Master Craftsman of the Pokémon World-Chapter 115

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Normally, one shouldn't enter the Shinto Forest as night approaches—it's extremely dangerous.

However, upon hearing a lead about the whereabouts of Shiraishi's gratitude, Steven couldn't hold back!

Digging up rare stones was more important than anything else, and with Steven as a companion, Hikaru also felt more confident.

Within the Shinto Forest, the strongest Pokémon in the outer areas were a leader Scyther and what seemed to be an Ursaring, but in the presence of a Champion, these Pokémon were hardly a threat!

Hikaru performed a simple restoration on Regirock's body, a display of craftsmanship that left Steven marveling. Following this, Steven and Regirock began chatting, with Hikaru acting as a translator. The more they talked, the more they got along!

Steven was utterly shocked to discover that Regirock could accurately identify the formation process and locations of various stones—this was knowledge only possessed by truly skilled mineralogists!

"Incredible! Rock-type Pokémon usually only know which stones are beneficial to their bodies and will stay near mineral veins to keep intruders out, but Regirock is different... Is this because it learned from humans? Or do the giants inherently possess such knowledge?"

If Regirock weren't Hikaru's friend—practically his Pokémon at this point—Steven would have been tempted to convince it to join him!

After all, a Pokémon that could provide excavation advice and even help dig up stones manually—how could a gemstone collector resist?

It was a perfect match, a dream come true!

The setting sun cast golden beams through the gaps in the treetops, illuminating the soil of the Shinto Forest. Leading the way was the giant, followed by Hikaru and Steven, alongside Doublade, Lilligant, Turtwig, and Metagross.

Their destination was the Rock Mountain Ruins. After reaching it, they continued deeper into the forest, eventually arriving at a deep valley. The surrounding trees bore signs of having been cut down.

"Hmm?"

Hikaru noticed the tree stumps and cut marks, but what caught his attention most were the ruined structures and numerous ancient tombstones scattered throughout the valley.

"Reji... Regi..."

Regirock let out a strange sound, seemingly in mourning. Although its voice didn't sound much different from usual, Hikaru could sense an undercurrent of sadness in its heart.

"It's saying that when it awoke, it saw the tombs left behind by the ancient people of Shinto. After the gods disappeared, it fell into slumber, and upon waking again, found these graves."

Everyone quietly observed the ancient cemetery. Regirock suddenly raised an arm, halting their progress.

Because—

That thing had appeared!

Whoosh—!

A shadowy fist suddenly shot out from the depths of the valley, slamming into the ground before Hikaru and Steven. Moments later, from the void itself, a massive, pitch-black figure materialized like a ghost!

A Ghost-type giant—Dusknoir!

The black fist that had just struck the ground was none other than the Ghost-type move Shadow Punch—a warning!

"Dusk!"

Dusknoir ignored Hikaru and Steven, its gaze locking onto Regirock!

A legendary giant... What business do you have here?

Dusknoir was the guardian of this ancient graveyard and was responsible for guiding wandering spirits around Shinto. Among these tombs was an ancient soul that refused to leave, and until that soul was properly guided away, Dusknoir wouldn't allow anyone to desecrate this place!

"Reji—"

Regirock didn't hesitate to call out Dusknoir, directly accusing it of trespassing into its own shrine in the past. Dusknoir quickly explained, saying that it hadn't entered intentionally!

It was because that Scyther had disturbed the graveyard's peace and even used Thief to steal an important artifact from here, forcing Dusknoir to chase it down!

"Dusk!"

So, if there was nothing urgent, they should leave immediately!

"Reji—"

Regirock stated that it was here to retrieve the white stones.

White stones...?

Dusknoir hesitated, glancing toward the most prominent white monument among the tombstones.

Indeed, there were white stones similar to that monument scattered around the area. However, those were sacred items of the graveyard. Aside from some peculiar flowers, nothing else should be taken!

Those white stones contained mysterious power, and disturbing them might prevent the slumbering soul from awakening. If that happened, Dusknoir's duty would be left unfulfilled!

"Looks like negotiations failed."

Steven assessed the situation, his Metagross standing beside him, its sharp eyes locked onto Dusknoir. Feeling the immense strength of the steel behemoth, Dusknoir immediately grew tense.

Could it truly protect this graveyard with its strength alone?

"We have no intention of fighting you."

Hikaru stepped forward and used his advanced spiritual knowledge to communicate with Dusknoir.

Dusknoir could feel the intense spiritual energy radiating from Hikaru. It carefully extended its senses, attempting to establish a soul connection—

But in the next moment—

Its soul was forcefully dragged into another world!

A void storm, distorted structures, an inverted sky, massive crystalline pillars—

And a shadowy, centipede-like black-winged dragon looming above!

"Gah—!"

A gaze from the ruler of shadows fell upon Dusknoir.

Giratina had sensed Dusknoir's presence through Hikaru's soul and was extremely displeased by its intrusion!

This was Shinto.

How dare a mere spirit-world guardian attempt to establish a connection with a descendant of the gods?

In the next moment, Giratina suddenly sensed something on Dusknoir's body. It paused briefly before pouring all of its ghostly energy into its soul link with Hikaru!

Overwhelmed by this surge of immense energy, Dusknoir recoiled in fear, its single eye shrinking in shock, frantically waving its hands in surrender!

The spiritual power of this psychic was far too overwhelming!

What it had just witnessed through the soul link... Was that truly the Ruler of the Distorted World?!

A cold sweat formed on Dusknoir's spectral body. It no longer had any idea who this human before it really was. At first, it had planned to use force to drive these intruders away—but now, that was clearly impossible.

The source of this c𝓸ntent is frёeweɓηovel.coɱ.

Wait!

Dusknoir suddenly realized something, its single eye widening in astonishment.

Could this psychic before it be... the one spoken of in the spirit world's transmissions—

The human who died and returned to life?!

The one who won the resurrection battle?!

["That Dusknoir has something valuable on it!"]

Giratina's soul-bound voice echoed in Hikaru's mind, making him pause in surprise. He hadn't expected Giratina, all the way in the Distorted World, to be able to communicate with him like this.

"...Perhaps I can help you guide that lingering soul to the afterlife," Hikaru suggested. "In exchange, allow us to take some of the white stones."

"Dusk..."

Dusknoir's hostility faded.

The sheer power of the human before it was beyond imagination—a psychic who had a direct connection with a colossal ghostly dragon that ruled an entire world... This was a first for Dusknoir!

And more than that—he had returned from the dead, a feat even Dusknoir itself had never accomplished!

Perhaps... this human truly could complete its duty.

After a moment of silence, Dusknoir gave a nod and turned, leading Hikaru toward the white tombstone.

Hikaru crouched down and wiped the dust from the white stone monument, carefully examining its inscriptions. Then, he called for Doublade and retrieved several Pure Incense Talismans from its sheath.

Elite Four Phoebe had once said that her talismans could guide lost souls to the afterlife, making them incredibly useful spiritual tools.

Hikaru himself didn't fully understand how to use spiritual energy to help lost souls pass on, but his craftsmanship could achieve the same effect!

With that in mind, Hikaru placed the Pure Incense Talismans onto the white tombstone, then observed the stone's description:

[Precious Material: Gratitude White Stone (Tombstone, Unusable).]

[Description: An ancient white stone, polished to a mirror-like sheen, shaped into a tombstone. It is said that inscribing words of gratitude upon this stone will allow one's feelings to be perfectly conveyed to their friends.]

This stone is...!

Hikaru's eyes widened as a realization struck him!

So that's what the Gratitude White Stone was!

In Pokémon Platinum, if a Trainer obtains a letter from Professor Rowan, they can travel to Seabreak Path. At the start of the path, there is a large white boulder.

By writing words of gratitude on the stone, the Trainer will encounter the Gratitude Pokémon, Shaymin, and be able to follow it into Flower Paradise. The once-barren land at the path's end would immediately transform into a field of vibrant flowers upon Shaymin's arrival!

For a brief moment, Hikaru saw visions in his mind—

A scene from the past, when this ruin was still intact—

A city-state, its buildings made of stone and mud, where people lived peacefully. Children laughed and played in the streets.

Then, a girl appeared—a girl whose face was blurred and indistinct.

She grew from a child to a young woman, from youth to middle age, and finally to old age. Her surroundings, though vague, continued to shift and change.

Eventually, the vision faded. The settlement disappeared, leaving only a single final tombstone behind.

Upon it, ancient letters were inscribed in Unown script.

The golden rays of the setting sun filtered through the forest canopy, casting a dappled glow over the ancient inscription.

"Here, I shall rest for eternity."

"I pray to the gods."

"Forever, I shall wait."

"I only hope... that one day, we shall meet again."

"The one I am most grateful to... is Hikaru."

"Thank you... for giving me life."

At the bottom, the name was signed—

Vessa.

(End of Chapter)