Sensing the smile on Geeta's face, Iono felt something was off.
Unsure of what it was, she changed the subject. "Champion, did this year's League Tournament go smoothly?"
Just then, Naoki returned, and the three of them sat together by the window.
Geeta nodded. "Of course. There were so many strong Trainers this year, not just Nemona, but also Ash."
She sighed wistfully. "That boy fought his way through every challenger and claimed the Paldea Champion title. I even invited him to join the Paldea League… but he declined."
Naoki: "…"
He remembered clearly, Ash had come to Paldea to challenge him.
"By the way," Naoki asked, turning to Iono, "did Ash stop by the ranch while I was in Area Zero?"
"He did, but when he heard you weren't home, he went back," Iono admitted with a little slap to her forehead. She had been so worried about Naoki at the time, she had completely forgotten to mention it.
"I see…" Naoki nodded. "I'll reach out to him later."
"Oh? You know that Trainer personally?" Geeta's interest was piqued.
Naoki nodded. "He's incredibly hardworking. He started from Pallet Town, traveled across every region, and now he's finally achieved his dream."
"I see…" Geeta murmured softly, her expression thoughtful.
Her eyes drifted out the window, memories pulling her back. She still remembered the first time she had met Naoki. A colossal Dragonite had crossed the sea and reached Paldea's shores, and thanks to Naoki, disaster had been prevented.
Almost ten years had passed since then. She was now in her thirties, nearing forty.
"Time flies," Geeta said with a sigh. "The first time I saw you, I thought… this Trainer is something special."
Naoki smiled faintly. He truly respected Geeta.
During her years as Champion, she had been diligent and steadfast, carefully handling every matter of the Paldea region, large and small. While League staff sometimes looked overwhelmed, under Geeta's leadership Paldea was considered one of the safest and most stable regions in the world.
"Alright then." Geeta rose slowly to her feet, as composed as always. "I still have work to handle at the League. I'll come visit Elara and Sorin again soon."
Naoki and Iono nodded, rising to see her off.
Outside on the grass, Elara was practicing with her Pokémon. She held up her Poké Ball with determination, commanding:
"Larvesta, use Ember!"
Larvesta spat a small burst of fire at Entei. Though the Legendary Beast could have easily dodged, it played along for Elara's sake, letting the sparks hit its fur.
The flames weren't strong, they were weak, harmless flickers of heat at this stage. But Entei pretended to stumble dramatically, collapsing into the snow.
Elara's eyes widened in alarm. She sprinted to Entei's side, desperately pushing against his massive paws.
Seeing her panic, Entei dropped the act. He slowly lifted his head, gazing at the little girl with a tenderness few had ever seen in the mighty beast.
For an instant, he looked not like a Legendary Pokémon, but like a father playing gently with his child.
Elara let out a sigh of relief, hugging his mane tightly.
Nearby, Raikou and Suicune exchanged looks, their expressions unreadable.
Entei, realizing his lapse in composure, quickly stood tall again, his fiery dignity restored.
Raikou and Suicune: "…"
Geeta couldn't help but chuckle softly at the sight. "Elara is quite talented already."
Speaking of his daughter, Naoki's chest swelled with pride. "Her dream is to become the strongest Trainer in the world."
"I look forward to that day," Geeta said with a warm smile. "Alright, the two of you should go back and take care of Sorin. I'll take my leave."
"Take care, Champion," Iono said as she saw her off.
Geeta gave a polite nod, then turned and walked down the snowy road until her figure faded into the distance.
Naoki and Iono watched her go, then quietly returned home.
Iono went to tend to baby, while Naoki pulled out his Rotom Phone and dialed Ash.
The screen lit up with a cheerful beep-beep-beep before the call connected.
A familiar, yet more mature, face appeared, Ash Ketchum.
"Huh? Mr. Naoki! You're finally done with your work?" Ash asked with a grin.
Naoki nodded, but his gaze drifted past Ash, and he froze for a moment.
Behind Ash was a sprawling backyard, clearly designed as a paradise for Pokémon. Dozens of Pokémon roamed happily: Bulbasaur basking in the sun, Charizard stretching its wings, Snorlax dozing lazily, Kingler clacking its pincers, Pidgeot soaring overhead, Dragonite fluttering down, Gengar sneaking about, and Infernape sparring playfully.
Naoki instantly recognized them. They weren't just random Pokémon. These were Ash's lifelong partners, gathered together at last.
"Ash, what have you been up to lately?" Naoki asked with curiosity.
Ash's grin widened. He spun the camera around proudly, showing off the yard in full.
"After coming back from Paldea, I stayed in Pallet Town with Mom. With her support, we turned the backyard into a Pokémon paradise! And I brought back all the Pokémon I'd left with Professor Oak. Now we're finally all together again!"
Naoki smiled softly. "And will you keep traveling?"
Ash hesitated, scratching his cheek. He was nearly twenty now, Naoki realized.
"Hmm… I'll think about it later," Ash said after a pause. "I've been away from home for so long. For now, I just want to rest, and spend time with everyone."
Just then, Bayleef bounded into the frame, nuzzling Ash's cheek with its leafy head.
"Alright, alright, Bayleef!" Ash laughed, hugging it. "I promise, I'll never leave you alone again."
Naoki couldn't help but chuckle. Looking at Ash now, he thought of the countless companions Ash had traveled with over his nine-year journey, Misty, Dawn, Iris, Serena, Lillie, and so many others.
A mischievous glint flashed in Naoki's eyes. "Ash, you're grown up now. In Pallet Town's tradition, isn't it about time you thought of settling down? Found yourself a girlfriend yet?"
Ash instantly flushed red. "O-of course not! It's way too early to talk about things like that!"
Naoki laughed out loud.
Embarrassed, Ash quickly made an excuse. "Okay, okay, Mr. Naoki, Professor Oak's calling me for something. Let's talk later!" And with that, he hurriedly ended the call.
Naoki stared at the blank screen for a moment. A strange feeling welled up inside him.
He realized, for the first time, that a part of his "childhood" had come to an end.
He was twenty-nine now, but hearing Ash's journey had finally paused made him feel a bittersweet pang.
In the anime, Ash was always introduced as "a ten-year-old Trainer with twenty-five years of travel experience."
But this wasn't an anime. This was the real world. Both Pokémon and Ash himself would grow, change, and age.
The "story" Naoki had once known was over. From this point on, everyone's lives would move into unknown territory.
New life would be born. And, inevitably, some lives would reach their end.
In May of the year 207 on the League Calendar, a somber event struck the small town.
Mrs. Dantes, who lived at 308 Lanhai Street, quietly passed away on a warm afternoon, her long life finally at its close.
Naoki, who knew her and her family well, attended the funeral to pay his respects.
Elara trailed behind her father, clutching the hem of his coat. All around her, people in black wept softly, their grief heavy in the air. The little girl didn't fully understand what was happening, but the sadness pressed down on her chest, making her uneasy.
Sensing her trembling steps, Naoki bent down and gently stroked her head, pulling her close to his side as they walked.
His own gaze drifted toward the coffin where Madame Dantes lay at rest. A swirl of emotions welled up inside him as memories came flooding back, memories of the kind woman who had once walked to the ranch for fresh Moomoo Milk to nurse her husband back to health.
Now, with Madame Dantes gone, her husband sat slumped before the coffin, his once-bright eyes clouded, his spirit drained.
Around the coffin, the Pokémon Madame Dantes had lovingly raised gathered solemnly, their cries soft and mournful.
Naoki stepped forward quietly.
"It's me, Naoki," he said softly.
The old man looked up slowly, his eyes faintly lighting with recognition. "Naoki… and Dragonite too?"
Dragonite lowered its head, its deep cry trembling with grief. "Awooo…"
The mighty Pokémon was devastated. He had loved the gentle woman who always had a kind word and a plate of cookies waiting for him. Even after Dragonite Express became busier than ever, he had continued his daily deliveries of fresh vegetables and Moomoo Milk to her home without fail.
And Madame Dantes had always thanked him warmly, with cookies for both Dragonite and Naoki.
Now, that kindness was gone forever.
"I'll be alright. Don't worry, Dragonite," the old man whispered, voice weak with sorrow. "I'm sorry for troubling you all these years… we won't need ranch deliveries anymore."
Naoki said nothing.
Dragonite let out another low, aching cry.
The funeral was well attended. Mayor Thomas, the seed shop owner, and many other townsfolk came to pay their respects. Together, they prayed for Madame Dantes and then carried her to the small cemetery where she was laid to rest.
When the final prayers ended, Mayor Thomas lingered, his lined face heavy with grief. Another old friend was gone. Perhaps his turn was coming soon.
He looked at Naoki with eyes full of unspoken thoughts, but all he could manage was a long sigh.
"Naoki," he said quietly, "when I see your grandfather in the next world, I'll be sure to tell him everything you've done. The old man would be proud....so proud. It's only a pity he didn't live to see Elara and Sorin born…"
Naoki's throat tightened. "Mayor Thomas… you're still strong and healthy."
The mayor gave a weary smile, then shook his head. "We're old, Naoki. Too old."
When the funeral ended, people slowly drifted home, leaving the cemetery quiet once more.
On the way back, Elara tugged gently at her father's sleeve. Her small voice broke the silence.
"Daddy… what happened to that grandmother? What does 'death' mean?"
Naoki lifted her into his arms, holding her close as Dragonite and Koraidon walked quietly beside them.
"That grandmother reached the end of her life," Naoki explained gently. "She's gone now."
Elara tilted her head, puzzled. "Will she come back?"
Naoki hesitated, then chose honesty. "No. When people die, they go to another world. And they can't ever come back."
"Does everyone die?" Elara suddenly asked, her voice trembling with panic.
Naoki hugged his daughter tightly. "It's alright. Yes, everyone dies someday, but you don't have to be afraid. Your mom and I will be with you for a very, very long time, long enough for you to grow up, become a great Trainer, and even have children of your own."
He stroked her hair gently. "And even after that, our love for you and all the beautiful memories we've shared will live inside your heart forever. As long as you remember us, we'll never truly be gone."
Elara's eyes brimmed with tears, and she clung to him desperately. "Elara doesn't want Daddy to die!"
Naoki's chest tightened. Madame Dantes's passing must have stirred something deep within her. He rocked her gently in his arms and whispered soothingly, "It's alright. Your mom and I will be here with you for a long, long time, maybe a hundred years, maybe two hundred. That's still a very long way off. Until that day comes, what matters most is cherishing every single moment of the life we have now."
Elara sniffled, half understanding, half lost in her innocent fear. Finally, exhausted from crying, she pressed her face against his chest, tears soaking into his shirt.
It was the instinctive fear all children carried, the fear of losing the people they loved most, of being left alone.
As her father, Naoki could only guide her gently, helping her face this truth that no one could escape.
"Are you sleepy?" he asked softly, patting her back. "If you are, just rest. When you wake up, we'll be home."
At his words, Elara's eyes fluttered shut, and she drifted into sleep in his arms.
Naoki didn't call upon Koraidon or Dragonite to carry them. Instead, he walked slowly down the familiar country road, holding his daughter close against his chest. Koraidon and Dragonite followed silently on either side, their heads low with sorrow.
Seeing their sadness, Naoki chuckled faintly and shook his head. "Look at you two… such powerful Pokémon, yet sulking like children."
"Agas…" Koraidon rumbled softly.
"Awoo…" Dragonite sighed.
They looked at him with mournful eyes.
Naoki smiled gently, resting his free hand on their heads. "Didn't we agree? Even if my body dies one day, my spirit will always be with you. And besides… we still have a long, long time to live together."
The two Pokémon exchanged glances, then relaxed slightly.
Yes… their trainer had promised them.
And Naoki always kept his promises.
...
Bonus @500
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