After lunch, Leon was eager to battle Naoki.

  "Alright." Naoki nodded, leading him to the ranch's battlefield.

  As soon as word spread, Pokémon from all over the ranch gathered, eager to see the match. Geeta stood nearby, arms crossed behind her back, watg with great anticipation.

  "Are we doing a singles or doubles match?" Naoki asked, smiling.

  Koraidon stepped onto the battlefield, ready to fight, while Flutter Mane hovered nearby, blending into the crowd, watg ily.

  "Let's go sihis time!" Leon said, eyes burning with petitive fire. "We try doubles ime!"

  Since Koraidon was Naoki's stro Pokémon, it was only fair that Leo out his own ace as well.

  "No problem." Naoki smirked.

  Leon unclipped a Poké Ball from his belt and threw it forward. With a burst of white light, a powerful Charizard materialized otlefield.

  The fmes on its tail burned intensely, signaling that Charizard was in peak dition. Naoki sized up the battle-hardened Charizard and smirked.

  "No Dynamaxing here. Won't that take the fun out of it?"

  After all, Leon's stro form was when his Charizard could Gigantamax.

  "No worries!" Leon grinned. "We'll save that for when you visit Gar! I'll give you a Dynamax Band so you Gigantamax, too! Then we'll have a real showdown!"

  Since Leon was Gar's Champion, he had the privilege of handing out Dynamax Bands to exceptional trainers.

  Dynamaxing… Koraidon…

  Naoki was intrigued.

  In Paldea, Dynamaxing wasn't naturally possible, sihe energy phenomenon wasn't present.

  But iy, any Pokémon could Gigantamax uhe right ditions—provided they had a Dynamax Band and access to Dynamax energy.

  "Sounds fun." Naoki chuckled, looking forward to seeing what a Gigantamaxed Koraidon would look like.

  But for now… this battle was about to begin!

  Standing at the edge of the battlefield, Indeedee took out a whistle. With a sharp bst, the match officially started!

  Crimson energy surged across Koraidon's body. The clouds above dispersed, revealing a clear blue sky, as the sunlight intensified!

  Leon's eyes widened in fasation.

  "Whoa! Is this its Ability? It ge the weather? That's incredible!"

  Naoki smirked.

  "Koraidon, use A Power—let's test the waters!"

  "Aah-GAH!"

  Koraidon stomped the ground, sending deep rumbles across the battlefield. Primal energy surged, f several rge, glowing boulders that shot toward Charizard.

  Leon's response was instantaneous.

  "Charizard, Iron Tail!"

  "ROOOAAAR!"

  Charizard soared into the air, its tail shining with metalliergy. As the boulders approached, Charizard swooped down, whipping its tail left and right—shattering each ro midair!

  Naoki raised an eyebrow. Leon was aggressive as always.

  "Now, Charizard—Dragon Cw!"

  Leon had been analyzing Koraidon closely. From what he could tell, it was likely a Dragon/Fighting type. If that was the case… Dragon Cw would hit hard.

  Even if his guess was wrong, it didn't matter—this was just the opening gambit! Charizard rocketed forward, cws glowing with purple draiergy, swiping down toward Koraidon.

  But Koraidon didn't move. It simply stared Charizard down, pletely still.

  "Let's match them! Show them your strength!"

  The moment Naoki's and rang out, Koraidon surged forward, f its own massive Dragon Cw!

  With a blinding fsh, the twon-enhatacks collided! The impact was thunderous, sending shockwaves rippling through the battlefield.

  Despite the force of the csh…

  Koraidon didn't budge.

  It stared Charizard down, its golden pupils gleaming like a predator at the top of the food .

  "Ah-GAH…"

  A deep growl rumbled from Koraidon's throat. Then—its grip tightened. With a burst of raw power, Koraidon overpowered Charizard and flung it backward!

  The impact sent Charizard tumbling, cw marks scraped across its scales.

  Leon's grin widened.

  "S!"

  From the sidelines, Geeta narrowed her eyes.

  "That Koraidon… its raw power is superior to Charizard's."

  Leon, however, was not disced.

  "Charizard, Heat Wave!"

  Switg tactics, Leon opted for a ratack.

  Charizard fpped its wings, unleashing a scorg wind across the battlefield. With Sunlight active, the air temperature spiked dramatically.

  But Naoki saw through Leon's strategy immediately.

  "It's not that easy! Koraido's go all out!"

  "Ah-GAAH!"

  Ign the blisteri, Koraido into the air, golden eyes locked on Charizard. A primal aura erupted from its body as it charged forward at full speed!

  Leon's eyes widened.

  "That speed—!"

  Before Charizard could dodge, Koraidon smmed into it—

  BOOM!

  The impact sent shockwaves across the battlefield, and Charizard inned beh Koraidon's strength!

  "Now! Use A Power!"

  Naoki's and rang out, and boulders rose from the ground, surrounding Charizard and Koraidon.

  'Danger!'

  Leon's instincts screamed at him.

  "Charizard! Use Inferno!"

  Fmes erupted around Charizard, enveloping both Pokémon in a swirling storm of fire! At the same time, the A Power boulders crashed down from above!

  The csh of two powerful moves ignited a violent explosion, engulfing both Pokémon in fire and debris.

  The scorg fmes spread toward the edges of the battlefield, but Vaporeon, who had been watg the battle, quickly reacted—shooting a Water Gun to douse the fmes before they could spread further.

  As the fire burned, its flickering glow reflected in the eyes of the spectators.

  Geeta's expression held admiration.

  Leon looked tense.

  But Naoki remained calm—he knew Koraidon wouldn't lose.

  And sure enough…

  As the smoke and fire began to fade, a familiar silhouette emerged.

  Koraidon strode forward. The scales on its body were charred bck from the fmes, but its eyes remained sharp, its stanwavering.

  Oher side…

  Charizard had colpsed otlefield, eyes swirling in dizziness. It was uo tihe fight.

  Indeedee stepped forward, cheg on Charizard before blowing the whistle—signaling the end of the battle!

  Geeta cpped her hands, clearly impressed.

  "What a spectacur match!"

  It was the first time she had seen one of those a Paradox Pokémon in battle.

  Leo out a deep exhale, rubbing the back of his head.

  "Phew…" He smiled at his Charizard, watg as Naoki's Indeedee ha a bottle of Life Goat Milk. "That was tough… but I wouldn't expeything less from a hidden trial!"

  Leoally hat he o train even harder wheurned home. Perhaps he should visit Mustard for some interaining.

  Meanwhile, Naoki handed Koraidon its own bottle of Life Goat Milk, patting its side.

  Hearing Leon's words, he smiled.

  "You did great, too."

  Leon perked up instantly.

  "Wait—has anyone else challenged Koraidon before me?"

  Naoki nodded.

  "Yes. One of the Paldea League's champion trainers attempted it… but they lost in just a single csh."

  Leon's eyebrows raised as he turo Geeta.

  "Oh?"

  Geeta: "…"

  She quickly shook her head.

  "Not me. Arainer."

  Naoki chuckled, crifying,

  "Paldea's League operates differently. There are multiple champion-level trainers, but only the stro among them bees the League's 'Top Champion.'"

  Leon nodded in uanding.

  Unlike Gar, where he was the sning champion, Paldea had several trainers at the champion level—but only the best earhe title of 'Top Champion.'

  As they chatted, Charizard had fully recovered, and Koraidon's injuries had healed pletely.

  The battle was officially over.

  Naoki gave Koraidon a final pat before saying,

  "Go ahead and py!"

  "Aah-GAH~"

  The Pokémon cheered and scattered, heading off to enjoy themselves. The weather was scorg, so Naoki invited Geeta ao rest ihe living room.

  Just as they were about to enter, Geeta's ph.

  "Hello? This is Geeta… Uood. I'll be back immediately."

  Naoki auroward her. Her expression ologetic as she sighed.

  "I'm really sorry, but something urgent has e up in the Paldea League. I o return immediately."

  Naoki wasn't surprised. After all, everyone in the Paldea League was a workaholic—especially Geeta.

  He simply nodded.

  "No problem. See you ime."

  Geeta smiled.

  "Yes. Until ime."

  Then, she turoward Leon.

  "Champion Leon, if you enter any trouble in Paldea, feel free to tact the League. I hope you enjoy your visit."

  Leon waved her off with a grin.

  "Rex! I'm just here visiting Naoki—no need for all the formalities!"

  Geeta gave a small smile.

  "In that case, I'll take my leave. See you both again soon."

  With that, she departed the ranch.

  Leon watched her go and shook his head with a chuckle.

  "She really takes her job seriously, huh?"

  Naoki nodded.

  "Yeah. It's different from Gar—Paldea doesn't have a League President. Geeta has to act as both the regional champion and League President."

  Unlike Gar, where President Rose and his secretary Oleana handled administrative matters, allowio focus purely on battles—

  Geeta had to hah roles.

  Onside, the two of them sat in the cool living room. Naoki's Indeedee brought over tea and snacks.

  Leon took a sip, theated.

  "Naoki…"

  Naoki looked up.

  "Hmm?"

  Leon scratched the back of his head, suddenly looking serious.

  "Actually… there's something I need your help with."

  Naoki raised an eyebrow, setting down his cup.

  "Oh? What is it?"

  Leon leaned forward, his usual carefree demeanor repced by genuine .

  "To be precise… I o meet with the King of Bountiful Harvests."

  Naoki's eyes widened slightly.

  "Calyrex?"

  He quickly pieced it together—he had a hunch about what Leo.

  And sure enough…

  Leon nodded.

  "There are legends in Gar's history, as well as Professor Oak's research, but…nowhere does it firm that the disaster known as 'The Darkest Day' was ever truly destroyed."

  Naoki fell silent.

  "If that disaster ever returns to Gar. The entire region will be in danger—just like it was in the past."

  There were records of this catastrophe from three thousand years ago.

  A bck vortex loomed over the entire Gar region, shrouding the skies in an eerie darkness. It was as if the end of the world had arrived.

  But the chaos did not stop there.

  Aexts described what happened during The Darkest Day—a camity where wild Pokémon grew untrolbly, their forms ing into massive Gigantamax versions of themselves.

  With rampaging Pokémon running amok, the Gar region was nearly destroyed.

  Leon's eyes held a deep .

  "I fear that this disaster may return one day."

  Gar had fully embraced Dynamax battles, but few truly uood the nature of the energy behind them.

  Where exactly did this mysterious Dynamax energy inate from?

  And what if…

  What if the Gigantamax energy being used in Gar's power statioo leak?

  The Macro os Group, under Chairman Rose, had already built energy pnts aajor cities.

  If somethi wrong, if too muergy spilled into the world…

  What would happen then?

  Naoki nodded slightly. He respected Leon not only as a champion but as a person.

  In the anime, Leon risked his life to stop Eternatus, sustaining serious injuries in the process. Had Za and Zamazenta not arrived in time, he might have lost his life that day.

  It reminded Naoki of Steven Stone from the Hoenn region—another champion illing to sacrifice everything to protect his home.

  With that in mind, Naoki pulled out his Rotom Phone a a message.

  Moments ter, Calyrex floated into the room.

  Leon straightened immediately. Seeing the legendary ruler of Gar in person filled him with awe and reverence.

  This Pokémon… was ohe true king of Gar.

  Leon pced a hand over his chest, bowing his head slightly.

  "Greetings, King of Bountiful Harvests. My name is Leon, the current Champion of Gar."

  Hearing the name of the region, Calyrex's gaze shifted toward Leon, a flicker nition in its gentle, wise eyes.

  Slowly, the legendary Pokémon floated over, its posture elegant and regal.

  Then, a voice resonated directly in Leon's mind.

  "What brings you here?"

  Leon's expression grew serious.

  "How much do you know about The Darkest Day?"

  "I read in aexts that the two heroes of Gar—Za and Zamazenta—did not truly 'defeat' the darkness… but merely sealed it away."

  "If that's the case, the that mean The Darkest Day could return one day?"

  Leon's was evident in his voice.

  Calyrex studied him carefully. Then, as if suddenly realizing something, the legendary Pokémon's demeanor shifted.

  The air around them grew heavier—the once-gentle presence of the King of Bountiful Harvests now radiated a sense of a authority.

  It was as if Gar's true ruler had returned.

  "So that is why you came."

  Calyrex closed its eyes briefly, then spoke once more.

  "Since you seek the truth, I shall tell you everything."

  In an instant—A surge of psychiergy erupted, enveloping the entire room. The surroundings began to dissolve, fading into a swirl of colors and memories.

  When the light faded, they were no longer in the room.

  Leon and Naoki found themselves standing in an endless wilderness. There were no cities, no humalements. Only an untamed world, ruled solely by Pokémon.

  Calyrex's voice echoed through the air.

  "This is the world from twenty thousand years ago. It was then that the darkness fell from the sky. And The Darkest Day began."

  Leon's eyes widened.

  "Twenty thousand years ago?!"

  Naoki, however, remained calm.

  He was already aware of Calyrex's unique abilities—the legendary Pokémon had the power to glimpse into the past and the future.

  Calyrex nodded solemnly. Then, the sky suddenly turned crimson.

  A massive, fiery meteorite tore through the heavens, leaving behind a bzing trail of destru.

  Leon watched in shock as the meteor plummeted toward the earth, striking the nd with a devastating impact. The ground quaked violently. Fire and smoke erupted into the sky.

  Across the ndscape, tless Pokémon cried out in terror, scrambling to flee from the devastation.

  And then—

  Leon saw something that made his blood run cold.

  From within the wreckage of the meteorite, something moved.

  A massive, dragon-like creature began to emerge from the fmes. Its body was posed of pulsing, red energy, iwined with dark purple exoskeletal armor—a form both alien and terrifying.

  Its triangur head bore a translut red crest, from which five long spiended backward. It had no eyes—only eerie, glowing white rings f an uling pattern where its face should have been.

  Its jagged, tooth-like jaws cshed together, emitting a low, bone-chilling hum. Its serpentine body stretched endlessly, its dark, skeletal limbs ending in razor-sharp cws.

  And at the ter of its chest…

  A pulsating, pink core.

  A "heart" of pure energy, beating slowly.

  Leon staggered back.

  "What… is that thing?!"

  The sheer scale of the creature dwarfed even the rgest Pokémon ience..

  Calyrex's voiswered gravely.

  "That… is The Darkest Day."

  A cold chill ran down Leon's spine.

  Naoki, standing beside him, quietly muttered the name under his breath.

  "Eternatus."

  Leon's eyes widened in disbelief.

  "The Darkest Day…? That creature itself is the source of the disaster?"

  Calyrex gave a solemn nod.

  As if responding to his uanding, the se before them tio unfold. For reasons unknown, the mysterious Pokémon that had emerged from the meteorite was in terrible dition.

  Its movements were sluggish, its form weak, and shortly after breaking free from the meteorite, the enormous creature colpsed, exhausted.

  It fell bato the crater, entering a deep slumber, its chest core pulsing ever so faintly.

  Eternatus had fallen dormant. But that was not the end of the story.

  Calyrex's mind stirred, and time accelerated before their eyes. The seasons passed—spring gave way to autumn, frost covered the nd, and then, as the snow melted, life returned once more.

  tless years passed.

  Until…The creature awoke.

  Eternatus stirred from its a slumber, but it was still weak. Desperate to sustain itself, it began to drain the life energy of the nd.

  As its dition improved, strange phenomena began all ar. First, the skies ged. A dark vortex swirled above Gar, ing space itself. Then, an ominlow spread across the nd.

  Nearby Pokémon, caught in the sinister energy, began to Gigantamax untrolbly. Their minds twisted, their rampaging forms destroying everything in their path.

  No grass remained. Forests were reduced to ders. Human vilges crumbled into ruins.

  And the royal family, who ruled ar at the time, hid within their pace, trembling in fear. In desperation, they summoned warriors from all across the nd to battle the camity.

  But their efforts were futile.

  One by ohe heroes fell, their strength utterly insignifit against the chaos of The Darkest Day. The Gar region stood on the brink of destru.

  Then, just as quickly as the vision had begun, the se faded away.

  Naoki, Leon, and Calyrex returo the present—the familiar walls of the ranch's living room surrounding them once again.

  Leon sat in silent shock, uo fully process what he had just witnessed.

  Naoki, however, had already guessed what came .

  The legend of Za and Zamazenta.

  The two a warriors, wielding the power of kings, had stood agaiernatus. Through their bined might, they shattered the creature's body into tless fragments—which ter rained down upon the nd as Wishing Stars.

  Its core severely damaged, Eternatus fell into another deep slumber, and the two heroes of Gar became immortalized in legend.

  A…

  turies ter, Chairman Rose and his secretary Oleana sought to harhe energy of Wishing Stars—a pn that nearly reawakehe disaster once more.

  "This is the truth of The Darkest Day."

  Calyrex's voice was grave.

  Its gaze fell upon Leon, filled with both resped solemnity.

  "You were right to worry. The Darkest Day will awaken again soon. And when it does, Gar will once again be shrouded in darkness."

  Leon's fists ched tightly. Then, in a tone filled with unyieldiermination, he spoke:

  "I won't let that happen."

  Calyrex studied his expression—the unwavering resolve in his eyes. Then, with a gentle nod, it offered one final piece of guidance:

  "If you truly wish to stop this disaster, seek out the two heroes of Gar. Jouro the Slumbering Weald. They will answer your call."

  Leon's eyes widened.

  "The Slumbering Weald…?"

  His gaze shifted to Naoki.

  Naoki nodded.

  "Yes. The two heroes who once repelled Eternatus—the legendary kings of Gar. Za, the Warrior of the Sword, Zamazenta, the Guardian of the Shield."

  Then, with a small smile, Naoki added:

  "Of course, if the time es, you t on me as well.I happen to have a Pokémon that might be able to help."

  Leon's instinct was to refuse. The burden of proteg Gar was his aloo bear. But Naoki's offer was genuine, and after a moment of hesitation, Leon nodded gratefully.

  "Thank you."

  Calyrex silently floated away, vanishing into the greenhouse—where it promptly pulled out its Rotom Phone and began scrolling the i again.

  inally, Leon had po stay at the ranch for one more day. But after what he had learned, he couldn't afford to wait any lar was in danger.

  And as its Champion, it was his duty to protect it.

  "Thank you, Naoki. I have to return to Gar immediately."

  Naoki watched him carefully, then nodded in uanding.

  "Stay safe."

  Leon grinned, returning to his usual cheerful self.

  "I will!"

  As he turo leave, Naoki whistled, calling forth a Dragonite.

  "I don't want you getting lost again, so I asked Dragoo take you to the port."

  Dragonite gave ahusiastic chirp.

  Leon, having already seen Dragonite couriers in a, simply ughed and climbed on.

  "I'll be back for a rematch!"

  With a final wave, he took off into the sky.

  With both Geeta and Leon gohe ranch finally quieted down. Naoki sighed, rolling up his sleeves.

  Naoki returned home and began to up the house that was messed up by Pokémon.

  ...

  April 25, 200th year of the Alliance dar.

  The m, Naoki wahrough the apple orchard, pting something new.

  "How I help these Applin evolve?"

  Applin's evolution was uhey evolved iher Fpple or Appletun, depending oype of apple they ed.

  A sour apple led to Fpple, a Pokémon that could spit highly acidic liquid.

  A sweet apple resulted in Appletun, a Pokémon that radiated a f, honey-like st.

  "The apples in the orchard are sweet… but maybe they aren't sweet enough?"

  As Naoki gazed at the Applin camoufging itself among the apples in the orchard, he fell into deep thought.

  "Have you tried all the apples here?" he asked.

  The Applin quickly shook its head, indig that it hadn't, but it could sehat none of the apples were special enough ter its evolution.

  "I see..." Naoki muttered to himself. If that was the case, his only option was to order special evolution apples online, ones specifically desigo help Applin evolve.

  But before doing so, there was something else he wao check.

  Taking out his Rotom Phone, Naoki opehe Pokédex and searched for [Applin].

  A moment ter, Rotom's eleic voice chimed in, automatically reg information from the entry:

  "Applin, the Apple Core Pokémon. It disguises itself as an apple to avoid beien by bird Pokémon. It lives its entire life inside an apple. It has four evolutionary forms, Rotom!"

  Naoki froze.

  Wait a minute—four evolutionary forms?

  That wasn't right. "Aren't there only two?" he mumbled, fused.

  Quickly, he tapped on Applin's Pokédex entry, and sure enough, there were now two additional evolutionary forms besides Fpple and Appletun.

  They were:

  Dipplin, which evolved from a Syrupy Apple. Hydrapple, which evolved from Dipplin.

  Curious, Naoki clicked on Hydrapple's entry, and Rotom immediately provided the details:

  "Hydrapple, the Dragon Apple Pokémon. A y of seven Applin live is body. The one in the ter gives orders. It is said that when they unicate with each other, their true power is revealed, Rotom!"

  "Hydrapple and Dipplin?" Naoki was surprised. "Could these be new evolutions introduced in The Indigo Disk DLC?"

  When he was still in his inal world, The Indigo Disk DLC hadn't been released yet.

  Now, it seemed that both Hydrapple and Dipplin were all part of the newly introduced tent.

  But what surprised Naoki even more was a new move called Dragon Cheer.

  He searched the i and found that Dragon Cheer was a newly developed Dragon-type move taught by instructors at Blueberry Academy.

  Uural moves that Pokémon could learn instinctively, this move was exclusive—only trainers could teach it to their Pokémon.

  Blueberry Academy…

  The name sounded familiar.

  Thinking baaoki realized that Geeta had mentio before. She had said that the Paldea League and Unova League had colborated to establish a floating battle academy at sea.

  Additionally, Blueberry Academy and Naranja Academy held exge programs each semester, sending students bad forth for training.

  "Iing," Naoki thought.

  After reviewing the new evolutions, he turned his attention back to the Applin in front of him. He opehe Pokédex again, showing Applin the four possible evolution options.

  "So, whie do you want to evolve into?" Naoki asked.

  Applin's round eyes darted betweeions on the s.

  It had overheard Rotom's expnation just now and immediately eliminated Hydrapple as an option.

  Why? Because Hydrapple required seven Applin to live together in a single apple—far too crowded for its liking.

  That left only Fpple and Appletun.

  Fpple evolved when given a Tart Apple, but Applin hated sour fvors.

  Appletun, oher hand, evolved with a Sweet Apple, and Applin absolutely loved sweet things.

  Its choice was obvious.

  "You want to evolve into an Appletun?" Naoki noticed Applin's gaze had settled on the image of Appletun.

  "Appliiin!" Applin chirped, firming its decision.

  "In that case, I'll get you a Sweet Apple," Naoki said with a smile.

  He opened his online shopping app, searched for Sweet Apple, and within seds, multiple listings popped up. The prices ranged from 1,000 to 2,000 Poké Dolrs.

  pared to other evolution items, these apples were retively cheap.

  Naoki picked a reputable seller, chose the fastest Pelipper Express delivery option, and pced the order.

  pared to the slower Noctowl Express, Pelipper Express was the fastest in the region.

  After about two days, a Pelipper with a delivery satchel tied to its shoulder glided down from the sky, heading straight for the ranch.

  It nded on the windowsill of Naoki's house and knocked on the window with its massive beak.

  Naoki opehe window, and the Pelipper carefully pulled out a red, glossy apple from its bag, pg it in his palm.

  Then, it handed over a delivery receipt.

  Naoki checked the details, signed his o firm receipt, and the Pelipper let out a satisfied squawk before fpping its wings and s bato the sky.

  "Pelipper really takes its time," Naoki chuckled.

  He turned around and headed straight for the apple orchard, where Applin was eagerly waiting.

  "Here, your Sweet Apple!" Naoki hahe fruit over.

  The Applin happily took a bite.

  The moment it did, a brilliant white light enveloped its entire body.

  Its small, apple-shaped form rapidly began to ge.

  It grew rger, its shell expanding, its body stretg into a plump, dragon-like form.

  When the light finally faded…

  Appletun had been born!

  The newly evolved Appletun had a body that somewhat resembled a turtle, with a high, rounded back covered in a ttice pattern resembling woven fruit pie crust. Its eyelids, once part of its Applin disguise, still remaiop its head.

  It looked chubby and adorable.

  Most notably, Appletuire body was coated in a thin yer of honey, giving off an incredibly sweet, fragrant aroma.

  Naoki looked at the se with satisfa.

  Its Ripen ability erfect match for the enviro.

  "Hello, Appletun!" he greeted the Pokémon warmly.

  "Apple!"

  Appletun respoilting its head in a slightly clumsy yet endearing manner. Its personality seemed to be as simple and ho as a Miltank in a pasture.

  ", I'm taking you to a nele orchard. Don't worry—it's just as safe as the ranch," Naoki reassured with a smile.

  "Apple~!" Appletu out a gentle cry, clearly excited.

  And so, Naoki led Appletun to the World Tree.

  The apple orchard there had been pnted just a few days ago by Mewtwo and himself, and with the help of Calyrex, the trees had already started produg massive, ripe apples.

  The moment Appletun arrived, it was instantly captivated by the sight of the orchard overflowing with fruit.

  Its eyes sparkled with excitement as it gazed at the rge, round apples hanging from the branches.

  Just looking at them, it could already imagine how sweet and juicy the apples must be.

  Its mouth almost started watering at the thought.

  "Alright, from now on, this will be your home!" Naoki decred with a smile. "Use your Ripen ability to help take care of the orchard and grow even more delicious apples for everyone."

  "Apple~!" Appletun responded enthusiastically.

  During their walk here, Naoki had already expihat many Pokémon lived in this area, and that all of them were friends.

  Appletun liked the World Tree orchard a lot—it decided right then and there that it would stay and use its abilities to grow the sweetest apples for everyone.

  And so, a new, hardw apple farmer had settled at the World Tree.

  ...

  By the time Naoki returo the ranch, it was already noon.

  "Ai-Ai?"

  "Sister Indeedee came forward and asked what he wanted for lunch."

  "Anything simple is fine," Naoki replied casually.

  Most of the Pokémon—Eeveelutions, Ogerpon, Butterfree, Farfetch'd, Flutter Mane, Alcremie, and Garganacl—had gone off to py at the World Tree.

  They probably wouldn't return until ter in the day, but Naoki wasn't worried. With the abundant food supplies avaible at the World Tree, they wouldn't go hungry.

  At the ranch, only Koraidon, Cyclizar, Pawmot, and Dragonite remained, along with bee, Gogoat, Miltank, and Wooloo.

  Aside from Koraidon and Dragohe others had their meals prepared in advance, so feeding them would be easy.

  Gogoat's favorite green grass dumplings and PokéBlocks for Miltank, Sweet honey for bee, carrots for Spectrier and Gstrier

  As for Naoki himself, he wasn't too ed about his meal—it was too hot in the summer, and his appetite was low.

  But before eating, Naoki still cooked a few special dishes for Koraidon and the others.

  Ohat was done, he grabbed a sandwich, sat down on the sofa, and resumed reading news from the Hoenn region.

  After the i where a Team Aqua member posted an online challenge and romptly arrested by the Hoenn League, there had been radio silence from both Team Magma and Team Aqua.

  It seemed that Maxie and Archie had tighteheir trol over their subordinates, keeping them from drawing too much attention online.

  But even so, Naoki knew what was ing.

  If the battle between Groudon and Kyogre really broke out, it would have devastating sequences for the entire Hoenn region.

  With that in mind, Naoki switched to his forum at and prepared to post a new message.

  [Shog News!] Team Magma and Team Aqua are currently operating in Hoenn with the goal of…