Digital Pokemon - 51
--+--
Chapter 51: Heavy Ball
--+--
[Ding—]
[Slither Wing has learned a new move: First Impression.]
[Slither Wing has reached level 54!]
[As a result of Slither Wing’s growth, you have gained 1 Effort Value!]
[Warning!]
[The overlord of the lowest layer of Area Zero has awakened. From now on, random encounter events will be triggered. Please proceed with caution!]
Sera was carefully inserting Tumblestone into an Apricorn shell when the simulator’s sudden vibration startled her, nearly snapping the delicate stone filament in two.
The lowest-layer overlord?
The mention of an "overlord" immediately brought Walking Wake to mind.
Logically, Pokémon in the deeper layers were far stronger. If Slither Wing couldn't even defeat Walking Wake, it stood no chance against the master of the depths.
Although Sera wanted to let Slither Wing grow at its own pace, the system’s alert suggested that a confrontation was inevitable.
...I'll have to check the store for some escape items later.
Sera felt it was best to be prepared. For now, however, she checked the screen, confirmed that there were no other immediate issues, and returned to her work.
Inside the Apricorn shell, the red Tumblestone filaments formed a delicate web. Using her fingertips, Sera dabbed on some stone dust, coating the nearly invisible areas of the inner wall.
Under the light, the web glowed with a fire-like brilliance, flickering as if it were alive.
Sera gently closed the shell, lost in thought as she stared at the gray-white Poké Ball in her palm.
While the final assembly of the metal parts was still pending, the Heavy Ball was essentially complete. Yet, the final result felt slightly different from what she had imagined.
She weighed the ball in her hand, sensing a faint, radiating warmth on its surface.
This soft, tactile warmth was completely different from the balls made by Kurt. While those perfected Apricorn balls felt cold and metallic, Sera’s creation made it clear that this Heavy Ball was a true product of the fruit itself.
"...Is this the difference between one's heart and another's?" Sera whispered to herself, forming a guess.
In her understanding, crafting a high-quality Apricorn ball required pouring one's spirit into the work, resonating with the raw material to achieve a superior result.
Her temperament was different from her master's; the old craftsman was named Kurt, and his personality was as unyielding as the metal he worked with.
(T/N: The Chinese meaning of Kurt’s name is Steel.)
If that was the case, perhaps her own emotions were unexpectedly fervent?
"I'll try making another one next time to see."
Sera assembled the standard locking mechanism onto the Heavy Ball and pressed the button, finalizing the build. Now, all that remained was to find someone to help her test it.
--+--
Early the next morning, Blue met with Sera as promised and heard her request.
"Test this Heavy Ball for you?" Blue raised an eyebrow, looking a bit surprised.
To properly test a ball's performance, one needed a reliable Trainer. Since the premise of catching a Pokémon required it to be unaffiliated with any other ball, the process involved calming the Pokémon down between tests, making an experienced Trainer the obvious choice.
"Is this Heavy Ball a finished product you just made?"
"Yes."
Sera nodded, while Ryugu, standing beside her, offered some extra context.
"We put a massive amount of effort into making this Apricorn ball." Every time Ryugu thought about the days spent battling Scyther and the subsequent headache of a process, she couldn't help but voice her frustration.
After Ryugu’s account, Blue finally understood the process behind Sera’s creation.
"Waiting for the Apricorn to ripen, then harvesting and crafting it by hand..." Blue’s interest grew significantly. "Let me take a look at it."
Blue took the Heavy Ball from Sera’s hand. The moment it touched his palm, the intense heat radiating from the ball startled him.
But as he perceived it more closely, the heat rapidly receded, leaving behind only a lingering warmth. Just by holding it, he could tell this ball was truly unique.
What a peculiar Heavy Ball.
This wasn't his first time handling an Apricorn ball, which was exactly why he was so surprised. Simply making an Apricorn ball look special wasn't a big deal; many expert craftsmen could add decorative flair to satisfy a client's custom order.
These customized balls functioned much like the stickers popular in the Sinnoh region—adding light and shadow effects when a Pokémon was summoned—making them a favorite among Contest Trainers.
However, Blue felt that the ball in his hand was in a league far beyond those common trinkets. Yet, he couldn't quite put his finger on what made it so special.
"I see," Blue muttered, a sudden realization dawning on him. "In that case, it is certainly worth testing."
There were few people Blue truly admired, but he realized now that the girl before him was rightfully praised by his grandfather.
Light and shadow effects? That stuff is just superficial!
The realm Sera was chasing was clearly at a height he could barely comprehend. If this were the younger, more arrogant Blue, he might have felt unconvinced and challenged her to a contest of talent.
But the current Blue knew his own limits; being an amateur at crafting was no big deal—he wasn't gifted with psychic powers, either.
Rather than forcing himself, he’d much rather see what exactly made her work so special.
"Come on, let's head to the training grounds."
Blue led the girls toward the practice fields behind the Pokémon Center with an easy, swaggering gait. Since it was early and most Trainers hadn't woken up yet, he picked an empty field and pulled out a Poké Ball.
"Come on out, Rhyperior!"
A black Pokémon covered in orange, rock-like armor hit the field. The moment its massive frame landed, Sera felt the ground tremble beneath her feet.
"Rhy-perior!"
Standing nearly three meters tall and weighing over three hundred kilograms, Rhyperior’s appearance alone was proof of rigorous training.
When it roared, the sheer pressure made Ogerpon instinctively step in front of Sera.
"Pon!!!"
The little Ogerpon puffed up, waving its hands in alarm. It didn't fully understand the situation, but its protective instincts had kicked in.
Seeing Ogerpon’s reaction, Blue couldn't help but smile. "Not bad, you've got guts. But it's not your turn yet."
He walked over to his partner, patted its arm, and signaled for it to lower its intensity.
"Rhyperior, help me test the performance of this ball."
Blue placed the Heavy Ball right in front of Rhyperior.
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 52
--+--
Chapter 52: A Strange Heavy Ball
--+--
In games, a Pokémon stays with its Trainer forever once caught. In reality, however, the only reason a Pokémon chooses to follow a Trainer is their desire to grow stronger under that Trainer's guidance.
A Poké Ball is merely a symbol; what truly matters is the mutual bond and recognition shared between them.
If a Trainer fails to earn that recognition, even if they manage to defeat a Pokémon in the heat of the moment, the Pokémon will eventually break free from the ball once it recovers.
In other words, a Trainer and a Pokémon with a powerful, deep-seated bond don’t even need a Poké Ball at all.
Furthermore, Poké Balls are hardly indestructible tools. Although companies have pushed the limits of technology to ensure their quality, Trainers face countless dangers on the road.
The more experienced a Trainer becomes, the more often they find themselves needing to replace the Poké Balls their Pokémon reside in.
When Blue set the Heavy Ball down in front of Rhyperior, the Pokémon simply assumed it was time to change its living quarters again. It wasn't particularly thrilled, but it certainly wasn't the first time.
"Rhy-perior!"
Rhyperior nodded, its head-horn bobbing, and then glanced at the Heavy Ball in Blue’s hand.
Upon seeing it, the Pokémon stiffened in surprise.
"Rhy...?"
Why was this specific ball so... magnetic?
As if drawn by an irresistible pull, Rhyperior took a heavy, measured step forward and reached out to press its hand against the ball in Blue’s palm.
"Hm?"
Blue understood his partner better than anyone. Seeing Rhyperior’s reaction, he immediately realized that the Heavy Ball in his hand was something truly extraordinary.
One must understand that as the pinnacle of modern Trainer gear, Poké Balls possess the unique effect of containing and capturing Pokémon.
To them, the ball is a home—a place to rest and a way to stay close to their Trainer. Different types of balls have varying capture rates based on their specialized effects; for instance, the three common industrial standards—the Poké Ball, Great Ball, and Ultra Ball—all offer tiered levels of performance.
Typically, an Ultra Ball is the best choice for any Pokémon—it has no flaws other than its high price tag.
Aside from these mass-produced varieties, the Devon Corporation has developed specialized balls tailored for specific environments, making them more effective for certain species.
But even with his vast experience, this was the first time Blue had ever seen his Rhyperior act so impatient and eager.
"Come on in, Rhyperior!"
Without a moment’s hesitation, Blue tapped Rhyperior with the Heavy Ball. The Pokémon didn't resist in the slightest and was drawn directly inside.
When Rhyperior was tucked away, the greyish-white ball didn't even wobble; it clicked shut instantly. Blue fell into a contemplative silence.
—What an incredible capture rate!
Blue was a man of immense confidence, and most of his Pokémon had inherited that same trait, often viewing ordinary things with a sense of indifference.
Yet, this Heavy Ball had somehow completely captivated Rhyperior.
Blue even began to wonder if the balls he had been using for Rhyperior previously were simply not high-end enough. But Sera was still watching, and the test wasn't just about the capture—it was about how the Pokémon felt once released.
Click.
Blue immediately pressed the button. A flash of red light erupted, and Rhyperior reappeared on the field.
"Rhy-perior!"
The moment it emerged, Rhyperior threw its arms up, roaring with vitality.
"How is it, Rhyperior?" Blue asked with genuine concern. "Is that Heavy Ball comfortable to stay in?"
"Rhy-perior—!"
It felt absolutely fantastic!
Rhyperior’s cry was brimming with energy. Whether it was just his imagination or not, Blue felt as if he could truly sense the Pokémon's mood.
—Wait, this definitely isn't my imagination.
As a top-tier Trainer, Blue couldn't dismiss his own instincts. This meant that after switching to this new Heavy Ball, the connection between him and Rhyperior had grown significantly deeper.
When the realization hit him, Blue was even more shocked than before.
This... this type of Apricorn Ball was leagues beyond the boundaries of what a normal Poké Ball should be. Even if it looked like a standard Heavy Ball, could it even be called one anymore?
Blue kept his questions to himself and asked Rhyperior a few more follow-up inquiries.
Yet, compared to before, Rhyperior hadn't changed much—it was simply much happier after entering the new ball, and it kept projecting that feeling of joy directly to Blue.
"Mr. Blue, what do you think of this Heavy Ball?" Sera asked.
"What do I think..."
Blue gripped the ball tightly, suddenly feeling reluctant to let it go. "This is truly the most perfect Apricorn Ball I have ever seen."
Sera looked surprised at his assessment. "Is it really that good?"
"No, how should I put it..." Blue paused, remembering that Sera was not a Trainer.
Though she wasn't a Trainer, she possessed the skill to craft a perfect Apricorn Ball that would make any Trainer salivate with envy. Blue couldn't help but admire her again—she was truly a genius-level artisan.
However, since he had accepted her request for a test, he needed to make her understand why this ball was so special. He thought for a moment, organizing his words.
"Sera, are you familiar with Mega Evolution?"
Sera, of course, knew what Mega Evolution was, but she kept her persona in mind—as an artisan, she shouldn't know anything about Trainer-related affairs. The young girl shook her head.
"Mega Evolution is a special evolutionary phenomenon discovered by the academic community in the last few years," Blue explained, not doubting her for a second.
"It transcends all current boundaries of evolution, allowing Pokémon to unlock their hidden potential and manifest abilities they could never attain through normal evolution."
"However, Mega Evolution places an immense burden on the Pokémon. During the process of drawing out that latent power, the drastic physical changes can cause a Pokémon to lose consciousness, and there have even been cases of them going on a rampage."
"To overcome these side effects, the best method currently recognized by the academic world is to deepen the bond between the Trainer and their Pokémon."
There were fewer than a hundred Trainers in the entire world who had mastered Mega Evolution. Once a Trainer could wield it, they were essentially stepping into the absolute highest tier of the craft.
Blue was one of those few; not only had he mastered the power, but he also had several Pokémon in his team capable of it.
It was precisely because of this experience that Blue could immediately grasp the miraculous effect Sera’s creation had achieved.
"Your Apricorn Ball," Blue said, gesturing with his hands, "has actually enhanced the bond between me and Rhyperior."
He looked at the ball, still in disbelief. "This is the first time I've ever seen a Poké Ball that lets a Trainer directly experience their Pokémon's inner emotions. To be honest, I still can't believe it—it’s just a Poké Ball, yet it can do something to this extent..."
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 53
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Chapter 53: Sera's Request
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My Apricorn Ball allowed Blue to feel Rhyperior's emotions?
Hearing Blue's words, Sera fell into deep thought. She was busy dissecting the principle behind it. Although she had crafted a vast number of Poke Balls with her own hands, Sera had yet to actually catch a single Pokemon herself.
Most of the balls she had made in the past didn't possess the special effect Blue described—after all, they had all been sold off, and this was the first time she had even heard of such a thing.
Was it just this specific Heavy Ball that was special?
A flurry of guesses rushed through her mind, but she lacked a large enough sample size to confirm her theories.
"Mr. Blue, would you like to keep this Heavy Ball?" Sera pushed her thoughts aside, looking up to ask. "Since you traveled all the way from the Kanto region and helped us handle the aftermath of that poacher squad, if you don't mind, please take this experimental Heavy Ball as a gift."
"Oh?"
Blue tossed the Heavy Ball into the air. As it landed back in his palm, he flashed a cheeky, playful grin.
"That's quite a generous offer, but I'm going to have to decline your gift."
"…?"
Blue's refusal left Sera thoroughly confused. Even Ogerpon, standing nearby, tilted her head in imitation, staring at Blue, waiting to see how he would explain rejecting such an offer.
"How could I possibly accept a gift from a junior?"
Sera reached out and took the Heavy Ball back from him.
"I really do want this Heavy Ball, but taking it for free won't do. Give me a request—let me earn this ball the way a Trainer should."
Sera habitually downplayed her own work; though she had poured a lot of heart and effort into this specific Heavy Ball, she figured that with her newfound experience, it would be much easier to replicate it if she made another one.
To Blue, however, the value of the Heavy Ball was far too high to be accepted as a casual gift. Since he genuinely wanted it, he opted for a compromise.
"This is an official request being taken on by me, Blue!"
He pointed his thumb at his chest, his face beaming with confidence.
"Go ahead, give me a high-difficulty request—the kind you wouldn't even dare to dream of! Let me handle the trouble for you!"
What a bold claim!
But Blue's confidence wasn't unearned. Sera knew well the capabilities of the young man with brown hair.
Even without the "protagonist halo" of the main characters seen in each game generation, Blue’s overall level was undeniably at the Champion tier.
If one were to compare it to game levels, his team of Pokemon would likely be around level 80, far exceeding Ogerpon, who was still locked at level 15.
Since that was the case, what should she ask of him?
Sera cycled through many ideas, but after a moment of deliberation, she discarded the first one that came to mind.
...It's impossible for Blue to head to Area Zero in Paldea right now.
While Blue's strength was certainly enough to explore Area Zero, the official Paldean League would likely never approve such a request.
To investigate the internal depths of Area Zero, talent wasn't enough; one needed a robust network of connections. Personally, Sera didn't want to drag Blue into danger just for the sake of a single Heavy Ball.
Since her most troublesome issue couldn't be offloaded to Blue, she thought for a while longer, and a new inspiration sprouted in her mind.
"In that case, I would like to ask you to bring me an item." Sera took a deep breath. "—I want the Terastal crystals from the Paldea region."
Sera had studied the Teal Mask held by Ogerpon. The mask itself was just an ordinary wooden structure; the only unique thing about it was the crystal ornamentation.
Having witnessed Ogerpon use the mask to Terastallize, Sera was certain those crystal gems were, in fact, the Terastal crystals native to Paldea.
Though she didn't know why a product of Paldea had appeared in Kitakami, she just needed the crystals, and she could try to restore the masks.
"Terastal crystals, huh?"
Sera’s request caught Blue by surprise. It wasn't that the task was too difficult—even though the Paldean League regulated the crystals, Blue figured he had enough pull to trade for the necessary materials.
The question was, why would Sera want them?
Ever the blunt and direct type, Blue asked exactly that.
"Explaining the whole thing is a bit complicated."
Although Sera had intended to consult with Blue eventually to help draft a reasonable cover story for Ogerpon, she now had a better idea.
"I think it would be more appropriate for Ogerpon to demonstrate it directly."
"Oh?"
"Pon?"
Ogerpon, nudged forward by Sera, let out a sound, drawing Blue's gaze. The star of today's meeting was supposed to be Ogerpon anyway; the topic had only shifted because Sera had pulled out the Heavy Ball.
Now, refocusing his attention, Blue became serious.
"Her name is Ogerpon. Did you name her?"
"You could say that." Sera nodded, then turned to the Pokemon. "Ogerpon, could you bring out your mask?"
"Pon!"
Ogerpon reached into her chest pouch without hesitation and produced the Teal Mask. Blue was instantly captivated by the exquisitely crafted "laughing" mask.
"As you can see, Mr. Blue, Ogerpon possesses a miraculous ability. She can release energy to battle based on the emotions of the mask and its Terastal crystal decorations." The girl spoke slowly. "I am no scholar, so I cannot explain the mechanics behind it, but for various reasons, Ogerpon originally held four masks, and now only one remains."
"I want to complete the set for her, so obtaining the Terastal crystals is my highest priority."
"Huh..." Blue let out a sound of ambiguous wonder. "I won't ask any unnecessary questions for now, but the information you've shared has certainly piqued my interest."
From the moment he met Sera, Blue had been receiving nothing but surprises, which pleased him immensely.
"A Pokemon that can exert battle power based on the mask's emotions and Terastal crystals—how interesting. Even the Paldea region doesn't have a Pokemon with such affinity for Terastallization, right?"
"Since you’ve shared this with me, I assume you have a plan for how to show it off?"
"Yes."
To prove her words were true, the method was simple. Sera turned her head to look at the blue-haired girl who had been watching the scene unfold from the sidelines.
"Ryugu." Sera spoke directly. "You battle Ogerpon."
"...Huh?"
Suddenly called upon, Ryugu blinked in a daze, then turned her gaze toward Ogerpon, who was holding the Teal Mask.
Me, battling her?
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 54
--+--
Chapter 54: Battle! Trainer Ryugu!
--+--
Ryugu’s impression of Ogerpon was still mostly defined by their first meeting—the sight of her appearing with a strange mask and a giant club.
Back then, Ogerpon had truly given Ryugu a fright, and even in their subsequent meetings, she had remained somewhat wary of her.
Although Ryugu now clearly understood that Ogerpon wasn’t some cruel or savage Pokémon—that she was merely a Pokémon who enjoyed trailing after Sera and possessed a somewhat naive temperament—she realized this moment was perfect.
The best way to overcome fear is to face it head-on!
That’s right!
What kind of trainer would shy away from a challenge? Besides, she came from the Dragon’s Den; she was a genius trainer destined to become a Dragon-type Master!
“Alright, let’s battle!”
Sera watched as Ryugu suddenly exuded an intense fighting spirit, wondering what kind of short circuit had just occurred in the girl’s brain.
However, this wasn’t the first time she’d seen Ryugu act impulsively. Since she was so enthusiastic, Sera decided it was time to dive straight into the main event.
“Go, Ogerpon!”
“Puni!”
Ogerpon donned her mask.
Across the field, Ryugu reached for her Poké Ball. “I’m going to use Dratini. That’s alright, right?”
“Feel free.”
Dratini was, without a doubt, Ryugu’s proudest partner.
Her opponent would be giving it their all, and yet, because of her own status, Sera couldn’t really give any direct commands.
For Sera, this was essentially her first time participating in something resembling a trainer-to-trainer duel, and she couldn't help but feel a bit anxious. She worried that if Ogerpon lost, she might feel dejected.
Thinking of this, Sera patted Ogerpon’s head to encourage her. “It doesn’t matter if you don’t win; just do your best to show me your power.”
Ogerpon didn't respond to the caress; she simply leaned forward slightly, falling into a defensive, ready-to-fight stance.
--+--
For the past few days, Ogerpon had been indulging herself in Sera’s company, soaking in the overwhelming happiness that bloomed in her heart whenever she was with the young girl.
Ever since they first met, Ogerpon had felt that her life had reached a state of bliss. There had never been a moment more perfect than this.
But precisely because of that, Ogerpon kept wanting to do something for Sera.
Yet, no matter how much she clung to Sera or called out to her, Sera would always just smile, pat her head, and tell her that it was enough to just watch over her.
Those days were happy, but if it continued like this, Ogerpon felt like something was amiss.
Just then, Ryugu raised her Poké Ball at Ogerpon. She threw the ball and summoned her Dratini.
—Ogerpon finally realized where the strange feeling had been coming from.
Whether it was Ryugu or the others they had met along the way, the Pokémon by their sides always stayed inside those little spheres.
Sera hadn’t given her a ball!
Ogerpon felt a pang of grievance. She wondered if there was something she wasn't doing well enough. She recalled how these people would call their Pokémon out of their balls to battle.
Battle!
“Pon!”
Ogerpon grasped the truth.
Yes, that must be it! They all made their Pokémon fight, but since Sera met her, she had only been pampering her.
She must think I’m not strong enough!
A surge of intense emotion welled up within Ogerpon, and the Teal Mask on her face began to emit a brilliant, colorful radiance.
“Oh! Is that the power of Ogerpon’s mask?”
Ryugu didn’t fully understand, but she couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. It was her first time seeing Ogerpon unleash the full power of the mask.
Watching her opponent prepare, Sera nodded from the sidelines, signaling that the battle could begin.
“Start!” Ryugu swung her arm down.
“Dratini, Agili...”
For the sake of caution, she figured she would start by boosting her speed.
Before she could even finish her sentence, as the thought raced through her mind, Ryugu suddenly felt a blur before her eyes.
—She had vanished!
Ogerpon, who had been standing a dozen meters away, had turned into a fleeting shadow, leaving nothing but a cloud of dust on the ground.
Ryugu scrambled to find her, but Blue, who was watching from the sidelines, narrowed his eyes.
He had seen it clearly. In that very instant, Ogerpon had kicked off the ground and surged toward Dratini with explosive force.
“...What incredible speed!”
Even through the lens of a rookie-level trainer, Blue gave her a glowing evaluation.
As Ogerpon’s figure reappeared, Sera felt a faint vibration in her palm.
Ding—
She lowered her head slightly to see the simulator interface pop up, displaying a new notification.
[Ogerpon has remembered the move: Double Kick!]
The long-frozen leveling progression had suddenly offered a hint.
Ryugu finally located her target, but it was too late. Ogerpon had already raised her leg high.
The tip of her left foot connected with Dratini, the massive force bundled within her small frame kicking the Dratini straight into the air.
“Dra...”
Dratini hadn't even finished its cry of pain before Ogerpon’s right-footed kick followed through.
Bang!
The second hit of the Double Kick struck Dratini mid-body. The Pokémon swallowed its cry and was forced crashing back down to the ground under the weight of the blow.
Unlike the disheveled Dratini, Ogerpon landed gracefully and immediately resumed her offensive stance.
She didn't need any instructions. With a flick of her sleeves, two elegant vines wrapped in thorns shot out, lashing toward the still-fallen Dratini.
“Dratini, Dragon Tail!”
Ryugu only caught sight of her target just as Ogerpon had landed, but the second wave of attacks followed so swiftly that the girl’s expression shifted, and she shouted the command in a panic.
Though a bit rattled, Dratini managed to follow the command. Purple-blue energy gathered at the tip of its tail, and amidst the swirling air currents, it violently whipped its tail, colliding with the incoming vines.
This brief, tangled struggle lasted only a few seconds.
Fast, too fast!
If Dratini hadn't succeeded in repelling the vines and remained in good shape after getting up, Ryugu might have almost thought she was battling a seasoned Gym Leader.
“Are you kidding me...”
Ryugu gritted her teeth, muttering to herself.
“How could she be this strong...”
Such a fierce battle had not been in Ryugu’s expectations. She felt the cold sweat soaking her back; the pressure was immense.
But the battle wasn't over yet.
Failing to take down Dratini after two consecutive waves of attacks made Ogerpon very unhappy.
“Pon, Poni-o!!!”
If speed didn't work...
Ogerpon reached into her robes, and when she pulled her hand back out, a large, thorn-wrapped club appeared before Ryugu’s eyes.
The blue-haired girl’s expression changed drastically.
“Pon!!!”
“...Extreme Speed!”
Ryugu’s order rang out at the same time as the muffled roar from beneath Ogerpon’s mask.
On the field, both Pokémon lunged toward each other, but the moment Dratini’s form solidified, Ogerpon’s attack struck its head.
—Ivy Cudgel, a direct hit!
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 55
--+--
Chapter 55: Simply Just Ogerpon
--+--
Seeing the Dratini slammed to the ground by an Ivy Cudgel, Blue immediately declared the battle over.
"Battles between Pokemon shouldn't be forced. Dratini’s stamina is nearly depleted; you should take her to see Nurse Joy and get her recovered first."
Ryugu was visibly dejected after losing to Ogerpon. To help her relax, Blue offered her a graceful way out.
"...Yeah."
The girl sniffled, answering in a muffled voice. Once Ryugu recalled her Dratini and turned to walk out of the battlefield, Sera finally approached, cradling Ogerpon in her arms.
"Pon-pon!"
Victorious, Ogerpon had leaped into Sera’s arms the moment the battle ended, actively demanding a celebratory hug.
Though carrying the several-kilogram Ogerpon was a bit of a struggle, since Ogerpon had worked so hard, Sera certainly couldn't be outdone.
Blue watched the young girl’s awkward posture with a faint look of amusement.
"That was a good battle."
Battles between trainers always have winners and losers. Given Blue’s personality, he wouldn't usually go out of his way to comfort the losing side.
However, as a former Kanto Champion, he had worked alongside the current Champion, Lance—and even if their relationship was complicated, they were still former colleagues.
The few words Blue had just offered Ryugu were a rare kindness to a junior; the rest would depend on whether she could shake off the frustration of defeat on her own.
"Ogerpon, is it?"
Blue took another good look at the Pokemon leaning against the girl. Ogerpon’s performance in the battle had been truly impressive.
Unlike Dratini, who had been under Ryugu’s direct commands, Sera had allowed Ogerpon to battle on her own. Even so, Ogerpon had reacted and attacked with incredible speed. Her agile footwork and kicking strikes were enough to earn even Blue's praise.
"A Pokemon with great potential! If you continue to raise her well, she might one day be able to go head-to-head with my own Pokemon!"
Even within the same species, depending on personality and capability, trainers always categorize Pokemon as being suited or unsuited for battle.
Ogerpon was, without a doubt, of the type best suited for it.
"Though, you really wouldn't guess it just by looking at her."
Blue watched as Ogerpon took off her mask, his interest growing.
"A Pokemon that uses masks to battle, and the material for the mask is Paldean Terastal crystals... this is truly an unprecedented discovery."
"So, Mr. Blue, are you willing to accept the commission?"
Even without the Heavy Ball, exploring the possibilities surrounding Ogerpon would have been enough to pique Blue’s interest, but if he could get a little reward for it, that was all the better.
"Of course. It’s been a long time since I’ve been out and about as a trainer."
Blue curled the corner of his lip and extended a hand toward Sera.
"You can give me the Heavy Ball now."
"This commission... I, Blue, accept it!"
By using a special Heavy Ball as payment, he would gain access to the Paldean Terastal crystals. As Sera placed the Heavy Ball back into Blue’s hand, both parties were more than satisfied with the result.
Next came the official business of recording Ogerpon’s Pokedex entry, but before that, Sera needed to tell Blue about Ogerpon’s past.
As they talked, Blue’s brow furrowed. The legend of the Ogre of Kitakami, the Loyal Three who guarded the village, and the current state of Kitakami...
"Are you saying Ogerpon is a Legendary Pokemon?"
Blue had obtained information he hadn't expected.
"I only said it was a possibility," Sera corrected. "This is all information I gathered after my own investigation. As for Ogerpon’s true identity, that is something for you to discern, Mr. Blue."
She paused, then added firmly, "However, regardless of what the final truth is, I will never let Ogerpon be wronged."
Whether it was the false legends of Kitakami or the cold, hard history, both accounts mentioned the Loyal Three stealing Ogerpon’s masks.
Sera and Blue didn't know the full truth, but they had arrived at the same conclusion: ancient history is often distorted, and whether Ogerpon was truly the "ogre" of legend was highly debatable.
Personally, Blue was inclined to believe her. And that was exactly why he found it so troublesome. Looking at the Teal Mask resting beside Ogerpon, his casual expression turned serious.
"...It might be a hassle, but are you sure you don't want me to help you get those masks back?"
"Please, don't do anything unnecessary."
Sera held Ogerpon close, looking at Blue quietly. Despite her calm tone, Blue could hear the sincerity in her voice.
"I only told you about Ogerpon’s possible identity so you could understand her more fully. But if I had to choose, I would never want Ogerpon to be the ogre from the Kitakami legends."
Hearing this, Blue fully understood Sera’s intention. She was trying to make a clean break between Ogerpon and the village of Kitakami.
The masks were gone, so she would just make new ones; that was why she had offered him the commission.
If Ogerpon were to get tied up with the old masks left behind in Kitakami, it would only be forcing her back into the painful memories of her past.
What was the best choice for Ogerpon? Watching the Pokemon smiling beside the girl, Blue found the answer within himself.
"Fine... I get it."
Blue rubbed his temples. A moment later, his confident, everyday smile returned.
The legends of Kitakami were tied to the region's tourism; the pressure required to uncover the truth of it all was far too much for a young girl like Sera to shoulder.
"It sounds like a giant pain, but to resolve a mess like this, it looks like it’s going to take me, Blue, to get the job done!"
Blue stood up. The brown-haired man stood with his back to the sun, delivering a warning to the girl:
"However, whatever truth is uncovered from here on out, it has nothing to do with you."
"The Pokemon at your side is only named Ogerpon because you gave her that name. All other information will be filled in by me, Blue."
"Sera, do you understand?"
Hearing such a clumsy, roundabout declaration, Sera couldn't help but smile.
"Of course. I’m just an artisan in training."
"A trainer’s business and a researcher’s business—neither have anything to do with me."
The two confirmed their silent pact and shared a laugh. Caught in the middle, Ogerpon didn't know why everyone was suddenly laughing, but she decided to join in anyway.
"Pon-pon!"
Despite the small surprises along the way, Sera was finally certain: no one would ever be able to take Ogerpon from her side, and she would be the one to protect her.
To heck with all those ogre legends.
The Ogerpon that Sera knew would, from now on, forever be simply and only Ogerpon.
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 56
--+--
Chapter 56: Traveling with Ogerpon
--+--
The next day, as soon as Sera got out of bed, she found Ryugu blocking her doorway.
"Good morning!"
The blue-haired girl announced loudly.
Sera wasn’t sure what had gotten into her, but to avoid the curious stares of others, she had no choice but to let Ryugu into the room.
"Where's Ogerpon?"
"Still sleeping. It's not her wake-up time yet."
"I see."
Ryugu’s expression looked a bit regretful.
"I wanted to say goodbye to her before I left. If she's not up, I guess it can't be helped."
Based on the escort commission Sera had posted, Ryugu had effectively completed her mission as soon as they returned to Goldenrod City.
Therefore, there was no reason for Ryugu to stay any longer; she needed to continue her journey of challenging Gyms.
"Hmph, next time we meet, I’ll make sure you’re all impressed!"
"Yeah, go for it."
Sera let out a yawn.
Although slightly annoyed by Sera’s casual attitude, Ryugu—who had suffered a crushing defeat just yesterday—swallowed her pride and changed the subject.
"Speaking of which, where did Blue go?"
Sera had returned to the Pokémon Center alone yesterday, and Ryugu hadn't seen Blue even by dinnertime.
"Mr. Blue said he needed to get back to work."
Having accepted Sera’s request and taken on the task of investigating the truth behind the legends of Kitakami, Blue was currently busier than ever. He had to find excuses to email the Paldea League to request Terastal crystals, and he also needed to fabricate reasons for his trip to Kitakami.
Unlike the International Police, who often changed their identities to cover their tracks, Blue was always upfront.
If he wanted to go to Kitakami, he would go in broad daylight so that everyone would know the truth was uncovered by him when the time came.
Sera envied Blue’s confidence, but she lacked both the strength of a Champion-level Trainer and the backing of Professor Oak. So, she would simply stick to her craftsmanship training and leave the troublesome business to Blue.
"Even Blue has left, then."
After hearing Sera’s brief explanation, Ryugu looked disappointed. "I thought I might get a few more pointers from him."
"If you have questions, why not just ask your boss or the leader of your group?"
"Ugh, you wouldn't understand, you're not even a Trainer!" Ryugu pouted.
As the conversation wound down, Ryugu hesitated for a moment before bringing up the main reason she had visited so early.
"Sera!"
"Hmm?"
"Next time we meet, I’m going to challenge you again!" The girl’s expression was incredibly serious. "I’ll be fully prepared by then. I even caught that Scyther, so make sure you don't turn me down!"
She caught the Scyther?
Sera was surprised. She had assumed that Ryugu, who was determined to become a Dragon-type Master, would have gone through a lot of internal struggle before accepting that Scyther.
She didn't expect that in just one day, Ryugu would have made up her mind.
Come to think of it, didn't the Bug/Flying-type Scyther have a massive type advantage over the Grass-type Ogerpon? Sera felt like she might have found the reason.
"Sure." Suppressing a smirk, Sera just nodded. "A Trainer battle? That sounds pretty interesting."
"You aren't even a Trainer."
"Not yet, anyway."
Sera smiled as she watched Ryugu’s expression gradually turn to astonishment. "...Being a Trainer doesn't sound that bad; it might be fun to try out sometime."
"It's not as simple as you think!" Ryugu reflexively retorted. But after thinking about it, she remembered she was the one who had once suggested that Sera become a Trainer.
"Then it's a deal!" The girl’s fighting spirit suddenly blazed up. "Next time, let's have a real Trainer battle!"
Compared to just battling Ogerpon, if Sera could become a Trainer... what would that look like? Although she had just lost to Ogerpon, if they battled again, the result might not be the same! A mature Trainer should have that kind of resolve.
Just thinking about the future made Ryugu feel like she was on fire.
"See you later, then!"
"Bye-bye."
Sera saw Ryugu off. Their short, initial journey had finally come to an end. Although there had been a few twists and turns, the result was quite satisfying to Sera.
Not only had the mystery of Ogerpon's background been largely resolved, but when Sera looked at the table in the center of the room, she saw it.
A unique green-and-white Poké Ball lay there, inlaid with four water-drop-shaped red Tumblestones, with a golden bead embedded at the top.
"Pon..."
Ogerpon’s sleepy voice came from behind her. Sera reached out to pick up the ball and turned to look at her.
"Ogerpon."
"Pon?"
Sera lifted her hand, showing her the Poké Ball resting in her palm. Time seemed to stand still in that moment.
"I spent all night making this Friend Ball..."
Sera, who was usually silver-tongued, didn't know what to say, so she just explained it clumsily. "It might have a few flaws, and it's not exactly perfect. But... if you don't mind..."
"Pon-oh!"
Before Sera could even finish her sentence, a gentle pressure on her hand brought her back to reality.
Right in front of her, Ogerpon pressed her hand against the Friend Ball, her star-shaped eyes crinkling with overflowing, blissful laughter.
In that moment, light flashed. Sera watched, stunned, as Ogerpon was drawn into the Friend Ball. She felt that emotion Blue had spoken of—a sense of blissful, overwhelming happiness that exceeded all else.
...Yes.
There was no need for a moment's hesitation. Ogerpon had already decided long ago that she wanted to stay by this girl's side forever.
She never cared for the "perfection" that Sera was worried about; she was simply waiting for the girl to reach out.
Sera raised the Poké Ball, and Ogerpon had responded.
Click!
The Friend Ball opened again, and Ogerpon emerged from the light, landing in front of Sera. Everything seemed the same as before.
But for Sera, she truly felt that she had changed.
"...And that's a successful capture." Sera smiled. "I’ve caught you in this ball. This time, it’s for real—we’ll be together from now on."
"Pon!"
This was the perfect outcome that Sera had hoped for, and the one Ogerpon had been waiting for. Feeling a new kind of joy blooming deep in her heart—one that didn't just come from Ogerpon—the smile on the girl's face grew even brighter.
"Then, it’s time to head out again."
Sera stroked Ogerpon’s head, feeling a surge of determination. "Time to keep moving, keep training, and get to work on the missing masks for you."
"Pon, pon!"
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 57
--+--
Chapter 57: Great Tusk
--+--
"The Ecruteak Festival is just around the corner, and the city is bustling with a never-ending stream of tourists."
Sera walked along the street, holding her phone in one hand while scrolling through news updates. Beside her, Ogerpon looked left and right, her eyes wide with curiosity at everything she saw.
"Gym Leader Morty has accepted an interview, stating that he is looking forward to this year's festival performances."
Performances, huh?
The young girl’s heart skipped a beat.
Sera’s most profound memory was playing video games as a child; with rain pattering against the windowpane, she would lose herself in adventures while the world outside turned grey. And the games she played back then were precisely the second generation of Pokémon: Gold and Silver.
Because of this, Sera held a special place in her heart for the Johto region, and she was particularly fond of its Legendary Pokémon.
Unlike the newer generations, the Legendaries of the original era were practically synonymous with myth and folklore. Their very existence had sculpted the history of the Pokémon world.
The Rainbow Pokémon, Ho-Oh.
The Guardian of the Seas, Lugia.
Though Sera had seen them countless times in the games, in reality, people couldn’t even give a definitive answer as to whether they truly existed.
Most Legendary Pokémon were like that—elusive, seen only in fleeting glimpses, if at all.
Ho-Oh and Lugia were considered well-known, after all, only 150 years had passed since the Burned Tower incident where they had lost faith in humanity.
As for now...
Ho-Oh was likely soaring through the skies somewhere across the globe, while Lugia spent its time slumbering in the ocean trenches of the Whirl Islands. According to the game's lore, the Ecruteak Dance Theater supposedly housed items capable of summoning these two legends.
Sera’s thoughts drifted aimlessly.
"Pon-pon?"
Ogerpon nudged Sera’s side. Somewhere along the way, she had acquired a candied apple. Sera turned to see an elderly stall vendor waving at her with a kind smile.
"You really..."
Sera sighed helplessly. She offered the vendor a polite bow of gratitude before reaching out to take Ogerpon's free hand.
"Don't just go around accepting gifts from strangers, okay?"
"Pon?"
"At the very least, you have to pay for them."
"Pon-pon!"
Sera had only just arrived in Ecruteak City and was still weighing her options. Judging by the news, the city would be incredibly lively over the next few days, and most of the landmarks were worth a visit.
However, she had to keep Ogerpon in mind.
Her curious little companion couldn't stay still for long, and walking through the streets with a Pokémon that had never been seen by the public eye would surely attract a lot of unwanted attention.
"Hmm... well, let's check into a hotel first."
Sera made up her mind. Since Blue had promised to have the Tera crystals ready within a week, she would need to stay in Ecruteak for at least that long to ensure she received the delivery promptly.
Plus, she still had to receive the shipment of Apricorns she had promised to Bugsy for his custom ball orders.
Since she had to stay, she might as well get settled and complete today’s objectives for her Electronic Pokémon Raising System.
"Pon-pon!"
Ogerpon raised her candied apple high, fully endorsing the plan!
--+--
Area Zero, The Bottom Layer.
"Puni."
Slither Wing opened its eyes.
A flash of inspiration had just struck. As Slither Wing stood up from the ground, Flutter Mane, who had been drifting lazily in mid-air, drifted down to follow.
Flutter Mane was already accustomed to Slither Wing’s sudden bouts of inspiration.
Although Slither Wing usually ended up lying back down to stare blankly into space after these fits of energy, the occasional bursts of activity provided quite a bit of entertainment for Flutter Mane.
As they were near the top of the food chain in the bottom layer, no other Pokémon dared to provoke them. But without a goal, Flutter Mane would inevitably grow bored.
"Habu?"
What are we doing today?
"Puni!"
Slither Wing shook its body, giving an answer without a moment's hesitation.
Today, we try moving upward!
Slither Wing felt a powerful impulse in its mind—a drive to rush from the bottom layer's spiral slopes back toward the lower-middle levels.
That was it.
It had mastered new abilities and had become much stronger than before. If it pushed itself, it might actually succeed.
As for why it wanted to go back to the lower levels, or what it planned to do once it got there, Slither Wing couldn't be bothered to think that far ahead.
"Habu..."
Moving upward, huh...
Flutter Mane nodded slightly.
As expected, it never knew what was going on in that head of its head. Flutter Mane could never fully understand Slither Wing. Still, having a goal was enough.
"Habu!"
Then let's get moving!
Flutter Mane urged Slither Wing forward.
--+--
[Slither Wing is brimming with motivation!]
When Sera started controlling Slither Wing, a prompt popped up on the screen, causing her to raise an eyebrow.
Off to a good start today, I see.
With the motivation boost, Slither Wing’s various stats received a hidden increase. Sera saw this as a positive sign. She couldn’t keep Slither Wing stuck at the bottom forever.
While it was barely surviving there with Flutter Mane as a partner, the lack of a stable training environment made it impossible for Sera to farm Effort Values consistently.
The system, which drove the raising process, had even recommended a quest to climb out of the bottom layer.
Go, go, go!
Over the last few days, Sera had witnessed all sorts of Pokémon living in the depths through Slither Wing’s eyes. As far as she could tell, Slither Wing was now fully capable of overcoming them.
[Slither Wing encountered an Espathra!]
[Slither Wing used First Impression!]
[Slither Wing defeated Espathra!]
Easy as that.
Having mastered First Impression—a move with a priority of +2—Slither Wing could fully utilize its superior attack power.
[Slither Wing encountered a Dudunsparce!]
[Slither Wing used First Impression!]
[Flutter Mane used Dazzling Gleam!]
[The team defeated Dudunsparce!]
Sera maneuvered Slither Wing and Flutter Mane through the 2D map with unstoppable momentum. Even on the rare occasion that Slither Wing couldn't secure a one-hit knockout, Flutter Mane was there to clean up, fully exploiting the advantages of their two-on-one squad.
Having Flutter Mane as a partner had drastically improved Sera’s gaming experience.
"What an incredibly strong Pokémon," the girl couldn't help but exclaim.
A Ghost and Fairy-type dual-attribute Pokémon, which was basically an ancient form of Misdreavus.
Sera guessed that in the new generation of games that would release after her transmigration, Flutter Mane would likely become one of the most popular Pokémon.
Considering the unique nature of Paradox Pokémon, it might even carve out a place for itself in the competitive scene. Sera didn't know much about competitive battling and wouldn't make any promises, but for now, Flutter Mane was clearly far more reliable than Slither Wing.
As her thoughts wandered, Sera suddenly felt the simulator vibrate in her hand.
On the screen, a different kind of Pokémon appeared—one with an extraordinary presence, emitting what looked like a unique aura effect.
[Slither Wing encountered a Great Tusk!]
[Great Tusk is initiating an attack on Slither Wing!]
[Great Tusk used Earthquake!]
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 58
--+--
Chapter 58: Guardian of the Paradise, Koraidon
--+--
Great Tusk.
The name flashed through Sera’s mind as she recalled the data she had gathered. According to some questionable magazines circulating on the web, Great Tusk was believed to be a dinosaur that had survived from ancient times, bearing a striking resemblance to Donphan.
More than that, the Scarlet Book also contained records of an unknown monster suspected to be this very creature, referring to it as the "Great Tusk."
—It certainly lived up to the name.
Sera observed the Great Tusk on her screen. Those massive tusks were impossible to ignore; just looking at them was enough to feel their raw, aggressive power.
"A Ground and Fighting-type Pokémon, huh..."
With that typing, a Bug-type move like First Impression would only do half its usual damage. On the other hand, Fairy-type moves would hit it for double damage.
[Flutter Mane launches a counterattack, using Dazzling Gleam!]
As expected of Flutter Mane—its reflexes were top-notch.
Even in its pixelated form, the ancient Donphan relative loomed large over the landscape. It leaped high, and the map itself seemed to shudder when it landed on the slope.
Just as Slither Wing had been left momentarily paralyzed by the previous earthquake—a penalty that forced it to skip a turn—Flutter Mane had seized the initiative to strike back.
A blinding burst of pink light slammed into Great Tusk, forcing the behemoth to stumble back a few steps.
[Great Tusk is enraged!]
It took a super-effective Dazzling Gleam and was still standing? That was the caliber of an Ancient Paradox Pokémon for you.
Sera tapped the buttons, attempting to have Slither Wing ram into the Great Tusk, hoping to trigger a recruitment prompt.
Unfortunately, this particular Great Tusk didn't seem interested in friendly overtures. Even among ancient Pokémon, temperaments varied wildly.
The Scream Tail she had encountered earlier and this Great Tusk fit the descriptions in those dubious magazines perfectly: they were vicious, aggressive, and ready to fight the moment they locked eyes with an intruder.
While Slither Wing and Flutter Mane had their own tendencies, Slither Wing only sought combat when guided by Sera’s training, and Flutter Mane was more of a prankster who looked down on senseless violence.
[Great Tusk uses Earthquake again!]
In the brief moment Sera spent thinking, Great Tusk launched another assault.
Slither Wing had handled the previous tremor well enough, but Flutter Mane’s health bar was plummeting toward the red. Sera finally spotted the flaw in her ghostly partner.
While it boasted incredible firepower and speed, its physical durability left much to be desired—and Great Tusk was clearly a powerhouse built for physical destruction.
—I can’t let it use Earthquake again.
Without hesitation, Sera commanded Slither Wing to use Flame Charge.
Having wasted a turn trying to initiate a friendly greeting, Slither Wing now moved first, its body wreathed in flames as it slammed into Great Tusk just as the beast was preparing to leap for another strike.
[Slither Wing uses Flame Charge!]
[Great Tusk’s Earthquake fails!]
[Your team has defeated Great Tusk!]
No matter how durable it was, Great Tusk couldn't handle a two-on-one.
After taking a Dazzling Gleam from Flutter Mane followed by a Flame Charge from Slither Wing, Great Tusk made its glorious exit. Sera had successfully achieved her first victory against a Paradox Pokémon.
...Though, the Electronic Pokemon Raising System didn't actually have an achievement system to celebrate it. Sera mused that the system still had plenty of room for improvement in its gameplay design.
Still, the victory itself came with its own rewards.
[Ding—]
[Because your team successfully defeated Great Tusk and intimidated the local Pokémon, the probability of encountering weaker Pokémon on your path to the lower levels has been reduced.]
Sera was pleased with this outcome.
"Grinding lower level Pokemon doesn't yield much experience anyway. Saving on berries and potions is always a win."
The Pokémon's levels were determined by the system’s evaluations; combat experience and honing moves could increase their level, but bullying weaklings wouldn't make them stronger.
It would only burn through her precious Raising Points. Minimizing useless item consumption meant hoarding more resources for the long run.
A win is a win!
With Great Tusk defeated, the team continued their descent. The journey went smoother than Sera had anticipated.
With no random encounters to block their path, Slither Wing marched steadily toward the lower levels. At this rate, she might even be able to set a goal and rest halfway, reaching the depths in a day or two.
Sera was feeling optimistic. However, before she could even set the auto-advance feature, her emulator vibrated in her hands again.
[Warning!]
[You have encountered the Floor Guardian!]
The screen went black, and a CG animation began to play.
"...So it’s finally here, huh?"
Sera’s heart tightened, though she had been mentally prepared. Since the system had dropped hints a while ago, she knew Slither Wing would eventually face a Guardian.
It was likely that Great Tusk’s earthquake had caused quite a commotion, attracting the attention of the master of the lower depths.
Having witnessed the appearance of Walking Wake before, Sera took a deep breath, steeling herself to observe the new powerhouse.
Whatever happened, she just had to watch it play out.
--+--
Area Zero, filled with glowing crystals, presented a landscape impossible to find anywhere else in the world.
Gemstones the size of small hills radiated energy fluctuations that human senses struggled to perceive.
This energy, detectable only by specialized machinery, was Terastal energy—a mystery humanity had yet to fully unravel.
Even the Pokémon living within Area Zero were shrouded in enigmas. The average person didn't even know they existed, and any fragmented information that leaked out was dismissed as urban legend.
In the deepest reaches of Area Zero, a crimson behemoth was leaping across the crystal hills.
The distance Sera had spent half a day maneuvering Slither Wing to climb was covered by this creature in just a few bounds. As it landed in front of Slither Wing, Sera could practically hear the heavy thud of its impact.
BOOM!
Dust billowed into the air. A bipedal, lizard-like Pokémon appeared on her screen. It had feather-like horns atop its head and a chest that resembled a tire.
As it lashed its long, thick tail against the ground, the solid rock—which hadn't even cracked under the pressure of Great Tusk’s earthquake—fractured instantly under this creature’s simple movement.
[Guardian of the Paradise, Koraidon, draws near!]
The Guardian of the Paradise, Koraidon.
Even through the screen, the sheer ferocity in the beast's eyes made it hard for Sera to breathe. For the first time, she felt a genuine sense of tension.
A Legendary!
Without a shred of doubt, Sera reached her conclusion. This was a true Legendary-tier Pokémon; its mere presence radiated an overwhelming pressure.
It was a completely different entity from a normal Pokémon—not even Ogerpon or Slither Wing could compare, and even that Walking Wake she’d seen felt a step behind.
It was the true master of the lower depths—the Guardian of the Paradise, a name Sera had never even heard of until now.
As Sera felt her resolve shaken, Koraidon scrutinized the two Pokémon before it. A moment later, it narrowed its eyes.
GAAAA-ROOOOAR!!!
[Koraidon has sensed your presence.]
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 59
--+--
Chapter 59: Successful Escape
--+--
[Koraidon has sensed your presence.]
Up until now, all the powerful Pokemon Sera had encountered within the simulator were capable of sensing her presence.
Though she couldn't quite grasp what "presence" actually meant, it seemed that Ogerpon had tracked her down using this very same ability.
So, when that system prompt appeared, Sera’s nerves spiked.
Even among the three stronger Legendary Pokemon she had abandoned in previous runs, none had exerted this level of oppressive pressure.
When it was just text on a screen, the system prompts were cold and abstract; seeing it now in such vivid, lifelike animation was an entirely different story.
Fortunately, as the final prompt faded, the simulator’s screen reverted to its standard pixelated view. Sera let out a long sigh of relief.
"That was terrifying..."
The Winged King of the crater, Koraidon.
A legendary Pokemon she had never seen before had successfully replaced Walking Wake as the most powerful entity she had encountered to date. There was absolutely no way she could win a head-on fight.
Luckily, Sera had planned ahead and purchased items specifically for making a quick getaway.
Consumable item, Poke Doll, use!
[Poke Doll: Attracts the opponent's attention, guaranteeing an escape from a wild Pokemon battle.]
A small, pink plushie tumbled onto the ground right in front of Koraidon.
"Gah-ss...?"
The sudden change made Koraidon pause, its gaze locking onto the Poke Doll, drawn in by an irresistible, subconscious fascination.
Sera knew that such a simple trick wouldn't hold it for long—Koraidon would snap out of it any second—so she immediately deployed her second item.
Consumable item, X Speed, use!
[X Speed: Boosts a Pokemon's Speed by two stages for the duration of the battle.]
A two-stage boost meant doubling the stat. Without a moment's hesitation, Sera controlled Slither Wing to sprint forward.
"Pu-ni...!"
Flutter Mane, who had been lagging behind on Slither Wing’s back, scrambled to keep up as they fled.
By the time Koraidon shook off the distraction and regained its senses, the two Pokemon had already put hundreds of meters between them and the beast.
"...Guh-roooar!!!"
It was absolutely furious now.
Koraidon had originally come over to inspect its territory, and upon smelling that unfamiliar scent on Slither Wing, it had intended to teach the intruder a lesson.
Now, with anger boiling over, Koraidon took a deep breath, its upper-body muscles bulging as it hunched down and dug into the earth.
Boom—
Pushing off the ground with explosive force, Koraidon surged forward, closing the distance at a terrifying speed.
They're going to be caught if this keeps up.
Sera, responsible only for the direction controls, had the capacity to observe the situation as a whole; she quickly calculated that the gap was shrinking.
Should I use another X Speed?
In the few minutes Slither Wing had been running, its HP bar had already plummeted. Even though the maximum stat boost was six stages, the effect wouldn't last long, and the physical toll of sprinting while boosted would only accelerate their fatigue. In the grand scheme, it wouldn't change the outcome.
"Ha-bu!"
As Sera’s mind raced, the other member of her team, Flutter Mane, reacted.
[Flutter Mane used Dazzling Gleam!]
A brilliant burst of pink Fairy-type energy flared outward, crashing directly into the pursuing Koraidon. As a Fighting/Dragon dual-type, Koraidon had a four-times weakness to Fairy-type moves.
However, when the shimmering pink light faded, Koraidon emerged almost completely unscathed. Sera noticed faint sparks flickering at the corner of its mouth.
"Did it neutralize Dazzling Gleam with Flamethrower?"
In the end, Flutter Mane’s attack had only succeeded in further enraging the beast.
[Koraidon activated its ability, Orichalcum Pulse!]
[Orichalcum Pulse: Turns the sunlight harsh when the Pokémon enters a battle. The ancient pulse thrumming through the Pokémon also boosts its Attack stat in harsh sunlight.]
Its attack power is still climbing!
Then again, Sera never truly believed Slither Wing or Flutter Mane could tank a hit from Koraidon.
The rocks in Area Zero were far harder than those on the surface; Slither Wing had used its full strength just to crack a boulder while practicing First Impression, and Great Tusk couldn't even dent the environment with Earthquake.
When Koraidon first appeared, it had merely flicked its tail, cracking the ground wide open. With that kind of raw physical power, Sera absolutely did not want Slither Wing to take a single hit.
The goal was sound, but Sera still needed to figure out how to shake Koraidon off.
"This thing is just too spiteful..."
The young girl furrowed her brow. If worse came to worst, she would have to give up on the mission and use an Escape Rope to pull Slither Wing and Flutter Mane back to the safety of the lower levels.
But after witnessing Koraidon’s existence, could the lower levels ever truly be considered safe again?
The more she thought about it, the more her head throbbed.
Watching Slither Wing’s HP bar bottom out, Sera decided she couldn't hesitate any longer and prepared to open the system shop. Suddenly, the simulator screen shifted, and a new cinematic began to play.
"Gah-ss-roar!"
Slither Wing, running at full tilt, could already see the sunlight of the lower levels, but just then, another crimson figure leaped out from the abyss.
Sera saw a second Koraidon.
Unlike the first, this one was slightly smaller, and it landed directly in front of Slither Wing.
[Paradox Pokemon, Koraidon, has arrived!]
...Are there actually two of them?
Sera felt that if any other monsters crawled out of Area Zero now, she wouldn't even be surprised. Even as the second Koraidon blocked their path, she kept the Escape Rope ready, curious to see what would happen next.
However, the newcomer didn't attack Slither Wing.
It stepped forward, passing Slither Wing, and stood squarely in front of the Winged King.
"Guh-ss-roar—!"
Sera couldn't understand Pokemon, but the Winged King clearly understood the message.
[The opponent's Koraidon used Taunt!]
[Koraidon is enraged!]
[Koraidon used Flamethrower!]
...They were fighting.
Sera twitched her lip, watching the two Koraidon duke it out right in front of her. Then again, the new Koraidon was clearly full of fire, but why lead with a Flamethrower?
You guys don't look like special attackers at all, do you?
Regardless, the Winged King no longer had the time to worry about Slither Wing. Sera put her hands together in gratitude.
Time to bolt!
The lower reaches of Area Zero were right before her.
--+--
[Mission Objective: Return to the lower levels]
[Mission Complete]
[You have received Effort Values +5, Raising Points +30, Booster Energy +1]
--+--
That wasn't easy.
After enduring so much hardship, Sera finally maneuvered Slither Wing back into the sunlight.
Only when the screen filled with the bright, glowing light of success did she finally let out a long, shaky breath of relief.
...To be safe, she should probably keep moving a bit further away.
Sera definitely didn't want to encounter another danger that would force her to use an Escape Rope and drop back down into the depths she had just escaped.
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 60
--+--
Chapter 60: The Legend of Ecruteak
--+--
"Ha... ha-bu..."
Flutter Mane’s heart was still racing.
It had never imagined it would have to face the Guardian of the Paradise, the dragon that ruled the depths of Area Zero.
After all, that monster was responsible for managing every single Ancient Pokémon down there—that encounter had been far too sudden.
If the Guardian had brought just a few other Flutter Mane along with it...
Just thinking about the potential outcome made Flutter Mane shudder.
"Ha-bu! Ha-bu!"
—Can you pay a little more attention, you idiot!
Resentful, Flutter Mane tapped its locks against the chest of Slither Wing, who was sprawled on its back, completely limp as if it were dead.
"Puni..."
When Koraidon had landed right in front of them, Slither Wing’s mind had gone blank. Even now, its thoughts were still struggling to catch up.
Who am I?
Where am I?
How did I end up here?
Confused and overwhelmed, Slither Wing fell into a daze. It still felt like it had almost died back there...
"Ha-bu!"
—Are you even listening to me!
Having run out of energy to scold, Flutter Mane simply settled onto Slither Wing’s chest and began to reflect.
Having spent so much time wandering the depths, it knew better than anyone that the Guardian of the Paradise was intensely territorial and never tolerated a challenge.
Even the second Koraidon was bullied by it regularly, let alone a mere Flutter Mane.
If it were to go back now, it would almost certainly face the Guardian’s wrath. During that desperate scramble for survival earlier, Flutter Mane had acted on impulse and fired a Dazzling Gleam at the Guardian.
Thinking back on it, a wave of grief and anger washed over it. It never expected that one day it would lose its home over a single bite of food.
"Ha-bu, ha-bu!"
—You’re going to have to take responsibility for this!
"Puni..."
Slither Wing responded weakly. It didn't want to think about anything right now—it just wanted a good, long nap.
As for what Flutter Mane was grumbling about, it figured it would just agree to whatever, for now.
--+--
[Slither Wing's stamina is exhausted; it cannot continue to act.]
[Flutter Mane's affection for Slither Wing has increased!]
[As it has left its original territory, Flutter Mane will now permanently follow Slither Wing. Please ensure you stock up on party resources.]
Sera finished checking the mission rewards and noticed the system prompts scrolling by.
Slither Wing hadn't rested at all during the final leg of their escape from the depths.
Sera had originally planned to spend two or three days making that trek, but because of the Guardian’s assault, Slither Wing’s survival instinct had kicked in, and it had forced itself to finish the journey in a single day, completely burning through its stamina.
The good news was that they had successfully escaped, and the quest was complete. The bad news was that Slither Wing was physically spent and would need a day or two to recover.
During that time, its stamina bar would remain in the red and couldn't be fully replenished.
"...Whatever. At least we got out."
And there was a second piece of good news.
Flutter Mane had officially joined the team.
Unlike their previous temporary arrangement, where Flutter Mane would consume a berry every time it joined a battle, it would now only require standard daily maintenance as a core team member.
Having defeated Great Tusk, Sera was certain that the combination of Slither Wing and Flutter Mane could dominate most threats in Area Zero, provided they didn't run into anything too ridiculous.
The hardships were only temporary; tomorrow would be better, and soon she could get back to grinding Effort Values to her heart's content.
"Ogerpon, let's head out and grab some food to celebrate today."
"Pon-oh~"
She couldn't forget Ogerpon after worrying about Slither Wing.
Although Ogerpon was a homebody who could spend all day curled up in a hotel watching movies and dramas, she was always more than happy to go out with Sera.
Especially when it meant getting to eat something delicious.
With the festival approaching, Ecruteak City was already filled with a festive atmosphere. As they walked, both Sera and Ogerpon could smell the delicious aromas wafting through the streets.
"Poni-oh!"
Ogerpon tugged on Sera’s hand, pointing toward some candied apples nearby. After trying one given to her by someone else yesterday, she had fallen in love with the flavor.
Her starry eyes twinkled, and her desire was plain to see.
"Alright, go ahead. You can have whatever you want."
Sera wasn't short on cash; if Ogerpon could eat it, she would gladly buy every snack on the street for her. But Ogerpon wasn't greedy. She held the candied apple, taking small, dainty bites from time to time.
She walked hand-in-hand with Sera, watching the passing scenery while onlookers glanced at them, some surprised, others smiling warmly at the pair.
"Pon-oh?"
Suddenly, Ogerpon spotted a promotional poster and tugged on Sera’s hand again. The young girl looked at the poster.
"Ecruteak Dance Theater... recruiting apprentice dancers?"
Sera had a deep impression of the Ecruteak Dance Theater. After all, in the HeartGold and SoulSilver games, the theater was exactly where you obtained items to summon Legendary Pokémon.
If you obtained the Clear Bell or the Tidal Bell, you could summon the Rainbow Hero or the Sea Hero at the appropriate locations.
However, a game is a game, and reality is reality—you couldn't treat them as the same thing.
Despite her lingering interest, she had just witnessed the terrifying power of the Guardian of the Paradise. Thinking calmly, even if she could really get those items...
"...What am I thinking?"
Sera laughed at herself. Maybe because things had been so easy in the emulator, she had subconsciously felt that meeting a Legendary Pokémon was no big deal.
In reality, in the last 150 years, no one in this world had ever seen those two Pokémon once revered as gods.
They had hidden themselves in corners unreachable by humanity, and because of that, humanity could no longer find them.
—For now, having Ogerpon is enough for me.
While she would certainly want to meet those Legendary Pokémon that had once captured her imagination if given the chance, there was no point in being greedy.
Truly, spending the festival with Ogerpon was what mattered most…
[Ding—]
[You have triggered a random quest.]
--+--
[Ecruteak Festival]
[700 years ago, the people of Ecruteak built two towers, hoping to promote friendship between Pokémon and humans. When the towers were completed, two great birds descended upon Ecruteak City, landing on the Brass Tower to the west and the Bell Tower to the east.]
[They descended because of the actions of humanity, taking the twin towers as their habitat. Because of their immense power, they were respected by humans as gods. But as time passed, humans began to fear the power of Pokémon; even though the towers remained, the bond between humans and Pokémon grew distant.]
[150 years ago, lightning struck the Brass Tower, and flames burned for three days and three nights. Disappointed, the two deities left, never to return.]
[In the present, they have sensed your presence. To prove the friendship between humans and Pokémon, please complete the assigned tasks.]
--+--
[Task Objective 1: Assist the Ecruteak Dance Theater. Depending on the performance rating, you may obtain the Silver Feather.]
[Task Objective 2: Challenge the Ecruteak Gym. Depending on the battle result, you may obtain the Rainbow Feather.]
[Base Quest Reward: Effort Value +10, Raising Points +50]
--+--
"...?"
--+--
Weekly Vote Batch #2/3.