"Even though this thing doesn't have a glamorous appearance, it's far more precious than those pretty gemstones."
At the sa ti, Hikaru also figured out why such a special individual like Bloodmoon Ursaluna had appeared in this forest — and an shiny one, no less.
With a connection to Arceus, it made perfect sense. The so-called "enhancent of potential" and "strange transformations" probably referred to exactly this kind of phenonon.
The Bloodmoon Ursaluna from Kitakami had undergone centuries of harsh survival, and evolved into such a form due to its heightened potential being pushed to the extre for the sake of living.
Though, in the ga, the Tiless Woods in Kitakami didn't seem all that harsh...
"With the Guardian Stone, I can now craft the Ancient Charm and the Three Sacred Charms. Yup, just like in the gas."
"The power of Creation... that must be related to Arceus."
Arceus had a number of connected abilities. This particular power might co from the people of the Valley of Creation!
In the Hoopa and the Clash of Ages movie, those people displayed a golden energy of wonder. In a flashback, Ghris, the leader of the valley who sealed away most of Hoopa's power, used that energy to instantly grow a plant from seed to full maturity.
The sa energy could act as telekinesis, preventing Pokémon from moving, and, when combined with specific Plates, could be used to forge unique items — like the Prison Bottle!
If this energy could be used to make orbs... then perhaps the Life Orb made from five elental forces — the Life Jewel — could also be recreated.
Note: that jewel isn't the sa as the normal Life Orb item. This one is green and can turn extrely barren land into fertile soil.
Hikaru gripped the pointed ends of the Guardian Stone with both hands, sensing its power through his mastery of rock-type knowledge.
A hidden power was activated — the Guardian Stone responded to Hikaru, establishing a connection. But just as its description had said: it's not yet ti for the power of Creation to awaken.
The stone hadn't fully "awakened" yet. The power it held required a dium to activate.
Still, the second effect had clearly worked. Hikaru felt a change in his body. He then invited Steven to touch the stone as well.
"What a strange sensation... Huh?"
Just like Hikaru, Steven — with his deep knowledge of geology — resonated with the Guardian Stone instantly. It amplified sothing within him. He blinked, tightened his fists, touched his chest, then finally placed his hand over his heart.
Hikaru asked, "Huh? What's wrong?"
"I feel... really relaxed. Like, incredibly so." Steven looked astonished. "Is this the stone's power?"
"After the incident in Hoenn two years ago, I've sotis felt incredibly fatigued. The doctors never found a cause. But just now, all that built-up fatigue vanished. I feel amazing. And..."
Steven moved his hand from his chest to cover his eyes. Unlike normal people, the highlights in his eyes were slightly dimr.
"And after that event, my vision got worse... but now, I can see everything clearly again!"
Hearing Steven's story, Hikaru recalled one of Steven's earlier character concepts.
In so early lore, Steven was actually designed to have an eye condition, which is why his pupils always looked a bit empty in the ani and manga. That idea was eventually scrapped — but judging from what Steven just said, and his vague recollection of the Regis...
Maybe this fatigue and vision issue were echoes from a parallel world version of Steven?
Could it be that when Celebi was adjusting the future, it projected the fatigue from an alternate-universe Steven into this world?
"Well, that's great news! In any case, this stone is connected to a Pokémon nad Arceus. Whether or not it created the stone, I can't say for sure."
"Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to help reverse soil degradation, but it definitely provides blessings to both humans and Pokémon."
Steven smiled. "The deeper I explore this land, the more new stones I discover. Even if they're not sparkly gemstones, each has a history — a story. Every rock has a reason for being. This one, with its strange shape and mysterious power... it must have a beautiful tale behind it too."
"This must be more valuable to you than — I can tell. It's a sha I can't add it to my collection. But thanks — to the stone, and to you."
His mood lifted, Steven gave a few firm pats to Bloodmoon Ursaluna, who scratched its head in reply. No thanks needed — what mattered most was restoring the land's vitality.
"Of course. Let's get started on reviving this land right away."
Hikaru pulled several tools from his backpack — one of which was a small mirror. Under the curious eyes of Steven and Ursaluna, Hikaru reached toward the mirror...
And his hand passed through it!
"?!" Steven froze in shock, Ursaluna's eyes widened.
"D-Did your hand just go into the mirror?!"
The Pokémon world was full of weird stuff, but this was definitely a first for Steven! So this was the power of a true Shinto-region craftsman?
"The mirror itself isn't special — it's what's behind it. That world's ho to a friend of ours. Not long ago, I asked them to help stockpile materials for soil restoration. Now's the ti to put it to use."
Hikaru ntally called out to Giratina, explaining the situation. Thanks to that, he could access the Distortion World through the mirror — like a portable storage space!
And since this mirror was from the real world, even though Giratina's powers were restricted and couldn't reach places like Hoenn, as long as Hikaru carried the mirror with him, Giratina could "see" and channel its power wherever Hikaru went!
"These are volcanic ash-based powders I formulated from Mt. Stark's ash. They drastically enhance soil fertility, improve structure, and accelerate plant growth. I also have a unique technique that allows new soil to 'assimilate' the old soil, quickly revitalizing it. Think of it like a special psychic ability."
"Next, we give this to Turtwig."
Hikaru released Turtwig and sprinkled the volcanic powder onto its back. Even though Turtwig didn't yet have the Ground typing, it could still feel the earth's energy surging within — its control over the land already far surpassed most Ground-types! Hikaru also handed a bag of the powder to Ursaluna.
But to his surprise, Ursaluna tried to eat it.
"H-Hey! That's not food—wait, you actually ate it?!"
Despite being a Ground-type, that wasn't supposed to be its diet. But Ursaluna looked really satisfied with the taste?
Pokémon diets are truly bizarre... do they literally eat their elent to grow?
"Turtwig, use Mud-Slap!"
"Gacha?" Ursaluna blinked, confused by the tiny turtle's actions.
"Turtwig can absorb and mix soil ingredients, then shoot it out as nutrient-rich mud via Mud-Slap. If we want fertile land, we'll need to rely on that."
"Turtwig!" It nodded proudly.
"Next, we pour this new soil into a pit—" Hikaru had barely spoken when Ursaluna already dug a massive hole with Dig.
"Use Mud-Slap!"
Turtwig unleashed a blast of rich, fortified mud, filling the pit with revitalized soil. Then, with Hikaru's special knowledge, a wave of light brown energy radiated outward across the land.
"This is just step one. We need to repeat this all across the valley. Once enough new soil takes root, the land's power will return. But for the next part... Steven, may I borrow tagross?"
tagross was ecstatic — even more than Steven himself! Which earned a strange glance from Steven.
"Why does it look like you're its trainer?"
tagross tried not to look smug, giving a sheepish smile (that honestly looked more like a creepy grin due to its massive jaw), leaving Steven helplessly shaking his head.
tagross muttered to itself:
Work makes stronger. This is a golden opportunity! I can fly, I've got Psychic powers — this is my ti to shine!
But Hikaru didn't borrow tagross just for travel — he needed its Psychic powers to help redirect the earth veins, reactivating the energy in this nearly dead land.
Of course, doing so wasn't easy — tampering with earth vein flow was dangerous. That's why tagross' ntal power was so crucial.
Also assisting: Doublade and Unown! Hikaru planned to turn this whole region into a domain.
Strange markings were etched across the valley. To speed things up, Steven and his two Beldum pitched in as well. Once the giant "array" was completed, the entire barren valley was encompassed.
Steven remarked, "This valley is enormous. From above, it actually looks like a crescent moon. Oh — and I found a teorite fragnt."
"Maybe this valley's desolation is linked to a teor strike."
Steven continued, "I've heard in Unova, fragnts of an ancient teor were found. They said a massive teor broke apart in the atmosphere, scattering across the world — the largest piece landed in Unova. These fragnts can alter climate and disturb Pokémon behavior."
Hikaru thought to himself — that was certainly possible. The earth vein degradation likely began long ago. Maybe sothing fell here and disrupted the soil, or shifted the flow of the veins entirely.
anwhile, Turtwig was still spreading the new soil. Ursaluna sprinkled more volcanic powder onto its back as it worked. After filling dozens of pits, Turtwig began to tire.
It had done so much! Turtwig was exhausted!
Its gaze drifted — and suddenly locked onto the Guardian Stone.
That stone radiated a power that cald Pokémon...
What was that thing?
Curious, Turtwig wanted to touch it — but its cautious nature made it hesitate. It circled the stone several tis. Then Ursaluna explained its origins, saying that both Hikaru and Steven had touched it and experienced amazing effects.
That was all the encouragent Turtwig needed.
It gently touched the stone...
And its body began to glow white—the light of evolution!
"Turtwig?!"
Hikaru returned just in ti to witness it. Within the shining light, Turtwig's body grew larger, its shell expanded and rose up!
"Ha-yah!"
The glow faded — standing before Hikaru was a yellow-shelled, turtle-like Pokémon. The shell was still earthen — hardened soil — and atop it grew two bushes...
But wait.
"W-What's with the colors?" Hikaru blinked in shock.
Turtwig had evolved into Grotle!
However — the bushes on its back, which should've been green, were now a mix of red and green?!
After coming into contact with the Guardian Stone, its connection with Strong Scented Herbs had rged with Turtwig... forming Mighty Shrubs?!
(End of Chapter)
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