Chapter 368

"Heir?"

Baimu was surprised to hear the title: "Aren't you the heirs? You clearly possess the power of Super Evolution."

"Of course not."

Zhenya chuckled: "The Heirs bear the responsibility of preserving the history of the Meteor People—they are candidates for the Elders, and have little to do with Super Evolution—though most Heirs do possess Super Evolution."

"So the inheritance is this…"

Baimu suddenly realized that the Heir of Carlos and the Heir of the Hoenn region were not the same thing, even though both possessed Super Evolution.

No wonder Korni's title after obtaining the Key Stone was "Successor."

"If you're willing, you could also strive to become a Heir," Zhenya patted his shoulder.

Baimu blinked in surprise: "Me?"

Zhenya nodded: "Exactly. You haven't mastered Super Evolution yet. Once you pass the trial and obtain the Key Stone, the Elders will naturally offer you this opportunity."

"T…trial?"

"Mm-hmm. This is arranged by the Elders. I'd love to guide you, but silence is the most basic rule." The young Dragon Tamer shrugged helplessly.

Baimu couldn't help but think of Miss Xijiana's promise to him.

So, after obtaining six Badges, he would receive the trial concerning Super Evolution?

For a moment.

He felt excited, eager to obtain the fifth and sixth Badges. But sadly, Meteor Village had everything—except a train station—making his plan impossible.

On the other side, Zhenya and the others, to avoid further exhausting the Super Dugtrio, deactivated their Super Evolution and shouted:

"We agreed to go to Meteor Falls this afternoon!"

"Wait, I have other plans right now—"

Baimu quickly refused and told them his intention to first cultivate the Shiny Feebas and the Poliwag.

"That's fine!"

Zhenya said indifferently: "Even if you don't capture new Dragons, you should still go see it. After all, Meteor Falls contains our ancestors' homeland—our forebears lived there for generations, and even we ourselves lived there not long ago. You should go take a look, right?"

"... Right, right."

What else could he say?

Zhenya had already said all the reasonable arguments.

"Dabu Nie~" A cute Dunsparce appeared at the entrance of the Pokémon Center, waving at Baimu and the others, signaling them to come collect their Pokémon.

As everyone walked inside,

the three Village Guards whispered among themselves.

"First, trick him into going. When he sees those elegant, beautiful Dragons, he won't be able to resist. After all, he's a Dragon Tamer descendant—no matter where he grows up, he's still a Dragon Tamer."

"Exactly, exactly!"

"I—I think so too."

Baimu: "..."

Aren't these three a bit too loud in their plotting?

But honestly, he was genuinely curious about the former dwellings and environment of the Meteor People. Given that Meteor Falls was inside a cave, it strangely gave him the impression that the ancient Meteor People all lived in cave dwellings.

——

At noon.

Baimu parted from Zhenya and returned to Miss Xijiana's home.

The old woman who had brought him earlier delivered a generous lunch, rich with Meteor People's flavors, including portions for the Pokémon.

"So, no matter which world, food development never lags."

Baimu picked up something wrapped like corn, peeled it open, and found it stuffed with steaming rice: "Big rice ball? Rice packet?"

Beside him,

a group of Pokémon led by Bastiodon eagerly ate their portions, finding them both novel and strange.

Occasionally, when they encountered something they didn't like, they swapped food with other Pokémon.

The harmonious scene brought Baimu great comfort.

Every time he saw his Pokémon getting along so well, he felt especially happy. Though arguments could strengthen bonds, they weren't the only way.

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But his smile quickly froze on his face.

Because after munching on his food for a while, the Salamence suddenly and inexplicably bumped into Bastiodon, who was about to feed the Shiny Feebas.

Others might think it was accidental, but as a Trainer, Baimu could easily tell the difference between intentional and accidental actions—this thing was clearly provoking him!

"Guduo?"

Bastiodon turned its head curiously to look at Salamence, asking if there was a problem.

"Shasang!"

Salamence chose to continue provoking, its expression saying: I bumped you—what are you going to do about it?

Now Bastiodon was even more confused.

"Guhou?"

It looked at Baimu, hoping the Trainer would give an answer. After all, Salamence was too hard to understand—only Baimu could grasp a little of what it was thinking.

But Baimu had no idea why this Houndoom, after fighting so many battles in the morning, was acting up again at lunch—he walked right up and grabbed its massive jaws: "What are you doing? Why did you bump Bastiodon for no reason?"

"Shasang!"

Salamence shook its head side to side in struggle, then suddenly grew serious. It pointed at Bastiodon with its left head, then at itself with its right head: "Shasang!"

"Huh?"

Hearing the cry, he and Bonsly both paused, and the other Pokémon around them turned their heads in unison.

"You want to battle Bonsly?"

"Sanda!"

Dragonite nodded with a smile, delighted that the Trainer understood its intent, and once again growled challengingly at Bonsly.

Today, Dragonite will challenge for the top spot!

Bonsly looked at it in surprise; though it knew its top position would eventually be challenged, it never expected it so soon.

It was Dragonite who struck first.

Under these circumstances—

It must accept the challenge!

"Grrr!"

Bonsly growled low; it never feared any Pokémon challenging its position—its strength proved it earned this spot not through the Trainer's favoritism, nor simply because it was the first Pokémon.

It possessed true power!

As the two Pokémon locked gazes, flames of fury seemed to ignite between them.

"—Stop!"

Baimu stepped in, raising a hand to block their view; otherwise, even at his one-meter-eight height, he could hardly hold back two Pokémon, "We have things to do this afternoon, and Dragonite has fought enough today—enough is enough!"

Dragonite, frustrated that the Trainer wouldn't let it battle, growled impatiently, "Sanda—"

"Hm?"

A pair of icy eyes instantly silenced all three of Dragonite's mouths.

Seeing this, Bonsly simply turned away and resumed feeding the Shiny Gyarados; it knew the Trainer was only forbidding the fight today.

There'll be time enough later.

It won't be separated from Dragonite—eventually, an opportunity will come.

Dragonite realized this too, and once again shot Bonsly a mocking glare before burying its head in its food.

Eat well to gain strength for battle!

After finishing lunch, Galarian Solrock quietly closed its eyes, "Sang…"

Too bad it didn't fight.

It trusted Bonsly more, so it desperately wanted to see the latter beat Dragonite senseless—to vent its anger—this damn dragon, even after evolving, still wouldn't leave it alone.

Every morning it had to bite it, like it was mentally ill.

Poliwhirl watched Bonsly and Dragonite with concern, fearing that if they fought, resentment would fester among teammates and ruin the usual harmony.

"Happy~"

Jigglypuff smiled warmly to reassure Poliwhirl, telling it not to worry—the Trainer would surely coordinate everything perfectly.

And…

If possible, it too wanted to compete—not for anything else, but to prove itself.

Poliwhirl shuddered, sensing Jigglypuff's smile had turned slightly dark; fortunately, the smile soon warmed again, leaving Poliwhirl in a kind of hallucination.

On the sofa.

Gulpin was buried entirely in a pile of plush toys, silently observing everything, calmly sucking on the juice-milk in its arms.

Boring~ It wanted to see blood flowing like rivers~!

And when Bonsly brought food to the Shiny Gyarados, the Shiny Gyarados, having watched the whole scene helplessly, looked at it with worry, "Bo~"

"Grrr~"

Bonsly smiled at the Shiny Gyarados, signaling it not to worry—it could still handle a mere Dragonite.

"Bo?"

"Grrr!"

Monster and fish communicated in some strange way.

After the meal, the Shiny Gyarados watched Bonsly's retreating back, still feeling uneasy. At the same time, a new feeling rose within it—intense dissatisfaction with its current role as mere spectator.

It wanted to join in.

Whether arguing, mediating, or even training with Jigglypuff and Gulpin for the Super Contest—no longer fixated on water.

In short, it truly didn't want to keep feeling like a spectator behind glass.

Didn't the Trainer say it could evolve?

If it raised its level and gained confidence, it could evolve into a brand-new form capable of moving on land?

The Shiny Gyarados desperately wanted to grow stronger, to evolve—preferably waking up tomorrow morning already changed.

This fervent desire gradually took root in its heart.

So much so that when Baimu came to play with it, he could hardly believe this Shiny Gyarados, which had been so insecure just recently, had suddenly gained such high awareness.

But it was a good thing.

"Then let me show you evolution again." He pulled up a photo of Milotic on his phone and showed it to the Shiny Gyarados, "Look, beautiful, right? If you evolve into this, I won't have to worry about my next Super Contest."

"Bo~"

The Shiny Gyarados stared at the phone; before, seeing Milotic only made it feel inferior, wondering if it could ever become like that—but now, it only cared whether Milotic could truly move on land.

Beauty mattered too, as the Trainer said—it could be used in Super Contests.

At this moment,

The Shiny Gyarados had become a pragmatist, no longer fixated on its own appearance, but more concerned with the benefits evolution would bring.

This outcome wasn't surprising, for the Shiny Gyarados's environment had changed—from its old setting, where its appearance led to constant ridicule; to a new one, where everyone strove upward, cared nothing for looks, and valued only a Jin Ziban heart.

Under this subtle influence, the Shiny Gyarados sometimes even forgot how ugly and shabby it was, lost in the praise of the Trainer and its teammates.

Does what it looks like even matter?

The odd-looking Uglyfish knows that in the eyes of its Trainer and these teammates, it's unimportant.

Bonsly also doesn't treat it specially out of pity because it thinks itself uglier or inferior—it's genuinely friendly and wants to share some of the burden for its Trainer.

Just like Happiny.

Can I, who spends all day lounging in a fish tank or a Poké Ball, truly deserve such a good Trainer and such good teammates?

It pondered silently and vowed to work hard to become worthy.

——

After a brief nap.

Baimu was awakened by the calls of Zhenya and Peng Peng.

"Ah~ Looks like we're heading to Meteor Falls now."

He stretched, gathered all his Pokémon who had woken from sleep, and paused when it came to Gulpin. "We're about to go to Meteor Falls—there'll likely be nothing but wild Dragon-type Pokémon there. I can't feel safe without you."

"Keh~ Doo~"

Gulpin placed its tiny hand beside its mouth and yawned cutely, lifting its right eyelid slightly to glance at its Trainer, then tilting its little face upward.

"I know."

Baimu tidied the strands of hair on its forehead and sprayed a bit of perfume on its body.

Perhaps spurred by a hint of urgency from Happiny's evolution, Gulpin had lately become a bit clingy—though only when the two were alone.

Even more extreme than Lei Gong.

Lei Gong at least only needs no strangers around.

From this, it's clear where Baimu's patience for it comes from—it was cultivated by that young lady who went to the countryside to help the poor.

Baimu pulled aside the screen and stepped out with Gulpin.

Zhenya and the other two Village Guard members had long been waiting, with three Desolate Dragonflies and one Sharpedo crouching beside them, each bearing the special saddle gear of the Alola region.

"Your Dreepy still needs rest, right? I've prepared one for you! A great companion for home or travel!" Zhenya patted the tall Desolate Dragonfly beside him.

Due to its much larger size, Dreepy could actually carry Baimu—but its body structure would make the posture look awkward.

Should I add a saddle like the Desolate Dragonfly's?

Seeing Baimu circling the Desolate Dragonfly, Zhenya chuckled, "Isn't it great?"

"Great!"

"Want one?"

"A little!"

"Then go catch one quickly!"

"Catch… huh? I just think the saddle looks nice." Baimu snapped back to reality and shook his head at Zhenya's enthusiastic persuasion and promotion.

The latter blinked in confusion. "Saddle? Why not just ask Master Qingshan to make one? What's so special about it?"

"It's special—I've never seen one outside."

Baimu shook his head. "Tomorrow, could you help me identify Master Qingshan? I really want one."

Zhenya nodded silently. "Fine… but you really don't like Desolate Dragonfly? It's so cool and handsome!"

"Lai o!"

The Desolate Dragonfly, hearing praise, beamed and proudly displayed its posture.

Knowing he'd be riding it soon, Baimu dared not say a word against the Desolate Dragonfly, only replying, "Didn't I already explain? I have no time. Desolate Dragonfly is great, but I can't abandon my two Pokémon. Of course, Desolate Dragonfly is beautiful."

He praised it twice.

"Lai o~!"

The Desolate Dragonfly happily rubbed its head against Baimu's face, overjoyed.

This thing is really easy to read.

Baimu exchanged a quiet glance with Gulpin beside him.

Not long after.

They rode on the backs of the Desolate Dragonflies, ascending into the sky, heading toward Meteor Falls with Zhenya and the other Dragon Tamers.

"By the way, you're…"

"Huh? Speak up! I can't hear!"

"You're going to Meteor Falls to investigate Team Rocket's trail, right? Isn't this too relaxed?"

"Oh oh! No problem! Meteor Falls is our turf! No need to worry!"

Hearing Zhenya's bizarrely confident reply, Baimu felt like he'd just set up a g.

Heroes always stumble in these strange places—something so simple could've prevented many problems, yet he refuses to take it seriously!

To avoid his newly reclaimed clan—now gone—Baimu decided to find a way to make Zhenya and the others realize just how significant Team Rocket truly is.

Speaking of which.

Could the Dragon Elder have hidden the Key Stone and the Mega Stone inside Meteor Falls?

Even if they were hidden, the old man likely already retrieved them—he's no fool like Zhenya and these naive Dragon Tamers; he possesses wisdom and vision.

Meteor Falls isn't far.

Soon, the Sharpedos and Desolate Dragonflies landed on the mountain slope.

Baimu climbed down from the Dragonfly's back and quietly lifted Gulpin to the ground. "Meteor Falls…"

He looked around. The pale ground bore many large and small semi-circular depressions—all unmistakably made by meteor impacts.

"Why do some of these craters look so new?"

Zhenya smiled. "New? Good—that's exactly right. Look at that big crater—when do you think it was made?"

"Last week's?"

"Huh? How did you know?"

"... Instinct."

All Baimu tugged at the corner of his mouth and asked, "Do meteors still fall from the sky at Meteor Waterfall these days?"

"Of course — otherwise why would it be called Meteor Waterfall? They say in the past the meteors were even more frequent, and once an especially huge one crashed down. That's how the biggest crater came to be."

Zhenya stepped forward first. "Follow me, I'll take you to see the biggest crater inside the cave. You won't be able to imagine the scale!"

Peng Peng and Lienzo followed behind him. The three of them moved with obvious familiarity, able to rattle off to All Baimu which pits on the ground were new.

In the blink of an eye, an enormous cave mouth appeared before the group.

"Hear the rumbling of water inside?" Zhenya turned his head to ask.

All Baimu nodded. With his hearing, he had actually caught it long ago. The reason Meteor Waterfall was called Meteor Waterfall was not only because it was a cave gouged out by falling meteors —

— but also because within it there were countless waterfalls, large and small.

The group walked into the cave, and before their eyes the scene went dark, then bright again.

The dark was the dimness of the path underfoot; the bright was the faint blue glow given off by the river water spilling down from the enormous waterfall in the distance, and the sunlight that filtered down from above, as though the thick rock layer overhead had been gnawed through by borers.

Seeing such a sight for the first time, All Baimu could not help feeling a touch of novelty — especially regarding how humans lived in a place like this.

"Let's begin — patrol."

Zhenya talked down about Team Rocket, but in practice he was fairly dutiful. He split the four into two groups. "We'll go layer by layer. It'll be quick."

All Baimu: "... I don't think I'm part of the Village Guard..."

Zhenya laughed heartily. "No problem, no problem~"