In the middle of the forest.
"You can drop me here. I'll make my own way back tonight... actually, I might not even head back, so there's no need to pick me up."
Kashiwagi slid off Raikou's back and set Mawile on the ground, speaking casually.
Raikou: "..."
I never said I was coming back for you.
The legendary beast didn't feel like engaging. He didn't want this kid taking an inch and demanding a mile again; he already regretted letting the human ride on his back this morning. After all, in all his long years, he had never let anyone ride him.
Who would have thought his streak would be broken by this human brat he'd known for less than a week?
"Roar!"
With a low, vibrating growl, Raikou's massive body coiled and sprang. He leaped with incredible agility, covering several meters in a single bound, disappearing into the depths of the forest in a series of lightning-fast blurs.
"That guy... is his secret prototype a kangaroo instead of a tiger?"
Kashiwagi was a bit puzzled by the leaping running style.
Mawile looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings and tugged on his pant leg. "Maw-wile?"
"About three kilometers further that way."
Kashiwagi pointed west. From their current vantage point, he could just barely make out the blurry outlines of human structures.
According to Steven, the current residents of Meteor Village were mostly the elderly and young children. There were some young adults, but not many... Would bringing a Fairy-type Pokémon like Mawile be seen as a provocation?
Well, today was Mawile's turn in the rotation. Nothing he could do about it.
It shouldn't be a big deal.
Unless the People of the Meteors were a bunch of unreasonable hotheads, the chance of being met with immediate hostility was low. If things got hairy, he could always just send out Hydreigon.
With a calm mindset, Kashiwagi approached the village.
Then—
"Halt! Who goes... there!"
A short figure wearing a rather abstract Dragon-head mask suddenly dropped from a large tree, striking a strange-looking combat pose. The voice was surprisingly gravelly.
Following right behind was a small blue dinosaur with a head that looked like it had a silver pompadour.
"Bagon!"
The Bagon barked loudly at the Mawile standing by Kashiwagi's feet.
Mawile frowned slightly. She wasn't about to lower herself to the level of a hatchling who seemed just as "empty-headed" as her teammate Hydreigon. Though, it did make her wonder if all Dragon-types were cut from the same cloth.
Kashiwagi looked at the oddly dressed masked man and replied:
"If I had to put a label on it... I'm here to visit my ancestral home."
"Home—huh? Ancestral home?"
The masked person froze, then yanked off the dragon mask to reveal a face lined with deep, ancient wrinkles.
"Eh?"
Kashiwagi was stunned too.
Because of the height, he had assumed it was a kid. Instead, it was an old man well into his seventies.
"Are you that boy... Kashiwagi?"
The old man seemed to recognize the name. He stepped forward quickly, peering closely at Kashiwagi's face. There was a hint of disbelief in his slightly cloudy eyes.
"That's me."
Kashiwagi nodded. "I'm currently traveling through Fallarbor Town, and since a few things have come up, I thought I'd come by for a visit. I hope I'm not intruding."
"—Intruding? Nonsense! How can coming home be considered intruding?"
The old man's face bloomed into a smile as bright as a chrysanthemum. He said with immense warmth, "Good lad, it must have been a long journey. Come with me! Into the village! I'll take you to see the Elder!"
He grabbed Kashiwagi's hand and led the way toward Meteor Village.
"Uh... thanks..."
Kashiwagi was forced into a brisk walk, sharing a look with Mawile. This old-timer was a bit too enthusiastic.
Were the People of the Meteors always this united? Still, having a guide was better than wandering in blindly.
...
They passed through the lush forest, and a wide basin immediately came into view. In the far distance, the rocky mountains containing Meteor Falls loomed, but nestled within the basin before them was a tranquil village.
Rows of Japanese-style wooden houses were arranged neatly. Stone statues of Rayquaza, both large and small, featuring its signature yellow ring patterns, could be seen everywhere.
In the sky, flocks of Swablu and Altaria chirped as they flew past, looking completely carefree. Occasionally, the silhouettes of Vibrava and Flygon appeared, though they were fewer in number.
On the ground, several patches of bare sand were filled with pits of varying sizes—clearly the pitfall traps made by Trapinch, waiting for some unlucky soul to fall in. While it was unlikely anyone would be that foolish, it was their natural instinct.
On the grassy fields, many Bagon and Shelgon were playing. Occasionally, they would look up at the Swablu and Altaria with eyes full of longing.
"I don't see many Salamence..." Kashiwagi remarked, feeling a bit curious.
Hearing this, the old man turned to answer. "The Salamence are mostly out with their Trainers. It's a custom in Meteor Village to entrust a young Dragon Pokémon to someone for training. As long as they raise it well or reach the final evolution, they are permitted to begin their journey.
"The others have gone deep into Meteor Falls. That's their true home, where they gather and breed. Usually, they only come back at night."
The old man pointed toward the falls.
"I see."
Kashiwagi nodded. He realized the system here was similar to the Village of Dragons in Unova—both centered around the duty of raising Dragon Pokémon. The only difference was that Meteor Village had higher standards for allowing Trainers to leave, whereas the Village of Dragons was more lenient.
Meanwhile, as the two walked openly into the village, they drew the gazes of many villagers.
Just as Steven had said, most were older—the youngest appearing to be in their forties or fifties. Men and women alike wore distinct, traditional clothing.
One person couldn't resist calling out, "Old Man Aoyagi! Who's the young man you've brought back?"
"Him? He's the one you've all been gossiping about!"
The old man, Aoyagi, snorted. He seemed to have a bit of a cranky temperament and didn't care to give a polite answer.
But the villagers seemed used to it. Some guessed who Kashiwagi was, while others fixed their eyes on him, hoping for a self-introduction.
"Hello everyone. My name is Kashiwagi."
The People of the Meteors erupted into a chatter.
"It's the boy from the lost branch!"
"First time in a hundred years!"
"I heard it was a branch that went to develop the Orre region? To be honest, I've never even heard of that place before..."
"Quick, go notify the Elder—"
Old Man Aoyagi saw these folks all over fifty getting more frantic than the last, and he couldn't help but feel a bit miffed. He turned to Kashiwagi and said, "Come on! Ignore them! We're going straight to the Dragon Shrine to find the Elder!"
The Dragon Shrine—a sanctuary of dragons similar to an ancestral clan hall. For the People of the Meteors, it was a place of utmost sanctity.
Outsiders were strictly forbidden from entering.
Hearing that he was about to be taken there, Kashiwagi felt a twinge of apprehension. It was all well and good that they were currently insisting he was one of them, but what if they had some ancient ritual inside that proved he wasn't? Then everyone would turn on him in a heartbeat.
He'd be the victim of a massive misunderstanding.
Seeing his nervous expression, Old Man Aoyagi assumed it was just a case of "hometown jitters." He flashed a broad, kind smile and patted Kashiwagi's hand. "Don't you worry. The Elder is very approachable, and everyone is happy you're here. This is your home! The place where your ancestors rest!"
"Ah... yeah..."
Kashiwagi nodded.
Behind him, Mawile followed slowly, her gaze scanning the surrounding Dragon-type Pokémon. She had essentially confirmed one thing—
These guys really did seem a few berries short of a basket. (didn't seem to be very sharp)
Is it normal for a Dragon to just headbutt things for no reason? If it were training, that would be one thing, but they weren't using a lick of elemental energy. They'd just thud into something and then stop. What kind of training was that?
And then there was this guy.
Mawile cast a silent glance at the Bagon that was trotting along behind her. The little guy had made faces at her massive horns more than once now. If anyone was the champion of being "empty-headed," it was definitely this one.
Even Hydreigon isn't like this!
Mawile suddenly felt a surge of appreciation for Hydreigon... Maybe she should cut him some slack from now on?
She began a silent moment of self-reflection.
...
...
Soon, under Old Man Aoyagi's lead, Kashiwagi arrived at the Dragon Shrine. It felt ancient yet majestic, standing silently like a great temple. A sudden, inexplicable sense of reverence washed over him.
Kashiwagi wasn't sure why, but he felt an instinctive urge to remain respectful here.
"Ha! Looks like you can feel the Dragon Aura too! You're already a true Draconid!" Old Man Aoyagi's excited voice rang out.
Before Kashiwagi could respond, a female voice—equally aged but carrying a heavy sense of authority—spoke up.
"You really can't keep your composure in front of the younger generation, can you, Aoyagi? You complain that the children don't respect you, but it's entirely your own doing!"
Kashiwagi and Aoyagi turned to see an old woman. Her white hair was tied up with a band, and she wore a heavy, closed cloak with petal-like patterns beneath the collar.
She was of average height but radiated a dignified aura that commanded immense respect.
"Hmph! I do what I want!"
Old Man Aoyagi grumbled dismissively, though he dipped his head slightly in respect. Then, with a touch of pride, he asked, "Elder, look who I've brought back?"
"I know."
The Dragon Elder replied casually. When she turned to look at Kashiwagi, who was bowing politely, her eyes immediately softened into an expression of profound kindness. "Come here, child. Let me get a look at you."
Kashiwagi stepped forward slowly. The Elder reached out a slightly pale hand from beneath her cloak and gently touched his face, smiling. "This brings back such memories... You look exactly like Uncle Longhe. It's like you were carved from the same mold."
"Uncle... Longhe?"
"Yes. Longhe—your ancestor. He was once the most brilliant Dragon Tamer of the younger generation in Meteor Falls. He left when I was still very young and never returned. I never imagined he had gone to the Orre region..."
At this, the Dragon Elder couldn't help but look a bit sorrowful.
After all, the "Uncle Longhe" she spoke of had been buried in a foreign land where even his remains couldn't be found. The descendants of her old friend had fallen on hard times, their lineage nearly severed.
"It's good that you're back. Being back is what matters."
The Elder patted Kashiwagi on the shoulder, her voice full of relief. "It's a pity I don't know if Longhe was your great-grandfather or your grandfather."
"..."
Kashiwagi just nodded, staying silent.
He was mostly feeling relieved that there wasn't some dramatic "imposter" plot twist. The People of the Meteors were reliable; they had actually tracked down his real ancestor.
However...
"Elder, I have something I need to report." Kashiwagi didn't forget his main reason for coming. Seeing her attentive expression, he immediately told her about the possibility of Team Rocket searching for Mega Stone mines near Meteor Falls.
The Elder pondered for a moment, then stepped aside. "Since everyone is here, we might as well discuss this together."
Kashiwagi turned his head and realized that, at some point, the area around the Dragon Shrine had been swarmed by groups of villagers and Dragon Pokémon. It was like a local festival; everyone had come to join the fun.
Even the Swablu in the sky were perched on the eaves of the roofs, peeking down curiously.
Kashiwagi: "..."
Do the People of the Meteors love gossip this much?
...
Inside a spacious tatami room open on three sides.
Kashiwagi sat deep inside the room, Mawile in his lap looking just as bewildered as he was. Man and Pokémon looked like country bumpkins who had just stepped into the big city, watching the lively crowd of people and Pokémon.
Since he'd arrived, he had been greeting different people non-stop. Every villager who entered—young or old—had introduced themselves to him.
He was finally catching his breath.
The Dragon Elder had vanished shortly after announcing the meeting, and no one knew where she'd gone. Old Man Aoyagi was huddled with a group of other seniors who seemed very close.
From the looks of things...
Wait, didn't they say this was a meeting?
Why does it look like a banquet?
Rice crackers, sunflower seeds, and seaweed were one thing, but what was with the bottle of sake?
They're drinking! They're actually starting to drink!
Kashiwagi and Mawile's eyes widened slightly.
While he was sitting there at a total loss, a light chuckle sounded beside him. "Don't be surprised. Everyone is always like this."
He turned and saw a young man with dark red hair standing next to him.
"Let's introduce ourselves. I'm Jinya. Welcome back to your ancestral home."
Jinya extended his hand.
Kashiwagi gave it a firm shake. "Kashiwagi. Nice to meet you."
"Likewise. Your name has been ringing in our ears like a thunderclap lately. The uncles and elders who went to help out in the Orre region couldn't stop talking about you. Every time they came back, they mentioned you were out there."
Jinya offered a very friendly smile. "We've all been hoping you'd finally escape that 'sea of misery' and return to your true home."
"Thank you, but Orre isn't really a 'sea of misery' anymore. It's more like a golden land of opportunity that just hasn't been fully developed yet," Kashiwagi corrected him gently.
"Ah, my apologies."
Seeing how serious Kashiwagi was, Jinya realized he'd misspoke. He quickly apologized and changed the subject. "After the meeting is over, how about meeting the rest of the young Dragon Tamers? Everyone is dying to get to know you."
Kashiwagi nodded. "I'd be honored. I'll count on you to introduce me, then."
"You got it!" Jinya walked off, beaming.
"Maw-wile?" Mawile, who had been silent until now, looked up at him inquisitively.
"Yeah, I didn't realize I was such a celebrity here in Meteor Village either," Kashiwagi remarked. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the Dragon Elder approaching, carrying a scroll.
Looking back at the villagers, he noticed they had—at some point—whisked away the tables and snacks and were now standing in four neat, orderly rows.
...Whoa, talk about a quick 180, Kashiwagi thought. He started to stand up to receive the scroll from the Elder, but she gestured for him to stay put.
"No need, child. Stay seated."
The Dragon Elder spoke warmly. She walked to his side, placed the scroll on the floor, and slowly unrolled it.
The long scroll stretched from the very front of the room all the way to the back.
As she took a brush from someone nearby, she explained, "Whenever a new member joins the People of the Meteors, we record their name upon this scroll. You are no exception."
A 'returning to the roots' ceremony?
Kashiwagi looked at the script on the scroll. At first glance, it was unintelligible, but then memories from his "Calligrapher" persona flooded his mind. Among the ancient languages he had studied, this exact script appeared!
So this is the language of the Draconids!
He watched as the Elder wrote his name in the traditional script. Then she said, "Give me your hand."
Kashiwagi reached out.
"Are you afraid of a little pain?" she asked kindly.
"Not really—ouch!"
A sharp sting pricked his fingertip. He looked down to see that the Elder had quietly used a needle to prick his index finger while he was distracted by her question.
"Go on, child. Press your mark upon it."
She pointed to the space beneath his name.
Kashiwagi raised his hand and looked down the length of the scroll. Every single name had a red fingerprint beneath it—he had originally thought it was red ink.
He hadn't expected it to be blood.
But how does it stay such a vivid red for so long?
Though puzzled, he pressed his finger onto the scroll. Immediately, his name glowed with a faint blue light, followed by every other name on the entire scroll lighting up in response.
The surrounding villagers broke into joyful smiles, clasping their hands and bowing their heads in prayer.
In that instant, an indescribable sensation filled the room.
Outside, the Altaria and Swablu began to sing in unison. Kashiwagi felt a mysterious warmth spread through his body, as if he were being bathed in light...
But it wasn't just him.
He looked down and saw Mawile experiencing the same thing. Even the Poké Balls on his belt began to emit a soft, thin shimmer.
What is this...? Ancestral technology?
"This is the blessing of our ancestors. Allow me to say it once more: welcome home, child!" the Dragon Elder said tenderly, giving Kashiwagi a hug.
He froze for a second before gently returning the embrace. "Thank you, Elder."
...
The ceremony concluded. After the scroll was safely put away, the Dragon Elder began the meeting regarding Team Rocket.
Having led the migration out of the falls over a decade ago, she was far from ignorant of the outside world and actively embraced new things. The telephone poles and signal towers in the village were proof enough of that.
As such, she took the threat of the notorious Team Rocket very seriously.
"Should we call some of our kin back?" someone suggested.
The Elder shook her head. "That won't be necessary. We only need to guard the village and watch over the Ancestral Land. For everything else, Kashiwagi says the Hoenn Champion is on the case."
"In that case, let's send the Village Guard to patrol the Ancestral Land immediately," another person proposed. "The village itself has us old-timers. Our strength might not be what it used to be, but we can handle a few sneaky thieves."
"Yeah! Old Man Aoyagi is always playing gatekeeper anyway, isn't he? We can do it too!" said a younger villager, probably around forty.
Old Man Aoyagi barked back, "Who are you calling a gatekeeper?! Watch your mouth, kid! I was just taking a stroll outside the village! Who's guarding anything?!"
"Hahahaha!"
The villagers burst into laughter. The atmosphere was light, making the meeting—which wasn't very formal to begin with—even more casual.
The Elder didn't seem to mind the lack of formality. Despite her dignified appearance, she nodded after listening to the suggestions. "Then it is settled. Assign the young men their new tasks! Meeting adjourned!"
"You got it!"
"Don't worry, Elder!"
The villagers dispersed, picking up fruit peels and wrappers as they went. Kashiwagi stood up to follow them out.
"Wait," the Elder called out. "I'll have someone arrange a place for you to rest. If you're willing, you can pick out a good piece of land nearby later and build a house to settle down in."
"Uh... sure. Thank you."
Kashiwagi didn't refuse. Having an extra house couldn't hurt; he could use it as a vacation home once he became Champion. Even Cynthia had a villa in Unova, and Steven even gave his villa in Sinnoh to a traveling Trainer. All these top-tier folks were loaded.
...
A short while later, an elderly woman led Kashiwagi to a spacious Japanese-style manor near the Dragon Shrine.
"This is the Elder's home," the woman explained. "But her son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter are all out traveling, so she's been staying at the Shrine lately."
"The granddaughter... is it Zinnia?" he asked.
"Yes. You met her out there?"
The woman chuckled, guessing correctly. "That girl was quite interested in you. She even said she'd take responsibility for teaching you how to be a proper Dragon Tamer before she ran off. We thought she'd be the one to bring you back, but..."
"I just happened to be in Fallarbor Town when things popped up, so I came to check in," Kashiwagi explained politely.
"It's a lot of work to come all this way just to warn us. Thank you. I'll bring lunch over later, so just rest easy for now. Or, feel free to walk around the village if you like." The woman didn't linger and left after giving him her blessing to explore.
"Whew..."
He let out a long breath.
Every single one of the People of the Meteors was incredibly kind, treating him like one of their own. Warm words, warm deeds. Kashiwagi was happy, but he wasn't exactly used to it yet.
He poured himself a glass of water and asked Mawile if she was thirsty. As she shook her head, just then, Jinya's voice called out from behind the sliding door.
"Kashiwagi! You in there?"
"I'm here!" Kashiwagi pulled back the screen.
"Come on!" Jinya beckoned.
"Everyone's waiting for you. They all want to meet you!"