After calming down the excited Pokémon that had gathered around him, Naoki returo the house with his bag. He plopped onto the sofa with a long sigh of relief.

  Seeing Naoki e back, the brother-and-sister Indeedee weled him warmly.

  The younger Indeedee smiled sweetly and pced a warm cup of tea in front of Naoki. Then, she turo the table, picked up two small photographs, and hahem to him.

  Naoki raised an eyebrow, instantly reizing the two familiar, tiny paw prints stamped on the back of each photo. He didn't o think twice to kly who had sent them.

  With a curious smile, Naoki accepted the photos and asked casually, "When did these arrive?"

  The younger Indeedee made a quick gesture, holding up three fingers and then one: "Aiee-!"

  Naoki nodded in uanding. One photo had arrived three days ago, and the other just the day before.

  His curiosity piqued, Naoki turned his attention to the photos.

  The first image revealed the vast, endless expanse of the o, with clear blue skies above and soft white clouds drifting zily across the horizon.

  At the ter of the photo were two familiar little faces: Mew and Teddiursa. Both Pokémon looked adorably distressed, their eyes filled with . It seemed as though they had lost their way, unsure of where to find nd.

  Naoki chuckled at the sight. "Two poor little adventurers..." he murmured, amused yet ed.

  He remembered the st time these two had sent a letter—it was from the e Isnds. They hadn't mentioned any pns to leave, so Naoki was surprised to see them drifting far away from those sunny shores.

  He imagined what the e Isnds must look like: vast os dotted with tiny tropical isnds, scattered across the sparkling blue waters. It was clear that Mew and Teddiursa had gotten lost. Their worried faces told him they'd been searg for nd for some time.

  Curious to know how their little adventure unfolded, Naoki flipped to the sed photo.

  In the image, the setting was still the same—the endless o stretched as far as the eye could see. But this time, something had ged.

  Mew and Teddiursa were no longer floating in the air. Instead, they were perched happily on the back of a Lapras, gliding smoothly across the water.

  Ahead of them, a lush, tropical isnd came into view, its greenery trastiifully with the o's blue.

  Both Mew and Teddiursa had big smiles on their faces. It was clear they were thrilled to have finally found a pce to rest.

  Naoki smiled warmly at the sight. "Well, at least they found somewhere to settle down," he whispered to himself.

  Lapras had turs head toward the camera, its rge eyes glinting with kindness. Naoki could almost feel the warmth and friendship radiating from the Pokémon.

  "I wonder what those two said to Lapras," Naoki mused with a chuckle. "It must've been something sweet to get such a friendly look."

  Naoki couldn't help but feel relieved and happy that Mew and Teddiursa had found an isnd to call home.

  "You know," he murmured with a soft chuckle, "they really have a sense of adventure."

  He g the friendly Lapras in the photo, its kind eyes refleg the bond it shared with the little explorers.

  "Lapras..." Naoki whispered. "This Pokémon is rare these days."

  Lapras, often known for its gentle heart, had once faced the threat of extin due to illegal poag. But that seemed like a distant memory now. Thanks to servation efforts by Pokémon alliances worldwide, Lapras poputions had recovered, especially in the Alion.

  Naoki recalled hearing rumors about Alo's Beopution. "I guess overprote has made them a bit of a nuisahere," he mused with a wry smile. "Sions are drowning in Pokémon, while others barely have any to spare. Funny how that works."

  In the Paldea region, Pokémon like Dragonite were hard to e by, adding to the uniqueness of Naoki's experiences.

  ...

  After settling bato life on the ranaoki's days returo their familiar rhythm—tending the farm, basking in the warm sunlight, sipping tea, and pying with his Pokémon.

  The wild Pokémon he had rescued and nurtured gradually emerged from their past traumas, sloting to their peaceful new life.

  One bright m, Naoki decided to take them on a walk to the back mountain, where many of them had once lived. They had not returned sihe forest fire that ged their world forever.

  As they reached the mountain, they were met with a heartbreaking sight.

  The aftermath of the fire left the forest in ruins. Charred trunks stood bare, jagged and lifeless, like eerie bck sentinels. Ash bhe ground in a thick, powdery yer. Ohriving trees now y twisted and broken, and the vibrant greehat had once defihis pce was gone.

  The Wattrel, whose wings had finally healed, fpped its feathers and perched on a burned branch, l its head in sorrow.

  The Mino, with its bushy tail fully regrown, scampered up a few charred trees. It leapt from ourdy branch to another, searg in vain for familiar ndmarks.

  The Petilil and several Foongus stood silently. They remembered when this forest had been filled with life, vibrant grass, and t trees.

  All the Pokémon wore expressions of sadness, their once-joyful eyes clouded with sorrow at what had been lost.

  Naoki sighed, feeling the weight of their emotions. Then, he k beside them, gently brushing his hand through the ashy soil.

  "You know," he began with a warm, reassuring smile, "these ashes aren't just the remnants of destru." He held a handful of the soft, gray powder in his palm. "They're full of nutrients and trace elements that pnts o grow."

  Naoki's eyes softened as he addressed the fused Pokémon gathered around him.

  "These ashes," he expined gently, "will make the soil richer. Everything that was lost—the flowers, the trees—they'll nourish the earth and e back stronger year. Nature always finds a way to restart."

  The group of Pokémon seemed to listen ily, though a few still gnced around uainly. Naoki's words phe seeds of hope. He smiled, imagining how new buds would sprout from the charred forest.

  Among the Pokémon, Kricketuanding tall, seemed to catch the meaning of Naoki's words. Inspired, it raised its forelimbs like a seasoned ductor and began pying a haunting melody, characteristic of the species' emotional e to musibsp;

  The tune began low and somber, resonating with the sorrow of the burnt forest. But, like a wave gathering strength, it rose into an uplifting cresdo, filling the space with warmth and encement.

  Naoki stood in silent awe. The oroubled Pokémon around him perked up, enced by the melody. Their eyes grew bright, and their spirits lifted. They exged determined gnces—ready to rebuild their home, together.

  As Kricketune's final note echoed into the still air, appuse erupted from nearby.

  Naoki turo see a man with long hair approag. Slung over his shoulder was a guitar, and beside him slithered a Toxtricity, strumming its chest strings like aric bass.

  The man grinned, nodding appreciatively toward Kricketuhat's some real talent your Pokémon's got!"

  Naoki chuckled, shaking his head. "It's not mine. I took in these Pokémon after a fire burned down their home."

  The man listened quietly, his face softening at the story. "The fire must've been tough... But it's good to see kindness, even in hard times." He gave a cheerful bow. "I'm Bess, a traveling musi! I'm roaming the world with Toxtricity, chasing music wherever it takes me."

  Naoki had never met anyone quite like Bess before. "I'm Naoki," he replied with a friendly nod. "I run a ranearby. But... how did you end up here? This forest hasn't seen many visitors sihe fire."

  Bess shrugged, an easy smile spreading across his face. "I heard folks—people and Pokémon alike—were stu sadness out here. I thought maybe my music could lift their spirits a little."

  Naoki blinked, a bit taken aback by the stranger's optimism.

  Sensing his fusion, Bess added with a pyful wink, "Music speaks emotions—it carries sorrow, joy, excitement. Whatever you feel, musi reach others too."

  Kricketuwitched its antennae, clearly moved by Bess's words.

  Naoki smiled awkwardly, muttering under his breath, "Artists... They're a unique breed."

  Bess k down and g the Pokémon around them, an idea lighting up his face. "How about it? What do you say to a cert right here, right now?"

  The Pokémon exged puzzled looks.

  But Kricketune's eyes sparkled with excitement.

  Seeing the se unfold, Naoki thought for a moment and then smiled. "Alright, let's head to my ranch!"

  "Thank you so much, Mr. Naoki!" Bess beamed with excitement, thrilled that someone was willing to enjoy his performance.

  Upon arriving at the ranch, Bess marveled at the peaceful surroundings, gng around with childlike curiosity. But soon enough, he shook off his distras and focused on preparing for the uping show.

  In the pasture, a row of Pokémoled on the soft grass, their i piqued. They sat in order from the tallest to the smallest, eagerly awaiting what was about to unfold.

  Naoki stood at the back with Koraidon, both watg the se with quiet curiosity.

  Ohe Pokémon were ready, Bess tossed a Poké Ball into the air and shouted, "Everyone, e on out!"

  In bursts of white light, aoxtricity and a Rilboom appeared by Bess's side. With his guitar slung across his chest, eyes full of passion, Bess raised a hand dramatically toward the sky.

  "Introdug… the Toxtricity Band! We're here to spread hope, joy, and music!" he announced with fir. "Everyone, let's hit it!"

  As soon as the words left his mouth, Rilboom smmed his wooden drum with fervor.

  "Bam, bam, bam, bam!"

  The deep, rhythmic beat of the drum reverberated through the pasture, followed by the buzzing bass lines of the two Toxtricitys. Their electric sounds filled the air, blending with the strum of Bess's guitar and his enthusiastiging:

  "Let's go!

  Let's keep moving!

  Travel the world, let the music flow!"

  Koraidon wi the racket, letting out a small groan.

  "Raao…"

  Naoki pihe bridge of his nose. "…Ah."

  It wasn't that Naoki didn't appreciate the effort—it was just that, well, music wasly his thing. A gnce around the pasture firmed his suspis: the Pokémon wore expressiing from mild disfort to ht fusion, except for Kricketune, who ositively beaming. Its antennae waved in time with the music, as if it had found its life's calling.

  Seeing the mixed reas, Bess faltered, and the music trailed off. Rilboom lowered his drumsticks, looking sheepish, and the Toxtricitys scratched the backs of their heads with awkward grins.

  Bess let out a sigh, his previous energy noened. "I k… I just 't seem to get it right."

  The Toxtricitys gave sympathetic hums, and even Rilboom looked crestfallen.

  Naoki walked over to him. "Hey, are you alright?"

  Bess looked at Naoki with gratitude and said, "Thank you so much for listening to our performanaoki."

  He scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "But I don't think I'm ready yet… Holy, I've even made Pokémon faint with my music before. I guess I'm not even half-baked as a musi… more like raw dough."

  Naoki struggled for a response, a hesitant pliment. "Uh… Well, your performance just now was full of passion."

  Bess's eyes lit up. "Really?"

  Naoki: "…Uh…"

  Seeing Naoki's forced smile, Bess chuckled. "You're a kind soul, Naoki."

  He straightened up with a renewed grin. "But it's fine! A dream you easily reach isn't a dream at all! Even if no one likes us, we'll keep going, because we're the one and only Toxtricity Band!"

  Rilboom gave ahusiastic "Bam! Bam!" on his drum, punctuating Bess's statement.

  At that moment, a melodic hum echoed from nearby.

  Naoki auro see Kricketune, swayily, emitting a soothing, musical hum.

  Bess blinked in surprise. "Wait… You liked our performance?"

  Kricketune gave an affirmative chirp, "Driii~!"

  Bess beamed. "Thank you, Kricketune! You've got real talent! If you're willing, I'd love to have you join my band."

  Kricketune's antewitched iement, and it gave another enthusiastic chirp.

  Naoki smiled as an idea popped into his mind. "Kricketune, do you enjoy pying musibsp;

  The Pokémon nodded cheerfully.

  "How would you feel about joining Bess's band and traveling with him?" Naoki asked gently.

  Kricketune chirped with joy, clearly delighted by the idea.

  Bess looked stunned and then g Naoki in disbelief. "Wait… Are you serious?"

  Naoki nodded. "Kricketune's only been stayiemporarily. If pying music with you will make it happy, then that's what matters. Will you take good care of it?"

  Bess gave an eager nod. "Absolutely! I'll take care of Kricketune like family!"

  Naoki handed Bess a Poké Ball. "Alright, go ahead and catch it."

  With a fsh of light, Kricketuered the Poké Ball, which rocked twice before clig with finality.

  Bess grinned from ear to ear. "It accepted me!"

  Releasing Kricketune from the ball, Bess gave a small bow. "Kricketune, let's do our best together!"

  Kricketune chimed happily, "Drii~!"

  At lunchtime, Naoki invited Bess to join him for a meal at the ranbsp;

  After their meal, Bess prepared to leave. He stood at the gate with Rilboom, the Toxtricitys, and Kricketune by his side, ready to tinue his musical journey.

  "Thank you for everything, Mr. Naoki," Bess said early. "I promise to take good care of Kricketune."

  Naoki smiled. "By the way, where's your stop?"

  Bess thought for a moment. "I'm heading to Kosaji Town, and then on to Casseroya Lake in the north."

  Naoki gave a thoughtful nod. "I've heard that heavy metal rock is really popur in Spikemuth, over in the Gar region. You might find your audiehere."

  Bess's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Spikemuth? That sounds amazing! I'll definitely check it out!"

  Naoki gave him a reassuring nod. "Keep chasing your dream. I hope that the ime we meet, you'll be a famous band."

  Bess ched his fist iermination. "We'll give it everything we've got!"

  Kricketune added a melodic farewell, "Driii~!"

  With o wave, Naoki smiled warmly. "Take care, all of you!"