Chapter 151:
'Wait, Pidgeot just went down. Now what's this Pidgeotto doing up here?'
Although the matter was being handled, Kazephyr was still quite cautious about the Darkrai situation.
But now it seemed like it wasn't really his concern anymore.
So he could only idly watch the scenery or observe the other Pokémon.
Seeing a Pidgeotto fly up now, he couldn't help but be flabbergasted internally.
He subtly urged Moltres to fly forward a bit, positioning it to shield the "Pidgeotto."
Darkrai looked at Gardevoir, then at Mewtwo, its expression unchanging.
It wasn't afraid of this Pokémon.
After all, this wasn't its prime.
The two Pokémon's gazes met mid-air, as if sparks were colliding between them.
In the end, Darkrai was the one to look away.
It didn't come here to fight.
Seeing that it wouldn't be easy to reclaim his power, it wanted to see the meaning its power had brought.
Finally, it asked Gardevoir: "So, were you dissatisfied with your decision to obtain my power back then? Or did you only gain suffering after receiving my power?"
Both Hayashi Kaede and Gardevoir were taken aback, clearly not expecting Darkrai to ask this.
The question seemed tricky.
If Gardevoir answered yes, then it would mean the power Darkrai had bestowed had only brought burden and pain to Gardevoir.
If it only brought pain, then why insist on keeping it now?
Wouldn't it be better to just return it?
Coupled with Gardevoir's earlier response.
You said you never actively used my power before, so logically, you shouldn't need this power either.
Then why are you so attached to it now?
This stumped Hayashi Kaede. He wasn't sure how to respond and could only look at Gardevoir.
After a moment of silence, Gardevoir spoke leisurely: "Gardevoir..." (I wouldn't say that exactly. When I was young and naive, I thought any power I could obtain was good.)
"Gardevoir...." (But later it was different. For a period after that, from when I evolved from Ralts to Kirlia and then to Gardevoir, I resented this power.)
"Gardevoir..." (Because during that time, everywhere I went, I caused disturbances, so I had to constantly move from place to place.)
"Gardevoir..." (But after evolving into Gardevoir, I gradually came to terms with it. Although your power brought me much distress and pain, it also brought me many gains in growth, like this level of strength...)
"Gardevoir..." (If I had grown up step-by-step within the tribe, I'd most likely have ended up like the other Gardevoir in the tribe—growing up slowly, becoming just another Gardevoir within the tribe. I wouldn't have had so many experiences. I wouldn't have become this strong.)
"Gardevoir..." (Similarly, I wouldn't have met the Trainer I admire...)
"Gardevoir...." (I can only say, gains come with losses, and meeting requires fate.)
Gardevoir narrated calmly. So many years had passed; It was no longer that ignorant Ralts from back then.
It now understood what cost meant when doing things.
Moreover, the reason it was so attached to this power now wasn't because it wanted to use it, but because the curse this power brought was resolved by Hayashi Kaede. In a way, this cursed power was a testament to how the two of them met.
Gardevoir didn't want to easily hand over the power that Hayashi Kaede had worked so "hard" to help it master.
Listening to this, Hayashi Kaede felt inexplicable pang of sadness for Gardevoir and also touched.
Gardeaux is the best. Even their simple words are so touching.
What did it mean by "the Trainer I admire"!
I could just burst into tears...
"Is that so?"
Darkrai nodded. "In that case, I won't take it back then."
It had scattered so much power like this; losing one or two pieces didn't hurt.
Besides wanting to reclaim the power, its purpose in coming this time was also to check if the energy it left behind had caused any adverse effects, and to see what Pokémon could fully master its energy.
Having said that, Darkrai glanced at Hayashi Kaede again, then turned its gaze to Kazephyr, who had helped it this time. After a moment's thought, a pitch-black stone slowly detached from its body and hovered before Kazephyr. "Human, thank you. This stone has been attached to me for a long time, infused with my power. It has certain effects on Dark-type Pokémon."
"Huh?"
Kazephyr was stunned, looking at the stone. When he looked up again, Darkrai had already disappeared.
This left him baffled.
Come on, I'm the Champion! Not some hired Trainer you picked up randomly!
But then again, a treasure gifted by the Nightmare Pokémon should be quite valuable, right?
This was something he obtained during a mission; it didn't need to be handed over to the League treasury.
When Darkrai gifted the treasure to Kazephyr, Hayashi Kaede naturally saw it too and instinctively used [Eye of Exploration].
He had been thinking about what compensation to offer since Gardevoir had taken the other's power, but he didn't expect Darkrai to be so aloof, leaving before he could even speak.
[SSS Grade Ingredient – Darkrai's Nether Stone: After being with Darkrai for a long time, it's imbued with a dense, malevolent emotional energy. Anyone approaching it will be affected by this energy, causing confusion, nightmares, or sleep negative state effect. It can be soaked in water to slowly channel the energy into the water, dispersing it.
Note: The soaked water can be used as a certain seasoning.]
Huh?
It had this effect too?
Hayashi Kaede fell into thought.
Could a dish or energy block made from this seasoning have any special effects?
Cause nightmares after eating?
Would it have any special effects combined with Cresselia's Lunar Wing?
A tangled web of thoughts flashed through his mind, and he was finally interrupted by Mewtwo's words: "Since there's no issue, Dragonite and I will take our leave now."
"Dragonite ...."
The Dragonite beneath him looked at Hayashi Kaede reluctantly; it was somewhat unwilling to leave this place.
Only after Mewtwo urged it did it leave Hayashi Kaede, looking back at him every few steps, its eyes shining with a hint of longing.
This made Hayashi Kaede laugh involuntarily. He shook his head, then took out a storage ball and tossed it to Mewtwo. The ball arced through the air before being caught by Mewtwo's psychic power.
"This should keep you fed for a while on the road. Don't treat Dragonite poorly, alright."
Mewtwo paused, then nodded. "Understood."
Only after hearing Hayashi Kaede's instruction did Dragonite show a satisfied simple smile, quickly following Mewtwo as they left.
Watching the two Pokémon fly away, Hayashi Kaede sighed, about to turn his attention to Kazephyr.
But he found that the "Pidgeotto" that had flown up earlier was no longer a Pidgeotto at this moment—it had transformed directly into Mew.
However, after watching the entire show without being driven away, it seemed to be looking at Hayashi Kaede with a hint of resentment.