Aindoak.
Riding Reshiram, Natsuhiko returned here once again.
He was met with the cheers of the entire town.
Although the "Winter Festival" ended yesterday.
But today, to them, marked the first day of the new year.
And on this first day, being able to witness Reshiram, from their historic mythology of the "Earth People," and see the new "Hero of Truth" Natsuhiko along with Reshiram effortlessly destroying the Plasma Team's base on the large screen in the square, was the most exhilarating to them.
Now that Natsuhiko was back, it felt like the return of a hero.
On the "Earth Sword," the town mayor Mormondo welcomed the returning Natsuhiko and Reshiram, along with Victini.
Mormondo gazed at the dashing White Dragon outside the window, along with the handsome young man riding its back and the adorable Victini on his shoulder.
Though the revival of Reshiram, the appearance of a new hero, and the reappearance of Victini, which hadn't been seen for years, was indeed something exciting and worth celebrating.
As the town mayor, his considerations were a bit more extensive.
Reshiram, Victini—this meant the "Earth People" suddenly lost two significant historical legacies.
Perhaps... the "Earth People" and the "Land of Earth" were indeed meant to become history... Mormondo couldn't help but ponder.
"Mayor Mormondo," Natsuhiko called out, hovering outside the castle.
"Na... Natsuhiko Hero."
Mormondo snapped back to reality at Natsuhiko's call, his greeting a bit stuttered.
"I want to go up to the tower top again, is that okay?" Natsuhiko asked.
"Hmm?"
Mormondo was taken aback.
Under Reshiram's sidelong glance, Mormondo suddenly got it.
He quickly replied, "Of course!"
"Thank you."
After expressing his gratitude, Natsuhiko went to the top floor of the "Earth Sword" once more with Reshiram and Victini.
Mormondo sticking his head out the window to watch them go felt a bit relieved.
His impression of Natsuhiko improved significantly again.
At least, as the "Hero," Natsuhiko didn't act arrogantly; when going to the top floor of the "Earth Sword," he first sought his permission as the mayor.
This made him feel respected.
Not just respect for him as the mayor, but also respect for their "Earth People's" customs.
"Perhaps... the 'Earth People' isn't something that has become history; it lives in the hearts of many," Mormondo murmured with a feeling of nostalgia.
Click.
Return to the top floor once more.
The central altar had turned to ashes under Reshiram's "Interlaced Flames."
Yet, the layout of the entire top floor hall showed no changes, nor did the patterns carved on its floor and walls, seemingly imbued with special significance, suffer any significant impact.
It's just that with the disappearance of the central altar, lacking energy supply, the entire hall became darker.
Previously, Natsuhiko's eyes were solely on that altar, overlooking the surrounding environment.
Upon returning again.
The feeling was profoundly different from before.
Setting aside the resentment towards Victini's restriction of freedom, the hall's arrangement offered some insights to Natsuhiko, who was a Superpower User.
He took out the "Philosopher's Stone," awarded for winning the festival.
His main purpose for coming back was to attempt deciphering this stone, to see if its value could indeed meet expectations.
But before that.
Natsuhiko tossed out Pokeballs, summoning his Pokémon who had been cooped up for a long while.
And distributed food.
"Oo~~"
Seeing Natsuhiko's Pokémon, Reshiram greeted them warmly.
For the agreeable Reshiram, while the Pokémon were in awe of its status, they didn't behave overly timid.
Especially with Togekiss, the "Social Butterfly No. 1," and Eevee, the "Social Butterfly No. 2," leading energetically.
In no time.
Togekiss, along with Eevee, Vulpix, and the equally vivacious Victini, were playing hide-and-seek on Reshiram's body...
Reshiram: ...
There's really no other Divine Beast without presence like it.
"Buyi~~"
Eevee poked two eyes through Reshiram's dense fur.
"Nimi!!"
Victini popped its head out from Reshiram's cloud-like mane.
"Awoo~~"
Vulpix slid down its slender neck, seemingly treating it as a new-style slide.
Seeing Reshiram's "nothing to live for" expression, Natsuhiko couldn't help but smile.
But Natsuhiko still helped to extricate it, saying:
"Reshiram, do you see among my partners here, any who could learn even a little from you?"
The Alola Region's "Island Competition" was already set, and Natsuhiko guessed he would have to participate whether he wanted to or not.
When the time comes.
Natsuhiko couldn't possibly take Reshiram to bully others, right?
Not to mention whether Reshiram could follow him away, whether entering islands of the Alola Region would be contrary to the Island Gods there, or even the rejection of the two great Sun and Moon gods.
Just saying, the organizers wouldn't allow him to deploy Reshiram.
That would not be a competition, but a dimensional reduction strike.
At this, Reshiram glanced over.
Finally.
It settled on Latios and Monferno.
[They are, not bad.]
Reshiram said to Natsuhiko.
Latios was indeed a Divine Beast, and both are Dragon Type Pokémon, able to be specially attended to by Rayquaza, the talent is naturally unquestionable.