"San the Judgment! That was Arceus's signature move Judgment attack!"

  Naoki took a sharp breath, stunned by the sheer power. Alcremie had somehow mao use Arceus's signature move through pure luot only Naoki but the Pokémon watg nearby were equally shocked.

  They looked up at the night sky, where the streaks of red-tailed light passed overhead, reflected in their wide eyes.

  After the attack, the ranch was left with more than a dozen deep craters, though fortunately, the damage was limited to an open area without affeg the rest of the ranch.

  The watg Pokémon stood frozen, their jaws practically dropping. How could this seemingly delicate Alcremie have unleashed such a terrifying move?

  Even Alcremie herself didn't have an answer. She stood there, wide-eyed, staring at her own tiny hands in disbelief. Was that incredible power really hers?

  Naoki broke the silence, asking, "Want tain?"

  Alcremie blihen nodded eagerly, waving her fingers once more to use Metronome.

  This time, as the rich white light enveloped her, a thick beam of destructive energy shot forward, straight into one of the craters left from before. The grass evaporated iense light, turning to dust and leaving a barren path across the wn.

  Naoki's mind raced as he reized the move. "Hyper Beam," he thought to himself. A general-type move with a power of 150.

  "S!" Naoki excimed, impressed by the strength of Alcremie's moves. "Unfortunately, the effects of the pumpkin cookies are temporary. They only st for about ten minutes."

  "If only the effect erma..." Naoki mused, recalling all the dishes he'd made since arriving in this world. So far, the only dish with a perma effect had been the Lucky Pudding he made for Teddiursa before.

  'Could the effects of pumpkin cookies bee perma, like the lucky pudding?' The key seemed to lie ihiion. The emotion he poured into the food as he made it…

  "Pah, pah, pah!"

  Indeedee, standing nearby, cpped happily for Alcremie. It had successfully mastered the Metroeique, and the power of the moves she performed was incredible.

  Alcremie's face flushed slightly at the praise from her gentle mentor, feeling both proud and a little bashful.

  Naoki chuckled and asked, "How does it feel? Are you happy now?"

  "Mree!" (Yes!) Alcremie nodded enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling.

  Naoki thought for a moment before adding, "Actually, rather than fog oo-head battles, I think you're better suited for supp other Pokémon in battle."

  Alcremie tilted her head in fusion. "Mree?" (Support?)

  Naoki smiled and expined, "For example, when the Naclstack evolves intanacl, you could ride on their shoulders during battle."

  He tinued, "The Garganacl be the main attacker, while you support it with moves like Decorate, Aromatic Mist, Aromatherapy, Helping Hand, and Baby-Doll Eyes."

  He listed off the bes of each move: "Decorate will boost Garganacl's Attad Special Attack, Aromatic Mist will raise its Special Defense, Aromatherapy heal any status ditions, and Helping Hand will increase the power of its attacks. As for Baby-Doll Eyes, it will lower the oppo's Attack."

  Naoki grinned, finishing with, "I like to call this bination the 'Gundam Tactics.'"

  Alcremie's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Mree!" (That sounds amazing!) This was a whole new way of thinking, one she had never imagined before.

  Seeing this se, Naoki khat Alcremie was touched.

  "Okay, it's gettiime to go bad rest!" Naoki said gently.

  "Mree!" Alcremie returo her usual i and lively self.

  Indeedee headed to the tavern to eain the Pokémon from the town.

  Pawmot and G also followed, eager to join in the fun.

  Naoki, meanwhile, took Alcremie back to the cozy living room.

  After making sure Alcremie was settled in her favorite spot, Naoki went to che Cyclizar's tail injury.

  "How are you feeling? Does it still hurt?" Naoki asked with .

  Cyclizar wagged its tail slightly, fog on the sensation: "Gaoo~" It didn't seem to be in pain anymore.

  "Good to hear it doesn't hurt anymet some more rest. I still have some things to take care of," Naoki replied.

  Cyclizar nodded obediently, curling back up to sleep.

  Satisfied with Cyclizar's recovery, Naoki headed to the cream workshop on the sed floor, where he began preparing ingredients for another batch of pumpkin cookies.

  He had been thinking about how to put more emotion into his cooking, hoping to extend the effects of the pumpkin cookies.

  But emotions… they're something you 't see or touch, a mysterious force that makes things feel special.

  Naoki closed his eyes for a moment, recalling all the moments he shared with Alcremie.

  The first time they met, when Alcremie and Smoliv looked at him curiously, unsure of what to think.

  The way Alcremie's cheerful personality blossomed over time as she grew fortable around him.

  How she'd taken on the role of a big sister, helping to care for the five Naclstaon and pying with them.

  Their first time making a cream cake together.

  The summer evenings spent by the river, watg fireflies together.

  Their peaceful life together, from the vibrant spring days whehing was in bloom, to the calm autumn as the leaves turned golden.

  And Naoki imagihe future—the two of them growing older, sitting by the firepce, reminisg about these very moments. Alcremie curled up beside him, as they looked back at all the beautiful memories they had shared.

  With a deep breath, Naoki opened his eyes, now filled with determination.

  "It's time."

  Naoki opened his eyes and, with emotions flowing through him, began to make the sed batch of pumpkin cookies.

  Thirty mier, with a soft ding, the oven sighat it was done.

  Naoki pulled out the baking tray and checked the information about this batch of pumpkin cookies.

  [Pumpkin Cookies (A): Made from pumpkins grown on the farm, these cookies are infused with the maker's emotions, creating a warm, homey dessert.

  Cooking Effect: Lucky Level 3. After being ed by a Pokémon, the ce of indug abnormal states from moves like Sleep Powder, Hypnosis, Stun Spore, and Ice Beam is signifitly increased. When using the move Metrohe odds of nding powerful moves are greatly enhanced.

  Effect duration: 1 hour.

  ents: A delicious cookie made to celebrate a bountiful harvest, rumored t good fortuo Pokémon.]

  "Still not quite there, huh?" Naoki muttered to himself, though he wasn't too disappointed.

  He had expected it. The emotioried so hard to summon still felt a bit forced. They didn't have the same effortless flow as when he had made something special for Baby Bear in the past.

  Perhaps he would achieve it when something truly meaningful happened—like if Alcremie were setting off on a journey, or during another special occasion.

  Even so, this improved batch had a much stronger effect.

  The "Lucky" level graded from Lv. 2 to Lv. 3, enhang the ce of indug abnormal states from moderate to signifit. The duration was also exteo a full hour.

  It was definitely useful.

  At the very least, Naoki thought, Alcremie could carry a small pouch of cookies a one whenever she o maximize the effeetronome.

  ---

  The m, after finishing breakfast, Naoki received a call from Mrs. Dantes.

  He answered the phone and heard her familiar, gentle voice.

  "Naoki, I still don't know Cyclizar's exact measurements. Do you have a tape measure? If you could measure its height and waist circumference, a me know the size of the tire-like structure on its chest, that would help a lot."

  Naoki suddenly remembered the coat for Cyclizar. "Ah, I pletely fot! I'll measure it right away and send you the details."

  Mrs. Dantes chuckled. "No rush, dear. I'll be waiting at home."

  After hanging up, Naoki found the tape measure he had bought earlier, which was tucked away iility room on the sed floor. He theo find Cyclizar, who was lounging fortably.

  With a fused look on its face, Cyclizar watched as Naoki began measuring its height, waist circumference, and the size of the tire-like air sa its chest.

  "Gaoo?" Cyclizar tilted its head, unsure of what Naoki was doing.

  Naoki: " I am measuring your height to see if you've grown taller."

  Hearing this, Pawmot ran over, eagerly waiting for Naoki to measure him too.

  "Alright, o a time, line up!" Naoki said with a smile.

  Pawmot immediately stood behind Cyclizar, his little paws fidgeting with excitement.

  Koraido out a creaking noise and stood behind Pawmot, his massive frame t over the others.

  Seeing this, Sister Indeedee happily joihe lineup, her eyes twinkling with excitement.

  She g her brother, who stood nearby, hesitating. His face was flicted, clearly wanting to join but trying hard to maintain his image as the calm, mature butler.

  "Ai-ah…" sighed Sister Indeedee, rolling her eyes pyfully, befrabbing her brother's arm and dragging him over.

  Naoki noticed and couldn't help but ugh out loud at the sight.

  Brother Indeedee immediately put on a stern expression, doing his best to look posed and adult-like, though his embarrassment was clear.

  While measuring Cyclizar's waist, Naoki chuckled and said, "Your brother's been like this since he was little. He had that exact same face when I first met both of you."

  The two siblings seemed to remember the moment.

  Back then, Naoki had visited, bringing them some delicious snacks.

  Sister Indeedee nodded, smiling at the memory.

  Brother Indeedee, meanwhile, blushed slightly, recalling how, after Naoki left, he'd been caught with his face full of crumbs from the snacks.

  Naoki found their personalities quite amusing. "Holy, your brother is still pretty adorable. He may act all grown up, but he's still just a little Indeedee not even a year old, always trying to look so mature."

  Brother Indeedee's face turned even redder.

  Sister Indeedee couldn't help but ugh.

  "But," Naoki added warmly, "even though I tease him, your brother is really reliable. Thanks to him, I take it easy now. Before you two came along, I was so sed with work, that I barely had time to finish everything!"

  Hearing this, the two Indeedees' eyes softened.

  They both felt Naoki's genuine gratitude and as they sensed his emotions through the small horns on their heads, a warm energy spread through their bodies.

  Feeling that gratitude, Sister Indeedee beamed with happiness. "Ai-ya!"

  Brother Indeedee gave a slight nod, still maintaining his posed demeanor, though his eyes sparkled with appreciation. "Ai-yi."

  "Alright!" Naoki said cheerfully, having finished measuring Cyclizar. He patted its head and looked at the eager Pawmot in line. "Your turn now!"

  "Pawmot!" Pawmot chirped, running up excitedly, standing tall and puffing out his little chest, ready for his turn to be measured.

  Naoki measured Pawmot's height and smiled, "Well, it's 1.1 meters tall. That's orong Pawmot!"

  Typically, a Pawmot's size ranges from 0.7 to 0.9 meters, but Naoki's Pawmot was quite rge for its species.

  "Pawmot!" Pawmot cheered, feeling proud, and then stepped aside for the Pokémon.

  up was Koraidon, who required Naoki to look up.

  Naoki climbed onto the sofa and measured Koraidon in its bat form. "Hmm, 2.6 meters… Incredible! You're the tallest Pokémon on the ranch!"

  Koraidon puffed up with pride: "Raao!" It also sidered itself the most powerful Pokémon.

  Naoki chuckled, uanding the look in Koraidon's eyes. "Yes, yes, you're the stro. Now you please move aside?"

  "Raao!" Koraidon was so excited that it licked Naoki with a big, sloppy tongue.

  Naoki winced, wiping his face. "It smells like fried pork chops. Go get me a cup of tea to rinse my mouth!"

  Koraidon, looking a bit defted, hung its head sadly and trotted off to fetch tea from the fridge.

  was Sister Indeedee's turn. Naoki gently patted her furry head before taking her measurements.

  "Alright, 0.8 meters tall. You're perfectly healthy!" Naoki smiled. "But you're not even a year old yet, so I bet you'll grow even taller."

  Sister Indeedee beamed with happiness, "Ai Ai~"

  Finally, it was Brother Indeedee's turn, standing there with a stern expression, looking quite serious.

  "Rex, don't be so nervous," Naoki reassured him as he took his measurements. "0.9 meters—taller than your sister by 0.1 meters. You're also perfectly healthy. Alright, height measurement's done, you all go py!"

  Brother Indeedee, feeling relieved that Naoki didn't tease him, quickly fled the se. He grabbed a broom from somewhere and busied himself with housework, still trying to maintain his posed demeanor.

  Naoki watched, amused. "Well, alright, I won't tease him."

  He put the measuring tape away and decided to leave the house to the two Indeedees for now. It was time to visit Mrs. Dantes, so he went outside to find Dragonite.

  As he prepared to leave, Naoki noticed something curious.

  In the grassy field nearby, Alcremie was busy using its magical cream to decorate a fort made from Naclstack. The creamy decorations made the piles of salt look like pyful, giant cats.

  Naoki watched in amusement.

  "That must be Frosty's exclusive move, Decorate," he thought.

  In the Pokémon games, Decorate is a Fairy-type move that boosts a partner's Attad Special Attack by two stages, making it a fantastic supportive ability.

  It seemed like Alcremie had really taken Naoki's words to heart from st night.

  After a few moments, Naoki smiled and turonite. "Alright, let's head to Mrs. Dantes's house!"

  "Awwooo!" Dragonite responded cheerfully, fpping its wings as it took off, carrying Naoki towards the distant town of Kosaji.