"Miraidon!"

  Dr. Turo called out firmly.

  Hearing its he Miraidon that had been floatihe cliff slowly turs head, fixing its gaze on the dire of the voibsp;

  Its expressionless fad cold, mae-like demeanave nothing away. It simply hovered is sleek, metallic body glinting in the sunlight.

  "It looks like it has a 'don't-approach-me' attitude," Naoki said, half-jokingly.

  Dr. Turo chuckled. "That's just how Miraidon is. While it doesn't outwardly dispy emotions like Koraidon, I assure you that its feelings are just as plex."

  "Kind of like a cool cat?" Naoki murmured, thinking aloud.

  The kind of Pokémon that keeps its distance, aloof and unapproachable, but might occasionally show affe if it trusts you. By trast, Koraidon was like aable golderiever, warm ahusiasti the start.

  Dr. Turo sidered the parison and smiled. "That's an apt way to describe it. Miraidon's more like an enigmatic felis mood shifts are subtle, and interpreting its emotions is no simple task."

  Naoki thought of his own Pokémon back at the ranch. His G had been simirly reserved when it first arrived, but over time, living with Alcremie, Pawmot, and the others had softes demeanor and made it more sociable.

  "e on," Dr. Turo said, gesturing for Naoki to follow. "Let's get closer."

  Naoki hesitated briefly. Miraidon's presence was imposing, and this wasn't the same approachable creature he'd seeed in Pokédex entries or stories. Its aura felt different—calcuted, almost predatory.

  But Dr. Turo was already several steps ahead, so Naoki quickly caught up.

  The two made their way along the winding mountain path leading to the cliff's edge. Miraidon remained where it was, its unblinking gaze following their every move.

  As they drew nearer, Miraidon first g Dr. Turo. Then, its glowing, lifeless eyes shifted to the unfamiliar human beside him.

  In that instant, its demeanor shifted.

  The fai flicker of something dangerous crossed Miraidon's face. Though it stayed still, floating in the same spot, its gaze sharpened as it assessed Naoki.

  Naoki felt a slight chill run down his spine.

  "It's looking at me, Doctor," he said, his voice low but steady, fully aware of Miraidon's intense focus.

  Dr. Turo offered a reassuring smile as he notiaoki's hesitation. "Don't worry, it's just being cautious because this is its first time seeing you. Give it a moment."

  With that, Dr. Turo turned his attention bairaidon, lifting his hand in a weliure. "Hello, Miraidon. Are you getting used to living here? This is my friend Naoki. He's a very skilled trainer."

  Miraidon didn't respond. It simply floated is gaze unging.

  Naoki decided to follow Dr. Turo's lead and gave a polite wave. "Hi, Miraidon! It's o meet you!"

  For a moment, the futuristion remained silent, its glowing eyes fixed on Naoki. Slowly, its wary expression softened, its posture rexing ever so slightly.

  It seemed Miraidon had reached a clusion: This human was no threat. Weak and unimposing, he posed no danger nor i as petition.

  Finally, Miraidon opes mouth a out a sound.

  "Raew…Raeww."

  Naoki's eyes widened in disbelief. Did he hear that correctly?

  This was Miraidon's voice?

  That adorable, almost kitten-like cry ing from such a sleek and imposing Pokémon?

  'It was… cute! Incredibly cute!'

  Notig Naoki's stunned expression, Dr. Turo couldn't help but chuckle. "See? pared to a Koraidon, Miraidon from the future has a certain charm, don't you think?"

  Naoki was at a loss for words. How was he supposed to pare them? Koraidon and Miraidon both had their own unique appeal.

  Sensing Naoki's internal dilemma, Dr. Turo sighed dramatically. "What a shame! This very debate—whether future Pokémon or a Pokémon are more captivating—is the cause of endless arguments between Sada and me. She insists that a Pokémon are more charming, while I firmly believe the future ones have the edge. I 't tell you how many nights I've been bao the study because of it!"

  Naoki blinked, unsure whether he should ugh or feel awkward about hearing this personal ae.

  Dr. Turo smiled warmly, his tone light-hearted despite the topic. Miraidon seemed to have fully rexed now, its earlier suspi repced by calm curiosity.

  Dr. Turo nodded, clearly pleased. "It seems Miraidon has accepted your presenaoki. I knew you'd be good at this."

  Naoki exhaled a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding, feeling a small sense of aplishment. However, before he could reply, a loud roar echoed from the entrance of the ecological park.

  "Ah, gah!"

  Both Naoki and Dr. Turo turned quickly toward the source of the sound. Approag from the entrance were Dr. Sada, Koraidon, and Flutter Mane.

  Dr. Olin sighed in frustration. "This one insisted on ing after hearing that Naoki was going to see Miraidon. I couldn't stop him no matter what."

  Koraidon locked eyes with Miraidon, its gaze filled with distrust. A momehe wing-like appendages on its head fred outward, and it stomped the ground with its powerful legs, ung itself toward Naoki's position.

  Miraidon, notig the sudden movement, turs attention fully toward Koraidon. Though its meical face showed no obvious emotion, the surgiric currents that began crag across its sleek body betrayed its iension.

  Miraidon was on high alert. It instinctively felt threatened by this unfamiliar Pokémon, preparing for a frontation.

  "Calm down, Miraidon! This isn't an enemy!" Dr. Turo quickly called out, trying to diffuse the growing tension.

  Koraidon, nding in front of Naoki, positioself protectively between him and Miraidon. Its golden eyes gleamed with resolve, and a low, guttural growl rumbled from its throat.

  "Raaaooo!"

  It was obvious that Koraidon harbored reseoward Miraidon. After all, it bmed Miraidon for being ily responsible for its separation from Naoki and its traumatic jourhrough the time mae.

  Koraidon harbored no goodwill toward this seemingly ing and insidious Pokémon.

  'Was it truly about to fight Miraidon?' Naoki's chest tightened as the tension grew. He quickly called out, "Koraidon, stop!"

  Before Naoki's plea could reach it, Miraidon had already floated to a higher vantage point, positioning itself for battle. Its electric circuits crackled ominously, casting a vibrant glow across the cliffside.

  Reizing Miraidon's strategic move, Koraidon's patienapped. The primal instincts it had honed in the wild, brutal world of aimes surged to the surface. With a thunderous roar, it uself at Miraidon, its powerful legs propelling it forward with incredible speed.

  In an instant, Miraidon unleashed a massive surge of electricity. The dense current lit up the entire ecological park, arcs of lightning brang out like a spiderweb. The energy surged toward Koraidon, but it remained uerred. Its eyes locked on Miraidon, ign the jolts of electricity c through its body, and with ah-shaking leap, Koraidon closed the distance.

  With immense force, Koraidon nded a devastating punch squarely on Miraidon. The impact disrupted the electric current enveloping Miraidon's body, sending it hurtling downward into the valley below. The ground quaked as Miraidon's body struck the earth, leaving a massive crater in its wake.

  But Miraidon was far from defeated.

  From within the swirling dust and debris, a sudden burst of electricity erupted. Miraidon soared upward with a deafening crackle. Its blue pupils glowed an ominous red as its power surged to new heights, arcs of electricity sparking wildly across its sleek, metallic frame. The air grew heavy with tension as Miraidon's energy intensified.

  Fixing its crimson gaze on Koraidon, Miraidon shifted forms, its streamlined body bristling with renewed ferocity. Dazzliric beams shot from its core, illuminating the entire area as it surged forward, aiming to pierce through its oppo.

  Koraidon, unfazed by the overwhelming dispy of power, charged head-on to meet Miraidon's attack. The collision seemed iable.

  When the distance closed, Miraidon shed out with cws crag with electricity, aiming for a decisive strike. But Koraidon, with the precision and strength of a seasoned warrior, seized Miraidon mid-air. Sparks flew as Koraidon's cws dug into Miraidorified frame, ign the current flowing through its own body.

  "Koraidon!" Naoki's voice echoed, but it was drowned out by the chaos.

  With a roar, Koraidon delivered a series of brutal puo Miraidon's head, sending it flying backward. Miraidon crashed into the valley floor once more, the impact shaking the very grouh them.

  All of this happened in mere seds—too fast for Naoki or Dr. Turo to intervene.

  Dr. Sada gasped audibly, her eyes wide with disbelief. "How… how is this possible?"

  Naoki, equally stunned, stared at Koraidon, his thoughts rag. 'Is this my Koraidon? Is it really this strong?'

  Miraidon, now sprawled on the ground, showed hesitation for the first time. Its body trembled slightly, its previous bravado repced by apprehension. As Koraidon took slow, deliberate steps toward it, Miraidon shrank bastinctively, retreating as much as it could.

  "Koraidon, stop!" Naoki shouted, sprinting toward his Pokémon.

  Dr. Turo acted quickly, rushing to Miraidon's side with a Poké Ball in hand. He recalled Miraidon into the safety of the ball just as Koraidon came to a halt, its goldeill burning with iy.