After witnessing Steven's shameless move, Chen Shi was truly speechless.
He hadn't expected Steven to still be obsessed with Sliggoo.
Was it really that indispensable?
The moment he saw Jirachi, he rushed forward to make a wish.
Chen Shi didn't even know what to say anymore.
Jirachi had been startled by Steven's sudden lunge and immediately burrowed into Chen Shi's arms.
"Shi…"
Chen Shi helplessly patted Jirachi's head and looked at Steven.
"Jirachi can't grant wishes yet, so stop thinking about it."
"And besides, don't you already have a Mawile?"
"Let the Sliggoo go."
When Steven heard that Jirachi couldn't grant wishes yet, disappointment flashed in his eyes as he slumped back onto the sofa.
Ever since Cynthia obtained that Sliggoo, Steven had gone home and researched Hisuian Sliggoo extensively.
Chen Shi hadn't been exaggerating.
Hisuian Sliggoo was genuinely powerful—and it was part Steel-type.
His favorite type.
How could he not be tempted?
He had been ridiculously envious of Cynthia.
Now that the legendary wish-granting Jirachi was right in front of him—and unwilling to lose out—he had lunged immediately.
Unfortunately, it seemed the timing was wrong.
Steven sighed.
"You say that like it's easy. You have no idea how attractive a Hisuian Sliggoo is to me."
"And Mawile is Mawile. Sliggoo is Sliggoo. It's not like I can't afford to train both."
"Wasn't that what you said?"
"Kids choose. Adults take both."
Chen Shi's face darkened.
"Fine, whatever. Just don't target Jirachi. It can't grant wishes right now."
"And even if it could, I wouldn't let you waste a wish on Sliggoo."
He had an idea in mind—something he wasn't sure would work.
So he had been holding off on using a wish.
Whether it succeeded or not, there was nothing to lose by trying.
Hearing that, Steven completely gave up and leaned back, looking regretful.
Diantha asked curiously,
"With Steven's status, obtaining a Sliggoo shouldn't be difficult, right?"
"Sliggoo may be a pseudo-legendary, but in Kalos you can still encounter wild ones."
"I agree. Using a wish for that seems unwise."
Steven immediately straightened up.
"You don't understand. I'm not talking about a regular Sliggoo."
"I'm talking about Hisuian Sliggoo. That's completely different."
Diantha blinked in confusion.
Hisuian Sliggoo?
She had never heard of it.
Sliggoo was Kalos's pseudo-legendary Pokémon. She even had a Goodra herself.
She considered herself knowledgeable.
What was this Hisuian form?
It wasn't strange that she didn't know.
The Hisui region belonged to a distant era, long buried in history.
Very few people still knew of its existence, let alone its regional forms.
Even the League likely had limited understanding—otherwise they wouldn't have handed out a Hisuian Sliggoo Egg as a tournament reward.
Steven enthusiastically began explaining what Hisuian Sliggoo was and just how incredible it had been in ancient Hisui.
At first, Diantha listened with interest.
But as Steven continued rambling nonstop, she began to feel a headache coming on.
"Mr. Steven," she finally cut in gently, "even if Hisuian Sliggoo was exceptional… it's extinct now. Why be so obsessed?"
Steven froze.
Then he cast a meaningful glance at Chen Shi and Cynthia.
"If it were truly extinct, I'd have given up."
"But it's not."
"Cynthia received a Hisuian Sliggoo Egg during the World Championships."
"What?!" Diantha stared at Cynthia in disbelief.
A Hisuian Sliggoo Egg?
Wasn't that form extinct?
Where had she gotten it?
Diantha was baffled.
If it were true… she would be a little envious.
After all, it was Kalos's pseudo-legendary.
Cynthia replied calmly,
"I do have a Hisuian Sliggoo Egg. It was one of the League's World Championships rewards."
"Ha?!" Diantha's eyes widened further.
If the League truly possessed an extinct Pokémon's Egg, why would they release it?
Shouldn't researchers have kept it? Or used it for restoration programs?
Why offer it as a prize?
Chen Shi chuckled.
"I suspect they didn't recognize it."
"Unless you examine closely, a Hisuian Sliggoo Egg looks almost identical to a regular Sliggoo Egg."
Diantha nodded slowly, understanding.
She couldn't help but glance at Cynthia with envy.
A Steel/Dragon pseudo-legendary.
Who wouldn't want that?
If Victini weren't in the picture, Chen Shi would have chosen that Egg himself.
But since Victini existed—
He had left it for Cynthia.
After all, good things shouldn't flow outside the family.
Suddenly, Steven smacked his forehead.
"Oh right, I almost forgot."
"I have something important to tell you."
Everyone looked at him.
"The official notice just came down."
"The Secret Realm will open in ten days."
"We're to assemble in Sootopolis City."
"You should be receiving the message soon as well."
"Is that the one Grandpa mentioned?" Phoebe asked suddenly.
Steven nodded.
"That should be it. The League is inviting many trainers for experience and training."
"In ten days. Sootopolis."
"That's rather tight timing," Diantha said lightly.
She had remained in Hoenn after the auction precisely because of this Secret Realm.
Now there was finally a concrete date.
"Ten days…" Chen Shi murmured, holding Jirachi.
A sense of urgency rose in his chest.
Fortunately, in six days Jirachi would be able to help hatch Victini.
If his theory proved correct—
There would be no need to worry too much.
He had done everything he could.
The rest…
would be left to fate.
...
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