Jirachi's Eye of Truth is located on its belly and typically remains closed during ordinary times. When open, anyone gazing into the Eye can express their heartfelt wish, which then comes true.
To open the Eye of Truth, there are two methods: either Jirachi willingly opens it or through passive activation.
Willingly opening the Eye by establishing a strong bond with Jirachi is incredibly challenging, and most people avoid this option due to its demanding nature.
With only seven days of activity, fostering such a connection to prompt Jirachi voluntarily would likely take too long, potentially leading to disappointment akin to drawing water from an empty basket.
Thus, passive activation became common, where external forces forcibly open the Eye of Truth. For example, using psychic powers like Confusion to control Jirachi's body, thereby triggering the Eye's opening for making wishes.
"The Eye of Truth is about to open!" Link and Lester were ecstatic; everything was proceeding far too smoothly. Jirachi had effortlessly fallen under Xatu's psychic control, and the Eye of Truth began slowly opening.
"Oh no."
Hearing Link's excitement, Kalia realized that Jirachi lacked resistance against them, and their goal seemed imminent.
Kalia was unaware that Jirachi had an eye on its belly until now.
"What should we do? Maybe let Charizard intervene," Linden realized the situation too - Jirachi had been defeated. He wanted to stop Link, hoping to prevent further restrictions on Kalia's Brionne due to this incident.
Upon careful consideration, Lester couldn't swiftly harm Brionne either, as it certainly possessed the ability to resist.
Linden's immediate thought was to prevent Link from making their wish come true. Now, only Charizard had the capability to intervene, with its strength fully sufficient for the task.
"Charizard, take action!"
Nodding promptly, Kalia spoke without delay, knowing they couldn't wait any longer. If they did, Jirachi's Eye of Truth would open, and granting the wish would be swift.
However, Lian remained unmoved, instead looking at Lester. He sensed Lester appeared confident, suggesting he might have a hidden plan.
As expected, in the next moment, Lester made his move.
But surprisingly, not towards the Poké Ball in his hand, rather, directly at Link standing beside him. Caught off guard, Link was still caught up in excitement.
In an instant, Lester grabbed Link by the neck, forcefully pulling him close and tightening his grip around Link's throat.
Caught off guard by this sudden action, Link struggled to turn his head towards Lester in disbelief, unable to comprehend why he would attack him.
"Lester, you..." Link gasped, finding it difficult to speak with his throat tightly gripped, feeling suffocated - clearly indicating Lester's premeditated move.
"Shut up!" Lester barked forcefully, then glanced down at the ground where Linden and Kalia stood, a cold smirk spreading across his face.
"Linden, if you want your cousin harmed, go ahead and let Charizard strike! Don't think I'm joking!"
With Link under threat, Linden panicked. Although Link had deceived him, they were still cousins who grew up together. If anything happened to Link, Linden knew he would be devastated.
Lester clearly intended to use Link as leverage, which was far more effective than threatening them with Brionne. After all, human life was at stake, and the consequences could be fatal.
Compared to Brionne, Link's safety took precedence. Despite knowing that Link aligned with Lester, Linden couldn't risk it; losing Link would leave him with unbearable regret.
Regret filled Link's expression; he should have been more cautious, not anticipating Lester's betrayal. Now restrained, his Swanna could only watch helplessly, afraid to intervene.
Time ticked away as Jirachi's Eye of Truth gradually opened, already halfway revealed.
Linden remained hesitant, and Kalia felt helpless; earlier was indeed the best opportunity to intervene. Unfortunately, Lester proved to be the most cunning, using Link as leverage against them.
Regardless of whether it was an act or not, Kalia couldn't take the risk. Continuing their attack might lead Lester to actually choke Link, causing immense sorrow for Linden.
Even if they had managed to stop him before, it would have been futile now. From an ethical standpoint, Kalia could only allow Lester to make his wish, ensuring Link's safety, since his ultimate goal wasn't murder.
Link found himself reaping what he sowed; his chance to make a wish was lost, as Lester would never let him do so.
Feeling regretful, Link realized he should have been more cautious of Lester. He should have raised his guard when seizing Brionne earlier.
Unfortunately, there were no "ifs," and it was too late. His dreams of wishing to become a Grand Festival Champion evaporated, becoming impossible aspirations.
Observing Lester, Lian understood that this rival had prepared contingencies all along, revealing his ambitious nature.
"Jirachi, how can I nullify the wish?" Lian called out to Jirachi, knowing it could still hear despite being incapacitated, which didn't mean unconsciousness.
Jirachi could potentially communicate its thoughts to him using psychic energy, although unlikely at this moment. However, speaking was still possible.
If Lian could invalidate the wishes, it would render Lester's desires futile. But that seemed improbable; otherwise, Jirachi wouldn't have been pursued for countless years without interruption.
"No, it's not possible."
As expected, Jirachi promptly responded. Invalidating wishes was beyond its control and considered a passive ability.
Lian pondered and realized he might as well let Lester make his wish. In the current situation, though, Lian also had the opportunity to make his own wish.
There has never been any rule stating that Pokemon cannot make wishes, so they undoubtedly can. It's just that most Pokemon typically avoid interacting with Jirachi.
Lian didn't really have any specific desire, and wishing to invalidate others' wishes likely wouldn't work either.
"Why not try granting Jirachi freedom? Ending its millennium-long slumber is probably what Jirachi desires most," Lian thought.
The loneliness of a thousand-year sleep is unimaginable, devoid of companionship. Even if friends existed before, after a millennium, everything changes dramatically.
Jirachi feels deeply isolated, and upon waking up, it immediately faces unwanted attention from humans. With only seven days before falling back into slumber, there's hardly any time for play or exploration.
Jirachi's power is terrifying, but it rarely gets to utilize it. If freed from its eternal slumber, Jirachi's control over its abilities would likely improve rapidly.
However, this might also result in losing its wish-granting ability, as that stems from its millennium-long sleep.
Without rest, Jirachi naturally wouldn't possess the power to fulfill wishes.
"Then let's grant her freedom."
Lian made his decision, believing this could be what Jirachi most desires. Once Jirachi gains full mastery of its powers, it may surpass even ordinary Legendary Pokemon in strength.