With the rumbling surge of the sea, a new squall was brewing.
The Seafloor Ruins sank back beneath the waves, waiting for the next challenger.
Hikaru knew exactly whom they awaited.
But N-sensei didn't seem interested in the Ancient Crown at all and had already left the shore.
The Swords of Justice also voiced their intent to depart:
"We need to resume training to keep Ghetsis from coming back. The Ancient Crown said he will return."
"Partner, we'll still be fighting together from here on—and there's one more matter!"
The three Swords gathered, raised their sacred blades, and turned toward the Aegislash that had just endured a brutal battle.
"Here!" Aegislash instantly understood!
This was the "oath-taking rite" Kyurem had mentioned! By rights, its senior Keldeo should be the fourth, but that one hasn't fully mastered its art yet!
Thus, four holy blades crossed.
"Two are better than one."
"Three are better than two."
"Four are better than three."
"When comrades' strength becomes one, true power and courage are born."
The radiance of the swords interwove, then gradually receded. Hikaru and Caitlin watched, utterly engrossed.
"So that's how it is—holy swordsmen need to swear an oath… and they even accept new members. Then?"
Ojō-sama tossed out a question: "As the swordsmen increase, does the oath of the Swords of Justice keep getting longer?"
She thought of her own Gallade.
She wondered if Gallade could learn "Sacred Sword."
"That's a question—but there aren't that many who can learn the Swords' way to begin with! Besides, I imagine the ordinary move 'Sacred Sword' and the Swords of Justice's Sacred Sword aren't the same thing!"
Virizion answered Ojō-sama's doubt:
"We'll part ways here."
Cobalion said:
"The wind carries tidings from afar. We're sure to meet again somewhere else."
"Next time, Keldeo will be one of us."
Yes—this mentor intended to return to the Giant Chasm to check on his pupil's condition.
Aegislash, meanwhile, was buzzing with excitement!
Mm—ceremony! Ceremony is necessary! Sorry, senior—this time I'm sneaking ahead.
Next time, the two of us will form a new swordsman duo.
As for Team Plasma's members, Caitlin used her psychic power to gather them up wholesale and toss them to Officer Jenny-san.
Officer Jenny-san greatly commended and praised the "Unova Elite Four" for maintaining public order and protecting the environment and historical ruins.
At the same time, the Seafloor Ruins' very real appearance left many people aghast.
There was no need to spread the word—plenty had witnessed the unbelievable scene from the shore.
Even with the storm as a screen, the spectacle when the sea later froze was enough for people to glean that something extraordinary had happened.
So, many minds started turning; people were itching to try their luck in the ruins and see whether any peerless treasures remained.
And this wave of fervor drew the attention of a certain "big client."
"Hello! I actually know you—do you know me?"
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Meyer of the Bourgeois family!"
The newcomer was a young man in a smart suit—the "Rich Boy" type of Trainer.
Hikaru found it a bit odd. "From what I remember, Mr. Bourgeois is a karate master…"
"Oh! That's my father, Mr. Bourgeois!"
Bourgeois Meyer adjusted his jacket and laughed. "There are seven of us in the family! People mix us up all the time! Though I'm the head of the family, my father is as well."
"I bought exquisite ancient statues from you once—do you remember me? Looks like you've mixed me up with my father too."
"Oh, Caitlin-san, forgive my lack of manners! I just got overexcited by the Seafloor Ruins' appearance. My father did too."
Meyer pointed to the side. Sure enough, a square-jawed, middle-aged karateka stood there with his fists clenched, staring toward where the ruins had been—both regretful and thrilled—even though nothing could be seen now.
"I recognize you all, so—what is it you want?"
Ojō-sama felt rather uninterested. The Bourgeois were local rich folk, but no matter how rich, not richer than she was.
"We're not selling the antiques."
Everything brought up from the Seafloor Ruins was treasure. Caitlin still needed them to write her ruins report—for Cynthia.
Besides, she felt she'd obtained a portion of the King's Heart. So the ruins' spoils were also hers. How could they be sold casually?
"If you want antiques, go to the seafloor and get them yourself."
With little enthusiasm, Caitlin waved her hand, then took Hikaru by the arm:
"Tenchō, let's go back. It's boring here."
She blinked. "I'm a little tired. Come help me write the report."
"W-wait, please!"
Meyer hastily wiped sweat:
"Caitlin-san, Hikaru-san—I'm not trying to strong-arm you into selling the antiques."
"I know treasures steeped in history and human touch aren't easily sold."
"However, we'd still like to view them. After all, our family has been in Undella Town for so long, always devoted to collecting such things."
Hikaru blinked. That was indeed a bit strange.
The Bourgeois family was obsessed with the Seafloor Ruins—so much so that in Black 2 and White 2, their villa was demolished to open a tunnel, and Meyer and the others left. Only Mr. Bourgeois remained in Undella, renting a room to continue his acquisition plans.
And if you offered them treasures from elsewhere, they wouldn't buy them. Only items from the Seafloor Ruins caught their eye.
So—what was the Bourgeois connection to the Sea King and the Harmonia line?
In the special episodes, nothing like that was shown. The only Bourgeois member featured was the lady Trish, who tried to subdue the Swords of Justice—only to be pummeled into reality—and later joined the operation to rescue the Gym Leaders.
"They say royal houses all have gravekeepers. Could the Bourgeois once have served House Harmonia?"
Hikaru didn't intend to dig deeper. But he did think the Bourgeois collection would be worth a look.
"Ojō-sama, I think the Bourgeois collection is worth seeing."
That feeling reached Caitlin's heart. She let out a small, displeased hum, then said:
"Fine. Since you're interested, we'll go together."
She knew that Tenchō—the tool-crafter—chased rare materials and treasures. And she herself hadn't seen the Bourgeois antiques either.
Mm. A joint visit might also help with the report for Cynthia. Thinking so, she nodded lightly—and her mood lifted.
"Phew! That's wonderful!" Meyer brightened. He called over his still-crestfallen father, and the two welcomed them into the Bourgeois family villa.
The villa's great hall held countless glass cases, each filled with antiques and exhibits the Bourgeois had collected!
The family's young lady was here too.
"Ugh, I'm bored to death in Father's villa… You two are Trainers, right? If you don't mind, let's have a battle—"
"Susan! Not this time!"
Meyer quickly caught the heiress and whispered:
"That's Caitlin-san. Don't you recognize her, even in a different outfit?"
Susan started, then finally recognized Caitlin—yet her eyes were sharp and nosy.
"But I've never seen Caitlin-san with a man before—huh?"
Her eyes sparkled with excitement and gossip, but she soon remembered something important:
"Right—big brother, the ancient coins at home are missing—the ones we exchanged from that professional on the coast last time."
"What? How could they be missing? Does Father know?" Meyer was shocked.
"He… probably doesn't. Yet." Susan glanced at the collection area—where Mr. Bourgeois immediately let out a pig-slaughter scream. She shrugged helplessly:
"Okay, he probably knows now."
Mr. Bourgeois looked utterly drained, staring at his most precious display case—now a wreck.
"A-ancient… ancient gold coins from the founding era 3,000 years ago… M-my antiques…"
"Meyer! Susan! Drake! Can someone tell me what happened?!"
Mr. Bourgeois nearly fainted from grief. Hikaru, thoughtful, took out an ancient coin. "Do you mean this kind?"
"Yes! That one! Did you find it in the Seafloor Ruins? Will you sell it to me?"
Mr. Bourgeois sprang back to life, trembling as he eyed the coin—though the loss still stabbed at him.
Hikaru glanced at a certain spot.
Ojō-sama sensed it too.
"Seems the thief is still here—and it's got its eyes on the coin in my hand."
"What?!" Mr. Bourgeois shot up. "A thief?! I'll break his legs! How dare he hide in the villa of a magnate like me!"
"Are you both psychics? Can you tell where the thief is?"
Hikaru tapped a pane of glass. "Right here."
Inside the glass sat an ancient-looking treasure chest.
"By the way, what's this chest?"
"I bought it months ago in a deal with a certain professional. Those ancient coins came from her as well. She said the chest is a rare antiquity."
Mr. Bourgeois answered frankly. Hikaru thought for a moment. "That professional—was she the one who introduced you to me?"
"Yes! That's her! But her name is a pseudonym, and I'm not at liberty to share…" Mr. Bourgeois fidgeted.
After all, he knew exactly where that "professional's" antiques came from. Not exactly aboveboard.
"It's fine. I know her well—she's also my client."
"In that case, I have a good idea what this chest is."
"Please open the display."
Sure enough, the antique had been sold by Raifort-sensei. And the antiques she sold… always came with problems. A little curse would be the least of it. Mr. Bourgeois truly had guts—buying Raifort's stock. Takes a bold seller and an even bolder buyer.
And wouldn't you know it—out comes a "ghost"!
"Legend tells of a Pokémon whose appearance resembles a treasure chest—at first glance you'd never guess it's a Pokémon."
"It hides in a sturdy, old chest, and its defenses are high. On the flip side, the chest is heavy, so it's slow and bad at moving."
"It lies in wait wherever it senses people or Pokémon, then uses ghostly power to control those who approach, making them collect coins."
"It often lurks in storerooms or the corners of item shops where few come by; once you encounter it, it keeps you under its sway and is hard to escape."
"It's often mistaken for an antique, carried off, or sold to antique shops. They say it was born from passion that seeped into coins."
Half-skeptical, Mr. Bourgeois unlocked the glass. Perhaps sensing a Spiritwalker's presence, the chest didn't budge—feigning death.
"Return Mr. Bourgeois's money. In exchange, you can have my ancient coins."
Hikaru produced a handful of ancient coins. The Pokémon in the chest wavered.
But! It was a trap! If it opened the lid, its hoard would instantly reset to zero! It had worked so hard—no way it would let it all go to waste!
So the chest stayed silent.
"To resist the lure of coin… You leave me no choice." Hikaru glanced at those present.
Mr. Bourgeois's eyes were already turning into [$_$].
"But did you think that's enough to hide those coins? Taking what isn't yours is theft—though to be fair, most Pokémon don't share our morality."
"So I'll teach you something: merely getting your hands on something doesn't make it yours."
"Therefore, I'll play the bully—just this once."
Hikaru drew his Glamour Wand.
The coins inside the chest belonged to Gimmighoul, so—
"Switcheroo!"
As the coins in the chest rapidly dwindled, what replaced them were stones and sand. The Gimmighoul hiding inside panicked!
Don't steal them! Don't steal them!
Those are my coins—my money! Fine, I'll give them back!
Bang! The lid flew open. Gimmighoul—little silver gremlin—popped out, fuming and screeching!
"See? A Pokémon."
Hikaru shrugged at the slack-jawed Mr. Bourgeois, Meyer, and Susan.
"H-how did you do that?"
Susan's eyes sparkled; Meyer was equally stunned.
"This?" Hikaru glanced at his wand, then smiled at the stomping silver imp and tapped Gimmighoul with it.
"This is magic."
(End of Chapter)
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