"May Dragon God Rayquaza protect you."
The Meteor People responded in unison.
Soon after, the Elder opened the wooden box, revealing two sections separated from the middle. On the left was a Key Stone, slightly larger than a fingertip, embedded in a bronze-colored Spiral Bracelet, and on the right were numerous Super Stones.
"Come, child, take your Key Stone and choose the Super Stone you wish for."
"The Super Stone I want... Do you have a Mawile Super Stone?"
"If it's 'Rust Inscription,' then this is it." The Elder pointed to a Super Stone with an overall pink exterior containing gray lead and tender yellow fibrous materials.
Rust Inscription?
They even named the Super Stones.
Baimu suppressed his excitement and took the Key Stone and Mawile Evolution Stone into his possession.
Originally thinking it would take some time to obtain a Key Stone from Xijana, he hadn't expected such a turn of events midway... Should he perhaps be grateful for the arrival of Rocket Team?
No, no, no.
That would be too guilty.
Noticing his rather chaotic emotions, the Elder softly said, "Go back and rest, child. You've worked hard today."
"Okay."
Baimu took a deep breath. Though the meeting didn't seem to be over, he seemed to be allowed to leave early.
The fatigue that flooded his heart made him accept without refusal, bowing in respect as he turned and left.
Sitting amidst the crowd, Xijana watched his back until he disappeared from view before retracting her gaze.
——
The next day.
Baimu opened his eyes, and yesterday's fatigue had vanished.
Youth indicates a strong recovery capacity, both physically and mentally.
He turned around to look at Raikou, who lay like a mountain beside his bed. "Since the Rocket Team at Meteor Falls has already been captured, where will you go next?"
Due to Raikou's early departures and late returns these days, he hadn't had much chance to extend his cat-petting plans to the next step.
Now that the Rocket Team was caught, the big cat no longer needed to go out, it was time to restart the plan!
With a mischievous laugh, Baimu reached out to touch the metal plate on Raikou's forehead.
He expected to be warned by a static shock and was ready to withdraw his hand quickly, but unexpectedly, Raikou didn't react and allowed him to touch its head.
Was Raikou still asleep?
No.
It was already awake and turned to gaze at Baimu.
The meaning conveyed in its eyes and the unresisting stance made his smile slowly freeze.
"—Are you going back to Johto?"
"Roar~"
Raikou lowered its gaze slightly, nodding gently.
The Ho-oh Guard are Legendary Pokémon bearing great responsibility, following Ho-oh, tasked with protecting smaller Pokémon and observing humans.
So, the time for departure would eventually come.
Yet, Baimu hadn't expected it to be so soon. Perhaps he shouldn't have slept so early last night. Maybe he should have tried to persuade it, perhaps...
"Is there temporarily no Rocket Team presence in the Hoenn Region?" he asked softly.
"Roar~"
Raikou nodded again.
"Then when do you plan to leave?"
"Roar~"
It slowly stood up.
"Today? Isn't that too soon! Staying a few more days wouldn't hurt." Baimu stood up, followed by other Pokémon awakening from their slumber, looking at the two with either confusion or surprise.
Raikou's gaze swept over all the Pokémon before finally landing on the little human ghost who clearly annoyed it yet seemed somewhat endearing.
It remained silent, staring into his eyes, before lowering its head to gently nuzzle its cheek against the face of the unbelieving human, then doing the same to the somewhat reluctant Blissey beside him.
Cautiously.
Conveying a deep sense of regret and affection in these little gestures.
This was the first time Raikou had shown such intimacy, unlike the former big cat that repelled contact, ignored all words, and only expressed disdain with eye rolls.
Yet, if this was its way of saying goodbye, Baimu would rather take a shock, prefer to see the eye rolls.
He reached out a hand.
"At least have breakfast..."
"Roar~"
Raikou shook its head lightly and retreated, moving to the courtyard outside the veranda, sitting like an obedient big cat, watching the Pokémon in the room. Its eyes suddenly shimmered with a touch of humor, before solemnly closing and lowering its head.
"Roar..."
Thank you all for your long-time care, and goodbye.
'Friends.'
Having said all this, it decisively charged toward the forest outside Meteor Village.
Baimu quickly climbed out of bed, rushing outside, but all he saw was a nimble figure disappearing into the distance, leaving him wordless despite wanting to speak.
Goodbye? He didn't want to part this way at all.
Persuade to stay? Raikou's determination was set.
"...Ah."
He covered his face, rubbing his slightly sore eyes, as the Pokémon behind him gathered around, leaning on him to provide comfort.
It all happened so suddenly, without any mental preparation.
But perhaps.
Raikou considered this unexpectedness and chose to leave this morning? If he had agreed on a departure date, Baimu would likely persuade it with all kinds of reasons, making it stay even a bit longer.
He certainly would have tried.
And indeed, it was as Baimu thought.
Raikou traversed the forest without looking back, hesitant to hear the boy's voice, determined to run as far as possible.
Otherwise.
It knew it wouldn't be able to take that step.
Memories of its time with Baimu continuously flashed through Raikou's mind, urging it to speed up, yet its pace involuntarily slowed.
Eventually, it stopped on a hillside, staring blankly in the direction it had come from, as if its gaze pierced through the dense forest.
Breakfast, what would it be?
It must be delicious, right?
Hydreigon is probably being coquettish again, but surely Blissey will drag it away to brush its teeth, right? Corsola is likely still lazy, flying onto Porygon's back for some peace, Mawile surely still cuddling its doll on the sofa, Aggron probably changing the water for Feebas...
Just as every day was before.
So wonderful.
But this warmth shouldn't belong to it; it still has an unfinished mission and cannot indulge in those little things for the sake of disgraceful desires.
You must achieve your own goals!
Baimu!
"Roar——!!"
Raikou roared, and sound waves reverberated through the forest, startling the Swablu and Taillow in the treetops; they flew frightened, escaping into the distance.
Back in Meteor Village, preparing to head inside, Baimu's ears perked, looking toward Raikou's departure direction.
Soon after.
As if sensing something, a sudden smile appeared on his previously melancholy face.
Xijana poked her head out of the second-floor window.
"What's going on so early in the morning?"
"Nothing, just saw a friend off, feeling a bit reluctant."
"Raikou?"
"Mm."
"Shouldn't you meet again?"
"Of course, we'll see each other sooner or later; this is definitely not the last time." Baimu replied, smiling.