The home where Naoki had lived with his Pokémon for decades was silent, reduced to nothing but a crumbling old house.
Everyone… was gone.
The weathered traces of time told him clearly, many, many years had passed since his death.
Where was Koraidon? Where was Elara? Where was Sorin? Where had everyone gone?
'Wait, Giratina!'
Clinging to that hope, Naoki bolted toward the lake.
But when he arrived, his heart sank. The entrance to the Reverse World was sealed shut.
'Who could have done this? What had happened here?'
Naoki stood frozen, staring at the sealed gateway, his eyes blurring with unbidden tears.
'A chilling thought entered his mind. Could centuries have passed since he last stood on this earth?'
Had he returned to the wrong timeline, or even a parallel world?
And now, without Terapagos by his side, he had no way to travel through time again.
Despair weighed heavily on his chest.
Then;
A voice broke through the silence.
It was trembling, thick with emotion, but achingly familiar.
Naoki spun around, his heart pounding.
Not far behind him stood a figure he could never mistake.
Koraidon.
His Cyclizar. His partner. His family.
The setting sun bathed them in crimson light. The moment man and Pokémon locked eyes, their tears spilled freely, overflowing like a spring.
Just as Koraidon had missed Naoki, Naoki had spent what felt like tens of thousands of years missing Koraidon.
"Agas!"
Koraidon pushed its body to the limit, racing forward at blinding speed.
"Koraidon… Koraidon!"
Naoki's eyes burned with tears as he ran to meet it, throwing his arms around his partner in a fierce embrace.
"Agas…?"
Even then, Koraidon could hardly believe what it was seeing.
'Was this real? Or just another cruel dream?'
It didn't matter. As long as it could see Naoki again…
"No, Koraidon. This isn't a dream." Naoki pressed his forehead against Koraidon's, feeling its trembling frame. "I'm sorry… I'm so sorry, Koraidon. I came back too late."
"Ah… gah…"
Koraidon's eyes widened. And in that moment, it knew, this was no dream.
The legendary pokemon wept like a child, its voice echoing in heartbroken cries that carried across the empty ranch.
It buried its head against Naoki's chest, sobbing uncontrollably.
Naoki held it tightly, his own tears falling onto its scales.
It took a long while before Koraidon's shaking finally subsided. But even then, it refused to leave Naoki's side, clinging to him as if afraid he would disappear again.
"Ah… gah?" Koraidon's voice was soft now, asking where Naoki had been all these years.
"I…" Naoki brushed away the wet streaks on its face. "I went back to the past."
"Ah… gah?" Koraidon's eyes widened in shock.
"I saw you there," Naoki said gently. "I was with you the whole time. I saw you fight those fierce Paradox Pokémon. I saw you meet Flutter Mane. I saw the Terapagos send you back to the day we first met…"
Koraidon froze, staring in disbelief.
Naoki… had always been there? Watching? Protecting?
"Yes," Naoki said softly, his voice breaking with guilt. "I was always there. I couldn't return sooner, because the Terapagos needed my help. I'm sorry, Koraidon."
Koraidon lowered its head, tears streaming freely.
"Agassi?"
Naoki nodded. "Yes. They're safe now. And I'm back, Koraidon. From now on, we'll never be apart again."
"Agassi!"
Overcome, Koraidon pressed itself into Naoki's arms again, clinging to him as if never wanting to let go.
When the two finally calmed, Naoki stroked his partner's face and asked gently, "So, can you tell me what happened at the ranch… after I was gone?"
Koraidon nodded, its gaze heavy with sorrow. Then, with a trembling voice, it began to recount everything that had happened since the day Naoki left this world.
Including Elara and Sorin, and even Calyrex and Dragonite, who would sometimes return to the ranch to quietly remember Naoki…
"Dragonite…" Naoki whispered, wiping the tears from his face as he stood again.
"Agash?" Koraidon tilted its head, puzzled.
"Koraidon, it's time. Let's go back to everyone."
...
World Tree.
After a long expedition, Pawmot returned.
Perched high on the branches of the ancient tree, he held the faded red cloak Naoki once gave him. Memories washed over him, the day he first received it, Naoki's warm smile, the laughter they had shared.
Back then, everything had been so bright.
Now, his eyes blurred as he tried to hold back his emotions. The harder he resisted, the more the tears spilled. Finally, he buried his face in the cloak and sobbed openly.
"Bamo…!"
He missed Naoki so much.
Then, a familiar scent drifted through the air.
And in the next moment, he felt it, someone standing before him.
A voice, warm and steady, the voice he had yearned to hear:
"Crying your heart out isn't what a hero should do."
"Pamo?!"
Pawmot's head shot up.
There, standing right before him, was Naoki.
The little hero froze, too stunned to move.
Naoki chuckled softly, reached out, and patted his head. "Sorry for keeping you waiting, Pawmot. I'm home."
...
Dragonite Island.
Over the years, Dragonite had become the pillar of its island. It watched countless Dratini hatch, helped them grow into Dragonair, and guided the strongest among them as they evolved into Dragonite.
The little Dratinis loved to follow it, chattering and playfully tugging at its tail in hopes of making it smile.
But ever since Naoki left, Dragonite hadn't smiled once.
This day, it spread its mighty wings, preparing once again to fly toward the ranch where it used to see him…
It missed Naoki all over again.
But before it could take flight, it saw a sight that stopped its heart.
In the distance, Koraidon soared across the sky with Pawmot alongside him. And seated on Koraidon's back was a figure Dragonite would know anywhere.
Its eyes widened.
No… it couldn't be…
But when Koraidon landed and the figure leapt down to wrap him in a tight embrace, Dragonite froze in shock.
"Long time no see, Dragonite," Naoki said softly. "I'm back."
Dragonite's face twisted, blank disbelief breaking into an exaggerated expression.
Then, tears burst from its eyes as it let out a shattering cry.
"Awrrrgh!"
It seized Naoki with its massive claws and squeezed so tightly that Naoki's ribs protested.
"Cough...cough! Dragonite! You're… strangling me!" Naoki wheezed, flailing helplessly.
But Dragonite wouldn't let go.
"You're really going to choke me!" Naoki cried, laughing between coughs.
At last, Dragonite loosened its grip, blinking down with wide, tear-filled eyes full of both relief and lingering grief.
Naoki caught his breath, smiled, and patted its head just like the old days. "Alright. That's enough. I'm home now. And I'm never leaving you again."
...
Exploration Guild.
Here gathered Pokémon who had once traveled and battled at Naoki's side: Ogerpon, Alcremie, Indeedee siblings, Gogoat, Miltank, and Eeveelutions.
They had built their lives around this place, supporting one another after Naoki's passing.
But without him, their days had felt dull, as though all color had drained away.
Then, one afternoon, noise stirred outside, an unusual commotion.
"Boni?" 'What's going on out there?'
The Pokémon rushed to the entrance, curiosity sparking.
But when they saw the figure walking toward them, surrounded by Koraidon, Pawmot, and Dragonite, they froze in stunned silence.
It was… Naoki!
And then, as if sensing their presence, Naoki turned.
There before him stood Ogerpon, Alcremie, Indeedee siblings, Gogoat, Miltank, and Eeveelutions, and all the Pokémon who had once lived with him on the ranch.
A smile crossed his face. He gave them a small nod and said softly,
"Everyone, I'm back."
The next instant, the Pokémon surged forward, crowding around him in a tight circle as though afraid he might vanish again if they let go. Their cries of joy and relief filled the air, echoing through the guild.
Then, from the shadows, another figure emerged, Calyrex.
Its eyes locked with Naoki's, and for a long moment, trainer and Pokémon simply looked at one another. No words were needed. Their reunion spoke louder than anything.
Having gathered all his Pokémon once more, Naoki sought out Giratina and asked it to open the entrance to the Spirit World.
After much searching, Naoki finally arrived before the great Spirit Tree.
"Let's go home," Naoki whispered, his voice trembling as he looked upon the figure waiting beneath its branches, his wife, Iono, who had waited so long in this place.
His chest tightened with guilt. Not only had he left his Pokémon waiting for years, but he had also kept Iono waiting alone in the Spirit World.
Tears welled in Iono's eyes as she looked at him. But, just as she had so many years ago when they first met, she forced a playful smile and said,
"Hey, you! You really kept me waiting this time."
Naoki: "…"
Iono sighed, but her gaze softened. "Well… seeing you like this, I can tell you've been through a lot. I'll forgive you this time."
Naoki said nothing more. He simply stepped forward and pulled her into his arms.
For a long while, they stayed like that before finally parting.
"Where are Elara and Sorin?" Naoki asked quietly.
"I've seen Elara," Iono answered, her voice tinged with sadness. "I wanted her and Sorin to wait here with me, but Elara said they both had their own lives to live. Just meeting their parents again was enough for them."
Naoki's heart ached.
But then Iono added, "By the way, Elara left you a message."
Naoki's eyes widened. "What did she say?" he asked quickly, clinging to her words.
Iono repeated softly, "She said… 'I'm happy to be your daughter in this life. If there's another life, I'll be your daughter again.'"
Naoki's breath caught in his throat.
Scenes from long ago flashed in his mind, Elara as a toddler, toddling after him with unsteady steps, clutching his finger with her tiny hand; her small voice calling him "Daddy" for the very first time.
A tear slipped down his cheek.
Iono gently took his hand.
Naoki let out a long sigh.
"Alas…"
He closed his eyes. And when he opened them again, his expression had softened.
That was enough. Children have their own lives to live, their own blessings to find. Elara had grown up. Now, it was time to let her walk her own path.
"Let's go," Naoki said, squeezing Iono's hand as they walked together toward the Pokémon waiting for them.
Leaving the Spirit World behind, Naoki and Iono returned to the World Tree, settling into the home their Pokémon had built for them.
Koraidon, Dragonite, Pawmot, Alcremie, and every Pokémon of the ranch was there.
Together again, it felt as though nothing had ever changed.
By the 375th year of the League Calendar, the Pokémon world had transformed in countless ways.
But on that day, Naoki Ranch finally welcomed its long-awaited 276th year.