Chapter 58: The Noble Dance of Victory

"Since we're ready, let's enter the forest tomorrow—to help you reclaim your habitat!"

"Even though your companions have left, once you reclaim your habitat, they’ll return soon enough, won’t they?"

Guang Tai suddenly spoke, and the previously excited Liliroot halted its cheek-rubbing.

She was lifted from his shoulder, her clear little eyes meeting his, her thoughts swirling in confusion.

This day had finally come.

From the moment she first came, this human had mistaken her for a Bellsprout.

Then he taught her how to grow stronger.

He helped her master moves, trained her relentlessly, carved wooden figurines for her, and fed her countless berries and meals.

Now he’s made her a tiny set of armor.

If I win against that Mischievous Thunderbolt, do I really have to leave the ball, leave the workshop?

"Li"

Liliroot’s enthusiasm suddenly faded.

"Huh? What’s wrong?" Guang Tai asked, puzzled. Liliroot jumped from his hands, her three leaves drooping slowly from her sadness.

If I win, do I have to leave the workshop?

Otherwise, the Mischievous Thunderbolt will keep occupying the habitat—so what’s the point of fighting anymore?

There’s no reason left to fight.

Guang Tai saw Liliroot’s despair and quietly realized something. He suddenly asked:

"Do you not want to leave here?"

"Li" Liliroot turned to glance at Guang Tai, then at Ma Hu’s Double-Edge Sword.

Should she leave—or stay?

She was torn.

"Don’t worry," Guang Tai’s voice reached her, and Liliroot lifted her head again.

"Whether you want to leave or stay, I won’t stop you. Take your time to think, then—" Guang Tai paused:

"Do what you want. Do what you believe is right."

Liliroot’s leaves slowly straightened again. Her eyes held thought, but her expression remained sorrowful.

She didn’t want to leave.

And Double-Edge Sword, seeing this, finally snapped out of Ma Hu’s stupor!

Oh! So she doesn’t want to leave—she’s grown attached to the workshop!

Double-Edge Sword floated over and brushed her leaves with its ribbons.

"Owuu~"

"Oopu~"

Hey, partings in this world are like this—sometimes others are merely passersby in your life, and aren’t you just a passerby in theirs? Like me—I’ve been a passerby in the entire nation’s history, from kings to knights, all vanishing amid laughter and cheers.

"Li~"

Liliroot asked Double-Edge Sword: Didn’t you have a previous trainer? Didn’t you feel anything when he disappeared?

Double-Edge Sword replied: Though his presence still feels recent to me, a thousand years have passed—he’s long turned to ash. Sometimes you must face reality, and do what you believe is meaningful!

I’ve found a new way of life now. Memories of the kingdom will fade. Compared to the past, this life suits me better.

Of course, another reason is my bond with him wasn’t deep—he eventually left me to gather dust in a storage room.

"Owuu~! Oopu..."

So if reclaiming your habitat is meaningful to you, then go do it!

Just come back afterward. Don’t worry if other Pokémon come to take it—just slap any that show up. Eventually, none will dare come near!

Double-Edge Sword’s advice was blunt, making Liliroot laugh through her tears, and Guang Tai stepped forward.

"Wawa!" Liliroot bounced up to Guang Tai, her three leaves swaying.

"If you still want to keep living with me, then according to Double-Edge Sword’s logic, that’s fine too," Guang Tai smiled. "It’s entirely your choice."

"Follow your heart. Don’t choose something you’ll regret."

"Li!"

Liliroot curled her skirt, cheering herself on—and slowly, an idea formed in her heart.

Yes, just as Double-Edge Sword said!

"Wawa!"

Even if other Pokémon come to claim the habitat later, it’ll be because I chose to abandon it—just like I chose to leave Miss Skirt and the other Liliroots behind!

That’s my choice—my voluntary abandonment—is completely different from being driven out!

I will fight—and then return here!

I don’t want to leave!

"Stubborn Pokémon sometimes overcome psychological struggles faster," Guang Tai smiled faintly.

Stubbornness isn’t bad. Compared to timid, introverted Pokémon, they’re stronger and hold onto their convictions more firmly!

"Good! That’s the spirit! Tomorrow, we’ll prepare and challenge that Mischievous Thunderbolt!"

"Wawa!"

Guang Tai extended his hand; Liliroot raised her little skirt. They slapped palms together.

Double-Edge Sword raised its ribbons, gripping each hand, emitting a sound of approval:

"Owuu~"

"Oopu~"

See? My advice, from someone who’s lived a thousand years, is better, right? Sometimes you should listen to the voices of ancient things!

"If you say so, then now is the time to do it."

Guang Tai rose from his crouch, walked to the workbench, and picked up the Arceus statue.

But he paused, lost in thought.

Earlier, an illegal move had already appeared.

That was "Weather Ball."

Theoretically, Liliroot shouldn’t be able to learn Weather Ball—it requires evolution to learn, and any evolved form can learn it.

In prior work, she accidentally gained this move—meaning, through work, one can occasionally gain moves only available after evolution, though perhaps not as powerful?

No, Weather Ball is already quite strong—it just requires specific weather conditions.

In nature, some Pokémon can learn moves normally only available after evolution under special circumstances. Thinking of this, Guang Tai nodded inwardly.

Perhaps Liliroot’s learning potential is unexpectedly high?

Then, what powerful move will the Arceus statue reveal to her?

Will it be that dance?

Guang Tai took the two Pokémon and the statue outside to an open field. Liliroot knew this statue held extraordinary power—the thing Guang Tai made but never let anyone touch.

Is this the moment to use it? What power will it give me? Liliroot wondered.

"The Arceus statue—this Pokémon is said to be the deity who created the world," Guang Tai introduced to the two Pokémon. Liliroot and Double-Edge Sword were moved.

A Pokémon that created the world?

Such a Pokémon exists? No—this isn’t even a Pokémon anymore!

"So now, awaken. You can feel the power from the statue, right? Touch it, then—"

"It’s all up to you. It will let you learn a powerful post-evolution move—but only Pokémon can benefit."

Liliroot didn’t hesitate—she touched the Arceus statue.

A grand, ancient music echoed in her heart—music that had traveled thousands of years from a forgotten age, the hymns once played by the gods’ people of the Divine Land to honor Arceus’s might.

A thousand years of time flowed across, from ancient past to future!

Strange energy surged from the air around her; light began to radiate from Liliroot’s body—radiance similar to evolution.

The ancient music merged with this energy. Liliroot closed her eyes, listening, visions flooding her mind.

Distant skies, ancient mountains, silent forests, enduring ruins.

Light appeared in the sky; the ruins restored to their former glory. Many humans and Pokémon sang and danced, raised torches—their voices made the sky’s light blaze, light and flame intertwining.

The dances of those people, those Pokémon, carried a strange rhythm and power.

To reveal the greatness of the deity through music... and dance!

Then, Liliroot unclenched her tiny fist from the statue. She understood—and began unconsciously imitating the ancients and Pokémon, mimicking their dance!

Liliroot danced in place, hopping and leaping!

Faintly, the ancient divine music echoed with her dance, leaving Guang Tai and Double-Edge Sword stunned.

Then, immense power gathered on Liliroot’s body—the radiance fully burst forth!

"Wawa!"

Liliroot completed the ancient dance. The light faded. Her skirt curled up—she now knew exactly how to use this powerful move!

'The Arceus statue helped Liliroot master a powerful move!'

'Liliroot learned "Victory Dance"!'

'Having mastered Victory Dance, using a Sun Stone will cause Liliroot to evolve into its Shining Form!'

Guang Tai smiled.

Having mastered the noble Victory Dance—and confirmed her evolution form—the door to a new world was slowly opening before Liliroot.

"But you still don't know Toxic; if you did, you could use a quality-based approach. Still, what you have now is already good enough!"

"Sometimes, when a revenge battle becomes too quality-focused, you lose the true essence of combat—it's better to defeat your enemy with real strength, punch by punch, kick by kick!"

"Use the power you've gained to defeat them!"

Guang Tai stroked the leaves of the Lily Root Doll, then returned the statue of Arceus to the house.

But at that moment, Guang Tai caught sight of the Symbol Tablet on the workbench.

The tablet’s inscriptions had been scrambled into a new word.

Regirock—Lei Ji Luo Ke.

"The Symbol Tablet sometimes foresees special events related to Pokémon; after Celebi, the next to appear is the Legendary Giant, Regirock?"

(End of Chapter)