"This... This is incredible!" Lono murmured.
Naoki grinned: "Right? Sometimes I find it unbelievable too, but building a sanctuary for Pokémon without violence or oppression, undisturbed by humans, has always been my dream."
"A truly great dream!" A glowing light shimmered in Lono's eyes.
Naoki then took Lono to the house Pokémon had built for him and said to Lono:
"The Pokémon built this house to thank me. In a few decades, we can move here to the World Tree forever with the Pokémon."
As Naoki spoke, Lono gazed at the small house ahead, imagining a scene decades later of herself and Naoki, with heads full of grey hair, living peacefully here with the Pokémon.
Lono felt sweetness in her heart like eating honey: "By then, we'll both be old."
At this moment, Lono made a decision in her heart.
From now on, she would protect the World Tree alongside Naoki, safeguarding the Pokémon on the World Tree!
"Even if we're old, don't worry. As long as you want to be with me, not even death will separate us." Naoki said.
Upon hearing this, Lono was slightly stunned: "Eh?"
Naoki asked: "Have you heard of the Spirit Realm?"
"Spirit Realm..." Lono shook her head truthfully.
"From what I know, when all creatures in this world pass away, their souls leave their bodies and go to the Spirit Realm. As long as they don't reincarnate, their souls will exist forever." Naoki said.
Upon hearing this, Lono immediately understood what Naoki meant.
"In that case, we can always be with Bellibolt and Koraidon." Naoki said.
*
This year, so many things happened that it disrupted many of Naoki's plans.
He initially intended to spend winter at a ranch in the Alola Region with the Pokémon, but for various reasons, he ended up staying in the Paldea Region.
However, it's not a big deal. As long as Koraidon and the others, and also Lono are there, it's home to him no matter where it is!
After returning from the World Tree, Naoki began urgently preparing today's New Year's Eve dinner.
Because of the sheer number of Pokémon, Naoki and Lono remained busy until the afternoon.
By evening, it began snowing heavily outside.
Amidst the heavy snow, Naoki received New Year greetings from everyone in the town and nearby ranchers. Mrs. Dante even made him a new piece of clothing upon learning of his upcoming marriage.
Naoki sat on the sofa, surrounded by Pokémon, reviewing the letters sent by the townspeople.
Beside him, Lono looked at the New Year's greetings and couldn't help but say: "Everyone in the town is so nice!"
Naoki nodded with a smile: "Yes, they are!"
At that moment, a knock sounded from outside.
Naoki got up to open the door and saw a little boy wearing a furry hat and thick clothing, resembling a Beartic, standing at his door with a basket.
Beside the boy was a Cyclizar, who happily handed over the basket when he saw the door open and said:
"Mr. Naoki, Happy New Year! My grandpa asked me to bring this to you!"
Naoki recognized the child. It was Mayor Thomas's grandson. He quickly took the basket and invited him: "It's warm inside, come in!"
However, the boy immediately shook his head, eagerly saying: "No, no, my mom is making delicious snacks for me, I want to go back and eat them. Goodbye, Mr. Naoki!"
With that, the boy rode on Cyclizar, waved goodbye to Naoki, and left the ranch.
Naoki helplessly carried the basket; there's quite a distance between the ranch and the town.
In winter, the roads are icy, especially now with heavy snow falling. Although most Pokémon stay home to rest this season, some Pokémon may attack passersby due to hunger.
He was somewhat worried about the child returning alone, so he discreetly sent Pawmot to follow and escort the child home.
"Paw!"
Pawmot patted its chest, promising to safely escort the child home, and quickly followed.
"Whose child is that?" Lono asked.
Naoki closed the door and replied: "Mayor Thomas's grandson, came to deliver something."
Opening the basket, Naoki saw some warm snacks, and some snacks that Cyclizar liked.
"That kid is so cute!" Lono couldn't help but say.
"We'll have that someday." Naoki said with a smile.
Lono blushed suddenly, though she did not deny it.
A child... Is she really about to become a mother?
"When the time comes, I'll have him inherit my ranch, and we'll retire together with the Pokemon to the World Tree." Naoki said, sitting on the sofa.
Lono mentioned gently: "Nowadays, young people rarely stay in the countryside as ranchers."
How can that be? This ranch has been his hard work all lifetime!
If he's gone and the child doesn't want to inherit, won't this place be deserted again?
The thought of the ranch he and the Pokemon worked so hard to develop falling to ruin weighed heavily on Naoki.
"Don't worry!" Lono giggled: "Who knows what will happen in the future! It's too early to think about these things now!"
Naoki: "..." Never mind, let's talk about it then!
After finishing the letter, unknowingly, night had fallen.
The sky outside grew darker, the wind howled, but inside the house was warm.
Slugma's heat flowed into every corner of the house through the heating ducts.
The Eevees were frolicking around the house, Alcremie stayed in the kitchen providing delicious cream for Naoki, Bellibolt and Pawmot exchanged electricity with each other, Cyclizar lounged comfortably in front of the fireplace, enjoying the pre-dinner time.
Urshifu sat upright on the sofa, with Koraidon opposite it, squinting at this Pokemon, curiously wondering what Naoki liked about it.
Urshifu was quite uncomfortable being stared at by Koraidon, luckily Naoki came over carrying dinner at that moment.
"Time to eat!"
Urshifu breathed a sigh of relief and quickly got up to help Naoki serve the dishes.
Koraidon: "!!!"
Not willing to be outdone, Koraidon rushed over to join in on helping.
Just as Naoki placed the New Year's Eve dinner on the table, he turned around to see this scene.
"..."
After all these years, Koraidon was still the same, jealous of Cyclizar at first, now jealous of Urshifu.
"Alright, stop playing, it's time to eat! After eating, we're going to set off fireworks!"
Upon hearing fireworks, the group of Pokemon immediately became attracted.
Could they set them off themselves?
Naoki nodded: "Of course, if you know Fire-type moves, you can use Ember on the fuse to light the fireworks, then—you'll see them explode in the sky."
"Pawmo..." Hearing this, Pawmot felt troubled, as it couldn't use Ember or other Fire Type moves.
"If you can't, you can find a Pokemon that can use Fire-type moves to help!" Naoki suggested.
"Pawmo!" Pawmot instantly had an idea and thought of its good friend Slugma!
Meanwhile, Flareon proudly nodded, indicating yes, it's the Pokemon Naoki referred to that could use Fire-type moves, able to help other Pokemon set off fireworks!
Jirachi visiting the ranch immediately thought of Ho-oh, Ho-oh is also a Fire Type Pokemon, it can definitely help set off fireworks!
But is there time to find Ho-oh now? What if they haven't returned and Naoki sets off the fireworks without them?
Thinking this, Jirachi anxiously reminded Naoki: "Naoki, make sure to wait for me to come back before setting off the fireworks!"
Naoki was a bit surprised: "Hmm? Where are you going?"
Jirachi answered: "Ho-oh is a Fire Type Pokemon! Jirachi is going to the World Tree to invite Ho-oh over!"
Upon hearing, Naoki was shocked.
What?! Using Ho-oh's Sacred Fire to light fireworks, isn't that a bit too over-the-top?!
Lono, nearby, was also quite surprised.
Ho-oh? Isn't that the Legendary Pokemon worshipped by people in the Johto Region?!
However, Jirachi happily shook its head, saying:
"It's okay! Ho-oh told Jirachi before that it really likes watching fireworks! So Ho-oh will definitely be happy to do it!"