Naoki Ranch, 7 p.m.

  It was already te, and after a joyful reunion dinner with the Pokémon, everyoled into their evening routines.

  Sister Indeedee went to open the Pokémon Tavern, ready to greet the Pokémon visitors who came daily for a bit of rexation and pany. Brother Indeedee handed Naoki a stack of postcards and a few uems.

  Naoki looked through the postcards and found they were sent by Teddiursa and Meostcard had a picture on the front and their little paw prints on the back. It looked like they had captured ses of new Pokémon and ndscapes they had entered on their journey.

  The items included a glitteriar fragment, a heart-shaped scale, a strange-looking bone, and a solid rock. Clearly, Teddiursa had gathered these using its "Pickup" ability.

  Naoki set the postcards and tris aside, pnning to read through them more thhly as bedtime stories. For now, though, he had a few tasks to take care of.

  First on his list was to thaw the fresh grass harvested in autumn and prepare it into grass dumplings. The batch he'd made before he left had beeirely eaten by the three Gogoats, so it was time to make a new supply.

  He mixed the grass with dough, pced it in a pot, a to steam.

  While Naoki was busy, the other Pokémon gathered in the living room or scattered around the cozy house. Occasionally, he'd catch a glimpse of Alcremie and Pawmot pyfully rag up and dowairs.

  With the nightfall, the temperature outside dropped quickly, and Naoki khat no Pokémon would want to be out in the cold when there was a warm, well-lit house with a crag firepce, plus an endless supply of fruits and snacks inside.

  Naoki smiled, cheg on the grass dumplings. He set the timer and adjusted the arm, which would go off ohe dumplings were ready.

  While he waited, Naoki prepared a few cups of his favorite sweet bck tea from Kitakami. He brought the tea back to the living room, pg one cup in front of Calyrex, who was resting on the sofa, and awo cups in front of Sinistea and Polteageist.

  After drinking that cup of bitter bck tea on the boat, Polteageist had remained downcast, without a trace of a smile.

  Seeing this, Naoki decided to offer it a fresh cup of tea.

  "Care for ary?" he said, pushing two cups of sweet bck tea in front of Sinistea and Polteageist.

  The two Pokémon stared down at the tea.

  Sinistea floated forward, happily abs the tea. A momehe cup was empty, and it let out a tented sigh, visibly cheered by the sweet fvor.

  It was clear this tea was just to Sinistea's taste.

  Beside it, Polteageist gazed down at the tea with the lid banced on its head, seeming a bit unsure. After a moment, it let out a small sigh.

  Naoki raised an eyebrow. "Hmm?"

  Just then, two curious little faces peeked out from uhe table—Pawmot and Alcremie, each with a look of encement.

  Alcremie beamed and chirped, "Mree!" (Naoki's tea is really tasty! It's sweet!)

  Pawmot nodded with enthusiasm. "Pawmot, Pawmot!" (Yeah, give it a try!)

  Polteageist looked at the two Pokémon, sensing the warmth and friendliness in the room. It was a far cry from the lonely, dusty warehouse it had once called home.

  With a small, determined shake of its head, Polteageist seemed to make up its mind. It reached out with two delicate hands, picked up the tea, and poured it carefully into itself.

  A moment ter, Polteageist's form swelled slightly, brimming with tea, and a small drop of purple tea spilled onto the table.

  Polteageist looked a bit flustered, but Naoki simply smiled, grabbing a cloth to wipe it up. "No worries, we'll just it up."

  As it looked at the g human and friendly Pokémon around it, Polteageist's once-downcast expressihtened. Its eyes sparkled, and it let out a joyful little sound, "Ho~!"

  "Feelier now?" Naoki asked.

  Polteageist gave a happy nod, the sadness from before now gone.

  Calyrex, watg from nearby, smiled warmly. "It's amazing that a Pokémon's mood be lifted so simply by a cup of tea. Even in all my years, I've never seen anything quite like it!"

  Naoki chuckled in agreement. "Yes, it's quite magical. How about you, Calyrex? Would you like to try some? I'm curious if this tea suits your taste too."

  The King of Bountiful Harvests nodded and took the cup of tea, sipping it elegantly.

  After sav it, he smiled gently, "This is delightful. I quite enjoy the taste."

  "Gd to hear it!" Naoki grinned, watg Calyrex with admiration. He couldn't help but imagine a se—Calyrex sitting gracefully in a field of flowers uhe warm sun, enjoying a peaceful afternoon tea.

  Naoki thought, 'It would be even more perfect with a slice of grass cake alongside. Afternoon tea paired with a grass cake dessert sounds just right.'

  Recalling that Calyrex is a Grass-type Pokémon, Naoki thought about the grass dumplings and grass cakes he'd developed before. He realized that these treats could not only strengthen Calyrex's Grass-type moves but also boost the Grass-type energy within him.

  And with Calyrex's influehere could be amazis when cultivating crops—just like the enormous watermelon he'd grown before.

  He also wondered if Calyrex's pht help speed up the growth of the ranch's World Tree, a tree that would normally take 100,000 years to mature.

  But that would have to wait until another day. For now, Naoki had a lot to prepare.

  For example, building separate stables for Spectrier and Gstrier and creating special fields in the ranch, using the power of Calyrex and the two horses to make snow-covered fields and spectral areas to grow Ice Carrots and Shade root Carrots, the horses' favorite treats.

  While deep in thought, he heard the arm go off.

  Naoki quickly headed to turn it off, then opehe pot to find his freshly steamed grass dumplings ready.

  He called over Koraidon, handing it a small basket of dumplings. "Could you help me deliver these to the Gogoats?"

  "Raao!" Koraidon agreed enthusiastically, trotting off with the basket in tow.

  Naoki took two soft, round grass dumplings auro Calyrex. "Would you like to try these? I made them especially frass-types."

  Calyrex lowered his head, looking at the green dumplings on the por pte with i.

  In the moment, a soft blue gloeared around one of the grass dumplings.

  The dumpling floated gently into the air, guided by the light, and nded in front of Calyrex. With a delicate motion, Calyrex caught it, took a small bite, and began to chew thoughtfully.

  After a moment, his eyes widened in astonishment.

  'This food… it actually tained a trace of natural energy!'

  Was it just his imagination?

  He took another nibble to be sure.

  'No, it was real.'

  He could clearly feel a trace of natural energy merging into his body! 'How could this be possible?'

  Calyrex looked at his little believer with a mixture of surprise and curiosity.

  Seeing his expression, Naoki grinned. "You feel it, 't you?"

  Calyrex nodded slowly. "Yes, there's a hint of natural energy within this food. How did you mahis? No, I think I already know the answer from looking at you."

  Naoki nodded. "It's something I do—I bring out the potential in food, giving it different effects, like rest energy, healing, or even helping to uand new moves."

  Hearing this, Calyrex looked pleasantly surprised and then gave a slight nod, quickly accepting the expnation.

  "You truly are a remarkable follower! To hold su ability… nature must have chosen you. I am so proud of you!"

  Naoki chuckled, feeling a bit bashful. "Maybe it's not that impressive."

  It seemed Calyrex might be overestimating his skills just a bit, but Naoki decided to let it be, returning the king's smile with one of his own.

  At that moment, Koraidourned with the basket. Naoki took it, thanked him, and headed back to the kit to up for the evening.

  After finishing his tasks, Naoki couldn't help but yawn. He'd been on the go for several days, and now, feeling a bit worn out, he g the clock: it was already nine in the evening.

  He wao head to bed but remembered he e a pce for Calyrex to rest.

  "By the way," Naoki asked, "do you have any particur p mind for sleeping?"

  Calyrex gave a gentle shake of his head. "No particur preference. You go ahead a. I'd like to take a look around outside, and I'll find a spot to settle in afterward."

  Since he was here to stay, Calyrex wao explore the rand get a feel for the nd and its surroundings.

  "Alright, if you need anything, don't hesitate to call for me," Naoki replied.

  With a warm nod from Calyrex, Naoki bid him goodnight. Turning to the other Pokémon, he said, "I'm heading to bed, so feel free to keep pying!"

  "Raao~!" Koraidon, who was lounging on the carpet, responded enthusiastically.

  Naoki gnced around, looking for Pawmot, but guessed it must have gone upstairs to py with its friends. Giving up on his usual bedtime cuddle with it, he picked up the postcards and little trieddiursa had sent back from its travels ao his room.

  He pced the letters by his bed and headed to the bathroom to get ready for bed.

  ...

  Meanwhile, Calyrex floated outside, surveying the peaceful, moonlit ranch from above.

  He noticed Spectrier blending into the shadows and Gstrier standing proudly in the field, sn softly.

  He saw a brightly lit little house bustling with activity, where Pokémon were gathered, happily drinking and chatting.

  In a nearby gss greenhouse filled with blooming flowers, several Bug-type Pokémon were dozing, their eyes closed in peaceful slumber.

  He saw Pokémoled in cozy wooden s he orchard, sleeping soundly.

  And then, in a fenced enclosure, he saw three Gogoats happily mung on grass dumplings near a feeding trough.

  Calyrex felt a surprising energy radiating from these Gogoats, which caught him by surprise.

  Curious, he watched the Gogoats as they fiheir meal and made their way over to a small sapling. They y down around it, drifting off to sleep. With his keen senses, Calyrex saw a faint, natural energy emanating from the sapling, nourishing the three Gogoats as it circuted gently among them.

  "This is…"

  ...

  Baside the cozy living room, several Pokémon had gathered around Sinistea and Polteageist, who floated tentedly in the air, joining the weling crowd.

  Dragonite cpped joyfully. "Awoo~" (Wele to the family!)

  Following Dragonite's lead, the other Pokémon joined in with weling cheers:

  "Dolliv~"

  "Bui~"

  "Gaah~"

  "…"

  Sinistea and Polteageist felt the warmth and friendliness radiating from everyone around them, and it was clear they were wholeheartedly weled.

  The two Pokémon looked a bit overwhelmed, especially Polteageist.

  It had been alone for a very long time, living in isotion.

  One day, the teapot it called home cracked, f it to set out in search of a new shelter.

  Eventually, it stumbled upon a warehouse filled with old antiques.

  There, it found a beautiful, antique teapot that felt just right, so it moved in.

  One year passed, then two…

  Over time, Polteageist began to feel the weight of loneliness. Wishing for panionship, it poured a bit of its own esseo a matg antique teaearby.

  And so, Sinistea was born.

  But Sinistea was quiet and a bit shy, not oo speak much.

  Together, the two Pokémon stayed in the dim, dusty warehouse for many long years, until a human discovered them ahem to a trainer named Naoki.

  Initially, Polteageist felt anxious about what might lie ahead.

  But as they journeyed with Naoki, it saw the care he showed, personally brewio refill its body. Though the tea was a bit bitter, it drank it gratefully.

  That bitter tea had mirrored the sadness in its heart, and us influence, Polteageist found itself once again reminded of its lonely days.

  Seeing its downcast expression, Naoki had sensed something was wrong and made it another cup, this time a sweet, delicious bck tea.

  Drinking it, Polteageist felt the lingering sadness wash away. The world seemed brighter, warmer, and its heart felt lighter.

  Now, not only did it feel physically warm, but the kindness and friendship from those around it filled its heart with a warmth it hadn't felt in ages.

  After a moment of disbelief, Polteageist and Sinistea let out happy cries.

  "Polteageist!"

  "Sinistea!"

  Polteageist swayed joyfully in the air, with little musiotes of happiness appearing above its head.

  A magical aura spread throughout the room, and the Pokémon below looked up at Polteageist floating merrily, their eyes lighting up in delight.

  Eaon took a berry from somewhere and began to nibble, holding their own little tea party alongside the cheerful Polteageist and Sinistea.

  Inside, Naoki, who had just finished his shower, heard the lively sounds of the Pokémon and thought they might be arguing. Curious, he opehe door to check.

  But instead of a quarrel, he saw a heartwarming se: a group of Pokémon gathered by the warm firepce, happily holding a berry tea party.

  Seeing this heartwarming se, Naoki stood there, momentarily stunned.

  "A tea party…?" he thought, reizing it as the exclusive move of Polteageist. Known as Tea time, this move could only be used when Polteageist was truly happy, inviting other Pokémon to join in fathering filled with berries and treats.

  "This is truly a beautiful move," Naoki whispered to himself with a smile.

  He chose not to approach, knowing this was a moment for the Pokémon to enjoy together. Just then, Koraidon trotted out of the room, looking curious.

  Naoki leaned down and whispered, "Why don't you joioo?"

  Koraidon gave Naoki a happy lick, then dashed over to the firepce, eager to reuh its Pokémon friends.

  Watg Koraidon join the group, Naoki felt his heart warm. He returo his room, sat on the bed, and pulled out the postcards Mew and Teddiursa had sent from their travels. He sorted through them with quiet delight.

  The first postcard showed a group of Clefairy gathered around a campfire under a full moon, seemingly engaged in some kind of ritual. Teddiursa peeked into the shot with a grin, proudly holding a small fragment of a star it had picked up.

  "Are these Clefairy from Mount Moon?" Naoki wondered, examining the star fragment that Teddiursa had sent. It sparkled gently, an unmistakable match to the fragment in the photo.

  The sed postcard dispyed a range of majestiow-covered mountains.

  "Could this be the famous Mt. Silver?" Naoki mused. "Have Mew and Teddiursa traveled all the way there?" He smiled, imagining the pair expl such distant nds.

  The third postcard depicted a toug se with a e and Marowak, each holding a bohe young e was reag out, one of the boo Teddiursa as a token of friendship.

  "Looks like Mew and Teddiursa helped the Marowak and e somehow," Naoki thought. "And ust have gifted them the bone in gratitude."

  The fourth postcard shoarkling ke, with a stunning Pokémon moving gracefully across the water in the sunlight.

  "That's… Milotiaoki realized, his eyes widening with admiration. Known as one of the most beautiful Pokémon in the world, Milotic was a rare sight. Even through the photo, he could feel the Pokémon's radiant preses scales shone like rainbows uhe sunlight, their colors vibrant and enting.

  Naoki held the photos close, smiling as he thought about the adventures his Pokemon were having. The ughter of the Pokémon still echoed from outside, filling his heart with peace as he settled in for the night.