"Misty, are you asleep?"
Delia's gentle voice came from outside the door.
Misty breathed a sigh of relief instantly.
It was Sister Delia... She hurriedly scrambled off the bed and padded barefoot to the door to open it.
Delia stood outside, already changed into comfortable loungewear, her soft long hair draped over her shoulders, with a gentle smile on her face.
"I'm not disturbing you, am I?"
"No, not at all!" Misty shook her head quickly, stepping aside to let Delia in. "Sister Delia, please come in and sit down."
Delia walked into the room and sat on a small chair by the bed. Her gaze swept over the slightly messy bedding and pillows, then looked at Misty's still-flushed cheeks and ears, a knowing smile flashing in her eyes.
"Were you thinking about something? You seem... a little restless."
Misty sat on the edge of the bed, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her pajamas, stammering slightly.
"Um... a little bit."
She hesitated for a moment, then looked up at Delia's gentle face.
Sister Delia... she should understand, right?
She was so gentle and beautiful; she must have plenty of experience... Misty took a deep breath as if making a decision and asked tentatively in a voice like a mosquito's buzz:
"Sister Delia... I... I want to ask you a question."
"Oh? Go ahead," Delia encouraged with a smile.
"It's... if... if two people are traveling together and have a good relationship, but it feels like there's a thin layer of window paper between them..." Misty's face grew redder and her voice lower, "How... can they... break that paper and bring the relationship closer?"
After she finished, she almost buried her head in her chest.
The smile in Delia's eyes deepened.
As expected.
Misty was feeling the first stirrings of love, and the object was... Roy, of course.
She didn't point it out, but instead said in an even gentler tone:
"Misty, sometimes, matters of the heart are like fishing."
"If you always wait for the fish to take the bait on its own, you might miss the best opportunity."
"When it's time to reel in the line, you have to do it boldly."
She paused and looked at Misty meaningfully:
"Especially when you meet someone you truly like and don't want to lose. It's not shameful for a girl to take the initiative. Happiness is something you have to fight for yourself."
"But..." Misty was still a bit bashful, "What if... what if I'm rejected? Traveling together after that would be so awkward..."
"Silly girl." Delia gently patted the back of Misty's hand, "Do you think he's the type of person who would easily make you feel awkward?"
"And..." She intentionally dragged out her tone, a hint of mischief in her eyes: "From my observation, his feelings for you aren't as simple as just a traveling companion. Certain looks and subconscious actions can't be hidden."
Misty's heart skipped a beat.
"Re-really?"
"Of course," Delia said with certainty, "But, in matters of love, timing is also very important. Sometimes if you hesitate for too long, the opportunity slips away. What if..."
She sighed deliberately, her expression becoming somewhat "solemn":
"What if you miss out completely later? By then, it will be too late for regrets."
Miss out completely?
Misty felt a jolt of alarm.
"Is... is it that serious?"
Seeing that Misty was startled, Delia burst into laughter, her tone turning light again:
"Alright, I'm just joking."
"However, the eight words 'Take the initiative, seize the moment' are truly something you should remember."
She stood up and gently ruffled Misty's hair:
"Get some rest early. Whatever you want to do, do it boldly. Sister Delia supports you."
After seeing Delia off, Misty lay back on the bed.
Her mind was a mess.
Sister Delia's words were like a stone thrown into a calm lake, stirring up ripples.
Take the initiative... seize the moment... can't miss out completely... She clenched her small fists and made a silent resolution.
Tomorrow!
Tomorrow she would find a chance to have a good talk with Roy!
At the very least... she had to make him understand her feelings!
...That night, some tossed and turned, while others researched through the night, but everyone eventually got some rest.
The next morning.
Misty woke up early, groomed herself meticulously, and even specially chose a pair of shorts and a form-fitting top that highlighted her figure.
Summoning her courage, she went to the open space outside the lighthouse, intending to find Roy for a "talk."
However, what she saw was Roy training with unprecedented seriousness.
In the open space.
Roy had rarely released all six Pokemon he was currently carrying.
Roy looked focused, his commands clear, occasionally correcting movements and adjusting tactical details.
That Aura of total immersion and meticulousness made Misty swallow the words that were on the tip of her tongue.
He... seems to have something very important to do.
It wouldn't be right to disturb him now, would it?
Misty stood not far away and watched for a while. The courage to "take the initiative" she had just mustered deflated like a punctured balloon.
Forget it.
Since they were traveling together anyway, there would be plenty of opportunities later.
No need to rush right this second.
She comforted herself, looking at the bright sunlight and clear seawater.
It was rare to be at the seaside; she might as well go play in the water first!
So, Misty dragged Delia along to enjoy a pleasant time by the sea.
However, her gaze would involuntarily drift toward the figure working hard under the sun.
Roy trained until mid-afternoon.
Only then did he recall his Pokemon and replenish his energy and fluids.
But he didn't rest; he turned back into the lighthouse and headed straight for Bill's laboratory on the top floor.
Facing an entity of that magnitude, relying purely on brute force combat offered zero chance of victory.
If it even brushed against them, his team would likely be wiped out.
He had to come up with some "unconventional" methods.
In the laboratory, Bill was scratching his head at a pile of wave data charts.
Roy's arrival lifted his spirits.
The two of them dove back into an intense discussion.
From the possible emotional wave frequencies of the Giant Dragonite, to the general perception methods of Ancient Pokemon, to how to attract its attention and conduct effective "communication" with minimal cost... time flew by amidst research and training.
At dusk, a thick fog rose over the sea at some point.
The milky white mist tumbled, quickly swallowing the coastline, making even the nearby reefs look hazy.
Delia and Misty, who had been playing all day, had also heard that a rare Pokemon might appear tonight and came to the rooftop laboratory with curiosity and anticipation.
"The fog is so thick..." Misty looked out through the observation window, seeing only a vast expanse of white.
"Mr. Bill said that whenever that Pokemon appears, it's accompanied by a fog like this," Delia said softly, her eyes also fixed on the window, looking slightly worried.
Bill was excitedly tuning the equipment.
"Energy fluctuations are starting to climb! It's coming!"
He started a special audio generator and adjusted the parameters.
"This is a simplified resonance signal I synthesized based on the sound frequency it left last time. I hope it catches its attention..."
As he spoke, he prepared to call Roy to watch this historic moment together.
However, when he turned around, he found Roy was gone.
"Where's Roy?" Bill was stunned.
Misty and Delia also realized that Roy, who had been at the research equipment moments ago, had left the lab at some point.
The next second.
Outside the observation window, within the thick fog.
A figure suddenly soared into the sky from the side of the lighthouse!
Roy was riding on Pidgeotto's back. Pidgeotto flapped its wings vigorously, carrying him straight into the depths of the thick fog!
The three people on top of the lighthouse were instantly terrified.
"He... he flew out?!" Bill's glasses almost fell off, his voice rising. "What is he trying to do?! Although records show that Giant Dragonite has a mild temperament, it doesn't say it absolutely won't attack humans! With such a huge size difference, even a slight touch would..."
Misty's face turned pale instantly.
She threw herself against the observation window, slapping her hands hard against the glass, and shouted at the rapidly shrinking black shadow in the fog outside:
"Roy! What are you doing! Come back! It's dangerous!"
Delia's heart clenched instantly. She instinctively covered her chest with her hand, her breathing stopping for a moment.
She was always willing to trust Roy's judgment and abilities.
But this time... that looming black outline in the fog, several times larger than the entire lighthouse, brought a very real sense of oppression!
This was too dangerous!
Roy couldn't hear their shouts.
He lay low on Pidgeotto's back as strong winds carrying icy moisture whipped against his face.
The fog swirled around him, and visibility was extremely low.
But he could feel it.
Ahead.
That massive, ancient, and lonely life force was slowly approaching.
He took a deep breath of the cold, damp air.
According to Bill's data and his own memories, this Giant Dragonite was gentle by nature and wandered because of loneliness.
It was looking for a companion.
It was longing for a response.
He decided to take a gamble.
Betting on its gentleness, betting on its loneliness, and betting on the communication ability of his Aura Power.
"Pidgeotto, get a little closer! Maintain a safe distance and circle around to its side!"
Roy ordered in a low voice.
Pidgeotto gave a clear cry, flapped its wings, and nimbly cut through the thick fog, flying toward the side of the shadow that was like a moving mountain.
The distance closed.
Even through the thick fog, the visual impact of that terrifying size was enough to make one's legs go weak.
"Now!"
Roy's gaze sharpened as he raised his hand to release Butterfree.
"Butterfree, fly to the front and scatter Stun Spore! Control the range, don't overdo it. The goal is just to make it 'feel' it!"
"Pidgeotto, use Quick Attack on the target's flank! Control your strength, and pull away immediately after impact!"
His goal was clear—to activate the battle determination time!
Under battle rules, as long as a skill made contact, it would enter a brief "battle state."
Butterfree flew gracefully, its wings vibrating as a fine powder quietly blended into the fog and drifted toward Giant Dragonite's face.
Pidgeotto turned into a streak of white light, carefully bumping into the thick skin on Giant Dragonite's side, then without stopping, performed a U-turn.
Success!
Battle timer, start!
Giant Dragonite's movements paused slightly.
It felt a slight itch on its face and an almost negligible sensation of impact on its side.
It lowered its head, its massive amber eyes looking through the fog at the tiny human and the two tiny Pokemon hovering not far in front of it.
A hint of confusion flashed in its eyes.
But there was no anger, no intent to attack.
Roy concentrated with all his might!
His Aura Power transformed into a gentle, friendly, and understanding emotional signal, transmitting toward Giant Dragonite!
[Sorry! Pardon the intrusion!]
[We were doing flight training in the thick fog and accidentally offended you! We are very sorry!]
At the same time, he quietly opened the pokédex in his pocket and started the recording function.
This was precious first-hand data!
The confusion in Giant Dragonite's eyes grew.
This human... I can actually clearly understand what he's conveying?
It wasn't a sound, but direct intent... It still didn't respond, nor did it counterattack.
This negligible interference didn't even count as scratching an itch to it.
It just felt a bit novel, but having been lonely for too long, it didn't have much desire for communication.
It shook its massive head, preparing to turn away and continue its wandering.
Roy's heart tightened.
Leaving?
No!
He immediately condensed his Aura again, transmitting an even stronger and more core message!
[Please wait!]
[You... are looking for a companion, right?]
[I can feel your loneliness.]
Giant Dragonite's body, which was about to turn, stopped abruptly!
[I... have seen existences similar to you before.]
[They are also searching lonely through the long passage of time...]
Roy seized the opportunity to transmit information about those Ancient Pokemon in his memory—Ancient Gengar, Ancient Jigglypuff, Ancient Alakazam, and even some vague concepts of other legendary Pokemon—mixed with deep empathy for "loneliness," "searching," and "waiting," all sent out through his Aura Power!
He wasn't lying.
He did indeed "know" of their existence.
And the greatest advantage of Aura Power lay in transmitting the most fundamental emotions and thoughts, requiring no language translation, just direct resonance!
Giant Dragonite finally turned its head back.
Those massive amber eyes were firmly locked onto Roy.
An ancient and gentle mental fluctuation cautiously reached out.
[You... have seen... my companions?]
Dragonite responded to Roy.
It worked!
Roy suppressed his excitement and continued "speaking" through his Aura.
He described the characteristics of those ancient existences (as vaguely but truthfully as possible), shared his understanding of eternal loneliness (combining feelings from his past and present lives), and expressed blessings for their meeting.
The extraordinary performance of his Aura Power allowed him to quickly and accurately convey complex meanings.
If he had relied on shouting, the other party would likely have disappeared into the depths of the mist before he could finish.
Giant Dragonite listened quietly.
Some information was foreign to it.
But certain keywords and emotions deeply touched the heartstrings it had buried for who knows how long.
This human... was not lying.
The feeling he gave off... was very peculiar, very peaceful, and carried an inexplicable sense of "truth."
The exchange proceeded silently on the level of Aura and spirit.
Time seemed to freeze.
Every second felt incredibly long and nerve-wracking.
After an unknown amount of time.
Roy felt that the pokédex's recording time was sufficient, and a notification of task completion flashed in his mind.
He knew when to quit while he was ahead and immediately transmitted the intent to end through his Aura:
[Ah, it's getting late. My mom is calling me back for dinner.]
[It was a pleasure talking to you. I wish you the best in finding your companions soon!]
The conversation came to an abrupt halt.
He gently patted Pidgeotto, signaling to prepare for retreat.
Time to slip away!
Not staying for a single second more!
The communication goal had been achieved. If he stayed longer and the other party became talkative or some change occurred, the risk would be too great.
Facing an entity of this size, the pressure was real; saying he wasn't afraid would be a lie.
Pidgeotto understood and was about to turn toward the lighthouse.
However.
Just as Roy breathed a sigh of relief.
That gentle but incredibly massive mental fluctuation came again.
[Wait... a moment...]
Giant Dragonite's voice echoed in Roy's heart.