Naoki.

This word was all that remained in Koraidon's (Cyclizar's) life.

The appearance of that shadowy figure rekindled a spark of hope in its withering heart.

It must be Naoki who was protecting it!

It must find Naoki, return to his side.

Koraidon (Cyclizar) stood up, gazing out at the vast land with its golden eyes.

As long as it kept walking, exploring every corner of the world, one day it would see Naoki again!

Seeing Naoki again became its obsession.

Time had left clear marks on Koraidon (Cyclizar), and the immaturity of its youth was no longer apparent.

Its personality had quietly and drastically changed.

Although it didn't know why it had become Koraidon, it was no longer the weak Cyclizar it once was.

Even if it encountered that Koraidon, it would surely defeat it and stand guard at Naoki's side in its place!

So, to return to Naoki, Koraidon (Cyclizar) continued its journey.

One day, it encountered a familiar Flutter Mane.

The Flutter Mane had been quietly following it, and Koraidon (Cyclizar) pulled it out.

Upon seeing its true form, it froze in its tracks.

This Flutter Mane was the same one from Naoki's ranch!

"Ah, gah!"

What was going on? Had that Flutter Mane also arrived in this place?

After a brief exchange, Koraidon (Cyclizar) understood everything.

This Flutter Mane hadn't been to the ranch yet!

And from this conversation, Koraidon (Cyclizar) finally realized its current situation.

It had been transported to a long, long time ago through the strange machine in Area Zero!

It was now tens of thousands of years away from Naoki.

This meant that to find Naoki, it would have to cross this vast chasm of time… because only then could it return to Naoki's side.

After a brief moment of shock, Koraidon (Cyclizar) quickly regained its composure.

It did not give up, because it had heard Naoki say that there were Pokémon in this world that could travel through time.

As long as they missed each other, they would meet.

Longing would eventually transcend time and space and bring it back to Naoki.

With this belief, Koraidon (Cyclizar) continued on its journey.

And the Flutter Mane followed behind it, deciding to help it find Naoki.

In this way, the two Pokémon embarked on a journey together.

They fought together and rested together. With Koraidon's (Cyclizar's) ability combined with Flutter Mane's ability, when they joined forces, there were almost no Pokémon in this land that could be their opponents.

They traveled to almost every corner of this land.

Until one day, Koraidon (Cyclizar) discovered a very familiar big pit.

Above the big pit was shrouded in clouds and mist, as dreamy as a fairyland, but from below, a very dangerous aura was faintly coming.

To be safe, Koraidon (Cyclizar) said to Flutter Mane, "Agasi!" (It's dangerous down there. I'll go check it out first. You wait here!)

Flutter Mane nodded and agreed, remaining above the pit while watching Koraidon (Cyclizar) fly into the mist.

The pit harbored many powerful and dangerous wild Pokémon.

Like the ones Koraidon (Cyclizar) had encountered before, they attacked upon discovering him.

But Koraidon (Cyclizar) was no longer the same as before.

It defeated any Pokémon that stood in its way.

As Koraidon (Cyclizar) descended, nearing the bottom, it encountered a terrifyingly powerful Koraidon.

The Koraidon was no less powerful than it.

After a desperate battle, Koraidon (Cyclizar), though severely wounded, managed to defeat it.

Dragging its battered body downward, it passed through Area Zero and entered a vast cavern. The sight before it left it stunned.

The place was filled with beautiful, shimmering stones.

They looked like gemstones, and there was even a radiant Gem Tree.

Beneath the tree lived many tiny, gleaming turtle Pokémon.

These Pokémon, curious about its arrival, gathered around it.

"Pago?" (Who are you?)

"Pago Pago?" (Where did you come from?)

"Pago Pago?!" (I see! Did you come from up there?!)

"Pago?" (Huh? Why are you here?)

The turtle Pokémon asked in a flurry.

Koraidon (Cyclizar) scratched its head, thought for a moment, and replied distressedly, "Agas…" (I'm Cyclizar, looking for Naoki…)

The little turtles asked again, "Pago?" (Who is Naoki?)

Koraidon (Cyclizar) lowered its head and replied sadly, "Agas…" (He's someone very important to me. I miss him so much, but I can't find him…)

Hearing this, as if affected by the mood of the foreign Pokémon before them, the Terapagos also lowered their heads, their spirits dimming.

But soon, several Terapagos raised their heads and offered, "Pago!"

Perhaps they could help.

"Agas?" Koraidon (Cyclizar) was stunned.

Then, it saw a brilliant light emanate from the group of petite turtle Pokémon.

In the light, their appearances transformed, becoming larger turtles.

The large turtles unleashed their power, and in the next second, Koraidon (Cyclizar) saw the entire world enveloped in a dazzling crystal glow.

A terrifying surge of Tera Crystal energy warped space and time. At that moment, Koraidon (Cyclizar) felt something calling to him from the other side of space and time.

Before he could react, the brilliant light engulfed him.

After Cyclizar left, the Terapagos, as if sensing something, suddenly turned their gazes in the same direction.

There, in the distance, something seemed to be slowly fading away.

…

Dizziness, pain, and a strange force pulling at his body…

Just as Koraidon (Cyclizar) felt like he was about to be torn apart, one of those forces abruptly disappeared.

When he finally opened his eyes and emerged from the blinding light, he was met by the excited faces of Professors Sada and Turo.

They looked as if they were trying to capture him with a Poké Ball.

"Ah, gah!"

Koraidon (Cyclizar) roared, swatting the Poké Ball aside with a single, sharp swing of his claw.

Without sparing the professors another glance, he bolted from the research station, raced out of Area Zero, soared up from the Paldea Crater, and followed the route he remembered all the way home.

But by the time he reached the ranch, his body was battered and broken. Exhaustion overtook him, and he collapsed.

Even so, he felt a deep sense of relief.

When Koraidon (Cyclizar) woke again, the first thing he saw was a face he knew better than any other.

"Ah… gah…"

Tears welled up in his eyes.

But then, he noticed another Cyclizar nearby, this one smaller, with a youthful and innocent expression, standing close to Naoki.

Koraidon (Cyclizar) froze for a moment, startled.

His mind seemed to drift into a haze, and as he stared at the younger version of himself, realization slowly dawned.

So… he was Koraidon all along.