Grilled fish.
The Pokémon who had grown fond of the taste of roasted meat, after some deliberation, finally chose grilled fish.
It just so happened that Lake Verity was right next door, and they could easily catch plenty of fish from the lake.
Moreover, the large amount of "Sweet Honey" obtained from Vespiquen during the day, when smeared on the grilled fish, not only removed the fishy smell but also enhanced the aroma, making it crispier on the outside, harder to burn, and retaining its original flavor while locking in its juices.
The Pokémon could hardly resist the constantly emitting fragrance.
No high-level grilling skills were needed; with such an auxiliary ingredient, the taste wouldn't be bad.
As the first to choose, Togetic had already locked its eyes on the largest grilled fish, gulping down saliva eagerly.
Of course.
Inevitably, the aroma of grilled fish with "Sweet Honey" attracted a lot of wild Pokémon "spectators."
Natsuhiko's Pokémon didn't mind moving around a bit before starting to eat, burning off some energy so that they could eat more later.
"Alright, you can eat now." Natsuhiko called to the Pokémon, "Don't worry, there's enough for everyone. Even if we run out, we can have Sharpedo dive down and grab more."
The resources in Lake Verity were rich, beneficial not only to wild Pokémon but also to these ordinary fish.
Therefore, there were many wild fish in Lake Verity, and each one was plump and juicy, looking very delicious.
Hearing Natsuhiko's words, Sharpedo nodded repeatedly.
Leave it to me!
However, it would only eat until 70% full, definitely not overeat!
The Gyarados it caught not long ago made it feel a sense of threat.
"Togetic, you can choose first," Natsuhiko said with a smile.
"Toge-pee!"
Togetic happily jumped up from the ground, very excited, having already chosen its target.
But just as it was about to stretch out towards the wooden stick.
"Ring, ring—"
A sudden clear sound rang out, and a small blue-gray figure appeared in front of Togetic, grabbing the largest grilled fish before it did.
All the Pokémon saw it appear this time.
It was Azelf, who had disappeared earlier!
"Toge-pee!"
Togetic's hand froze in place, staring blankly at Azelf above the campfire, eagerly biting into the fish like a greedy cat, oblivious to its heat.
Seeing this suddenly appeared Pokémon, Beedrill and Yujira immediately landed by Natsuhiko's side, watching it warily.
Natsuhiko reached out to calm Beedrill and Yujira, signaling that there was no danger, and looked at Azelf.
In the depths of his eyes reflecting the firelight, other lighting seemed to shimmer.
"Toge-pee."
Togetic, with a face full of grievance, pointed at Azelf, complaining to Natsuhiko about the other's "bad" behavior.
'During the water flower competition, I was the first.'
Suddenly, Azelf's voice echoed in the minds of Natsuhiko and all the Pokémon.
Telepathy.
"Toge-pee!"
'So you were the one who threw the last stone!'
Togetic realized.
Azelf shifted its posture in the air, continuing to "battle" with the grilled fish in its hand, ignoring Togetic and Natsuhiko.
Natsuhiko took a deep look at the proactive Azelf and turned to the other Pokémon. "It's okay, let's start eating."
Meanwhile, he patted Togetic's little head, "That last stone really was thrown by Azelf."
Upon hearing this, Togetic drooped its head.
Well.
If it really was the one who threw it, then Togetic's picking order should indeed be after it.
Accepting reality, Togetic turned its sadness into appetite, immediately grabbing the second largest fish and started eating heartily on the ground.
The other Pokémon also began eating in order.
Soon enough.
The grilled fish was quickly devoured, leaving only a pile of fish bones and racks.
'Delicious!'
Azelf patted its round tummy, shouting in satisfaction.
The Pokémon shared this sentiment unanimously.
Azelf adjusted its posture, golden eyes focusing on Natsuhiko.
Natsuhiko gazed back at it.
This human and Pokémon silently watched each other without speaking.
Togetic and the others sensed their strange atmosphere and did not disturb them.
A while later.
Azelf finally spoke.
'I want you to help me with something.'
Upon hearing this, Natsuhiko squinted slightly.
Do something?
Helping a Pokémon of this caliber, it's definitely not a simple task.
'I can't leave here.'
Azelf continued, with a hint of small disappointment.
'But I can sense something is going to happen. It's not just me; they can feel it too.'
They?
Could it be Uxie and Mesprit?
If even the three "Lake Gods" sense something, it's definitely not a trivial matter.
After finishing, Azelf stopped speaking, waiting for Natsuhiko's response.
Natsuhiko understood its meaning, pondering the pros and cons.
"What do you need me to do?"
Azelf tilted its head.
'I don't know.'
"Don't know?" Natsuhiko was a bit speechless.
If you don't know what to do, how can you do it?
'But I can sense you will encounter it.'
In this regard, Azelf was firm.
Encounter it?
Natsuhiko thought about what he planned to do next.
Divine Hall of Snow Peak!
And associated with the Divine Hall of Snow Peak, moreover, something Azelf can sense, there's only one.
"Regigigas?" Natsuhiko asked tentatively.
Azelf spun in the air, its two tails softly swaying, its psychic power rippling, revealing a passage before Natsuhiko.
The other end of the passage, was a world filled with pink mist.
Natsuhiko looked at Azelf in confusion.
'What it is, I don't know either, but it's not impossible for it to be Regigigas.'
Evidently, Azelf was not unfamiliar with the existence of Regigigas.
'Your will is strong, your thoughts fluctuate frequently, your heart is determined, yet your ideas are too complex. I can help you, give you the key to unlock your potential, but you must prove your capability...'
As Azelf spoke, it seemed both affirmative and skeptical of Natsuhiko.
"So?"
Azelf pointed to the passage.
'Prove it to me, and I will help you open the treasury that should be yours and teach you how to handle possible situations and dangers. Of course, the choice is yours.'
Though Azelf appeared childish and cute while eating, when interacting with Natsuhiko, it seemed rational, even a bit cautious.
Passing its test was necessary.
However, Natsuhiko was curious about the "greatest treasury" it mentioned.
'Does he still have something undiscovered within himself, unexcavated?' Natsuhiko couldn't help but wonder.
"What should I do once inside?" Natsuhiko asked.
"Yawn—" Azelf spun in the air again.
'Once inside, you'll know.'
Natsuhiko lowered his head, pondering for a moment.
He looked up at the sky.
"It's too late today; the little ones have been tired all day. Can we start tomorrow?"
Azelf's gaze swept over Natsuhiko and his group of Pokémon, pondering with its head lowered.
"Yawn—"
It then gently flicked its tail, emitting tiny white specks of light from its body, which scattered onto Natsuhiko and the Pokémon.
Very soon.
They discovered that the day's fatigue was entirely dispelled, and their energy restored to its best state.
Not only that, but even their mental exhaustion was fully revived.
'Is this okay?'
Azelf showed a hint of fatigue, letting out a long yawn.
Since it had made such a gesture, completely restoring him and the Pokémon, Natsuhiko had no reason to refuse.
He took a deep breath, gathered Sharpedo and the others, and with Beedrill, Yujira, Togetic, and Honedge, nodded at Azelf and entered the passage.
Once inside, Azelf showed a puzzled look.
"Zapdos, Marshadow, Jirachi... who else could it be?"