Gazing at the small, solitary figure cloaked in green, Aiden's eyes couldn't help but blur slightly.
Ogerpon, the Mask Pokémon.
Its base attribute is Grass-type.
As possibly the only one of its kind in the world, even Aiden wasn't entirely sure about Ogerpon's origins. All he knew was that it had appeared roughly a hundred years ago, arriving in Kitakami alongside a mysterious man carrying strange crystals.
At the same time, it was also the "ghost" from Kitakami's legends.
But when this Pokémon, rumored to indiscriminately attack humans with its thorny staff, was discovered by humans, it instead exhibited a frightened demeanor.
"Pon?!"
Noticing the gazes of Aiden and the others, Ogerpon immediately assumed a defensive posture, retreating several steps backward.
Just as Aiden reacted and began to slowly approach, the crowd that had finished watching the fireworks and begun to disperse also noticed its presence.
"It's the ogre, the ogre has appeared!!!"
Someone shouted first, and soon many locals from Kitakami grabbed their tools and rushed over.
"Evil little ghost, don't you dare disturb our Festival of Masks!"
"Get out of here, you're not welcome!"
"If you don't leave, we'll take action!"
Relying on their numbers, the villagers felt emboldened, glaring menacingly at the lone figure under the distant tree.
Though they weren't clear why this "ghost," unseen for many years, had suddenly appeared multiple times in the village recently, their deep-seated prejudices were hard to shake. They immediately issued an "eviction order" through their actions.
And as the local residents moved, some of the tourists who had been quietly observing quickly joined the chorus of condemnation against the "ghost."
They didn't know what was happening, mistaking the events as part of the Festival of Masks.
It was like the "Ghost Beating Ritual" during the festival.
"Pon..."
Under the intense, hostile stares of so many people, feeling their undisguised pure malice, Ogerpon's body began to tremble slightly.
Even through its enormous grass mask, one could clearly sense its feelings of grievance.
It hadn't done anything wrong, yet it had been labeled a "ghost."
Even though it had tried its best to stay away from humans, the man who brought it to Kitakami when it was young...
Even avenging that man had been twisted into "the noble Loyal Three stepping in" and "an evil ghost harassing the village" by the villagers.
Perhaps it really shouldn't appear before humans again in the future?
But—
"Pon..."
Ogerpon raised its head, peering through its mask.
Noticing its gaze fixed on him, Aiden was momentarily startled, then quickly turned to look behind him.
No, Ogerpon's target wasn't him—it was...
The statues of the Loyal Three?
Or more precisely, the bodies of the Loyal Three buried beneath the shrine where they were enshrined?
Aiden suddenly recalled an important plot point about Kitakami.
The first time the protagonist encountered Ogerpon was also near the Loyalty Plaza, where it was silently observing the statues of the Loyal Three.
Moreover, it was clear this wasn't its first visit.
From Kieran's later single punch reviving the Loyal Three, it seemed Ogerpon had long noticed something unusual here.
Kieran's punch naturally couldn't have any supernatural power, so...
It likely had something to do with Pecharunt, the mastermind behind everything who never appeared in the legends, right?
Thinking about this, Aiden couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for the gentle-hearted Ogerpon.
Even after being so deeply misunderstood by the villagers, upon realizing the Loyal Three might revive at any moment, it still remained vigilant and stationed itself nearby.
Ignoring the danger of being discovered, it came to the Loyalty Plaza to confirm the situation.
Ogerpon, you're so kind...
"I feel like there's something very wrong about this."
Looking at Ogerpon, driven into a corner by the villagers, Cynthia frowned slightly.
As an observer, she saw things more clearly.
"Judging by its behavior, it's obvious that it harbors no ill intentions toward the villagers."
"So why do these villagers call it a 'ghost' and show such obvious hostility?"
"If it's just because of vague legends, isn't that going too far...?"
Aiden nodded.
"There are indeed many suspicious points, especially regarding this ghost's image—it's almost completely opposite to what I've seen."
"So, I plan to help it."
As he spoke, Aiden took his first step forward.
"If wearing a mask makes one a 'ghost,' then having one more ghost companion shouldn't be a problem, right?"
Cynthia paused momentarily after hearing this, then quickly revealed a knowing smile.
She didn't step forward, merely quietly took a Poké Ball from her pocket and placed it in her palm, silently waiting for Aiden's performance.
Though as the Sinnoh Champion, causing trouble in Kitakami might not reflect well, but...
Grandma Carolina should forgive me for this bit of capriciousness, right?
"Pon?!"
Seeing someone actually approaching, Ogerpon panicked and prepared to turn back and hide in the cave where it had always lived.
However, at that moment, it heard a gentle voice.
"Don't worry, Ogerpon, I'm your friend."
"Pon?"
How long had it been since anyone mentioned its name? Even Ogerpon itself was momentarily stunned, and its already stepped-out foot stopped in its tracks.
How did this human know its name?
And...
Friend?
Ogerpon turned around, looking at the man who had already donned the Cornerstone Mask.
The gentle gaze piercing through the mask directly locked onto it, quickly making Ogerpon realize that he didn't harbor the unfounded malice other humans did.
Being sensitive and lonely, decades of solitary survival had made it almost forget the feeling of being trusted.
And after a hundred years, apart from that man, another human firmly stood before it.
"Pon..."
For some reason, Ogerpon suddenly felt like crying, and inexplicably, it slowly walked toward Aiden.
One step, two steps.
"Hey, that guest over there, come back!"
"Don't be deceived by its appearance—it's a vicious ogre!"
"If you get close to a ogre, you'll be cursed with misfortune!"
Angry roars from the villagers echoed behind them.
Aiden ignored them, his gaze remaining gentle as he watched Ogerpon.
"Pon!"
Ogerpon shook its head, its tiny hands waving frantically in front of it.
Though unable to understand Pokémon language, Aiden quickly guessed its meaning through its gestures.
You should leave; getting closer will bring you misfortune too!
My poor Ogerpon...
After sighing, Aiden took two proactive steps forward. In Ogerpon's astonished gaze beneath the mask, he approached it.
Ogerpon felt a warm hand touch its forehead, and the strange sensation from the caress traveled through its body like electricity, causing it to tremble slightly.
This feeling...
It was something only the man who had taken it wandering everywhere when it was young would do.
Ogerpon instinctively raised its head. After locking eyes with the gentle gaze beneath the mask, it suddenly felt a sting in its eyes.
The pitch-black eyes beneath the Cornerstone Mask were filled with warmth and kindness, devoid of any disgust, fear, or hypocrisy.
In that instant, his image seemed to overlap with the man who annually put on a mask and secretly attended the festival celebrations.
"Pon..."
Looking at the man's outstretched hand, Ogerpon inexplicably reached out in response.
And upon noticing the masked man actually holding the "ghost's" tiny hand, the surrounding villagers soon erupted in angry roars—
"Even if you're a guest, standing so close to an ogre is absolutely unforgivable!"
Among the crowd, Nemona and Lacey exchanged glances.
"I feel like these Kitakami villagers are being a bit extreme..."
Lacey lowered her voice, carefully observing her surroundings as she whispered.
"Yeah, why do they harbor such intense malice toward the ogre?"
Nemona also couldn't understand, especially after Teacher Aiden shielded the "ghost." She now held no goodwill toward these villagers.
"In Teacher Aiden's words..."
After organizing his thoughts, Arven beside the two slowly spoke.
"These Kitakami villagers seem a bit deranged?"
"Exactly!"
Nemona nodded repeatedly, her gaze fixed on the figure who ignored countless angry stares and still stood resolutely beside the "ghost."
"Indeed, Teacher Aiden is so righteous—he didn't hesitate to step forward in such a situation!"
Although wearing a mask, she could instantly recognize him as their Sunshine Gym's pride, Teacher Aiden!
Facing so many terrifying Kitakami villagers—more frightening than ghosts—even she couldn't help but feel fear.
But Teacher Aiden could stand directly beside the ogre—it was so cool!
Nemona's admiration for Teacher Aiden skyrocketed once again.
"That's true."
Lacey smiled faintly, interlocking her fingers and gazing at Teacher Azure's figure with admiration.
Though he sometimes acted a bit unserious during streams, daring to use tactics that might spark controversy was itself the best reflection of Teacher Azure's character.
Indeed, Teacher Azure was so positive and respectful to every opponent that he was often misunderstood as enjoying tormenting his opponents.
If their Blueberry Academy in Unova had such a role model—a teacher who was upright and kind—it would be wonderful!
Because of Aiden's appearance, the group of tourists influenced by the atmosphere and mistakenly thinking this was part of the festival activities quickly realized their error.
The previously fierce "Ghost Hunting Team" of Kitakami, seemingly ready to charge at any moment, instantly lost more than half its members.
Though many villagers were still angrily ranting, they clearly lacked the courage to confront the "ghost" directly and could only shout from afar.
At this moment, a somewhat balding, elderly man quickly emerged from the crowd.
His identity was clear to both locals and tourists alike—
The administrator of Mossui Town, or perhaps...
The mayor?
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