Pokemon: A New Path-New Year- II [600]

So much had happened over the past year that it completely threw off many of Naoki's original plans.

He had intended to take his Pokémon to a ranch in the Alola region to spend the winter. But for various reasons, he ended up staying in the Paldea region after all.

Still, it wasn't a big deal. As long as he had Koraidon and Iono with him, wherever he was, it felt like home.

After returning from the World Tree, Naoki immediately began preparing for that night's New Year's Eve dinner.

Because there were so many Pokémon to care for, he and Iono stayed busy all the way until late afternoon before finally finishing all the preparations.

By evening, heavy snow had begun to fall outside.

Amid the swirling snowfall, Naoki received wave after wave of New Year's greetings from the townspeople and neighboring ranches. After hearing he was soon to be married, Mrs. Dantes even personally sewed a new formal outfit for him.

Naoki sat on the sofa, sorting through the stack of handwritten letters and cards, surrounded on all sides by his Pokémon.

Nearby, Iono was also flipping through some of the greetings, her face glowing with warmth. "Everyone here is just so kindhearted," she said softly.

Naoki smiled and nodded. "Yeah. They really are."

At that moment, there was a knock at the door.

Naoki stood up and went to answer it. When he opened the door, he found a small boy standing there, bundled up in thick winter clothes and a fuzzy hat that made him look like a little Cubchoo.

Behind him stood a Cyclizar, its tail swishing eagerly.

The boy beamed and lifted a large basket into Naoki's hands. "Happy New Year, Mr. Naoki! Grandpa asked me to bring you this!"

Recognizing the boy as Mayor Thomas's grandson, Naoki quickly accepted the basket and smiled. "Thank you! It's cold out here. Why don't you come inside and warm up a bit?"

But the boy shook his head quickly. "No, thank you! My mom's making snacks back home. I need to hurry or I'll miss them! Goodbye, Mr. Naoki!"

With that, he hopped onto his Cyclizar, waved, and sped off through the snow.

Naoki watched him go, a little concerned. The town was quite a distance away, and the roads were slick with ice and fresh snowfall. In winter, wild Pokémon—especially the hungry ones struggling to find food—could sometimes attack travelers.

He thought for a moment, then called over Pawmot.

"Pawmot, can you follow him and make sure he gets home safely?"

"Pawmot!" Pawmot gave a confident salute, patted its chest proudly, and raced off after the boy.

From inside, Iono called out, "Who was that?"

Naoki closed the door and answered, "The mayor's grandson. He brought over some New Year's treats."

When they opened the basket, they found it filled with still-warm pastries, treats, and a few snacks specifically chosen for Cyclizar's taste.

"He's adorable," Iono said, laughing softly.

"We'll have one of our own someday too," Naoki said with a grin.

Iono's cheeks immediately flushed a light pink, but she didn't deny it. Instead, she lowered her gaze shyly.

A child of their own...

The idea danced sweetly through her mind.

Naoki chuckled and leaned back on the sofa. "When that time comes, we'll let them inherit the ranch. Then you and I can take all our Pokémon and retire peacefully at the World Tree."

Iono said tactfully, "These days, young people rarely stay in the countryside to become ranchers."

How could that be possible? This was the ranch Naoki had poured his heart and soul into, working tirelessly alongside his Pokémon. If he were no longer here and their future child chose not to inherit it, would the ranch be abandoned and left to be swallowed up by weeds?

The thought made Naoki deeply distressed.

"Don't worry," Iono said with a reassuring smile. "No one knows what the future holds! It's way too early to worry about things like that."

Naoki could only sigh inwardly.

"Alright," he thought, "we will leave that conversation for another day."

While they were speaking, time slipped by, and before long, night had fallen.

Outside, the sky had turned dark and the cold winter wind howled through the fields. Inside the house, however, everything was warm and cozy.

The heat from the Slugma in the fireplace traveled along the heating pipes, keeping every corner of the home toasty.

The Eeveelutions were chasing each other around the living room, while Alcremie stayed in the kitchen, diligently whipping up delicious fresh cream for desserts.

Bellibolt and Pawmot were playing a game of exchanging little zaps of electricity, while Cyclizar lay stretched out lazily before the hearth, basking in the warmth before dinner.

On the sofa, Urshifu was sitting stiffly, while Koraidon sat opposite him, eyeing him with narrowed, suspicious eyes.

Koraidon seemed to be wondering what Naoki liked so much about this Pokémon.

Urshifu felt increasingly uncomfortable under Koraidon's intense stare. Fortunately, at that moment, Naoki emerged from the kitchen carrying the New Year's Eve dinner.

"Alright, it's time to eat!" Naoki called out cheerfully.

Urshifu looked visibly relieved, quickly standing up to help Naoki carry dishes to the table.

Koraidon blinked, startled. Then, refusing to be outdone, it immediately jumped up and rushed over to help as well.

When Naoki turned around and saw the two Pokémon almost competing to be the most helpful, he could not help but shake his head.

Some things never changed.

In the past, Koraidon used to get jealous whenever Cyclizar received more attention. Now, it was competing with Urshifu.

"Alright, alright, no more games. It's time to eat! After dinner, we are going to set off fireworks!" Naoki announced.

The word "fireworks" instantly caught the attention of all the Pokémon.

Could they also light the fireworks themselves?

Naoki nodded. "Of course. If you can use a Fire-type move like Ember, you can light the fuse and launch the fireworks into the sky."

"Bamo..." Pawmot looked a little embarrassed. It could not use any Fire-type moves.

Naoki smiled and said, "It's okay. If you can't do it yourself, you can ask another Pokémon with Fire-type moves to help you."

"Bamo!" Pawmot's eyes lit up as it immediately thought of its good friend, Flareon!

Flareon puffed up its chest proudly, showing that it would be more than happy to help. Any Pokémon who wanted to set off fireworks could come to it for assistance.

At the same time, Jirachi, who had come to visit the ranch for the New Year, suddenly thought of another possibility.

Ho-Oh was a Fire-type Pokémon too, and surely it could help light the fireworks even better!

But then Jirachi hesitated.

Would it be too late to go fetch Ho-Oh? What if Naoki finished setting off the fireworks before they returned?

Worried, Jirachi quickly floated over and said, "Naoki, you have to wait for me to come back before setting off the fireworks!"

Naoki blinked in surprise. "Huh? Where are you going?"

Jirachi explained brightly, "Ho-Oh is a Fire-type Pokémon! I am going to the World Tree to invite Ho-Oh to come light the fireworks!"

Hearing this, Naoki nearly choked on his own breath.

Wait, what? He wanted Ho-Oh, the Guardian of the Skies, the symbol of hope and rebirth for the Johto region, to personally come light fireworks?

Wasn't that just a little too extravagant?

Iono, standing beside Naoki, looked equally stunned.

Ho-Oh?

The same Ho-Oh worshipped by the people of Ecruteak City?

The same one whose feathers were said to grant blessings and miraculous good fortune?

But Jirachi was already spinning happily through the air, completely unconcerned.

"It's fine!" Jirachi chimed, smiling brightly. "Ho-Oh told me before that it loves fireworks too! Ho-Oh would definitely be happy to come!"