In the Alabaster Forest, the Hisuian Zoroark still held its bowl of noodles as it watched the distant snowstorm subside.
It had not actually remained where Hikaru left it. Instead, it had followed him the entire way.
Yet everything happened exactly as he had claimed before leaving!
["He defeated a Pokémon without relying on another Pokémon's power... Then he started telling stories I couldn't understand. I still have no idea who he is or where he came from. None of it makes any sense."]
["But... there is one thing I can be certain of."]
["That person... really is kind. He's completely different from every human I've encountered before... Are there truly other humans like him in this world?"]
It rested a claw against its chest and placed the bowl on the ground.
Amid that violent vortex of energy, it had heard music unlike anything played by the people inhabiting this land.
Even the pain within its heart, along with the innate "resentment" carried by the entire species known as Hisuian Zoroark, had seemed ready to disappear.
Wait!
That couldn't be allowed to happen!
If its wraithlike energy disappeared, wouldn't it immediately be "sent on to the afterlife" since it was a Ghost-type Pokémon?
The Hisuian Zoroark searched its memories.
Come to think of it...
When it was young, the other "elders" in its family had once told it a story.
["A legend about a certain Pokémon has been passed down among Hisui's sacred mountains."]
["There is a divine Ghost-type Pokémon that can perceive the flow of life energy and the presence of souls. Sometimes, it devours lost souls that have nowhere to go. Those souls are purified within its flames, allowing them to return to the place where they belong."]
As Zoroark recalled that story, emotions and a voice suddenly reached it through aura.
"The Pokémon you're remembering came from the Johto region. It is called Cyndaquil."
"When it reaches the final stage of its evolution and becomes Typhlosion, it can be influenced by the spiritual energy of the sacred mountain rising from Hisui's center. Under the influence of this region's unique natural energy, it evolves into an entirely new regional form."
"However, that Pokémon has temporarily vanished from this land."
"When natural phenomena such as space-time distortions, violent storms, and blizzards occur, those Pokémon will manifest here once more. But that won't happen until the humans of this land have fully accepted Pokémon."
"It is said that in even more ancient eras, entirely different Pokémon inhabited many regions. In Hoenn, for example, the ecosystem a thousand years ago... No, perhaps eight hundred and fifty years ago, or even earlier, was completely different from the ecosystem of the present."
"Perhaps certain unique ecosystems were originally brought about by space-time distortions."
The crunch of footsteps crossing the snow reached Zoroark's ears.
The first set of footsteps was urgent, while the second was calm and steady. There was also a third and a fourth.
Yes, the sounds stopped after the fourth person. The third and fourth sets of footsteps remained some distance away.
"You two wait outside. Don't come any closer! They'll be back soon."
That command must have come from the blue-haired woman.
["I should leave now and disappear into the forest. I should never allow myself to be seen by humans."]
["But... the wish I've carried after waiting so many years..."]
The Hisuian Zoroark did not move.
A powerful feeling rose within its heart. If it did not meet him now, it might never receive another chance.
Come here, Alec!
I've waited so very long for you.
"Oración means 'prayer' in the language of a distant land," Hikaru explained. "Humans and Pokémon can listen to the same melody and reach a state where their hearts understand one another."
"Perhaps in the not-so-distant future, a Garden for Everyone will appear atop a mirrorlike lake to the south of this forest."
"A... Garden for Everyone?" Alec repeated.
"That's right. Once the age arrives when humans and Pokémon can live together, perhaps in about fifty years, many more settlers will come to this land. People arriving from distant shores will also bring the cultures of other regions with them."
"In other words, Hisui's culture will become increasingly diverse. Since this is newly settled land, architectural styles from many different regions will appear here."
Hikaru pointed ahead.
"Look. Your friend is waiting for you."
Alec walked forward, still dazed by everything that had happened.
Then he saw that flash of purple hair.
In his memories, his friend had been much smaller and covered in blue-gray fur...
Even so, it had to be...
"You're... Zorua!"
"It's a Hisuian Zoroark now."
Hikaru patted Alec on the shoulder.
"As Pokémon grow, they undergo a phenomenon known as Evolution. It can transform them into forms completely different from what they once were. Their Abilities, types, power, physical capabilities, and many other traits can change."
"Even medicine and Berries aren't suitable for every Pokémon. If certain Pokémon consume medicine or fruit that doesn't agree with them, they can become confused."
The Hisuian Zoroark stared silently at the friend approaching it.
Its thoughts seemed to return to their childhood.
They had clung to each other as they rolled down the snowy mountain, after which they witnessed the golden sunset and the sea.
It was an unforgettable memory.
Flying through the air had been fun, although tumbling down the mountain afterward had been quite humiliating.
"To the people who came here, Pokémon are like monsters," Hikaru continued. "They're dangerous and ferocious, so humans fear and remain vigilant against them. Sometimes, that fear develops into outright hostility."
"But as I told you before, there are many distant lands where humans and Pokémon coexist. You traveled elsewhere to practice medicine, so you must have seen people, perhaps even entire kingdoms, where humans live alongside Pokémon."
"You played happily with Zorua when you were a child. Are those memories truly beyond recovery now that you've grown older? I doubt it."
"Since Johto is your homeland, you should at least have heard stories about 'carrying Pokémon inside balls,' correct?"
"Your father, Anvin, came from the family of Poké Ball craftsmen of that generation. He probably failed to inherit his ancestors' craft because... Well, perhaps he experienced something terrifying in the past, or perhaps his craftsmanship simply didn't meet their standards."
"Even so, creating yosegi marquetry requires extraordinary woodworking skill. Now that he has the Galaxy Team's assistance, he should be preparing to begin crafting balls again."
"He's the most skilled carpenter in Hisui. Someone from a distant land has commissioned him, and the Galaxy Team is preparing to develop new technology. All those factors have come together."
Alec blinked.
"My father rarely talks about his childhood..."
"When you say 'balls,' do you mean that object Captain Cyllene wears at her waist? I only returned two days ago, so I don't know much about what has happened here."
"But how do you know what happened between Zorua and me? My father didn't seem to recognize you either..."
"Are you a swordsman from a distant land? A wizard from a fairy tale? A traveling doctor like me? Or are you one of those people I encountered elsewhere... the ones called scholars?"
"Those scholars research what kind of creatures Pokémon truly are. I studied under several of them while traveling in distant lands."
"Why can't I be all of those things?" Hikaru asked. "Must a person's profession be so restrictive?"
Alec stared at him, then scratched his head, unable to offer a response.
Hikaru held out a bright red ball.
"What is this ball?" Alec asked. "It's red? It's different from the one Captain Cyllene wears at her waist..."
More precisely, Cyllene's ball was also red. However, it did not resemble this one, which shone with a crystalline scarlet color like frozen flames.
Come to think of it, Alec did not even know what Cyllene's ball was used for. She had never mentioned it.
It was something she carried privately, so he had never paid much attention to it.
"This was created through Johto craftsmanship," Hikaru explained. "It is a type of ball developed to commemorate something important."
"It's called a Cherish Ball."
"I share a small connection with you, so I'll give it to you."
Naturally, this Cherish Ball had not been crafted from an authentic ruby. Hikaru had used one of the Red Spheres commonly found throughout Sinnoh's Grand Underground.
In other words, it was an imitation.
Then again...
An authentic Cherish Ball had a catch-rate modifier of one. This imitation also had a catch-rate modifier of one.
Their appearances were identical.
A ball made from a Red Sphere could not be used with the regional-energy amplifier, but aside from that, was there truly any difference?
"A Cherish Ball is made by combining red fruit with red stone, jewels, or crystals," Hikaru said.
"In the distant land of Oblivia, there is a tradition that says offering someone a red fruit symbolizes reconciliation."
"No matter how painful the past may have been, even if two people severed all ties and swore never to see each other again, that bitterness can still be resolved."
"Don't you want to remain with your friend? After finally meeting again, will the two of you immediately separate?"
"Carrying Pokémon inside balls is one way to eliminate prejudice and fear. Pokémon dwelling inside the balls also find them more comfortable."
"This is the culmination of four hundred years... No, three hundred and fifty years of craftsmanship. Don't underestimate it. This is an object that connects the world."
"Every Pokémon possesses the natural ability to shrink itself. When a Poké Ball is thrown at one, the ball draws the Pokémon inside."
"Different Poké Balls provide different levels of comfort and have varying internal environments."
"As for why they are balls, it is said that a thousand years... No, approximately eight hundred and fifty years ago, a type of sealing slab appeared in the Galar region."
"People shattered those slabs and fashioned the fragments into stone spheres capable of sealing rampaging Pokémon. That was how the art of sealing was passed down."
"Similar people existed elsewhere. They were known as 'wielders of magical beasts' or 'Pokémon tamers.'"
Only then did Alec notice that Hikaru carried a great many balls.
None resembled the one hanging from Cyllene's waist. They had simpler designs, although some were exceptionally beautiful.
Click.
As Alec stared at the red ball in his hand, the Hisuian Zoroark offered him an old, weathered mask.
It was the Zoroark mask Alec had worn as a child.
He froze for a moment, then smiled with nostalgia.
"I never imagined that the mask I lost in the forest that day... was taken by you."
"You kept it with you all this time. And I never imagined that when I returned to Hisui in search of Medicinal Leeks, I would meet you here again."
His resolve hardened.
More accurately, he had always intended to make this choice.
The elders on both sides had never wanted the two of them to interact.
Yet a young Zorua and a human child had cast aside their mutual prejudices and become friends.
"If a god truly exists in this world, then this meeting must have happened through its guidance."
"It doesn't matter if people refuse to understand me or question my choices..."
"My father also asked why I'm so devoted to Pokémon. But I think it's precisely because a Pokémon saved my life as a child that I chose to become a doctor."
"That's why I've continued traveling throughout the world. I want to heal every Pokémon and learn even more advanced medical techniques."
"I want humans and Pokémon to live together in friendship!"
"May this world be surrounded by love!"
Alec held the red ball forward.
The Hisuian Zoroark placed one claw upon it.
At that moment, it seemed as though the hostility between humans and Pokémon disappeared.
Zoroark looked toward Hikaru, seemingly searching for the final answer it needed to make its decision.
Hikaru chuckled.
"The age when humans and Pokémon live in harmony is about to arrive."
"If you don't 'catch up' to him now and remain together, Alec might eventually leave this place. Then you may never see him again for the rest of your life."
"Human lives are very short."
"An old man once said, 'Treasure the wonderful time you share with Pokémon.' I don't think there's anything wrong with reversing the perspective."
"That old man also left behind the Song of Lapras."
Hikaru raised the Celestica Flute and began to play.
As the gentle melody filled the forest, the knot within the Hisuian Zoroark's heart finally unraveled.
That was right.
Human lives were short!
What was there left to hesitate over?
Thank you...
The human who bought me ramen!
No, the Swordsman of Lightning!
It placed its second claw over Alec's hand.
["Back then, I wanted to leave with you..."]
["You called me your friend, and I remembered those words all these years. Now, at last..."]
["My eternal friend."]
["This is the mark of our reconciliation."]
Within the darkness of night, only the "stars" and the "moon" remained.
From the stars to the moon, then from dawn to the rising sun, the "light" steadily grew brighter.
True friends needed few words when reunited.
Alec and Zoroark embraced.
The Pokémon transformed into crimson light.
The once-empty red ball grew pleasantly heavy.
The flute's melody came to an end.
Hikaru conveyed the Hisuian Zoroark's thoughts to Alec, then added meaningfully:
"Night is merely the prelude to day. When the sun departs, the stars continue their journey."
"Sometimes, language exists precisely so that we can understand one another."
He held something else out.
"Take this as well."
"What is it?" Alec asked. "A crafting recipe... No, it's a medical formula!"
"That's right. It's the crafting recipe for a Max Revive."
"No matter how badly a Pokémon is injured, one Max Revive can restore its strength. When it comes to treating injuries, it's far more effective than the topical medicine made with Medicinal Leeks."
"Long ago, someone excavated a mineral with healing properties from beneath the ground. By processing Medicinal Leeks and a Vivichoke together, they created an object known as a Revive that reproduced the mineral's properties."
"Process the Revive a second time with King's Leaf, and the result is a crafted Max Revive."
Alec blinked.
"Incredible... So this is the medicine that can cure everything?"
Hikaru shook his head beneath Alec's searching gaze.
The doctor froze again.
It wasn't?
"No. A medicine capable of curing every disease and injury is exceptionally rare. It cannot easily be obtained in the Hisui region. It comes from a Johto legend."
"If you intend to understand that medicine..."
"You must overcome the ten barriers obstructing the path shared by humans and Pokémon. Only then will you receive the acknowledgment of the guardian of Ilex Forest and obtain that medicine."
"I possess the formula, but the medicinal herb required does not exist here. You'll have to find it yourself."
"That means you'll need a Pokémon as your first partner."
"Of course... The hero from the legend traveled with three Pokémon, so you'll need at least two more companions."
"That legend is now considered a traditional competitive event in the Johto region, and its story is passed down in a certain town."
"There is currently no one in the Galaxy Team or Hisui who can 'capture three Pokémon in a single attempt.' She hasn't arrived yet, although there are quite a few people capable of it elsewhere."
Hikaru calculated the dates.
"If you leave for Johto now, you might still witness an exceptionally rare spectacle."
"A bolt of lightning will strike a tower. The resulting fire will burn for three days and three nights, killing three Pokémon..."
"Then a rainbow from afar will resurrect them and transform them into Legendary Pokémon."
"Raikou, Entei, and Suicune."
"That should serve nicely as the content of your future trials, as well as the barriers you must overcome."
Yes, the bolt of lightning that destroyed the Brass Tower!
It happened during the exact same period as the "divine thunder" appearing in Hisui.
Both events took place precisely one hundred and fifty years before the modern era!
Perhaps there was some connection between them.
After all, Ho-Oh and Lugia also had a rather murky relationship with that cosmic llama.
If Alec traveled to Johto, perhaps he could even obtain a Rainbow Wing or Silver Wing.
Alec remained dazed for quite some time.
An intense emotion slowly took shape in his heart. He then offered Hikaru his solemn gratitude.
"Thank you for telling me all of this. More importantly, thank you for allowing me to meet my friend again."
"As a doctor, I have nothing that could possibly serve as payment. My knowledge of medicinal herbs and medical techniques is far inferior to yours."
"Therefore, there is only one thing I can offer in return!"
"I will continue my work as a Pokémon doctor. No matter how much time passes, I will always uphold this ideal!"
"If there are Pokémon suffering anywhere in the world, I will go there and heal them. Then I will travel even farther and spread my ideals!"
"My conviction!"
Hikaru nodded.
"Doctors are extraordinarily important. You must learn to treat both physical pain and emotional suffering."
"There are still countless 'wounded' Pokémon across this land, from the creator of the universe to the most ordinary Pokémon."
"I'll be heading to the Pearl Clan next."
"You're only staying in Hisui for another two or three days, so we probably won't meet again before you leave."
"But if we ever cross paths again somewhere in the world, whether in the past or the future... remember to come have some ramen."
"May the convictions of humanity reach the highest heavens."
Peace returned to the Alabaster Forest.
Only a brand-new wooden bowl remained behind.
"Mr. Swordsman... No, Professor!" Alec called out. "Meeting someone like you has been my good fortune!"
"We'll meet again one day. Until then!"
Hikaru glanced at his Arc Phone.
["Doctor" has been added to the Eternal Battle Reverie.]
[Alec has been recorded.]
————————
"That concludes the results of our expedition beyond the walls," Cyllene reported.
"I believe that to protect the village more effectively, we should establish a Survey Corps in addition to the Security Corps."
"The members of the Security Corps are already discussing the 'Swordsman of Lightning.' The story has spread throughout the village..."
"Many villagers have heard that a mysterious foreigner appeared during this dangerous incident."
"Yes, a foreigner even stranger than us."
Inside Galaxy Hall, the Galaxy Team's headquarters in Jubilife Village, Cyllene reported everything that had happened during their expedition to Commander Kamado.
Kamado resembled a younger, black-bearded Professor Rowan.
That was only natural, since he was Rowan's ancestor.
Pokémon had now entered the village.
The injured Pokémon brought back by Alec and Anvin had received treatment. The village children had even begun playing with them.
Cyllene herself had rescued one as well...
Using the Galaxy Team's newly developed experimental Poké Ball, she had caught an Abra with an injured tail.
Poké Balls were important objects that connected humans and Pokémon.
As Cyllene reflected upon the swordsman's words, she found herself increasingly convinced of that belief.
Naturally, her report also included every detail concerning the "swordsman who emerged from the lightning."
However, Kamado appeared thoroughly bewildered.
"Pokémon are dangerous creatures," he said. "They're terrifying."
"We came to Hisui in search of a new land free from conflict."
"Our homeland was destroyed by rampaging Pokémon, and now the same thing has happened in Hisui. This once again demonstrates how dangerous Pokémon can be."
"Yet you claim that Pokémon can understand human language and comprehend our intentions... That is almost impossible to believe."
"As for this foreign swordsman, you say he emerged from a bolt of lightning and wielded a flute, a greatsword, a staff... and even sorcery."
"It sounds like a fairy tale. He resembles a character from the nursery rhymes told by the old men back in my homeland."
Kamado stroked his beard.
"When I was a child, I did hear stories about an incredible art known as 'sealing.' Those stories supposedly took place approximately one thousand years ago..."
"Certain people could apparently use slabs to seal Pokémon inside stones."
"I don't know the details. I always treated them as children's stories."
"After all, if people with such abilities truly existed, how could my homeland have been destroyed?"
"They were merely stories. Nothing more."
"But now you're telling me those stories have become reality..."
"You said he possesses many titles. Yet I never heard anything in Galar about the 'Strongest Master in the World.'"
"Normally, I would assume it was an empty title used to deceive people while traveling."
"But he shocked even a master of hard-blade swordsmanship like you and defeated a vicious dragon head-on... Hmm..."
"My sumo techniques allow me to throw boulders and hurl Pokémon through the air, but I could never accomplish what he did."
"Perhaps his claim to being the strongest in the world actually carries some weight."
"Come to think of it, someone else recently joined the Galaxy Team claiming to possess a special power. His name is Rye. For the time being, I assigned him to the Agriculture Corps."
"If I remember correctly, he arrived aboard the same ship as Alec!"
"Rye..." Cyllene murmured. "If he traveled aboard the same ship as Alec, then he must have come from somewhere around Johto or Kanto...!"
Kamado considered everything he had heard.
"The number of mysteries surrounding us continues to grow."
"Establishing a Survey Corps... A scholar did tell us that we need a clearer understanding of how Pokémon live and what kind of creatures they truly are."
"To ensure the people of Hisui can live in safety, I also hope that scholar arrives soon."
"Establishing the Survey Corps now seems like a natural course of action."
"He should arrive within approximately two months. He is currently preparing for his survey and apparently intends to bring several... unusual Pokémon with him."
"You will be responsible for coordinating with him. We can begin our formal surveys upon his arrival."
Kamado paused before changing the subject.
"This 'foreign Swordsman of Lightning' has also caused some people to feel uneasy."
"They say they finally reached a land free from conflict, only for someone with supernatural powers to appear. Some are asking whether that man is truly human."
"I have heard several comments of that nature."
"However, your report is far more detailed."
"Curiously, the villagers seem less afraid of Pokémon after hearing about this unbelievable human."
"Perhaps that is a good thing."
Cyllene froze briefly, then considered her answer.
"People instinctively reject anything that contradicts their understanding of the world."
"Once something even more frightening appears, what they feared before no longer seems quite so terrifying..."
She coughed.
"I didn't mean anything by that."
"I simply believe the best way to eliminate fear is not to reject the other party, but to deepen our understanding of them."
"If we investigate what sort of person he is, we should eventually understand that he bears us no ill will."
"After all, he genuinely saved our lives. That is the strongest evidence possible."
"The Galaxy Team possesses nothing worth coveting. Someone who saves lives without seeking any benefit, even if it was merely convenient for him, must be kindhearted."
"When we first arrived here, Hisui's native inhabitants were wary of us as well. Yet they gradually accepted our presence."
"It took us two years to establish enough achievements to earn their trust."
Kamado considered her words, then nodded.
"As long as the Swordsman of Lightning does not enter the village, I doubt there will be a problem. His presence won't cause further alarm, and we can leave him alone."
"If the villagers' anxiety and pressure continue accumulating, I will face considerable difficulty as their commander."
"Unknown natural phenomena have appeared throughout Hisui, and all manner of strange incidents have occurred one after another."
"With the immense pressures of settling this land, their fear is inevitable."
"If he remains somewhere outside the village, I don't care whether he opens a stall or works as a traveling merchant."
"Those who wish to meet him can leave the village, while those who want nothing to do with him can keep their distance."
"Whether we consider this incident, our need to understand the local ecosystem, or the 'space-time distortions' mentioned by the swordsman, we must investigate these mysteries if we hope to live normally."
"What does it mean for multiple universes to overlap? What is this third universe? What is the overflowing power of Transcendent Space-Time?"
"I suspect we will only begin to understand those matters once the scholar arrives."
"Your decision was correct, Cyllene."
"That man also claims to belong to an ancient people and calls himself one of the Celestica people."
"Now yet another group of ancient people has appeared."
"From now on, the Galaxy Team must continue acting cautiously within Hisui. We cannot allow conflict to erupt between us and the local peoples, settlements, or ancient cities."
"For the local people, survival is impossible without fighting."
"But our ideal is to seek a world without conflict."
The matter of the Celestica people weighed heavily on Kamado's mind.
Other ancient cities and settlements existed throughout this land, but only two groups worshiped almighty Sinnoh and claimed descent from the Celestica people.
They traveled widely throughout Hisui and could be found in many places.
In the past, they had even fought wars that resulted in widespread bloodshed.
Now a third group of Celestica descendants had appeared.
Worse, they possessed even greater power than the previous two!
Cyllene suddenly offered another suggestion.
"We must handle this carefully."
"Now that a member of the third Celestica people has joined the Pearl Clan, I'm concerned the Diamond Clan might react strongly and draw the Galaxy Team into their conflict."
"Both clans recently appointed new leaders, so perhaps a confrontation can be avoided. Even so, the Galaxy Team cannot support either side."
"If anyone asks us what happened, I believe we should simply tell them the truth."
"Alec will leave the village by ship in several days. He only came here to search for medicinal herbs."
"Meeting the Swordsman of Lightning seems to have been an unexpected reward."
"The swordsman also appears to understand special methods for cultivating food and medicinal herbs, along with various crafting techniques far beyond those of the Galaxy Team."
"If we could learn from him, it would greatly improve both the work of the Agriculture Corps and everyday life in Jubilife Village."
"We can offer any reasonable price in exchange for his knowledge. Everything we do is intended to help the villagers survive and live better lives."
"Anvin, the owner of the craftworks, also believes there would be no problem asking him to teach us his crafting techniques."
"After all, the man calls himself the Legendary Craftsman."
"As for that red ball, Anvin said it resembled the balls he once saw in his homeland, although its craftsmanship was even more astonishing."
"He also carries many balls, so Pokémon clearly accompany him."
"I examined them carefully. He seems to carry approximately thirty-four."
"But forget thirty Pokémon. If we encounter even three at once, we normally have no choice but to flee."
Kamado gave Cyllene a thoughtful look.
"You're also interested in the Swordsman of Lightning's swordsmanship, aren't you?"
"Well, that is understandable. It is swordsmanship capable of defeating Pokémon."
"Thirty-four Pokémon... Does that mean this single man possesses power equivalent to more than thirty Pokémon?!"
"He's practically an army unto himself! If he also commands thirty Pokémon, then he's no different from the leader of an entire legion."
Kamado waved the matter aside.
"Very well. You already have an interest in contacting him, and your proposal is reasonable. You can handle the negotiations."
"However, establishing a Survey Corps will involve a great deal of documentation and administrative work."
"Will you truly have enough free time to serve as our liaison?"
"You may decline if you wish. I can select someone else."
Cyllene paused in thought, but quickly reached her decision.
"I have no objections."
Kamado nodded.
"I'm relieved to hear that. However, there is one more matter."
Cyllene blinked.
"What is it?"
"When you find his ramen stall, remember to report its location to me."
"As commander of the Galaxy Team, I must personally... evaluate its quality."
"And I'm extremely curious about this 'person who bears a great mission' he mentioned!"
....
"You say the sun disappeared, then the Celestica people migrated north of Johto and established Sinjoh before eventually returning here..."
"I find that difficult to imagine."
"However, our ancestors also returned across the sea, so I have no grounds to question that part of your story."
"Besides, the Pearl Clan truly did once revere a great hero whose hair resembled the sun. Unfortunately, no one remembers his name."
"Yet in every version of the story, including those told by the Diamond Clan and by the people of Michina and other settlements and ancient cities, we have never heard anything about Sinjoh."
"My ancestors took root in this land where they encountered almighty Sinnoh, then established the Pearl Settlement."
"Yet even now, I have never seen almighty Sinnoh."
"Are you claiming we aren't the rightful descendants of the Celestica people?"
Hikaru stopped walking.
Ahead of him, Irida turned around, and the two stared at each other.
"Not at all," Hikaru replied. "The name Celestica merely refers to those who revere Sinnoh."
"The old Celestica people disappeared, but new Celestica people will continue to emerge."
"As for why you have never met almighty Sinnoh, that should be obvious. You cannot travel to the heavens, and the necessary conditions have not yet been fulfilled."
"Long ago, people used special music and dances to demonstrate the power of Sinnoh."
"There was the Celestica melody, the melody of the heavens, and the dances, bells, and songs now performed in Johto as offerings to Ho-Oh and Lugia."
"Oración and Melody's Ocarina are similar examples."
"Countless ceremonial songs and dances have been passed down, along with music that was later prophesied and written."
"I can teach you if you wish. You're quite talented."
Irida adjusted her hair ornament.
Her musical talent...
That ability was precisely why she had been selected as the clan's leader.
Unfortunately, she was terrible at answering questions about knowledge.
When she inherited the leadership position, everyone had subjected her to an endless stream of questions.
All that remained of the experience were painful memories.
"I want to argue with you, but you truly can play the Celestica Flute..."
"You're only the second person I've ever encountered who can perform its complete melody."
"The first person, naturally, was me."
Although it was difficult to believe Hikaru's claims, no one could fake the complete melody of the Celestica Flute.
Most people could produce only two or three notes.
Only an expert like Irida understood that the full composition could not be performed by just anyone.
More importantly, the ability itself served as proof of one's identity!
Hikaru's performance had even surpassed her own!
"You were just thinking about how terrible you are at answering questions, weren't you?" Hikaru asked.
Irida flinched.
"Eek! How did you know?"
"Oh... Aura! That ability is incredibly useful..."
She lowered her head, then suddenly asked:
"What kind of place is the Mystri Stage?"
"You said Sinjoh is where the 'stage' can be found. Is it the proper place to receive an audience with almighty Sinnoh?"
"You mentioned four emblems and four almighty beings."
"The Thousand-Armed Wheel, the pendant you showed me, and the shape of that phone all resemble the symbols inside the Temple of Sinnoh."
"There's also an enormous stone with the same design in Jubilife Village. No one knows where it came from."
"'Stage' is part of a Pearl Clan saying, correct?" Hikaru asked.
"'The stage has come to welcome you. Those who bear a mission will find a stage upon which they can shine.'"
"This should help you understand."
Hikaru produced the Lustrous Orb.
Irida's pupils contracted.
They had spoken for a long time and crossed forests and snowfields together, yet only now did he reveal this object.
"The founder of the Pearl Clan possessed something called the Lustrous Globe," Hikaru explained. "It resembles the Lustrous Orb, but is even more powerful."
"These objects are carried from birth by those created upon the Mystri Stage."
"Occasionally, however, they are lost or gifted to humans who earn their recognition."
"The first Old Verse."
"Old... Verse?" Irida asked.
"They are ancient poems passed down throughout Hisui. No one remembers them now, and they remain buried across the land."
"They record part of the truth."
"I say 'part' because the remaining portions were preserved in Sinjoh... and in several other places now lost."
Hikaru recited:
["Once, two beings stood side by side."]
["One watched the steady flow of time, while the other gazed across the boundless reaches of space."]
["Seeking the future beyond the future and the farthest limits beyond heaven and earth, the two followed separate paths."]
["Yet almighty Sinnoh accompanied them both."]
He turned toward Sneasler.
"Sneasler possesses one of those objects, doesn't she? A Plate engraved with an inscription."
"I'll interpret it."
["Within the opposite world, the laws governing time and space are transformed."]
"There are nineteen sentences engraved upon the Plates."
"Other inscriptions can be found throughout Hisui. An ancient message in Turnback Cave, beyond Sendoff Spring, reads:
["Past three pillars... offer up... before thirty is surpassed..."]
["Here, radiant life and departed life meet. It is where two worlds overlap."]
"Another story has been passed down in Hisui since ancient times."
["Where brilliant light shines, a deep shadow is born."]
"That passage comes from the ruins of the Celestica temple."
Irida looked toward Sneasler.
Sneasler pointed at Hikaru, repeatedly making a gesture that seemed to say, "I choose you."
That finally allowed Irida to make her decision.
"There are still many things I find difficult to believe."
"However, the myths and poems you've recited don't sound like something you invented. Myths have roots... and I can tell these possess them."
"I became a leader at a very young age. I never had any particular desire to command the Pearl Clan."
"Even if others call me old-fashioned, I treasure the customs and lands passed down since ancient times."
"That is precisely why I can understand the myths you've shared."
"And now, I believe this is right!"
Irida smiled.
"In that case, welcome to Hisui!"
"I hope we can become friends."
"For two tiny people to encounter one another within the boundless reaches of space must be a precious connection granted by the heavens!"
Hikaru chuckled and tossed her an object.
Irida fumbled with the box.
"Wh-What is this? A black box?"
"A music player," Hikaru explained. "It's a machine powered by electricity. It can play wonderful music and transmit sound across a wide area."
"What? How does it work...?"
"Similar machines already exist in the present era, although only in distant lands. Mine is simply more advanced."
The Galaxy Team already possessed early modern cameras.
There was nothing remarkable about this.
Irida's fascination with such musical machines had been displayed in Pokémon Masters EX.
She kept trying to understand how music players worked, but because she was terrible at questions requiring technical knowledge, she could never solve the mystery no matter how hard she thought.
Afterward, she went off to play with virtual reality instead.
The sight of a virtual world filled her with even more amazement.
As someone from the distant past, everything was naturally new and fascinating to her.
"Music from a different era..." Irida murmured.
"Whoa! The tempo and melody are completely different..."
"It's so loud!"
"Even more amazing, the sound can fill such a vast space!"
"Incredible!"
Her expression became dazed.
[The world is so vast... and I am so small within it.]
This time, she truly experienced the meaning of those words!
"The volume is too high," Hikaru said. "You'll disturb everyone nearby."
"Never play it at night."
"Since it runs on electricity, it will stop working once it loses power. You'll need a Pokémon capable of using a charging move, or perhaps a solar panel, to keep it operational."
"The music is beautiful, though, isn't it?"
"The song you're playing is called 'I Will Be With You.' It's sung in the language of Galar."
"'I Will Be With You.'"
It was the ending song from the final battle at the Space-Time Towers.
....
[Someone will shield you from the wind and rain.]
[Wherever your path leads, I will remain beside you.]
[You will never have to face the world alone.]
[I will drift upon the wind.]
[Following the road taken by those who have lost their way.]
....
By then, Irida had brought Hikaru back to the Pearl Settlement.
It was located in the northern Alabaster Icelands, where supplies were desperately scarce.
For some reason, the Pearl Clan had chosen to live there, apparently because they guarded an important ancient temple.
When they arrived, many people were engaged in loud, anxious discussions.
"Leader!"
Several members of the settlement wore complicated expressions.
They sighed with relief upon seeing Irida and Sneasler return safely, but when they noticed the strangely dressed person following them...
Their expressions turned to astonishment.
"He's carrying a large backpack. Is he a Ginkgo Guild merchant?"
"He doesn't look like one. The Ginkgo Guild's uniform is different."
As the Pearl Clan members whispered among themselves, one of them approached Irida.
"Leader, a warden from the Diamond Clan came here earlier..."
"He said Sneasler crossed the Lord of the Hollow's territory without showing the Diamond Clan the slightest respect, humiliating the noble's dignity."
"He also claimed that allowing a lady to go without a warden proved the Pearl Clan's incompetence."
"The Diamond Clan's new leader arrived later and ended the argument."
"We told them you were being guided by almighty Sinnoh... that Sneasler's departure must have occurred under the almighty one's guidance!"
It was admittedly a rather forced excuse.
However, the Pearl Clan needed some way to convince themselves. Otherwise, the Diamond Clan's tall warden would look down upon them.
Fortunately, the Diamond Clan's new leader seemed unwilling to create further conflict. Instead of escalating the dispute, he suppressed it.
At that moment, Irida seemed to realize something.
Her expression became solemn.
She walked into the center of the gathering and raised the Celestica Flute to her lips.
Its music could travel to the farthest corners of the world and soothe the anger in people's hearts.
As snowflakes drifted from the sky, the Pearl Clan's commotion subsided.
Silence settled over the settlement.
"Everyone, please listen to me!"
Irida stopped playing and began to explain.
"When Sneasler departed, I wondered whether our noble Pokémon had abandoned the Pearl Clan."
"I wondered whether I, the leader of the Pearl Clan, lacked the talent possessed by the Diamond Clan's leader."
"But when I followed Sneasler's footsteps... No, when I followed the footsteps of the Lady of the Cliffs and reached her destination, I witnessed it!"
"Golden lightning descended from the heavens!"
"A swordsman emerged from that lightning and saved the lives of the Galaxy Team's people. He also brought ancient legends with him!"
"The foreign Swordsman of Lightning stands here before us!"
"He is one of our people, a previously unknown member of the Celestica people who has returned from the land of Sinjoh!"
"He passed countless ages in Sinjoh before coming here in search of someone important!"
"He belongs to the third group of Celestica people to cross the sea!"
"Sneasler's departure was not a rejection!"
"It truly was guidance from almighty Sinnoh!"
"That guidance crossed the vast reaches of space and led me to welcome a new friend to our home!"
"The third group of Celestica people has joined our clan!"
"This proves that the almighty Sinnoh revered by the Pearl Clan truly exists!"
According to the Pearl Clan's traditional beliefs, Irida should have added:
[The Diamond Clan's almighty Sinnoh is a false god!]
However, Hikaru's identity as a Celestica person and the legends he brought had left her mind in turmoil.
Even after spending several days together, crossing mountains, and developing an understanding of each other, there was one matter Irida still could not release.
[Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, and the cosmos. According to the names your people use, there should be four almighty beings of Sinnoh. Ask the tight-lipped people of Michina and you'll understand.]
Therefore, declaring that almighty Sinnoh genuinely existed was enough for now!
"Snea-sle!"
Sneasler covered her mouth and laughed with an unmistakable "Yohohoho!"
Certain Pokémon developed a unique awareness whenever a particular person arrived in this land.
That was especially true for a descendant of the ancient nobles.
Yes, although Hikaru did not seem to be a being from "this side," that did not matter in Hisui.
This was precisely how a "temporary partnership" worked!
"Snea-sle!"
["As long as someone formally announces it, these humans will accept you. You'd better thank me properly!"]
Sneasler beckoned to Hikaru with one claw.
["Come to think of it, why did I sense your arrival ahead of time? That's quite strange."]
["Still, my instincts and some kind of guidance told me that you're the warden I've waited and waited for, yet never received..."]
["We're going to have a wonderful time together."]
Hikaru coughed.
"I really should thank you."
"At least we have another two months together."
"I'll be relying on your assistance with my upcoming activities, although we might need to find you a different arena."
"What do you think?"
"Afterward, I can use your power and the Pearl Clan's techniques to enter the Primeval Grotto and search for Origin Ore."
"I heard your ancestors once served almighty Sinnoh and fought on its behalf..."
"You aren't going to get struck by lightning later and turn completely golden, are you?"
"Not that it would be a problem if it happened."
The surrounding Pearl Clan members watched Hikaru converse with Sneasler.
They found it both incomprehensible and astonishing.
Could it be...?
Thump!
A Poké Ball suddenly opened.
"Flut!"
The enormous Flutter Mane had heard something alarming and immediately emerged, hissing furiously.
Sneasler froze, staring at Flutter Mane in disbelief.
Then she gave it a strange look and burst into loud laughter!
What was that thing thinking?!
["Hahahahaha!"]
["What kind of ridiculous idea is that? You aren't even humanoid!"]
["Compared to me, you don't possess a single advantage. You don't even have a figure!"]
Flutter Mane flew into a rage.
"Flut?!"
"Return."
Hikaru removed the ball from his backpack and recalled Flutter Mane, whose winglike hair had begun flailing wildly.
Sneasler pulled a face at it before it disappeared and continued laughing.
["I've already made the stronger claim, too!"]
["Your partner is quite amusing, but now she'll regret this for the rest of her life! Hee-hee!"]
["What a delicious expression! Her jealousy tastes so sweet!"]
["Did you know that humans and Pokémon really did live together in ancient times? Some of them even married."]
["But that would never work for creatures with completely different bodies. You'd at least need something resembling a humanoid form. What a shame!"]
Sneasler normally possessed a carefree and languid personality, but she could become remarkably energetic whenever she took action.
Her queenly habit of covering her mouth while laughing had even appeared when she met Akari in the original story.
Naturally, as a ride Pokémon, particularly Ingo's partner, the story had focused primarily on Ingo rather than Sneasler.
Still, knowing her general personality was enough to understand her behavior.
The brief disturbance left the Pearl Clan stunned.
What had just happened?
He summoned another Pokémon from a ball!
Then he returned it to the ball?!
Wait, this person had been carrying Pokémon with him all along?
The number of balls was...
Thirty...
C-Could it be?!
Irida immediately clapped her hands, drawing everyone's attention.
"That's right! You all witnessed it yourselves!"
"This visitor from Sinjoh, this swordsman, can converse with the lady!"
"And not only with her. Through a power known as aura, he can communicate with every Pokémon!"
"His presence will allow the Pearl Clan to establish even stronger bonds with our noble Pokémon!"
Irida took a deep breath and pressed her lips together.
She disliked Poké Balls.
[Almighty Sinnoh created the vast land of Hisui to provide Pokémon with places to live. We humans are the friends of Pokémon. We have no need for relationships based upon hierarchy.]
However, perhaps the person standing before her was truly different.
Everything she had witnessed in the Alabaster Forest, along with their experiences during the past several days, had left an indelible impression upon her.
Perhaps Poké Balls were not vessels that established a hierarchy.
They might instead symbolize an even stronger friendship.
Hikaru's Pokémon could freely enter and leave their balls.
That surely meant they could also destroy the balls whenever they pleased.
Why did they choose not to do so?
Naturally, it was because they were all Hikaru's friends!
[Humans and the Pokémon they catch can also become partners whose hearts are connected!]
Besides, he could converse with Pokémon!
[What does speaking with a Pokémon feel like...? Unfortunately, I can't hear their voices.]
"Although he is a foreigner, he possesses an ability to tame ordinary Pokémon that resembles our own... No, his ability is even more extraordinary than ours."
"It is achieved through the power called aura, along with his own personal strength."
"He can also perform the complete melody of the Celestica Flute!"
Irida raised her voice.
"Therefore, I hereby announce my first formal order as leader of the Pearl Clan!"
"This is the guidance of almighty Sinnoh!"
"From this moment onward, Hikaru is a member of the Pearl Clan!"
"He will serve as Sneasler's warden!"
After the disturbance they had just witnessed, any doubts the Pearl Clan members might have held concerning Hikaru's talent for taming Pokémon immediately disappeared.
Yes, this was a moment when doubt was impossible!
Irida coughed.
This was the first major speech she had ever delivered, so she was somewhat nervous.
However, now it was time...
To address the central issue.
She had become a leader at a very young age and carried many worries.
Even so, she was always thinking about Hisui's future and the Pearl Clan's future, constantly taking action for their benefit!
Irida had already devised an even better idea.
What was the fastest way to convince the Pearl Clan to accept a foreign member of the "new Celestica people" and eliminate their misunderstandings and suspicions?
Excitement appeared on her face, reddening her cheeks.
Perhaps she was flushed with delight at her own idea, or perhaps the freezing weather had simply turned her face red.
"In these resource-poor Alabaster Icelands, where food is scarce, there is another way to make people quickly accept a stranger."
"That way is food."
"That's why I'm especially fond of another myth you recited."
["Freshly gathered food and clear, pure water are symbols of boundless gratitude."]
["The land that bears Berries and allows people to cultivate and harvest..."]
["It symbolizes the vast and boundless space bestowed upon us by Palkia!"]
"Space is the treasure almighty Sinnoh bestowed upon the Pearl Clan!"
"It is the foundation of the world itself!"
"Hikaru... No, I should address you by the honorific title 'Swordsman of Lightning!'"
"Afterward, I would like to battle you!"
"I also have Pokémon companions as dependable as my own siblings!"
"I will give the battle everything I have."
"But before that..."
"Please make me a bowl of ramen!"
By evening, the settlement was illuminated by the dim golden light of the setting sun.
Smoke rose gently into the sky.
Hikaru's ramen stall was officially open!
For the moment, they had entered the Dr. Stone timeline!
What kind of girl did Hikaru like?
The answer was one capable of continuously pumping oxygen into an iron-smelting furnace!
A tiny red fish dove into the flames, flicking its tail and spitting out lava bubbles.
A warrior clad in golden armor stretched the noodles with psychic power, causing waves of astonished discussion.
Even Sneasler, a dignified ride Pokémon and one of the descendants of the ten ancient nobles, had been reduced to a tool for chopping firewood.
She was extremely interested in preparing ramen, but Hikaru had only one response.
Did she intend to make ramen using Dire Claw?
Anyone who ate those noodles would probably be randomly poisoned, paralyzed, or put to sleep!
It was better to forget that idea!
"This ramen was cooked with Sacred Fire," Hikaru declared.
"To experience food like this in this land and era will bring people an unparalleled sense of happiness."
He placed a steaming bowl before Irida.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Irida."
"Here is the ramen you ordered!"
(End of Chapter)
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