Pokémon: Starting From Zero as a Legendary Pokémon Chapter 16 16: Recruiting Ogerpon

In the gas, Ogerpon never truly exists in a completely unequipped state.

There is no item called the Teal Mask as a removable object in gaplay. When Ogerpon isn't holding a mask, she is automatically treated as being in her Teal form.

So here's the question:

If an Ogerpon without the Teal Mask is pure Grass-type, and an Ogerpon wearing the Teal Mask is still pure Grass-type—then what is the actual purpose of the Teal Mask?

That implied a flaw in the system.

Whether in the ga or in reality, no one had ever observed the attributes of an Ogerpon without any mask at all.

"Interesting."

Sora looked at Ogerpon as if gazing at a priceless treasure.

Of course, he had no intention of using her as a research subject.

What he wanted was to understand her—and help her unlock the power hidden within.

"Ponpon, could you take off the mask for a mont?"

"Poné?"

Ogerpon didn't hesitate in the slightest. She imdiately removed the mask.

However, her power didn't change.

"V, test Ponpon's energy level."

"Bini."

Victini floated down in front of Ogerpon.

She didn't understand what Sora was trying to do, but she trusted him completely.

He had fulfilled their promise by repairing the mask.

So Ponpon would also keep her promise.

From this day forward, Sora was her new family.

She had seen those red-and-white spheres before.

If Sora threw one at her, she would obediently allow herself to be captured.

After all, capturing Pokémon didn't always require a battle.

"Bini, bini bini."

Very quickly, Victini finished the test and gave a number.

"Level 77."

"That high?"

Sora examined the mask in his hand, then passed it back to her.

"What about now?"

Victini tested again.

The result was the sa.

Level 77.

"I see."

"The mask is both a tool and a stabilizer for your power."

"And when all the masks are lost, your strength becos blocked and can't be fully released."

This might be the true chanism behind Ogerpon's ability—Embody Aspect.

"If that's the case… then could the requirents for the masks be changed?"

This was the real world, not a ga.

In the ga, Ogerpon's abilities were locked into four specific masks.

But the key point was this:

The masks were not sothing she was born with.

They were crafted by Yukitada's ancestor.

The four masks—representing joy, anger, sorrow, and delight—corresponded to four attributes:

Grass

Fire

Water

Rock

If the craftsman had created different masks…

Or if he had created a fifth or sixth mask…

Could Ogerpon gain even more power?

"Entirely possible."

Now that he had beco Ogerpon's trainer, Sora intended to fulfill his responsibility.

And developing a Pokémon's potential was exactly what trainers were ant to do.

"But before that, there's one more thing to do."

He reached into his backpack and took out a green Poké Ball.

It was a Friend Ball, specially purchased at a departnt store in a major city.

The ball's green color matched Ogerpon perfectly.

Its symbolism—friendship—and its ability to increase bonding made it an ideal choice.

"Would you like to co with , Ponpon?"

Sora held the Friend Ball out in front of her.

"Or do we need to battle first?"

"Poné~"

Ogerpon shook her head.

A battle?

There was no need.

"Tap."

The little one leaned forward and gently bumped her head against the Friend Ball.

In an instant, her body turned into light and entered the ball.

The Friend Ball didn't even shake.

It imdiately gave a single, solid click.

From that mont on, Ogerpon had beco Sora's family—ready to face challenges with him and never leave his side.

"I caught Ogerpon!!"

Having officially earned her acknowledgnt, even Sora couldn't hold back his shout of excitent.

"Bini!"

"Lilligant~~"

The other two Pokémon were just as happy to welco their new companion.

Good thing my team is full of innocent, easygoing personalities.

If this were sothing like Sprigatito instead…

he thought, recalling certain notoriously jealous Pokémon,

my household might already be in chaos.

Of course, if a wild Sprigatito ever appeared in front of him, he would still capture it without hesitation.

After all—

who could resist a clingy little kitten?

"Co on out, Ponpon."

He released Ogerpon from the ball.

The mont she reappeared, she leapt straight into his arms, and he caught her effortlessly.

"Haha, good girl, good girl."

"Poné~~"

Having regained a family once more, Ogerpon embodied the very definition of clingy.

She held Sora's hand tightly and never let go.

"Pfft."

Seeing this, Victini covered her mouth and giggled.

But only a mont later, she floated down and landed on Sora's head—demonstrating her own clingy side.

"You're no different. What gives you the right to laugh at Ponpon?"

Sora reached up and tickled Victini's soft belly.

She burst into laughter, squirming from the ticklish sensation but refusing to move away.

"Alright, ti to make lunch."

After a while, Sora lifted Victini off his head and placed her into Ogerpon's arms.

"You two play for a bit over there."

"Bini~"

"Ponéun~"

Victini and Ogerpon—

one had lived in isolation for a thousand years,

the other had stayed away from people for centuries.

In that sense, they were remarkably alike.

Because of their shared experiences, the two quickly grew close.

Together with Lilligant, the three little Pokémon played and laughed on the grass.

The sight alone was enough to lt Sora's heart.

"Ahem."

"Alright, now let's talk about our next plan."

After lunch, Sora packed up the tent and camping gear and cleaned up the surrounding area.

Inside the cave, the three Pokémon sat on the ground, waiting attentively for their trainer's instructions.

"This trip to Kitakami was mainly to find Ponpon."

"Now that Ponpon has joined the team," he said with a smile,

"half of our plan is complete. Next cos the other half."

"Poné?"

Ogerpon tilted her head and raised her hand, signaling a question.

"Here's the situation."

Sora explained his current circumstances.

He was a trainer—but not a registered League trainer.

Generally speaking, a registered trainer was soone who held Gym Badges or had officially begun their journey to challenge the League Conference.

"According to my plan, I definitely intend to compete in the League Conference."

"It's the best way to build a reputation."

He spoke plainly.

"If we want everyone to grow strong and stay healthy—money is absolutely essential."