"There's still plenty left, so no need for more supplies now." Lucas helped Delibird check its luggage, making sure everything was ready. Watching Delibird fluff its tail, Lucas asked with concern, "Are you sure you don't want to come back with us?"
"Delibird~!"
Delibird nodded firmly—its journey wasn't over.
Lucas rubbed its head helplessly. "Alright, but be careful. Don't push yourself. No more reckless stunts like this time."
Delibird sheepishly promised not to be so impulsive again, then asked worriedly, "Delibird deli~?" (What'll happen to the Dragonite leader?)
Mewtwo wanted to interpret, but Lucas understood anyway. "Let me handle it, just like I helped you with your trauma. I'll help the Dragonite leader too."
He made a promise to Delibird—just as Delibird wanted to help the leader, he would help too.
After saying goodbye, Lucas turned to Mewtwo. "Could you send me back?"
Mewtwo nodded. "I'll leave it to you. Once the cloned Pokémon are settled, I'll visit Shamouti Island."
Mewtwo raised its three-fingered hand at Lucas, psychic power swirling and locking onto the farm in Paldea. Space twisted.
Lucas knew who Mewtwo meant and patted his chest, smiling. "Just like I promised Delibird, I'll find a way to help. And you're always welcome at my farm."
His figure slowly faded. Feeling the psychic energy drain, Mewtwo smiled. "I will."
"Delibird~!" (I'm off, too!)
Delibird saluted in farewell.
Mewtwo's impression of Delibird was much better than that of the seemingly innocent but actually cunning Mew.
Mewtwo offered, "Want a ride? I'm going to erase all traces of New Island, settle the clones in Johto, then head to the Orange Islands."
Delibird thought a moment. If it just walked, it'd end up back at the Old Coast Wharf, which it already knew well. Better to accept a lift.
Decision made, Delibird agreed.
…
Meanwhile, arriving back in Paldea, Lucas looked up to see it was already night.
He sighed—the trip to buy fish fry was a bust.
Dragonite and Luxray, out of their balls, exchanged puzzled looks at the time change, finally understanding what Lucas meant about time differences between Paldea and Kanto.
Day on one side, night on the other.
Lucas stretched and called to them, "Let's go home and rest. We've only been gone a few hours, but Serperior and the others are probably worried."
"I'll explain about the Dragonite leader to the Dragonair in the morning."
..
The next day, at Thunder Lake.
Lucas, suspecting his plans would be interrupted again, asked Peter from Jones Farm to help him contact a fish supplier. The supplier recommended a few species for his pond, so Lucas ordered a batch.
The supplier needed to pick up stock from a larger city, so delivery would take a few days. Lucas wasn't in a hurry—it gave him time to prepare.
After setting up the aquatic net woven by Serperior and other Grass-types, and having Swampert, Politoed, and Poliwhirl help install it, Lucas called the three Dragonair over with a serious face.
"Hmm?"
The shiny Dragonair tilted its head, puzzled by Lucas and Dragonite's grave expressions. Swampert and the others watched from afar, suspecting last night's late return was related.
Lucas got straight to the point. "I found the Dragonite leader—well, actually, Delibird found her."
The Dragonair were stunned, then their eyes lit up with joy.
"But... she's not quite herself. When you see her, try not to get too excited."
Lucas's tone was heavy. Dragonite moved to comfort the Dragonair.
As their excitement turned to anxiety, Lucas released the Dragonite leader.
Wearing her black satchel, the Dragonite leader appeared, unchanged by her new surroundings.
The Dragonair were stunned, but quickly sensed her familiar aura and clustered around, singing light, ethereal dragon songs, worried about where she'd been.
Meeting familiar Pokémon seemed to stir something in the Dragonite leader—she interacted with the Dragonair and introduced them to empty air.
This stunned the Dragonair. Sensing something was wrong, they looked to Lucas.
He and Dragonite explained everything in a few words, and as the Dragonair listened with teary eyes, Lucas promised again to find a solution.
The Dragonair, understanding, watched the leader with mixed emotions.
Lucas wanted to discuss details, but his phone vibrated. It was a message from Geeta.
"Lucas, the inspector from the Pokémon Butler Academy is arriving at your farm soon. Just receive them as usual—the farm should easily pass inspection."
"So soon?"
Lucas was surprised. The Academy worked fast—he hadn't replied to Geeta long ago, and already the inspector was here? To get a capable butler Pokémon, he needed to host them well.