Only the one who tied the knot can untie it. In the world of Pokémon, when it comes to knowing the Zweilous line, the elder from the Village of Dragons was undoubtedly one of the most knowledgeable.
Sato still remembered the last time he had gone to the Village of Dragons. After using [Dark Energy: Soul Connection] to learn the truth about Zweilous being imprisoned alone in the back mountains, he had developed a deep grudge against the elder.
But then, due to Ralts's strange behavior and the elder's brief display of her "terrifying" power -just the tip of the iceberg- Sato, though furious, had no choice but to hold it in and mark the Village of Dragons as one of the highest-priority "super dungeons" to tackle in the future.
Now, Zweilous had accumulated enough as an Elite Pokémon. If Sato hadn't been actively preventing Lefty and Righty from devouring one another, it could have evolved at any moment.
There was no more time to delay!
Even if it was a hell-level dungeon -even if the elder was clearly an Elite Four Trainer who wielded Dark Energy- Sato still decided to take Zweilous back.
---
"Te-Teacher Sato… you've only been at Celadon University for, like, not even a full month… and you're already leaving?"
When Sato suddenly announced his departure, Erika was clearly stunned.
Just a minute ago, she'd been happily messaging the Gymnasium coordinator, planning to reserve Saturdays for Sato's future public lectures.
The bad news hit too fast. Erika's eyes turned red with emotion, scaring Sato into "frantically" explaining!
"I'm only going to find a way to help Zweilous evolve. A week at the shortest, half a month at the longest. I'll definitely be back to continue studying afterward."
"…O-Okay."
Erika sniffled and seemed to realize her reaction had been a bit over the top. She took a deep breath and forced the tears back down.
"Then… then Teacher Sato, please come back soon. Our… our students will all miss your public lectures!"
"Mm."
Sato nodded quickly before backing out of the office. After making sure no one was passing by outside, he sighed and shook his head.
"I'm not some heartbreaker, so why does this feel so awkward…"
Then Sato went to ask Aki for a leave of absence. The dean gave him a look that clearly said, "I knew you couldn't sit still," and waved him off with a smirk.
But just before he left, Aki casually added: "Evolution is the greatest miracle in this world. So many researchers have tried and failed to fully understand it. Sometimes, you have to learn to compromise. At least that way… something remains, right?"
Clearly, Dean Aki had noticed Sato's recent visits to various professors. Otherwise, she wouldn't have said something so specific.
Sato just nodded lightly, then left the office without another word.
'I know you're trying to help. So I'll take your advice to heart… but whether I change my path or not, that decision has to come after I try it for myself!'
One of the benefits of the Unova League officially recognizing the Kanto League as headquarters was the opening of flight routes between the two regions.
As one of the largest cities in the Kanto Region, Celadon City naturally had direct flights to Unova. So by that very evening, Sato had already landed in Nimbasa City, Unova.
What Sato didn't know was that just as he arrived in Nimbasa, a group of sages in robes with solemn expressions stepped out of the airport in Celadon City.
"Master, shall we head straight to Celadon University, or find an inn to rest and go tomorrow?"
The once naive and innocent little Sage had grown much taller. His brows and handsome face now captured the hearts of countless female pilgrims…
And now, the little Sage had ascended to become the head of the Bell Tower, the designated successor of the Master Sage.
His Sage name: Arluin!
---
Returning to a familiar place, Sato felt more nervous than excited. This time he was going alone to the Village of Dragons, unsure of what he might encounter.
The best outcome would be finding a way for Zweilous to evolve perfectly, while also dissolving the heavy knot in his heart and avenging the twenty years of resentment for Zweilous's imprisonment.
Sato spent the night in Nimbasa City, meanwhile swapping out his lineup, keeping only Zweilous with him.
Early the next morning, Sato took the high-speed rail from Nimbasa City to Opelucid City, then followed the old path quickly toward the Village of Dragons.
What used to take two days now took Sato only one.
It was the same familiar crossroads, and once again, a group of playful Dragon-type Pokémon hatchlings ran out and surrounded him.
And the very next moment, the same farmer-looking man appeared with a basket full of freshly picked berries on his back, still accompanied by the same Haxorus, unchanged.
"I feel like… I've seen you somewhere before?"
The man blinked at Sato in confusion, furrowing his brow and trying to remember.
"Sir, a few years ago I came to the Village of Dragons with my companions. That night everyone even held a bonfire party for us," Sato said with a big smile, feigning excitement.
"Oh oh oh, I remember now! You're… you're Mark!"
"!!!!!!?"
"…Sir, my name is Sato. Mark was my companion back then."
"Ahahaha, all the same, all the same!" The man laughed loudly to cover his embarrassment, then stepped forward to pat Sato on the shoulder. "Come, come, come, I'll take you to see the elder!"
'All the same…?
I got lost?
I grew an afro?
I became scruffy?
I can't catch Pokémon anymore?
I only win battles by luck?'
Sato shouted inwardly, 'How is that the same!'
--
"Achoo!"
Mark rubbed his nose, leaning lifelessly on Lucario's shoulder. "Lucario… do you think if the person thinking about me right now suddenly appeared in front of us and led us out of this forest, should I offer myself as thanks?"
"…"
Lucario ignored Mark's nonsense and even directly threw him off.
Mark was about to get angry but noticed Lucario staring intently ahead. He couldn't help but look too.
"It's… it's… it's a city! We're saved, Lucario! WE'RE SAVED! HAHAHAHAHA!"
"Lucar…"
--
Several years had passed. When Sato stepped once more into the Village of Dragons, he found that even the roadside flowers and grass hadn't changed much.
An Exeggutor with three innocent, round faces slowly walked over and stopped in front of him.
"Here's the elder's Exeggutor. Mar… no, Sato, just follow it. Once you're done, remember to come to my house for a meal. I live over there!"
The enthusiastic man pointed toward a wooden house not far away, then patted Sato on the shoulder before wandering off with Haxorus.
.
.
150 PS - CH