In February of Year 1515 of the Ocean Calendar, the outward-bound Origin returned to Ghost Island. During their nearly half-year voyage, they sank about a dozen pirate groups and took down two Navy surveillance ships. Beyond that, there were no large-scale conflicts.
The Navy's intelligence department analyzed the Origin's travel route and searched the regions they passed through but couldn't figure out the purpose of such a navigation course.
Even after racking their brains, they couldn't guess that the mid-voyage direction change of the Origin was merely to amuse children.
Moreover, the current Origin was very lively, and for those unaccustomed, it was bordering on noise.
"Bae, loobaebae, baebae."
A creature resembling a Kappa was awkwardly dancing while singing strange notes.
Its shape was similar to a rugby ball, looked furry, and appeared to be a variant of a Kappa. It was a Pokemon created by Arceus during the return journey—a cheerful Pokemon called Ludicolo.
Because Miaona and Wolf often longed for games with a Kappa-like member after leaving Carnival Island, Arceus created Ludicolo to play with the two children.
Ludicolo is a dual grass and water type, with an overall green coloration. However, there is a layer of yellow fur on its surface, along with two brown zigzag stripes, resembling a rain cloak, making it look like a fisherman.
With a duck-like beak and a large lily pad on its head, it joyfully sang while holding Miaona and Wolf on its head, clapping hands and dancing.
Research has shown that plants can react to external music, and cheerful music can accelerate plant growth. As a grass-type Pokemon, Ludicolo somewhat inherits this ability.
Its cells are unique; joyful musical rhythms activate Ludicolo's cells. When it hears happy music, its cells dance and become filled with power, and its body cannot help but sway and start dancing with the rhythm.
This allows it to display formidable strength in battles, not shrinking even in the face of powerful foes. To Ludicolo, joyful music is its battle song.
However, music is not always present, so Ludicolo hums this tune to enhance its power. Its energy far exceeds that of Chansey, perfectly matching the exuberant vitality of Miaona and Wolf.
"Ludicolo, take the two little ones back to your home in Kuri. You two, behave yourselves, don't run around, I've notified your father. If you run off, you'll be quickly caught and brought back."
"Got it, Lord Arceus." x2
"Bae, bae."
As Ludicolo planned to jump into the water and swim back to Kuri along the river, having just learned Kuri's exact direction, it was stopped by others before jumping.
"No need, my lord. I came long ago. Thank you for taking care of them during this time."
Ludicolo and the siblings had just responded when Zeraora appeared. The return of Arceus was no secret; in a matter of minutes, the entire Ghost Island knew the Origin had returned.
Zeraora had naturally been waiting, ready to bring the two little ones home. With the precedent set by Setsuna, he keenly looked out for these two trying to play "runaway."
They seem to treat escape as hide-and-seek, taking great pleasure in the game, often playing missing back home. The wild nature education of the Fur Race frequently gives Zeraora a headache.
The two little ones were taken home by Zeraora, and Ludicolo naturally moved into their new home. The necessity of building a new house became apparent again, as the family is likely to grow in the future.
The people on the ship also returned to their own homes, as long-term voyages are followed by a few days' vacation, to which they are well-accustomed.
...
On another note, Arceus saw a few special figures as it returned to Ghost Island.
"Happy!"
"Happy~"
Four pink round creatures approached Arceus, resembling Chanseys, but they weren't Chanseys. They were Blisseys, the evolved form of Chanseys.
The change in their cry is a notable difference. Blisseys, after evolution, have changed their verbal tick from "lucky" to "happy."
"Hmm? You've evolved too?"
"Happy~"
Several Blisseys responded one after another. Among the various Pokemon created by Arceus, Chansey's evolution is relatively difficult.
Pokemon have many evolution conditions, the simplest being level evolution—continuously honing their strength over time and naturally evolving upon reaching a threshold.
Some Pokemon have additional conditions, such as food requirements, exemplified by Larvitar's evolution. But that isn't very complicated either.
Besides, some Pokemon evolve with the help of Evolution Stones and special items providing attribute energy, which is also quite simple. Creating Evolution Stones and items is very easy for Arceus.
More complex is Link Evolution, where some Pokemon require a trainer's trade communication to evolve, sometimes needing to hold special items during the process.
But this isn't absolute. In nature, Gengar, Machamp, Golem, and other final-stage Pokemon continue to exist in Pokemon species, indicating their Link Evolution involves special magnetic fields provided by communication machines.
Under the influence of magnetic fields, their bodies modify, resulting in evolution. Even without communication, in locations with special magnetic fields, they can still evolve.
The most complex aspect is Chansey's type—evolving through affinity. Without numbers, affinity here symbolizes the harmonious relationship between humans and Pokemon.
They evolve through the transmission of "love." Logically, their affinity with Yamato should have qualified long ago. Yamato practically raised all four of them.
Yet, they hadn't evolved, and now, after this trip, they did, which turned out to be a good thing after all.
Several Blisseys hopped and skipped, sharing their stories with Arceus about recent events, but soon Arceus noticed something odd.
"Where have your eggs gone?"
These four Blisseys had high levels, so their eggs generally regenerated quickly, but their chests were now empty—where their eggs used to be.
Though their eggs are highly effective, they shouldn't all be used simultaneously, and no egg thief should exist here.
"Happy~"
"Did Yamato take all your eggs?"