Happy New Year!

  Just as Naoki was settling in, several notifications buzzed on his Rotom Phone. Curious, he tapped the s to find New Year's greetings from Geeta and Alder.

  Naoki smiled as he typed out warm replies to each of them. He then scrolled through his social feed to check the posts shared by Champion trainers and Gym Leaders celebrating the New Year.

  Geeta's photo caught his attention first. The backdrop showed the headquarters of the Paldea League, where she appeared to be hard at work. Naoki raised an eyebrow. "Is this workaholic seriously w overtime on New Year's Eve?" he mused.

  In trast, Leon's post was brimming with warmth. The picture showed him at his hometown in Postwick. His family—grandparents, parents, and younger brother Hop—was gathered around the diable, smiles all around.

  Iono had posted as well, menting her predit in a lighthearted way. Her parents had left her at home with a herd of Pokémon while they went out for some aloime.

  The apanying photo showed Iono slumped in mock despair, two Mage h zily over her head. Naoki chuckled, easily imagining the edic se. He liked her post, and not long after, a message from her popped up.

  [Iono: What are you up to?]

  Naoki snapped a quick photo of the living room, where the Pokémon were curled up peacefully.

  [Naoki: Watg the Pokémon sleep. What about you?]

  [Iono: Hehe, I'm with my Pokemon too. They're setting off fireworks here in Levincia, and it's SO loud outside!]

  [Naoki: Fireworks have stopped here. The ranch is a little far from town. I was eating earlier, so I missed most of them.]

  pared to the bustling city of Levincia, Kosaji Town was quaint and tranquil. The smaller poputio fewer celebrations, but Naoki didn't mind the serenity.

  Iono didn't reply immediately. Instead, a few moments ter, his phone buzzed with an ining video call. Naoki blinked in surprise but quickly adjusted the volume. Careful not to disturb the sleeping Pokémoiptoed outside before answering.

  As the call ected, the s filled with a dazzling dispy of fireworks bursting against the night sky.

  "Naoki, look! Fireworks!" Iono excimed, her voice barely audible over the crackles and booms.

  Naoki froze for a moment, then smiled, realizing why she had called. This was such a cssio thing to do—spontaneous and vibrant, just like her.

  "I see them," Naoki said with a chuckle, watg the neon-lit streets of Levincia below the fireworks. "It looks lively over there."

  While Levincia was bustling with energy, Kosaji Town remained quiet, its b of snow abs all sound. The trast between their settings was stark but endearing.

  The camera shifted, and Iono's cheerful face came into view. She was bundled up in a cozy yellow coat adorned with lightning bolt patterns, a nod to her Electric-type specialty. Her usual Mage headwear was sed for a fluffy knitted hat, and thick cotton gloves covered her hands.

  The cold weather had painted Iono's cheeks a rosy red, but her bright smile shohrough as she grinned, showing her white teeth. "Wow, Rotom phones are so ve!" she said cheerfully.

  Naoki couldn't help but chuckle. "They really are!"

  Hearing this, he couldn't resist thinking about Iono's future in the world of teology. As a Gym Leader specializing iric-types, her vibrant personality seemed perfect for the i. He recalled her role as a Video Star in some versions of the games and casually asked, "Have you thought about your pns for the future? Like, maybe doing some part-time work online? You could try live streaming gym battles, uploading videos to Pichu TV, or even opening an oore. A lot of people are expl the i industry these days."

  "Huh?" Iono blinked in surprise. "How did you know I nning to be a live streamer?"

  "Wait, you're actually sidering it?" Naoki said, feigning surprise.

  "Of course!" she nodded enthusiastically. "I mean, doesn't it totally fit my style to broadcast my gym battles live? I want to make Levincia Gym the most pym iire Paldea region!"

  Naoki smiled, nodding encingly. "That's a great idea! My Pokémon and I will defiune in to support you when you go live!"

  He thought to himself that helping Iono build her initial following could be both of them. Once she became a popur streamer, he could colborate with her to promote the ranch's oore. Selling fruits and Moo Moo Milk through her streams would be a win-win!

  Uable deals on fresh produce—please help us!

  ...

  As winter gave way t, the snow melted, and the world began to stir with new life. Early spring marked the departure of the Hero Expedition Team on another journey, tinuing their adventures in the vast Pokémon world.

  The year 200 of the Alliance dar was shaping up to be remarkable. Inspired by the success of the Rotom Phone, innovation surged in other unication teologies that had stagnated for years.

  Bulky, outdated puters were repced by sleek, portable tablets and ptops. Gaming soles also made their debut, causing quite a stir.

  When Naoki stumbled upon the 3DS being sold online, he was momentarily stunned.

  Curious, Naoki decided to purchase a 3DS. He had high hopes for cssitendo titles like Mario or The Legend of Zelda. However, when the sole arrived, he discovered it was tailored specifically to the Pokémon world.

  Instead of his anticipated games, the 3DS was loaded with titles like Pokémon Rag League, where Pokémon like Rapidash and Are peted in thrilling races, and Pokémon Pyhouse Simutor, a light-hearted game about taking care of Pokémon.

  After trying it out for a day, Naoki lost i. However, Brother Indeedee quickly became enamored with the rag game.

  Not long after, Sister Indeedee also became captivated by the device. Unlike her brother, she adored the pyhouse simutor.

  The two siblings stru agreement to take turns pying the sole for an hour each day, but their staiatioually wore Naoki down. Uo tolerate the squabbles, he ended up buying a sed 3DS for sister Indeedee.

  The two Indeedee's were as reliable as ever. While they enjoyed pying games on their 3DS soles, they never let their hobbies interfere with their responsibilities. Everything in the house remained well-managed, , and anized.

  Meanwhile, Pawmot's parents had also settled fortably into life at the ranch. Along with Pawmot, the family took pride in their new roles as managers of the chi coop. Every day, they diligently herded the hens and ehe coop remained in excellent dition.

  With his ranch running smoothly, Naoki turned his full attention to managing his online shop.

  On February 15th of the 200th year of the Alliance dar, Naoki officially unched his oore. However, after three long days, not a single order came through.

  Naoki couldn't help but feel a bit disheartened and began to question his efforts.

  He carefully reviewed every detail of the store but found nothing obviously wrong. "Could it be because I'm only selling ordinary crops and Moo Moo Milk?" he mused. After all, these were basic goods readily avaible in nearby cities. Fresh vegetables and milk werely rare odities.

  Additionally, Naoki realized that online shopping had yet to bee a widespread habit. While the Rotom Phone was steadily gaining popurity, the number of users was still far from its peak.

  After some thought, Naoki uood the situation. "It's just a matter of timing," he cluded. "If they don't sell now, I always use them here at the ranch."

  He turned off the phone and decided to che the ranch's crops. Just as he was heading outside, Indeedee came running toward him with aed look.

  "Ai ah!" it called, motioning urgently for Naoki to follow.

  Sensing something important, Naoki hurried to the incubator. As soon as he ehe room, he spotted a cracked egg in the crib—a light pink Dratini was beginning to emerge!

  With a final crack, the egg split open, and a shiny Dratini poked its head out. Its glimmering scales reflected the light, making it even more enting.

  "A shiny Dratini!" Naoki excimed, marveling at his incredible luck. "This must be my lucky day."

  The Dratini blis bright bck eyes, curiously its surroundings. When it saw Naoki, the little Pokémo out a soft, affeate cry.

  "Woo~"

  Naoki smiled warmly. "It already knows me," he said to Indeedee. He remembered that he had ihe egg with his dragon power during its development, so the Dratini must have bee familiar with his presend st.

  As Naoki stepped closer, the Dratini wiggled its way into his hands. He gently transferred some of his dragon energy into the newborn, and the Drati out a satisfied sigh, clearly enjoying the f energy. After eating a light meal, it led in Naoki's arms and fell asleep, its small body curling up tentedly.

  Naoki had plenty of experience g for young Pokémon, especially Eevee, so he easily adjusted to looking after the Dratini. Carefully, he carried the sleeping Pokémon downstairs, heading outside to introduce it to the twonites.

  The two adult Dragonites wideheir eyes and leaned closer to ihe Dratiled in Naoki's arms. With just a ghey reized the tiny dragon as their own child.

  A warm sense of familiarity emanated from the little Dratini, and the Dragonites could feel their bond with it instantly.

  "Ooou~"

  Both Dragonites let out delighted cries, their expressions filled with joy.

  They krusting their egg to Naoki had been the right decision.

  Naoki stood there, the happy couple with a bnk expression. "Aren't you pnning to take the little one back tonite Isnd and take care of it yourselves?"

  The Dragonite couple vigorously shook their heads. "Oooou!"

  They expihrough their gestures and cries, that they spent more time at the ranch than onite Isnd. For them, leaving the baby at Naoki Ranch was the best choice. They felt reassured knowing Naoki would care for their child.

  This arra also meant they could visit their baby every day, ensuring they wouldn't miss a moment of its growth. Plus, they were already looking forward to sharing meals with it when it grew old enough to enjoy the ranch's special treats.

  Uanding their heartfelt reasoning, Naoki sighed and gave a small smile. "You two just want to save yourselves the trouble, huh?"

  The Dragonites chirped happily, seemingly agreeing with his assessment.

  Still, Naoki didn't mind. "Alright then, I'll tiaking care of this little one."

  .....

  Meanwhile, in the Reverse World, on the Sky Isnd of Flowers

  Giratina was busy using telepathy to direct its Rotom Phone, browsing the i with an air al authority.

  After months of practice, Giratina had bee a master at operating its Rotom Phone, swiftly navigating through apps aes with ease.

  Its panion Rotom had also grown aced to the fearsome Pokémon. While it was no longer petrified of Giratina, it remained cautious of the dragon's infamous temper.

  Giratina wasn't shy about critig things it disliked, and Rotom had learo tread carefully. As its "hands" typed out ands, Rotom maintained a heightened sense of awareness, prepared for the dragon's sudden outbursts.

  Today, however, Giratina seemed unusually amused, and a sly grin pyed on its face. It directed Rotom to search for some rather specific terms.

  "Search for Dialga and Palkia," Giratina anded.

  Upon hearing this, Rotom khat Giratina was going to cause trouble again.

  Still, Rotom had no choice but to ply. Trembling slightly, it began the seard prepared to deliver the results in its cheerful, automated voice.

  "I have found information on Dialga and Palkia, Rotom~!"

  "Dialga, acc to the legends of the Sinnion, is known as the God of Time. It has the power to trol time itself. It is said that with its birth, time began to flow," Rotom recited.

  "Palkia, acc to the same legends, is called the God of Space. It has the ability to distort and shape space. It is said that when this deity emerges, the barriers between worlds vanish, revealing boundless dimensions!"

  "Humans in the Sinnion even built statues of them, and someone posted a discussion about Dialga and Palkia, Rotom!" chirped the Rotom cheerfully. "That humao adore these two Pokémon!"

  Giratina narrowed its glowing crimson eyes. When it heard that those two were revered as gods, it bristled with disdain. 'Gods? What kind of nonsense gods are they?'

  It sneered inwardly but quickly gave another and. "Search for the great Giratina!"

  Rotom obeyed immediately, typing away with its metaphorical hands. However, it soon froze. An aause hung in the air before Rotom finally squeaked, "I 't find any relevant information, Rotom."

  Giratina's eyes widened in disbelief. "What? Check again!"

  Rotom frantically repeated the search but was met with the same results. "Nothing, Rotom…" it said nervously.

  For a moment, Giratina remained silent, its ominous aura growing thicker. Rotom could feel the Pokémon's rising anger radiating like heat waves.

  After what felt like ay, Giratina finally spoke. "You said a human posted about those two?"

  "Yes, Rotom!" chirped Rotom nervously.

  Giratina's voice carried an edge of malice. "Ask them if they know the great Giratina."

  Relutly, Rotom sent a message on behalf of Giratina, inquiring about its owation.

  The reply came swiftly:

  [Unknown User: Giratina? What's that?]

  Giratina's eye twitched, but before it could explode, Rotom sent another message, as per Giratina's instrus: [Giratina is the most powerful god in the world. It is far strohan Dialga and Palkia!]

  The respo like a sucker punch:

  [Unknown User: Never heard of it. Are you making this up? paring power levels of Pokémon? No way Giratina is strohan Dialga and Palkia! Dialga trols time and could just rewind Giratina back to before it existed. Get it?]

  Giratina: !?!!?

  The Reverse World trembled under Giratina's furious roar. "HOW DARE THEY!?" it bellowed, its voice shaking the isnd.

  Rotom trembled violently, wishing it could disappear. Sure enough, Giratina's words firmed its fears.

  "Tell them to wait," Giratina growled, its tone cold as ice.

  Rotom hesitated, its small voice quivering. "W-what are you going to do, Rotom?"

  "I'm going to teach this i human a lesson. Rotom, find their location!" Giratina demanded.

  "This is against human ws! I-I 't do that, Rotom!" the little Pokémon stammered.

  Giratina scoffed, sn disdainfully. "Do human ly to me?"

  Realizing Rotom wouldn't—or couldn't—ply, Giratina decided to take matters into its own hands. It activated its ability to peer into the real world through the Reverse World.

  In the instant, Giratina's colossal form rose into the air, its shadowy wings unfurling menagly. It was clear it inteo track down this human itself.

  "Wait, no! You 't just—" Rotom yelped in panic before scrambling onto Giratina's back. As the massive Pokémon prepared to leave, Rotom frantically called Naoki through the Rotom Phone.

  "Naoki, help! Giratina's about to traeohrough the i to teach them a lesson! Rotom!"