Returning Home

Naoki looked at the Terastallized Koraidon standing before him, now sporting a dazzling, oversized crystal fist on its head. 

'Well... how should I put it?'

Mega Evolution? It's stylish and comes with great meaning.

Z-Moves? Equally flashy and thrilling. 

And let's not forget the jaw-dropping, over-the-top visuals of Gigantamax forms. 

But this—this Terastallization... well, it felt a bit off. 

Sure, the big crystal fist on Koraidon's head looked intimidating, almost regal. But somehow, Naoki couldn't help but think, wouldn't that thing mess with Koraidon's balance? 

It just seemed like carrying a giant gemstone on your head would make anyone feel a little top-heavy, right? 

Koraidon noticed Naoki's expression and let out a questioning sound: 

"Raao?" 

Naoki plastered a smile on his face and gave his Pokémon an encouraging thumbs-up. 

"Very... uh, majestic!" 

Koraidon squinted suspiciously. After spending so much time together, it could already sense the subtle undertones in Naoki's words. This particular smile? It only appeared when Naoki was giving a compliment he didn't entirely mean. 

"Raao…" Koraidon huffed, clearly a little deflated. 

Unaware of the silent exchange between Naoki and his Pokémon, Dr. Sada and Dr. Turo remained fully focused on Koraidon's Terastallized state. Their eyes sparkled with excitement as they analyzed every detail. 

Dr. Sada began explaining with pride: "This is the result of our latest research—Terastallization. It's a phenomenon that can be used by all Pokémon." 

She gestured toward the now-dimmed Tera Orb in Naoki's hand. "After a Pokémon undergoes Terastallization, the energy inside the Tera Orb is depleted, making it unusable until it's recharged."

Naoki glanced down at the orb in his palm. Just as Dr. Sada had said, the once-vibrant orb now looked dull, as though the energy had seeped out of it completely. 

"So... what's next?" Naoki asked. 

Dr. Turo chimed in, his voice filled with anticipation. "We've partnered with the Pokémon League to roll out energy-replenishing devices at Pokémon Centers worldwide. If a trainer's Tera Orb runs out of power, they can visit a Pokémon Center, and Nurse Joy will recharge it for them." 

"But that's not the only way," Dr. Turo added. "You noticed the glowing crystals scattered throughout Area Zero, didn't you?" 

Naoki nodded, recalling the radiant formations embedded in the walls and ground. 

"Those crystals contain Terastal energy," Dr. Turo continued. "If a trainer places their Tera Orb against one of them, it will slowly absorb the energy and recharge. But keep in mind—those crystals are rare, even in the Paldea region. Most trainers will rely on Pokémon Centers for recharging." 

Naoki gave an understanding nod. "Got it." 

After Koraidon's examination was complete, the two professors handed Naoki off to Butch. 

"We still have more research to conduct," Dr. Sada said cheerfully. "But Butch here will give you a proper tour of the research institute." 

"Let's go!" Butch grinned brightly, beckoning Naoki to follow him. "I'll show you around!" 

Naoki followed Butch as they toured the entire research institute, though mostly out of politeness rather than genuine curiosity. 

Just as in the game, the Zone Zero Research Institute was sprawling, with multiple interconnected buildings divided into distinct areas. There were entertainment and dining spaces where researchers could relax, ecological zones designed for observing and caring for Paradox Pokémon, and of course, the serious research labs where cutting-edge discoveries were made. 

Butch led the way enthusiastically, pointing out various facilities. Inside the labs, Naoki saw several massive machines—most of which made no sense to him. He tried to make sense of a few blinking monitors and gadgets, but they looked like something out of a sci-fi movie. 

Finally, Butch stopped in front of a towering, hexagonal structure that gleamed like a crystal tower, refracting light from every angle. He pointed toward it with an excited grin. 

"See that? That's where the time machine is! The power of science is amazing, right? We've even built a time machine!" 

Naoki squinted toward the crystal-like building. 'So, this must be the place where players fight against the AI version of the professor in the game...'

Behind him, Koraidon also gazed at the tower, its expression difficult to read. There was something familiar about that place, something... unsettling. 

Butch suddenly turned to Naoki, his voice filled with mischief. "Hey, want to go inside and take a peek?" 

Naoki blinked in surprise. "Wait, really? Are we allowed to?" 

Butch burst out laughing. "Haha! Just kidding! That place is the most restricted area in the entire institute. Only the doctor and a handful of senior researchers are allowed in." 

Naoki rolled his eyes, realizing he had fallen for Butch's playful nature. 

Butch's expression softened as he stared wistfully at the time machine. "That machine... it's the reason ancient and future Pokémon are here in our world. It's always running, bringing more and more of them into our time." 

He turned to Naoki, his tone brimming with admiration. "The doctor's dream is to build a paradise for these Pokémon, a place where they can live peacefully alongside us." 

"But it's not just about bringing them here. The doctors made an agreement with Koraidon No. 2 and Miraidon to guard the time machine. Those two Pokémon are like protectors, making sure nothing happens to the machine or this place." 

Naoki listened silently, processing the weight of Butch's words. He mulled over the idea of these Pokémon acting as guardians, watching over the machine that bridges timelines. 

After a moment, something clicked in Naoki's mind. "Paradise Guardian Dragons?" he murmured, almost to himself. 

Butch blinked, stunned by the phrase. His eyes widened, and a grin spread across his face. "Paradise Guardian Dragons… Wow! That's a perfect name for Koraidon and Miraidon!" 

Naoki let out a small sigh. "Yeah… sure." 

The tour of the research institute came to an end, and after lunch, Naoki decided to try developing the crystallization abilities of Pawmot and Dragonite. 

The abundance of Tera energy within the Zone Zero Research Institute meant that Naoki didn't even need to bring the Pokémon near the large crystals for energy replenishment. It was the perfect place for experimentation. 

After several attempts, Naoki finally discovered the Tera types for both of his Pokémon. 

"Pawmot's Tera type is Electric, and Dragonite's is Flying—matching their primary attributes," Naoki mused, a small smile forming on his face. 

He thought back to the special snacks they had enjoyed—Lightning Buns that enhanced Pawmot's electrical powers, and Storm Buns that strengthened Dragonite's control over air currents. With the added boost of crystallization, both Pokémon were now even more formidable. 

"Not bad," Naoki said thoughtfully, nodding in satisfaction. 

He imagined the synergy the two Pokémon could create in a double battle. "If they fought together, they'd make a perfect duo." 

Then, with a sigh, Naoki reminded himself of reality. "Not that we'll need them to fight at the ranch. Even the strongest powers are kind of useless there." 

He turned to watch Pawmot and Dragonite, happily munching on a few colorful Poké Puffs. A warm, contented expression crossed his face. 

"All of this," Naoki thought, "is their choice. They stay with me not because they have to, but because they want to." 

Naoki reminisced about his earlier dreams. When he first arrived in this world, he had imagined traveling like Ash Ketchum, exploring every region, and going on thrilling adventures. 

But now, his heart longed for something simpler. "These days, I just want to be on the ranch with them—our home—watching the seasons change and enjoying life together." 

The thought made Naoki smile, but it also stirred a little homesickness within him. 

Without realizing it, three days had already passed since he left the ranch. "I wonder how everyone back home is doing…" 

Though he hadn't captured the Paradox Pokémon he initially sought, Naoki realized it didn't matter. What truly mattered were the Pokémon he already had—those waiting for him back on the ranch. 

With a renewed sense of purpose, Naoki made a decision. 

"It's time to go home," he whispered to himself. 

That afternoon, Naoki approached Dr. Sada and Dr. Turo, explaining that he planned to leave the next morning and return to the ranch. 

Dr. Sada looked slightly surprised. "Why not stay a few more days?" she asked kindly. 

Naoki smiled and shook his head. "I'm starting to feel homesick. It's time to head back." 

Dr. Sada glanced at Koraidon, who stood faithfully beside Naoki, then gave a gentle nod. "I understand. We won't keep you. But if you ever find yourself back at the institute, know that you'll always be welcome." 

Dr. Turo offered a small smile as well. "By the time you return, we'll likely have made more progress in our research. We might even discover a way to communicate with the Paradox Pokémon properly and live in harmony with them." 

Dr. Sada smiled warmly and said, "Yes, you can safely bring them back to the ranch to live." 

Everyone knew how much Naoki admired the Paradox Pokémon. One of his main reasons for venturing into the Great Crater had been to capture them. 

Hearing Dr. Sada's words, Naoki was momentarily stunned. 

He could sense the meaning behind them—an attempt to reassure him, though perhaps laced with some gentle regret. 

'If they weren't so focused on the details,' Naoki thought with a small sigh, 'they'd make perfect Pokémon Professors.' 

But then again, perhaps intelligent people were prone to obsess over the little things. 

Knowing it was pointless to try and sway the professors from their intense fascination with the Paradox Pokémon, Naoki instead changed the topic: 

"Isn't Arven going to be old enough to start school soon?" 

Dr. Sada's eyes softened with a smile. "In two more years. By then, we'll send him to Paldea Academy." 

Naoki chuckled. "When I was Arven's age, if my mom left me alone for just a day, I'd throw myself on the floor and roll around." He shook his head fondly. "Compared to me, Arven's really amazing." 

The two professors exchanged a knowing glance. They understood the subtle message in Naoki's words: children at that age needed time, attention, and guidance from their parents. 

Rather than feeling offended, both professors seemed touched and somewhat surprised. 

"It seems you care a lot about Arven," Dr. Sada thought. "Otherwise, why would you bring this up?" 

A pang of guilt crept into Dr. Sada's mind. It had been several weeks since she'd last spent time with Piper. 

She felt an urge to return home, to spend even a little time with her son. But with their research at a critical juncture, leaving the institute now wasn't an option. 

With a small, thoughtful smile, she said, "I think you'll make a wonderful father one day, Naoki." 

Naoki blinked, caught off guard, then gave a helpless smile. "I don't have any plans to get married for now." 

Standing nearby, Dr. Turo grinned. "There's time for that." 

"Agreed," Naoki replied with a chuckle. 

Dr. Sada turned her attention to Koraidon, who stood calmly by Naoki's side. "The ecological research on Koraidon is complete," she said. "When you return to the ranch, you won't need to send us any more data." 

Koraidon, however, didn't seem to care for her words. Its gaze remained firmly on Naoki, as if he were the only person in the world that mattered. 

Noticing this, Dr. Sada smiled warmly. "It's clear how much it cares about you. Take good care of it, Naoki—live happily with it." 

Naoki gave a small nod, sensing that Dr. Sada understood his meaning. He didn't say much more, only sighing quietly in his heart, hoping that family bonds might pull the two professors back to a simpler, more grounded life. 

But deep down, Naoki knew the chances were slim. 

"Poor Arven," he thought to himself, a little sadly. 

After saying his goodbyes to the two professors, Naoki dressed warmly and climbed onto Koraidon's back early the next morning. Together, they soared out of the Area Zero Research Institute. 

This time, they didn't retrace the long, winding route they had taken to get there. Instead, Koraidon flew straight upward, swiftly ascending through the enormous crater. 

As Naoki sat atop Koraidon, the view of the research institute grew smaller and smaller beneath him. 

"We probably won't be coming back here," he thought with a sense of finality. 

Neither he nor his Pokémon, especially Koraidon, had enjoyed the atmosphere of the place. 

Compared to the calm, vibrant world outside, the research institute had felt cold and sterile. 

Koraidon's flight was swift and smooth. They soared past the mid-level of the crater, swiftly breaking through to the upper layers and, in no time, emerging from the misty depths of Area Zero into the open skies above. 

Naoki cast a final glance down at the crater, his mind swirling with thoughts. The enormous pit, with its jagged edges and deep crevices, looked as if something colossal had created it long ago. 

He recalled a theory he'd once read before being transported to this world—about a Pokémon called Terapagos. The image had shown the Pokémon resting on a vast planet, with distant celestial bodies scattered in the cosmic background. 

Some even believed Terapagos hailed from outer space, much like Eternatus. 

If that were true... 

"Wow," Naoki thought, "the Pokémon world is filled with cosmic beings." 

With the immense power of Eternatus, who absorbs and releases vast amounts of energy, and now Terapagos—guardians like Rayquaza must have their hands full. 

He chuckled to himself, thinking about Rayquaza. "Come to think of it, the Sky Guardian isn't exactly the most proactive..." 

In Emerald, it took the player's intervention to summon Rayquaza and stop Groudon and Kyogre's battle. In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon, a meteor threatened the planet, and it took a team of Pokémon to climb all the way to its home to convince it to help—and even then, Rayquaza was skeptical. 

The only time Rayquaza took initiative was to confront Deoxys. But even then, it hadn't been able to stop the alien Pokémon entirely. 

"I wonder..." Naoki mused. "Is there only one Rayquaza in this world? I think I've seen a shiny one before." 

Lost in thought, Naoki hadn't noticed how far they had traveled. The vast crater of Area Zero was now far behind them. 

He glanced back but saw nothing—just the wide expanse of blue sky, dotted with soft white clouds drifting lazily above. 

The beautiful view lifted Naoki's spirits, sweeping away the lingering gloom left by the chaotic Paradox Pokémon. 

Just then, a flock of Kilowattrel flew by, their glossy black-and-yellow feathers shimmering under the morning sun. 

Naoki leaned forward cheerfully and waved. "Good morning, Kilowattrel!" 

Startled, the electric birds glanced back at the strange human flying alongside them, their curious eyes blinking in unison. 

There were even a few Kilowattrels that couldn't stop in time, crashing into their companions flying ahead. The bumped Kilowattrel squawked angrily and pecked the ones behind them in frustration, causing a flutter of indignant flapping.

Watching the chaotic scene unfold, Naoki burst into laughter.

"Yep, this is definitely the Pokémon world I know!"

He waved cheerfully. "Please be careful flying at high altitudes! See you later!"

The Kilowattrel group squawked once more, then resumed their flight as Naoki and Koraidon continued their journey home.

Before noon, the familiar sight of Kosaji Town stretched out below them.

Naoki's heart raced as he spotted the vast fields surrounding his home, excitement bubbling inside him.

Soon enough, Koraidon landed gracefully on the ranch.

Naoki hopped off its back, taking in the comforting, familiar sights. With a deep breath, he let out a contented sigh. "Ah, nothing beats being home!"

Just as he turned around, a joyful cry of "Alcremie!" caught his attention.

A large group of Pokémon came bounding towards him, chirping and growling excitedly. Naoki grinned from ear to ear, rushing forward to greet them, patting one on the head, hugging another, and joyfully exclaiming, "We're back, everyone!"

Hearing all the noise, his Cyclizar poked its head out from behind the barn.

It glanced between the unripe pumpkins in the nearby field and Naoki standing in front of it. Confusion flickered across its face.

"Gao...oo" (Wait… Naoki's back? But the pumpkins aren't ripe yet? How is that possible?")

Cyclizar blinked in disbelief, rubbing its eyes with its small, scaly hands, convinced it must be seeing things.

But when it opened its eyes again, Naoki was still there, grinning as he walked toward it.

"What's wrong?" Naoki asked with a playful smile. "You don't recognize me after just a few days?"

Cyclizar stood there, looking adorably dazed for a moment before realization hit.

With a joyful, silly grin spreading across its face, it let out an excited cry: "Gaooo!"

It darted forward, practically vibrating with happiness. 

Naoki chuckled warmly and gave it a hearty pat. "Yeah, I missed you too, buddy."