In all honesty, Zinnia was actually in Verdanturf Town when she first received the news. Even though she rushed back at breakneck speed, the sun was already dipping below the horizon by the time she arrived.
She really didn't intentionally "wait" for Kashiwagi to fix everything before showing up.
Besides, after only meeting him once before, she didn't trust him that much yet.
Meteor Falls held her grandmother, her people, and everything she held dear—there was no way she'd just leave that in a stranger's hands if she could help it.
Kashiwagi understood this, of course. His earlier remark was just a bit of snark directed at her and Raikou for their fashionably late entrance.
Raikou, standing with his back to the pair, felt a metaphorical phantom pain in his spine from the comment. He rolled his eyes and irritably flicked his lightning-shaped tail.
Sometimes, I really wish I didn't understand human speech, the legendary beast thought. This brat is seriously annoying. He just loves to prick me, doesn't he?
...
"In any case, thank you for saving everyone in Meteor Village," Zinnia said, her face still beaming with a bright smile.
She wasn't the type to get angry over a little teasing, especially since she'd already heard the full story of the Team Rocket invasion from the villagers. Right now, her heart was filled with nothing but gratitude.
When she first met Kashiwagi, she never imagined he would one day be the savior of her grandmother.
Thinking back to that first meeting... Was I acting a bit too high-and-mighty? she wondered. Well, I was in 'Lorekeeper' mode. I hope he still thinks I'm at least somewhat friendly.
"Just doing my part," Kashiwagi replied, not letting the praise go to his head. He cleared his throat.
"Sorry, but is there anything else? I'd like to change my clothes before heading back to the Dragon Shrine."
"Oh! Nothing else, I just wanted to say thanks."
Zinnia raised her hands in an innocent gesture. Then, while Kashiwagi watched with a confused expression, she dashed into the house and popped open an inner door.
"...I need to change, too. Want to head over together in a bit?"
"...Sure."
"Give me five minutes!" Zinnia chirped, gently clicking the door shut.
Right! This is her house! Kashiwagi finally realized where he was. He turned away, beginning to pull off his tattered shirt as he walked over to Raikou.
"You coming?"
SNAP!
A flash of blue, lightning-bolt tail whipped through the air.
"Fine, don't come then! Why'd you have to hit me?"
Kashiwagi rubbed his calf, grumbling. The "Big Cat" just gave him a look that clearly said: I didn't do it on purpose.
The tails on these powerhouse Pokémon never felt good when they hit you.
Between you and me, if Hydreigon's tail accidentally smacked him in the face, Kashiwagi was pretty sure he wouldn't live to see the next sunrise.
Kashiwagi changed quickly. Just as he finished, Zinnia knocked on the door.
"Kashiwagi?"
"Coming."
After checking on his Pokémon, Kashiwagi opened the door to find Zinnia dressed in a traditional female Draconid gown.
The change was striking; she looked like a completely different person compared to the "tough girl" aesthetic of her usual T-shirt and denim shorts.
"So? How do I look?"
Zinnia held the edges of her skirt, spinning in a playful circle with a grin.
"It's alright,"
Kashiwagi nodded casually.
"Let's not keep the Elder waiting. Let's go."
He stepped past her, heading straight for the Dragon Shrine.
Zinnia watched his retreating back with a slightly twitchy expression, but she didn't say anything, quickly catching up to walk beside him.
"Honestly, Grandma's decision kinda messed up my plans," she admitted.
"I originally wanted your Mega Evolution trial and the Lorekeeper trial to happen at the same time. But now, they're definitely going to be separate."
"The Lorekeeper trial..."
"Yep! It's a trial every Draconid has to go through. It's our birthright—and our duty," Zinnia explained, sensing his hesitation.
"Of course, your situation is special. If you don't want to do it, it's fine. Everyone will understand."
"No, I'm interested," Kashiwagi shook his head.
"But I'd prefer to do it when I have some actual free time. I've got a pretty packed schedule."
...
They chatted as they walked, soon arriving at the shrine.
Inside the tatami hall, the Draconids were seated on their knees in four neat rows, whispering softly. At the front stood the Elder, holding a wooden box, her head bowed in deep thought.
The moment Kashiwagi entered, the room went silent. Everyone sat up straight, and the Elder slowly rose to her feet.
The atmosphere became heavy with solemnity. Kashiwagi froze for a second until Zinnia gave him a gentle nudge from behind.
"Go on. The Elder is waiting for you."
She dropped the casual tone, smiling as he looked back.
"This is the ceremony to grant you your Key Stone and Mega Stone. It's a thank-you for everything you've done for the People of the Meteors."
Kashiwagi understood. As he walked forward, he scanned the faces of the Draconids.
Every single one of them nodded to him with eyes full of warmth and smiles.
Whatever the past had been, this incident had earned Kashiwagi their full respect. He was no longer just a "long-lost descendant of dragon tamers." He was, officially, one of them.
Bathed in their silent gratitude, Kashiwagi stood before the Elder.
"Child, kneel on one knee," the Elder said softly, placing a hand on his shoulder.
He complied.
The Elder began reciting a string of rhythmic, ancient words he couldn't understand, her hands lightly tapping his head and shoulders in a ritualistic pattern.
After a moment, a wave of applause broke out behind him. The Elder signaled for him to stand.
"Your deeds have far exceeded any trial we could set," she said in a low, resonant voice.
"In the name of the Elder of the Draconids, I grant you our sacred heritage. Use them well, remain true of heart, and stay kind. May the Dragon God, Rayquaza, watch over you."
"May the Dragon God, Rayquaza, watch over you," the people echoed in unison.
The Elder opened the wooden box. Inside were two compartments.
On the left sat a Key Stone, slightly larger than a thumb, set into a bronze spiral bracelet.
On the right lay an assortment of Mega Stones.
"Come, child. Take your Key Stone, and choose the Mega Stone you desire."
"The one I desire... Do you happen to have a Mawilite?"
"Ah, the 'Ruststone'? This is the one." The Elder pointed to a Mega Stone—pink on the outside with cloudy patches of lead-gray and pale yellow within.
Ruststone? They even have names for the stones here.
Suppressing his excitement, Kashiwagi took the Key Stone and the Mawilite.
He had expected to wait much longer to get these from Zinnia; he never thought a crisis would fast-track the process.
Should I actually be thanking Team Rocket?
No, no. That's messed up.
The Elder saw the whirlwind of emotions in his eyes and smiled gently. "Go back and rest, child. You've worked hard today."
"Thank you."
Kashiwagi took a deep breath. Even though the meeting didn't seem over, he was being given an early exit.
Feeling the exhaustion finally hitting his bones, he didn't refuse. He bowed deeply and turned to leave.
Zinnia sat among the crowd, her eyes fixed on his back until he vanished from sight.
...
The Next Morning
Kashiwagi opened his eyes, feeling the fatigue from yesterday completely gone.
Ah, the perks of being young—the recovery stats are off the charts.
He turned over to see the mountain of fur known as Raikou by his bed.
"So, since the Team Rocket grunts in Meteor Falls have been hauled off... where are you heading next?"
Because the big cat had been busy "working overtime" lately, Kashiwagi hadn't had much of a chance to progress his "Pet the Legendary Beast" master plan.
Now that the bad guys were gone, the cat didn't have to leave.
Operation: Fluff is back on!
Kashiwagi grinned like a madman and reached out, his hand heading straight for the iron plate on Raikou's forehead.
He expected a warning shock of static and was ready to pull back at a moment's notice, but to his surprise, the beast didn't react.
Raikou just lay there, letting him touch his head.
Is he still asleep?
No.
The legendary beast was already awake.
He had turned his head, his gaze fixed directly on Kashiwagi.
The sheer weight of meaning in those eyes, combined with his uncharacteristically submissive lack of resistance, caused Kashiwagi's playful grin to slowly stiffen and fade.
"...Are you going back to Johto?"
"Raii..."
Raikou lowered its gaze and gave a soft, slow nod.
The legendary beasts of the Johto region were guardians burdened with a heavy destiny. As the legendary attendants of Ho-Oh, their responsibility was to safeguard the weak and observe the hearts of humanity.
A time for parting was always going to come.
But Kashiwagi hadn't expected it to be so sudden. Maybe he shouldn't have gone to sleep so early last night. Maybe he should have tried harder to persuade him to stay. Maybe...
"Is Team Rocket truly gone from Hoenn for now?" he asked in a low voice.
"Rauuu."
Raikou nodded again.
"Then... when are you planning to leave?"
"Rauuu..."
The great beast slowly stood up, its massive frame casting a shadow over the bed.
"Today? Isn't that a bit too rushed? Staying for two more days wouldn't hurt anyone," Kashiwagi said, scrambling out of bed.
Around them, his other Pokémon began to stir, looking between the two with confused or startled expressions.
Raikou's gaze swept over the entire team before finally settling back on the human boy—the brat who had been so incredibly annoying, yet, in some strange way, endearing.
The legendary Pokémon remained silent, staring deep into Kashiwagi's eyes. Then, he lowered his head and leaned in, gently nuzzling his cheek against Kashiwagi's stunned face.
He then turned and did the same to Blissey, who looked on with watery, reluctant eyes.
It was a delicate, careful movement.
An act of affection and regret.
This was the first time Raikou had ever been this intimate.
He was no longer the "Big Cat" who rejected every touch, ignored every word, and expressed his disdain with nothing but eye-rolls.
But if this was the price of a goodbye, Kashiwagi would have much rather been shocked by lightning or looked down upon.
Kashiwagi reached out a hand. "At least stay for breakfast..."
"Rauuu."
Raikou shook his head and nimbly stepped back, retreating all the way to the courtyard outside the veranda.
He crouched down like a well-mannered feline, looking at the room full of Pokémon watching him. A faint, rare trace of a smile flickered in his eyes before he solemnly closed them and bowed his head.
"Rauuu..."
Thank you for looking after me for so long. And... goodbye.
'Friend'.
With that final message delivered, he turned and bolted toward the forests surrounding Meteor Village with unwavering determination.
Kashiwagi scrambled out of bed and sprinted outside, but all that remained was a graceful, golden blur vanishing into the trees.
He opened his mouth to call out, but found he had no idea what to say.
A farewell? He didn't want to say goodbye.
A plea to stay? Raikou's mind was clearly made up.
"...Damn it."
He covered his face, rubbing his stinging eyes. Behind him, his Pokémon crowded around, leaning against him to offer their own silent comfort.
It was all too sudden; he hadn't had a single moment to mentally prepare.
But perhaps...
Maybe Raikou chose this morning because it was sudden. If they had set a date, Kashiwagi would have surely used every trick, every excuse, and every ounce of charm to convince him to stay just a little bit longer.
And Kashiwagi knew himself—he definitely would have tried.
...
Deep in the forest, Raikou didn't look back. He couldn't look back. It was as if he was terrified that hearing the boy's voice would break his resolve. He just had to keep running.
Otherwise...
He knew he wouldn't be able to take another step away.
Images of his time with Kashiwagi flashed through his mind. Even as he told himself to run faster, his pace instinctively slowed.
Eventually, he came to a halt on a high ridge, staring blankly back the way he came, his vision piercing through the dense canopy.
What would breakfast have been today?
It probably would have tasted great.
Hydreigon is probably acting like a baby again, but Blissey will definitely drag him off to brush his teeth.
Galarian Corsola is likely still being lazy, floating onto Porygon's back to avoid moving.
Mawile is definitely curled up on the sofa hugging her doll, and Aggron is probably changing the water for Feebas...
Just like every other day.
How nice.
But that warmth didn't belong to him. He had a mission to complete; he couldn't indulge in such shameful selfishness.
You better achieve your goals!
Kashiwagi!
"RAUUUUUUUUUUUU——!!"
Raikou threw his head back and roared. The powerful sound waves rippled through the mountains, startling flocks of Swablu and Taillow, sending them fluttering into the sky in a panicked escape.
Back in Meteor Village, Kashiwagi's ears perked up. He looked toward the direction Raikou had vanished.
Then, as if sensing the message behind that distant roar, the hollow feeling in his chest began to fade, replaced by a slow, genuine smile.
Up on the second-floor balcony, Zinnia poked her head out.
"It's way too early for all that noise. Did something happen?"
"Nothing much," Kashiwagi replied.
"I just saw a friend off. It was a bit hard to say goodbye."
"Raikou?"
"Yeah."
"Do you think you'll see him again?"
"Of course," Kashiwagi said with a grin.
"We'll cross paths sooner or later. This definitely won't be the last time."