In the kitchen, Lin Feng quietly spoke to Gardevoir, who was finishing the last step of solidifying the energy cubes.
"You worked hard today."
Even though Lin Feng now possessed telepathy, most of the daycare's daily energy cube production still relied on Gardevoir.
Among Psychic types, her strength remained exceptional.
Gardevoir shook her head gently, then floated toward the door.
She was going to patrol the orchard.
Something had been nagging at her.
Today, she faintly sensed that something was watching the orchard, yet neither her psychic field nor emotional perception detected anything unusual.
The mystery made her curious, so she intended to check once more, just to be safe.
On her way out, she also carried the freshly cooked dishes to the garden table.
Lin Feng glanced at the clock.
5:42 PM.
Not quite evening yet.
He exhaled softly and reached into his storage, taking out a pitch-black fruit that looked more like a lump of stone than something edible.
This was the Wish Fruit, a gift earned after successfully bonding with Jirachi.
Its description appeared in his mind:
[SSS-Grade Ingredient: Mysterious Wish Fruit
A fruit said to have fallen from outer space. It possesses unknown magical properties.]
He held it thoughtfully.
What should I do with it?
Lin Feng tapped the dark outer shell with care. It cracked open, revealing delicate white flesh inside.
A strange aroma escaped, impossible to describe with ordinary words. It reminded him faintly of Steenee.
After considering a moment, he made his decision.
Since Jirachi arrived, everyone had been eating grilled dishes nonstop.
This fruit clearly was not fit for roasting.
The best option was to turn it into an energy cube.
And Lin Feng was already skilled enough that crafting one berry into a cube was effortless.
Soon, the white pulp blended into a pure white cube. Lin Feng examined it closely.
A shimmering text floated before him:
[Legendary Dish: Wish
An energy cube made from the extraterrestrial Wish Fruit.
It contains the creator's emotions and grants a magical two-choice effect.
Exclusive for Jirachi.]
Effect 1: Heart of Wishes
If eaten, Jirachi will be freed from the burden of wish-granting.
She will no longer fall into millennial sleep and will live like an ordinary Pokémon.
Effect 2: Dream Comet
If eaten before sleep, her energy cycle increases a thousandfold.
When the Millennium Comet fully transfers power to Earth, Jirachi will awaken sooner.
The thousand-year sleep will shorten... to just one year.
Lin Feng stared at the two effects in silence.
Then he laughed quietly.
So even without speaking aloud, the cube reflected what I truly hoped for...
I want Jirachi to stay. To live without disappearing for a thousand years.
Neither option was perfect, but both were beautiful in their own way.
If she chose Effect 1, she would never again fall asleep for centuries.
She would lose her wish-granting powers, yes, but she could live freely, like a normal Pokémon.
Awake with the sunrise. Sleeping at night.
Living beside everyone.
If she chose Effect 2, she would still sleep, but only for one year instead of a thousand.
And during that year, the comet's power would continue nourishing the world.
Compared to a millennium, a single year felt almost short.
Lin Feng felt relief wash through him.
Whether Jirachi chose freedom or a shortened slumber, she would never again vanish for an eternity.
Even during that one-year sleep, they could still meet in dreams.
If Serperior grew Dream Spinach again someday, everyone could visit her in the dream world.
His heart felt light.
He hurried out of the kitchen, eager to share the news with Jirachi.
But before he could take more than a few steps, Alolan Vulpix sprinted toward him in a panic.
"Vul... vul..."
(Something is wrong...)
She tugged his pants anxiously and led him inside.
"Vul... vul!"
(Victini is crying... really hard!)
"What?"
Lin Feng froze.
Victini? Crying?
Had something happened with Jirachi?
He quickly stored the Wish Cube and followed Vulpix to the living room.
Before he entered, he heard soft, choked sobs.
There, on the floor, Victini sat with her head buried in her tiny hands, crying as if her heart had cracked open.
All the Pokémon gathered around her, unsure how to comfort the little Mythical Pokémon.
When Lin Feng appeared, Hattrem stood immediately. Her eyes were full of concern, but she didn't know where to begin.
"What happened?"
Lin Feng hurried forward.
"Victini, did someone hurt you?"
None of his Pokémon were the type to bully others.
The sight only confused him more.
"Mew..."
Jirachi hovered at Victini's side, worried and helpless.
Even Mew, normally playful and carefree, grew quiet.
Victini sensed Lin Feng close. She wiped her face, trying to hold back tears, but the more she tried, the more they spilled over, like a broken dam.
"Vi... Vi..."
(I am sorry... I do not even know why...)
Her voice trembled, full of pain she did not understand.
Lin Feng couldn't decipher the words. He frowned, preparing to use his telepathic stone to read her emotions.
Before he could, Vulpix poked him gently.
"Vul... vul..."
(I asked Victini if she had a trainer... then she started crying. I didn't know it would hurt her. I am sorry...)
Her voice shrank with guilt.
Lin Feng stood still for a moment.
Then understanding dawned.
Victini had no trainer.
She had once followed a king, but never belonged to anyone.
She watched others have partners, companions, families...
And when asked, the truth hit her like a wound she never healed.
Lin Feng's gaze softened.
He knelt down and lifted Victini gently into his arms.
"It is alright. You can cry. Cry as much as you need. When the tears stop, the hurt will ease."
Victini trembled, then pressed her face against his chest.
"Vii... ti..."
(I miss him... I miss him so much...)
She sobbed louder.
She was small, but her sorrow was enormous.