"That's right." Olympia nodded slightly. "To be precise, it is only a fragment, but through it, you can locate a Pokémon that carries the Mightiest Mark."
"Then what are the conditions?"
A Pokémon that carries the Mightiest Mark exists only once within its species, and it represents the absolute peak of strength within that group.
"Then I ask that in the future, when the embodiment of the land and the embodiment of the sea clash due to the legendary giant stone, you protect the Kalos region."
The two of them held each other's gaze for a moment. Then Silas smiled and nodded.
"Alright, I agree."
After bidding farewell to the three of them, Silas left the Anistar Gym with Dragonite.
If he remembered correctly, Olympia was also a seer.
The two beings she referred to were most likely Groudon and Kyogre, and the giant stone was the one from the anime that could trigger Rayquaza's evolution.
Even if she had not brought it up, he would have stepped in to stop them anyway.
"Dragonite, let's head home. I wonder if Cyclizar and the others have been causing trouble."
"Draa~"
Climbing onto Dragonite's back, Silas leaned forward as the scenery rushed past his eyes at incredible speed.
In his palm, he held the fragment of the Mightiest Mark. He could feel a faint call emanating from it, sometimes near, sometimes distant. By following that call, he would eventually find the Pokémon that bore the mark.
Silas decided to leave it for tomorrow. When the time came, he would bring Cyclizar and Kangaskhan along.
Marks and medals were somewhat similar, but the key difference was that medals were awarded by contests, the Pokémon League, or individuals.
Marks, on the other hand, had existed since ancient times. It was said that they were granted by the Creator God itself, which made them far more alluring.
His own Cinccino was so adorable, yet it only had the Cute Medal from the last Contest and not the Mark of Cuteness.
Among all the Pokémon in the ranch, only Kangaskhan had one, the Destiny Mark, which it had obtained when they first met.
"Draa~" (We're home, Silas.)
"Oh, right."
Jumping down from Dragonite's back, Silas patted it.
"Go play for now. Just remember to come back for dinner tonight."
Dragonite stretched out its tongue and licked him from head to toe before happily running off.
Shaking his head, Silas picked up Morpeko, who had somehow appeared at his feet, and used it to wipe his face clean.
He then released the five Pokémon he had brought along.
"Indeedee, please help treat Mudsdale, and Diancie as well."
The Pokémon nodded in agreement. After entrusting them to Indeedee's care, Silas brought Perrserker over to Kangaskhan.
"Where is baby Kangaskhan and Dratini?"
"Kang~"
Kangaskhan lowered its voice and gently lifted the edge of its pouch. Inside, the two little Pokémon were hugging each other tightly, sleeping soundly.
"They're sleeping like little piglets. After dinner, let Dragonite send Dratini back so its parents won't worry."
If the little one had been alone, Silas would have kept it at the ranch without hesitation. No trainer could resist a soft, pink Dratini.
But unfortunately, it had its own family.
Families should stay together.
"Kang~"
Kangaskhan smiled warmly. Ever since having its baby, its temperament had softened greatly. It spent every day cheerful and content.
"Kangaskhan, do you still have the mark you got when we first met?"
"Kang Kang!" (Of course. Silas, you said back then that we were destined to meet.)
Between a pink heart pattern lay a white Poké Ball symbol. That was the incredibly rare Destiny Mark.
Seeing it, Silas could not help but recall that rainy night when he first met Kangaskhan.
A reckless young boy and a Kangaskhan that had just left its mother upon reaching adulthood met by chance.
No, not by chance.
It was a destined encounter.
"Time really flies."
Sitting on Kangaskhan's shoulder, Silas gazed at the drifting clouds in the distance and sighed softly.
But the peaceful moment did not last.
A noisy commotion approached from afar.
Cyclizar was being chased by Cinccino, Psyduck, and the others.
The two little ones inside Kangaskhan's pouch woke up immediately.
Rubbing their eyes, they helped each other climb out. Dratini clung to the little Kangaskhan, yawning repeatedly, while baby Kangaskhan stumbled after Cinccino and the others.
"You two, slow down. Cyclizar, give the Oran Berry back to Psyducks."
Hearing this, Cyclizar slammed on the brakes and tossed the Oran Berry into the distance, then instantly put on a bright smile as it looked at Silas.
The two Psyduck locked onto the berry and ran straight through the middle, quacking loudly as the two fought over it.
Cinccino, meanwhile, stood with its hands on its hips, stomping its feet angrily as it glared at Cyclizar.
That berry had just been requested from Indeedee as a gift for the Psyduck, only for Cyclizar to snatch it away.
It swung its tail, lightly smacking Cyclizar to teach it a lesson.
Silas stepped forward to steady baby Kangaskhan, only to meet the teary eyes of the shiny Dratini, along with the bump on its forehead.
"Tinii…"
Dratini whimpered pitifully, its tail lazily tapping the little Kangaskhan as if blaming it.
The little Kangaskhan was also angry. It was clearly Dratini's fault that it had fallen. It spread its arms and pushed Dratini back.
In an instant, the two baby Pokémon began wrestling, their soft and clumsy movements making the scene oddly adorable.
If not for Kangaskhan approaching, Silas could have watched them all day.
"Hey, hey, don't fight."
While speaking, he separated the two.
Even after being pulled apart, baby Kangaskhan still tried to reach out and hit Dratini, while Dratini stubbornly flicked its tail in retaliation.
"It's just a fall. We will be more careful next time. Come inside with me and put some medicine on the sore spots. It will be better in no time."
With Dratini held in one hand and baby Kangaskhan tucked under his arm, Silas walked back toward the house.
Cyclizar followed curiously, only to regret it immediately.
After applying medicine to their injuries, the small wounds healed quickly.
The two little ones instantly made up and happily climbed onto Cyclizar's back.
"Good timing, Cyclizar. You woke them up, so you can take care of them. Bring them back when it is time to eat."
"Cycc!" (Nooo!!!)
Cyclizar looked like it was about to cry. If it had known, it would never have followed.
Now forced into babysitting duty, it trudged along while Kangaskhan followed behind with a gentle smile.
At the doorway, Silas scooped up a confused-looking Cinccino and pressed his face into its soft belly.
"Did you miss me today?"
"Cin Cin~" (I missed you, Silas. Alcremie, Arboliva, and Jigglypuff all missed you too.)
After playing with Cinccino for a while, a knocking sound came from outside the door.
Placing Cinccino on his shoulder, Silas walked out.
He thought it might be Fletchinder or Rowlet, but when he looked down, he saw two Psyduck instead.
The Oran Berry they had been fighting over had rolled to his feet. The two ducks pressed their heads against each other, still competing for it.
"You two really are…"
Silas covered his face, completely speechless, not even wanting to look at them.
Cinccino tapped him with its tail and tugged at his hair, urging him to listen.
"Cin, Cin!"
"You're saying they both have marks?"
Turning to look at the two ducks, who were staring intently at the Oran Berry without blinking, Silas spoke.
"You both have marks? Show them to me. I will give each of you another Oran Berry."
The two Psyduck tilted their heads, clearly struggling to process the long sentence.
Just as Silas was about to take out the berries, the two ducks suddenly ran off.
Moments later, after stumbling several times, they returned, each holding their beloved Psyduck watering can.
On the watering cans, a mark was attached.
When Silas touched it, the system panel responded.
(End of Chapter)
TN: I'm not too sure about the marks I'm putting here, when I search up the Chinese names for it most of the time it doesn't match so I just put what I think is appropriate.