Although Unova was full of deluded individuals, its spiritual core—the collision of ideas—was something no other region possessed.

This aligned with the meaning behind the region’s name: a place where diverse Pokémon and humans coexist, inevitably producing all kinds of conflicts and sparks of thought.

After Team Plasma’s speech to the humans, Aegislash delivered its own “speech” to the confused Pokémon!

What? If the scammers can talk, why can’t I?

I’m a true King Pokémon recognized by Arceus, wearing the Hero’s Proof, after all!

[Listen to me, Pokémon!]

[Remember—recall how you first met your Trainers.]

[When you were weak, how did you come to know your Trainers? Was it a chance encounter, an accidental meeting, a decision to follow them drawn by something they had, or a recognition forged in battle?]

[By staying with your Trainers, have you grown? We Pokémon are wondrous beings, born with an innate desire for growth.]

[The world is harsh. Wild Pokémon live in brutal competition, filled with sadness, pain, and endless struggle. Back then, we could call ourselves free.]

[Weak ones had to fight. Only through battle could they grow, and with growth came evolution. Then, humans appeared. In ancient times, they used Pokémon as tools for conquest. But… some humans realized Pokémon were companions, not tools.]

[They helped each other, fulfilled each other’s needs, overcame challenges together. Thus, the bond between humans and Pokémon strengthened.]

[Humans and Pokémon formed connections, embarking on distant journeys together. Different people, more Pokémon—laughing together, grieving together, finding joy together, feeling both happiness and sadness, encountering other lives with differing perspectives. Through these bonds, they learned to face anything without fear and to endure any hardship without hesitation.]

[Bonds are not formed in an instant. They require time—or major events—to catalyze them. So, the Trainers who have been with you all this time… what kind of bonds have they forged with you? Are those memories still held in your hearts? Will you let the sweet-talking lies of these scammers so easily shatter the bonds you’ve built with your Trainers?]

[Words have power. But maybe your bonds were only this shallow.]

[Regardless, the history you’ve shared is indelible. It’s proof that you exist in this world, and it’s a mark you’ve left together with humans.]

[If, when you remember, you feel any emotion—joy, anger, whatever it may be—then it proves your history is real, authentic!]

[Would you listen to the commands of those who have lost their wisdom and become puppets under someone else’s control? If you abandon your history, all that remains is an empty, hollow ideal—something too insubstantial to support the vast reality of this world!]

[Bonds are mutual. They can only be formed when the histories of humans and Pokémon intertwine. A one-sided effort brings no return; self-indulgence is foolish. Recognize yourselves, recognize your history, and recognize the hearts of the humans on the other side!]

[We must make our own choices—not be driven by others. Those who have no bonds have no right to interfere with ours. Their words… mean nothing!]

Aegislash’s mental voice stirred the surrounding Pokémon, shaking them deeply, while their confusion began to fade. Under Aegislash’s strange charisma, they started to recall the moments they’d shared with their Trainers.

If those Trainers didn’t truly care about them, they wouldn’t have released them. It was because they loved them so much that they endured the pain of letting them go, hoping they’d find a broader, more beautiful world—even if that world was a false one painted by Team Plasma.

Of course, there were some humans who didn’t care. But such indifference simply meant they hadn’t formed deep bonds with their Pokémon. Emotional investment is mutual, not one-sided. If that was the case, parting ways held no resentment or confusion.

“Oh? Your speech is pretty moving,” Hikaru remarked in surprise. He hadn’t expected Aegislash to be so articulate. He vaguely remembered that when Aegislash had once chatted with Lilligant, it had almost been overwhelmed by her quips.

“Geh, geh! (It’s all from the heart! After meeting Arceus and Mew, I gained these insights. I even learned Arceus’ way of speaking!)”

Aegislash’s eye curved like a crescent moon—but this wasn’t a smile. It was righteous anger!

“Geh!”

I even secretly studied a lot of materials online to refute that fraudulent founder! I didn’t study those books and texts for nothing! I’m a Pokémon from an ancient kingdom who could read—compared to those kings and ministers, these people’s methods for fooling Pokémon aren’t worth a dime!

I hang out on online forums, post questions, get tips from experts!

Of course, it was all using Hikaru’s account… but that’s a minor detail! Different accounts in different communities anyway! I even help people solve problems sometimes!

Right now, I’m the King of Pokémon who understands the hearts of Pokémon!

“You’re the deputy shopkeeper from now on,” Hikaru said.

Maybe he could just leave battle consultation services to Aegislash. This guy seemed more eloquent than him… Was this talent?

Aegislash once manipulated ancient kings to establish kingdoms where humans and Pokémon could live freely. Using its aura to control minds, if you ignored the “tragic demise of the kingdom” part, they’d actually done a pretty good job.

Maybe this was a natural ability of this Pokémon species? Next time, he should try giving a lecture at the Dream World’s legendary café—might work even better.

In the Pokémon Adventures manga, that other Aegislash from Team Flare was also a master of manipulation and mind control. It could even forcibly control people’s minds, brainwashing an entire town and the students of the Sky Trainer School.

Of course—

“The speech’s impact likely came from the Hero’s Proof too. It’s a gift from Arceus, one of only three in the world. It boosts the confidence and strength of any Pokémon that encounters it.”

“Delelele!” Lilligant giggled behind her leaves.

Aegislash was definitely no longer the careless little sword it had once been. Either way, its growing speech skills reflected its evolving mindset. After going through so much and becoming a “King,” it had gained this perspective.

From today to tomorrow, from humans to Pokémon to the world—everything was intertwined. Fate was such an incredible thing!

Finding a good partner was a rare blessing in life. So you had to hold onto them tightly—many times, just having each other was happiness enough.

“Delelele!”

Battles were for growth. Pokémon that sought growth would naturally seek out Trainers who could help them. There was nothing wrong with that. And even if a Trainer wasn’t good at battling, a Pokémon that loved battle could still form bonds with them!

As long as lives could understand each other and find joy in what they did, then it was meaningful!

And the rest… all they needed was courage!

“Haya…” Grotle tilted its head.

It didn’t understand everything that had been said—but it didn’t matter. As long as it knew what it wanted, and what it was working for, that was enough.

Trainers and Pokémon had once worked together to reclaim barren lands, creating places where everyone could live. That spirit would never change!

So, those who opposed Trainers… were definitely not good people. Knowing that was enough to erase all doubts!

Because they didn’t want to be looked down on, and didn’t want to be bullied by stronger Pokémon, they trained harder, earned the invitation to become a Trainer’s Pokémon, received their approval, and would continue to grow stronger, until they could one day carry the entire continent on their backs!

The surrounding Pokémon listened to the voices of the three—starting with an Espeon—who began responding. Pokémon recalled their moments with their Trainers: in a haze, with sadness, with joy…

And then, they turned their cold gazes toward the Team Plasma members.

Who had tricked their Trainers into releasing them under the guise of love?

It wasn’t the Trainers’ fault. Pokémon could feel lost too—so how could humans, with language and intelligence, not be even more easily swayed by public opinion, morality, and ideology?

But one thing was true:

No matter why those Trainers had let them go… their love had never diminished.

“You… What’s happening?”

The elite Trainer watched in shock as his six Pokémon stopped preparing for battle and looked at him with scrutinizing eyes.

At that moment, he thought he heard those Pokémon say something. His expression shifted rapidly, but he still gritted his teeth:

“We’re fighting for the true liberation of Pokémon—not to make you suffer! Lend me your strength! I don’t know what that Pokémon told you, but we have bonds too, don’t we?! We’re all companions here—our organization and our Pokémon are the same!”

“This battle is so that other Pokémon can be free too! That’s why we have to take Pokémon from others! Humans and Pokémon together… will never be happy!”

The six Pokémon exchanged glances.

Though they were shaken…

[Can’t you tell if that person’s words are true or false?]

Aegislash’s voice resonated in their minds once more:

[If you can’t confirm it… then let’s confirm it through battle!]

[We Pokémon are beings who grow through battle. In battle, hearts open without barriers. The same goes for humans. The light of life that shines during battle never lies—so use this to find the truth!]

The six Pokémon immediately snapped to attention. They weren’t fighting for some hollow ideal.

They were fighting… to confirm Aegislash’s heart—and their own real histories!

The days with Team Plasma had been good, but there had always been a hollow, unreal feeling. The smiles of those people were kind, but they kept them in dark, hidden places, always preaching ideals like “freedom” and making them take pride in it. Now, it all felt so strange.

[Fight to your heart’s content, everyone!]

Aegislash’s call ignited the Pokémon’s spirits. The plaza erupted into chaos—but the Pokémon didn’t attack humans. They fought in their own way to confirm each other’s hearts!

And the six Pokémon challenged Aegislash’s group of three!

Sawsbuck, Gigalith, Unfezant, Zebstrika, Haxorus, and the glaring Amoonguss!

Ah, if an ordinary person saw Amoonguss, they’d be terrified, but Hikaru had two Grass-types on hand!

By the way…

Lilligant’s flower crown glowed. Hikaru handed her a Sun Seed, which allowed Light-type moves to be used instantly and boosted their power by 30%! Naturally, Lilligant unleashed—

Her twin leafy arms radiating a bright, pale green light—

Solar Blade!

Meanwhile, Hikaru had strapped a Life Orb onto Grotle’s shell.

It wasn’t the perfect item for Grotle, but Hikaru’s Grotle was far from standard—the Life Orb’s drawback was basically negligible!

As for Aegislash… stuck to the back of its shield were a Weakness Policy and a Blunder Policy.

Let them witness the might of Pokémon from the Shinto Ruins!

Sacred Sword disabled! Sacred Blade combo! Rapid-fire Bullet Seed!

The six Pokémon were blasted back almost instantly, but Hikaru’s three Pokémon held back—deliberately pulling their punches to ensure the other side could experience the “feeling” of battle. A one-sided battle wouldn’t let them confirm their feelings!

The six Pokémon realized the power gap was too vast. This time, they didn’t charge recklessly but began coordinating tactics!

But their attempts to surround, lower accuracy, or dodge attacks gradually failed.

Watching Aegislash’s growing stats and surging abilities, the six Pokémon were feeling overwhelmed!

As for the other two—

The elegant humanoid Pokémon’s blade never stopped, and any hit led to a flurry of follow-up strikes. The remaining one had become a rapid-fire turret—turns out Bullet Seed could be used like that?!

“Hey, wait, listen to my commands!”

The elite Trainer watched his six Pokémon fight autonomously, bewildered. He tried to give direct orders—like to Sawsbuck—but it just glanced at him indifferently and continued on its own.

“You can’t win without a Trainer’s commands!”

Yet the opposing Trainer wasn’t giving orders either?

No… that was just what it looked like!

Though he’d joined Team Plasma, the elite Trainer’s battle instincts hadn’t completely faded. He realized Hikaru was using some other method to direct those three powerful Pokémon—one that didn’t require words!

What the hell—was he a psychic?!

“Stop! You can’t win like this!”

“So, in the end, you’re still chasing victory. Even though you claim to have joined Team Plasma, renounced painful training, and no longer want to torment Pokémon… deep down, you’re still a Trainer who craves battle. That’s your true nature.”

Hikaru’s voice reached the elite Trainer.

“But these Pokémon aren’t fighting to win. They’re fighting to confirm their pasts—to determine which memories are real and which are hollow.”

“What kind of life do they love? Battle isn’t everything to a Pokémon’s life, but it’s an inseparable part of it. Pokémon prove their existence through battle—and prove that their lives are not fake!”

“You… you talk like you understand…”

The elite Trainer wanted to argue, thinking how could a human like Hikaru understand Pokémon’s voices? But he quickly fell silent, because… Team Plasma did have such a person!

Wait—could this human have the same ability as Lord N?!

“Do you think the King of Team Plasma is the only one who can hear Pokémon’s hearts?”

“Such arrogance.”

Hikaru sighed. “Everyone can hear Pokémon’s hearts. You don’t need special abilities. You probably once could too… you’ve just forgotten.”

“Overwhelming, burdensome love can blind the heart’s voice. People close their eyes and ears to the voices of Pokémon. They doubt themselves first, then doubt Pokémon, and finally conclude ‘none of it mattered.’ Friend, what you need isn’t Team Plasma… it’s a therapist.”

“How do you know about our King—”

The elite Trainer snapped out of it. As he questioned Hikaru, his words—carrying a powerful psychic pulse—shattered the barriers around his heart. As he watched the battling Pokémon, he stood in a daze, his mind blank, as memories flooded back:

Failing at Victory Road.

Failing repeatedly at the Unova League.

Losing faith in his partners…

Pushing them into harsher training.

Being told by Team Plasma that it was wrong.

His expression shifted rapidly. Suddenly, he felt a gaze.

Amidst the battling Pokémon and fleeing crowd, a single Pokémon stood still, quietly watching him. It seemed far away, like a shadow, or maybe an illusion.

That Pokémon… was the partner he’d once released?

Right. It was the only one that refused to be “liberated” by Team Plasma and had run away. It should have left…

Though it had come back to battle him several times, he had—

“I’ve already given up on my dreams. Stop coming back for me!”

“You’re like my nightmare!”

The elite Trainer trembled violently, then, with a swift motion, recalled his six Pokémon into their Poké Balls. He fled in despair, without looking back!

Among the battling Pokémon, that figure remained in place, quietly watching the retreating elite Trainer.

Then, with a look of regret, it closed its eyes.

When it opened them again, its gaze turned to Aegislash and Hikaru, then finally, it turned away and disappeared into the crowd.

(End of Chapter)

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep