"Alright..."
"I should get going too."
Standing atop Gyarados's head, Aaron looked down at the ruined forest below and spoke to the old man and Moss.
"Moss... I'm sure we'll meet again out in the wider world."
"I'll be waiting for the day you come challenge me."
Aaron smiled as he said it.
"GRAAAH!"
Gyarados let out a roar and carried Aaron into the distance.
"Goodbye, Moss! Grandpa!"
Aaron waved at the two of them.
"Goodbye!"
"Aaron, wait for me! I'll definitely come find you someday!"
Moss shouted after Aaron's departing figure.
The old man also waved goodbye. A strange light flickered in his eyes as he muttered softly to himself,
"Farewell... mysterious boy."
...
Beneath the setting sun, a massive four-clawed dragon-like Pokémon flew across the sky, gliding past clusters of clouds as it headed toward the horizon.
Aaron and Greninja sat atop Gyarados's head, enjoying the cool breeze with their eyes half-closed.
"Grenin..."
Greninja glanced at Aaron and let out a low cry.
Aaron, if you're tired, take a nap.
With me here, Big Guy won't fly off course.
Greninja's voice echoed inside Aaron's mind.
"GRAAH!"
Gyarados immediately let out a dissatisfied growl, as if protesting.
I wouldn't fly off course in the first place!
Aaron opened his eyes, looked at the two Pokémon, and laughed.
"Hahaha..."
"I'm fine. This is just way too comfortable."
"Sometimes relaxing really is the best."
"Graaah..."
Gyarados let out another low roar.
Salted fish tastes awful... Master's grilled fish tastes way better.
"Grenin..."
All you ever think about is food. If you eat that much, why doesn't your brain grow too?
"GRAAH! GRAAH!"
Master says I'm adorable just the way I am. What do you know?
"Hahaha!"
Hearing Greninja and Gyarados bicker made Aaron burst out laughing.
"Right, right. Gyarados is the cutest."
"Let's go. We still need to find a place to stay tonight."
"GRAAAH!"
A dark shadow streaked across the sky.
...
At dusk, beneath fiery sunset clouds that dyed the horizon crimson, the scenery was dazzling.
Beside a crystal-clear stream, Aaron released all his Pokémon.
The rich aroma of grilled fish filled the air, drifting through the evening breeze.
"Alright, everyone... dig in!"
Aaron shouted with a grin.
Instantly, the Pokémon rushed forward, scrambling for the fragrant grilled fish.
Aaron quickly grabbed several skewers and set them on the table beside him before leisurely sitting down to enjoy his own meal.
If he did not save some in advance, those hungry monsters would wipe everything out.
System... stop playing dead.
Where's my reward?
Aaron asked in his mind while happily eating grilled fish.
Tsk...
"Ding~ Congratulations on completing the mission: Defeat S-rank Pokémon Hunter Titan"
"Ding~ Congratulations. Mission rewards: Battle Core Crystal ×1, Pokémon Candy (Elite) ×1, Energy Cubes ×5 cans."
The system's slightly regretful voice rang in Aaron's ears, making the corner of his mouth twitch.
Too lazy to argue with it, Aaron immediately gave the Pokémon Candy (Elite) to Snorlax.
Snorlax's level instantly reached peak-stage Elite, now matching Charizard.
Aaron then turned his attention to the Battle Core Crystal and opened its information panel.
[Name: Battle Core Crystal]
[Description: It can absorb the soul of a Pokémon, allowing that Pokémon's soul to reside within the crystal and form a special Battle Core. After equipping it, the host can freely activate the Battle Core.]
Aaron froze slightly after reading the description.
A Pokémon soul?
Rustle, rustle...
Just then, movement came from the forest behind him.
Aaron's ears twitched slightly.
A tiny black-and-blue bird hopped out from the bushes and landed on the table holding the grilled fish.
Its eyes were locked onto the delicious grilled fish, longing written all over its face.
Naturally, Aaron noticed the little Pokémon immediately.
His eyes lit up.
"Rookidee?"
He blurted out the Pokémon's name.
That was right.
This tiny bird Pokémon, barely twenty centimeters tall, was actually an extremely rare species in Hualis.
Rookidee!!
[Name: Rookidee]
[Gender: Female]
[Nature: Gentle]
[Type: Flying]
[Ability: Big Pecks (Hidden Ability)]
[Base Stats Total: 245]
[Level: Beginner (Stage Peak)]
[Pokémon Potential: Gym-Leader]
[Known Moves: Peck (Proficient), Leer (Proficient), Screech (Beginner), Metal Sound (Beginner), Pluck (Beginner), Fury Attack (Beginner), Iron Defense (Beginner), Hone Claws (Beginner)]
[Description: Rookidee, the Tiny Bird Pokémon. Despite its small size, it fears no powerful opponents and will fight enemies to the very end.]
...
Aaron looked at the adorable Rookidee and smiled faintly.
"Rook... rookidee..."
Rookidee looked at Aaron with some fear, but the smell of grilled fish was far too tempting.
Combined with its empty stomach, all it could do was stare at him pitifully and let out a soft cry.