And what about Togekiss at that time?
All the Pokémon's attention was not on it.
It just stood there dumbfounded, watching Super Alakazam and Super Great Needle Bee, looking at the fallen and struggling Natsuhiko on the ground in pain.
It wanted to help, but realized at that moment how weak and insignificant it was.
It didn't even have the ability to attract the attention of Hydreigon.
There was nothing it could do.
It could only stand there dumbfounded.
The scene shifted.
It was a scene that Natsuhiko didn't remember.
Because he was still in a coma at that time.
Sleeping under the tree, accompanied by Pokémon.
And when Alakazam fainted, Togekiss, who took the initiative to guard the night, hid in the corner by itself, quietly... training.
When was it?
That Togekiss, which had to train even the "Yawn" technique, actually practiced more by itself when everyone else was asleep?
Togekiss's playful and mischievous appearance hid its inner thoughts well.
Just like the first time Natsuhiko met it, when it was still Togepi, it always greeted him with a smile.
It never told Natsuhiko about living alone, surviving in those dim and resource-poor underground tunnels, and its experiences and encounters.
It always tried to show its best side in front of everyone.
Seeing this, Natsuhiko fell silent.
He realized that during this time, he was merely focused on making Togekiss stronger to reach Elite Candidate Level and defeat that Hydreigon, ignoring some of Togekiss's inner thoughts.
Naively believing that with Togekiss's mischievous nature, he didn't need to pay much attention to its internal changes.
Perhaps even Togekiss itself did not realize this change. It just wanted to quickly achieve Natsuhiko's goal, then defeat that Hydreigon together.
It didn't notice, but as its Trainer, Natsuhiko should have.
This was his negligence as a Trainer.
"Togekiss...."
Natsuhiko called softly, his voice resonating in Togekiss's mind.
"Chocaye?"
Togekiss paused its actions.
In its mind, within the spirit world, Togekiss emerged, looking at Natsuhiko with some confusion, not knowing why Natsuhiko appeared here or why it was here.
Yet Natsuhiko just smiled and stepped forward, opening his arms and hugging Togekiss tightly.
Togekiss felt a bit at a loss, experiencing the embrace it once loved but had not felt for a long time.
For a moment.
It felt somewhat unfamiliar.
Its head was pressed by a familiar hand.
Vigorously rubbing it.
Togekiss blinked and came back to its senses.
Sniffling, its eyes suddenly reddened slightly, snuggling into Natsuhiko's embrace, burrowing in.
That unfamiliar feeling gradually faded away.
Affectionately resting its cheek against Natsuhiko's chest.
"Chocaye...." Its voice carried a hint of a sob.
Natsuhiko silently sighed, speaking softly: "I haven't seen you being coquettish for so long, I thought you really grew up."
Togekiss raised its head from the embrace, sniffed again, and emphasized:
"Chocaye——"
'I have really grown up——'
"Haha——" Natsuhiko laughed aloud.
Togekiss also laughed along.
The laughter echoed within the small consciousness space.
"Have you recovered?"
Togekiss nodded repeatedly.
Natsuhiko's expression turned serious as he looked into the distance, "Then let's find out this troublesome guy."
"Chocaye!"
They simultaneously gazed towards a certain corner.
"Buli!"
A voice that seemed slightly startled also echoed in the consciousness space.
Then quickly disappeared.
When Natsuhiko and Togekiss opened their eyes again, Togekiss had already returned to normal.
Looking at the mess around, it could hardly believe that it was the cause.
"Just one more step, go ahead." Natsuhiko nodded towards Togekiss.
Togekiss understood, transformed into a white light, and swiftly darted into the depths of the forest.
Although Steelix didn't understand the situation, it honestly followed along.
As for the Shiinotic here, they would deal with them on the way back.
Now.
Natsuhiko and Togekiss had more crucial matters to attend to.
Although Togekiss's condition returned to normal, the Xerneas horn on its head didn't completely calm down.
The aura around Togekiss hasn't become steady either.
It's about to take a critical step, but because of its eagerness, certain existences have seized the opportunity.
Not long after.
Natsuhiko and a group of Pokémon reached the deepest part of this forest.
And the first to arrive, Togekiss, was already engaged in battle with a Pokémon.
This Pokémon, at first glance, looks like a person, but somewhat like a squid, its whole body is mostly pink and white, wearing a blue hat, and its body is wrapped in what resembles a lady's dress, with claw-like appendages extending from the end of the blue hat.
Hatterene!
The witch of the Fairy Forest!
Taking advantage of Togekiss's dazed and eager inner gap, the witch with a seemingly frail exterior has a witch's heart.
Bang bang!
Togekiss's two "Air Slashes" were easily swatted away by Hatterene's swinging claws.
"Chirr!"
A charming voice came out from its mouth, shaking both humans and Pokémon's spirits.
Charming Voice!
Togekiss heard the voice and was briefly dazed.
However, it quickly recovered, seemingly having developed some resistance to the charming ability within.
Elite Candidate Level!
This Hatterene has the strength of an Elite Candidate Level.
Yet Togekiss appears to be evenly matched in battle, although slightly at a disadvantage.
Seeing Togekiss unaffected, a hint of anger appeared on Hatterene's face.
Wave-like psychic power twisted space, rippling towards Togekiss.
"Chackey!"
The feathers on Togekiss's head glowed with three colors, "Triple Attack" defiantly counterattacked.
Boom!
In the end, it was Hatterene's "Illusionary Beam" that slightly gained the upper hand, pushing Togekiss back a little distance.
Natsuhiko stopped Beedrill and Alakazam, who were about to step in to help.
Furrowing his brow, he just watched Togekiss.
"It's close."
Yes.
Close.
The battle with the equally Fairy Type Hatterene has a major impact on it taking this final critical step.
Xerneas' Horn continued to emit bright light, with dense Fairy Energy gathering towards it at a speed invisible to the naked eye.
Hatterene wanted to press on, as bright white light erupted from its body, leaping up, with rainbow-colored light shooting out from the white light to attack Togekiss.
Magic Shimmer!
Togekiss refused to be outdone.
Gathering all its strength, moonlight appeared above its head, and the bright moonlight shot out in response.
Power of the Moon!
This is a collision of Fairy Energy versus Fairy Energy, a struggle between "Power of the Moon" and "Magic Shimmer".
While accumulating power, Togekiss itself hadn't realized that a binding shackle within it had suddenly loosened and opened.
In a way that seemed to come naturally, without thrilling struggles or pressure, nor a grand spectacle, it simply opened.
Togekiss officially stepped into the Elite Candidate Level!
"Power of the Moon" poured out, colliding with "Magic Shimmer".
This time.
An evenly matched confrontation.
"Chirr?"
Surprise flashed in Hatterene's eyes.
A moment ago, it had the clear advantage, so how did it become evenly matched in the next second?
"Chackey!!"
Togekiss shouted aloud, Fairy Energy surged suddenly, the bright moonlight seemed to double, directly overwhelming "Magic Shimmer", causing Hatterene to roll on the ground, looking somewhat disheveled.
Natsuhiko and several Pokémon, understanding what Togekiss meant, all broke into smiles simultaneously.
It said...
'I've truly grown up!!'
Seeing Togekiss officially step into the Elite Candidate Level, Natsuhiko no longer hesitated.
Waving his hand.
Beedrill and Alakazam immediately stepped forward to stand with Togekiss.
Natsuhiko looked at the somewhat aggrieved Hatterene rising from the ground, and murmured softly.
"I also don't know how to 'thank' you."
Then he instructed the Pokémon: "Strong attack, no fancy tricks."
In front of Hatterene with "Magic Mirror", fanciness won't fly.
Living freely in this forest under the pervasive spore rain of Shiinotic, enjoying the conveniences brought by the dense Fairy Energy.
Even once making Shiinotic flee at the mention of its name.
No need to guess, its trait is "Magic Mirror".