst—that the hidden damage might be irreparable.

  As they ehe living room, Alder's thoughts wandered back to the events that had led him here. Not long ago, while traveling across Unova, he had received a surprising call from the Unova Pokémon League.

  The staff informed him that Leon, the Champion of the Gar region, wao speak with him. Alder, puzzled by the request, had called Leon back, only to learn that there might be hope for Vola. Leon had told him about Naoki Rand suggested he take Vola there for treatment. Though skeptical, Alder's desire to save his beloved panion outweighed his doubts. Without hesitation, he made the jouro Paldea.

  In the living room, Alder briefly g Calyrex, who was sitting gracefully nearby, before looking away out of respect. He pced his backpa the floor, pulled out a stack of papers, and hahem to Naoki.

  "These are Vola's medical reports from various Pokémoers. They indicate that Vola's injuries are severe, and current medical teology has no means to fully heal them."

  Naoki accepted the reports and skimmed through them. While he couldn't make sense of the more teical aspects, he noted a recurring theme—Vola had suffered critical injuries to its core and bore numerous hidden wounds that standard treatments couldn't address.

  After a moment's thought, Naoki called Indeedee, asking it to retrieve some Life Milk. Theuro Alder. " you let Vola out so I take a look?"

  Alder nodded eagerly arieved a red-and-white Poké Ball from his bag. In a fsh of light, Vola appeared on the floor. The once-majestion, known for its fiery beauty, looked pale and frail. Its three pairs of brilliant e wings were dull and listless, its vibrant blue eyes had dimmed, and it y on the ground, barely able to move.

  Seeing Vola in such a state made Alder's chest tighten. This Pokémon was his first partner, his steadfast ally through tless battles and advehey had achieved so much together, and Alder had always imagihey'd share this life forever. But reality had dealt them a cruel hand.

  Alder crouched beside Vola, gently stroking its fluffy white ruff. " he fly again?" he asked softly, his voice crag with emotion.

  Naoki hesitated, not wanting to give false hope. "I 't promise anything," he admitted. "But let's try."

  Naoki handed a bottle of Gogoat milk to Alder and said, "Feed this to your Vola."

  Alder took the bottle, noting its sweet fragrand creamy texture. It was warm, glowing faintly, almost as if it held some tent power. His brows furrowed in uainty. "Is this… milk?" he asked, his voice tinged with skepticism.

  "Just give it to Vola," Naoki enced with a small smile.

  Though puzzled, Alder didn't hesitate. Carefully, he brought the bottle to Vola's mouth. The weakened Pokémon instinctively began drinking, its eyes half-lidded with exhaustion. As the st drop of milk disappeared, a stunning transformation unfolded.

  A radiant, milky-white light erupted from Vola's body, enveloping it pletely. Alder gasped as warmth filled the room, radiating from the glowing co. The atmosphere grew thick with an intense heat as if the very essence of fire had e alive.

  Slowly, under Alder's awestruck gaze, Vola's once-dim wings reignited with a fiery red brilliahe six pairs of delicate, fme-like appendages fanned out, burning with renewed iy, casting the room in a warm, otherworldly glow. For a fleeting moment, the sight was akin to a phoenix reborn from its ashes.

  Alder's throat tightened, his vision blurred with tears. "It's rec… Vola is rec…" His voice trembled with hope.

  As the light dimmed, Vola softly nded on the ground, its spirit visibly brighter. Though still weak and slightly unsteady, it was clear the Pokémon was in much better dition than before. Its once-dull eyes now shimmered faintly, and its wings stirred gently, catg the air with tentative flutters.

  Alder crouched down, his hands h over Vola as if afraid the moment might shatter. "Is it… is it truly okay?" he whispered, barely daring to believe what he saw.

  Naoki didn't answer immediately. Though the life-giving goat milk had worked wonders, it was not an all-enpassing cure. He g Calyrex, who had been the se quietly.

  "Calyrex", Naoki addressed. "Could you examine Vola's dition?"

  Calyrex nodded, his regal demeanor softened by passion. Floating toward Vola, the majestioended a hand. A faint blue aura surrouhe king as he ducted a telepathic examination of Vola's body.

  Alder watched the Calyrex in stunned silence, his emotions a mix of awe and reverehe legendary Pokémon's presence was humbling, its serehority palpable.

  After a moment, Calyrex raised his hand, and soft blue light coalesced above it, f into a crystalline droplet. The droplet radiated gentle energy, embodying pure healing power. Slowly, it desded, nding on Vola's body.

  The effects were immediate. Vola's wings fred to life, their fiery glow now more vibrant and steady. The hidden injuries deep within its core dissipated uhe power of the Life Dew. With renewed vigor, Vola fpped its wings powerfully, lifting off the ground effortlessly. The air filled with the sound of its gentle hum, a testament to its vitality.

  Tears streamed freely down Alder's face. Overe with emotioepped forward and ed his arms around Vola in a tight embrace. "You're back… my partner… you're back!" he murmured, his voice thick with gratitude and love.

  Vola responded by l its body temperature to make itself a warm, soft cushion for Alder. Its antennae brushing against his shoulder in a tender dispy of affe.

  Watg the heartfelt reunion, Naoki exged a gh Calyrex. Both smiled quietly, pleased by the sight of the boween trainer and Pokémon.

  After some time, Alder finally posed himself. He sniffed and wiped at his face, his dark plexion flushed with embarrassment. "I'm sorry… I must have made quite the se," he said with a sheepish smile, returning to his seat.

  Naoki shook his head, a kind expression on his face. "It was nothing. I'm just gd Vola is doier."

  To Naoki, it was just a bottle of goat milk, but to Alder, it meant everything.

  Gripping the bottle with reverence, Alder turo Naoki, his expression solemn. "No matter what, I, Alder, owe you a favor."

  The weight of his words hung in the air, heavy with siy. Alder frowned, his voice soft yet firm as he added, "If it weren't for you, I would've lost Vola forever. After living with it for so many years, I could feel it… its life was slipping away."

  To be ho, Alder had already steeled himself for the iable—the day he would have to bid farewell to Vola and y it to rest in the Celestial Tower in Unova. But now, against all odds, there was hope.

  His gaze drifted, his voice carrying the weight of refle. "Trainers strive so hard every day to bee champions, but being champion is just oep in life. It's not the end, nor is it the most important thing."

  Alder paused, his expression softening. "What I've experienced with Vola has shown me how fleeting and fragile life be… Even something as powerful as Vola isn't immuo the passage of time."

  He let out a faint, bitter ugh. "When I learhat its injuries couldn't be healed with modern medie, I was heartbroken. But through that heartbreak, I came to appreciate just how precious the simple joys of being with Pokémon truly are."

  "Exactly," Naoki agreed, his tohoughtful. "No matter what we achieve—whether it's being a trainer, a champion, or something else—the Pokémon themselves are what matter most."

  The two tio chat, their versation flowing naturally. Naoki learhat the administrative responsibilities of the Unova League were now primarily handled by the Elite Four, as Alder had stepped away from official duties. He also discovered that the Unova League was colborating with the Paldea League to establish Blueberry Academy—a prestigious institution aimed at f the geion of trainers.

  Alder mentioned with a chuckle that several gym leaders in Unova were sidering sending their grandchildren to study there. The thought seemed to lighten his mood, his once-worried expression repced by one of peace.

  Over time, Alder's demeanor softened further, revealing his approachable and optimistiature. Despite his former title as champion, he carried himself humbly, showing no trace ance.

  Naoki couldn't help but find Alder's personality refreshing—and amusing. Somehow, Alder seemed vihat Naoki was one of his biggest fans.

  "Ha-ha-ha-ha!"

  Alder ughed heartily, rummaging through his backpack. "You remind me of myself, you know. Your love for Pokémon… it's genuine. I see it in how you care for them."

  Before Naoki could crify, Alder pulled out a Poké Ball and asked for a pen. With a flourish, he signed his name on the ball. "Here," Alder said, grinning. "These little gifts are for you. Use them as decorations or mementos!"

  Naoki blinked, holding the signed Poké Ball in his hand, momentarily speechless.

  It quickly dawned on him why Alder had e to this clusion. From Alder's perspective, Naoki must have seemed like an avid fan who had goo extraordinary lengths—trag down Leon, eg through Geeta, and ultimately helping Vola. Surely, no one would go to such trouble uhey admired him immensely.

  Naoki sighed inwardly. 'I'm not even a fan of Alder.'

  Alder was visibly moved. He pced the signed Poké Balls on the coffee table, patted Naoki's shoulder with a broad smile, and said, "If you ever need help iure, don't hesitate to find me! I, Alder, will be there as soon as I !"

  Naoki hesitated but eventually swallowed the words of expnation he had been preparing. He couldn't think of another way to expin how he knew about Alder and the dition of Vola. Letting Alder assume he was just a fan seemed simpler.

  However, Alder still seemed unsatisfied. "Are you sure there's nothing you want? Anything at all? If it's within my power, I'll do it!"

  "No, really, there's nothing," Naoki replied, shaking his head. His mind briefly wao the legendary dragons of the Union—Zekrom, Reshiram, and Kyurem. However, he doubted even Alder, despite being the region's champion, had any real information about them.

  Before Naoki could think further, Alder's gaze fell on the neer lying oable. His eyes narrowed slightly as he noticed the artiaoki had marked about Rotom Teologies.

  "You seem ied in Rotom Teologies," Alder remarked.

  Naoki was caught off guard. "Not particurly," he replied after a moment. "I just had an idea for a unicator and was curious about the pany."

  "Oh? A unicator? Like a videophone?" Alder asked. Though he wasn't personally ied, he was intrigued by Naoki's i and wao uand more.

  Seeing Alder's curiosity, Naoki decided it couldn't hurt to expin. Pig up the pen Alder had used earlier, he begag on a piece of paper. After a few moments, he turhe drawing toward Alder, revealing a design resembling a modern smartphone.

  "I was thinking about creating something like this," Naoki expined. "It's a small, portable smart unicator that bines a videophoh i capabilities. It could even include features like a Pokémon encyclopedia. Imagine being able to tact others anytime, anywhere, while also having a detailed Pokémon guide in your pocket."

  Alder stared at the sketch, his brow furrowing slightly. The cept reminded him of the Pokédex used by trainers in the Union. Those devices had unication funs, allowing traio stay in touch with professors while on their journeys.

  "I'm not sure I entirely uand," Alder admitted, "but it does sound useful. And if it's something you're serious about, I think I might be able to help."

  Naoki's i piqued. "Really? How?"

  Alder leaned back, a grin spreading across his face. "There's a prestigious dinner ing up soon in the Union. It's a where wealthy individuals, entrepreneurs, and aplished trainers from around the wather. If tradition holds, the head of Rotom Teologies will be in attendance."

  Naoki's eyes widened slightly. "The head of Rotom Teologies?"

  Alder nodded. "That's right. I attehe event a few years back. I even remember meeting the pany head's daughter. She's a spirited young girl who loves Pokémon battles. At the dinner, she was challenging everyorainers, gym leaders, even the Elite Four."

  Naoki's mind raced. That "spirited young girl" had to be Nemona.

  Alder tinued, "I invite you to the dinner as my guest and introduce you to the pany head. You'll have the ce to pitch your idea directly."

  Naoki sidered Alder's offer carefully. Though he hadn't expected su opportunity to fall into his p, it seemed too valuable to pass up.

  Alder observed Naoki's expression and smiled. He had initially e to the ranch for Vola's sake but had grown increasingly impressed by the young man before him.

  Alder's champion's intuition told him that the scarlet Pokémon in the living room and the Pokémon that had just used the Life Dew to heal the Volust be extremely powerful.

  His intuition told him Naoki had more potential tha on. If anyone deserved to attend that prestigious event, it was him.