"Nimi Nimi!"
In a garden on the outskirts of Aindoak.
Victini sat atop a dilapidated beam, dangling its feet, holding a three-layered ice cream tower, cautiously licking it with its tiny tongue.
With each lick, it couldn't help but squint its eyes and tremble slightly, while the "V"-shaped ears on its head twitched differently.
Clearly.
Tasting ice cream for the first time, Victini also fell in love with its cold, refreshing sensation.
Togekiss and Eevee were also enjoying one each, eating with delight.
Natsuhiko leaned against the railing, gazing into the distance, lost in thought.
"Nimi?"
Victini, sensitive to Natsuhiko's inner unrest, wagged its tail and floated onto the railing next to Natsuhiko.
Before it could say anything, it followed Natsuhiko's line of sight into the distance.
That was the bay visible from Aindoak, the only place where the sea could be seen.
You could vaguely see waves crashing against the coastal rocks, shooting temporary, brilliant rainbows under the sunlight.
"Nimi..."
Seeing the sea, Victini slowed its ice cream licking abruptly, gazing at the distant ocean with longing in its eyes.
The sea...
Is the most spoken of but also the most unreachable place for Victini over these thousand years.
It's said.
It's an incomparably vast place.
It's said.
It's a direction filled with grand waves.
It's said.
It's the beginning of all creation.
It's said...
"Do you want to see it?"
Natsuhiko noticed the look in Victini's eyes.
He knew Victini couldn't leave the area enveloped by the Barrier set by the old king.
So, for over a thousand years, this little creature had lived within Aindoak's small bounds.
And due to being timid and cautious, it rarely appeared in the sight of humans or other Pokémon.
A thousand years...
Mentioning this measure of time alone could make one imagine how lonely Victini must be.
Yet it always maintained such a cheerful demeanor.
Even when the old king died from exhaustion, it didn't complain about the king's actions.
Victini even wept for losing its only and best friend.
"Nimi..."
"Let's go."
Natsuhiko smiled, pulling Victini into his embrace.
"Nimi?"
Suddenly being hugged, Victini reflexively struggled.
But only for a moment.
When it looked up at Natsuhiko, it saw a determined face.
Could it be... he wasn't just talking?
"Togekiss, Eevee."
Natsuhiko called out.
"Buyi!"
Eevee hopped onto his shoulder with a quick leap as Togekiss fluttered beside Natsuhiko.
This small distance didn't require other Pokémon's assistance.
Natsuhiko placed his hand on Togekiss, wrapped himself in psychic power to minimize Togekiss's burden.
After a few wing flaps
they approached the bay.
Victini could even hear the sound of the waves and faintly smell the salty scent of seawater.
So... the sea really is salty... this thought flashed through Victini's mind.
Yet.
As they neared the bay, the first thing it noticed was the giant stone pillar standing in the forest.
"Nimi! Nimi!"
Victini struggled a couple of times.
Natsuhiko also understood the Barrier's restrictions on Victini and said to Togekiss, "Togekiss, go down."
Though Togekiss didn't know what was happening, it obediently landed not far from the stone pillar, in a dense forest covered with snow and ice.
Due to the thick vegetation, here you couldn't even see the bay's outline, unlike in the previous garden.
They could only faintly hear the waves.
"Is this the thing?"
Natsuhiko approached the stone pillar.
Striking and intricate patterns carved into it, some parts even covered in moss.
To Aindoak's residents, it was just like the castle of the "Earth Sword," an ancient relic.
But to Victini, it was the greatest shackle.
Rumor has it that Victini possesses infinite energy, and to fully utilize that energy, the king had to establish such a Barrier, gathering all of Victini's energy to prevent it from dissipating to move the "Earth Sword".
Meaning, it wouldn't impose any limitations on ordinary people or Pokémon, but was particularly sensitive to Victini's power.
As soon as it got near, it would be intercepted by the Barrier.
Natsuhiko held Victini firmly, striding toward the bay.
"Nimi..."
Victini covered its eyes with its small hand, turning its head to bury its face in Natsuhiko's embrace.
Yet.
The isolation it anticipated didn't occur.
"Nimi?"
Unable to resist, it turned its head to look in the direction Natsuhiko was heading.
And saw a pink Energy Barrier blocking their way; the reason they didn't touch it was that Natsuhiko had extended his hand, with psychic energy emanating from it.
Causing the entire Barrier to curve like a bow.
But it was still an arm's length away.
"Nimi?!"
Victini looked up at Natsuhiko in surprise.
Only to see Natsuhiko frowning, showing signs of strain.
Moreover, Natsuhiko's steps were slowing, as if his strength could only draw this bow to such an extent.