Boom!!
The last pebble splashed the lake water high, giving the seemingly victorious Togetic quite a hit.
"Togetic?"
What's going on?
Weren't they all thrown already?
Who threw another one?
But when Togetic turned around, it saw nothing but Natsuhiko, with no signs of any Pokémon.
Other Pokémon, puzzled like Togetic, turned back and saw nothing special, only Yujira showed a look of confusion.
In that fleeting moment, it sensed something unusual.
But it passed by in a flash, feeling unclear, like an illusion.
Only Natsuhiko.
When he turned around, he saw a Pokémon floating in the air, happily covering its mouth, squinting its eyes, filled with uncontrollable joy.
This Pokémon, small in stature, resembled a fairy, somewhat similar to the mythical Mew in the Kanto Region, mainly blue and gray, with a blue head that looked like it wore a hat or resembled a mushroom, with golden pupils and a sparkling red gem in the middle of its forehead. Its body was gray, with two gray tails, each of which ended with a red gem.
Azelf!
"God of Will" amongst the "Lake Gods," Azelf residing in Lake Verity!
Affectionately one could call it the "Blue Holy Mushroom" among the "Three Holy Mushrooms."
Though Natsuhiko's bold assumption made him think the Pokémon stealing the deer legs earlier was Azelf, capable of snatching deer legs unnoticed even under Yujira's psychic powers, the first image flashing in Natsuhiko's mind was Azelf.
But when he actually saw Azelf, he still couldn't help but show a look of astonishment.
This is a Divine Beast whose origin can be traced back to the birth of the Pokemon Realm!
The joyfully laughing Azelf suddenly felt a gaze fall upon it.
It showed a bit of panic and surprise.
The surprised gaze met Natsuhiko's equally unexpected eyes.
Azelf lives in the Alternate Space within Lake Verity, only visible to specific people as its soul floats above the water surface.
The so-called specific people are those with firm beliefs, recognized by Azelf.
"Ding-ling-ling—"
Azelf's clear and ethereal voice resounded, slowly approaching Natsuhiko.
In its golden pupils, a pink psychic aura rose up, surrounding Natsuhiko with continuous crisp sounds.
And alongside, ripples of psychic power appeared within Natsuhiko's eyes, flashing scenes since he arrived in the Pokemon Realm.
Days of tough training with Weedle, struggling hard to survive.
Efforts with Togepi escaping Aerodactyl's attack under the Dark Ruins.
Persistent efforts with Abra to become stronger.
...
"Ding-ling-ling—" Azelf nodded continually as it watched.
It just saw some clips, some parts showing Natsuhiko's firm beliefs, not infringing upon Natsuhiko's memory or privacy.
Yet just from those clips, Azelf understood why Natsuhiko could see it.
Suddenly, another scene jumped before Natsuhiko and Azelf's eyes.
A torn spatial rift, the reversed Destroyed World, and an emotionless eye peering through the rift.
"Roar!"
Azelf cried out in shock.
Giratina!
It was a secret revealed behind Mist Island by Marshadow to Natsuhiko.
Unexpectedly, this scene appeared.
Frightening Azelf away.
With a flicker, it disappeared from Natsuhiko's sight.
The images vanished before Natsuhiko, leaving a few Pokémon anxiously gathered around him.
'Scared away?'
Gone just like that?
Natsuhiko pressed his lips together, a little disappointed.
He hoped to gain something from Azelf, whether information or an item. At the very least, he wanted to strengthen ties a bit.
He assured the Pokémon to relax.
"Nothing, I just saw some interesting things and matters."
Hearing this, the Pokémon breathed a sigh of relief.
Earlier, they all felt like Natsuhiko went astray.
Crash——
Yet, before they could ask for specifics, the lake stirred again.
Breaking through the surface, a fierce blue Pokémon with a red mark on its head emerged from Lake Verity filled with anger.
"Roar!!!"
The angry roar swept over them, carrying a ferocious aura.
Gyarados!
The Gyarados with the Intimidation Trait, caused a significant impact upon appearing.
Apparently, the last pebble Azelf threw struck this Gyarados feeding unsuspectingly.
Azelf's unchecked power, even just on a pebble, managed to infuriate this already easily enraged Pokémon.
It readied to vent its fury upon Natsuhiko and his group.
Gyarados is a Pokémon prone to anger, and since Magikarp might appear in any water in the Pokemon Realm, Gyarados could also be found in every water zone.
Natsuhiko silently took a deep breath, trying hard to suppress the unsettled mood within.
A senior-level Gyarados didn't require Beedrill's intervention.
"Honedge," Natsuhiko called softly.
"Sha."
Honedge promptly appeared by Natsuhiko's side.
It sensed Natsuhiko's not-so-good mood.
Unusually meek, it showed no signs of retreating.
Noticing Honedge's change, Natsuhiko glanced at it with mild surprise.
Shouldn't Honedge be lamenting how dangerous the world is now?
Any stone tossed remotely could lure in a seemingly strong Pokémon.
With a slight thought, Natsuhiko understood Honedge's mindset.
The discomfort within was washed away by Honedge's change.
Unaware, Honedge was beginning to change under his influence.
Trainers' genuine care for Pokémon is perceptible to them.
Taking a deep breath, Natsuhiko smiled again.
Truly, don't fuss over every gain or loss.
Glaring at the charging Gyarados.
Calmly, he said: "Slash it!"
Clang!
Honedge's blade unsheathed with a hum, followed by the activation of Sword Dance.
"Roar!!"
Seeing the tiny Honedge dare challenge it, the Gyarados' eyes filled with bloodthirsty veins.
Whizz—
Honedge dashed forward.
...
...
Five minutes later.
Bang!
Gyarados' giant body crashed heavily to the ground, utterly losing its battle ability.
Clang!
Honedge sheathed its blade.
For the first time, after rationally assessing its opponent and itself, Honedge felt something unusual within.
It seemed...perhaps...it wasn't that weak?
Natsuhiko threw a Pokeball, completely recovered from the disappointment of Azelf's departure.
One doesn't need to be a fool with a protagonist halo, stumbling upon Pokémon doesn't always win favor.
Retrieving the Pokeball containing Gyarados.
Besides, a senior-level Gyarados is quite a gain, isn't it?
Despite Gyarados' flaws, its power is undeniable, a prized asset on the black market.
Clapping his hands.
He asked with a smile: "Alright, what do you want for dinner?"
In the distance.
In the Alternate Space of Lake Verity, Azelf curiously watched Natsuhiko.
Its emotions, Azelf could clearly sense.
'Such a person with strong resolve, so many auras surround him, perhaps he...'