In the dream world, the phantom Entei continued its search for the Dream Tree, while Volcarona slumbered deep within the Desert Resort’s ancient ruins.

In reality, Hikaru spent an entire day in Accumula Town, helping Professor Juniper with her research and growing familiar with Hilbert, Hilda, and the others.

They all added each other as friends, and the young Trainers even created a “Unova Fellowship Group Chat.”

Of course, the distribution of medals could not be forgotten.

These youths, noticed by the Connection Tree, would one day stir great waves across Unova. That ancient tree had already foreseen it.

Perhaps… some things really are destined?

『Your bond with the Unova heroes has deepened!』

[Acquired: Cheren and Bianca’s Ideals and Reality]

[Description: Knowledge from the companions of yet-to-depart heroes, who train diligently to become excellent Trainers.]

[Effects: Theory Guidance +50%, Motivation +50%; Research & Investigation +50%, Self +50%.]

[Description: Your creations more easily inspire others; by motivating yourself, you can battle almost equally with Trainers stronger than you.]

[Description: You more easily encounter unseen Pokémon; when acting centered on your own intent, others find it hard to predict your next move in battle.]

When discussing Team Plasma, the group had minor disagreements, but overall they viewed it as a mysterious organization not worth listening to.

However, upon learning that Team Plasma had attacked Professor Juniper and Hikaru at the Dream Ruins, their opinion plummeted to rock bottom.

Attacking people at ruins sites?! That’s not just a mysterious group – that calls for swift justice!

Unova really is too free sometimes!

When Hikaru demonstrated using the Shining Charm to turn a Pokémon into a Shiny and back, everyone’s eyes were filled with admiration and longing. Some Pokémon were especially interested.

Like Hilda’s Tepig – as soon as it recovered, it wagged its tail eagerly, clearly wanting a “skin package.”

Seeing the little pig’s enthusiasm, Hikaru used the Shining Charm to re-roll its appearance.

Tepig’s shiny form was undeniably beautiful. As a starter, it became a little “golden pig,” radiating wealth and fortune. When it evolved into Emboar, its red flames turned cyan-blue, looking extremely cool.

“I can’t wait to get my own Pokémon… Eh, why is there still a whole year left? Hilda is so lucky…” Bianca complained. She knew, however, that even if she set out next year, her father would be upset – leaving this year would only lead to a huge family fight.

Professor Juniper remained focused on her Deoxys research. She had gathered enough data, and after examining Hilda’s shiny Tepig and Hikaru’s Shining Charm, she chuckled helplessly. To think she had to re-research her own creation…

Professor Juniper clutched her head. “Ah! I have no clue… Is it really psychic power at work?”

“Yes, I told you it was psychic power,” Hikaru replied bluntly.

Close enough anyway.

Hilda asked excitedly, “Hikaru-san, are you heading to Nimbasa City next? That’s Unova’s biggest entertainment city! And I must mention the Battle Subway – one of Unova’s most fun challenge facilities, second only to Unova’s Ultimate Challenge!”

“Unova’s Ultimate Challenge? Ah, you mean Black Tower and White Treehollow!”

Hilda planned to set out as soon as Professor Juniper’s strange research was done. While she also intended to challenge Gyms along the way, the Battle Subway was equally good for training.

After all, unlike in the games, defeating Subway Trainers still made your Pokémon stronger here, and their Pokémon were powerful. Challenging strong opponents was the best way to improve.

“I’m only passing through Nimbasa. My next stops are the Desert Resort, then Mistralton City or White Forest.”

Celestial Tower near Mistralton was where Alder conducted his second investigation. Hikaru also held the Giant’s Key, perhaps allowing him to visit Twist Mountain and see the King of Giants.

He was very interested in the Giant’s Heart reward. Moreover, with Team Plasma targeting him, he urgently needed to strengthen himself further.

That’s how it was when major organizations set their sights on you. Hikaru even suspected he would clash with villainous groups in other regions someday – no, it was inevitable.

For now, even though many Gym Leaders and Trainers called him strong, Hikaru never considered himself invincible.

As Giovanni once said in this world – no matter how strong someone is, they can still lose battles.

Giovanni likely said that during the World Tournament in the games. Back then, he had lost his Rocket Boss status, becoming a Trainer focused on battles and regaining his original spirit. That was why he said such words, even adding, “I hope to battle you again elsewhere.”

In this world, however, while Team Rocket had been crushed several times by Red, Leaf, Ethan, and Lyra, it hadn’t been eradicated. It still operated in Kanto and Johto, merely moving its major operations underground. Globally, Rocket remained a cross-regional supercorporation.

Giovanni himself, humiliated by repeated defeats, had taken up training anew.

Thinking about it… since this was a worldline with both Red and Leaf, plus Celebi’s time-travel storyline with Ethan and Lyra also beating Giovanni, he’d likely been beaten three times in a short period. His shattered pride was only natural. Kanto doesn’t raise idle Trainers, after all.

Hence, Giovanni here walked a “half-game route.”

“Oh, so you’re challenging Unova’s Ultimate Challenge too! Hmm, I really want to, but I’ll start with the Battle Subway first!”

“I’ll leave from Route 1 and walk step by step to Nimbasa City! Along the way, I’ll catch plenty of partners!”

“And of course, I need to buy enough items from you too!”

Hilda was very keen on items, especially the Focus Band. Hikaru hadn’t expected her to love such a “luck item” so much, and she even triggered it in battle. Perhaps this battle girl really was lucky?

Hilbert, Cheren, and Bianca hadn’t started their journeys yet, so battle items weren’t immediately useful. Still, they bought many from Hikaru for study.

Bianca focused on medicines, so Hikaru recommended Max Revives and Revival Herbs.

Cheren focused on theory, so Hikaru recommended Red Cards and Choice items.

Hilbert focused on tactics, so Hikaru recommended:

“Amulet of Courage, Amulet of Fortitude.”

He chose those two charms – one to boost confidence and remove negative emotions, the other to reduce all incoming damage. Both were useful in Pokémon battles and worked for humans too.

“Normally, Braviary should hold something better, like a Life Orb. But sadly, my Life Orb isn’t for sale…”

“Besides the Life Orb, Choice items can boost its output, or…”

Also, Life Orbs were so large they couldn’t just be tied to Braviary like Mega Stones. The Orb was much bigger.

Braviary feared Rock-type attacks, so Heavy-Duty Boots would be a good option.

Hikaru felt he could craft Heavy-Duty Boots and Assault Vests now. After all, if he could make the Arceus Armor set, these would be easy. However, the Arceus set consumed many Release Orbs, so he was busy stockpiling them.

Release Orbs were universal items – the more, the better!

And there was another option.

Hikaru handed Hilbert some powerful herbs harvested from Torterra’s back.

“These strong herbs are rare in the market. They let Brave Bird activate instantly!”

“Unova doesn’t seem very advanced in herb cultivation,” Hikaru noted.

In the games, no one used Brave Bird with a Power Herb – charging wastes a slot and risks missing. But in real battles, Brave Bird was undoubtedly powerful. Hikaru had experienced it firsthand earlier.

Meanwhile, Professor Juniper had nearly finished her Deoxys research.

A day was enough for an expert to summarize much data. She had done preliminary research with Fennel earlier and added new projects upon returning to Accumula Town.

She also made detailed records on all of Hikaru’s Pokémon. The more she studied them, the more fascinated she became.

『Your bond with Professor Juniper has greatly deepened! Though your acquaintance was brief, your minds connected deeply, and you can now be called close friends.』

“There are still so many mysteries about cosmic power… Psychic and Fighting energy, Rock energy that creates cosmic force… Ancient regional forms lost to climate change… The regal forms granted by divine blessings, linked to Sinnoh myths.”

“To summarize: the cosmos, climate change, deities… plus human activity affecting certain Pokémon emergence, and geological tectonics…”

“Thank you all so much. My research has made great strides… Ah, here, this is my gift for Deoxys.”

She handed over an egg-shaped item.

[Item: Lucky Egg]

[Description: An egg filled with happiness. Pokémon holding it gain slightly more experience. EXP +50%.]

[Effect: Speeds up the growth rate of the holding Pokémon.]

“This is a special item occasionally found in nature. It can’t hatch – it holds mysterious power. Weak Pokémon often carry it to evolve quickly, boosting their growth rate.”

“Deoxys is powerful, but its growth rate is low, resulting in short battle times. Your potions help, but I think this Lucky Egg will too.”

“Ah! Also these!”

She produced a box of capsule-like items, about twenty in total.

[Item: Prism Energy]

[Description: A universal artificial energy that any Pokémon can absorb.]

[Effect: Functions as any type of energy when held.]

“These are Energy Capsules, newly developed to replenish energy consumed in battle. I tested them, and they extend Deoxys’ active time outside its Poké Ball.”

Their shape resembled Drive Energies. Capsules really did all look alike.

Hikaru smiled brightly. “Thank you, Professor Juniper. These will be very useful for Deoxys.”

Professor Juniper waved her hand. “No, thank you. You helped resolve incidents and assisted Fennel and me in our research.”

The Master Ball floated in the air, catching everyone’s gaze.

“Pokémon from the cosmic heavens… so fascinating. Is there a world of Pokémon beyond the universe too?”

Hilbert, Hilda, and the others began fantasizing about space, their youthful hearts brimming with dreams of stars and futures. They embraced all new things with passion, turning them into their strength.

After bidding farewell to Professor Juniper, Hilda, Hilbert, Cheren, and Bianca, Hikaru set off again. First stop… Striaton City.

The dense vines symbolized prosperity, with its unique terrain providing beautiful views.

Striaton also housed the East George family’s Battle Club, but Hikaru wasn’t interested.

In the games, two musicians lived in a house up the stairs to the northeast, playing piano and drums. If spoken to, they’d ask if you wanted to listen. If yes, they added their instruments to the town’s BGM.

“Though I’d like to visit, I don’t even know their names…”

NPC musicians had no names in-game. Hikaru could only follow his memory to Striaton’s highest point and found the music house.

As for music he knew… besides all the GB Player’s tracks, he had only one ancient song.

And this version differed from Café Sonata’s rendition – it was pure, from ancient times.

Rather than visit them, why not let them come to him?

Let’s try.

Hikaru took out a carved flute replica of the Azure Flute, an imitation he’d made while preparing to craft the real one.

He began playing the Ancient Song atop Striaton’s highest point.

In-game, Sunflora Lady once said, every time she passed through Striaton, she remembered an unknown melody.

As the Ancient Song echoed across Striaton, the two musicians inside heard it immediately. Their expressions shifted from curiosity to excitement as they listened intently.

The wind and plants of Striaton seemed to dance to the melody, carrying its ancient notes far into the distance.

“Dark brown memories well up in my heart… This weary soul is healed… Your music is beautiful! Please, play with us!”

The music house door burst open as the pianist and drummer ran out to the balcony, inviting Hikaru to perform with them.

“Ah, apologies – let us introduce ourselves. I’m Jazz Drummer Takebeat, and this is Pianist Lilystring.”

“Lately, we’ve been stuck in a bottleneck, unable to compose well. We planned to go into the wild to listen to Pokémon cries for inspiration. But we never expected to hear such soul-stirring music today!”

(End of Chapter)

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep