Meanwhile, in the Black Forest, thanks to Crobat and Mightyena's scouting, Matthew had also arrived at the forest's outskirts.
The closer he got to the edge, the more he felt a strange, inexplicable aura.
While riding his Mightyena across a small river, he noticed a group of Bibarel looking up at him as he passed, silently watching him leave.
Further along the grassy plains near the forest's edge, he saw numerous Grass-type magical beasts gathered together. Oddly enough, none of them attacked—they merely observed him warily.
And just before leaving the forest entirely, he saw an enormous Torterra.
Mightyena instinctively sensed danger radiating from it.
"Why are there so many magical beasts on the outskirts of the Black Forest?" Matthew frowned.
Even so, these creatures didn't seem hostile—just wary. No one had launched an attack.
Surrounded by this strange atmosphere, Matthew refrained from making any reckless moves.
He and Mightyena continued to run through the forest and eventually exited safely.
Beyond the Black Forest lay a vast and seemingly endless grassland.
Matthew was baffled—he had traversed the Black Forest many times, but he had never ended up here before.
What's more, the grassland was filled with magical beasts, looking as if it were some kind of paradise for magical beasts.
They appeared peaceful, almost completely ignorant of conflict. He even spotted a Carnivine leisurely sunbathing—an utterly bizarre sight.
(TN: Not sure about this Pokemon, spent too long searching, so I just a sinnoh Pokémon.)
"Whatever. I'll focus on finding that Pokémon first."
He steered his Mightyena to avoid the nearby Pokémon and continued deeper into the grasslands.
Above, Crobat swooped down, flying low beside Matthew to guard him closely.
—
Meanwhile, Ralts was sitting on the back of a Rattata, dashing swiftly across the plains.
A faint blue glow flickered in the Rattata's eyes—it was using telepathy to communicate with Ralts, who had its eyes closed, deeply focused on the link between them.
Suddenly, Ralts' eyes snapped open. It looked up and saw Crobat's swift, darting silhouette in the sky.
Here, in the wide open grasslands, Crobat's aerial advantage was on full display. It streaked through the air like a phantom.
"Ralts~"
"Thank you, Rattata," Ralts said, patting its companion before using Teleport again.
As it activated the move, Ralts' unique ability triggered. Countless thoughts surged through its mind.
All at once, it sensed a warm energy wave—like sunlight on a winter day—inviting and soothing.
Sky, clouds, and grass… Ralts reappeared in the air and slowly opened its eyes—only to see a human in white standing beneath the sun.
Startled, Ralts instinctively released a burst of psychic energy.
But then, it froze.
The comforting warmth it had just sensed… was coming from this human.
"…Ralts?"
Aven stared blankly at the Ralts that had suddenly appeared before him.
His eyes were drawn to its blue hair, and a deep, almost unbearable familiarity filled his heart.
[Ralts, nice to meet you.]
[Congratulations on evolving, Kirlia. Your blue hair is beautiful.]
[Gardevoir, let's keep working hard together. I'll never leave you.]
"…Gardevoir."
Aven slowly closed his eyes.
Memories from his past life surged forward—his shiny Gardevoir, with that same distinctive blue hair.
When he opened his eyes again, the Ralts before him seemed to overlap perfectly with the one from his memories.
"…Gardevoir, is it really you?"
His voice was raspy and filled with emotion, leaving Ralts stunned.
From this man's heart, it could feel a complex mix of longing, grief, and joy.
Is he… thinking of me? Grieving for me… and happy at the same time?
Ralts was puzzled. It didn't know this human.
But as he stepped closer, Ralts didn't move away.
Its instincts told it—this human wouldn't hurt it.
At last, Aven gently picked up Ralts. Everything felt so natural.
…
"Do you… know me?"
Unable to hold back its curiosity, Ralts asked through telepathy.
The voice in his mind surprised Aven—but he quickly regained his clarity.
Looking down at the Ralts in his arms, seeing the eyes beneath its blue hair, he let out a soft sigh and slowly shook his head.
"Don't worry. I'll protect you."
With Ralts in his arms, Aven lifted his gaze toward the sky—he could already see Crobat rapidly approaching.
'He said he'll protect me…'
Ralts looked up at Aven's face. Its instincts told it he was telling the truth—this man really meant what he said.
But why…?
From this man's emotions, Ralts could faintly sense something unusual, though it couldn't quite explain it.
Still… what was this overwhelming sense of comfort?
Closing its eyes, Ralts let itself be enveloped in the warm, gentle energy radiating from the human holding it.
…
Not far away, Matthew and Mightyena were approaching as well.
He could already see Aven standing in the distance.
Once close enough, Matthew stopped and glanced at the man, then at the Ralts in his arms, frowning slightly.
What's going on?
That magical beast wasn't resisting.
Did the man use some kind of method to subdue it?
That was Matthew's first thought.
He didn't even consider the possibility that this Ralts might already have a connection with Aven.
After all, he had chased it all the way from the Aspiration Mountains. It was almost impossible for it to have bonded with someone else over such a distance.
…
"Rhydon, Froslass—"
At Aven's words, Rhydon strode forward, eyes locked onto Matthew's Mightyena.
Meanwhile, Froslass appeared beside Aven, casting a glance at Ralts, then shifting her gaze to Crobat overhead.
'He's angry… He's angry because of me?'
The red horn on Ralts' head twitched—it could sharply sense Aven's emotional changes.
…
"Who are you?"
Matthew frowned, staring at the immense energy radiating from the Rhydon and Froslass.
"You don't need to know who I am."
"Rhydon, use Stone Edge!"
At the command, Rhydon roared, stomping the ground hard. Jagged stone shards burst forth and shot toward Mightyena!
"Damn it—what's with this guy?!"
Matthew's expression turned cold. "Mightyena, use Sucker Punch!"
With a flash of ghostly energy, Mightyena darted forward, weaving through the barrage of stone spikes with incredible agility.
"Use Crunch!"
Dark energy gathered in its jaws as it lunged toward Rhydon!
"Rhydon, Rock Slide!"
Rhydon wasn't fazed by a frontal clash. With rock energy surging through its fist, it threw a heavy punch—BOOM!
A wave of devastating energy exploded outward!
Mightyena's jaws, coated with Dark energy, clamped down hard on Rhydon's fist.
But Rhydon's hand was covered in dense rock energy, forcefully resisting the attack.
With a sudden lean forward, its power surged.
Its fist pressed downward with crushing force, pushing Mightyena back!
Mightyena quickly released its grip and leapt away.
BOOM!
Rhydon's fist smashed into the ground.
The Rock Slide burst forth, sending tremors through the earth—cracks spread out like spiderwebs!
It was a fierce clash, but neither Pokémon had gained a clear advantage.
(End of Chapter)