March 21, 200th Year of the League dar

  Naoki met Larry once again, though the tter seemed more worn out than usual.

  "This is the King's rock that Geeta asked me to deliver to you. My job here is done," Larry said, handing over the item.

  He was dressed in a bck suit, but his polished shoes were now scuffed with dust. His typically stoic face showed a rare hint of fatigue, and his posture screamed exhaustion.

  Naoki couldn't help but recall what Geeta had mentioned about Larry purchasing goat milk from his ranch to stay awake during his long work hours.

  Looking at Larry now, Naoki felt pelled to say, "Mr. Larry, would you like to e inside, have some tea, and take a quick rest?"

  Larry shook his head, his tone was as tired as his expression. "No, thanks. My job's done, and now I just want to go home."

  Larry had earned himself three days of paid leave for pleting this task, aeo spend every moment of it recuperating at home.

  Naoki nodded, watg as Larry turned and walked away, his shoulders slumped uhe weight of endless responsibilities.

  Home truly was the best pce for a hardw man like Larry.

  Naoki didn't look away until Larry's figure disappeared dowh.

  Then, he shifted his gaze to the obje his hand: the King's Rock, the key item needed for Slowpoke's evolution into Slowking.

  The King's Rock wasn't much different from the one in the games. It was a golden , aged ahered, bearing marks of time's passage.

  Legend had it that this once beloo an a king. Imbued with the essence of kingship, it carried a faint aura of authority.

  This energy was the secret to Slowpoke and its evolution partners gaining their kingly transformations, and being leaders of their kind.

  With the King's Rock secured, all Naoki needed now was a Shellder willing to bond with his Slowpoke. Ohat was done, Slowpoke would be ready to evolve into Slowking.

  Fortunately, Shellder were quite on and often found in coastal waters. Acc to Naoki's Rotom Phone, Shellder could be spotted along most beaches in the Paldea region.

  Luckily, Kosaji Town was he Paldean coastline.

  He retrieved Slowpoke's Poké Ball from his bag and then headed to the World Tree arieved Slowpoke into the Pokeball.

  "I'll be back soon," Naoki said as he prepared for his excursion, grabbing the diving gear he'd purchased retly. Before leaving, he informed the Indeedee siblings.

  "Indeedee~" The elder brother and younger sister nodded, signaling that they'd mahings while he was gone.

  "Thanks. I'm ting on you," Naoki said, ruffling their heads affeately.

  Before setting off, he gnced around to che the other Pokémon.

  The Eeveelutions were pying hide-and-seek in the meadow. Pawmot and its parents were tending to the hens in the chi coop. Farfetch'd ractig with its leek in the onion patch, and Dragonite and the others were out running errands.

  Most of the other Pokémon were enjoying themselves at Snorx Park, just across the river.

  With everything in order, Naoki headed to the Kosaji Town beach, bringing Koraidon along to help search for Shellder.

  .....

  Back at the ranch, Cyclizar watched Naoki and Koraidon leave. A pang of envy flickered in its heart.

  Koraidon was always so dependable, able to assist Naoki in almost any task.

  pared to Koraidon, it felt like such a failure.

  No matter how much it trained or improved its moves, it didn't seem like anything it did truly helped Naoki.

  With a heavy sigh, Cyclizar flopped onto the grass, staring bnkly at the sky.

  "Raaao…"

  The more it thought about its shortings, the more dishearte became.

  ...

  The sky was a brilliant blue, the water crystal-clear, and the sun bathed everything in its warm glow.

  The endless sea stretched out calmly, with the occasional flock of Wingull gliding gracefully through the air. They swooped down to rest on the sandy shores, folding their wings as they settled fortably.

  "e on out, Slowpoke!"

  With a burst of white light, the pink, dopey figure of Slowpoke materialized on the beach. Its unfocused eyes gazed bnkly into the distance, seemingly lost in thought.

  After what felt like ay, Slowpoke seemed to realize that it was no longer in its usual surroundings. Its cream-colored mouth opened slowly.

  "Slow?"

  Naoki chuckled, pg the King's Robsp;Larry had delivered onto Slowpoke's head. The fit snugly, resting perfectly atop its round head.

  Slowpoke, now ed, remained as vat as ever, its gaze unging.

  Naoki exami carefully, nodding in satisfa.

  "You know, Slowpoke, the King's Rock really suits you. If only your eyes showed a little more… insight, it'd be perfect," he teased lightly.

  With the i was time for the step: finding a Shellder willing to form a bond with Slowpoke.

  Naoki and Koradion began their search along the coastline. Despite their best efforts, the beach seemed deserted. There were no Shellder to be found, only a few Sandshrew scuttling about and Wingull basking in the sunlight.

  Seeing this, Naoki turo Koraidon. "Let's head into the water."

  Obligingly, Koraidon's form shifted. Its paws adjusted into fins suitable for swimming, its tail extended for bance, and the tire-like structure on its chest infted like an airbag.

  In this form, Koraidon resembled a sleek, rideable jet ski.

  Naoki scooped up Slowpoke, climbed aboard Koraidon, and together they sped across the tranquil waves, slig through the water effortlessly.

  Ohey were far from the shore, Naoki instructed Koraidon to stop.

  Although Koraidon t at swimming, it wasn't built for extended dives. Even a legendary Pokémon needed air eventually.

  Patting Koraidon's head, Naoki reassured it. "Stay here and wait for me. I won't be long."

  "Graa!" Koraidon nodded, its expressive eyes watg Naoki ily.

  Donning his diving gear, Naoki dove into the water, with Slowpoke zily perched on his back.

  The uer world was breathtaking. Sunlight filtered through the o surface, creating shimmering patterns on the seafloor. Coral reefs of every imaginable color dotted the seabed, swayily alongside clusters of seaweed.

  A myriad of Water-type Pokémon darted through the vibrant undersea ndscape: Alomomo with its nurturing demeanor, schools of Finneon glinting like uer jewels, Luvdisc swirling gracefully, and Lanturing soft, mesmerizing glows.

  Naoki sed his surroundings carefully.

  Shellder often burrowed into sandy seabeds, using their too sift through sediment for food. At night, they retreated into these self-made holes to sleep.

  "Let's check the sand," Naoki muttered, desding deeper with Slowpoke in tow.

  As they explored, a school of Wishiwashi suddenly scattered at the sight of the unfamiliar intruders. The tiny fish swarmed in panic, shimmering like silver rain.

  "They're so small," Naoki thought. "Hard to believe these little ones bee sea monsters."

  He recalled the fasating legend of Wishiwashi.

  Individually, Wishiwashi were some of the weakest Pokémon ience, easy prey for predators like Gyarados. A single Wishiwashi wouldn't stand a ce.

  But when they came together, their School Form transformed them into a formidable for entity so massive and powerful that it earhe niame "Demon of the Deep."

  Even a naturally ferocious Pokémon like Gyarados would steer clear of a Wishiwashi in School Form.

  Naoki pulled out his Rotom Phone, aiming the lens at the shimmering school of Wishiwashi darting through the azure water. The sunlight filtering down enhahe spectacle, and he couldn't resist rec the mesmerizing sight.

  After a while, the scattered Wishiwashi, realizing there was no immi danger, slowly regrouped, f their characteristic school. They hovered in the surrounding waters, their shimmering scales refleg light like a liquid mosaic.

  "Rotom, could you ask these Wishiwashi if there are any Shellder around here?" Naoki requested, gng at his reliable gadget.

  The Rotom Phone, built with state-of-the-art roof teology, floated forward fidently. Its animated face turo Naoki as it chirped, "Got it, Rotom!"

  Rotom buzzed over to one of the tiny fish, transmitting Naoki's question in the Pokémon nguage. The Wishiwashi, initially wary, cautiously assessed the human before responding with a series of soft noises.

  The phoranstor activated: [Yes, there are Shellder here. They're buried in the sand at the seabed, Rotom.]

  Naoki houghtfully. Shellder, though harmless to Wishiwashi, teo bury themselves for safety and to ambush prey. The Wishiwashi, having no natural enmity with Shellder, had naturally noticed their presence.

  "Thank you," Naoki replied.

  He reached into his poud retrieved two raw eggs, crag them deftly uer. The yolk and whites drifted in the current, dispersing like a savory cloud.

  The faint st caught the attention of a few timid Wishiwashi. Hesitant at first, they cautiously approached, nipping at the floating egg pieces.

  Before long, more Wishiwashi joined in, f a shimmering gregation. The two eggs were quickly ed, prompting Naoki to retrieve a small bottle of milk from his gear. Opening it, he let the creamy liquid flow into the water.

  The Wishiwashi, thrilled by the ued treat, eagerly drank the milk. Their usual diet of pnkton and algae didn't e close to this rich fvor. Their tiny eyes sparkled with delight.

  Naoki watched the se unfold with amusement. "Enjoy, little ones," he murmured, chug softly.

  By the time the bottle was empty, the Wishiwashi had grown far less wary of him. A few even circled Naoki as though to thank him, their movements fluid and harmonious. Then, to his surprise, several began swimming in a purposeful formation, signaling him to follow.

  "Are you leading me somewhere?" Naoki asked, intrigued.

  The shimmering school flicked their tails, creating ripples ier as if answering, [Yes, Rotom!]

  A wide grin spread across Naoki's face. "Well, lead the way."

  The Wishiwashi guided him deeper, their silvery forms cutting through the blue expahe sandy seabed stretched endlessly before them, illuminated by the dang rays of sunlight peing the waves.

  As Naoki followed, the surroundings grew more vibrant. White sands gave way to patches of coral reefs brimming with life. Long, slender bodies of Huntail and Gorebyss peeked from crevices in the coral, cautiously the human.

  Eventually, the school of Wishiwashi slowed, their silvery forms cirg a rge rock. Atop the rock was a sight Naoki had been waiting for: Shellder, their tough shells glinting faintly in the light, resting amidst patches of seaweed.

  Naoki's heart leapt with excitement. Found them!

  He turo g Slowpoke, still perched zily on his back, pletely unbothered by the uer adventure.

  Naoki said with a grin, "Let's see if one of these Shellder is willing to partner with you."

  If the Shellder agrees to the partnership, evolution will occur immediately. However, if either party finds the arra unsuitable post-evolution, they separate a to their inal forms.

  The retionship between Slowpoke and Shellder is unique, and their evolution works differently from other Pokémon. This "symbiotic evolution" allows them to revert at any time by simply detag Shellder from Slowpoke. The evolved Slowking or Slowbro will separate intur Slowpoke and Shellder.

  The school of Wishiwashi stopped a short distance away, their silvery forms shimmering in the uer light. They her approached nor left, watg Naoki with curiosity.

  Naoki swam forward, carrying Slowpoke on his back.

  One of the Shellder rested on a nearby rock, its shell slightly ajar. Iwo small eyes peered out, and a pink tongue zily poked from between its bck shell.

  Before Naoki could approach, the Shellder noticed him. Startled, it cmped its shell shut with a sharp "cck" and began swimming away, the two halves of its shell snapping open and closed to propel it backward. As it retreated, something small and shiny popped out from its shell.

  A pearl.

  Naoki blinked in surprise. "Really?"

  It appeared that the Pokédex entry was accurate—Shellder would spit out pearls they deemed bothersome. The fleeing Shellder disappeared into the coral, leaving its pearl behind. Uerred, Naoki turned his attention to the other Shellder nearby.

  At that moment, Naoki felt Slowpoke stir on his back. Curious, he turo look. For the first time, Slowpoke moved on its own, its previously vat eyes seemingly drawn to something. Slowly and deliberately, it slid off Naoki's back, paddling toward a specific target.

  Naoki followed Slowpoke's gaze to see another Shellder perched on a protruding rock. This one wasn't fleeing but instead zily blowing bubbles. The pearl from the earlier Shellder had nded perfectly atop its shell, shimmering in the sunlight filtering through the water.

  Slowpoke stopped just short of the Shellder and stared at it, its gaze locked on the glistening pearl. For a moment, her Pokémon moved.

  Sensing Slowpoke's presehe Shellder stirred. Its shell cracked open, revealing its cautious eyes. Upon seeing the pink Pokémon so close, it reacted instinctively, snapping its shell shut with a powerful Cmp—right on Slowpoke's head.

  "Sloy..." Slowpoke mumbled, seemingly unfazed by the attack.

  The uer se ged instantly. A surge of bubbles erupted around the two Pokémon, and a bright, radiant light enveloped them both. The water shimmered with the light of evolution, and their forms began te.

  Naoki shielded his eyes, marveling at the transformation.

  When the glow faded, a brand-new Pokémon stood before him. T slightly taller than Slowpoke, the Pokémon banced on two legs. Its neck was adorned with a frilly, e-and-white, umbrel-like structure, while a Shellder, now resembling a , rested atop its head. Despite its newfound regal appearahe Pokémon's wide grin and soft eyes retained an unmistakable silliness.

  Naoki stared at it, speechless.

  "Is this really Slowking? Why does it still look… not so smart?" Naoki mused aloud.

  Slowking turs gaze toward him, its wide, ptive eyes glinting with intellige opes mouth and released a string of bubbles.

  "&@#%."

  Naoki blinked in surprise. "Wait, was that Slowking… talking?"

  He quickly turo his Rotom Phone. "Rotom, you trahat?"

  The Rotom Phone's s flickered for a moment before dispying garbled text. "ot transte, Rotom!"

  "Okay… then s Slowking instead," Naoki requested.

  Rotom responded with its characteristic chirp. "Sing Slowking! Slowking, also known as the Sage of the Sea, is renowned for its calm demeanor and wisdom.

  Iain regions, there's a saying, 'If you're lost, ask Slowking,' refleg its reputation for intelligence.

  While it is known to solve any problem it's asked, its unique nguage remains inprehensible to humans. Rotom!"

  Naoki sighed, scratg his head. "So… Slowpoke has evolved, but now it has its own private nguage? Great."

  Despite its puzzling unication, Slowking seemed tent in its new form. The Shellder on its head fit perfectly, and Naoki observed that the two Pokémon had bonded quite well. At least, it seemed so—probably?

  "Slowking, do you still reize me?" Naoki swam closer, pointing to himself.

  Slowking gazed at him with its serene, wise eyes and nodded slightly. Of course, it remembered Naoki—the human who had brought it here and helped it evolve into its new form.

  But within its mind, Slowking wrestled with far more profound questions: Who am I? What is my purpose? Why does this world exist?

  As Slowking pohe mysteries of existenaoki cleared his throat tain its attention. "Let's head back to the ranch first. We figure the rest out there."

  Slowking seemed to sider the suggestion. Finally, it nodded in agreement and uttered another inprehensible string of sounds.

  "Still 't uand you," Naoki muttered, shaking his head with a wry smile. He gestured upward. "Let's go."

  The two began their ast, swimming toward the surface. Slowking followed Naoki with a slow, deliberate pace, as if deep in thought. Naoki couldn't help but recall the plot of Pokémon the Movie 2000: The Power of One. In that film, a Slowking lived on Shamouti Isnd, guarding the temple and guiding the Chosen One.

  That Slowking was unique. Not only could it predict the future, but it also spoke human nguage fluently.

  "Does this mean all Slowkings learn to speak, or was that one Slowking just… special?" Naoki mused to himself.

  Naoki smiled. "Guess I'll have to figure out how to unicate with you. If Rotom 't transte, maybe I'll try transtion seed crisps."

  ...

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