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"Hm??"
Liam stood on the suspension bridge, shouting down below—not out of anger, but mostly to amuse Delia. Seeing Delia beside him laughing so hard she was practically in tears, Liam felt his goal had already been accomplished.
But just then, he suddenly heard an unusual disturbance overhead.
"Something's coming! Delia—watch out!"
Hearing the sound, Liam quickly turned around, his expression sharp with alertness as he moved toward Delia, intending to help her up from where she was now seated on the suspension bridge, laughing.
But he had barely taken two steps when a sharp, piercing screech tore through the air. Liam's face changed instantly. He clamped his hands over his ears, trying to block out the unbearable noise.
Delia, still sitting on the bridge, was likewise caught in the sound's range. But with one arm holding the sky-blue Pokémon egg close to her chest, she could only cover one ear. Her face twisted in pain.
"Zuu! Zuu-zzzzt!!"
Angry cries echoed from above. Liam quickly looked up—and saw a horde of Golbat leading a swarm of Zubat, all charging down at them, fangs bared in fury. It was clearly these Pokémon who had caused the screech earlier.
"ROAR!!"
The commotion clearly reached Aerodactyl on the far end of the bridge. Upon seeing its Trainer under attack, it let out an earth-shaking roar and rapidly beat its wings, diving toward them at top speed.
"Ahh!! Don't bite me!! AHH!!"
On the other side, several Zubat had already descended on Delia, their mouths wide open as they tried to bite her. Delia sat on the bridge clutching the egg, scooting backward in an attempt to avoid their attacks. But the bridge was narrow, and her retreat quickly brought her to the very edge.
At that moment, one of the Zubat flapped its wings forcefully and slammed into her, sending Delia—along with the egg in her arms—tumbling off the bridge.
"DELIA!!"
Still fending off the Golbat and Zubat, Liam heard her scream. He turned just in time to see her fall. His eyes immediately turned bloodshot, and he leapt off the bridge without hesitation.
"Aerodactyl! Scyther!!"
Liam was falling faster than Delia. As he caught up, he reached out and grabbed her, shielding her tightly in his arms. His expression softened slightly—until he saw the horde of flying Pokémon descending toward them.
Rage surged in his throat.
"Scyther!!"
"ROAR!!"
In response to Liam's cry, a flash of white light burst from his waist—Scyther had appeared in midair. Seeing the incoming Golbat and Zubat, its twin scythe-like arms glowed white as it vibrated its insect wings and charged.
With swift slashes to the left and right, Scyther cut down the attackers midair. One after another, Golbat and Zubat shrieked and plummeted, unable to continue fighting.
"ROAR!!"
Aerodactyl also arrived just in time, flinging aside the remaining Golbat with a powerful sweep of its wings. It grabbed Liam securely at the waist with its talons and, with a powerful beat of its wings, carried Liam and Delia back upward.
"Ah! The egg! The egg's falling!!"
But just then, Delia screamed again. Liam looked down—and saw the Pokémon egg she had been holding had slipped and was now plummeting rapidly toward the lake below.
Cradling Delia tightly, Liam could feel her body trembling. She must have been so terrified that she lost the strength to hold the egg.
"Aerodactyl!!"
"ROAR!!"
Liam shouted. Aerodactyl responded immediately, folding its wings and diving after the egg like a bomber jet.
But—it was too late.
Even though there was a lake beneath the bridge, the height from which the egg had fallen was too great. If it struck the water directly, the egg would almost certainly shatter.
Delia couldn't bear to watch. Tears filled her eyes as she covered her face with her hands, heartbroken.
Liam, too, felt a deep sense of helplessness. That egg had been exchanged through the system—watching it smash against the lake would be a painful loss.
"Wait! Delia—look!!"
Just as the egg was about to hit the water, something miraculous happened.
The lake below began to shift. A vortex formed around the falling egg, and from the center of the whirlpool, a gentle stream of clear water rose, catching the egg and floating it safely.
The current moved slowly, gracefully drifting toward the lakeshore. It gently placed the Pokémon egg on dry ground.
"What... what just happened?"
Delia slowly uncovered her eyes, her face full of shock as she watched the incredible scene unfold. Then, realizing the egg was safe, her expression shifted to joy. She patted her chest, exhaling in relief.
"Let's go take a look, Aerodactyl."
"ROAR!"
Liam stared at the egg resting quietly by the lakeshore. Only then did he notice the rocky cliff behind it—and within the rock face, a hidden tunnel entrance, obscured by mist continuously pouring out.
Aerodactyl growled softly and flew toward the shore.
Just as they approached, a familiar sound echoed in Liam's mind.
[Ding!]
[Emergency Mission Issued: Sovereign of the Water, The Winds Incarnate!]
[Mission Details: By the shimmering lakeside, hidden within the mist, slumbers a legendary monarch said to possess the power to peer into human hearts. Uncover its true identity by obtaining a sample—blood, fur, or scales—anything will do.]
[Reward: 1000 Exchange Points, 1 Mystery Gift Package]
[Note: This mission has no penalties. The host may choose to ignore it without consequence.]
That familiar mission alert rang in Liam's head—and he immediately knew what kind of being he had encountered.
"Come out, Suicune! I know it was you who saved us. May we thank you in person?"
After Aerodactyl landed and set them down, Delia joyfully scooped up the unscathed Pokémon egg and hugged it to her chest with relief. Liam, meanwhile, looked toward the mist-shrouded cave in the cliff and called out loudly.
Moments later, a surprised cry echoed from within the cave, as if startled that Liam had discovered its presence. The thick mist slowly parted—and a beautiful, graceful figure stepped into view.
It was Suicune.
Its clear, water-like eyes calmly observed Delia sitting on the ground. For a moment, they showed surprise—then shifted to quiet approval.