Disaster Beast.
Its original name is Absol!
Most of its body is covered in snow-white fur, while the uncovered parts appear bluish-gray, and on the right side of its head is a scythe-like horn, one of the sources of Absol's ability to foresee disasters.
Absol is called the Disaster Beast because they can sense weather changes and the power of natural disasters through the horn on its head, and wherever Absol appears, it signifies that a disaster is about to occur.
But because of this, the appearance of Absol represents the appearance of disaster, and in times of feudal ignorance, people didn't know this. They merely believed that Absol brought disasters, hence they harbored great hatred towards it, labeled it as the Disaster Beast, and drove it into the deep mountains.
In fact, although Absol appears cold, its nature is very gentle and it approaches both Pokémon and humans with a friendly attitude. Therefore, whenever it senses a disaster, it appears and warns, gradually becoming synonymous with disaster.
The cold appearance, along with its dark red eyes staring without any emotional fluctuation.
Seeing Absol appear in front of him, Natsuhiko extended his hand to stop the poised Pokémon.
To be honest, Natsuhiko somewhat guessed a bit about Absol, having no aversion to it. In fact, due to its handsome appearance, personality, and manner of doing things, he even kind of liked it.
Not to mention, being handsome is a lifelong matter.
But that doesn't mean he wishes to see Absol.
As its nickname suggests, Disaster Beast, seeing it could potentially mean something bad is going to happen.
"Woo."
Absol softly cried to Natsuhiko, then turned and walked into the depths of the tunnel.
Seeing its action, Natsuhiko was momentarily stunned.
Then he furrowed his brow.
Does Absol want him to follow?
Watching Absol gradually disappear into the dark tunnel, Natsuhiko hesitated a bit but still followed.
However, he instructed Yujira: "If anything unexpected happens later, just leave immediately."
Yujira's Instant Movement technique gave him quite a bit of confidence to try some seemingly more adventurous choices.
Moreover, once Abra evolved into Yujira, its strength reached the Senior Level, allowing him to make these choices more comfortably.
"Yongji."
Yujira nodded gently, indicating understanding.
With the greatly enhanced development of its brain domain, often even if Natsuhiko didn't say, Yujira could roughly guess Natsuhiko's thoughts and arrangements.
Also, it can clearly sense the psychic "anchor" points previously left, completely covering the entire Meteor Falls range.
At this point, Yujira reminded Natsuhiko via Telepathy in his mind.
"It's injured."
Injured?
Natsuhiko's eyes scanned up and down Absol but did not discern any abnormalities, though Yujira's judgment should not be wrong.
So...
Did it conceal its injury?
And for what purpose?
Tap tap tap...
Footsteps echoed in the long tunnel.
There were quite a few wild Pokémon in the tunnel, but upon seeing Absol, they did not attack, merely watched from a distance.
They were not fearing Absol, rather they seemed to know what Absol was doing and were not disturbing it.
"Chaka-yih."
At some point, Togetic had left Natsuhiko's embrace, appearing alongside Absol like a Pokémon dancing in a flower field.
When did it go over there?
Seeing Togetic cozying up, a helpless expression floated on Natsuhiko's face.
"Chaka-yih."
Little White, why do you always have a stern face, are you feeling unwell?
After saying this, Togetic flew to the right side of Absol's head.
"Chaka-yih."
Little White, why aren't you speaking?
"Chaka-yih..."
Little White...
Even though most people with lingering feudal thoughts dislike Absol, among Pokémon, Absol is a good companion and friend.
After the initial alertness was overcome, Togetic and the others were naturally attracted to Absol's aura, though Beedrill and Yujira were very restrained, Togetic had no such concerns.
Perhaps being irritated by Togetic, or possibly because Togetic's way of addressing it made Absol unable to hold back.
It finally spoke.
"Woo..."
"Chaka-yih?" Togetic had a face of exaggerated surprise.
Absol's cold demeanor could not hold under Togetic's "persistent" advances.
Which is why Teacher Poke is the strongest "Social Butterfly."
Natsuhiko gained a whole new understanding of Togetic's naturally social personality.
But he had to admit, the communication between Togetic and Absol let him know a lot, including their goal for this journey.
Yujira's eyes shone with a psychic glow, using Telepathy to translate Absol's words for Natsuhiko.
And with Yujira's translation, Natsuhiko gradually understood the beginning and end of the matter, and the potential dangers, while also grasping the reason for Absol's appearance.
"So that's what it is, no wonder..."
Knowing which Pokémon it was, everything encountered before could be explained clearly.
Though there were still some doubts, they didn't pose a significant problem.
Very soon.
Under Absol's guidance, Natsuhiko arrived at a not-too-big cave.
Here, there were no glowing mosses, but it was filled with a purple hue.
But the first thing that caught the eye was the devastated and chaotic scene in the cave, clearly the marks left after a battle.
Natsuhiko looked at Absol beside him.
Was it left by it?
So the injuries on its body came from this?
Judging from this destruction, this Absol's strength might be much stronger than he imagined.
"Woo." Absol again softly called out.
Buzz——
The purple aura showed fluctuations, seeming to respond to its call.
Only to see.
In the chaotic pile of stones, a purple crystal with many sharp spikes stood quietly, the purple light illuminating the entire cave emanated from this stone.
"Cha~~cha~ka~~yih yih~"
Seeing the crystal, Togetic involuntarily started to hum, slowly moving closer to it.
And that crystal seemed also affected by Togetic's singing; light waves, like ripples over water, responded layer by layer to Togetic's song.
"Yongji."
There's something inside.
Yujira softly said to Natsuhiko.
Natsuhiko nodded, unsurprised, because upon seeing this crystal, he was already completely sure of its identity.
Awakening for seven days after a thousand years of slumber, possessing the ability to grant others' wishes, a Steel Type and Psychic Type Pokémon, the legendary Pokémon, the Phantom Beast...
Jirachi!
No wonder.
No wonder the first sound in Togetic's mind was in the form of a song.
Because Jirachi draws near to creatures with pure hearts, and among his Pokémon including himself, the purest in heart is the carefree, unbothered Togetic, who only thinks of eating, drinking, and sleeping, followed by Yujira, then Beedrill.
As for Natsuhiko himself, he figured he and the term "pure heart" might not be related in this lifetime.
But Jirachi's actions, could they be interpreted as...
Calling him "dirty"?
"Chaka-yih!"
Upon instinctively nearing the crystal, Togetic suddenly cried out anxiously.
It pointed its small hand at the complex pattern of the crystal's surface.
On it...
There was a crack!