Boom!!
Monferno's "Flame Fist" knocked out the last Amoonguss.
Natsuhiko sprayed two antidote sprays on Monferno and Latios.
He took the Five-Colored Crystal brought by Eevee.
Now he had four pieces in his hand, but there wasn't a hint of happiness on his face.
When will this bit-by-bit collection come to an end?
Not to mention how many he needs to collect to satisfy the Upper Celestial Pillar's requirements, I'm afraid that his potions will run out before that.
Unless.
He gives up the idea of training Latios, Monferno, and Eevee.
Letting Beedrill and the others take over would be much more efficient, and the chances of injury would be much lower.
While freeing Latios, its "Healing Fluctuation" could also play a certain supportive role.
But Natsuhiko really doesn't want to waste such an opportunity.
Monferno and Eevee are easier to handle.
If Latios weren't in this Alternate Space, it would be too conspicuous outside.
If someone saw it, it might cause unnecessary trouble.
Although Natsuhiko's strength is gradually improving, it's still better to avoid pointless trouble when possible.
This is an excellent opportunity to train Latios.
He looked up at the sky.
"Let's find a place to rest first."
After some walking earlier, they had reached the edge of the grassland, near the dense forest.
With his experience, he found a place at the boundary between the grassland and forest, with dense vegetation and a small stream running through, as their temporary resting place for today.
He summoned all the Pokémon.
One by one, he arranged their dinner.
Then Natsuhiko took Dragapult to the stream to clean a rabbit they had caught during the day.
Natsuhiko didn't bring much when going out, but Energy Blocks were something he never worried about, even with a few Gourmet Kings in the team.
He not only brought Energy Blocks but also various Tree Fruits and a complete set of equipment for making Energy Blocks.
If worst comes to worst, plenty of Tree Fruits should be growing in this vast Alternate Space, which could also be used to make Energy Blocks.
As he slowly cleaned the rabbit's innards, he asked, "Dragapult, is that a 'Dragon Crystal'?"
Dragapult followed at Natsuhiko's side.
In this Alternate Space, it didn't need to stay invisible to hide its presence.
"Baluya."
Upon hearing this, Natsuhiko was slightly stunned.
"Really? An impure Dragon Crystal, with a special force mixed in."
It seems this can only be used as a tool for climbing the Celestial Pillar.
Unless a way to remove the impurities is found.
But Natsuhiko is increasingly puzzled about why Rayquaza brought him and Latios here.
Was it just to test them?
To make them climb the Celestial Pillar?
"Baluya!"
Suddenly.
Dragapult shouted at Natsuhiko, pulling him out of his daze.
And then he saw.
Floating downstream in the not-so-rapid creek was a brown wooden object.
Natsuhiko instinctively picked it up and took a look.
Then he was completely stunned.
In his eyes was an expression of incredulity.
"This is...."
Looking at the wooden object, which was somewhat old but still solid in his hand.
It was easy to determine it was originally a piece of wood, hollowed out in the middle, and formed into a...
Bowl?
Pokémon wouldn't use such things.
Unless it was a Pokémon like Oranguru, which has intelligence surpassing that of ordinary humans, imitating human behavior.
But Natsuhiko quickly deduced that this wasn't something made by a Pokémon.
Because.
On the surface of the wooden bowl, there were many black fingerprints.
Some had faded, but others were still clear.
Such fingerprints are hard to wash off when left on an unpolished wooden bowl.
It was precisely these fingerprints that made Natsuhiko sure this was a tool made by a human.
He slowly stood up.
Looking in the direction from which the creek flowed.
"So, there are humans surviving in this Alternate Space?"
This is a bit exaggerated.
Rayquaza usually lives in the ozone layer and hardly ever descends to the Pokemon Realm; if there's something it needs, Rayquaza would likely enter its own Alternate Space, for a feast, for instance.
So the question is.
When did Rayquaza, which usually doesn't appear in the Pokémon Realm, transport humans here?
"Could it be some ancient monster that's lived for who knows how long...."
This absurd thought crossed Natsuhiko's mind.
"The last recorded appearance of Rayquaza was at least decades ago, and even if Rayquaza transported humans here back then, that was quite a long time ago."
Then Natsuhiko continued to mutter to himself.
"It's been so long, and still no departure...."
Could he himself be stuck here for decades?
But he quickly shook his head.
"Not necessarily. Even if collecting Crystal Stones is troublesome and difficult, based on my estimation, it shouldn't take more than a few months."
Suddenly.
As Natsuhiko was thinking.
From the direction where the stream flows.
In a dim and tranquil spot, a shadow appeared.
Let's just call it a human shadow.
From such a distance, coupled with the night, Natsuhiko could only see a blurred outline, barely distinguishing where the head and hands were.
Only a pair of bright eyes.
Like two dazzling gems, like two bright stars in the night.
When Natsuhiko saw him, the person's gaze also turned toward Natsuhiko.
Or rather.
It landed on the "bowl" in Natsuhiko's hand.
For a human of unknown duration in this place, Natsuhiko did not harbor hostility.
But he also did not show too much friendliness.
Just silently watched the other party.
And the person stood still, staring at Natsuhiko for quite a while.
When Natsuhiko wanted to attempt communication, the figure suddenly turned, with extreme agility, swiftly vanishing into the dense forest.
Natsuhiko opened his mouth.
Then looked down at the vessel in his hand.
Stood silently for a long time, without any action, until Dragapult gently nudged him, he collected his scattered thoughts.
Seeing a human in Rayquaza's Alternate Space was not something he expected at all.
As for what attitude to hold, or even whether to approach him, he hadn't decided.
There were plenty of reasons.
Primarily, he couldn't yet determine if the other was friendly, or their strength, but he did want to learn more about this Alternate Space from that person.
He shook his head, slowly exhaled.
"Forget it. It's still worth trying. If that person isn't hostile, attempts at communication can be made. If hostile, troublesome matters need to be addressed early. Just means I'll have to change the sleeping place for tonight."
He picked up the cleaned rabbit meat, simply roasted and ate half.
Then quickly left.
After Natsuhiko departed.
Probably around midnight.
The resting place Natsuhiko had chosen earlier.
In the hazy night, a nimble figure swiftly moved through the forest, clearly human, but as swift as a Pokémon.
And very light-footed, causing little to no sound.
However, this person's outfit and appearance were somewhat disheveled.
Hair was hanging down to a slightly uneven chest like a tangled mess, wearing simple processed fur instead of clothes, even barefoot, stepping on the trees without making any noise.
Plop—
Lightly jumped down from the tree.
The nose amidst messy hair, straight but stained with some dirt, slightly twitched.
When she saw the extinguished campfire next to the tree and her lost wooden vessel, as well as half of the roasted meat inside, her bright eyes gleamed even more.
In a few steps, she came to the campfire's ashes, picked up the wooden bowl.
The enticing aroma made her mouth water, grasping it to eat, but heard sounds behind her.
"Roar—!!"
In the night, a gigantic figure.
"Shh!"
She immediately gestured silence toward the figure.
"Roar~~"
Sure enough, the giant entity lowered its voice.
Then she pondered a bit, divided the roast meat in her hand into two, tossing one half behind.
It was swallowed in one gulp.
She sat directly on the ground and began to eat.
Only then did she notice, beside the wooden bowl was a line of words.
"Is it tasty?"
However.
She tilted her head.
Seemingly not understanding what these words meant.
Picked up a piece of tree branch nearby.
Drew a... smiley face on the ground.
After completing this, under the gaze of those large bell-like eyes behind her, amidst the sound of swallowing, she devoured the remaining roast meat in big bites.
Satisfied, she clapped her hands.
Leapt.
Jumped onto the large shadow's back.
Then a gentle breeze blew through, moving the leaves and her tangled hair.
Under the not-so-bright glow, a face dusted with dirt yet still revealing an approximately fourteen or fifteen-year-old look appeared.
And on her body, that menacing creature with a hint of golden metallic sheen.
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PS: Today is the father-in-law's birthday, you know... hiccup—though late, here's 12k, asking for monthly votes!