Master Craftsman of the Pokémon World Chapter 294 - 294

Just as Hikaru was about to leave, a shift in the atmosphere signaled danger—multiple eyes peered at them from the shadows. Two figures erged from the alleyways of Mistralton City.

"You're Ryoku and Asura."

Shauntal blinked. "Who are they?"

"Plasma Sage veterans," Hikaru replied calmly. "They call themselves the wise ones—elders gathered from all over the world by their leader Ghetsis."

The two elders had surrounded the area with a few mbers of Team Plasma, but sothing was clearly off about their expressions.

Asura spoke first. "The one chosen by the King… so you've finally arrived in Mistralton."

Ryoku narrowed his eyes. "I have one question. What did you do to before? Why did I lose my mories?"

"It wasn't ," Hikaru answered. "You were possessed by ancient spirits within the Deserted Castle. It was their doing."

He gently soothed the nervous Sawsbuck beside him. "Are you here to fight?"

Asura gave a thin smile—his ever-narrowed eyes lending an unreadable quality to his face. But despite the "all narrow-eyed guys are monsters" trope, he wasn't particularly strong.

"That was our mission," Asura admitted, "but… when I saw you, that desire vanished."

"Relax. These Plasma grunts are ones you already defeated in the Deserted Castle. They're not aligned with Ghetsis anymore."

Ryoku's mustache twitched with frustration. "Why am I here? I had orders to test and obstruct you. But I can't bring myself to do it."

"Listening to Ghetsis and Vio's speeches stirred sothing in —anger, confusion… Why?"

"You're the only one who might hold the answer. We're lost now."

Asura gave a slight nod. "After fighting you at the Dreamyard, I started to question things. I used to firmly believe in our liberation ideals. But now… I'm not so sure."

"When one's heart hesitates, their power fades. I used to dream of a new world where humans and Pokémon lived together without Poké Balls… but after losing to you, that dream wavered. I should've grown stronger and returned to defeat you."

"But instead… here I am, seeking clarity."

In truth, Asura had withheld critical intelligence about the Dreamyard from the other Sages. He'd only reported part of it. This deception could be considered betrayal—but Asura didn't feel guilty. In fact… it felt good.

Was he naturally treacherous? That thought puzzled him.

"So your fanaticism faded. Once you were defeated, you began to reflect. Pretty on-brand for you guys," Hikaru muttered. Perhaps the power of the Azure Crystal had also played a part.

Besides, after Team Plasma collapsed, most of the Seven Sages gradually cald down. Only Vio, that middle-parted lunatic, remained loyal to Ghetsis. The others had faded away.

"You could say that…" Asura sighed. "Then what is it that we lack?"

"Probably sincerity," Hikaru replied. "You like to quote scriptures. But are you acting based on those texts—or on your own true feelings?"

"Quoting scripture… 'The Great Way is simple.'"

Asura and Ryoku exchanged a thoughtful glance. In the past, they had been fervent believers in Ghetsis' vision of a promised future. They were willing to fight for it.

But now… did they really believe in that promise? Or were they just following blindly?

"Not everyone can understand a Pokémon's heart. We don't have that gift. Only the King does, but—" Ryoku's face twisted. "Are you saying we can't even understand people?"

"Exactly," Hikaru answered.

That simple reply rocked them. The most update n0vels are published on novel{f}ire

"Do you understand each other?" Hikaru asked. "Do your ideals truly align?"

Asura hesitated. "I… can't say for sure."

Ryoku nodded. "Yes. Before we t, we were wary of each other."

"So, would you like to understand each other?"

Hikaru extended his hand. "Shake hands with . You'll understand."

"?"

They didn't fully get it, but neither doubted Hikaru's intentions. He radiated a strange sincerity. Together, the two elderly n reached out.

In that mont—like a spark—thoughts and feelings intertwined. Their minds collided and blended in a flash of connection.

Their faces lit up in shock. Even Asura's eyes opened fully—a dical miracle!

"Oh! Ryoku! So that's what you were thinking!"

"Asura! I've never understood you this clearly!"

For a mont, a strange and gentle atmosphere enveloped them.

Ryoku couldn't believe it. "How is this possible?! What kind of power is this? Is it psychic?"

Hikaru smiled. "Yes. It's a form of psychic ability—Connection. But this power is rooted in Unova itself."

"Unova's true essence is connection—between worlds, between lives, between hearts. I rely connected your souls. That's why you can hear each other's truths. And yes, this also works between humans and Pokémon."

"Would you like to speak with your Pokémon?"

"…This power…" Asura was trembling.

This was N-sama's gift!

The power to hear Pokémon's hearts… No—this was even stronger than that!

"Long ago," Hikaru continued, catching their undivided attention. Even Shauntal leaned in.

"There was a king of the Abyssal Ruins who possessed this very power. He could speak with Pokémon and humans alike. That communication, that understanding, was what forged the foundation of Unova."

"Amazing… That kind of tale actually exists?" Asura sighed in awe, looking toward Ryoku with fresh respect.

They truly understood one another now.

"I get it now," Asura said. "You're the type who gets obsessed with chasing historical traces. I'm the sa!"

Ryoku grinned. "You're from Paldea, right?"

"Hey! Don't go reading people's hotowns! I avoided reading yours on purpose!"

"Actually, you spent a long ti in Paldea—"

"I said stop! Fine, then I'm checking your ho next!"

The two old n laughed like children.

They let go of Hikaru's hand and looked at him with admiration and awe.

"This kind of ability—it's like sothing out of a legend or RPG. A sage or guide character!"

"Can you do the sa with Pokémon? Actually, I once used N-sama's power to hear my Pokémon's heart. It brought us closer."

Asura summoned his Cofagrigus. The Ghost-type imdiately tensed—it rembered Hikaru from a recent battle.

They had been enemies, after all.

"Relax, Cofagrigus. We're friends now."

Hikaru placed his hand gently atop its head.

A strange energy flowed outward, making the Pokémon feel at ease.

This was the power of Recollection.

" first t in… . Back then, it was still a Yamask. threw a Poké Ball… and you began your journey together."

"How odd—Yamask isn't native to Paldea," Hikaru added.

"Are you reading its mories?!" Asura gasped, breath quickening. "Back in my youth, Paldea had many ancient tombs. So contained relics brought from other regions."

"It's said the kings of ancient Paldea loved collecting rare treasures."

Hikaru wasn't entirely surprised by Asura's past—his na, after all, ca from azul, Spanish for blue. And Paldea's real-world model was Spain.

Likewise, Ryoku ca from midori, Japanese for green—perhaps hinting at origins in Hoenn or Johto.

And Vio—the middle-parted one—was nad after the French violet, likely from Kalos.

" and went to the Poké Mart together and bought ."

"You went fishing. The first catch got away!"

"But on your second try, you fought a wild Goomy. Mid-battle, a Druddigon appeared and defeated you."

"Even though you lost, you weren't discouraged. Being together made everything feel worthwhile."

"You were both startled by a Tentacool bursting from the grass! Its legs went flap-flap-flap—it was hilarious!"

"Later, you went to the Pokémon Center near Lake Casseroya. Yamask was happy. 'Where should we go next? What should we do?'"

"'As long as we're together… it'll be fun.'"

As Hikaru narrated, Asura stood frozen, eyes misty. Decades of mories resurfaced.

Cofagrigus closed its eyes. Hikaru's voice carried it back in ti—to the day it t its trainer.

Asura had pulled it from that lonely tomb and taken it on countless adventures. Over the years, they traveled, studied, and explored together. They had shared joy and sorrow.

Hikaru brought Asura's hand to his Pokémon's.

At that touch, all the gratitude Cofagrigus held flowed freely into Asura's heart.

Not just a mory—but a transmission of feeling and will.

"Cofagrigus… I rember now. Through all the hardships—studying, traveling, pain, confusion, sadness—you were always with ."

"Gahhhh~"

Ryoku was deeply moved.

"Reading a Pokémon's ancient mories… This is like N's power… no—more detailed than that!"

"It's called the Power of Recollection," Hikaru explained.

"There are others who possess this power. In Kalos and Hoenn, you'll find 'mory Girls' with the sa gift. They can read a Pokémon's distant mories, though it doesn't grant them any special strength."

"But for a Trainer and their Pokémon… is there anything more precious than the ti they've spent together?"

"…Ti spent together," Ryoku murmured.

He opened a Poké Ball with a click—and a Scolipede appeared.

It twitched its antennae, confused by Asura and Cofagrigus embracing each other.

"I've known Scolipede for a long ti too… but I've forgotten so much."

Hikaru gently placed his hand on Scolipede.

It was initially wary—but as soon as it felt the warmth in his palm, the hostility lted away.

Sunlight?

Scolipede lowered its eyelids.

Soon, Ryoku felt Scolipede's emotions.

Their bond wasn't as ancient, but it ran deep.

He'd t it in Kalos—back when it was just a Venipede, rummaging through garbage cans. Beaten by people and attacked by Flying-types.

Ryoku had saved it.

Their friendship began there.

"I…" Ryoku's voice caught as he stared at his dozing Pokémon. He saw not its current form—but the vulnerable creature it once was.

"It's really been so long. Ti is cruel. I rember now—I wanted to protect Pokémon like it. I told it, 'Then I'll be your partner.'"

"In the beginning, it was rough. It poisoned a lot. Wouldn't listen. Got into fights with bird Pokémon and Centiskorch. But sotis… it'd curl up beside and nap. And that made happy."

Scolipede opened its eyes and stared at Hikaru, sensing his "bug buddy" energy.

He felt less like a human… and more like a strangely shaped insect?

It was confusing, but sohow comforting. More than that—it felt like its soul had rged with Ryoku's.

Like going back in ti.

Ryoku sighed, then smiled.

"Thank you. Your power is truly incredible. I've rembered my old self… and now, I have no regrets."

"eting you today… was the right choice!"

(End of Chapter)

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