Chapter 280: Celebi and the World Tree
Chapter 280: Celebi and the World Tree
The Teddiursa cub said, "Yimo yimo!" (This is a gift from the large leek duck we helped! It's its favorite leek!)
Naoki nodded, understanding that Leeku ducks indeed favored this type of leek.
Leeku Duck, the yellow-billed duck Pokemon, is said to inhabit only places where stem plants grow, according to the Pokedex.
Naoki looked down at the bundle of leeks in his arms.
These so-called stem plants were, in fact, these unusually large leeks. For some reason, the leeks in this world were enormous, even larger than the ones he had eaten in his previous life, and could even be used as swords.
With this thought, Naoki drew out a leek and swung it around like a sword.
As the leek stem sliced through the air, a piercing sound filled the room.
The Teddiursa cub, observing this, nodded vigorously. "Yimo!" (That's right! That's how Leeku ducks wield their leeks!)
Naoki imagined a Leeku duck wielding an incredibly oversized leek in battle and found the idea strangely amusing.
However, due to the rarity of these wild leeks, the population of Leeku ducks had been declining in recent years.
Leeku ducks were unique in that they depended entirely on these leeks for their survival, so when faced with opponents trying to take their food, they would fight with all their might.
In some areas, people had even started cultivating these leeks specifically to protect the dwindling population of Leeku ducks and encourage them to settle and nest nearby.
"Leeku ducks, huh?" Naoki mused, feeling a desire to raise a few of these rare Pokemon himself. However, he knew that Leeku ducks only lived where stem plants grew.
An idea suddenly popped into Naoki's head.
"I wonder if I plant these leeks in the ranch, will it attract wild Leeku ducks to settle here?"
However... he recalled that Leeku ducks weren't native to the Paldea region.
Naoki felt a pang of disappointment.
He set the leeks aside and turned to see his brother, Aiguansi, curiously observing Teddiursa and Celebi.
Naoki then remembered that Aiguansi had arrived at the ranch while Teddiursa was away on its journey, so they hadn't met yet.
With this realization, Naoki began to fill Teddiursa and Celebi in on the recent developments at the ranch.
"While you were away, quite a few new companions joined the ranch."
"Yimo?" Teddiursa noticed Aiguansi as well and greeted him happily with a blink of its eyes. "Yimo!" (Hello there!)
Aiguansi was taken aback by the friendly cub and stammered in response, "Ai yi...!" (H-hello...)
Naoki smiled gently and introduced his brother. "This is my brother, Aiguansi. Along with his sister, they are our household helpers and have been taking care of the ranch in my absence. They are very capable Pokemon, and even when I'm not here, they keep everything in order."
Hearing Naoki's sincere praise, Aiguansi felt a bit embarrassed, as these were simply their duties.
Upon hearing this, Teddiursa looked at them with admiration in its eyes. "Yimo!" (So impressive!)
The fact that they could do human-like tasks made Aiguansi even more self-conscious.
"Besides my brother, there are many other new companions as well, but they are currently playing hide-and-seek in the labyrinth outside. I'll introduce you to them later."
Naoki paused before asking, "You must be tired from your long journey. Would you like to take a nap?"
Indeed, Teddiursa and Celebi were feeling weary.
After making the decision to return to the ranch the other day, they had rushed back without rest from the distant Johto region.
They had crossed seas and climbed mountains, enduring countless hardships to finally arrive back at the ranch.
Both Teddiursa and Celebi had expended a lot of energy, and with their full bellies and the cozy warmth of the room, the exhaustion of their journey caught up to them.
"Yimo... " (I'm so tired...)
"Miu... " (I want to sleep...)
Seeing their drowsy state, Naoki smiled and suggested, "Then go get some rest."
He escorted the two little ones to his room and let them settle on his bed.
Teddiursa snuggled into the soft bedding, inhaling Naoki's familiar scent. The room was warm and cozy, filling the cub with a sense of peace like never before.
With half-lidded eyes, it gazed at Naoki and mumbled sleepily, "Yimo... " (I'm so glad I met you, Naoki...)
Naoki leaned closer, not quite catching what it said. "What was that?"
By the time he looked back, Teddiursa had already closed its eyes and fallen asleep.
Celebi, too, let out a string of incoherent murmurs, "Miu... miu..."
Celebi: zZZ
And with that, it dozed off as well.
Naoki's heart melted at the sight of the two sleeping peacefully, and he gently adjusted the temperature to ensure their comfort before tiptoeing out of the room and closing the door softly.
Just then, the group of Pokemon, including Aerodactyl, who had been playing all morning, returned to the living room.
Seeing them, Naoki was reminded of the task at hand.
He first poured a warm cup of fruit juice and milk for the Pokemon and Paplaus, then turned to face Babo and Aerodactyl.
"Ba Mo?"
The two Pokemon immediately turned their heads in curiosity.
The effect of the melon seed pastry treat had worn off, and Naoki could no longer understand their words.
But he could tell from Aerodactyl's excited gaze and Babo's expectant expression, even without translation, that the two Pokemon were eager for a challenge.
"I have an idea." Naoki proceeded to explain to the two Pokemon about the Thunder and Storm Trials.
"...Just like the Riding Goats, you can battle with visiting Trainers and their Pokemon, gaining experience and improving your strength."
"Roar... Roar!"
"Ba Mo!"
Both Aerodactyl and Babo had witnessed the Riding Goats' Grass Trial first-hand.
They knew how powerful the Riding Goats were, and the thought of undergoing a similar trial excited them immensely.
"Excellent." Naoki nodded in satisfaction, knowing that Aerodactyl and Babo wouldn't refuse.
However, the specifics of the trial, as well as the tactics and move combinations for Aerodactyl and Babo, would have to be decided later.
While he wasn't a professional Trainer, his gaming experiences could provide some strategic guidance for the two Pokemon.
Meanwhile, the other Pokemon in the living room had overheard Naoki's conversation with Aerodactyl.
Frosty the Spritzee stepped forward eagerly, "Mama?" Would there be a special trial designed for her as well?
"Umm..." Naoki was a bit stumped.
After all, Frosty wasn't a Pokemon suited for battles, and creating a trial for her would be challenging...
A Jet-Cream Trial, perhaps?
Or a Luck-based Finger Wag Trial?
Neither of those seemed quite right.
After some thought, Naoki replied, "I haven't figured it out yet. Give me some more time to come up with something."
Frosty's eyes sparkled with anticipation, "Mama~" She was determined to defeat her opponents with her most powerful Finger Wag!
Though Naoki suspected that Frosty was more interested in joining the fun than actually battling.
"Oh well, since Frosty is so keen on it, let's let her give it a try."
Naoki then turned his attention to Moto the Lizardon, who was also awaiting his decision.
Naoki: "..."
To be honest, Moto hadn't done anything particularly remarkable lately.
While he had consumed the birthday cake that boosted his base stats, it had only been the first year, and the effects weren't entirely clear yet.
But seeing Moto's eager expression, Naoki paused for a moment before saying, "I'll think of something for you, too."
"Gaou~" Moto was overjoyed.
As for Golurk...
Naoki looked at the lethargic Golurk lounging nearby. Unlike the other Pokemon, this legendary Golurk didn't seem interested in battling.
However, that was probably for the best, as defeating Golurk with its current display of strength would be akin to a fantasy for most people.
When Celebi and Teddiursa finally woke up, it was already 3:00 pm.
The two Pokemon opened their eyes, still groggy from sleep, and for a moment, they thought they were back in the tree hollow outside.
It wasn't until they took in their surroundings that they realized—oh, they were back at the ranch!
"Yimo?"
Teddiursa immediately looked around, searching for Naoki.
It jumped off the bed and, together with Celebi, ran out of the bedroom. Not finding Naoki in the living room, they continued their search outside.
As expected, they spotted Naoki in the ranch, clearing the snow from the ground with a group of Pokemon.
The snow didn't pose a problem now, but if left unattended, the low temperatures would soon turn it into ice, making the paths slippery and dangerous.
Therefore, they had to clear a path leading to the Pokemon cottage, the chicken coop, the berry garden, the glass greenhouse, the tavern, the stable, and the underground cave.
Paplaus was also helping out, secretly observing Naoki. Paplaus noticed that Mr. Naoki seemed to understand what the Pokemon were saying.
"As expected of Mr. Naoki, he's incredible!" Paplaus thought to himself.
At that moment, he caught sight of Celebi in the distance and exclaimed in surprise, "Mr. Naoki, what kind of Pokemon is that!?"
Naoki turned and smiled, "They are Celebi and Teddiursa."
Paplaus had seen Teddiursa in the Pokedex, but Celebi was unfamiliar.
Staring at the unfamiliar pink figure, he murmured, "Celebi?"
"Yes," Naoki nodded. "According to legends, Celebi is an extinct Pokemon that has existed in this world since ancient times. Some scholars believe it to be the ancestor of all Pokemon."
Hearing this, Paplaus asked incredulously, "Ancestor?"
Naoki explained, "Celebi's genetic makeup contains the information of all Pokemon in this world, allowing it to use any move."
As they spoke, Celebi and Teddiursa had already approached them.
"Yimo!" Teddiursa looked up with its shiny black eyes.
Naoki patted its head and said to it, "I'm clearing the snow! I've left some sandwiches for you in the living room if you're hungry."
"Yimo~" Teddiursa happily nodded.
At that moment, Celebi, who had been looking around curiously, suddenly seemed to discover something. It tilted its head, its innocent blue eyes gazing in one direction.
"Miu?"
"What's wrong?" Naoki was slightly taken aback.
But Celebi had already turned and flown in that direction.
Naoki and Teddiursa followed its gaze and saw a sapling with lush green leaves growing amidst the snow-covered land.
That was... the World Tree!
Celebi seemed fascinated by the World Tree, circling around it and emitting curious and delighted cries.
"Miu!"
"Yimo?" Teddiursa looked on, puzzled.
Naoki was also slightly stunned. This Celebi, nicknamed Xiaoya, seemed to have a liking for the World Tree?
A thought occurred to Naoki, reminding him of the movie Lucario and the Mystery of Mew where Celebi and the World Tree played a significant role.
Perhaps, in places unknown to him, Celebi and the World Tree shared some sort of connection?
"Miu!"
At that moment, Celebi let out a joyful cry.
Naoki, accompanied by Teddiursa, rushed forward, and Celebi turned to face them, happily exclaiming, "Miu!"
Teddiursa widened its eyes in amazement. "Yimo?"
Naoki couldn't understand, so he quickly asked Golurk to bring him some translation melon seeds.
"Ah ga sigh..." Golurk reluctantly complied.
Soon, the translation melon seeds were delivered, and after consuming one, Naoki heard Celebi say to Teddiursa:
"Miu! (There's a rich life force within the tree! I like it here!)
"
However, Teddiursa didn't sense anything and looked at the sapling quizzically, murmuring, "Yimo... (What kind of tree is this...)
"
Celebi shook its head. "Miu." (I don't know either.)
But it could feel that the tree possessed a rich life force, which was beneficial and ideal for habitation!
Seeing that Celebi didn't know what kind of tree it was, Teddiursa turned to Naoki. "Yimo? (Do you know what kind of tree this is, Naoki?)
"
Celebi also looked at him, awaiting his answer.
Naoki could only reply, "It's the World Tree."
"Miu? (World Tree?)
"
Celebi had never heard of that name before.
Indeed... not all Celebi were associated with the World Tree. Perhaps this Celebi's attraction to the World Tree was similar to Rayquaza's, drawn to the rich life force within, Naoki mused.
"That's right, the World Tree." Naoki continued, "It takes a long time to grow, and it will become very, very big, even bigger than the entire ranch. By then, you can all live on it."
Hearing this, Celebi's and Teddiursa's eyes lit up.
Celebi thought that it would definitely use its Secret Power to build the Xiaoya Adventure Team's secret base here!
Teddiursa happily exclaimed, "Yimo yimo! (Then we can invite Zapdos over as a guest!)
"
Celebi: "Miu! (Yes!)
"
Naoki raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Zapdos?"
Teddiursa nodded. "Yimo yimo! (It's the Zapdos we met at the power plant! Zapdos told us that living in the power plant was troublesome because humans often disturbed it with their Pokemon attacks. It said it wished for a place where it wouldn't be bothered.)
"
Hearing this, Naoki's heart stirred. "Of course, we can invite it to be our guest here!"
Teddiursa was delighted that Naoki was willing to let their friends visit the ranch.
Naoki smiled and said, "However, we'll have to wait for the World Tree to grow, which will take about four years. By then, our home will be bigger, and if you make good friends during your travels, you can invite them to live on the World Tree too."
Pokemon like Zapdos and Leeku Ducks, for example.
The World Tree was vast, with spacious areas that could accommodate numerous Pokemon.
The idea of gathering Pokemon to live in the World Tree, enriching its ecosystem, was thrilling!
Upon hearing this, Teddiursa's and Celebi's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Yimo! (Naoki, you're the best!)
"
Naoki continued to smile.
"Ah ga sigh..."
Golurk, standing by, couldn't help but feel speechless.
It could practically hear Naoki's thoughts ticking over.
(End of Chapter)
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