Two o'clock in the afternoon, on the way to Dragonite Island.
Naoki rode atop Dragonite, glancing sideways at Koraidon perched on his shoulder, momentarily speechless.
The sea breeze brushed against his face.
Soon, little heads poked out from the backpack Naoki carried strapped to his chest, clustering together to gaze at the scene ahead.
"...Are you really not planning to return to your usual forms?" Naoki looked down at the Alcremie, Glaceon, Cyclizar, and Pawmo in front of him and asked.
Earlier at noon, after witnessing Koraidon's actions, all the Pokémon became tiny and hung onto him.
Especially upon hearing he was heading to Dragonite Island, their faces all showed expressions of longing.
There was no other choice. Naoki could only ask Gogoat to watch over the ranch, and then brought them along.
All the Pokémon gazed emotionally at the vast blue sea below, their eyes sparkling brightly.
This was the first time they'd seen the ocean since growing so big.
Pawmo murmured softly: "Bamora…" How beautiful...
Glaceon's eyes reflected the shimmering sea surface, and it had never imagined the world could be so vast; aside from icy mountains and snowy fields, such stunning scenery existed beyond.
Living in a small town since childhood and having come to the ranch at just a few months old, Cyclizar shared the same sentiment.
So beautiful! Even more than the moon as seen by Dragonite! Cyclizar thought.
"Mama…" A glistening tear flashed in Alcremie's eyes; it suddenly felt very blessed.
Naoki originally planned to say something, but before he could open his mouth, he saw the Pokémon in front of him displaying this behavior.
Oh well, he wouldn't say anything; today, he would just let them have fun for the whole afternoon!
Dragonite's speed was swift, and before long, they reached the familiar Dragonite Island.
It landed in the center of the island, catching the sharp eyes of several Dragonair playing in the lake.
Their eyes brightened instantly, and they all flew out of the water to greet him.
Dragonite initially thought this group of Dragonair were there to welcome it, since during its time living on the island, it helped take care of them, doing things like finding berries for them.
Seeing them like this now, Dragonite felt quite gratified.
It spread its arms wide, wanting to embrace these Dragonair and Dratini.
However, in the next moment, these Dratini and Dragonair bypassed it and ran over to Naoki standing behind it.
Dragonite widened its eyes, fuming, and pointed at them loudly: "Roar!" (No manners!)
Then, it huffed angrily and came over, hugging Naoki right in front of the Dragonair and Dratini, indicating that this was its good partner, its good trainer.
The Dragonair and Dratini blinked, looking at the childish Dragonite before them, with one even making a funny face at it.
Dragonite:!!!
Naoki: "..."
He helplessly patted Dragonite's claw: "Alright, stop fussing, don't forget we're here for serious business today."
Only then did Dragonite remember that matter, obediently letting go of Naoki.
Naoki opened his backpack, placing Alcremie, Pawmo, Glaceon, and Cyclizar on the ground, and then let them play with the Dragonair and Dratini of the island.
As for himself, he took Dragonite and Koraidon to the cliff edge.
Gazing at the waves crashing against the cliffs below, Naoki turned and asked: "Do you know how to dive?"
Koraidon appeared a bit troubled: "Agassi…"
It could swim, but couldn't dive into the sea for long periods.
"I knew it," Naoki smiled: "If that's the case, you stay on the shore and wait for us, we'll be back soon."
Koraidon didn't plead or act cute to make Naoki take it into the water.
It nodded, then obediently jumped down from Naoki, shifting back to normal size and standing at the cliff's edge to wait.
Naoki bid farewell, then pulled out the pre-purchased diving gear from his space backpack, donned it, and followed Dragonite into the blue sea.
Guided by Dragonite, they quickly swam toward the ocean floor.
Soon, they saw the huge sleeping figure directly beneath the island.
Naoki gently patted Dragonite's back.
Dragonite got the message, guiding Naoki to the giant Dragonite's presence, then let out a melodious cry, starting to call the giant Dragonite.
Once, twice, three times…
Just as Naoki thought the giant Dragonite had fallen into a deep sleep, the massive Dragonite suddenly opened its eyes, revealing those ancient golden dragon eyes, and a terrible aura immediately spread out from the seafloor.
Naoki and Dragonite were startled.
But quickly, the giant Dragonite retracted its aura, staring at the human and Dragonite before it, its sleepy eyes revealing doubt.
"Roar?" A dull growl emerged from its throat.
Unable to speak underwater, Naoki asked Dragonite to convey his message.
After listening, the giant Dragonite glanced over.
Naoki gestured upward to indicate talking above.
The giant Dragonite understood.
It stood up and swam toward the sea surface, stirring the water with its massive body.
Naoki and Dragonite were startled by its movement; as they were about to be separated by the hidden torrent beneath the sea, a pair of dragon claws grabbed them, lifting them out of the sea to the surface.
Naoki removed his oxygen mask, and at this moment, Koraidon, holding the backpack, flew over as it saw them surface.
Naoki didn't say much, directly taking a pumpkin pie from the backpack, and said to the giant Dragonite: "Open your mouth?"
The giant Dragonite immediately opened its mouth wide.
Gazing at the abyss-like giant maw, Naoki silently swallowed his saliva, then threw the pumpkin pie inside with all his might.
He thought the pumpkin pie was so small, probably having no effect on the giant Dragonite, not knowing if it would work.
"Can you try thinking about becoming smaller now?" Naoki tentatively asked.
The giant Dragonite closed its mouth and began thinking.
Soon, a miraculous scene unfolded.
Its massive body, like a mountain, began shrinking at a visibly rapid pace, eventually becoming approximately three meters tall.
Fortunately, Naoki had prepared beforehand; once the giant Dragonite transformed, he immediately mounted Dragonite, preventing any fall.
He looked at the "Dragonite" before him in surprise and asked: "How do you feel?"
"Roar!" The giant Dragonite was also filled with curiosity about its current appearance.
It looked down at its body, then turned to look at the familiar yet strange surroundings.
At this time, the Dragonites of Dragon Island noticed the scene and astonished, gathered around after seeing the giant Dragonite's appearance.