Hayato wasn't so ruthless as to have Zapdos fly nonstop all the way to the Fornn Region.
Along the way, whenever they passed over cities and plains, he would let Zapdos land and rest.
High in the skies, Zapdos streaked northward at tremendous speed. On the ground below, a white shadow followed closely, refusing to be left behind.
Gengar knew that this journey would end in parting. That was why he treasured every moment he had left with Jirachi.
Jirachi, however, was cheerful as always.
Whenever Hayato stopped on the grasslands and other Trainers came to challenge him, Jirachi would secretly help Fraxure and Charmeleon during battle, openly granting them unfair advantages.
When the opposing Trainer noticed, Jirachi would mischievously hide behind Hayato's back.
Hayato: "..."
He could only smile helplessly at Jirachi's antics.
After finally sending the defeated Trainer on his way, Jirachi grew drowsy from using its power.
Seeing this, Hayato urged it to sleep, but Jirachi stubbornly refused to close its eyes. Instead, it perched happily on his shoulder, gazing at the beautiful scenery of wind-swept plains together with him.
Four days passed—neither too long nor too short.
On the first day after leaving Littleroot Town, Hayato, with Gengar and Jirachi, arrived at Lavaridge Town. By coincidence, the town was celebrating its annual Volcano Festival. They soaked in the misty hot springs, munching on crispy Lavaridge senbei while fireworks blossomed above.
On the second day, they left Lavaridge, heading north. At dusk, the skies poured down rain. Hayato and his Pokémon scrambled into a cave, huddling together by a campfire. Listening to the patter of rain outside, they talked quietly until they drifted off to sleep.
On the third day, the rain ceased and the sky cleared, revealing a night full of glittering stars.
Hayato and Jirachi sat atop a peak, gazing at the endless constellations above.
Only one day remained before Jirachi's slumber. At that moment, Hayato's heart was strangely at peace.
Seated on Gengar's head, Jirachi looked up at the stars, then tilted its head toward Hayato, asking a question he hadn't expected:
"Hayato, do you have a wish you want to come true?"
He blinked, turning to meet its gaze.
Jirachi's face was innocent and relaxed, as if it had just asked whether he'd eaten dinner, not something so profound.
After a brief pause, Hayato smiled. "My wish is for Jirachi never to have to sleep for a thousand years again—and to make lots of new friends."
Jirachi blinked, then looked troubled. "That's something Jirachi can't do…"
Lifting its face, it stared seriously at him. "It has to be your wish. Tell me!"
Hayato shook his head with a smile. "I don't want anything."
To him, every time Jirachi used "Wish," it made the little Pokémon weaker and sleepier. With so little time left, he couldn't bear to see Jirachi fall asleep before they even reached Fornn.
But Jirachi puffed up in mock anger. "If you won't tell me, then I won't talk to you anymore!"
Hayato raised an eyebrow at the display, finding it amusing.
He looked back up at the stars, pretending to think hard, then said after a pause, "Then… give me three ice creams."
"That doesn't count!" Jirachi shook its head firmly. "That's not your real wish!"
Hayato chuckled, plucking Jirachi off Gengar's head and holding it up. "But you can't grant my true wish."
"Who says I can't?" Jirachi shot back.
"Alright then," Hayato said gently, smiling. "I wish for Jirachi to always be happy."
Jirachi pouted, wriggled free from his hands, and returned to Gengar's head, sticking out its tongue. "I'm not talking to you anymore."
And yet, it still granted his earlier, silly wish, conjuring up three ice creams.
Hayato laughed softly, handed one each to Jirachi and Gengar, and kept the last for himself. Then he fished three coins from his pocket and said, "Now, send these back to wherever you got the ice cream."
Jirachi huffed, clearly dissatisfied, but still obeyed and returned the money.
Far away, in a small, nameless town of Hoenn—
Cynthia, who was traveling while researching the region's myths, stared calmly at the three coins that had suddenly appeared before her, falling into deep thought.
The three different-flavored ice creams she had just chosen… were gone.
…
After sending back the coins, Jirachi felt drowsy again.
Hayato cradled it in his arms, gently wiped the cream from its lips, and said softly, "Sleep."
Jirachi closed its eyes in peace.
On another distant peak, an Absol sat silently, watching this scene unfold.
Moments later, it rose and dashed further north.
The fourth day since leaving Littleroot had arrived—the final of the seven.
At noon, Hayato finally reached the legendary Forina Region.
Carrying the near-sleeping Jirachi in his arms, his backpack on his back, and Gengar floating at his side, he stepped into the lush, vibrant land.
Soon, a Flygon appeared ahead.
It did not attack. Instead, it gazed quietly at the small figure in Hayato's arms.
More Pokémon appeared as they went on.
Manectric, Poochyena, Tropius, Altaria, Breloom, Ursaring…
Like Flygon, they stood silently, watching Jirachi.
They had all come to welcome it home.
Hayato stood wordlessly, taking in the scene.
In his arms, Jirachi suddenly stirred, opening its eyes to whisper in the faintest voice:
"Hayato… will I ever see you again?"
Hayato: "…"
Human lives were fleeting. By the time Jirachi opened its eyes again, he would long be gone.
Perhaps only Gengar could still be there when that day came.
But Hayato didn't say this.
He only smiled. "Don't worry. We'll definitely meet again."
"…Mm." Jirachi closed its eyes once more.
On a slope ahead, Absol appeared again.
It looked at Jirachi briefly, then turned and led the way.
Hayato and Gengar followed, through a moss-covered stone forest, along a winding trail, until they reached a vast rock cavern.
Absol stopped, looking back at Jirachi.
Jirachi slowly opened its eyes, floated from Hayato's arms, and a layer of purple crystal began spreading across its body.
"Goodbye, Hayato~"
Jirachi's voice echoed softly in his heart.
The next instant, it reverted to the form he had first seen it in.
Then, shining with radiant light, it sank straight into the earth.
The cavern soon returned to silence.
Gengar's eyes dimmed. "Geng…"
Hayato gently patted its head. "Don't worry. You'll see it again someday."
"Geng…"
They did not leave immediately.
Instead, Hayato and Gengar climbed a tall cliff, high enough to overlook the entire Forina Region—the land nurtured by Jirachi itself.
"Good night, Jirachi," Hayato whispered in his heart.
…
Meanwhile—
At the Weather Institute in Hoenn, a researcher looked excitedly at his records. "Only four years left until the Millennium Comet arrives. I can't wait!"
"Yeah…" his colleague murmured, gazing at the sky. "They say that during the comet's seven days, if you fold a wishing star each day, then on the last, your wish will come true."
"Exactly! And isn't there a Pokémon called the Wishing Star of Seven Nights? It wakes only during the comet's return!" The researcher's eyes gleamed."They say if you wish upon it then, any wish can come true! I hope I can meet it one day!"
…
By the time Hayato returned to Littleroot Town, it was February 25th, League Calendar Year 210.
With spring's arrival, children who had just turned ten finally received the right to choose their first Pokémon and begin their journeys.
An air of excitement and anticipation filled every town.
Pallet Town.
Today was the day rookie Trainers received their first Pokémon.
"Ash, time to get up! If you don't hurry, you'll be late to choose your first Pokémon!"
Delia stood outside her son's door, knocking repeatedly.
But inside was silence.
The door was locked. With no way to push it open, she sighed helplessly and went downstairs. "That child…"
Inside, Ash was sprawled on his bed, fast asleep.
He had been too excited the night before, torn between choosing Charmander, Bulbasaur, or Squirtle, and hadn't slept until dawn.
Even then, he'd dreamed of traveling the world with his Pokémon.
"Go, Charmander, use Ember!" he mumbled in his sleep.
Suddenly he jolted awake, realizing the sun was already high.
Snatching his clock, he paled at the time.
"Crap! I'm late!" He leapt out of bed, dressed in a flash, and bolted downstairs. "Mom, I'm off!"
Before Delia could reply, he was gone. She sighed again.
At Professor Oak's Laboratory—
Ash arrived only to learn that all the starter Pokémon had already been taken.
His face fell in disappointment.
Watching him, Professor Oak—who was in the middle of eating instant noodles—suddenly remembered something. "Well… there is one left. But it's a bit special."
Ash's eyes lit up.
Oak stood, taking a Poké Ball with a lightning mark on it from the table. "Here, this little guy."
Ash accepted it eagerly, striking a dramatic pose as he threw the ball.
A burst of white light—
And Pikachu appeared.
"Pikachu!"
Ash's face broke into a wide grin. "It's Pikachu! From now on, let's take care of each other!" He crouched, reaching to pat Pikachu's head.
"Wait!" Oak tried to stop him.
Too late.
Electricity sparked from Pikachu's cheeks, zapping Ash into a blackened heap on the floor.
"Pikaa…" Pikachu turned its head away with a huff.
It had yet to acknowledge this human.
…
Back in Littleroot—
Dressed in a light shirt and jacket now that winter had passed, Hayato sat on the sofa. Across from him sat Marshadow.
"I've passed Suicune and Entei's trials," Hayato said. "So the only one left is Raikou's, right?"
Marshadow nodded. "Maa-sha."
Raising a brow, Hayato asked, "So where is Raikou now? Do I have to go find it?"
Marshadow shook its head, using telepathy. "No need. On your way to the Bell Tower, it will sense you and appear on its own."
"I see." Hayato nodded thoughtfully. "One more thing."
Marshadow looked at him.
"On the way there, will I see Suicune and Entei again?"
This time, Marshadow was taken aback. After a moment, it asked, "You… want to see them that badly?"
Hayato nodded honestly. "I really do."
Since Jirachi, an emptiness had lingered in his heart. It made him realize—sometimes, after parting, he might never see certain Pokémon again in his lifetime.
Suicune, who had carried him through the desert with such gentleness.Entei, who bore him all night with dignity on its face.
If not for their refusal, Hayato might have captured them just to keep them by his side forever.
Marshadow: "…"
There it was again. That familiar, ridiculous thought.
And yet, Marshadow felt relieved. The Hayato it knew had returned.
"…Yes," Marshadow admitted. "You'll see them. They'll appear again."
"Good." Hayato's heart settled. He and Slowking began preparing Pokéblocks for Suicune and Entei.