[Thankfully, Cogita's house was spacious enough that Akari's arrival didn't make things feel crowded.]
[What's more, her good behavior gradually eased both Cynthia's and Zoroark's wariness.]
[And after spending more ti together, you realized your initial impression was right—Akari really was incredibly strong physically.]
[With proper technique, she could even hold her own against Lucario for short stretches.]
[Out in the wild, with a well-made Poké Ball, she could probably catch so impressive Pokémon.]
[Realizing this, you encouraged her to try her hand at capturing a strong Pokémon.]
[After several attempts, she managed—using only her own strength—to catch a Mamoswine.
[Even Cynthia was amazed.]
"Did you really did co from the future?"
Cynthia asked skeptically, eyeing the Mamoswine.
For soone with such physical strength and agility, she was already better than most native Hisuians with just a bit of training.
Cynthia found it hard to believe anyone who'd lived a life of modern comfort could be this capable.
"Really," Akari replied, patting Mamoswine.
Ever since arriving here, she'd felt strangely lighter on her feet.
"Maybe Arceus did sothing to you?" Elias speculated.
With no better explanation, Cynthia could only accept it.
She'd been observing Akari closely ever since her arrival.
But the truth was… all her suspicions seed unfounded.
Nothing out of the ordinary had happened at all.
"Oh, right—I found this on the road today."
"It looks kind of like the thing Zoroark always carries."
Suddenly rembering, Akari pulled a smooth, diamond-shaped pink stone slab from her bag and handed it to Elias.
He took it automatically—and froze.
Even Zoroark, perched on his shoulder, shuddered.
"This is… a Plate?"
Elias stared at the stone, almost not daring to believe it.
But after focusing his senses, he was certain—it was a fragnt, just like the previous three Plates.
And the aura it gave off was unmistakably Psychic-type.
"I picked it up in the forest on the other side of the mountain."
"Is it important?" Akari asked, noticing Elias's reaction.
"Yeah, it's pretty important. Thanks—a huge help," Elias said gratefully.
He'd been stressing over finding more Plates. Who would've thought Akari would bring him one just like that?
"Would you mind letting keep it? I can trade you so Mamoswine-friendly feed in return," Elias offered.
"O-of course," Akari agreed without hesitation.
She was deeply grateful to Elias—if not for him, she probably would have frozen to death on her first day atop Mount Coronet.
She'd only planned to ask if he wanted the Plate anyway.
"Plates can strengthen Pokémon of the corresponding type and unlock their potential," Elias explained as he put the Plate away.
"If you ever find Ground or Ice Plates, they might help your Mamoswine, too."
Of course, he was mostly just making conversation—finding even one Plate was already pure luck.
Akari nodded, quietly taking it to heart.
---
[After that, your life got even busier.]
[The clans, the Galaxy Team, and the Origin Ore research all needed your attention at various tis.]
[You had to push your ti with Zoroark back to evenings.]
[While that suited Zoroark's nocturnal nature just fine, she was clearly in a foul mood.]
"Elias, you don't actually hold any position with the clans or the Galaxy Team, right?"
"Why do you have to help them so much?"
Zoroark asked, clearly puzzled.
It wasn't that he was spending any less ti with her—their ti together was as long as ever.
But he was sacrificing his own rest, and she didn't like it one bit.
"The two clans and the Galaxy Team are still figuring out how to work together, so I have to be a bit busier," Elias explained, stroking her fluffy head.
In truth, he was the linchpin holding all sides together—after all, it was his idea to unite their strengths in the first place.
As for his lack of sleep…
Thanks to his psychic powers, [Aura], and [Power of Viridian], his ntal strength was imnse.
So even with little rest, he always felt fine. No need to worry about his health.
But seeing Zoroark still uneasy, Elias thought for a mont, then asked:
"Zoroark, can you use your illusions to make it feel like I'm sleeping?"
"Just create an illusion where it seems like I've had a long rest. That shouldn't be too hard for you, right?"
Though his words were a little vague, Zoroark instantly got the idea.
Her eyes lit up and she nodded eagerly.
"I can!"
She sounded excited—but a mont later, her enthusiasm faded.
"But… your ntal strength is so high now, my illusions might not work on you anymore."
She'd only just discovered this—her illusions no longer had any effect on Elias.
She'd tried sothing fun the other night,
but ended up disappointed when it just didn't work.
"Why don't you try now?" Elias suggested.
Zoroark obediently released an illusion—
And was surprised to find she could slip into Elias's mind after all.
It was clear he'd deliberately dropped his guard for her.
"Let's do it this way from now on," Elias said gently when he saw her delighted expression return.
He trusted Zoroark not to do anything bad with her illusions.
"Mm!"
---
[Before you knew it, the year was drawing to a close.]
[Over the last six months, you'd seen just how lucky Akari could be.]
[Everything you'd casually ntioned before, she'd managed to pull off.]
[She found the Insect Plate and the Stone Plate in quick succession—almost catching up to your own progress.]
[When you showed them to Regigigas, he nearly broke his "Slow Start" from excitent.]
"I knew that llama wasn't that dumb—he's obviously onto !"
Regigigas's face flickered with emotion, clearly thrilled.
He was sure Arceus had realized he was trying to cut in, so it "cheated" by sending another girl as a substitute for Elias.
No, I can't lose my nerve now.
Arceus couldn't have expected that not only did I not get replaced, I even recruited that girl ahead of ti!
Now I just have to throw my full support behind Elias—and with Akari's help, we'll grab every last Plate!
User Comments
0 comments from readers