Mt. Mistveil, the small building on the mountaintop.
As Dragon-type Pokémon, Dragon Scales meant relatively little to them. The scales simply fell off naturally on their own.
They shed automatically after a certain period of time as part of their natural growth cycle.
However, Dragapult could clearly sense the powerful fluctuations and energy emanating from this particular black Dragon Scale.
The energy radiating from it even made Dragapult instinctively feel genuine fear!
Dragapult, who had been extremely wary and suspicious of Wayne just moments ago, instantly appeared directly before him with urgent intensity.
"Gulu! Gulu?" Dragapult vocalized with barely contained alarm.
Lucario quickly translated the Dragon-type's words: (It's demanding to know where this item came from and whose it originally belonged to?)
"It's a Dragon Scale that was naturally shed by a Shiny Rayquaza. As for the exact circumstances of where it came from, I can't reveal that information to you," Wayne explained honestly but firmly.
"Gulu..." Dragapult responded with a mixture of awe and trepidation.
Hearing the legendary Rayquaza's name spoken aloud, Dragapult's mind couldn't help but conjure vivid mental images of the serpent-like figure majestically soaring through the sky.
As a Dragon-type Pokémon itself, Dragapult clearly knew and understood Rayquaza's immense strength and legendary status.
Why would a Dragon Scale from the Sky High Pokémon Rayquaza be in this young human's possession?
Dragapult looked at Wayne with visible confusion and reassessment.
Although from a human perspective, Wayne should be considered a very handsome and attractive individual, and he certainly looked approachable and kind.
But could simply being handsome allow someone to do whatever they wanted and possess legendary items?
Actually... upon reflection, it seemed that wasn't entirely impossible in this world.
Drakloak and the tiny Dreepy clearly liked Wayne already, showing no fear or hesitation around him.
Looking more carefully at Wayne's companions—Lucario, Arcanine, and the rare Shiny Metagross—they were all clearly powerful and well-trained Pokémon.
Dragapult could distinctly feel the deep emotional bond and trust that existed between Wayne and his team.
When Metagross had destroyed the television earlier, Lucario had immediately protected Wayne with Protect.
Arcanine had intentionally or unintentionally positioned itself to shield Wayne as well, though in reality all the dangerous fragments had been blocked by Metagross's quick intervention.
Dragapult had witnessed all of this protective behavior firsthand with its own experienced eyes.
Then, looking at Drakloak, who was now happily nuzzling against Wayne with contentedly closed eyes while eagerly eating the delicious Energy Cubes he'd offered...
Dragapult made a difficult decision: allowing Drakloak to follow Wayne would undoubtedly be better for its child's future development and safety.
"Gulu..." Dragapult announced with resigned determination.
Lucario translated excitedly, his voice rising with surprise. "It's telling you that you should take Drakloak with you!"
Drakloak remained completely engrossed in eating the exceptionally tasty Energy Cubes Wayne had generously taken out, completely unaware that it had just been given away to a new Trainer.
However, Wayne wasn't particularly excited by this unexpected offer. Instead, he pressed the matter further. "Wait—aren't you coming along with us as well?"
Dragapult shook its head firmly and decisively. "Gulu."
(It doesn't want to leave this place,) Lucario translated with confusion.
"Why not? What's keeping you here?" Wayne asked gently.
"Gulu..." Dragapult's voice became noticeably lower and more melancholic.
(It's still waiting here for someone important,) Lucario conveyed with growing sympathy.
Wayne frowned thoughtfully. "Waiting for someone... Would you be willing to tell me your story? Perhaps I might be able to help you somehow."
Dragapult nodded slowly with visible emotion. "Gulu..."
Time seemed to rewind backward twenty years into the past...
The kitchen stove was lit and burning, and a young woman, approximately thirty years old, moved with unusual slowness and careful deliberation.
"Cough, cough." The woman suddenly covered her mouth and coughed violently. Her face instantly turned deathly pale.
"Gulu?" Dragapult vocalized with concern.
Sensing Dragapult's worried mood, the woman smiled gently despite her obvious pain. "I'm perfectly fine. Don't worry about me."
While Dragapult had its eyes characteristically narrowed and couldn't see clearly, the woman quietly turned on the faucet and quickly washed away the blood from her palm.
Perhaps because she was determined to stay in good spirits, the woman began humming a cheerful tune softly while continuing to cook.
Dragapult also followed along in the singing, and the two Dreepy residing in its head launchers also chirped "Dreepy! Dreepy!" melodically.
This simple musical moment added precious warmth and life to the otherwise quiet and lifeless house.
This was the first time Meria had genuinely felt like truly living after learning of her terminal illness diagnosis.
Meria simply prepared chicken noodle soup—one generous bowl each for herself and Dragapult.
"Here you go. This one is yours," Meria said warmly.
Meria deliberately presented the portion with significantly more meat to Dragapult.
However, Dragapult didn't eat right away. It just gently nudged the bowl back toward her with its head. "Gulu."
"I really can't eat too much food anymore, you know that," Meria said with sad resignation.
"Gulu, Gulu!" Dragapult insisted persistently.
Dragapult was simply urging her to please eat and maintain her strength.
"Alright, alright, I'll eat. I promise," Meria relented with a weak smile.
Perhaps it was the comforting warmth of the chicken noodle soup, or perhaps the overwhelming emotions of the moment, but Meria's eyes reddened unconsciously as tears began forming.
"Gulu..." Dragapult noticed immediately, its mood dropping.
Noticing Dragapult's increasingly low spirits, Meria subtly and quickly wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.
"What I made is simply too delicious for words! It even moved me to happy tears!" she claimed with forced cheerfulness.
"Gulu!!!" Dragapult responded enthusiastically.
(It's absolutely the best meal ever!)
Good times are always far too short-lived.
Eventually, Meria hired workers to carefully cover all the furniture here. She packed her essential luggage with slow, deliberate movements. She had to leave for intensive medical treatment.
Before departing, Meria released Dragapult from its Poké Ball officially. "From this day forward, you are completely free, Dragapult. You don't belong to anyone."
"Gulu?" Dragapult vocalized with complete confusion.
Dragapult was still in a daze, unable to fully process what was happening.
Although it was no longer technically bound by a Poké Ball's ownership, it still felt with absolute certainty that it was Meria's cherished Pokémon.
Before finally leaving, Meria hugged Dragapult's head close and whispered with barely contained emotion:
"If I can somehow come back alive... will you forgive me for leaving and be my Pokémon partner again...?"
"I'm leaving now. Please don't follow me," Meria said, her voice breaking.
Then Meria left, walking away without looking back.
Back in the present, "Awoo~~~" Arcanine cried loudly and mournfully.
"Meta..." Metagross, on the other hand, looked distinctly ashamed, feeling extremely guilty about having destroyed the television that held such memories.
Lucario's eyes also reddened visibly with emotion.
Drakloak was no longer engrossed in eating Energy Cubes. It floated to its mother's side and gently rubbed its head against Dragapult affectionately.
Wayne could easily guess the tragic conclusion: Meria had passed away from her terminal illness.
Dragapult probably knew this truth as well but couldn't accept it.
Wayne took a deep breath to steady himself, adjusted his emotions, pulled out his phone, and quickly dialed Zorro's number.
The call connected within seconds.
"Wayne, is something wrong?" Zorro answered immediately.
"Mr. Zorro, I'd like to ask for your help with an urgent matter," Wayne requested seriously.
"Tell me what you need. As long as I can help you, I will," Zorro promised.
"Please help me find information about a woman named Meria. She should have been hospitalized sometime in the past. She owns a house on Mt. Mistveil, in the area outside the eastern suburbs of Jubilife City. This matter is extremely important. Please help me," Wayne explained urgently.
Zorro on the other end of the line let out a heavy sigh of recognition.
"It's about Meria. There's no need to search for records. Go directly to Meria's Home in the city center, located near the Central Hospital," Zorro instructed gently.
Zorro then proceeded to roughly explain Meria's story and legacy to Wayne over the phone.
Exhaling deeply to release the stale air from his lungs, Wayne looked directly at Dragapult with determination. "Dragapult, do you want to go see Meria one final time?"
"Gulu!" Dragapult's eyes conveyed everything—desperate hope mixed with fear.
Dragapult's eyes said absolutely everything that needed to be said.
"Okay then. Follow me!" Wayne declared with confidence.
"Arcanine, Lucario, return for now," Wayne commanded gently.
"Awo!" Arcanine howled in acknowledgment.
"Luca!" Lucario responded with understanding.
After recalling both Lucario and Arcanine into their Poké Balls for easier travel,
Wayne climbed onto and sat securely on Metagross's broad back. Drakloak and Dragapult positioned themselves flying protectively on either side.
"Metagross, full speed ahead. Destination: city center," Wayne ordered with urgency.
Wayne first quickly sent a text message to his father: "I'm heading to the city center on urgent business. I probably won't be back for dinner tonight."
His dad replied almost instantly: "Alright. Be safe."
His father's suspiciously quick reply made Wayne immediately guess that Leon was currently slacking off at work. Never mind—Wayne wouldn't expose him this time.
Then, Wayne searched for precise directions to Meria's Home location on his phone's map application.
Metagross and Dragapult, both moving at their absolute full speed, arrived at Meria's Home—conveniently located not far from the Central Hospital—in approximately half an hour of flight time.
"Meria's Home" read the sign.
Wayne looked up respectfully at the beautifully crafted sign mounted above the main entrance gate.
This was a children's welfare institution that had been funded and operated by the late Meria during her final years.
She had died, but through her legacy of kindness, she would live on forever in the hearts of those she helped.
"We're here at last. Let's go see her together," Wayne said softly to Dragapult.