A flash.
Three days passed.
Natsuhiko's training with his three Pokémon in Meteor Falls went smoothly. Besides the growth of his Pokémon, the gains were substantial.
They caught nine Solrock alone, worth millions just for this batch.
This shows that becoming a Pokémon Hunter is indeed a lucrative career, though it comes with high risks, frequently landing one on the capture list of Alliance Investigators, and sometimes facing fierce retaliation from wild Pokémon for targeting the wrong ones.
Of course, the most important aspect is the Forest Patrols established by the Alliance; their duty is to prevent the over-capture of wild Pokémon.
Forest Patrols have special tools that can temporarily control wild Pokémon for their own use, and if they wish, they have many ways to identify hunters who recklessly capture wild Pokémon through various means, such as from the mouths or minds of the wild Pokémon.
This makes it easier to end up on the Alliance's blacklist.
However, actions like Natsuhiko's, where capture is controlled, are often overlooked by most Trainers even if they're aware, as long as the ecological balance of a wild environment isn't excessively damaged. Fewer Pokémon mean they won't go to great lengths to investigate.
Actually, many Trainers engage in such activities, most of whom are self-taught Trainers, although some official Alliance Trainers also look for extra income.
This requires grasping a certain limit, not exceeding it.
And this has become an unspoken rule among the Trainer community.
Luckily, Natsuhiko believes he has managed this balance quite well so far.
Otherwise, going against the Alliance would be a troublesome situation.
"Today is the last day," Natsuhiko said to the three Pokémon.
Togetic's Energy Block consumption was quicker than he anticipated. If they didn't leave today, the remaining Energy Blocks would last at most another two days.
Natsuhiko liked to leave some leeway, not wanting to be left with no buffer at the last moment.
At the same time, the Energy Blocks for Beedrill and Yujira needed upgrading as well. He was aiming for Special Level Energy Blocks, one level higher than the Advanced Energy Blocks.
Of course, this would inevitably be a huge expense.
But given his current resources, he should be able to manage.
"Toga-pee!"
Togetic cheered.
It had been worried about its meals for days, and now they were finally going back.
If they didn't return soon, Natsuhiko's Energy Blocks would run out, and it would have to dip into its own little stash, which it had saved with great effort.
Seeing it so happy, Natsuhiko couldn't help but pat its head.
Thanks to Togetic, the team had so much daily joy.
Looking toward Beedrill and Yujira, both Pokémon appeared to be in excellent spirits.
Although their time at Meteor Falls ended a bit sooner than planned, Natsuhiko was quite satisfied with the results.
Through battles, they adjusted many tactical details and found several issues with the Pokémon.
Most importantly, Abra successfully evolved into Yujira.
"So, the main objective today is to find the source of that sound."
Over the past days, they could hear the mysterious sound intermittently, and it seemed to be getting clearer, indicating they were getting closer to its source.
"Toga~ Toga~pee~ ee~~"
Mentioning the sound, Togetic hummed unconsciously.
It heard the sound most clearly, constantly and randomly replaying in its mind, almost brainwashing it. Togetic was about to lose its mind.
After these days of exploration,
Natsuhiko became familiar with the terrain inside Meteor Falls, knowing which places might have water and which rocks were fragile and needed careful footing.
"Speaking of... could that sound be coming from underwater?" Natsuhiko wondered.
His thoughts quickly expanded on this idea.
"It's not impossible..."
Meteor Falls was created by the scorching heat following a meteor strike, so it wasn't confined to a single plane.
"Let's try it."
Previously, Natsuhiko couldn't go underwater; even with a Sharpedo, he could only stay on the surface. Going underwater meant he couldn't breathe, and facing wild Pokémon, he had limited means of defense.
Now that Abra had evolved into Yujira, its enhanced Psychic powers could ensure both Natsuhiko and itself were wrapped in psychic energy, providing some capacity to handle underwater wild Pokémon.
Ready to act.
First, they had to find a suitable entrance to an underground river.
They chose a spot where the water flow was relatively gentle, making control easier.
Then, summon Sharpedo.
Submerged in the protection of Yujira's psychic power, with enough air reserved for breathing.
In case of an unsolvable problem, they could instantly return to the surface with Instant Movement.
However, there was another problem.
Underwater visibility was very low due to the darkness, undeniably increasing the challenge of exploring underwater.
But Natsuhiko had an idea.
Using one of the Solrock they captured earlier as a light source.
After preparing everything, they stood on Sharpedo's back and entered the relatively calm underground river.
This was Natsuhiko's first time experiencing the underwater environment of the Pokémon Realm.
This felt quite novel.
There were many wild Pokémon underwater.
But most were the usual Magikarp.
Magikarp, after evolution, becomes a formidable Gyarados, but before evolving, well...
"Toga-pee!"
Heard it again!
Togetic exclaimed.
Yujira nodded.
"Yongji."
And compared to before, the sound was clearer; now, it could even discern the melody.
Natsuhiko's eyes shone.
It seemed his hypothesis was correct. It explained why they could hear the sound but never find or approach it despite all their efforts.
It was really beneath them all along.
But.
The underground river was evidently more complex than the tunnels above, making it harder to find the target.
"Yongji."
"Oh?" Natsuhiko was surprised by Yujira's words, "You mean the sound didn't disappear once it appeared?"
Yujira nodded, glancing at Togetic humming beside it, its whiskers twitching slightly.
This time it truly seemed enchanted.
"That simplifies things significantly, allowing us to judge proximity by the sound's intensity," Natsuhiko remarked.
"Yongji."
I can discern the subtle changes in the sound's intensity.
Yujira told Natsuhiko.
Its Psychic-type intelligence and talent were finally emerging after its evolution.
"Alright."
Underwater, time seemed to stand still, intermittently surfacing to replenish air.
After considerable effort, an exit appeared ahead.
"This should be it."
"Yongji." Yujira nodded solemnly.
They were finally about to see the source of the mysterious sound that had been haunting them for so long; from its capabilities alone, it was clear that the entity wasn't simple.
Finding the target could also mean encountering danger.
Although unlikely,
the Pokémon were prepared.
Splish-splash—
Sharpedo burst out of the water.
Yet,
besides the expected underground tunnel, there was an unexpected Pokémon.
"Disaster Beast..."