Marvelous Bridge is a structure in Unova that connects Route 15 and Route 16. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it doesn’t directly connect the two sides of the cliffs—instead, elevators transport people down to rest stations located below the cliffs.

However, what leaves the deepest impression is that this technological bridge is frequently malfunctioning. When Hikaru arrived at the rest station riding Aegislash, it was already close to midnight, yet the rest area was still filled with people.

Umbrella Lady: “Looks like it won’t be fixed today.”

Doctor: “The workers said it’d be fine by tomorrow. Why has it been days without progress?”

Bald Guy: “I’m done with this bridge. I’d rather fly out from Mistralton City.”

Backpacker: “Still traveling here… Looks like today’s a bust.”

Businessman: “I need to get to Black City for work! Why is it still not operational?!”

Shorts Kid: “Hmph, let those foolish Trainers enjoy their final carefree days. Once I arrive at Black City, their happy days are over.”

Weird Gentleman: “…”

A wide array of people crowded the rest station. Unlike the games, this version offered rest and lodging. After all, being Unova’s most advanced bridge, it had to be special. There was also a Pokémon Center nearby, allowing people to recover their Pokémon without having to hike back to Nimbasa.

Hikaru flew in, so he got there quickly. But those without flying Pokémon had to walk or bike. Cars weren’t entirely out of the question, but part of the route was difficult to traverse—probably why most vehicles in the Pokémon world are off-road types.

“We sincerely apologize…”

The staff member stationed at Marvelous Bridge had lost count of how many times they had apologized. They were completely exhausted, as were the workers frantically trying to fix the elevators. They had just successfully transported one batch of people before it broke again.

Just what was going on? No one could figure it out. And this wasn’t a rare occurrence—Marvelous Bridge experienced this sort of delay once or twice a month, often lasting several days. All in all, nearly a quarter of the year was spent under maintenance!

“So many people even at night, huh…”

Hikaru originally thought there wouldn’t be many people here tonight. He hoped to resolve the issue discreetly. But now it was clear that doing this unnoticed was impossible.

Not that it mattered—he’d just treat it as a “performance.”

Carrying a large backpack and wearing a Ukulele across his chest, Hikaru returned Aegislash to its Poké Ball and walked inside. His slightly eccentric getup caught the attention of other backpackers.

Yo, Unova has bards now?

“Hey! Anyone want to see a Minccino performance?”

“Let’s take a break. No point rushing.”

A soft-spoken woman with a single ponytail looked around at the agitated crowd, trying to ease their tension and lift their mood.

“Ah, Miss Shoko. Normally I’d love to see the Minccino show, but everyone’s feeling down right now. If we don’t guess right, they’ll feel even worse.”

“It’s already midnight. They said we’d be moving by now… but nope.”

“Same thing yesterday… and the day before that. Though two days ago, the elevator did run once.”

A blue-haired Trainer with twin tails held her forehead in frustration, while Shoko gave a sheepish smile.

Hikaru observed all this.

Shoko was the Minccino performer of Marvelous Bridge. Her four Minccino would perform spinning dances while the main act guessed which one held the Big Mushroom. In the games, players could play this minigame once per day.

But now the Minccino, sensing their Trainer’s nervousness, were listless and dejected. Hikaru found an empty seat near the elevator and began playing his Ukulele.

Pling pling pling…

A whimsical melody echoed out.

The four Minccino were the first to be drawn in. With their mouths agape, they turned curiously toward the sound.

The Ukulele’s melody didn’t just soothe Pokémon—it calmed human hearts as well. The irritated travelers also looked toward the source of the music.

A strange backpacker with a strange string instrument.

The sound was both fantastical and lighthearted—like a tropical breeze sweeping through the space, stirring visions of unknown southern seascapes.

Everyone was mesmerized. The Minccino perked up and bounded away from Shoko, dancing in circles before Hikaru!

Some Pokémon are born dancers, while others simply follow the rhythm, but even so, the performance was captivating. As the music modulated, the Minccino changed their moves accordingly—their innate biological instinct harmonized perfectly with the natural rhythm.

Of course they would.

“Ukulele Voice: Lightning Rhapsody” didn’t have a formal name. It was originally a melody performed by Ukulele Pichu for other Pichu—songs composed by Pokémon for Pokémon!

Human compositions often carry emotional baggage. But Pokémon songs don’t. In Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs, Ukulele Pichu’s music could be upgraded to express deeper feelings, conveying thoughts directly to other Pokémon—just like a Capture Styler!

Its highest-level power could even reach Arceus’s heart!

In a way, it was music born of nature and the world itself.

“Minna~ minna~ naa~!”

The Minccino twirled and lifted their tails high, completely immersed in the show.

“That was beautiful… I feel all my exhaustion melting away.”

“My soul feels like it just took a bath. A gentle breeze brushing my cheeks…”

While the audience was engrossed in the music and the Minccino’s performance, the workers at the elevator were also energized by the melody, working with renewed vigor.

Then suddenly—sparks burst from the elevator!

Followed by erratic surges of electricity and creepy giggling. Not just one—a whole group!

“Whoa! What’s going on with the elevator?!”

The audience snapped out of their trance in shock—but the Ukulele’s tune continued to echo, rising in tempo as if to match the electric chaos.

Hikaru, immersed in his music, understood—this was just the beginning!

What followed would be even more spectacular—for both the music and the “electric ghosts” inside!

“Ahh! Things are flying!”

“The trash cans too!”

Chaos erupted as trash cans, crumpled papers, bottles of Fresh Water, Moomoo Milk, and Soda Pop all flew into the air like they had minds of their own—even the umbrella lady’s parasol and the businessman’s wig!

“My hair!”

The businessman clutched his bald scalp in despair as his toupee danced above. Beside him, a true bald guy in a jacket gave a sympathetic pat and a thumbs-up, his shiny head flashing with static.

“Min~ Min~ na~!”

Hikaru heard the Minccino’s thoughts and understood some of their moves!

As the elevator crackled with ghostly power, he heard hollow, lonely echoes.

[Echoes from the Spirit World attack you! You are immune to mental debuffs!]

[Your spiritual attunement resonates with the echoes of the Spirit World!]

Ghostly power had arrived! The Pokémon from the spirit realm revealed themselves!

Hikaru stood up from his seat. The Ukulele’s melody swelled into a stormy sea—like a ship tossed by waves, its rhythm rallying the Minccino to fight!

“Minccino! Use Foresight!”

Though they belonged to Shoko, the Minccino obeyed Hikaru’s command without hesitation. Holding paws, the four formed a “Minccino Wall,” their eight eyes shooting out radiant beams to expose their invisible foes!

Foresight! Reveals Ghost-type Pokémon and negates their evasion boosts!

Fwoosh fwoosh fwoosh fwoosh!

The beams lit up the path to the elevator, revealing the true forms of the flying ghosts and sparking energy!

Three strange Pokémon twitched in midair, their mischievous laughter freezing into shock the moment they were revealed—

Three Rotom!

“Mean Look!”

Black, soul-piercing glares locked the Rotom in place, preventing them from fleeing.

The Minccino’s gaze shifted from light to dark. The black beams hit the Rotom, freezing them like statues. They squealed in panic!

Minccino Death Stare!

“Sleeep~ Hypnosis!”

Hikaru gave the final command. Holding hands, the Minccino traced large circles with their paws, their eyes glowing hypnotically!

Minccino Hypnosis!

The Hypnosis hit all three Rotom. At that moment, the Ukulele melody reached its crescendo!

Hikaru drew three green Poké Balls.

[Item: Strange Ball!]

[Description: A Poké Ball altered by mysterious means. Doesn’t rely on standard Poké Ball tech. Though it behaves like a regular ball, its true effects remain a mystery.]

[Effect: Highly effective against Pokémon from other worlds! Seals off interdimensional powers!]

Crafted from three Released Orbs, these Strange Balls flew straight and true. With three thuds, they captured the sleeping Rotom without a single shake!

[Strange Ball effect activated!]

[Capture rate greatly increased for interdimensional Pokémon! Their otherworldly powers are sealed!]

In the games, Pokémon sent from older generations sometimes had their Balls converted into this design—effectively wiping old data clean. Strange Balls did the same—a complete data rewrite!

“Mimimi~na!”

As the three Poké Balls hit the ground, the music faded. The Minccino high-fived each other in celebration—stylish, powerful, and most importantly…

Fun!

Many Pokémon are simple at heart. As long as something’s fun, that’s what matters.

Hikaru picked up the Strange Balls. From the elevator came a shout:

“It’s fixed! Turns out those things were the cause! Were those… Pokémon? Never seen them before!”

The workers were elated. No more mystery breakdowns. No more wasted overtime.

Hikaru gave a polite bow, ending his “performance.” One person began clapping, then three, five, a dozen—soon dozens applauded!

The Minccino were swarmed with praise and pats. They lit up with joy.

“Miss Shoko, thank you for letting your Minccino help. They were amazing.”

“No, no! It was your music that did it! Thank you so much!”

Shoko sighed in relief. Her Minccino scampered back to her as she looked at the repaired elevator.

“Finally, I can go home.”

She lived past Village Bridge, located north of Marvelous Bridge. The performances were just her hobby and job. But without a flying Pokémon, she needed the elevator.

Though it was already midnight, people didn’t want to stay the night. Even if the workers swore the Rotom were captured, no one trusted the elevator.

The technical issue might be solved, but people’s hearts still carried doubt.

“Even if we rest, let’s do it on the other side!”

“Exactly! They probably feel the same way over there!”

Everyone crowded onto the elevator. Shoko thanked Hikaru once more before boarding. She had a new idea: next time, she’d perform to the Village Bridge musicians’ tunes!

Village Bridge was a famous Unova music spot—home to four musicians!

And… one tone-deaf girl under the bridge, whose singing was compared to howling ghosts.

Hikaru, meanwhile, stared at the three Strange Balls in his hands. The Rotom inside were sealed off—unable to access their powers. These were mystical artifacts—not subject to electronic tampering.

Electric ghosts, huh? No power, no problem.

(End of Chapter)

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep