For some reason, the meteorite Jirachi was sleeping inside looked very different at this point in time compared to one thousand years later.
Right now, it resembled a purple crystal about the size of a human head.
A thousand years later, however, the object containing the sleeping Jirachi truly looked like an ordinary meteorite.
Fortunately, Chen Shi had the system.
Otherwise, he might not have recognized it at all.
"I've already found what I came for, so I won't disturb your tribe any longer."
Chen Shi smiled at Shiyuan.
Shiyuan secretly let out a breath of relief.
It seemed this man named Qiu really had come only for that stone.
He smiled and said,
"Qiu, you are welcome to visit our Stone Tribe again anytime."
Shiyuan had no idea what made the stone special.
But if giving away a single rock was enough to send such a dangerous person on his way, then it was nothing worth worrying about.
Chen Shi merely smiled without answering.
He climbed onto Dragapult's back and flew straight out of the tribe.
He knew the people there had remained wary of him the entire time, so he chose not to disturb them any further.
After Chen Shi left, a group of people accompanied by seven or eight Machamp hurried over to Shiyuan.
One muscular man asked,
"Shiyuan, why did that man leave so suddenly?"
Shiyuan shook his head.
"I don't know either."
"He said he came to our tribe to find something, but all he took was that attractive stone from the roof of my house."
"He didn't touch anything else."
Shijian looked surprised.
"He came all this way just for an ordinary stone?"
They had already observed the visitor from the shadows.
He was extraordinarily powerful.
Even if all of them attacked together, they might not have been able to defeat the turquoise magical beast beside him.
Why would someone like that be searching for an ordinary rock?
"No matter what he wanted, he has already left."
"There's no reason for us to keep worrying."
Shiyuan sighed, then continued,
"Send a few people to the nearby tribes and gather information."
"See if anyone has heard anything about this Qiu."
"Understood."
Shijian immediately grasped what Shiyuan meant and agreed.
...
By evening, the sun was gradually disappearing beyond the horizon.
Chen Shi did not return to the Meteor Tribe.
Instead, he lit a campfire in the forest and set up a tent nearby.
Whether by coincidence or not, Jirachi was due to awaken that very night.
Chen Shi still could not understand the strange sensation that had guided him here.
But the timing was far too perfect.
Even he would not believe there was nothing unusual behind it.
One thousand years later, he could explain meeting Jirachi as the result of a wish.
But what about now?
Only a few hours before Jirachi's awakening, an inexplicable feeling had suddenly drawn him directly toward the sleeping Pokémon.
At this point in time, Jirachi did not know him yet.
So the feeling could not possibly have come from Jirachi.
Chen Shi held the crystalline meteorite in his arms and let out a quiet sigh.
If Jirachi was not responsible...
Then it could only have been that great being.
Ralts, perched on his shoulder, seemed to notice the turmoil in his heart.
She gently rubbed her head against his cheek.
"Ralts~"
Chen Shi's gaze softened.
"Ralts, a meteor that appears only once every thousand years will cross the sky tonight."
"Shall we watch it together?"
"Ralts~"
Ralts tilted her head.
What was a meteor?
Was it something edible?
Well, it didn't matter.
Whatever a meteor was, if Chen Shi wanted to watch it, she would stay and watch with him.
After their heartfelt conversation earlier, Ralts had already made up her mind.
Even if Chen Shi truly wanted to have an Egg with her, she would not leave him.
It was fortunate Chen Shi could not hear her thoughts.
Otherwise, he would have asked Florges to give her another hard slap.
Afterward, Chen Shi released all of his Pokémon.
He lifted Ralts from his shoulder and announced,
"From today onward, Ralts is officially one of our companions."
"Everyone, make sure you take good care of your new little sister."
The others already knew that Ralts had suffered greatly, so they all greeted her warmly.
Ralts looked slightly embarrassed.
"Ralts~"
"Toge~"
Togekiss's eyes shifted craftily.
She fluttered closer, somehow produced a lollipop, and offered it to Ralts.
"Toge~"
(This is for you. It's very sweet.)
Ralts looked at Togekiss in confusion.
She had stolen Togekiss's food earlier.
At the time, Togekiss had looked ready to fight her to the death.
Why was she now willing to share something delicious?
Ralts turned uncertainly toward Chen Shi.
"Since she's offering it, you can take it."
Chen Shi smiled gently.
"Here, I'll unwrap it for you."
He took the lollipop from Ralts, removed the wrapper, and revealed the smooth, round candy inside.
"Go ahead."
"This really is sweet."
"I guarantee you've never tasted anything like it."
He held the lollipop near Ralts's mouth.
Ralts hesitated, then opened her mouth.
However, she quickly realized that the candy was far too large to eat in one bite.
She immediately looked troubled.
Togekiss chuckled twice.
Then, from who-knew-where, she pulled out another lollipop.
She expertly unwrapped it, held it near her mouth, and gave it a small lick.
"Toge~"
Ralts finally understood.
So that was how it was eaten.
She took the lollipop from Chen Shi, held it near her mouth, and cautiously copied Togekiss by licking it.
A sweetness unlike anything she had ever experienced spread from her tongue through her entire mouth.
Ralts's eyes lit up.
It really was incredibly sweet!
"Toge~"
(Tasty, right?)
Togekiss looked rather pleased with herself.
Ralts nodded repeatedly.
She was far too busy licking the lollipop to answer.
Togekiss leaned closer and whispered,
"Toge, toge... Toge~"
(Listen, our Trainer has lots of delicious things like this.)
(You should act cute around him more often. He'll definitely give you some.)
(And when he does, don't forget about me. Make sure you share a little.)
Chen Shi, standing nearby, nearly laughed from sheer disbelief.
"So that's why you were suddenly being so generous."
"You were willing to give away your precious treasure because you had this little scheme in mind?"
Togekiss immediately looked guilty.
No way.
She had spoken so quietly.
How had her Trainer still heard her?
Chen Shi snorted.
"Ralts, when you get something good in the future, don't share it with this Little Plane."
"She clearly has ulterior motives."
Togekiss puffed out her cheeks unhappily.
Her plan had been perfect.
Chen Shi had only just caught this pitiful little Pokémon.
According to the usual pattern, he would definitely spend the next few days feeding her all kinds of nutritious and delicious things.
If Togekiss befriended Ralts now, the little one would surely share some of those treats later.
Unfortunately...
Chen Shi had exposed the entire scheme.
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