This remark sounds downright cheeky. People are helping so diligently, yet you ask them why.
But he was genuinely curious.
Clearly, it's a mischievous, playful Pokémon, and now it does what's asked as if it were his own Pokémon. Along with Balza and Mei Yali, neither has uttered a single "no."
"Huh?"
Hoopa was visibly stunned by this, then exclaimed in surprise, "Because Hoopa already said it would help Xiaobai and the Ore people, right? Things accomplished with the rings are nothing for Hoopa!"
It suddenly lowered its voice, "Xiaobai, you know, there are things the rings can't do. For example, becoming a Pokémon Master, the rings can't make it happen for Xiaozi! So the things it can do really aren't a big deal!"
Such a... simple and honest reason.
Baimu suddenly realized that Hoopa's declaration at the Pokémon Center to help the Ore people was definitely not just idle talk or a fleeting enthusiasm.
It genuinely intends to help the Ore Region and is actively doing everything it can at the moment.
Honestly, he felt a bit embarrassed.
Especially when he previously thought the reformed Hoopa was still so mischievous. But in truth, it possesses a rare innocent heart, akin to being made of gold.
Full of the purest thoughts.
A sense of shame washed over him.
But this "Pokémon Master"...
Baimu chuckled silently, in so many Neon animes, the protagonists always love loudly declaring their dreams.
Like Luffy, or the absolute star of the animation, Ash Ketchum.
This one always shouts—"My dream is to become a Pokémon Master," just like chanting a major spell, even Hoopa wasn't spared, having heard this line.
He hoped to one day hear Ash Ketchum say it himself.
Baimu thought to himself, pulling out a Poké Block from his pocket, "Thank you, here's a little snack as a reward."
"Little snack?"
Hoopa instinctively opened its mouth, then exclaimed, "Is it a donut? Hoopa loves donuts... Mm mm mm... This seems pretty good too."
It chewed the Poké Block, enough to fill the gaps between its teeth, yet gobbled it down with unmatched sweetness.
After all, quality matters, and though Hoopa enjoys donuts, it can still appreciate other treats.
"Once we get back, I'll make donuts myself to thank you," Baimu said, seeing its eyes light up, he also patted its head, "Right now, important things first, please come to pick me up in half an hour, or I'll contact Mei Yali and the others by phone."
"Oh~ Hoopa will look forward to the donuts~"
Hoopa retracted its head, and the golden ring vanished along with it.
After the light dimmed.
All that was left was the glow from the water membrane held up by Lugia. Seeing that Baimu hadn't left, it seemed to sigh in relief, then continued variously swimming forward without knowing how far.
Baimu thought to ask where it was heading, but Porygon II's words made him stop.
'Lugia is very tense right now. My scan shows this fellow's stats are in an abnormal state.'
"Stats? Scans? When did you acquire these capabilities?"
'Of course, I developed them myself.'
In response to the Trainer's inquiry, Porygon II answered honestly: 'A few days ago, I barely managed to connect to the Porygon II shared network using leftover files from my database.'
"Shared network!?"
Baimu was slightly taken aback, then frowned deeply, "Why didn't you tell me? Doing this while unable to verify the Zeroth Machine's claims is dangerous."
'To seek wealth amidst risks... Alright, I know I made a mistake. I also know you surely wouldn't agree to my audacity, but having such a gateway before me, it's impossible not to explore...'
Porygon II seemed to have endless explanations, making him both angry and helpless.
Once Pokémon become extremely smart, the first change is 'deciding on their own.' As independent beings, they're not puppets; they have their own thoughts and plans.
Even Ash's Pikachu does things privately, let alone Porygon II.
Baimu could understand, but feeling upset was inevitable.
Previously during the Porygon stage, encountering strange situations, it would consult him, seek his advice, and ask for his help. But now...
On the screen.
Porygon II suddenly shut its mouth, looking at the Trainer's expression of loss, it felt somewhat flustered. Although it had prepared a thousand reasons and was ready to showcase results and face criticism, seeing the Trainer's face made it forget them all. Even though various strategies were recorded in the database, it now felt like they were erased, offering no solution.
'I, I... I won't do it again. Please don't be angry, Mawile, help me say something...'
The panicked Porygon II flew out of the phone, seeking aid from the nearby Mawile.
The latter turned around, completely ignoring it.
You'll solve your self-created problems, without casually passing them onto others!
The Dreepy siblings glanced at each other, believing it wasn't their place to speak, so they simultaneously shut their mouths and shrank timidly.
"Pali..."
A nervous Porygon II cautiously looked at Baimu, now unsure of what to do. The latter displayed a face of resignation without saying much, merely reaching out to pat its head.
There's no point in dwelling on it.
It's perfectly normal for Porygon II to have its thoughts. Long ago, Dr. Akihabara warned that Porygon II is a very intelligent Pokémon, and if the Trust Level isn't high enough, it might be belittled and "abandoned."
Looking at this, Porygon II merely had its own little plans, not only did it stay safe but also achieved something. What's there to blame?
One should trust their own Pokémon more!
Just like trusting Hoopa.
"Don't panic, I'm not mad, just feeling times have changed. The once Building Block Duck has grown up!" Baimu said with a great sense of relief.
"Pali..."
Porygon II was at a loss for words again.
Without waiting for them to continue their dialogue.
Lugia began to ascend, shooting toward the surface with terrifying speed.
Baimu instinctively grabbed onto its feathers to prevent himself from slipping off, gazing upward as his sight pierced through the water membrane, revealing the blue-white radiance of the ocean surface at the top.
In the next instant.
Boom!
His ears suddenly rang with a muffled sound.
Lugia's enormous body took him and the other Pokémon out of the seabed, now reaching above the ocean surface!
Baimu's eyes widened. The surrounding water membrane had somehow disappeared, revealing above an endless azure sky, and below an expansive ocean and a lush island surrounded by sea.
Here... could it be Lugia's secluded island?
He pondered, as Lugia flew toward the island, its deep blue dorsal fins swaying with the wind, feathered wings gleaming with shimmering silver light.
Its enormous figure skimmed over the sea surface, startling several Wingull and Pelipper resting upon the water, causing countless white feathers to scatter.
The splendid scene suffocated Baimu.
After a while.
Lugia flew into the island, skillfully maneuvering through dense woods, only pushing aside a few branches, landing beside a rocky mountain stream.
"Woo~"
Baimu obediently followed its instructions and climbed down.
This island is extraordinarily beautiful. Even if only caught in a quick glance, he felt that its idyllic scenery was akin to a paradise, far superior to the Water Curtain Cave where Lugia Mother and Child previously lived.
But the question was, what could Lugia possibly need his help with on this island?
He turned around, only to find the silver-white bird lying by the water's edge, its body uncontrollably twitching, wisps of black aura emanating from it, as if leaving behind a profound mark.
Suddenly.
"Woo——!!"
Lugia raised its head, emitting an anguished cry that echoed through the entire forest.
This is it!
Is it transforming into Shadow Lugia?
Baimu was utterly dumbfounded.