Sinnoh Region, somewhere unknown.
After discussing matters with Zapdos, Chatot led the flock of birds to land beside a desolate, ancient castle.
The flock dispersed skillfully, each group searching the surrounding area for suitable materials to build temporary nests.
They had already left Lake Acuity behind, following along the ocean currents stirred by Lord Lugia's movement.
As dusk gradually deepened and the sky dimmed, the flock decided to rest here for the night.
While pecking at berries, Chatot couldn't help but miss the days spent back at the ranch.
Zapdos glanced at it, then curled up inside the nest to rest with eyes half-closed, leaving a space beside it for Chatot.
Looking toward the distant direction of home, Chatot let out a clear and piercing cry.
In an instant, the noisy sounds around the ruined castle seemed to have been pressed on pause. Aside from a small portion of birds assigned to patrol and keep watch, the rest of the bird Pokémon gradually drifted into slumber.
Yet as they slept, the bird Pokémon's brows furrowed almost in unison. Their expressions filled with fear and terror.
Even Zapdos and Chatot were no exception. Some unseen force had influenced them, dragging them into nightmares.
Only after every bird Pokémon had fallen into deep sleep did a shadowy, black figure appear at the highest point of the castle.
Its head was covered with white hair formed from continuously surging nightmare energy. Long strips of tattered black cloth hung from its shoulders. Its claw-like hands, dark as shadows, lifted slowly—within its palm, a dark vortex spun like a miniature black hole.
One by one, it devoured beautiful dreams… or twisted them into nightmares filled with despair and terror.
Just as it prepared to deal with the group of Pokémon that had trespassed into its territory, the crescent moon overhead suddenly scattered sparkling particles like stardust.
The shimmering particles drifted down and touched each bird Pokémon. Their expressions of pain and sorrow gradually smoothed out, their nightmares dispersed and cleansed.
"SCREEEE!"
A bolt of golden lightning erupted instantly. Zapdos was furious.
It had been ambushed without even realizing it, falling victim to the attack.
If not for that special power just now that shattered the nightmare, Zapdos might not have been able to free itself so easily.
The dark Pokémon atop the castle slowly faded away, but before departing, it cast a wary glance toward the Pokémon beside the moon.
From the crescent-moon Pokémon's tail extended a rainbow-colored aurora, stretching long and brilliant across the sky. The flock stared in awe, mesmerized by the sight.
Only when its figure completely vanished did they finally withdraw their gazes.
"Cha tot!"
Chatot flew into the sky and caught a feather glowing with a soft, moonlit radiance.
…
Kalos, Silas' Ranch.
"You two, you two come here for a moment."
Standing in the open space outside the orchard, Silas waved toward the two Noibat Pokémon.
"Noi~" ×2
They glanced at each other before deliberately making a wide detour to reach Silas's side, each gently nudging him with their heads.
Their identical movements caused Silas to rest a hand atop each of their heads.
He stroked them lightly. The two little ones had grown noticeably stronger.
"So what's going on with you two…?"
Mediating conflicts between the ranch Pokémon was one of the essential skills of being both ranch owner and trainer.
"Noi!"
(It's his fault!)
"Noi! Noi!"
(It's your fault! Your fault!)
The two Noibat began arguing again, pawing at each other.
If Silas hadn't been standing between them, they might already have started fighting.
Soon after, they simultaneously turned their heads away, refusing to look at one another.
This wouldn't do. It wouldn't solve anything.
Silas called Cyclizar over to fetch Noivern.
He and Noivern each took one Noibat aside to learn what had really happened.
After soothing the younger Noibat, Silas pinched its large ears gently.
"Tell me what happened. If your brother was wrong, I'll make him apologize."
"Noi Noi~ Noi…"
(It's like this, Silas…)
As the Noibat finished its complaints, Silas's face grew stern.
"You two snuck out again last night, didn't you?"
He stared directly at the Noibat, tugging lightly on its ear.
Noibat: Oh no, Silas found out!
The little Noibat blinked rapidly, its bright yellow eyes flickering. It deliberately tilted its head to one side, exposing its soft pink belly while letting out a flattering "Noi Noi" sound.
It was practically saying, I don't understand what you're talking about, Silas.
It was trying to act cute to escape punishment.
But Silas wouldn't let them off so easily. If they were already like this at such a young age, what would happen when they grew up?
He deliberately applied a bit more pressure to the tip of its ear. "Don't think you can get away with this by being cute. Tell me, who else knew you two snuck out?"
Seeing it couldn't escape, a glint of slyness flashed in Noibat's eyes. It pointed its little claw toward Noivern in the distance.
"Noi~"
(Noivern knew too. He told us to go.)
Noivern's head snapped up. Its unusual eyes were filled with shock, quickly followed by an angry growl.
"Noi! Noi?"
(Don't drag me into this! When did I ever tell you to go?)
The other Noibat, realizing their secret outing had been exposed, decided that if they were going down, they'd take someone with them.
"Noi…"
(When we came back to find you, the Carbink all heard it—you kept waving and saying go, go, go!)
Hearing this, Noivern thought back.
Earlier that night, Noivern had just returned and was lounging in the nest, enjoying the attentive service of the Carbink.
The two Noibat had rushed in, asking it to help them.
Not wanting to move at all, Noivern had simply waved them away dismissively.
Noivern: (0o0) Speechless.jpg
It had clearly been shooing them away, telling them not to disturb it. Who knew they would interpret it like that?
Noivern felt utterly wronged. But seeing Silas approaching, it realized it wouldn't be able to clear itself of suspicion so easily.
It shot a resentful look at the two Noibat standing united against a common enemy.
In that moment, Noivern understood something important—
If you're going to beat your younger brothers, do it early. Starting tonight.
After giving Noivern a stern scolding and tapping it lightly on the head, Silas obtained its guarantee. Only then did he let the matter drop.
"Alright, go play," Silas waved them off. "But if you go out again, you must inform me in advance. Understood?"
"Noi~" ×2
The two Noibat agreed and immediately dashed off without looking back.
Unfortunately for them, their speed was nothing compared to Noivern's. In the blink of an eye, Noivern caught both of them, grinning wickedly as it dragged them back toward the cave.
Silas watched the scene without commenting.
The two Noibat's clumsy acting hadn't fooled him for a second. He simply couldn't bear to discipline them too harshly.
But they still needed a lesson. If he couldn't bring himself to do it, then their big brother Noivern certainly could.
After this incident, the two Noibat would surely report in advance before sneaking out again.
Following behind Noivern to the cave entrance, Silas heard faint, muffled cries echoing from inside. Humming a tune, he turned and walked away.
After only a few steps, he noticed Phione and the others running around anxiously looking for him. The moment they spotted him, they hurried over and tugged him excitedly toward another direction.
"What's this? What have you all come up with now?" Silas tapped Phione curiously.
Phione shook its head, insisting Silas simply follow them—it was definitely a big surprise.
And so, Silas found himself arriving at the lakeside of the ranch.
(End of Chapter)