Chapter 687 - 684

Although they lived in a comparatively recent era, Hisui’s various settlements and ancient cities rarely interacted with one another. Some remained isolated for one reason or another, while others waged bloody wars over their beliefs.

Even large communities like the Pearl Clan and Diamond Clan still practiced extremely primitive forms of agriculture and animal husbandry. Many people continued to survive through hunting, fishing, and gathering.

Naturally, carefully prepared food was an unquestionable delicacy to them.

“Food is a means of uniting and governing a settlement. In other words, it’s the starting point from which civilization can be rebuilt. Judging by its location, the Pearl Settlement will probably become Snowpoint City one day.”

After all, the legendary “city of ice where frostflowers gleam” stood right beside Lake Acuity.

As expected, the noodles quickly helped the Pearl Clan accept Hikaru. Someone who could bring them food could also bring civilization and change, and both the Diamond and Pearl Clans currently found themselves caught between their traditions and the prospect of progress.

Their young leader possessed plenty of courage. Irida treasured the customs and lands passed down from ancient times, and when the Galaxy Team first arrived, before she became the clan’s leader, she had wondered whether the differing customs and perspectives of outsiders and the descendants of Celestica might cause trouble. That was why she had always approached them with such care.

When it came to food and cooking, however, the more knowledge they possessed, the better.

The Galaxy Team’s arrival had given both the Pearl and Diamond Clans access to many advanced techniques for farming and developing the land.

Afterward, Irida issued Hikaru a “challenge.” In her capacity as leader of the Pearl Clan, she challenged the “Leader of Sinjoh, the Swordfighter of Lightning.”

The outcome was inevitable. Her Eevee was struck by a lightning-charged tackle and knocked unconscious on the spot.

Zippy Zap!

At this point in time, Irida’s Eevee had yet to evolve and remained in its ordinary form. By comparison, Adaman’s Leafeon from the neighboring Diamond Clan had evolved long ago.

“Vee…”

Eevee’s ears drooped as it chewed on a Revive. Soon, it was overflowing with energy again, although it remained somewhat frightened of the small yellow mouse.

Irida wore a peculiar expression. “What was that?! A Pokémon that commands lightning? Is it like the Shinx found in the wild?”

“As leader of the Pearl Clan, Eevee is practically my own sibling, yet we were completely crushed!”

Her shoulders slumped.

“I know I wasn’t chosen as leader because of my strength, but you could’ve at least let me use one move.”

“You defeated us instantly! What was that?! Pokémon that control lightning really are dangerous, just like the Lord of the Hollow.”

Of course, being selected for reasons other than strength did have one advantage.

Losing a battle did not completely shatter her confidence, nor would anyone in the clan say, “Our leader lost that easily! She isn’t fit to lead us!”

Instead, they could say, “You’ve defeated the weakest member of our clan, our leader! Now go and defeat the Five Wardens!”

“I’m sorry, Master Gaeric! I didn’t get to use any of the techniques you taught me! Isn’t it strange that the leader is actually the weakest person in the clan?”

“But battling has never been my specialty… Sorry!”

Irida recovered almost immediately.

If anything, that brief “battle” made the Pearl Clan even more willing to accept Hikaru.

He really did possess the power to tame Pokémon! With strength like that, he truly was qualified to become a Warden! No wonder Sneasler had traveled so far to seek him out of her own accord…

That was what everyone said.

The strongest fighter in the Pearl Clan was Gaeric, and Irida could be considered his apprentice. Then again, practically everyone in the clan had learned from Gaeric.

That led to a new debate. Who was stronger, the leader from Sinjoh or Gaeric?

No matter the time or place, people always possessed an incredible enthusiasm for pointless arguments over who would win in a fight.

After all, this land was buried in ice and snow. There was precious little entertainment to be found.

Whenever an interesting story appeared, it would quickly spread across Hisui and become the subject of countless animated conversations.

“Defeating you in a single move probably kept you from experiencing what makes a Pokémon battle truly significant,” Hikaru said. “But in distant lands, Pokémon battles are both a means of survival and an important way of understanding one another’s hearts.”

“I’ve met many remarkable heroes, and they’ve said all kinds of things about it. You can learn what sort of person someone is through their techniques, their fighting style, and the way their partner Pokémon behaves!”

“In even more ancient eras, Pokémon didn’t merely attack one another. They could threaten the lives of other Pokémon and their Trainers. Humans would also participate directly in battles, frequently exposing themselves to attacks. Even their Poké Balls could become targets!”

“Yet precisely because of that danger, people continually sought to understand Pokémon and walk beside these creatures that could comprehend human speech. In distant ages, such people were called messengers of magical beasts, ancient warlords, or Pokémon tamers.”

“A saying from a faraway land has survived to this day!”

“‘When two Pokémon Trainers lock eyes, a battle must begin!'”

———–!!!

“Hmm. There aren’t many Electric-type Pokémon in the Sinnoh Pokédex,” Hikaru continued. “The Shinx found practically everywhere are one prominent example. Apparently, some people have been shocked unconscious by electricity from Shinx or Pikachu.”

“But my Pokémon is called Pichu.”

“Its electricity is relatively… safe. Of course, I’m talking about wild Pichu, not my partner.”

Hikaru watched the Spiky-eared Pichu scampering around nearby.

“She’s an exceptionally rare Spiky-eared Pichu. If I told you she came from a thousand years ago… No, from eight hundred and fifty years ago, you’d probably think that sounded strange too.”

“But it’s true. Her home is Michina.”

“Pichu is what Pikachu looks like before it evolves.”

In the Hisui era, Pichu could be found around Floaro Gardens in the Obsidian Fieldlands and in the Crimson Mirelands. However, just as in later generations, such baby Pokémon were quite rare. Pikachu were more commonly seen in the wild.

Rei of the Galaxy Team had a Pikachu as his partner.

In the original story, Professor Laventon’s three research Pokémon had fled to Prelude Beach not merely because they were waiting for Akari to descend from the sky.

Rei, who was supposed to be watching them, had been knocked unconscious by his own Pikachu’s Thunder Shock.

“My, my. Humans in this age haven’t developed enough resistance to Electric-type attacks,” Hikaru said. “I know a friend whose Pikachu possesses extraordinary electrical power. It regularly shatters boulders and blasts through walls, yet attacks of that level don’t do anything to him.”

Irida stared at him.

“…What are you talking about? Lightning is terrifying! Is this ‘friend’ actually you?”

“How could any human casually withstand an electric shock?!”

“I realize it might be hard for people in Hisui to imagine, but in distant lands, some humans can fight Pokémon and endure their moves with their bare bodies. Even completely naked and without any equipment, they can still put up a fight.”

“Most of those people are martial artists or psychics. Still, plenty of humans possess astonishing physiques. Compared to them, you descendants of Celestica are surprisingly… normal.”

“Pichu!”

The Spiky-eared Pichu rubbed her chin as she studied the drooping ears of the Eevee before her. Then she pinched her own cheeks.

Super Transform!

Her face turned into Eevee’s!

“Vee?!”

“Chu!”

Eevee’s ears immediately shot upright. It stared in amazement as Pichu contorted her face and produced a vivid imitation of its expression.

The Spiky-eared Pichu had learned this little trick from Ash’s Pikachu.

Although she had not reached the level of “Pikachu, Master of Imitation,” she could at least be called a junior imitation expert!

Eevee soon lowered its guard and began playing with the Spiky-eared Pichu. Then it felt something tugging on its tail.

Who was pulling its tail?!

Eevee looked back and saw a Pokémon with a V-shaped symbol on its head raising one finger at it.

Another one?

Eevee blinked in surprise. Its nose twitched as it detected an intense heat.

“A red Pokémon I’ve never seen before…” Irida murmured.

“That’s right. Since no one in Hisui has ever seen it, it doesn’t need to keep itself invisible here. This is Victini, one of my partners. It’s a Fire- and Psychic-type Pokémon.”

Irida counted on her fingers. “A fiery fish that looks as though it’s made of jade and red-hot glass, a red warrior in golden armor, and now a Pokémon with a strange symbol on its head. Aside from Pichu, can all your partners produce flames?”

“Whew. It’s starting to feel hot. I don’t like fire…”

She began fanning herself thoughtfully, her expression changing.

Hikaru remembered something as well.

Come to think of it, Irida really hated heat. She had originally traveled only with her Eevee, which eventually became Glaceon. However, as the Galaxy Team and Akari became increasingly active throughout Hisui, Irida began catching other Eevee and using the Galaxy Team’s knowledge to evolve them.

The third of those Pokémon was Flareon.

Irida detested heat but barely noticed the cold. Even in the Alabaster Icelands, she never complained about freezing. Instead, she thought it was slightly too warm.

Adaman, leader of the neighboring Diamond Clan, had only one opinion on the matter: he was speechless.

There was no reasoning with her. That was simply how people from the Pearl Clan thought.

“Is your Ability Ice Body or something?”

Hikaru shook his head. “I’m a craftsman. If I want to forge anything, I can’t do without fire. Cooking requires fire as well. How could I possibly manage without it?”

“And what matters even more than that? Materials.”

“Steel, electricity, fire, ghosts, grass, and dragons… If I had to name the types I specialize in, those would be the main ones. Of course, Pokémon types are still difficult for people in this era to understand.”

To Irida, all of this was naturally far too profound.

Since she was “terrible at answering questions about knowledge,” golden stars began flashing before her eyes until they turned into spirals.

Learning all kinds of Pokémon knowledge was too much for her. If the conversation turned to music or food, however, she would immediately perk up.

In other words, she was a gifted student in music and cooking.

“In every other subject, you’d be considered a problem student, wouldn’t you? The kind who falls asleep the moment class begins.”

Sneasler flicked her claws.

“Mrrreow!”

“Steel can’t be poisoned. That’s extremely troublesome. Are you saying you’re good at dealing with things like Bronzong? I can’t believe you put Steel first. I hate opponents like that.”

“If they can’t be poisoned, Dire Claw won’t work either. I’d have to defeat them with my precious Close Combat.”

Dire Claw was a Poison-type move, so it was completely ineffective against Steel-type Pokémon.

“Another bowl of noodles, meow!”

Irida watched Sneasler noisily slurp down her ramen.

“Hikaru… Earlier, you said you and Sneasler would begin working after you finished making the ramen, didn’t you? Since we’ve already had our ‘battle,’ you can consider it your initiation ceremony.”

“I lost, but talking with you seems to have helped me understand Pokémon a little better.”

“Now that you’ve defeated me, there can be no question that you deserve to become a Warden. As the only third descendant of Celestica to come from Sinjoh, some people have been calling you the ‘Leader of Sinjoh’ or the ‘Sinjoh Clan Leader.’ Those titles make you sound distant from us, but I believe that distance will soon disappear.”

“There’s nothing wrong with those titles,” Hikaru replied. “The way a title changes as people move from unfamiliarity to intimacy is itself proof of the bond forming between them.”

“Especially here in the Alabaster Icelands.”

“Here in the Icelands?”

“That’s right. Would you like to hear an ancient poem?”

Irida immediately nodded, her curiosity aroused.

“The Pearl Settlement has existed here for hundreds of years. Is there truly a poem about this place? Of course I want to hear it. Learning ancient myths would be valuable for preserving our settlement’s traditions.”

Hikaru pointed toward the distant cliffs.

“There’s a lake in the mountains near Snowpoint Temple. It’s one of the lakes symbolizing Hisui’s abundant waters.”

“Old Verse Seven.”

“‘O, lake in alabaster lands of ice,

lake brimming o’er with rich acuity…

How many seek the Pokémon that shows

itself there, out to answer its words true

and earn its boon through ingenuity?

But should they fail to understand its words

and let its questions meet with no reply,

their minds will be wiped clean of memory…'”

Hikaru smiled at Irida.

“‘O, lake in alabaster lands of ice,

depths where rich acuity goes to sink.'”

“Even this verse now sleeps beneath the snow near the lake. Long ago, a Pokémon called Uxie protected this place. Uxie flew throughout the world and gave humanity the wisdom to solve its problems.”

“A powerful Hisuian Zoroark guarded Acuity Cavern and Uxie. It served as the lake’s guardian and also represented knowledge.”

“If you want to survive here, knowledge is important. You may be terrible at answering questions, but there are still things you should do your best to learn. For example, this…”

Hikaru handed Irida a glittering stone that radiated cold air.

“This is… a stone with a perfectly comfortable temperature?”

Hikaru laughed. “A comfortable temperature? You’re supposed to say it’s cold. This is an Ice Stone.”

“It contains frigid Ice-type energy and has the same effect as an Ice Rock. Giving it to certain Pokémon can trigger evolution. Evolution is a phenomenon through which Pokémon become stronger. After living alongside Pokémon for so many years, you must have witnessed Pokémon evolving before.”

“Pokémon can evolve in many ways. They can accumulate energy through battle or use external items. You don’t need to struggle to find a naturally formed crystal of cold energy. This piece of icy ore alone can grant a Pokémon the growth it longs for!”

“If you want Eevee to evolve into Glaceon, use an Ice Stone. If you don’t want it to evolve, let it hold an Everstone. Eevee is an unusual Pokémon capable of evolving into many different species. Its unstable and irregular genetic structure makes it especially susceptible to evolving differently in response to its surroundings.”

“The principle is that the radiation emitted by the stone causes a mutation within its body. In order to immediately adapt to changes in its environment, Eevee alters its form and abilities when it evolves, allowing it to survive under harsh conditions.”

“There are currently eight known evolutions.”

Irida remained dazed for quite some time.

It felt as though the knowledge flowed through her ears and into her brain, only for a gale to sweep through a moment later, flatten her hair, and clear every last thought from her mind.

She began stammering incoherently.

“Sch-Scholar… That’s what you call someone with great knowledge… Scholar Leader… Write it down… Improve our lives…”

“Ahem. From now on, write these things in a notebook or on sheets of paper. Then they can be passed down as historical records or ancient documents.”

“You’re curious about the work I mentioned, aren’t you?”

“I came to the Pearl Clan for a reason. As you said, perhaps I was guided here by almighty Sinnoh. That means everyone who ate my ramen has to start working!”

“At the same time, Sneasler’s arena may undergo a small change. Hmm, only a temporary one.”

“With the Pearl Clan’s help, I want to locate the Primeval Grotto hidden within Mount Coronet. You’ve heard of it, haven’t you?”

Irida paused. “Hmm… Mining? It sounds like you want to smelt iron. Right! There are many Pokémon that can excavate minerals, but some unusual ores can only be removed by particular Pokémon. One of the Pearl Clan’s Wardens told me that. He’s highly skilled at mining and watches over Grandtree Arena. His name is Lian.”

She fell into another daze and stared at the Ice Stone in her hand.

Minerals…

That was another form of knowledge.

“Yes, Lian might know something. He possesses a deep understanding of minerals and regularly extracts resources from the mountains.”

“He’s younger than I am, but he’s already become a capable Warden,” Irida said. “His knowledge of Hisui’s mineral resources is remarkable.”

“I’ll contact him later. As leader of the Pearl Clan, I’ll accompany you while you search for the ore you need. The Primeval Grotto and that stone you mentioned…”

“Origin Ore,” Hikaru said. “It has existed since the birth of the world and was formed from fragments of space-time. The ore is as red as fresh blood. Perhaps it shares the same origin as the Tumblestones found throughout Hisui.”

“Tumblestones?”

“The Sky Plate carried by Hisui’s valiant Braviary bears the same inscription as the plate belonging to the Diamond Clan’s noble.”

“‘The being poured the remains of its powers into stone and buried it deep.'”

“Deep beneath Hisui are Prism Spheres, Pale Spheres, Red Spheres, Green Spheres, and Blue Spheres. Aboveground, we find Tumblestones, Black Tumblestones, and Sky Tumblestones. Combining those stones with Apricorns can awaken the properties of different Poké Balls, granting them power comparable to the special Apricorn Balls unique to Johto.”

“In Sinnoh… No, just think of it as the Sinjoh region.”

“If Prism Spheres and Pale Spheres are buried deep underground, they’ll begin to grow like plants after some time. That means those Spheres can never truly be mined to exhaustion.”

“Origin Ore is an ancient mineral containing the same energy as the Plates. The cave where it exists was born when the universe first came into being, making it extremely difficult to locate. Fossils of Bastiodon and Rampardos can be found inside, remnants of ancient Pokémon that lived tens of millions of years ago.”

Across distant ages and the vast reaches of space, countless people and Pokémon had lived, and boundless knowledge had once existed throughout the world.

As Irida listened to these stories, her imagination began to soar.

She envisioned the countless wonders found across the vast expanses of different eras.

Her world was expanding.

She felt herself yearning to see them. It was as though she had become a small child again, listening to her mother tell stories of ancient times.

It left her feeling remarkably at peace.

Irida closed her eyes and gently breathed out a cloud of frost.

“It sounds incredible… A cave that has existed since the universe was born? If such a place really exists, I want to see it. But why are you searching for something that powerful?”

“To catch almighty Sinnoh.”

“What?!”

“I’m joking, but I’m not lying either. I’m merely preparing for what may come. Whether you mean the almighty being worshiped by the Diamond Clan or the one revered by the Pearl Clan, both are familiar sights to the people of Sinjoh.”

“And I want the ten nobles to fight side by side once more.”

“You want the ten nobles to fight together again?” Irida exclaimed. “I know that legend! The ancestors of the nobles once fought for almighty Sinnoh. You already know about that too, don’t you?”

“The story of their battle for Sinnoh is only half the legend.”

“Do you know why almighty Sinnoh, whether it’s the being worshiped by the Pearl Clan or the one worshiped by the Diamond Clan, whether you consider one real and the other false, has always hidden beyond the universe instead of appearing in this world?”

Irida looked dejected. “Isn’t it because the world is too vast? Only after hearing your stories did I learn that even greater lands exist beyond Hisui. You could call it an infinite world.”

“It’s endless and boundless, and the universe is even larger. Honestly, I’m always talking about almighty Sinnoh creating the universe, but I can’t begin to understand how vast the universe you describe truly is. I can’t even imagine a unit like a light-year.”

“The only thing I understand is that people like us are terribly small.”

“To almighty Sinnoh, perhaps we’re insignificant.”

Hikaru shook his head.

“Didn’t you mention that both the Pearl and Diamond Clans revere a great figure whose name was lost, one who shone like the sun?”

“Old Verse Ten.”

“‘Twas long ago he earned the name ‘hero’…

He led his retinue, ten Pokémon,

against the almighty unknowable.

In battle did his valiance proclaim

at last the strength of humble humankind.

The great unknowable approved this feat,

and to its domain of no place returned.”

Irida stared in astonishment.

“After Sinnoh returned to the universe and the world endured an age without the sun, nearly all of this land’s history vanished,” Hikaru said. “Hisui is merely a later name. Compared with Sinnoh, it’s still a young one.”

“That’s why people from the other ancient cities and tribes call this land both Sinnoh and Hisui. Sinnoh never truly left, however. It continued watching this place until the day of the eclipse and betrayal.”

“The hero will soon arrive. Just as the Pearl Clan’s proverb says, I, a man from Sinjoh, must prepare a stage for her!”

“The ten legendary warriors will stand side by side again. They will receive the power of lightning and fight for Sinnoh once more!”

“And then… not only them. We’ll gather every person and every legendary power living throughout Hisui! I’m talking about all those Legendary Pokémon whose existence remains unknown to the world!”

“The time has come to preserve your ancient customs and defend your land! Perhaps you, too, will become one of the heroes. Will you stand beside Palkia?”

Irida froze, muttering in confusion.

“Me…? Almighty Sinnoh… Palkia…”

Her thoughts drifted away as she sank into contemplation.

“We’ve worshiped almighty Sinnoh since ancient times… But if almighty Sinnoh truly appeared one day, how should we face it?”

“I… don’t think I’ve ever considered that.”

She should not have learned that name yet. In the original history, the almighty being of space would tell it to her personally.

Hikaru had already revealed that the deity praised by the Pearl Clan was named Palkia.

The Pearl Clan might mistake that for the true almighty Sinnoh’s name, but that did not matter. The truth would soon emerge.

As for objects connected to Arceus, Hikaru could recall seven from all the mainline and side games. The Arc Phone did not count, since almighty Sinnoh had made it much later as an attempt to keep up with the times.

The Digivices next door had already received who knew how many upgrades, yet Arceus had only just produced its first-generation model.

If there were “Eight Digivices” and one was missing, that sounded perfectly reasonable.

The eighth was an item that exceeded all specifications. Not only could it function as an advanced smartphone, but in a crisis, it could become the strongest treasure in town and be hurled in unlimited quantities.

Then they could finally determine which was stronger: the alpaca’s bombardment beams or the bare flesh of a superhuman Hisuian.

Of course, Arceus might have shared even more powers with the world. Those either remained unknown or could not yet appear within Hikaru’s “memories.”

The Shining Jewel, the Jewel of Life, the Space Globe, the Azure Flute, the Folk Shrine, the Legend Plate, and Omnipotence from Ransei’s Infinity Tower.

“The power of almighty Sinnoh against the power of the Transcendent One.”

“What we know is that the Shining Jewel vanished three thousand years ago. That makes sense.”

“After all, Oblivia’s first timeline ended badly.”

“The Transcendent One destroyed the treacherous Golden King Ellios, and after Ho-Oh came to clean up the aftermath, the Shining Jewel that had stolen Arceus’s power and gathered the energy of every Pokémon throughout the region was probably reclaimed by the alpaca.”

“Before the Hero of Light appeared, every possible route led to a bad ending. That was why the son of Golden King Ellios appeared in Oblivia as a ghost, guiding the hero back into the past.”

“Four items against four items. An even split.”

“The Shining Jewel, Jewel of Life, Azure Flute, and Folk Shrine belong to the Transcendent One.”

“The Space Globe, Legend Plate, Omnipotence, and Arc Phone belong to almighty Sinnoh.”

Put that way, the Transcendent One was a pure stat monster, while almighty Sinnoh was a mechanics monster.

Almighty Sinnoh appeared to possess the advantage. After all, the opposing side had the Azure Flute, which looked as though it had no effect whatsoever and merely occupied an item slot.

Still, the bloodline of the ten nobles was also power shared by the Transcendent One. That had been explicitly confirmed in the story.

Consequently, the descendants of the ten nobles were stronger than ordinary members of their species. Even without the golden glow of lightning surrounding them, they possessed extraordinary strength.

The enormous Lord of the Tundra, for example, was quite literally a mountain given flesh.

Of course, all of them were still defeated by the superhuman Hisuian.

“Could the power of the ten nobles be reclaimed as well? Their current power should be insignificant to the Transcendent One.”

While Hikaru was lost in thought, Irida suddenly took out her Celestica Flute.

She drew a deep breath and calmed the indescribable emotions in her heart before playing an azure melody.

The flute’s notes spread across the white world.

When the ancient music of Celestica faded, she seemed to have reached a new decision.

Falling leaves carried messages.

Someone from a distant land would bring new and unknown stories, just as the outsiders of the Galaxy Team had done.

Irida could not decide whether that would ultimately prove good or bad. However, the worries within her heart were undeniably fading as she listened to Hikaru’s stories and myths.

“Thank you! I feel as though I can speak honestly with you. Now, I believe inheriting the position of leader was both the right choice and a blessing!”

“There’s one more thing.”

“I want to learn how to battle Pokémon!”

“I want to become capable of drawing out even more of Eevee’s power. I want to see the wider world… I want to grow stronger with my partner and travel through every corner of this vast world!”

….

Thump!

Lian, wearing his broad-brimmed hat, was summoned back to the Pearl Settlement. Together with Irida, he traveled to the vicinity of the Coronet Highlands.

After silently eating several bowls of ramen, his expression gradually softened.

Lian was the Warden of Kleavor, the Lord of the Woods who watched over Grandtree Arena.

“Very well! As a genuine veteran Warden, I’ll explain the responsibilities of a Warden to a newcomer like you!”

“Wardens are people who possess the talent to tame Pokémon. We assist the ten nobles, maintain their territories, and prevent other wild Pokémon from disturbing them. We also offer them food and water, shouldering the responsibility of protecting them.”

“When necessary, Wardens may ask the nobles to take action against outsiders attacking the Pearl Clan, savage wild Pokémon, or hostile clans!”

“The current nobles who inherited the blood of the original ten are indisputably powerful Pokémon. Their bodies come in different sizes, and not every noble is the largest possible member of its species, but some are unimaginably enormous.”

“Regardless of their size, their power is roughly equal. Even Alpha Pokémon of the same species have difficulty matching a noble, because the nobles carry the great power that almighty Sinnoh bestowed upon their ancestors.”

“They use that power to protect Pokémon and humans!”

“Admittedly, we don’t see ordinary members of some of their species very often… But the nobles are all powerful and incredibly cool. Do you understand? I certainly do! And Kleavor is the strongest and coolest of them all! The moment you see him, you’ll…”

“Ahem!”

“Mmm… Delicious! This food called ramen tastes amazing!”

Lian wiped his mouth and contentedly rubbed his stomach.

Although he was the youngest person present, he acted like an experienced old man, as though he were already a mature adult.

Lian was the ancestor of both Clay and Lacey.

After an Onix partnered with an ordinary member of the Galaxy Team and bored open the Oreburgh Tunnel, Lian discovered the abundant coal reserves nearby.

That discovery laid the foundation for the future Oreburgh City. For the next hundred and fifty years, it would become one of Sinnoh’s most important sources of energy.

Once the region’s peat was exhausted, the immense coal deposits discovered beneath Oreburgh City, which stretched deep beneath the seabed and appeared practically inexhaustible, took its place.

For some reason, however, Lian’s descendant Clay would begin life as an ordinary coal miner. He endured even greater hardship than most workers, climbed his way up from the bottom, and eventually crossed the ocean to Unova.

Logically, the descendant of Oreburgh City’s founder should never have experienced such an impoverished childhood.

As Lian continued praising Kleavor, he suddenly noticed Sneasler giving him a strange look.

He coughed and changed the subject at the speed of light.

“Food can also be used to make balms…”

“Sneasler says Rock types don’t resist poison, so she’d definitely be cooler if they fought,” Hikaru translated. “Besides, hard rock can be shattered by Fighting-type power. That said, Kleavor is also a Bug type, so Fighting-type attacks aren’t super effective against him. He also resists Poison-type attacks.”

Sneasler immediately became displeased.

“Why are you taking the side of a Pokémon you’ve never even met? He may also be a noble of the Pearl Clan, but you’re my Warden! What kind of judgment was that? Aren’t we partners?”

“I’m only stating the facts. Don’t be angry. You still possess an advantage. You resist Rock-type attacks, and Bug-type attacks are only one-quarter as effective against you. Kleavor merely takes neutral damage from Fighting-type moves. In other words, you can suppress his strength. You have an absolute advantage against him.”

Sneasler flicked her long ponytail and released a strange, villainous chuckle.

“Ho, ho, ho! That’s more like it! I’m a cool and solitary queen. Some Lord of the Woods could never be my opponent! My physical abilities surpass those of other species. I don’t need to worry about differences in body size… Praise me some more. I’m in a good mood today!”

Lian stared at Hikaru in bewilderment.

“Whoa! Can you really understand what Pokémon are saying? You aren’t just making it up, are you?”

Sneasler bared her fangs.

“Mrrreow, sneas!”

Lian immediately dropped to his knees.

“I’m sorry, Lady Sneasler! I shouldn’t have doubted you! It seems this man truly is the Warden you chose. How extraordinary. He can actually speak with Pokémon!”

Sneasler gave him a thoughtful look.

“Sneasler is wondering whether she should knead Dire Claw into the dough next time,” Hikaru said. “Then, without warning you, each bowl of ramen would randomly inflict poison, paralysis, or drowsiness. A human probably wouldn’t handle that very well.”

“Infusing cooking with the energy of moves and using it as seasoning is a Diamond Clan specialty, isn’t it?”

Lian’s face went pale. “Eek! I’m sorry!”

Irida covered her mouth and giggled before speaking solemnly.

“Hikaru, who has returned from Sinjoh as our new Warden, possesses powers even more mysterious and incomprehensible than ours. However, I hear the Galaxy Team recently welcomed another human with special powers, someone capable of sensing aura.”

“It seems people with extraordinary abilities aren’t uncommon in the distant world.”

“The world is vast.”

“Lian, we can only ask for your help in locating the Primeval Grotto. Lady Sneasler agrees. Hikaru and Sneasler can communicate and exchange opinions. They’ve only been partners for a few days, yet their relationship already seems to surpass that of previous Wardens and the nobles they served.”

“They’re like friends who can discuss anything.”

Lian looked at Irida, then Hikaru, before cautiously glancing at Sneasler.

“Ahem. Since I ate your delicious ramen, I can’t refuse to work. I’ll do it for the Pearl Clan! Still, Irida says you know a great deal about minerals. I’d like to compete with you. Irida may be terrible at answering questions, but I’m very knowledgeable!”

He raised a thumb and pointed at himself.

“Hisui’s ores are an incredibly important resource. I’ve been studying them for years!”

“There isn’t a single mineral in this land that I don’t know!”

Hikaru took out the Griseous Orb. Its golden radiance was so bright that it was almost impossible to look at directly.

Instead of shielding his eyes, Lian stared even wider.

“Wh-What is that?! Let me see it!”

Hikaru smiled without answering and wagged one finger.

Lian looked like a child who had discovered an incredible new toy but could not afford to buy it. He could only watch helplessly as the Griseous Orb disappeared like part of a magic trick.

“It disappeared! Wait! Answer me! What was that stone?!”

“A mineral found in Hisui that you don’t know.”

“….”

When people were rendered speechless, they really did stand there with their mouths hanging open.

Lian pressed down his hat. Simply wonderful.

He was not even ten years old. He had only recently accumulated a respectable amount of knowledge, yet he was already forced to endure a humiliating correction.

The burden was almost too great to bear!

“Hikaru also gave me a stone,” Irida said. “This one.”

Lian gasped when he saw the pale-blue stone.

“Th-This is…?! A freezing gemstone that can be excavated in the Bonechill Wastes, but whose purpose no one has ever discovered!”

“Apparently, it can make Eevee evolve. It possesses the same power as the ancient Ice Rock in the Alabaster Icelands.”

“But we’ve never discovered anything like that before. Why…?”

“It seems…” Irida looked toward Hikaru and smiled before nodding. “It would be better to let Hikaru explain. He’s also an exceptionally knowledgeable scholar!”

“Other than Eevee, no Pokémon in Hisui can evolve with an Ice Stone,” Hikaru explained.

“This stone is a mineral shaped by the same environment found on Mount Lanakila in Alola. That mountain has been sacred since ancient times and holds the same status in Alola that Mount Coronet does in Hisui.”

“Different Pokémon inhabit different regions because of their environments. Some Pokémon undergo unusual transformations as a result. Those are called regional forms.”

“Three Pokémon from Alola, one from Galar, and one from Paldea require an Ice Stone to evolve. None of them live in Hisui.”

“Don’t worry about that, though. Compared with Origin Ore, this stone isn’t particularly important.”

Irida looked at Lian.

“Apparently, the object called the Griseous Orb is the treasure of a certain Pokémon associated with the ruins of the Temple of Sinnoh. It’s a gemstone like the treasures of the Pearl and Diamond Clans.”

“For some reason, it was never passed down in Hisui. They say a cave hidden beside a spring somewhere in Hisui contains this orb. Now, it can serve as a symbol of Sinjoh.”

“With Sneasler’s power, we can climb sheer cliffs. If we combine the knowledge you possess with the experience of Sneasler, who has lived on Mount Coronet for many years, we can locate the Primeval Grotto. We’re counting on you.”

Lian suddenly began breathing heavily.

“I understand! We’ll use my quarrying skills and knowledge… That’s right! Leader of Sinjoh, you might possess unusual stones and knowledge, but ultimately, you still need my understanding of mining, along with the skills of my Goomy and Sliggoo! Ha! Ha!”

“Therefore, I win!”

Irida stared at him in silence.

Never mind. Lian was still young.

Perhaps his brain had stopped functioning after receiving too much knowledge at once.

Something like that would never happen to Irida because her own head was empty.

Hikaru chuckled.

“Then I’ll entrust this to your unique expertise. As compensation…”

“Compensation?”

Hikaru looked at the “shelled snail” beside Lian.

“That’s right. It concerns the practical application of knowledge. We can put your Goomy aside for now, but your Sliggoo is your mining partner, correct?”

“Did you know that Sliggoo look different in other regions?”

“Goomy is known as the weakest Dragon-type Pokémon. Its body is almost entirely made of water, and it hides beneath the shade of trees in highly humid environments. It coats its body in mucus to keep itself from drying out. If the sticky fluid covering its body dries up, it immediately loses the ability to breathe and its life force begins to fade.”

“After evolving into Sliggoo, it normally crawls around at a sluggish pace and thinks about only two things: eating and escaping from enemies. Under ordinary circumstances, it possesses only the Dragon type.”

“But Hisuian Sliggoo are different. The iron in Hisui’s water reacts with the mucus on their skin, causing it to transform into a metal shell. As a result, they gain the Steel type!”

Irida suddenly remembered what Hikaru had said earlier.

“Now that you mention it, Hikaru, you said you were a Steel-type specialist!”

Hikaru smiled. “Exactly!”

“I’ll have one of my finest partners help this Sliggoo grow into a more powerful form.”

“In other words, it shall become a mighty dragon!”

“Rooooar!”

The wind and clouds shifted.

A dragon resembling a swift raptor appeared with a roar. A crystalline crown adorned its head and radiated brilliant light.

Walking Wake stared down at Sliggoo.

The Hisuian Sliggoo shrank back in fright before the enormous presence of the Water-type dragon.

“Child, I will not eat you! There is no need to fear! The hour for devouring our feast has… Ahem. What I meant to ask was, do you have any Pecha Berries?”

Walking Wake licked its lips and sniffed the cold, solid air around it like an enormous dog.

Yes, solid.

Walking Wake studied Mount Coronet and thought that it felt different from the Sinnoh mountain it had encountered in a later era.

Even the air seemed as though it were about to turn into stone.

“A… dragon?!” Lian exclaimed.

Hikaru took out a Pecha Berry and tossed it toward Walking Wake.

The Pokémon immediately unleashed an illegal Fishious Rend!

One bite landed for super-effective damage!

“The almighty Sinnoh worshiped by the Pearl Clan has the same types as my partner Walking Wake,” Hikaru said. “Water and Dragon.”

“The power of dragons represents life, while rain nourishes all living things.”

“Hisui’s rain always carries a chill.”

“Use Rain Dance!”

Walking Wake raised its head. The crystal crown blazed with blue light.

Powerful northern winds and immense quantities of moisture gathered in the clouds above the Coronet Highlands.

The sky darkened in an instant.

Rain poured across the land!

Snap!

Hikaru opened an umbrella over the three humans.

It was a Utility Umbrella. Anyone holding it would remain unaffected by the weather.

Heavy rain swept through Hisui, gradually veiling the world in mist.

“You controlled the weather at will?!” Irida exclaimed. “It’s pouring! It’s as though the sky itself has sprung a leak! Even the distant landscape is hidden behind the mist!”

“Such a thing must be rare in this age,” Hikaru said. “Among Pokémon moves are techniques that alter the weather. Rain Dance summons heavy rain. Sunny Day calls forth intense sunlight. Sandstorm fills the air with flying sand and stone. Snowscape can make snow fall even in a scorching volcanic region.”

“The messengers of magical beasts in the past and the Trainers of the future use Pokémon’s power to freely reshape the weather of a limited area. They also employ Terrain moves and techniques such as Rototiller to level the earth and create fertile soil.”

“Some Pokémon can also evolve under particular weather conditions.”

Hikaru handed several pieces of candy to the Hisuian Sliggoo.

It curiously chewed them and gradually sensed a strange power surging through its body.

Those were not ordinary candies, nor were they Rare Candies that raised a Pokémon’s level by a fixed amount.

They were Exp. Candy XL!

A single piece granted thirty thousand experience points at once!

Brilliant white light blossomed beneath the downpour.

Walking Wake’s draconic roar penetrated the distant mountains and the boundless reaches of space. The two Pearl Clan members could barely comprehend the scene unfolding before them.

It had evolved.

The Hisuian Sliggoo that had accompanied Lian and helped him mine ore had transformed into an unfamiliar and far more powerful form.

“During rain, heavy rain, thunderstorms, or fog, it can increase its strength and growth, in other words, its level, and surpass its limits to evolve into a never-before-seen form.”

“On a cold and rainy day like this, the world seems covered by a thin veil of fog. Everything looks indistinct and far away.”

“Hisuian Goodra was born through the influence of Hisui’s rain and the iron contained in its waters. It can freely alter the hardness and flexibility of its metal shell. It can bounce around like a rubber ball, sweep aside trees, and riddle entire mountains with holes!”

“As for its types, they’re the same as the almighty Sinnoh worshiped by the Diamond Clan.”

“Steel and Dragon!”

By then, Lian could no longer close his mouth.

“Y-You freely controlled a Pokémon’s evolution… It changed in an instant and became something I’ve never seen before! My Sliggoo… How did you control its growth?”

“Whoa! Leader of Sinjoh, Swordfighter of Lightning… No, you’re a mage! You’re one of those sorcerers from the ancient stories! You can summon dragons and command the wind and rain!”

“Incredible! This is incredible! Who in the world are you?!”

Hikaru laughed softly.

“If that helps you understand this knowledge, you may think of me that way.”

“But haven’t you heard the legend?”

“Long ago, disasters occurred throughout Hisui. A traveler who wielded mysterious magic came to this land to quell them.”

“Using the power of mist, the traveler separated the boundaries of life and death and sealed the calamity away.”

….

At the Galaxy Team’s Jubilife Village, a short-haired girl with two small braids sat alone beneath a tree.

She suddenly stiffened and looked toward the Coronet Highlands.

“Aura… That’s aura!”

Long ago, disasters had occurred throughout Hisui.

Hundreds of years ago, the entity that brought calamity to Hisui had been sealed away. For some unknown reason, however, the strange magic maintaining the seal had come undone.

Countless wisps that had once been sealed away were now scattered throughout Hisui.

The place capable of containing all 108 wisps was the Shrouded Ruins.

“The traveler who used that strange magic… Who were they?”

“Have you… returned?”

The girl stared blankly toward the Coronet Highlands.

Strangely, neither the Security Corps members in the village nor the nearby Pokémon seemed capable of seeing her.

A spirit that had lost its life yet lingered in the mortal world, bound by longing to the place where it had once brought disaster…

“Vessa…”

A voice seemed to drift down from distant Mount Coronet.

Perhaps there had been no voice at all.

Perhaps those were only words left behind by a traveler hundreds of years ago.

Vessa murmured softly.

“Once it shone upon us all, with all the warmth of welcome sun. But now we weep, to grief we fall, starved of light now it has gone.”

Why had Spiritomb appeared hundreds of years ago?

Before being sealed away, it had taken shape from the gathered souls of the dead.

They were the people who had once perished upon this land.

The souls left behind by Celestica lay scattered throughout Hisui.

Then Vessa heard rumors spreading through the village.

Several people dissatisfied with the rules of the Diamond Clan, Pearl Clan, and Galaxy Team had abandoned their organizations and disappeared into the wilderness. The Galaxy Team had issued wanted notices and was searching everywhere for them.

Three women had gathered together and begun calling themselves the Miss Fortunes. They traveled the land in search of rare treasures and valuable objects, becoming treasure hunters whose actions disrupted the lives of Hisui’s people.

————————

Several days later, at the Diamond Clan.

“What’s going on, Adaman?!”

Melli was the Diamond Clan Warden responsible for caring for the Lord of the Hollow at Moonview Arena in the Coronet Highlands.

He was narcissistic and intensely proud. Aside from Adaman, the clan’s leader, he refused to obey anyone. He also regarded Lian of the Pearl Clan as his bitter rival.

At the moment, his expression was deeply displeased. He stared at the contemplative young leader before him and launched question after question.

“The Pearl and Diamond Clans only recently chose new leaders! Yet the Pearl Clan’s leader allowed Sneasler to pass through Moonview Arena, the territory of the Lord of the Hollow!”

“I could overlook you refusing to let me clash with the Pearl Clan. Both clans are still recovering, and no one has any desire to fight.”

“But letting Sneasler cross the lord’s arena without even informing us has completely destroyed our prestige! That stubborn, old-fashioned girl still hasn’t changed her title, either. She continues calling herself ‘leader’ instead of ‘clan leader.'”

“And now there’s another legend spreading. Have you heard it? The entire Diamond Clan is talking about it. Everyone keeps asking what Adaman is doing!”

“The Pearl Clan has appointed a new Warden. Even the Galaxy Team is spreading stories about the ‘Swordfighter of Lightning’ and the ‘People of Sinjoh’!”

“They say the Pearl Clan discovered almighty Sinnoh’s true name and is proclaiming it to everyone. Now they’re doing something unknown in the Coronet Highlands!”

“The stories about that Swordfighter of Lightning are outrageous. They say he cleaved lightning apart and defeated a wild Garchomp. He apparently saved the lives of numerous Galaxy Team members as well.”

“If a third group descended from Celestica truly exists, and their representative joined the Pearl Clan instead of the Diamond Clan, it will be a devastating blow to us!”

Adaman answered with a solemn expression.

“Many ancient peoples live throughout Hisui. Some refuse to communicate with us, while others call our almighty Sinnoh a false deity. Our ancestors could not tolerate that, which was why their relationships with those people became so hostile.”

“But the last thing we should do now is intensify those conflicts. Pointless arguments and confrontations only waste time.”

“Time is precious. It must not be wasted.”

“I understand what you mean. I’ll visit the Galaxy Team and ask them for the truth.”

Adaman was shorter than Melli, but with his new hairstyle and clothing, the young leader possessed an imposing presence that required no anger to command respect.

“Beyond that, there’s no need to concern ourselves with rumors. I’ll uncover the truth. Everything changes and fades with time. Conflicts and suffering are no different.”

“Time will inevitably continue flowing. We don’t need to fear change. We simply need to ensure that our era changes for the better.”

“I hear the Swordfighter of Lightning knows many myths and legends, along with a vast amount of knowledge about Pokémon. That is precisely what I’ve been seeking.”

“In my eyes, the person capable of changing this age might be him, or it might be the ‘one with the mission’ whom he mentioned.”

“Either way, it means that if we follow him, we’ll eventually be able to meet almighty Sinnoh!”

“This unexpected incident has made me curious about him. That includes the space-time rift above Mount Coronet and the strange events the Galaxy Team has encountered across the region.”

“Maintaining our curiosity will allow the world to progress and develop.”

“Besides, have you forgotten one particular part of the legend about the Swordfighter of Lightning?”

“Which part?”

Adaman smiled confidently.

“He may have joined the Pearl Clan, but many people heard what he said, and the rumor has already spread.”

“He personally declared that he had traveled through a vast expanse of time!”

“Therefore, I’ll pay him a visit next!”

————————

Approximately one thousand years before the new Sinnoh.

Approximately eight hundred and fifty years before the age of Hisui.

Old Sinnoh, Michina.

This place had once been a desolate wasteland.

Through the mercy of almighty Sinnoh, however, the land was saved. Arceus sacrificed itself to stop an enormous meteor from striking the region and forged a deep friendship with a human named Damos.

As Arceus lay close to death, Damos braved wind, snow, and fire to help it recover the source of its life, restoring Arceus to life.

From that day forward, Arceus regarded Michina as the homeland of its rebirth.

To transform the desolate region and grant it the same abundance enjoyed by the rest of Sinnoh, Arceus shared with its people the same love it had once bestowed upon Celestica and the people of Oblivia.

Damos spoke before the gathered people.

“Arceus combined five great Plates containing the life-giving powers of earth, water, grass, electricity, and dragons, creating the true treasure known as the Jewel of Life!”

“Anyone who possesses this jewel holds the very life of Arceus!”

“Arceus used the Jewel of Life’s power to transform this land, making it fertile and prosperous!”

“To express our profound gratitude for almighty Sinnoh’s mercy, we, the inheritors of Celestica, have constructed a temple modeled after the legendary Stage of Light and dedicated it to Arceus!”

“Through music and dance, we shall honor that magnificent power!”

“Why are you doing this?!”

Damos, the friend of Arceus, had been overthrown in a coup and imprisoned by a group led by the priest Marcus.

Marcus held a staff in his hand and pointed the Jewel of Life at Damos.

His answer was cold and merciless.

“We cannot return the Jewel of Life to Arceus!”

“When the sun disappears from the sky!”

“When the day of the eclipse arrives, Arceus will meet its death here!”

“If we lose the Jewel of Life, this land will become desolate once again!”

“Everyone here agrees with me. They may not know whether returning the jewel is right or wrong, but as long as it remains here, Michina will remain fertile and prosperous forever!”

“That is why they all stood aside and allowed me to imprison you!”

“There are no ten nobles! There is no Celestica! In this world, only we truly exist here and now!”

“The people of Celestica boasted of their strength and forced Sinnoh to return to the heavens. That is why Michina became a wasteland!”

“But now, with the Jewel of Life’s power, we have transformed this wilderness into a thriving land!”

“The Jewel of Life belongs to us!”

“Here, upon the land of Michina!”

“This is the paradise promised to us by God!”

(End of Chapter)

“Zaelum”]