"So you are saying that Jigglypuff's snoring is the best way to counter its singing?"
His hands kneaded and squeezed Jigglypuff without restraint, yet the little one showed no reaction at all. The snoring continued steadily, as loud and rhythmic as ever.
After waking up just now, Silas had checked the time and discovered that only a little more than ten minutes had passed.
At first he had thought he had slept for another whole day and night.
But when he looked at the date, it was indeed only those short minutes. The reason was simple. He had been awakened by Jigglypuff's thunderous snoring.
It could only be said that this was so very Jigglypuff.
Wrapping a small blanket around Jigglypuff, Silas shooed away the fidgety and overly curious baby Kangaskhan, telling Cyclizar to take it out to play.
He himself went into the kitchen with the Indeedee siblings to prepare dinner.
The evening meal was relatively light, consisting of vegetable and mushroom soup, mixed grain rice balls, along with the essential fruit platter and Poké Puffs that were present at every meal.
After finishing dinner quickly, Silas sat on the sofa watching television, holding in his hand the warm yellow Dragon Scale.
He found himself thinking that there was nothing urgent at the ranch tomorrow. He could take the opportunity to visit the mysterious Dragonite Island. For traveling, bringing Cyclizar and Tropius would be enough.
Once the idea formed in his mind, Silas informed the Indeedee siblings in advance.
Then he went to notify Tropius, asking it to go out with him tomorrow. Tropius agreed with a slightly reluctant expression.
"Then let us go to bed early tonight. We are setting out first thing in the morning."
He patted Tropius's broad leaf gently, soothing it before yawning and heading back inside the house.
Clapping his hands toward the group of Pokémon in front of the television, he announced, "Time is up. Everyone go to sleep."
"Min Min!"
(Silas, just a moment, there is only a little bit left!)
"Kang Kang!"
Baby Kangaskhan joined in the commotion, imitating Minccino by baring its little teeth and waving its claws in protest.
Its protest was ineffective. Kangaskhan picked it up and placed it into her pouch, bringing it upstairs along with Phione to sleep first.
The Galarian Meowth grabbed the regular Meowth by the scruff of its neck and drag it off to bed, while the Alolan Meowth waved goodbye to Silas.
Alcremie obediently went into the kitchen cabinet. Cyclizar lay down in its little nest in the corner. Popplio and Dolliv headed upstairs first.
With Minccino in one arm and Morpeko tucked under the other, Silas went upstairs as well, while the Indeedee siblings helped carry the still sleeping Jigglypuff.
As the final sliver of light went out, the ranch soon sank into slumber.
The next morning, Silas woke up early.
After breakfast, he prepared some essential food for the journey.
Since it would be their first meeting, he intended to use his cooking to lower the Dragonite's guard.
By the time he finally left the house under Cyclizar's repeated urging, the sky was already bright. Tropius had been waiting outside for quite a while.
"I know, I know. We are leaving now."
Silas smiled in response. Tropius had been urging him too.
He took out a Poké Ball and recalled Tropius first, since it would not be needed for the first part of the journey.
Dragonite Island was not close to the Kalos mainland. If Tropius flew there directly, it would be exhausted.
In comparison, riding Cyclizar transformed into Miraidon was clearly the best choice.
Who would have thought?
A mighty Legendary Pokémon had become his means of transportation.
Then again, plenty of people had ridden it before.
Cyclizar eagerly nudged Silas's palm with its head, then stepped back and lowered itself steadily to the ground.
It assumed the most comfortable riding posture, its tail swishing happily behind it.
Smiling, Silas hung his spatial satchel onto its body, then climbed onto its back and gave it a light pat. "Let us go, Cyclizar. Our destination is Dragonite Island."
With a powerful leap, Cyclizar soared into the sky, blue violet lightning wrapping around its body.
Before it had even fully revealed its form, it shot toward the open sea like a bolt of lightning, gliding high above the sky.
It became a streaking blue meteor, leaving behind a magnificent arc filled with dense Dragon type energy.
To ordinary Pokémon, that arc of Dragon type energy was merely a beautiful sight in the sky. But to one particular Pokémon, it was even more dazzling and conspicuous than the beam of a lighthouse.
Somewhere in the vast ocean, within thick rising white mist, a massive dark shadow quietly emerged. It let out a long and deep sound.
The long antennae atop its head swayed gently as it sensed the presence of a companion.
With such an overwhelming amount of Dragon type energy, that companion was likely even larger than itself. The gigantic creature began moving slowly along the direction of the glowing arc.
Meanwhile, Silas, riding Miraidon, approached the waters where Dragonite Island was located.
He released Tropius again and stood together with the reverted Cyclizar on its back, scanning the surroundings for the island.
Dragonite Island was not difficult to find. Even before he drew too close, he saw a large group of Dragonite flying out from the island to greet them.
But why did they all look so stern and serious?
From the corner of his eye, he glanced at the foolishly grinning Cyclizar beside him. There was no mistake. It was probably because of the aura Cyclizar had released earlier when it approached.
The Dragonite must have sensed a deadly threat. That explained their reaction.
While the Dragonite watched them cautiously, an elderly Dragonite with a somewhat aged appearance approached Silas.
It let out a deep call.
Silas roughly understood that it was asking for an explanation.
"Oh, you mean the Pokémon covered in lightning? It is my Pokémon. There is no need to worry."
As he explained, Silas took out his identification badge from his satchel to prove his identity and dispel the concerns and vigilance in the Dragonite's eyes.
The effect was immediate. Upon catching a familiar scent, the Dragonite relaxed.
Flapping their small wings, they returned to Dragonite Island and resumed their leisurely lives. This island was their paradise.
Silas followed the elderly Dragonite and landed on the beach. He listened as the old Dragonite explained the rules of the island in its rough, aged voice.
Dragonite were Pokémon with intelligence comparable to humans. Though the conversation between man and dragon was somewhat halting, they were able to understand each other's meaning.
After the elderly Dragonite finished speaking, Silas nodded. "I understand. I cannot take Dratini or Dragonair off the island. I may try to choose a Dragonite, but the choice must be mutual and requires the Dragonite's consent."
"Draa~"
The elderly Dragonite nodded in approval, then lay down lazily on the beach to bask in the sunlight.
From that point on, Silas was free to move about. He called Cyclizar and Tropius to follow him as they walked toward the interior of the island.
Dragonite Island was the largest island in the surrounding waters. At its center was a lake where Dratini and Dragonair lived.
Out of curiosity, Silas headed there. As soon as he arrived, he heard a splash. The Pokémon playing by the lake immediately dove into the water, leaving only a pair of small eyes above the surface to observe the suddenly arrived human.
They were Dragonair.
Recognizing them, Silas smiled and took out some delicious Poffins from his satchel.
"There is no need to hide. I have already seen you." He waved the food in his hand. "You know poffins, right? They are very tasty. Do you want some?"
A string of bubbles rose from the lake's surface, along with rain clouds summoned by the Dragonair.
Before the clouds could draw near, Cyclizar swatted them away with a flick of its tail.
"Do not be so nervous, Cyclizar. The Dragonair are still children."
Holding Cyclizar back, Silas tossed a piece of Poffins into the lake.
It was caught by a creature beneath the water and swallowed whole. Immediately afterward, waves rippled across the lake's surface.
Not long later, several Dragonair shyly slithered onto the shore.
The temptation of food had achieved complete success.
(End of Chapter)