"See, this way both of you can see where the other is. No more worrying about not being able to find each other."
"Plus, it's solar-powered! Never have to worry about the battery dying." The administrator introduced the device to Auron and Victini with a proud expression.
"Tch, I thought of this ages ago. I just didn't have anything this fancy back then." Seeing the device in the administrator's hands, Jace recalled the instant communicator he'd left Victini with before and couldn't help muttering under his breath.
Victini's eyes lit up. The administrator handed one of the rings directly to him. "One for you, one for Auron. When you want to find him, just fly toward the other red dot."
"Tini~"
"Victini says thank you, Hoopa~"
"Hehe, no need to thank me. It was nothing." The administrator waved at Victini with a smile, then stepped back behind the group.
"Here, let me put it on for you."
Auron smiled too. He pulled a carry-item attachment device from his backpack, threaded the small ring through it, and hung it around Victini's neck.
"There. I'll wear this one too. When you and Mew finish your travels, remember to come find me, okay?"
"Tini~!" Victini excitedly touched the small ring hanging securely around his neck and chirped happily.
"Victini says he'll definitely come find you. Sigh, Hoopa really wants one too, but Hoopa's still grounded. Such a shame." After translating Victini's words, Hoopa added wistfully.
"No need to feel bad. You have your golden rings—you can bring me here directly through them." Auron smiled and rubbed Hoopa's head reassuringly.
"Oh right, Hoopa has golden rings! Hoopa is strong!"
"Haha, that's right. Hoopa is strong."
Everyone laughed at that. Only Darkrai froze for a moment before diving straight into the shadows. He emerged from the administrator's shadow, extending his right hand.
The administrator reacted fast, immediately understanding Darkrai's meaning. "Uh, I don't have any more. I only brought one pair."
Darkrai's face fell. He dove back into the shadows in a huff.
"But if you give me a Lunar Wing, I can make one that connects to both Auron and Victini for you." The administrator smiled down at his own shadow.
"Mm!"
Darkrai shot out of the shadows instantly. He shoved another Lunar Wing into the administrator's arms, then whooshed right back into the shadows.
The administrator's smooth handling left everyone slack-jawed. More importantly, Darkrai had actually handed over a Lunar Wing that could be used to contact him.
Grandpa Ashford: Brilliant!
Tim: Brilliant!
Dax: Brilliant!
Mongolian Elite Four: I'm taking notes!
They all gave the administrator a thumbs up, genuine admiration in their hearts.
Administrator: ヾ(｀.ヾ) Just a small thing~
"Alright, Victini. I need to head back now. Remember to come find me when your travels are done."
"Tini~"
"Well, I'm off, everyone. You're all welcome to come visit me with Victini sometime~"
Auron let go, waved to Mew and the others, then turned and walked toward the exit. He was afraid that if he stayed any longer, he wouldn't be able to bring himself to leave.
"Tini~"
"Bye bye, see you next time, Hoopa~"
"Mew~"
"Mana~"
"Mm!"
The Pokémon all waved at Auron. Even Darkrai emerged from the shadows to wave goodbye.
Auron and the others turned to wave back, then ducked into the exit tunnel.
Though Auron wanted to ask Hoopa to send him back through the golden rings, he remembered that Groudon had walked all the way back to Hoenn on foot. He didn't know if Hoopa could send him back, so he just didn't ask. What if Hoopa really couldn't? It wouldn't be as bad as walking like Groudon, but still...
(Groudon should've made it back to Hoenn by now, right? It's been so long.)
"Report. All Church personnel have been apprehended and transported back to Dragon Nation."
The moment Auron and the others emerged at the earlier battlefield, a man in military uniform appeared and saluted the administrator.
The administrator smiled warmly. "Good work. Prepare to head home."
"Sir!"
The military officer saluted once more, then turned and jogged away. He released a Staraptor and flew off toward Dragon Nation.
"Let's go. The Church members have been taken back. Time for us to leave too."
"Right. Let's go."
Grandpa Ashford nodded, then released his Salamence. He helped his wife up, and once they were both settled, Salamence gave a single beat of its wings and took off, leaving behind only—
"We're heading out first~"
Auron's eyes went wide. They flew off? What about him?
Following Grandpa Ashford's lead, Tim and Dax simultaneously released a Pidgeot and a Corviknight. With a smooth vault onto their Pokémon, they took off after him.
"Seriously? Everyone's just gonna do that?"
Auron was dumbfounded. They were all just leaving him behind? Flying off without so much as offering him a ride—that was too much.
"Sigh, this is exactly how I got here too. You get used to it." Jace walked over and patted Auron's shoulder with a sigh.
Before Auron could even roll his eyes at Jace, the administrator stepped forward with a smile.
"If you don't mind, I have two Flying-type Pokémon here. They're not as strong as theirs, but they should be faster than your Charizard. At least you won't arrive home at sunrise."
The tournament had ended around seven in the evening, and it was already nearly three in the morning. Even here in Mongolia, the sky had gone completely dark.
At Jace's earlier travel speed, they really might not get back before dawn—especially since summer daylight came early.
Hearing this, Auron quickly turned around and rubbed his hands together sheepishly. "Thank you so much. Good thing you're here."
The administrator patted Auron's shoulder with a laugh. "Ha, don't be so formal. Dragon Nation is lucky to have you. Head home first, and remember to come collect your reward later."
He pulled two Poké Balls from inside his coat. A flash of white light, and two Talonflame materialized on the ground.
"What about you?"
After Auron and Jace had climbed onto the Talonflame, they looked at the administrator curiously.
"Don't worry about me. I can get back just fine. You two go ahead." As he spoke, he released a Braviary.
"Alright, we'll head out then."
"Go on~"
After watching Auron and Jace fly off, the administrator finally reached into his coat and touched the dragon scale there. He sighed, then mounted the Braviary and flew toward where Rayquaza waited.
(End of Chapter)