"So, when shall we go take a look?"
After glancing at the energy barrier not far away, the administrator tentatively asked Auron.
Auron chuckled lightly. "If Hoopa is willing, we should be able to enter now?"
The moment Auron finished speaking, before everyone could process the meaning behind his words, suddenly—a golden ring appeared before them.
"Hoopa Lala"
"Let's go."
Auron smiled and gestured with his head, then directly lifted his foot and stepped inside.
Compared to the administrator's and the Mongolian Elite Four's caution, Jace—whether from being carefree or what—saw Auron enter and directly followed him in.
Only then did the administrator smile and shake his head, saying to Ashen, Su Qianyan, and the others: "Let's go. We'll all go see Hoopa together."
"Alright!"
With that, the group walked into the golden ring together. Soon, only Dragon Nation military personnel cleaning up the Church members remained outside.
After Auron took one step into the ring, he took another step out—directly entering the valley.
His eyes flashed. Auron felt something fly past him.
Opening his eyes, he discovered what had flown past was Dratini, with two identical Elekid chasing after her.
Hoopa also wanted to enthusiastically join this game, but he still needed to maintain the golden ring's opening. However, from his excited eyes, you could tell—once he didn't need to control the ring, he'd definitely play and frolic with Dratini and the others too.
On a tree branch to the side, a Victini with a bulging little belly lay squinting on the branch, seemingly asleep. His little belly kept rising and falling, but unfortunately wouldn't go down.
In the pool below, Manaphy cautiously watched Victini, afraid he might accidentally fall. She also occasionally glanced at Dratini and the others, clearly wanting to join their game too.
Seeing this warm scene, Auron smiled and released Crobat, Snorlax, Charizard, and Clawitzer—who he'd just recalled into their Poké Balls.
The moment Crobat emerged, Dratini flew over and hugged her.
(Quick, run! They're about to catch up~)
Hearing this, Crobat thought, How can this be? She immediately began accelerating while carrying Dratini.
Seeing this, Mew was immediately displeased. Isn't this cheating?
With that, Mew transformed and also became Crobat's form, continuing to chase after Dratini. Only Elekid was left frozen in place—he didn't understand why his fellow species had suddenly changed into Big Sister's appearance.
People continued emerging from the golden ring one after another. Over there, Crobat was chasing the Crobat carrying Dratini. Snorlax smiled and walked back to Auron's backpack, beginning to feast on the food. He also waved at Darkrai beside Hoopa, signaling for him to come eat too.
Darkrai saw Snorlax's actions from the corner of his eye, but pretended not to see. Who can eat that much? Can't afford to provoke, can't afford to provoke.
Clawitzer slowly entered the pool, signaling that Manaphy could go play—he'd guard here to prevent Victini from falling.
Manaphy cheered, then joined the team chasing Dratini.
Seeing Manaphy also join, Dratini cried out in alarm. This made Crobat also excitedly increase her speed, working hard to shake off the pursuers behind.
"So lively."
The administrator, who'd come out first, looked at the energetic Pokémon and sighed. "So nice. If my Pokémon weren't so old, they could probably play together with them too."
Auron smiled. "What do you mean old? Mew and Manaphy are also very old, and they're playing happily."
"Mew? I don't see Mew though?"
Jace, who'd followed Auron in, had just missed the scene of Mew transforming into Crobat. So after looking around in a circle, he discovered one Mew was missing.
Auron pointed at the Crobat chasing the other Crobat. "There—see that? That one's Mew transformed."
"Huh? The records say Mew can transform into any Pokémon—it's actually true!"
"Don't block the way. Of course it's true. Otherwise, where do you think the saying that Mew is the origin of all Pokémon came from?"
After Ashen pushed Dax in front who was exclaiming in wonder, he educated him.
After Ashen came out, Liu Xiangjun also followed behind him, then Su Qianyan, and finally the Mongolian Elite Four at the back.
Seeing everyone had arrived, Auron introduced them to Hoopa:
"Hoopa, these are my friends and family. They wanted to meet you."
Hoopa retracted his golden ring and asked with confusion: "They want to meet Hoopa? Why?"
"Because I said Hoopa is very cute."
Hearing this, Hoopa nodded somewhat shyly. "Mm, Hoopa is the cutest!"
"Hahahaha~"
Everyone laughed together. But only the Mongolian Elite Four couldn't laugh. He directly stepped forward and asked Hoopa:
"Hoopa, can you become our covenant Pokémon?"
A cold light flashed in Auron's eyes. Switching concepts?
"Hoopa, this person is not my friend."
Hearing Auron's words, everyone's faces—which had darkened somewhat—warmed up slightly.
This Mongolian Elite Four had gone too far, wanting to use Auron's reputation to trick Hoopa into becoming their covenant legendary. Fortunately, Auron reacted quickly. Otherwise, if Hoopa had directly agreed, it would have been another troublesome matter.
Feeling everyone's cold gazes, the Mongolian Elite Four's face paled. But having already done it, he could only continue steeling himself.
"I mean forming a covenant with our Mongolia. Hoopa, are you willing?"
Hoopa looked at Auron with some confusion. "Covenant? What's that?"
Auron smiled at Hoopa and explained: "A covenant is an agreement between you and Mongolia. This agreement is maintained by Arceus's will. Both sides provide what the other needs. For example, what Mongolia needs from covenanting with you is your military force. And what would be your condition for choosing Mongolia?"
Legendary Pokémon covenanting with nations—or individuals—sometimes didn't require humans to provide them anything.
For example, Liu Bang and Xiang Yu—they had nothing to offer Zekrom and Reshiram. But there was no helping it—both sides just clicked, so they formed covenants.
At the same time, legendary Pokémon covenanted with nations enjoyed the blessing of national fortune. Compared to the same species of legendary without national covenants, their strength would increase faster and stronger.
(Similar to legendary Pokémon's duties in the Pokémon world, like Zygarde who maintains the ecosystem.)
After hearing this, Hoopa looked curiously at the Mongolian Elite Four, then at Auron.
"Then... can I form a covenant with Little Ze?"