Naoki noticed that Professor Oak and Lance quickly accepted the notion that he could uand Pokémon's speech. With a quiet chuckle, he thought to himself, 'This truly is the Pokémon world. Anything seems possible here.'

  The evening's ba was winding down. The once-lively sounds of ughter, king gsses, and friendly chatter gradually quieted as guests begaing. Naoki g his watd realized it was already half past ten.

  'How did time fly by so quickly?'

  G and Pawmot were stifling yawns, their exhaustion evident. Taking note, Naoki gently recalled his Pokémon into their Poké Balls, giving them a ce to rest after the eventful evening.

  The manor's host, Cy, was now busy bidding farewell to the remaining guests. Among them, Land Professor Oak were also preparing to leave. As the Kanto League Champion, Lance had a packed schedule. Between league responsibilities and his part-time role as an iigator trag Team Rocket's activities, his work never seemed to end.

  After exging goodbyes, Lahrew his cape over his shoulder with dramatic fir and disappeared into the quiet night.

  Professor Oak, meanwhile, turo Naoki aended a warm invitation: "Naoki, if you ever find yourself with some free time, you should visit my b in Pallet Town. I'd be happy to host you and your Pokémon."

  Hearing the offer, Naoki's heart skipped a beat. Pallet Town—Ash Ketchum's hometoce steeped in Pokémon lore. The thought of visiting su iic locatioed him, but reality quickly tempered his enthusiasm. Traveling all the way to the Kantion would require a signifit iment of time, something not easily spared.

  With a polite smile, Naoki replied, "Thank you, Professor. I'll make sure to visit with everyone from the ranch when the opportunity arises."

  Professor Oak beamed with delight. "I'll look forward to it! The Pokémon at your ranch must be fasating, especially those we don't see in Kanto."

  Naoki he Pokémon at his ranch were indeed unique, and he could tell that Professor Oak's curiosity was genuine. In fact, Oak looked as if he might ask Naoki to send some of his Pokémoo the b for study, had Naoki not already established his ranch as their home.

  As the professor prepared to leave, he added, "I should be going now. In a few days, I have to attend a seminar in Johto, so I o get back to Pallet Town soon. You should also get some rest, Naoki."

  "Safe travels, Professor," Naoki said as he watched him leave, thoughtful.

  'Professor Oak, the Pokémon research authority...' A sudden idea came to him. 'If I brought Calyrex to meet him, could its existence be officially recorded in the Pokémon Encyclopedia or even published in a research paper?' The notion of increasing awareness and faith in Calyrex among the wider Pokémon unity ealing.

  However, his current visit hadn't included Calyrex, which left him feeling a twinge ret. Still, there would be plenty of future opportunities.

  Naoki leaned against Koraidon and surveyed the manor. thia, Caitlin, and the other notable guests had already departed. Even Nimona and her father were o be seen. It seemed the ba was truly ing to an end.

  His gaze was drawn to a figure walking briskly past—a man with sharp features and an air of quiet authority. The man, now dressed in a tailored brown suit, radiated an aura of power. It was her than Giovanni.

  Naoki couldn't help but murmur, "Tch, his presence is something else."

  "What?" came a familiar voice.

  Naoki turo see Alder approag. "Oh, it's nothing. I was just struck by that man's anding aura."

  Alder followed Naoki's gaze but couldn't pce the figure who had already disappeared into the night. He shrugged and said, "Are you ready to head back?"

  Naoki nodded, and together, they exited the manor, hailing a taxi to return to their hotel. During the ride, Alder asked, "So, what's for you? Heading back to Paldea, or stig around Unova for a while?"

  Naoki thought briefly about Unova's legendary Pokémon. The one most accessible to him at the moment was Kyurem, who resided in the Giant Chasm.

  After some thought, he asked, "How far is Laosa Town from Driftveil City?"

  "Laosa Town?" Alder raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. "That's in the northeastern part of Unova! It's quite a trek from Driftveil City. Are you pnning to go there?"

  Naoki expined casually, "I've heard about the legend surrounding Laosa Town. I'm fasated by it and thought I might take a look for myself."

  "The story from Laosa Town?" Alder tilted his head in thought, his expression briefly puzzled before realization struck. "Oh! You meaale of the maing monster?"

  Legend had it that a long time ago, a meteorite fell from the sky and nded amidst the sprawling, jagged mountains north of Laosa Town. A ferocious, icy beast was said to have emerged from the crater, its presence apanied by howling winds and an unbearable chill. The beast was rumored to prowl the town at night, snatg people and Pokémon alike to devour them.

  To keep the mo bay, the townsfolk built high walls to encircle Laosa Town and imposed a strict curfew, ensuring everyoayed indoors after su. Even now, long after the legend faded into folklore, many of the town's residents still adhere to the tradition of staying indoors at night.

  "You know that story too, Mr. Alder?" Naoki asked, intrigued.

  Alder hummed thoughtfully, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "Of course. Back when I was traveling across the Union, before I became the League Champion, I heard plenty of local tales. I suppose you're curious about whether the so-called monster is a Pokémon, aren't you?"

  Naoki leaned forward, his i evident. "Do you think it is?"

  Alder shrugged with a good-natured ugh. "Who knows? No one's ever actually seen the beast. Some folks think it's just a story adults made up to scare kids into staying home after dark."

  Naoki, however, was less skeptical. The thought of such a creature hiding away intrigued him deeply. "Is Laosa Town really surrounded by walls like the story cims?"

  Alder shook his head. "Not anymore. If there ever were walls, they were taken down ages ago. These days, Laosa Town is just an ordinary po different from, say, Kosaji Town."

  "I see…" Naoki mused, nodding thoughtfully.

  The taxi pulled to a stop outside their hotel. Alder stepped out first, stretg as he g Naoki and his panion, Koraidon.

  "Get some good rest tonight! You decide what to do tomorrow with a clear mind," Alder advised, g Naoki on the shoulder.

  "Will do. Goodnight, Mr. Alder." Naoki smiled, said his farewells, and headed into the hotel. After a quick ride up the elevator, he entered his room.

  Following a brief shower, Naoki settled onto the bed, his thoughts drifting to the possibility of visiting Laosa Town. This trip had already stretched into a week-long journey, and heading to Laosa Town would meauring into the wild, mountainous terrain that y beyond it—the location of the fabled Giant Chasm.

  But how long would that take? A week? Two? Perhaps even more? The Giant Chasm was vast and treacherous, and without a clear guide, searg blindly for Kyurem's ir seemed futile.

  More importantly, Naoki thought about the Pokémon back at his ranch. A pang of guilt tugged at him. They'd miss him if he stayed away much longer. And truthfully, he missed them too—the bustling fields, the lively camaraderie, eveics of his mischief-making Pokémon.

  "No," Naoki cluded softly, staring at the ceiling. "This journey has been rewarding enough."

  He reflected on the aplishments of the trip—learning how to make specialized Pokéblocks, presenting the Rotom Phone project, and building valuable es with people like Land Professor Oak.

  The food left in the ranch's refrigerator was likely running low, ed by the many Pokémon. Although the Indeedee siblings were skilled at handling household tasks and managing the ranch, taking money into town to buy supplies was a daunting challenge for them.

  Meanwhile, the barrels of fruit wine brewed in the celr st month were probably ready to enjoy.

  Naoki knew he had to return home.

  With this resolution, he felt at ease. Closing his eyes with peaind, he decided to catch a boat back to Paldea the following day.

  ...

  As the first rays of sunlight filtered into his room, Naoki shared his pn with Alder over breakfast.

  Alder listened with visible regret. "I wao show you around Unova more—maybe eve you to some Castellia es!"

  Naoki smiled. "There's always ime. Besides, Mr. Alder, I'd be delighted if you came to Paldea as my guest."

  Alder let out a bitter ugh, shaking his head. "I doubt I'll have the time! Ever sihe Elite Four heard I was back, they dumped all their work on me. And guess what? Caitlin, and Shauntal, are already off vacationing at thia's vil!"

  Naoki raised an eyebrow. "It sounds like champions like thia have it much easier than you. Even Steven Stone seems more rexed—and Diantha? She has time for movies and tea parties!"

  Patting Alder sympathetically on the shoulder, Naoki offered a warm smile. "Hang in there!"

  Alder sighed dramatically. "This title isn't meant for humans. If someos me one day, I'm going to take my Vola back to Floccesy Town and enjoy a quiet life."

  Naoki chuckled. "Who knows? Maybe a neion will rise in a few years."

  He paused, thinking of Iris.

  Alder smirked. "I'll take your words to heart."

  He apanied Naoki to the docks, buying him a ticket for the cruise bound for Paldea.

  The melodious whistle of the cruise ship echoed across the bustling port, apanied by billows of white smoke rising into the azure sky. The luxury liner gradually pulled away from the dock, its majestic frame gliding across the gentle waves.

  Standing on the deaoki waved enthusiastically. "Goodbye, Mr. Alder!"

  Alder crossed his arms, his smile softening. "Goodbye, my friend."

  He remai the pier, watg the ship shrink into the horizon until it disappeared entirely.

  Turning to the Vola beside him, its luminous wings radiant as the sun, Alder felt a surge of gratitude. If not for Naoki's assistance, his cherished partner might not have survived its illness.

  As if sensing Alder's thoughts, Vola fpped its warm, fiery wings gently, silent reassurance.

  Alder closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. When he reopehem, crity aermination filled his gaze.

  "Huh—it's time to go, old friend. We have to get serious and do something that only we do!"

  Alder's voice was resolute as he spoke to his Vola, its radiant wings casting a warm glow.

  The boween trainers and Pokémon goes far beyond endless battles. It's about panionship, uanding, and a shared journey. Alder, havihrough so much, khis better than most.

  One of Alder's first acts after returning to the Unova Pokémon League was to host a televised trainer exge program.

  Sitting in a brightly lit studio with his Vola by his side, Alder addressed the camera, his tone sincere afelt.

  "…When I saw my longtime partner, Vola, so weakened, I felt like my world was falling apart," he admitted.

  "The retionship between trainers and their Pokémon is about more than battles. As someone who's experiehis firsthand, I want every trainer in Unova to uand: treat your Pokémon with care and respect."

  He paused, his voice steady but emotional. "If fate permits, they'll be with you for the rest of your life. Pokémon are panions who stand by your side through everything, often lohan anyone else—even your parents."

  Alder's words carried a profound truth. "Nothing stays strong forever, and the lives of Pokémon, like ours, are ernal. But the time we spend with them, the memories we create—those are eternal. That is true happiness."

  His words were heartfelt, toug trainers across the Union. Many watg the program were moved to tears.

  Young trainers, some not evey, turo their Pokémon with a newfound appreciation. The weight of Alder's words sank in. The bonds they shared with their Pokémon were extraordinary, going beyond panionship to form es deeper than any other.

  The ship carrying Naoki and his Pokémon had not yet left Unova's waters. Thanks to the ship's satellite TV, Naoki and his Pokémon caught Alder's broadcast.

  As the champion's heartfelt message reached them, Naoki and his Pokémon sat in quiet ption, visibly moved by Alder's siy.

  But soon, a sly smile crept across Naoki's face.

  The storyline of the Union had been altered.

  Because of his intervention, Vola had survived. Instead of despair, Alder had bee a champion of bonds and trust between humans and Pokémon.

  From his as today, it was clear that Alder would tio spread his beliefs throughout Unova, encing a deeper e between trainers and their Pokémon.

  "I wonder," Naoki mused aloud, "if Team Psma's 'Pokémon Liberation Speech' will still have the same impact as it did in the games."

  Alder's rerength and resolve might ge the course of history. In the pivotal championship match against N, where beliefs were put to the ultimate test, Alder might stand firm.

  If one of the legendary dragons—Reshiram or Zekrom—chose Alder instead of N or the protagonist, what would the future of Unova look like?

  It was thrilling to think about the possibilities.

  ...

  Meanwhile, in a small town, outside of a venieore, a man with pale skin and flowing light green hair stood still. The brim of his bck baseball cap cast a shadow over his face.

  Through the store's gss window, he watched the broadcast oV s inside. Alder's passionate speech echoed in the man's ears.

  After a moment, the man lowered his head, his expression obscured. Silent, he turned and disappeared into the shadows of the bustling town.