In the blink of an eye, half a month passed.
Through the combined efforts of everyone—human and Pokémon alike—new houses began to rise from the ruins of Pyrite Town.
A number of "atoners" found the labor too much to bear and attempted to flee, but they were swiftly rounded up by the resident Pokémon and returned to the tasks they once forced others to perform. The Resistance was, in truth, quite merciful; after all, sitting behind a sewing machine or planting trees was a far better fate than losing one's head.
Amusingly, during this time, several poaching syndicates—completely oblivious to the regime change in Orre—arrived as usual to sell stolen Pokémon. They were caught red-handed by Team Rainbow. Initially, they shouted the usual bravado: "Trying to muscle in on our turf?" "I've got people high up!" "Who do you think you are, punks?" By the time they realized the reality of the situation, they were already face-down in the dirt, learning how to farm.
All was well.
This incident prompted a formal restructuring of Team Rainbow. It evolved from what Yamamino had called a "conglomerate" into the official armed force of Pyrite Town. They absorbed a large number of combat-capable personnel, tasked now with guarding the peace.
Much of Team Rainbow's soaring reputation was tied to N's tireless efforts. Throughout the reconstruction, he and his Pokémon worked day and night. This half-month of construction didn't just foster harmony between the people and Pokémon; it transformed the locals' attitudes. Many who had previously been indifferent now actively requested the creation of specialized habitats for the creatures.
And so, a massive, region-wide environmental overhaul began.
Ryuka got his wish and gradually delegated his authority; Yamamino got his wish and secured more power. Both were happy—and both spent their days planting trees.
In current-day Pyrite, nothing was more "fashionable" than planting greenery. From eighty-year-olds to five-year-olds, from the new Mayor Yamamino to the grunts seeking atonement, from humans to pokemons—everyone planted.
It was a mandatory task. This was the only compulsory order the Resistance had issued to the townspeople. While there were grumbles at first, they vanished when the people saw the Resistance members leading by example, and the town's "strongest" Pokémon—Kashiwagi's Aggron—working like a maniac. Besides, everyone preferred breathing clean air over the usual sand-filled smog.
The outskirts of Pyrite Town were now a vibrant green, filled with drought-resistant flora. It was a sight for sore eyes.
-----
On that same day, Kashiwagi was summoned to Yamamino's new office.
"When do you plan on leaving?" Yamamino tossed a drink to him, relaxing as he loosened his tie.
"In the next day or two." Kashiwagi checked his phone, where his travel itinerary was already saved.
Yamamino smiled. "It seems my timing is impeccable... What do you think of Pyrite Town now?"
"Full of life and energy. It's good."
"It is. And what about the rest of Orre?"
"Not bad either. Your father is working hard to erase Es Gan's influence across all social strata. I hear it's already showing results."
"You care quite a bit about Orre. Knowing that makes me feel at ease."
Yamamino's tone was strange, as if Kashiwagi's concern for the region was of vital importance. Kashiwagi couldn't help but ask, "Uh, I'm not exactly indispensable to Orre, am I?"
"Wrong. You are exactly that—indispensable." Yamamino shook a finger. "Orre needs an idol—someone everyone respects and admires. It needs a person to show them the way, like Leon in Galar.
"Leon's value isn't just commercial; he's a pillar for Galar's culture and education. Do you know what a Champion with a 99% approval rating means?" He raised a hand and narrowed his eyes.
"The heart of the people! Everyone wants to be him, everyone loves him, everyone aspires to be like him. There is nothing more powerful. And you... you are the future Leon of Orre."
"..."
"Of course, you're still 'green.' You need to grow, which is why traveling is the perfect method." Yamamino tapped his projector, and a video appeared.
In the footage, a massive black bird with wings that seemed to blot out the sun let out a soul-shaking cry. With every breath, it unleashed terrifying gales upon the ground, creating dark, swirling storms.
Amidst the chaos, a red-haired youth and his Pokémon dodged the attacks, launching a counter-offensive until they finally secured a chance to catch it.
"Shadow Lugia!" Kashiwagi gasped.
Yamamino nodded. "Exactly. Caught and corrupted by the second leader of Team Cipher, Greevil. But Dr. Kaminko's son, Michael, saved it. He purified it from its shadow state and released it back into the wild..."
"He released it?"
"Yes. Dr. Kaminko told me that Michael said Lugia is a part of nature and shouldn't be used by any human."
Shouldn't be used by any human... Kashiwagi was genuinely surprised that the protagonist of the second game had chosen to let it go. But he was even more surprised by Yamamino's next words.
"I want you to find that Lugia. Persuade it to return to Orre... or at least secure its aid."
"Wait, 'return'? Is it even Orre's legendary?" Kashiwagi frowned.
"Not entirely. Specifically, it once lived beneath the waters of Citadark Isle—the place Cipher turned into their base.
"As you know, restoring Orre's environment is a monumental task. My original plan was five years; now it looks like fifteen might not even be enough. Because of the climate."
Southern Orre received almost no rain and suffered extreme temperatures. Most plants simply couldn't survive. A small number could be maintained by Grass-type Pokémon, but as the scale increased, they would just be watching vegetation wither away. Soil quality was another issue; while Ground-types worked tirelessly to till the land, the Resistance still had to import nutrients that the desert lacked.
Kashiwagi was silent for a moment. "...So you need Lugia's power?"
"Of course—not." Yamamino contradicted himself with a laugh. "I believe human will can conquer heaven. Fifteen years is long, but not unbearable. However, your departure needs a reason. Otherwise, the people of Orre won't remember you. They'll forget you in a heartbeat."
In other words, the ambitious politician planned to use the "Quest for Lugia" as a propaganda tool to keep Kashiwagi's name alive while he traveled.
Kashiwagi twitched his lip. "And what if I don't find Lugia?"
"Then you'll need the strength to suppress any dissent. As long as you are powerful enough to make every other Trainer shut up, they won't care about a minor detail like a missing bird."
Yamamino patted his shoulder.
"Pressure is motivation. Good luck; you've got quite the burden on your back."
"I can't refuse?"
"You can refuse through action. For instance, by never coming back."
"You brat!"
"Hahahaha—hey! Kicking is unsportsmanlike! That kind of behavior is strictly prohibited!"
Their bickering echoed through the office.