Dragonite Isnd, at the tral ke:

  A group onites surrouhe now smaller, yet still rger-than-average Dragoheir eyes wide with curiosity and innoce.

  "Ouch?" (How did you bee like this?)

  "Awooo?" (This is so magical! Now you py with us, right?)

  "Awoo!" (e with us to pick berries from the trees! And catch fish in the sea!)

  "Ouch~"

  Naoki sat on the grass, leaning against Koraidon, casually eating the seeds while listening to the Dragonites chatting amongst themselves. There was so much ambient hough, that he could only make out a few words here and there.

  The fiant Dragonite seemed to enjoy the kindness and warmth shown by the other Dragonites. Now that it was smaller, it no longer appeared intimidating, and its overwhelming aura had faded, making it seem more approachable.

  But Naoki khat its strength hadn't diminished in the slightest. If provoked, this Dragonite could unleash its fury without hesitation, leaving nothing in its wake.

  Whatever the group onites said to the rger one seemed to excite it. Naoki watched as they all flew off together, disappearing into the sky. He shrugged, uned. "Well, it's not like they'll destroy the world… right?"

  Turning his attention back to the Pokémon pying nearby, Naoki noticed that Alcremie, Butterfree, G, and Cyclizar had all returo their normal sizes and were happily pying with a group onair and Dratini.

  But... where awmo?

  Naoki stood up, sing the area, but couldn't spot Pawmo anywhere.

  Just then, a massive thundercp echoed from the other side of the isnd.

  Startled, Naoki and the Dragonites nearby took to the air to che the source of the sound.

  Naoki rode on Koraidon and followed the group towards the dire of the thunder.

  From afar, he finally spotted Pawmo he o's edge.

  Pawmo was gathering strength.

  Thunderclouds rapidly formed in the once-clear sky, and interical energy began to gather within them. Soon, a brilliant blue lightning bolt shot down, striking Pawmo directly.

  With aed roar of "Pawmo!" blue electricity crackled across Pawmo's fur, and its eyes glowed with electric power. A powerful current surged from its body, shooting down into the sea below.

  "BOOM!"

  A massive wave erupted from the o, sending water crashing in all dires.

  When the sea finally calmed, Pawmo grinned, revealing two small, pointy teeth.

  Nearby, a few Dratini watched Pawmo in awe, clearly impressed by its ability to trol lightning. If they had hands, Naoki was sure they'd be g.

  "You gave me a scare..." Naoki exhaled with relief. He had briefly worried that Pawmo had gotten into a fight with some wild Dragonite.

  At that moment, Pawmo spotted Naoki.

  "Pawmo!" it called out happily, flying towards him.

  Seeing this, Naoki thought to himself, 'Pawmo's gotten a little too used to flying.' Ever si had gaihe ability to levitate, he'd rarely seen it run on the ground.

  "That won't do!" Naoki said, crossing his arms.

  "Pawmo?" Pawmo looked puzzled, tilting its head in fusion.

  Naoki asked, "Do you want to evolve into Pawmot?"

  Pawmo's eyes sparkled with determination as it nodded enthusiastically: "Pawmo!"

  Naoki expined gently, " If you keep flying all the time, you won't be able to evolve into Pawmot."

  Pawmo looked puzzled for a moment, but Naoki tinued, "From what I've learned, if Pawmo wants to evolve into Pawmot, it o run hard on the ground. After c a certain dista evolve while running."

  Uanding dawned on Pawmo's face. "Pawmo…" (I see…)

  Naoki smiled warmly. "So, starting today, we o get back to basio relying too mu flying. Try running more, okay?"

  "Pawmo!" Pawmo responded enthusiastically, ready for the challenge.

  "That's the spirit!" Naoki said, patting its head. "Go py with the Dratini for now, and whe home, we run together."

  Naoki himself realized he could use the exercise. With all the rich food he ate—meat, fish, and treats—bined with Pokémon handling most of the farm work, his own physical activity had dwindled, leading to a bit of weight gain.

  He poio the ke behind him. "I'll be by the ke. When you've had enough fun, e fihere."

  "Pawmo!" Pawmo nodded, uanding the pn.

  With that settled, Naoki rode on Koraidon and headed back to the tral ke.

  As soon as they he group onites who had flown off earlier returned, each carrying piles of fruit and a few even holding sea bass.

  Naoki raised an eyebrow in surprise.

  Theiced the fiant Dragonite approag him, its arms full of fruit. It pced the fruits in front of Naoki with a pleased expression.

  "Roar!" the Dragonite cried happily.

  Naoki blinked, watg the dispy. He popped a few seeds into his mouth, still processing what he was seeing.

  Suddenly, the Dragonite's voice seemed to be automatically transted in his mind.

  "Ho-woo...Ho-woo!" (My... friend... thank you... for the food... I'm giving... you!)

  Naoki was taken aback. 'Did the giant Dragonite really sider him a friend?'

  "Friend?" Naoki asked, uain.

  The Dragonite tihough its words were a bit broken aant: "Roar, roar... Roar!" (You... Dream... Bear... helped me... find my panions... I thank you... You are my friend, mine!)

  It seemed the Dragonite was still adjusting to this new enviro, and its a nguage made the transtion a bit unclear. But Naoki uood the se—it was grateful, and it sidered him a friend.

  To be ho, Naoki was genuinely happy.

  "Are you pnning to stay here forever?" Naoki asked, curious about the giant Dragonite's future.

  The giant Dragonite nodded with enthusiasm. "Roar!" (Yes!)

  "That's great!" Naoki said, sincerely happy for it.

  With a joyous energy, the giant Dragourned and ran off, heading toward its new home onite Isnd.

  As Naoki watched it leave, a thought crossed his mind about Bill—the researcher who had been iigating the giant Dragonite. He wondered how Bill would react to this news.

  Knowing Bill's personality, Naoki figured he'd likely be overjoyed to learn that the giant Dragonite had found the panions it had been searg for all this time.

  Naoki picked up the fruit the giant Dragonite had left for him, handing oo Koraidon before taking a bite himself.

  "This is wonderful," Naoki said aloud, feeling a wave of te wash over him.

  Koraidon gnced up, curious. "Raao?" (What's so great?)

  Naoki smiled at it and said, "I never imagihat one day, I'd be able to personally take part in this world, helping Pokémon just like some of the trainers do."

  Koraidon tilted its head in fusion. "Raao?" (I don't get it.)

  Naoki chuckled. "What I mean is, it makes me happy to be able to help Pokémon."

  If his jouro this world had any greater meaning, this must be it: helping Pokémon, f bonds with them, and in the process, finding healing within himself.