Counting it carefully, this trip had only taken two days. Silas had originally thought it would drag on for three or four more, so this could be considered finishing ahead of schedule.
"Miraidon, you can go a bit faster."
Glancing back at the setting sun, Silas leaned forward and wrapped the two Charcadet tightly in his arms.
"Mirai~"
In response, Miraidon accelerated even more. The howling wind roared past his ears, and the scenery below rapidly blurred backward. Only when they were about to reach the ranch did Miraidon finally slow down, descending like a supersonic fighter jet and landing steadily at the ranch gate.
"Mirai!" (Silas, we're home.)
"Yeah, thanks for your hard work."
Silas reached out and gently stroked Miraidon's cool metallic body, pressing his forehead lightly against it in a gesture of affection. Only then did Miraidon's normally expressionless electronic eyes narrow happily and slowly transformed back to its Cyclizar form. It liked Silas the most.
"Come out too, Toedscool."
With a toss, three Poké Balls flew forward. "We're at the ranch now. This is where you'll be living from now on."
"Scool!!!" (A big grassland!)
The Toedscool trio immediately fixated on the wide, neatly trimmed pasture. They looked like they wanted to run laps right away. They loved it. With such a vast field, they could run as much as they pleased. Their satisfaction with the ranch soared instantly.
"Stop staring over there, you three. Come on in."
Opening the ranch gate from the inside, Silas casually checked the mailbox and found a letter inside, which he slipped into his pocket before leading the Pokémon toward the ranch house.
Along the way, he introduced the buildings one by one. What surprised him was that not a single Pokémon was in sight.
Normally at this hour, Cinccino and Jigglypuff would be performing in front of the house. Their noise level was so high that even John and the others fishing at the winter lake behind the hill would be driven back home.
Well, it conveniently gave them an excuse for another day of catching nothing.
Honestly, Silas had to admire their persistence. Day after day of catching nothing, yet they kept going. If it were him, one empty day would be enough to make him have Kangaskhan and the others drain the lake dry.
"Cyclizar, go find Cinccino and the others. You five, come inside with me first. It's getting chilly with the sun going down."
Cyclizar saluted playfully and ran off toward the deeper parts of the ranch.
Silas led the Pokémon inside, inviting them onto the sofa. He grabbed some snacks from the fridge and turned on the television.
Shiny Charcadet sat quietly, though her blue eyes still darted around curiously. This would be their home from now on.
The normal Charcadet, after getting permission, wandered around the living room restlessly. It could not sit still.
And then it bumped straight into a freshly awakened Rowlet.
Both Pokémon ended up with bumps on their heads.
"Are you alright? Let me rub it for you."
Silas quickly stepped forward to help Charcadet up. But just as he reached for Rowlet, the little guy suddenly widened its eyes in shock.
"Rooowl!" (Silas is back, he's back!)
Then it flapped its wings and shot out of the house like a bullet.
"What are you running for? I've only been gone for two days. Did you already forget me?"
Question marks practically popped up around Silas's head as he shook it helplessly.
"Never mind. Charcadet, let me apply some medicine."
So the group sat together on the sofa watching TV. They waited and waited. One episode ended, but Miraidon and the others still had not returned.
Silas stood up, deciding to go find them himself.
The five little ones immediately looked at him.
"I'm going to look for Cyclizar. Do you want to come?"
"Charca." ×2
"Scool~" ×3
Both Charcadet and the three Toedscool nodded eagerly.
Putting on a coat and grabbing a flashlight, Silas headed out. A Charcadet walked on each side of him, while the Toedscool followed behind.
They first went to the stables, but Mudsdale and the sheeps were not there. Then they checked the berry orchard, where they only found five Chikorita sleeping soundly in their nests. Silas quietly backed away.
"Not here either? Where could they have gone?"
Frowning, he muttered to himself and walked toward the garden across the lake.
Before he got close, he ran into two Psyduck. Upon seeing him, they immediately blocked his path, tilting their heads and clutching their own heads while staring at him.
"Psy?"
"Next time, next time. I didn't bring any Oran Berries today."
Silas spread his hands and tried to walk past them.
But after only a few steps, the Psyduck waddled ahead again and blocked him once more.
"Seriously, I told you I didn't bring any. I'll compensate you double next time, okay?"
Slightly annoyed, Silas knocked each of them lightly on the head.
"Psy…Duck!"
Their slow reaction kicked in after more than ten seconds, and only then did they feel the pain. They immediately started spinning around him while clutching their heads, tears pouring out like a broken faucet.
Silas fell silent.
He understood now. These two were clearly stalling for time.
Borrowing some dried fruit from the Toedscool, he stuffed it into their beaks, then signaled the Toedscool.
Six tentacles wrapped around the Psyduck, binding them tightly.
With the obstruction gone, Silas continued forward.
Just as he reached the garden entrance, another Pokémon suddenly jumped out to block him.
"Brion~"
A cute little sea lion wearing what looked like a white dress spun in place, proudly showing itself off.
"Brionne!!!"
Silas rushed forward in three quick steps and picked it up.
"When did you evolve? How did this happen so suddenly?"
There was no mistake. This Brionne was his Popplio.
"Brion! Brion~?" (Just today! Silas, am I pretty?)
"Very pretty, very cute."
Pinching its red nose, Silas rubbed his cheek against it.
The evolved Brionne was noticeably bigger, with two braids on its head. Its red clown-like nose had not changed at all.
"Brion Brion~"
"No need, no need. It's getting dark. We won't be able to see your dance clearly. Show me tomorrow."
Silas refused without hesitation. This little one was obviously stalling too.
"Brion!"
Not suspecting anything further, Silas held Brionne in his arms and continued into the garden.
If nothing unexpected happened, all the Pokémon should be inside. He really wanted to see what they were up to.
Brionne struggled but could not escape. In desperation, it shouted loudly.
"Brion! Brion!" (I can't hold it anymore!)
Bonk.
Silas flicked its forehead and said, slightly annoyed, "What are you doing? What are you all secretly preparing that I'm not allowed to see?"
Brionne simply smiled foolishly and buried its head into his chest.
Quickening his pace, Silas reached the center of the garden, near the patch of Gracidea flowers. Kangaskhan, Dragonite, Diancie, and the others were all there.
Before Silas could ask anything, the Pokémon stepped forward and presented the gifts they had prepared.
Bouquets upon bouquets of confession flowers, along with two rings held out by the little Kangaskhan and Phione.
"You guys…"
Silas tilted his head slightly upward, feeling an unexpected surge of emotion.
"Kang~"
"Honestly, you've all worked so hard on this. Come on, let's head back. I'll cook a big meal for everyone."
Surrounded by the Pokémon, Silas headed back toward the ranch house, already discussing plans with Kangaskhan and the others for the upcoming Coumarine Festival celebration.
(End of Chapter)