"What kind of item…?!"
For the first ti, wtwo felt nervous. It was a foreign sensation—this tension. The legendary artisan claid he had no guarantee of success, and yet… he still dared to offer such a solution. Or perhaps—wasn't it more incredible that he had any confidence at all?
[First, I'll give you sothing called Courage Pollen!]
[If you were like the other psychics always trying to spy on , you'd probably have seen the beautiful and unique Pokémon always near , right?]
"…"
wtwo didn't know how to respond.
Spy on him? …Yeah, that had happened.
Thinking about it now, wtwo felt a little shaless. After all, the shopkeeper had clearly said he disliked being watched. If he ended up like that poor psychic Elite Four mber who got teased in the group chats every day… what a disgrace.
Lying would go against its pride, but fortunately, Hikaru didn't press the topic and moved on to explain the pollen's purpose—and that it could even be further refined.
[Hisui-form Lilligant produces fragrant pollen from the flower on her head—its aroma inspires courage and confidence. This pollen is known as Courage Pollen. The fragrance varies slightly depending on the soil she's planted in. With so refinent…]
[I've fashioned it into a gemstone charm for easier carrying. This is the Charm of Courage!]
[I also used a special carving style that helps soothe the soul and bolster psychic strength.]
[Speaking of which—do you know the Pokémon Braviary? They're bold and proud warriors, fearless even in the face of death. They will fight to protect their companions, never giving up no matter how injured they are. It's their pride.]
[I've embedded Braviary feathers into the charm, hoping you too can overco your trauma, find your courage, and keep moving forward. If you don't yet have a goal, that's okay—experience more of this world, like the young Trainers do. Embark on new journeys. et new people and Pokémon. Learn their stories.]
[And if you've already finished your journey, then I hope you can start a new life. Starting over and trying sothing new is a kind of healing—and if you find a new purpose through that, all the better.]
[Second—I give you a white stone.]
[It's called the White Stone of Gratitude. A legend says that if you carve your gratitude onto this stone, it will reach the heart of your intended recipient.
[You're grateful to that girl nad Ai, aren't you? You have sothing you want to say to her. If you'd like, you can send a psychic projection of her image. I can carve it into this stone—and after that, you can inscribe your ssage of thanks.]
[No matter where she is… even if she's gone… even if centuries separate you… your gratitude will surely reach her.]
wtwo's breath caught. Hikaru's words were like a dream.
Even w couldn't claim to do sothing like that.
Cross centuries? No…
Ten years. Ten years would be enough!
After all its journeys, wtwo understood this world had forces beyond logic. From that boy nad Ash being revived by the tears of Pokémon, to many other miracles it had seen…
"I want to see her. I truly do want to thank her. Yes… gratitude. That's the feeling I've been holding all this ti. I can finally say it. Please… help ."
wtwo projected the mory directly into the device, materializing a photo. After a pause, it added the other three Pokémon partners from back then.
They weren't like regular Pokémon—Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur—each bore the identifier "No. 2."
[I'll do my best. And even if this thod doesn't work, I can tell you other ways—ways you might et her again. I know a lot… though none are guaranteed. But if even one works, that's enough, right?]
wtwo smiled.
"So many ways to et the departed," it muttered to itself.
The shopkeeper sure talks big.
wtwo knew Hikaru had returned from the spirit realm—he was no ordinary human. But to talk about eting the dead so casually… did he think the spirit realm was a public plaza?
And yet… Ai No. 2 might not even have a soul. wtwo couldn't say for sure.
Still, it expressed its gratitude to Hikaru.
"Sorry for troubling you with just a passing question. I'll pay for the items."
[No need. Sure, I make tools to earn money, but so things are more important. Until the day you abandon my store, I want my custors to rember fondly.]
wtwo smiled wryly.
After encountering so many humans, it had co to realize… humans were fascinating creatures.
After their chat, the bitterness swelling in wtwo's heart had faded. Aside from the sudden urge to see Ai again, all that remained was serenity.
And yet… its psychic power was surging.
"Psychic power is tied to the heart. The more isolated the psychic, the stronger the ability. This is true for psychic Pokémon too. But the purer the heart… the stronger the power becos."
"That's why Pokémon like w, so pure and simple, have the most incredible psychic abilities."
wtwo murmured, feeling a wave of drowsiness.
Which was odd—wtwo could go days without sleep. Like many psychics, it usually ditated in place of sleeping.
But…
It rembered its long slumber—the one forced upon it when it was created as a clone of w. Back then, it slept. Dread. And in those dreams, it saw Ai… and the other three.
Its mories were becoming clearer.
Maybe... after all these years… sleeping again wouldn't be so bad.
Before dozing off, wtwo used psychic power to draw the charm to its side.
It was a gemstone, orange-red in hue, radiating with the scent of courage and peace.
If wtwo had Hikaru's abilities, it would've seen:
[Crafted Item: Charm of Courage]
[Description:
A special charm made from Courage Pollen, ancient rocks, Sun Stones, and Fire Stones. Empowered by the Eviolite's blessing, it grants protection to its bearer.]
[Intricately carved by a mysterious artisan in an ancient city style, featuring a radiant sun emblem. It strengthens bonds between humans and Pokémon and provides emotional resonance.]
[Effect:
Greatly boosts the holder's courage!
Instills unwavering confidence in the face of hardship.
Inspires resolve and dispels negativity.]
[Hope 20%]
[Willpower 50%]
[Courage 100%]
"A sun symbol… Just like Ai said. The sun gives us light and warmth."
"…Should I praise it?"
wtwo closed its eyes in contentnt.
In the secret cavern beneath Crystal Cliff, beside the shimring Mirror Lake, it entered sleep in a ditative posture.
And in its dreams… everything turned pink.
(End of Chapter)
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