Arceus's fragment slowly descended until she was floating in front of Aaron. She studied the young's bright, sunny smile with a complicated expression, then finally spoke in a soft voice.
"Congratulations, young trainer. You have cleared the ninth floor of the Hidden Dragon Tower. I have to admit, you are strong. Among all the geniuses I have seen across these countless years, you are the most outstanding."
Her voice was clear and gentle, like a light breeze brushing past his ears.
Aaron steadied his breathing and gave her a tired look.
"Huff... I'm starting to think that when you designed this floor, you never actually expected anyone to clear it." He pointed back toward the ruined battlefield. "That was not a trial a normal human could pass."
The fragment's cheeks flushed slightly.
"W-well, not exactly. I simply did not expect Pokémon to grow this weak after so much time had passed." She lifted her chin, trying to sound dignified. "If they were ancient Pokémon, they would be much stronger."
The words ancient Pokémon made Aaron's heart stir. In the anime, ancient Pokémon had appeared before. They were enormous, incredibly powerful, and some were so dangerous they could not be killed at all, only sealed away.
Perhaps this world had ancient Pokémon too.
Aaron pushed down the thoughts running wild in his head. A faint smile returned to his face as he looked at the fragment.
"Lady Alpaca..."
The fragment froze.
"Lady what?"
"I've already cleared the ninth floor," Aaron continued smoothly, pretending not to notice. "So shouldn't you fulfill your promise now? What rewards do I get?"
The fragment stared at him for another second.
"How exactly do I look like an alpaca?"
Aaron's expression remained perfectly innocent.
After a deep breath, the fragment clearly decided not to argue with him.
"Don't worry. I am Arceus, the Original One. Do you really think I would lie to you?"
"Technically, you're only one eighteenth of Arceus," Aaron added from behind her without thinking.
The fragment slowly turned her head.
"You... brat."
She gave a small, haughty snort.
"I was originally planning to give you one more treasure. But forget it. Since you look down on a mere one eighteenth like me, you probably would not want it anyway."
SLAP!
A crisp sound rang out.
Under the fragment's shocked, confused, and utterly baffled gaze, Aaron slapped himself hard across the face. Then he lowered his hand calmly, as if nothing had happened.
"Lady Alpaca, please don't lower yourself to the level of this stupid mouth of mine. It clearly deserved that. One slap should be enough."
He looked at her with a puzzled expression.
"Right. What were you just saying? You were going to give me another treasure, weren't you?"
Then he smiled with terrifying sincerity.
"Thank you so much, Lady Alpaca. You're the best."
The fragment's face twitched.
For a moment, she truly did not know how to respond.
His Pokémon were strong. His tongue was sharp. His shamelessness was on another level. He was ruthless too; the moment he decided to slap himself, he did it without the slightest hesitation.
And the second treasure was mentioned, his eyes immediately turned greedy.
That was Arceus's fragment's impression of Aaron.
"Lady Alpaca?"
Seeing that she was still dazed, Aaron's heart sank.
Did I not slap hard enough?
But my teeth already feel a little loose.
Should I go harder next time?
His face remained full of smiles, but inside, he was already screaming.
"Hm?"
The fragment finally came back to herself.
"Sorry. I was thinking about what to eat for lunch and got distracted."
"It's fine, it's fine." Aaron's smile became even brighter. "So, about that reward?"
The fragment looked at him for a long moment, then lifted her little head proudly.
"Seeing how sincere you are, I will give you one more treasure. I am not that stingy."
She paused, then muttered, "And I am not an alpaca."
White light lit up around her body. A moment later, three objects slowly floated out from within the glow: an ancient stone Plate, a Pokémon Egg marked with yellow patterns, and a lightning-shaped stone.
Aaron's eyes immediately burned with excitement. He reached out with both hands and carefully accepted them.
The fragment looked at him solemnly.
"This Plate is one of this world's supreme treasures: the Zap Plate. It can grant powerful strength to Electric-type Pokémon."
Her gaze moved to the Egg.
"And this, you should already understand. It is Zeraora's child. From now on, I will leave it in your care."
Finally, she looked at the lightning-shaped stone.
"This is Zeraora's Calling Stone. You may use it once to summon my guardian Pokémon, Zeraora. No matter how far away it is, Zeraora will immediately come to your side and protect you."
Her tone grew more serious.
"But remember, it can only be used in the Outer World. It will not work in the Inner World or in special spaces. Do you understand?"
Aaron nodded.
Only then did the fragment continue.
"I will entrust the mission of collecting the Plates to you... My will shall sleep within the Zap Plate. When you encounter the other Plates, I will awaken."
Her eyes shimmered with white light as she looked at him.
"Boy, I leave the mission of saving the Outer World to you. The beings of the Inner World will return one day. You must find the remaining seventeen Plates as soon as possible and revive my true body."
Her voice lowered.
"Only then will the Outer World have the power to stand against the Inner World. Otherwise, this world may not survive the next disaster."
Aaron had just accepted a pile of treasures from her, so even he knew this was not the time to joke too much. He immediately patted his chest and promised with absolute confidence.
"Don't worry, Lady Alpaca. You can leave it to me."
Then he raised his chin.
"Even if it costs me any chance of ever getting married, I'll find all eighteen Plates."
The fragment stared at him.
Then she burst out laughing.
"Fine. Remember what you said."
Her body slowly began to glow.
"I am about to fall into a deep sleep. I will send you out now."
...