The scorg sun cast its golden light over the ranch, and the air carried the warm embrace of a summer breeze.

  Naoki stood beside Gstrier's stable, enjoying the refreshing ess of the shade. His gaze was fixed on a Farfetch'd dartiween wooden training dummies in the pasture.

  The Farfetch'd held its signature leek firmly in its right wing, its eyes narrowed in tration. Every fiber of its being was focused.

  With a deep breath, it began its routine.

  It stepped forward—stance firm, movements calcuted. In the blink of a transformed into a streak of white light, rushing forward with precision and power.

  "Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"

  A series of rapid strikes echoed through the ranch. The oanding wooden dummies, already worn from tless training sessions, split ly in half, each piece falling to the ground.

  As the streak of light faded, Farfetch'd came to a halt, its back turo the shattered remains of the dummies. It sheathed its leek as if it were a bde, every motion deliberate, exuding the aura of a seasoned swordsman.

  Naoki couldn't tain his amazement.

  "Pah-pah-pah!"

  He cpped enthusiastically. "Your swordsmanship is gettier aer!"

  'Could it be', Naoki wondered, 'that in its tinuous cycles of practid reevaluation, Farfetch'd had reached a deeper uanding of its teiques?' He was struck by the thought: 'It's actually possible to grow this much?'

  Farfetch'd turo faaoki, its expression proud yet humble, and nodded slightly. "Farfetch'd ."

  It then g the leek in its wing, its demeanor shifting to one of frustration and ption.

  Naoki noticed this ge immediately and raised an eyebrow curiously. "Something wrong with your leek?"

  As any seasorainer khe leek was an integral part of a Farfetch'd's identity and survival. Wild Farfetch'd were known to guard their leeks fiercely, battling other Pokémohe best ones. A sturdy leek could st years, while weaker ones withered quickly, often leading to fierpetition among wild Farfetch'd.

  Farfetch'd waved its leek and responded with a soft "Farfetch'd ," but its dissatisfa was evident.

  Naoki studied the Pokémon closely. Over time, this Farfetch'd had undergone signifit ges since arriving at the ranch. Proper nutrition and rigorous training had made it stronger and rger than ever before. However, this growth had res once-reliable leek ie—too small, tile, like a child's toy in the hands of an adult.

  Naoki couldn't help but wonder: What would Farfetch'd do now?

  After lunch, Farfetch'd approached Naoki with a determined look in its eyes. Clearly, it had something important to say.

  Naoki grabbed a piece of transtion seed crisp, popped it into his mouth, and listetentively as Farfetch'd began to speak.

  "Farfetch'd !" (Naoki, I'm leaving!)

  Naoki blinked in surprise but quickly realized what this was about.

  Farfetch'd tinued, its voice steady and resolute: "Farfetch'd, Farfetch'd !" (This leek isn't suitable for me anymore. I o go out into the world and find ohat fits. Thank you for everything you've done for me.)

  Naoki's heart sank, though he tried not to show it. "You're leaving to find a better leek?"

  Farfetch'd nodded, its expression serious.

  Naoki hesitated, then asked, "Don't you want to stay araining? There are still advanced sword teiques you could master."

  Farfetch'd shook its head. "Farfetch'd ." (I've tried many times, but those teiques don't resoh me. Perhaps that kind of power isn't meant for me.)

  It paused, then added, "Farfetch'd, Farfetch'd ." (But I've made incredible progress in perfeg my own teiques. I've takeo a level I hought possible.)

  Naoki sighed. He had seen this ing, yet hearing it still stung. "I see…"

  Looking at the Farfetch'd standing before him, so resolute and ready to veo the unknown, Naoki felt a pang of sadness. He had grown attached to this determined Pokémon.

  After a moment of silence, he asked, "Do you even know where to find a suitable leek?"

  Farfetch'd tilted its head slightly. "Farfetch'd." (I'll figure it out. A Farfetch'd always knows where to look for what it needs.)

  Naoki couldn't help but smile at its fidence. Yet, an idea suddenly struck him.

  "What if…" Naoki began, "what if I grow a leek garden here on the ranch? I pnt seeds and grow a variety of leeks for you to choose from. That way, you wouldn't o leave."

  Farfetch'd blinked in surprise, clearly caught off guard by the suggestion. "Farfetch'd?" 'I that possible?'

  Naoki nodded fidently. "Of course! I might even be able to cultivate a special variety of leeks—ohat are tougher and more powerful than anything you could find in the wild."

  Hearing this, Farfetch'd looked genuinely moved. But there was also a flicker of doubt in its eyes. Why was Naoki doing so much for it? Why was he being so kind?

  "Quack?" (Why?) Farfetch'd asked, tilting its head in fusion.

  Naoki caught its unspokeion and smiled warmly. "Because I want you to stay here on the ranch with us. If I grow leeks for you, you won't have to ve into the forest to search for them. You keep training here, surrounded by your friends."

  Farfetch'd blinked, its gaze softening. Naoki's words tugged at its heartstrings.

  Once, Farfetch'd had been nothing more than a solitary Pokémon in the wild. It spent its days practig swordsmanship beh waterfalls, far removed from panionship. At the time, it hadn't thought much of the lonely lifestyle. But now? The idea of returning to that existence felt unbearably dull.

  If I stay on the ranch…

  Farfetch'd gnced over at the two Indeedee siblings who worked tirelessly to take care of everyone. Each day, they brought it a ptter of fresh berries and watched over it like g brothers.

  Just then, the siblings looked over, as if sensing Farfetch'd's thoughts.

  The elder Indeedee, the brother, nodded solemnly, his calm demeanor reassuring. His younger sister, however, waved cheerfully and chirped, "Indeedee-dee!"

  Farfetch'd lowered its head, deep in thought.

  After a moment of quiet refle, it looked up at Naoki and nodded firmly. "Farfetch'd !" (I'll stay!)

  "That's the spirit!" Naoki beamed, reag out to gently pat Farfetch'd on the head. "Let's head to town noick up some leek seeds for yarden."

  Farfetch'd quacked happily in agreement, its gratitude shining through.

  Naoki smiled as he grabbed his keys. Luckily, the afternoon was free, and he could get started on building a proper leek garden. Not only would the leeks be excellent ons for Farfetch'd, but they could also be used in some of his favorite dishes—like green onion pancakes.

  He stepped outside and hopped into his pickup truck, motioning for Farfetch'd to join him. As he started the ehe sound of fpping wings made him gnce up.

  Dragonite had returned.

  Naoki's expression darkened. "Look who decided to e back. Do you even know what time it is?"

  Dragonite nded hesitantly, its head drooping under Naoki's sharp gaze. "Awooo…" (I'm sorry…)

  Naoki raised an eyebrow. "And where are Ogerpon and Butterfree?"

  Dragonite quickly rummaged in its delivery bag, pulling out several Poké Balls. With a series of fshes, Ogerpon, Butterfree, and Cyclizar appeared.

  Naoki stepped out of the truck to ihem, sing eaon carefully. Once he firmed they were all safe and unharmed, he let out a quiet sigh of relief.

  Without another word, he climbed bato the driver's seat, fixing Dragoh a stern look. "We'll talk about this when I get back."

  And with that, Naoki drove off toward town, leaving a small cloud of dust in his wake.

  The Pokémo behind exged uneasy gnces.

  Butterfree and Cyclizar looked particurly worried, their antewitg and tail flig nervously. Ogerpon, who was usually cheerful and bold, hung its head.

  Dragonite shifted awkwardly, guilt etched into every feature.

  It was clear the Pokémo like children who had been caught misbehaving.

  Ogerpon, Cyclizar, and Butterfree stayed in pce, waiting anxiously for Naoki to return.

  Meanwhile, other Pokémon on the ranch, such as Pawmot, G, and Alcremie, who hadn't seen them all m, came running over to che the situation.

  Dragoill burdened with guilt, wandered off and found Koraidon. It shuffled nervously before asking in a hushed tone: "Awoo, awoo, awoo?" (Do you think Naoki is really mad?)

  Koraido out a long sigh, clearly unimpressed. "Raao…" (What do you think?)

  ....

  Naoki, meanwhile, drove to Kosaji Town, stopping at the Hugh Seed Shop to purchase a batch of green onion seeds.

  On the way back, he g the Farfetch'd sitting quietly in the passenger seat, and a thought crossed his mind: 'If Farfetch'd's swordsmanship improves even further, it might really be the ranch.'

  Trimming the wool of a Wooloo was always a tedious task. Maybe, with its precision and speed, Farfetch'd could help with shearing.

  Naoki's imagination started to wander.

  He pictured Farfetch'd standing in the middle of a pasture, holding its leek like a seasoned swordsman. It would eye a group of Wooloo with a cold, calg stare.

  Then, with a subtle movement, it would raise its leek. A fsh of white light would follow, and suddenly, a pletely shorn Wooloo would stand there, bleating shyly, while its wool drifted gently to the ground.

  "Pfft!" Naoki couldn't help bursting into ughter at the mental image.

  Farfetch'd turs head toward him, its expression puzzled. "Farfetch'd?" (What's so funny?)

  Naoki smiled. "Farfetch'd, have you ever tried shearing wool?"

  Farfetch'd tilted its head in fusion. "Farfetch'd?" (Shearing wool?)

  Naoki crified, "It's the process of trimming the wool off a Wooloo. If their wool grows too long, it get unfortable for them, so we o cut it back regurly. With your swordsmanship, I think you'd be perfect for the job."

  Farfetch'd blinked as it processed this, imagining a group of fluffy Wooloo in its mind. It nodded fidently. "Farfetch'd." (I do that.)

  "Really?" Naoki was surprised by its enthusiasm.

  Farfetch'd puffed out its chest and patted itself with its free wing. "Farfetch'd!" (Leave it to me!)

  ...

  Naoki turned off the trud stepped out with Farfetch'd at his side.

  Wheurned around, he was greeted by the sight onite, Cyclizar, Ogerpon, and Butterfree standing in a row, looking like children waiting to fess their misdeeds.

  Naoki's stern expression softened slightly. He popped a piece of transtion seed crisp into his mouth, walked toward them, and asked, "Do you all know what you did wrong?"

  Dragonite lowered its head, its eyes filled with guilt, and mumbled: "Awoo…" (I shouldn't have run off without permission.)

  Naoki sighed and turo Cyclizar. "And you?"

  Cyclizar straightened slightly and replied, "Gaaao." (You shouldn't do dangerous things without thinking it through.)

  Naoki then shifted his gaze to Ogerpon and Butterfree.

  Butterfree flitted nervously, its antewitg. "Fwee…" (I messed up.)

  Ogerpon looked at Naoki's expression, trying to gauge his mood before speaking carefully. "Pon… Pon-Pon!" (We knoere wrong, Naoki! Please don't be mad! We won't ever do it again!)

  Naoki pced a hand on her forehead, shaking his head in exasperation.

  "I'm not mad because you went out," he said.

  The Pokémon looked up at him in surprise, their eyes widening.

  Naoki tinued, his tone firm but uanding. "The problem is that you snuck out without telling anyone. You must let me know before you leave the ranch. For example, if you'd told me you wao visit Dragonite Isnd to py with the other Dragonite, I would've let you go. In fact, I'd even paacks for you to share with them."

  "But if you leave without telling a makes everyone worry. Do you uand?"

  Seeing that Naoki wasn't truly angry, the Pokémon nodded early, signaling their uanding.

  Naoki waved a hand, dismissing their worries. "Alright, I'm sure you're all starving after being out all night. Go find your siblings and ask them to get you something to eat."

  "Awooo!" Dragonite cheered, rushing forward to hug Naoki before bounding off happily.

  But just as it reached the edge of the pasture, it stopped abruptly, as if remembering something. Turning back, it rummaged through its small bag arieved an object, hurrying back to Naoki with excitement.

  Curious, Naoki extended his hand, and Dragonite carefully pced something into his palm.

  "What's this?" Naoki asked, tilting his head.

  He looked down to find a jet-bck scale resting in his hand. The scale shimmered faintly with a mystical luster, its surface cold and smooth to the touch, yet hard as steel.

  Dragonite hopped excitedly, expining, "Awooooooo!" (It's the scale Rayquaza gave us! Rayquaza said we use it to call for it, and it'll e py with us!)

  Naoki froze, staring at Dragonite in disbelief. "Wait, what did you just say?" he asked, his voice tinged with shock.

  Dragonite blinked ily, tilting its head before repeating its expnation with the same enthusiasm.

  Naoki's heart pounded as he processed the words. He stared at the shimmering scale in his palm, uo tain his amazement. "This… this is a scale from Rayquaza? You actually found it?"

  Ogerpon excimed excitedly, "Poni-Poni!" (Rayquaza is su amazing Pokémon! It talked to us for a long time and even showed us its special moves that it used to defeat Groudon and Kyogre!)

  Cyclizar's face lit up with admiration. "Gaaao!" (Yeah!)

  Butterfree fluttered enthusiastically and nodded. "Freifreei!" (That's right!)

  Naoki stood there, speechless. "…"

  His first thought was, 'How bored must Rayquaza be to spend aire night and m chatting with these Pokémon'?

  But then ahought struck him, filling him with awe at Dragonite's incredible luck. First, Dragonite had stumbled across Kyogre in its uer ir. Then, after hearing about Rayquaza's legendary feats, it had goo find the Sky Pokémon and somehow established a bond with it.

  What a streak of fortune.

  Naoki's mind wandered, pting the possibilities. 'What if I introduce endary Pokémon tonite'?

  Suddenly intrigued, Naoki turonite and said, "How about I tell you the legend of Arceus ? Maybe you go and find Arceus too!"

  Dragoilted its head, clearly perplexed. "Awoo…" (What?)

  Naoki quickly shook his head, chug at the absurdity. "No, no, Arceus is probably still asleep in another dimension."

  'What about Ho-Oh and Lugia'? Naoki pohinking of the legends surrounding the Rainbow Hero and the majestic sea guardian. The idea onite f es with them felt like a dream, albeit an unrealistie.

  As his gaze fell ba the dragon scale in his hand, Naoki recalled the feathers of Zapdos and Lugia he'd once seen. An amusing, albeit questionable, idea popped into his head: What if I grind this dragon scale into powder and make it into food for the Pokémon?

  However, as he looked at Dragonite, he quickly dismissed the notion. This scale wasn't just a material object; it was a tangible symbol onite's newfound bond with Rayquaza. Destroying it for a ary experime wrong.

  Besides, Rayquaza had specifically mentiohat the scale could be used to summon it. Naoki couldn't help but imagine what would happen if Rayquaza found out its token of friendship had been turned into seasoning.

  Best-case sario? Rayquaza gets offended and blocks Dragonite. Worst-case sario? It shows up and starts bsting Hyper Beams at us.

  Naoki shuddered at the thought. After a moment of deliberation, he hahe dragon scale back toh a firm instru. "Keep this safe. It's important."

  Dragonite accepted it carefully, cradling the scale in its cws. "Awooo?" (Really?)

  Naoki's lips curled into a mischievous grin as an amusing thought crossed his mind. "Oh, aime you run into Kyogre, if it decides to pick a fight again, you use this scale to call Rayquaza for backup."

  .....

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