After leaving the Nacrene Museum, Liam and little N returned to the Pokémon Center. Since Purrloin's injuries were fairly serious, their original plan of leaving Nacrene City immediately after visiting the museum had to be postponed.
Little N entrusted Purrloin to Nurse Joy so she could treat it.
When Nurse Joy later returned the fully treated Purrloin, she specifically advised that it would be best for it to spend the night resting at the Center. As a result, Liam and little N decided to stay there for another night.
That evening, Liam lay on the upper bunk in their guest room, while little N slept on the lower bunk with Purrloin curled up beside him.
Taking advantage of the quiet, Liam pulled out the black, round stone that Burgh had given him earlier as an apology.
[Ding!]
[Dark Stone: The form taken after Zekrom's body was destroyed. It is said that the Dark Stone awaits the arrival of a hero. When held by that hero and taken to a specific place, it can bring Zekrom back into the world.]
[Evaluation: Extremely precious!]
"So it really is the Dark Stone... I never expected to obtain it this easily."
Liam gently rubbed the black stone in his hand. Although he had already been fairly certain of its identity, seeing the System's confirmation still left him feeling amazed.
Just as he was lost in thought—
"Bad Guy... are you asleep?"
Little N's voice suddenly came from the bunk below.
"Not yet. What's wrong? Is something bothering you?"
Liam answered immediately.
"Today... was... was Father here?"
Little N's voice trembled slightly, as though he were afraid of hearing the answer.
"...If the 'Father' you're talking about is that man named Ghetsis... then yes."
Liam chose not to hide the truth.
"...Did he... say anything?"
Little N asked quietly.
"He said you're their king. He claimed that everything he's done has been to protect you."
Liam replied softly.
"..."
Little N fell silent.
After a moment of quiet, Liam stared up at the ceiling and spoke again.
"Little N, don't worry. I'll protect you."
"As long as you don't want to leave, no one can take you away. Not even Team Plasma."
"Team Plasma's ideals actually aren't bad. If they developed them properly and followed the right path, they might really accomplish something."
"But some people have selfish ambitions. They have completely different goals hidden behind those ideals."
"That selfishness will eventually destroy Team Plasma. And if you continue living in that environment... you'll be destroyed along with it."
"You're still just a child. Right now, you should be free to stay innocent and carefree. The problems of adults are still far too early for you."
"So... little N... after I'm finished with what I have to do this time..."
"...will you come back to Kanto with me?"
"My home is in Kanto. There are many kind and caring people there. And when the time comes... it'll become your home too."
"What do you think, little N?... Hmm? Did you fall asleep?"
Liam realized he had been talking for quite a while, yet the lower bunk remained completely silent. A helpless smile appeared on his face.
Just then—
"...Mm."
A faint sound drifted up from below.
Whether it was an answer or simply sleepy mumbling, Liam couldn't tell.
But hearing it made the corners of his mouth rise.
"...Good night, little N."
...….
The next morning...
Purrloin had fully recovered its energy.
Having already lost quite a bit of time in Nacrene City, Liam and little N resumed their journey toward Route 3.
Their next destination, however, was Castelia City.
Leaving Nacrene City through the western road, they soon entered a vast forest known as Pinwheel Forest.
Pinwheel Forest connected Nacrene City with Skyarrow Bridge.
A broad, well-paved road ran straight through the forest. Following it all the way would eventually lead travelers to the entrance of Castelia City at Skyarrow Bridge.
The forest was home to numerous Bug-type Pokémon.
And where there were many Bug-types, Flying-type Pokémon were naturally plentiful as well.
For example—
Little N was currently holding a handful of delicious Pokémon food, happily tempting a wild Pidove.
"Hehe~ Pidove, is it tasty?"
Little N asked with a bright smile.
"Pido~ Pido pido~"
Having thoroughly enjoyed the delicious Pokémon food, Pidove happily flapped its wings and chirped excitedly.
"Haha! That's great! Then, Pidove... do you want to keep eating food this delicious?"
"If you do... come travel with me!"
"Then you'll be able to eat as much of it as you want!"
Seeing that the Pokémon food strategy was working, little N immediately stepped up his persuasion.
"Pido?... Pido pido!!"
Pidove hesitated for only a brief moment.
Then it completely abandoned its dignity.
Fluttering its wings, it landed directly on little N's shoulder and affectionately rubbed its face against his cheek.
"Ahahaha~ That tickles! Hahaha! Pidove, let's get along from now on!"
Little N shouted happily, thrilled that he'd succeeded.
Liam: "..."
Watching from not far away, Liam wore an expression that seemed to say,
"So... that actually works?"
He nodded speechlessly.
Then—
Whoosh!!
A sharp sound suddenly tore through the air from nearby. Liam's eyes immediately sharpened as he looked toward the source.
A streak of green light was rushing toward them at incredible speed!
It moved so fast that, in the blink of an eye, it had already shot past little N without slowing down, disappearing deeper into the forest.
"Ah!"
"Little N!"
"Pido! Pido!"
The violent gust created by the green blur sent little N tumbling backward.
Pidove immediately took flight to avoid it.
Little N, however, landed squarely on his backside.
Feeling a burning pain shoot through his rear, he looked at Liam, who had rushed over, and fought back tears as he complained,
"What was that just now?"
"Was that a Pokémon too?"
"But it was so mean!"
It was obvious that little N had fallen hard this time. Otherwise, he wouldn't have looked so close to crying.
Yet the moment Liam saw his expression—
"Pfft..."
"Hahaha! Hahahaha!"
He burst into laughter.
"Y-you Bad Guy! Stop laughing!"
"Pidove! Get him! Use Peck!"
"Pido!!"
Liam's laughter instantly made little N's face turn bright red. Embarrassed and furious, he immediately ordered Pidove to attack.
Then—
Smack!
The instant Pidove flew in front of Liam…. Liam casually swatted it aside with one hand.
The poor Pidove was left completely dazed.
After finally regaining its balance, it looked back at Liam with terrified eyes, frantically flapped its wings, hid behind little N, and refused to poke its head out again.
Little N: "..."
"Hehe... Are you alright?"
"Here."
Liam suppressed another laugh as he reached out, took little N's hand, and gently helped him to his feet.
Then—
He slipped one arm beneath little N's legs and lifted him into his arms.
Looking toward the direction where the green streak had disappeared, Liam slowly explained,
"That Pokémon just now was Virizion."
"It's one of the Legendary Pokémon."
"In Unova's legends, it and several other Pokémon are known as the Legendary Swordsmen, protectors who have watched over this land for ages."
"Being able to see Virizion here is actually quite a stroke of luck."
"So… what do you think, little N?"
Little N pouted unhappily.
"...Hmph."
"My butt still hurts."
"This definitely isn't lucky!"