"Come, everyone, meet the new friends."
Somewhere in the canyon of Ula ula Island.
The tournament was over, the awards ceremony had concluded, the Pokémon were collected, and after bidding farewell to Lance and others, it was time for everyone to go their separate ways again.
Even though they all felt a bit reluctant to part.
But life is like this; things often don't go as we wish.
After seeing them off, Natsuhiko once again brought his Pokémon to Ula ula Island, to the canyon where Kapu-Muu resided.
Unfortunately.
This time luck wasn't on their side.
Kapu-Muu was not there.
So Natsuhiko occupied the place as his temporary training ground.
Because of the new appearance of Bagon and Goomy, introductions and familiarization were necessary.
At the same time, Natsuhiko also wanted to see and test Bagon and Goomy's condition.
As Quasi-God Pokémon, their growth period is quite long, and before they evolve, their advantages are not particularly prominent.
Fortunately, Natsuhiko is not in a hurry right now.
His main team has all reached Elite Candidate Level, and typical Wild Pokémon or Trainers are no match for him.
As for the second team, Natsuhiko maintains a slow and steady approach, aiming to maximize their potential at every stage.
Thus, both Bagon and Goomy fit well with his second team's development philosophy.
"Togekiss~~"
Hearing about new companions, Togekiss, the "big sister" of the team, was undoubtedly the happiest.
Previously, only Togekiss could liven up the team's atmosphere.
But that's no longer the case.
Latios and Eevee, Togekiss's loyal followers, also played their part well.
The stern but not intimidating older brother Beedrill, aloof Alakazam, the contemplative Aegislash, and the competitive Infernape, among others,
were introduced to Bagon and Goomy by Togekiss.
But Bagon's silly and goofy demeanor and Goomy's timid and cowardly nature made Natsuhiko's Pokémon feel a bit odd.
Of course, the great "social butterfly" Togekiss wasn't fazed by this.
When night fell.
The Pokémon, if not entirely harmonious, at least saw Bagon occasionally show serious expressions, and Goomy became slightly bolder.
"Bagon."
Sitting by the campfire, Natsuhiko gestured to Bagon.
Bagon once again showed its silly, goofy look, slowly waddling towards Natsuhiko.
Tiny steps.
Slow pace.
But Natsuhiko showed no intention of urging it on.
It took a while.
Until Bagon finally reached Natsuhiko's side, the golden firelight tinting its face with a blush.
Natsuhiko didn't know Bagon's past or why it felt the need to disguise itself, nor did he want to force Bagon to open up right away.
Perhaps, to Bagon, it felt like it was taken away forcefully.
In Bagon's eyes, Natsuhiko might be someone who could torment, whip, and abandon it at any moment.
Fortunately, after spending time with Togekiss and the other Pokémon, Bagon's opinion shifted slightly.
But expecting it to fully accept Natsuhiko now was still unrealistic.
"Do you want to fly?"
???
Bagon looked at Natsuhiko in confusion.
"Latios." Natsuhiko called out.
"Oss——"
Latios appeared beside Natsuhiko in a flash and nodded friendly to Bagon as a greeting.
"Could you take us for a flight?"
"Oss!"
Latios naturally didn't refuse this request.
Then, with Natsuhiko holding the awkward Bagon, they soared into the sky, carried by Latios.
The last reddish glow of the sunset still painted the distant sea and clouds.
When Bagon initially took off, its entire body was tense, its expression serious.
But upon seeing the beauty of the sunset from above, it was left in awe.
Is this the feeling... of flying?
Watching the last remnant of the sun vanish beneath the ocean, Natsuhiko signaled Latios that it was time to return.
Soon, they gradually descended back into the shadowed and covered canyon.
Bagon's face carried a hint of regret and longing.
Every Bagon longs to soar in the sky, which is their greatest dream.
Some know they can eventually evolve into Salamence; some do not, but their dreams are convergent.
Natsuhiko's Bagon naturally was no exception.
"Would you like to hear a story?" Natsuhiko asked again.
With a twig, he gently stirred the campfire.
Bagon once more looked at Natsuhiko in confusion, not understanding what he was doing.
First, he took it flying without saying why, and now he was talking about telling a story without explaining why.
Bagon thought this person was strange.
Yet it resumed its goofy demeanor, sitting quietly beside Natsuhiko, neither agreeing nor objecting.
Natsuhiko glanced at it with a smile before speaking slowly, "Once, there was a Weedle..."
The story was not complicated, nor was it embellished; it was simply about the early days of training and growing together with Weedle.
But beside him, Bagon rested its head, listening to Natsuhiko's story, its expression slowly returning to normal.
To Bagon, Natsuhiko's so-called story was just a repetitive cycle of training, growing, battling, and training again.