[Sugar (C+): Crude beet sugar. Because of the production method, part of the beet flavor is retained. It has a light brown color similar to brown sugar, and adding it to sweet dishes can provide a nice improvement.]
Silas nodded after reading the description. The result was quite acceptable.
It could still be further processed into rock sugar or sugar cubes later, which would make good little autumn snacks for the small Pokémon.
He packed all of the beet sugar into sealed ceramic jars and placed them on a high shelf to keep them away from moisture and mold.
Of course he did not forget to break off several pieces for Morpeko as payment for its hard work. He also took some for himself, planning to let the other little Pokémon taste it.
Cinccino was currently leading several Pokémon in games beside the lake, and even Clawitzer had joined in.
"How does it taste?"
"Cin~"
"Lioo!"
"Kang!"
"…"
The Pokémon all gave positive responses. The flavor was very good.
Among them, Alcremie liked it the most. The creamy body of the small Pokémon had even turned into a light brown sugar color.
"As long as you like it."
Silas handed the rest of the sugar to Alcremie, but he did not forget to remind it.
"You can eat these yourself. You cannot share them with Cinccino and the others."
"Cream?"
"Because if they eat too much sugar they will get cavities, and all their teeth might fall out."
The image of Cinccino and Morpeko with no teeth immediately appeared in Alcremie's mind. Its whole body trembled at the thought. It was terrifying.
"Cream!" (Silas, do not worry. I will not let them eat too much sugar. Their teeth will be protected by me, Alcremie!)
Behind them, Morpeko protested loudly while Cinccino puffed out its cheeks in dissatisfaction.
However, their attention was quickly diverted.
"I am planning to invite giant Dragonite to come visit the ranch. Cinccino, could you and the others help prepare a welcome ceremony?"
Hearing this, Cinccino immediately patted its chest enthusiastically, assuring Silas that they would prepare plenty of delicious food.
Silas picked the little Pokémon up and scratched under its chin.
"Alright then. I will be counting on you all later."
With Cinccino taking the lead, the Pokémon eagerly gathered together and began making arrangements.
Baby Kangaskhan also wanted to help, but it ended up causing trouble more often than not.
In the end, Phione simply tossed it back into Kangaskhan's pouch so it would stop making a mess.
Baby Kangaskhan could only lie inside the pouch and peek outside with a pitiful expression, not daring to cross the invisible boundary.
This was the overwhelming authority of an older sister.
Kangaskhan watched the scene with a loving expression and gently comforted its child.
Silas was not idle either. Together with Cyclizar he once again sent the special Dragonite signal into the sky.
After waiting for a short while, two orange figures swept across the ocean surface at incredible speed before stopping beside them.
"Draa~"
The slightly smaller female Dragonite was carrying the shiny Dratini in her arms. The little pink dragon jumped out immediately and rushed toward Silas.
Its soft and cool body wrapped around him while affectionately rubbing against his cheek.
The shiny Dratini was expressing its affection and how much it had missed him.
Silas gently twirled the tip of Dratini's tail with his fingers and teased it.
"Do you miss me, or do you miss my snacks?"
"Tinii!" (I miss the snacks but I miss Silas even more!)
No wonder the Dragonite on Dragonite Island all loved this little one. Its sweet talking ability was just like Cinccino's.
"Dragonite, you should come inside together. I still need to prepare a few things."
"Draa!"
The Dragonite couple looked around the ranch with curiosity.
When they arrived in front of the ranch house, they saw a long table filled with all kinds of food.
The shiny Dratini instantly launched forward like a spring.
Its body shot forward like an arrow toward a large round watermelon.
These off season fruits had been harvested from the greenhouse, and some of them were already ripe.
Just as Dratini approached and opened its mouth to bite into the fruit, it suddenly ran out of body length and fell onto the table.
All it could do was lick the watermelon's skin with its tongue to satisfy its cravings.
Turning its head back, it realized the reason.
Baby Kangaskhan had grabbed its tail, preventing shiny Dratini from successfully stealing food.
The two young Pokémon stared at each other.
Soon they began a strange conversation filled with childish sounds that no one else could understand.
The two inexperienced mothers watched their children, then sighed at the same time.
They even began sharing parenting experiences, feeling as if they had finally met someone who understood them.
Meanwhile Silas and Cyclizar went to the berry orchard to pick the rainbow gourd.
After grabbing it, Silas quickly called the male Dragonite and they returned to Dragonite Island together.
Shiny Dratini and the female Dragonite were temporarily left at the ranch where Kangaskhan and Meganium would host them.
Silas climbed onto Dragonite's back and recalled Cyclizar into its Poké Ball.
With sparks and lightning trailing behind them, they arrived at Dragonite Island in no time.
From far away they could already see the Giant Dragonite.
It was standing there looking into the distance.
When it saw them appear, Giant Dragonite immediately showed a bright and joyful smile.
"Big Dragonite, open your mouth."
Giant Dragonite obediently opened its mouth wide. Silas casually tossed the rainbow gourd toward it.
"This is a magical crop that can make you smaller. Right now do not think about anything else. Just repeat the words become smaller, become smaller in your mind."
"Dra!"
Dragonite quickly closed its eyes and moved its mouth slightly as it silently repeated the words in its mind.
Cyclizar emerged from its Poké Ball at Silas's waist and began observing curiously. Soon it noticed something unusual and called Silas over.
From the enormous body of the Giant Dragonite, a strange mist formed by condensed blue purple dragon type energy began spreading outward.
"What is this?"
The other Dragonite on the island sensed the change and gathered around the Giant Dragonite.
From the reactions of Dragonite and Cyclizar, Silas gradually understood what was happening.
Giant Dragonite was releasing the overwhelming dragon type energy inside its body, energy so massive that it had once been impossible for it to fully control.
For Dragonite this was actually a good thing. It was like removing a heavy burden from its body.
To put it simply, the Giant Dragonite had once been like someone forced to carry a giant boulder on their head. It had to spend most of its energy and concentration preventing that boulder from crushing itself.
That was the main reason the Giant Dragonite had slept for such long periods.
Now, under the influence of the rainbow gourd, the giant boulder had not only fallen to the ground but shattered into pieces.
At the same time, the dragon type energy released from its body was being guided into the island beneath its feet.
Gradually it began to merge with the island itself, transforming the place into a natural sanctuary for dragon type Pokémon.
All of that would be a matter for later.
At that moment, a golden light slowly enveloped the Giant Dragonite.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, its enormous body began shrinking at a visible speed.
The towering form that once resembled a mountain gradually became smaller and smaller.
Before long it had shrunk down to roughly the same size as an ordinary Dragonite.
The only difference was that the scales covering its body had a dark yellow color that looked weathered by time.
Even more striking were its eyes.
They shone brightly like two glowing lighthouses.
Giant Dragonite nervously opened its eyes and waved its claws slightly. Then it noticed its friend Cyclizar standing in front of it, now only slightly shorter than itself.
"Dra?" (Cyclizar, how did you become so big? You are only a little shorter than me.)
"Cyc!" (It is not that I became bigger. It is that you became smaller, you blockhead!)
After Cyclizar reminded it, Giant Dragonite finally understood what had happened.
It flapped its now smaller wings.
In an instant it shot into the sky like a rocket, soaring upward.
Like a joyful child it began circling and gliding through the air.
It had been a very long time since the Giant Dragonite had experienced the feeling of flying freely.
High in the sky, excited roars echoed again and again.
The other Dragonite nearby were also sincerely happy for the change.
They quickly flew after the Giant Dragonite. With it at the center, the group began performing a joyful Dragonite dance in the sky above the island.
The dragon type energy that filled the entire island was drawn into motion.
It merged with the island, with the land, and with everything living upon it.
Including the Dragonite, Dragonair, and Dratini.
Subtle changes began occurring quietly without anyone realizing it.
(End of Chapter)