"Caw...?"
Corviknight jerked in surprise as Zeraora's clear blue eyes followed her through the air.
Their gazes met.
"He really can see me..."
Her voice trembled.
Tears gathered in her eyes as the realization sank in.
Until now, Aaron had been the only one capable of seeing or hearing her spirit. She had never complained, but he knew how lonely that existence could be.
She missed being able to interact with other Pokémon—to play with them, share meals, and simply belong among them again. Aaron kept her company whenever he could, but it was not the same as having another Pokémon who could truly see her.
Aaron's expression softened.
"That's wonderful, Corviknight."
He glanced down at the newborn Zeraora in his arms.
"Now you finally have someone else to keep you company."
Corviknight nodded eagerly, a tear slipping down her cheek.
"Mm-hm..."
"Zera?"
Seeing her cry, Zeraora reached out one small paw and tried to wipe the tear away.
His paw passed straight through her translucent body.
He blinked and tried again, clearly confused.
Corviknight let out a tearful laugh.
"You really can see me. You just can't touch me."
"Zera..."
Zeraora tilted his head, staring at her with fascinated curiosity.
"What the hell...?"
Blaze's voice broke the moment.
Unable to contain themselves any longer, he, Liora, and Braveon crowded around Aaron.
Then they saw the Pokémon nestled in his arms.
All three froze.
Blaze's eyes widened until they looked ready to fall out of his head.
"Is that... Zeraora?"
He leaned closer, scarcely believing what he was seeing.
"An actual Zeraora?"
Liora covered her mouth, equally stunned.
Even Braveon's composed expression cracked for an instant. His gaze shifted from the newborn Pokémon to Aaron.
Just who was this guy?
Aaron glanced at Blaze with an amused smile.
"Well?"
He stroked Zeraora's head.
"Looks like you're paying for dinner for the next month."
Blaze's face immediately stiffened.
Of all the things to remember at a time like this...
"Aaron, is it really him?" Liora asked, her eyes shining. "The books say Zeraora almost never appears before humans. Most sightings happen in the middle of violent thunderstorms."
She stared at the newborn in fascination.
Even freshly hatched, Zeraora already stood nearly a meter and a half tall. Despite his size, his fluffy fur, round features, and wide-eyed innocence made him look remarkably young.
He looked less like a terrifying Legendary Pokémon and more like an oversized kitten seeing the world for the first time.
Aaron scratched gently behind one of his ears.
"Yeah. It's Zeraora."
"Zera!"
The newborn chirped happily and leaned into his hand.
Blaze stared at him in silence.
This was real.
A second Legendary Pokémon had appeared in Hualis.
Zeraora was still young, but Legendary Pokémon possessed growth and potential far beyond ordinary species. Given enough time, Aaron would almost certainly become only the second Trainer in Hualis known to command one.
It was the kind of achievement countless Trainers dreamed about their entire lives.
Blaze's amazement quickly gave way to concern.
"Aaron, you need to keep this quiet."
His voice had lost all its usual teasing.
"If the wrong people learn you have Zeraora, they'll come after him. Families, corporations, foreign organizations—someone will try to take him from you."
A Legendary Pokémon represented more than personal strength. In only a few years, Zeraora could completely shift the balance of power surrounding Aaron.
There were people who would stop at nothing to claim that future for themselves.
"I know."
Aaron remained calm as he continued petting Zeraora.
"I'll keep him out of sight once we leave. Let me spend a little time with him first."
He took an Energy Cube from his inventory and held it out.
Zeraora sniffed it cautiously.
"Zera...?"
After taking one bite, his eyes lit up.
"Zera!"
He eagerly took the rest and began chewing, completely absorbed in his first meal.
Liora edged closer.
"Aaron... can I pet him?"
"Sure. Just let him see your hand first."
Delighted, she slowly extended her hand toward Zeraora.
He paused between bites and looked up at her.
After studying her for a moment, he relaxed and allowed her to stroke the fur along his head.
"Oh, he's so soft..."
Liora's face brightened.
Zeraora seemed perfectly content with the attention and went straight back to eating.
Blaze watched them, then rolled up his sleeves.
"No fair. I'm getting in on this too."
He stepped forward with both hands extended.
"How many people can say they've petted a Legendary Pokémon?"
"Zera..."
Zeraora's ears immediately flattened.
His fur bristled.
CRACKLE!
Electricity snapped across his body as he fixed Blaze with a warning glare.
"Whoa!"
Blaze jumped backward and snatched his hands away before the sparks could reach him.
Liora burst out laughing.
"He likes me and hates you!"
"He does not hate me!" Blaze protested. "He's just nervous!"
Zeraora narrowed his eyes at him and released another sharp crackle of electricity.
Blaze took one more step back.
"...Fine. Maybe he needs time."
Aaron struggled to keep a straight face as Liora continued laughing beside him.
...