Cyclizar is sunbathing on the grass.
Naoki came up to it and tentatively asked, "From last night to now, have you felt any part of your body change?"
"Gah-ow?" Cyclizar looked puzzled, as if it didn't understand.
Naoki explained, "For example, running faster, becoming stronger..."
Upon hearing this, Cyclizar carefully sensed its body, then shook its head blankly.
"Strange..." Naoki couldn't help but ponder.
Could it be that the birthday cake had no effect? No, that's impossible.
Recalling his thoughts from yesterday, a bold guess suddenly formed in his mind.
That is, the birthday cake increased Cyclizar's species strength, enhancing its species limit!
If that's the case, then it might take a long time before the changes become apparent.
Just like the Pikachu among the Pikas, now Cyclizar is undoubtedly a special Cyclizar.
"All six species strengths increased, wow, that's a bit terrifying!" Naoki muttered.
This is just the first year; what if he gives Cyclizar a birthday cake every year from now on?
For instance, if the birthday cake increased each species strength by 1 point, then it's 6 points in a year.
Ten years would be 60 points, thirty years would be 180 points, and thirty years later Cyclizar's species strength would be 681, nearing the Creator God Arceus's 720.
"Gah-ow?"
Cyclizar noticed Naoki's excited expression, looking even more puzzled.
Naoki came back to his senses, chuckled and patted its head, explaining, "Nothing's wrong; I just realized the joy of nurturing. Cyclizar, you'll become a great Pokémon in the future."
Upon hearing this, Cyclizar immediately straightened up proudly, like a child who has been praised.
It will work hard! It will protect Naoki in due time!
In a daze, Naoki seemed to see the shadow of Koraidon on Cyclizar.
He remembered that when he praised Koraidon, Koraidon had the same proud expression.
"Birds of a feather flock together; Cyclizar must have learned from Koraidon," Naoki thought.
*
Three days later, Wattrel's wing fully recovered, and Naoki bid farewell to the ranch Pokémon, preparing to head to the Paldea Giant Pit with Koraidon, Dragonite, and Pawmo.
He stood in the ranch and bade farewell to the Pokémon.
Cyclizar, Alcremie, Naclstack, and other Pokémon all wore expressions of reluctance.
Especially Cyclizar.
It had grown up so much, yet never left Naoki for such a long time.
Seeing this, Naoki looked helpless: "Indeedee will take good care of you. I'm just going out for a few days and will be back soon."
Cyclizar's eyes were already brimming with tears.
"Be good," Naoki stepped forward to pat Cyclizar's head; this child loves him so much.
Cyclizar felt downcast: "Gah-ow..."
"Next time, next time I go out, I'll definitely take you with me, okay?" Naoki promised.
Incidentally, he plans to visit the Galar Region in winter, and then Cyclizar can accompany him on a spontaneous snowfield journey.
"Gah-ow..." Though a bit displeased, Cyclizar nodded in agreement.
"Good kid." Naoki pointed at the batch of unripe pumpkins in the field, saying to Cyclizar, "I'll be back when the pumpkins in the field ripen. You have to keep an eye on them; don't let the wild Pokémon eat them secretly."
"Gah-ow." Cyclizar responded, looking at the pumpkins in the field, and remembered these words.
"Alright, it's getting late; we should head out."
Naoki stood up, returned Dragonite and Pawmo to their Poke Balls, then rode on Koraidon's back and waved goodbye to the Pokémon.
"Goodbye!"
"Ayee!"
"Mama!"
"Meah!"
"..."
When Koraidon's figure could no longer be seen in the sky, the Pokémon slowly looked down dejectedly.
Without the backbone of the ranch, although everything seemed unchanged around them, they still felt a void inside.
Indeedee Sibling looked at everyone's downcast mood, feeling an unprecedented sense of responsibility.
From today on, all these Pokémon will be under their care!
Cyclizar thought about the words Naoki said.
The day the pumpkins in the field ripen… But when will the pumpkins in the field actually ripen?
Being a simple Cyclizar, it didn't know such things.
After pondering for a while, Cyclizar found Brother Indeedee and asked, "Gah-ow? (When will the pumpkins in the field ripen?)"
Brother Indeedee kept a serious, tight-lipped expression, resembling a little adult.
Hearing this, it was confused for a second, then suddenly realized it didn't know the answer either.
The pumpkins ripening in the ground…
Brother Indeedee carefully recalled Naoki's previous scene of harvesting pumpkins, then answered:
"Ayee." (When they turn orange, they are ripe.)
What color is orange? Cyclizar did not understand.
Brother Indeedee thought for a while, found a pumpkin lantern Naoki had carved before, and pointed at it saying to Cyclizar, "Ayee." (It's this color.)
"Gah-ow." (Oh.)