On the third day, Jirachi's body began showing faint signs of strain.
While it was playing, an overwhelming wave of drowsiness suddenly struck. Its tiny face was covered with fatigue.
When this happened, Hayato was in the Ecological Park, training Kirlia in psychic techniques.
Gengar floated over in a hurry and reported the matter.
Hayato wasn't surprised. Deep down, he had already expected this.
After Gengar finished speaking, Hayato calmly had Kirlia end today's training and led them over to Jirachi.
The little Pokémon's soft gaze turned toward him. Jirachi opened its mouth, speaking in a faint voice:
"Hayato… I feel so sleepy…"
Hearing this, Hayato used Identify on Jirachi.
In the next second, detailed information appeared in his mind.
Species: JirachiType: Steel / PsychicAbility: Serene GraceBase Stats: 600 (details omitted)
Known Moves: Wish, Confusion, Psychic, Doom Desire…
Current Emotion: SleepyPhysical Condition: PerfectFriendship: 70 (A good friend!)
"Then just sleep for a while," Hayato said gently, though his thoughts ran deeper.
The word Perfect meant Jirachi's body wasn't harmed. Its drowsiness came only from its natural disposition. After all, if he remembered correctly, even in the movie Jirachi would grow drowsy after using its powers.
This was likely a sign that its seven-day awakening was already approaching its end.
Unlike past awakenings, this time Jirachi had been roused suddenly and unnaturally—that might be why it was showing fatigue on only the third day.
As Hayato spoke, Jirachi slowly closed its eyes and soon drifted into soft snores.
Watching this, Hayato calculated silently.
Today was Jirachi's third day awake. That meant only four days remained before it fell into its thousand-year slumber again.
Gengar looked worried. "Hayato, is it going back to sleep already?"
Hayato nodded, not hiding anything. "Yes. Four days left."
"…I don't want Jirachi to sleep," Gengar said, voice low.
Hayato patted its head, smiling gently. "Don't worry. When Jirachi chooses its resting place, I'll tell you. You can wait there for its next awakening, and play together again."
Gengar's eyes lit up. "Really?"
"Of course. You've already lived over a thousand years. Ghost-type Pokémon can endure for a very, very long time."
"Mm!" Gengar's heart eased a little as it gazed at the sleeping Jirachi.
Hayato, however, thought to himself: It's time to ask Jirachi what it plans to do afterward.
If Jirachi wanted to return to Forina, he wouldn't mind taking a sudden trip. He was already prepared.
Slowking, who had seen through everything, adjusted its glasses and asked, "Planning to head to the Forina region?"
Hayato nodded.
Slowking pulled a notebook from behind its back and handed it over. "I prepared some information on Forina. There's a map, recorded routes, and details of the terrain. It should help."
"Eh?" Hayato raised his brows in surprise. He flipped through the notebook and saw detailed descriptions, even photos. His heart warmed. "Daizhi, you're the best!"
After seeing Slowking off, Hayato returned to the living room. Gengar and the others were sitting on the sofa watching TV.
A glance showed it was a news broadcast.
Hayato ignored the program and instead flipped through the information Slowking had prepared.
Forina RegionLocated southwest of Mt. Chimney, directly north of Lavaridge Town.
Its terrain is marked by sandstone peaks and a vast primordial canyon. Below the canyon lies an immense cavern where countless wild Pokémon dwell.
In Alliance Calendar Year 206, the Hoenn League designated Forina as a protected natural reserve.
Pictures taken by travel enthusiasts accompanied the text.
Hayato compared them to his memory—the Forina of this world was nearly identical to what he remembered.
He held the notebook tightly, feeling deeply grateful for Slowking and the friends who stood by him.
Truly, he was fortunate to have met them.
Hayato leaned back against the sofa, staring at the ceiling.
Just then, the news report drew his ear:
"Alliance Calendar Year 210, February 17th—near Petalburg Gym, the Disaster Pokémon, Absol, has been sighted."
"Hm?" Hayato straightened, looking at the screen.
The anchor continued:
"The appearance of Absol caused panic among some citizens. However, sources state it merely passed through Petalburg City and has since departed.
"Research shows Absol does not bring disaster to humans. On the contrary, it can sense changes in the sky and land with the horn on its head, allowing it to detect natural calamities.
"Many farmers have witnessed Absol guarding their fields, warning them of impending danger.
"So please, do not fall for superstition. Absol has never been a bringer of misfortune!
"This is Anka, reporting live!"
The screen switched to a clear photograph.
A quadrupedal Pokémon with snowy white fur stood calmly. The bare areas of its body were bluish-gray. From the right side of its head jutted a sickle-like horn. Its ruby-red eyes gazed steadily at the camera.
"That's… Absol?" Hayato froze.
An Absol appearing in Petalburg City…
Just then, a familiar voice drifted from behind him.
Turning, Hayato saw Jirachi had woken and floated to his shoulder, eyes fixed on the screen.
"Absol came to pick me up…" Jirachi murmured.
"You know each other?" Hayato asked, recalling the movie plot.
Indeed, when Jirachi awoke, an Absol had left Forina to meet it. And judging by Jirachi's tone, it was a dear companion.
That would mean this Absol, like Gengar, had lived for at least a thousand years.
Jirachi nodded happily. "Yes! Absol is my good friend! Hayato, I want to go back… I want to return to Forina!"
Before Hayato could answer, knocking came at the door.
Opening it, he found Professor Birch wearing a puzzled look.
"What's wrong?" Hayato asked.
Birch scratched his head. "I just saw a white Pokémon wandering near your house. But when I approached, it disappeared."
Hayato: "…"
Don't tell me Absol has already reached Littleroot Town.
He glanced outside but saw no trace. Inviting Birch in, he explained, "That Pokémon was Absol."
"Absol?" Birch was surprised.
"Yes. A Pokémon from Forina. It guards Jirachi, and sensing its awakening, it came here."
Birch's face lit with curiosity. Recalling his studies on Jirachi and Forina, he asked, "So Absol left Forina to welcome Jirachi?"
Jirachi chimed happily, "Yes! Absol came to take me back!"
Birch mused, "Interesting… it seems there are still many mysteries about Forina."
Hayato thought for a moment, then shared what he knew of Jirachi and the Pokémon who lived with it.
After listening, Birch pondered. "Then the relationship between Jirachi, Forina, and those Pokémon isn't what we assumed.
"Jirachi, born from the Millennium Comet, landed there, befriended the local Pokémon during its awakenings, and transformed the barren land into a lush paradise. And in turn, those Pokémon guard Jirachi during its slumber…
"A thousand-year sleep is Jirachi's unchangeable nature. But using the True Eye to draw energy from the stars to nurture Forina—that is its own will, something it chooses to do. But why?"
He looked to Jirachi.
Nestling into Hayato's arms, Jirachi replied brightly, "Because I want everyone to live happily there!"
So simple was the answer.
Birch immediately understood.
Hayato stroked Jirachi's cheek with a smile. "And you've succeeded."
"Gahhh~" Gengar nodded joyfully.
Jirachi beamed, but mid-smile it yawned, eyelids heavy. "Hayato… I'm so sleepy again…"
"…Didn't you just wake up?" Hayato muttered.
Clutching his shirt with tiny hands, Jirachi's eyes fluttered shut once more.
Birch frowned. "What's happening?"
"Because this isn't the time Jirachi is meant to be awake," Hayato explained. He described the meteorite Clefairy had brought, and Jirachi's unnatural awakening.
Birch considered. "Then likely Jirachi, who should be sleeping, was forced awake by that energy. Simply put—it hasn't rested enough. That's why it's so drowsy."
Hayato nodded. "Exactly. So I plan to return it to Forina—that's where it belongs."
Birch sighed. "When will you leave?"
"Tomorrow morning."
Though four days remained, looking at Jirachi now, Hayato doubted it could last until the seventh day.
From Littleroot Town to Forina wasn't too far. At Zapdos's speed, they'd arrive in about two days.
By 5 p.m., Jirachi stirred awake again, still groggy.
Hayato asked, "Can you try to locate Absol? It should already be nearby."
"Okay…" Jirachi drifted up, closing its eyes. Its psychic energy pulsed outward like a message.
Moments later, Jirachi's eyes opened, turning toward the door.
The door pushed open.
There it stood—white fur gleaming, horn sharp as a scythe. Absol, the ancient guardian, alive for a millennium.
Jirachi's face lit up. "Absol! You came for me!"
Absol's gaze lingered silently on its old friend. Words weren't needed—Jirachi understood.
It floated to Hayato and Gengar. "These are my new friends! Absol, let's all be friends together!"
At last, Absol spoke, a low growl reverberating. Its crimson eyes shifted to Hayato and Gengar.
Hayato exchanged a look with Jirachi, then said, "We're taking Jirachi back to Forina tomorrow. Why don't you come with us?"
Absol gave no answer.
The next morning, Hayato received it. Absol refused to enter a Poké Ball but promised to follow them to Forina.
Hayato studied its lean frame silently. With a Speed base stat of only 75, Absol shouldn't be able to keep up with Zapdos's 100.
But this Absol had lived for over a thousand years—perhaps it had its own way.
He didn't press further. After confirming Absol would manage, Hayato climbed onto Zapdos's back with Jirachi in his arms. Stroking its golden feathers, he whispered:
"Zapdos, we're counting on you."
"Chiuuuuu!"
Zapdos shrieked sharply, then launched upward like an arrow from a bow.
No matter how many times he experienced this, Hayato's heart still leapt in fear and awe.
In his arms, Jirachi squealed, whether from terror or delight:
"Ahhhh—it's so high!!"
The sound rang out, scattering into fragments, vanishing into the clouds.