"This is the Radiant Vegetable."
The next morning, Hikaru brought out a batch of Radiant Vegetables from the dream world and showed them to Skyla in front of the Mistralton Gym.
Last night, in the dream world, his Pokémon had eaten their fill after the battle—rewarded with a great feast. Even though it was in a dream, the meal restored their strength.
Of course, since they had eaten in the dream, now that he had carried some vegetables out into reality, they needed to eat here too!
These vegetables, green with faint streaks of blue, were clearly no ordinary crops. Just touching them made one feel their freshness and the life force within.
Skyla was visibly tempted. "They look really nutritious… I've never seen vegetables like these before. Are these the ones Calyrex cultivates?"
Hikaru suggested, "It just so happens we haven't had breakfast yet. Let me cook these up for you to try."
Without another word, he started cooking!
From the Connected World, he pulled out cooking tools. For heating, Larvesta would take care of it.
The little bug swayed its head, humming an Ancient Song as it heated the pot. That strange melody made Skyla close her eyes, feeling as though her very soul had been purified.
"What is this music?" she asked curiously.
The hum of Larvesta didn't seem like mere "music"—there was power within it. Was it a move?
"It's a very old melody that's been passed down, called the Ancient Song," Hikaru smiled. "It's said to be connected to the Mythical Pokémon Meloetta."
"A Mythical's song?!" Skyla folded her arms, curiously examining the little bug.
From a type matchup standpoint, Flying-types counter Bug-types. But after seeing Larvesta's display at the Tower of Heaven, Skyla thought her Pokémon might not even stand a chance against this strange little bug.
And besides, this bug could fly! Spraying flames while flitting about—it was quite interesting!
Soon, a fresh, unique aroma spread as Hikaru cooked.
"That smell… gurgle—"
The first to be drawn in was Shauntal. She had stayed up nearly the whole night writing in a burst of inspiration, only falling asleep in the early morning. Now, the scent roused her from slumber!
Her stomach rumbled with hunger—even though she had eaten the night before!
If this kept up, she'd gain weight—not at all ladylike! But… the aroma was just too good!
Her eyes gleamed with hunger, and she staggered toward the pot like a zombie, startling Skyla.
Next to arrive were Marshal and Alder.
"Ohh… Just the smell of this fills me with vitality. Eating it must be incredible!"
Even Alder, who rarely showed interest in food, found himself craving it.
Marshal, more serious, said:
"In faraway regions, they speak of food as medicine. Even here in Unova, there's an old proverb: 'To eat is to gain life.'
"Food contains power. Even a simple stew, if prepared with the right ingredients and timing, can carry unique effects."
"They call it… food power?"
Hikaru was surprised. "So you've traveled widely enough to know about 'food power,' Marshal?"
"That's from Paldea. Their cooking is a path of strength—meals grant power. They say it's thanks to their secret ingredients. Of course, Galar too has its famous curry dishes, ranked on five levels."
"Whatever it is, is it ready yet?! I'm starving!" Shauntal whined, her eyes fixed on the pot.
Hikaru checked. "Yes! Time to serve!"
[Dish: Farmer's Vegetable Soup (Radiant Cuisine).]
[Description: A simple stew made from choice vegetables and Radiant Vegetables. The vegetables' essence is steeped into the broth, enriched with Dragon Fang powder, turmeric, pure salt, and olive oil. Warm yet refreshing, the aroma fills the room!]
[Effect: Deliciousness +100%, Refreshing +80%, Warming +50%, Vitality +100%. Enhances vitality, completely restores both humans and Pokémon, and cures all status conditions!]
Hikaru served everyone a bowl, including their Pokémon, and asked the Gym Leader and the Elite Four members to release their Pokémon to share the meal.
"Huh?! Is this okay? These are rare vegetables meant for Skyla…" Shauntal hesitated.
Hikaru waved it off. "Don't worry! Calyrex has plenty more. These are just samples. Vegetables are meant to be eaten by people and Pokémon! If fine ingredients aren't eaten, they lose their value!"
"You're right!" Skyla smiled. "Even at our vegetable farms in Mistralton, wild Pokémon often come to nibble on crops. But we never chase them away.
"These vegetables are meant to be eaten by Pokémon after all!"
She sighed. "But lately, because the Pokémon eat too much, and since new farming methods are being pushed, there's been disputes. My grandpa's there too, in the middle of it. They're still arguing whether the new or old methods are better."
"Swanna!" Skyla released her Swanna. The moment it saw the Radiant Vegetables in the pot, it knew—success! These were the Radiant Vegetables, without a doubt!
It craved them intensely. Though they existed in the dream world too, they required Calyrex's Radiant Petals for grafting and were never abundant enough for free feasts.
Calyrex sometimes prepared dishes with them, but… the king's cooking skills were mediocre. Sometimes he even forgot salt!
One by one, Pokémon appeared, drooling rivers at the aroma, while Ghost-types circled the pot in awe.
"They've become so lively!" Shauntal exclaimed.
"They're saying the pot is brimming with life energy," Hikaru explained. "That's unheard of for ordinary vegetables.
"Life energy usually only exists in humans and Pokémon. Berries hold some, but far less. As for vegetables—almost none.
"But these Radiant Vegetables, nurtured with golden and silver star soil, brim with life energy irresistible even to Ghost-types!"
He added to Shauntal: "If you buy more of these, maybe you won't need to have your life force drained anymore."
"No way!" Shauntal shook her head.
"If my Chandelure doesn't burn my life force, I lose inspiration! Life force can be replenished by eating—but if my Chandelure prefers these vegetables instead, I couldn't write at all!"
Everyone: "...??"
This ghost novelist was impossible to understand.
"Oh! Look! Wild Pokémon are coming too!" Skyla pointed to the sky.
"Pidove, Tranquill, Taillow, Swellow, Rufflet… So many Flying-types drawn here by the scent!"
Hikaru frowned. "So many birds near an airport? Isn't that dangerous?"
Skyla just smiled. "Not if you make friends with them!"
The birds crowded onto rooftops, window ledges, and the ground, craning their necks toward the pot.
But then a Rufflet chirped, warning the others. It had spotted Walking Wake and Haxorus near the pot—it recognized those Radiant Vegetables from the dream world! Charging in recklessly would be dangerous with those fierce Pokémon and trainers present.
Still, their longing cries echoed as they gazed at the soup.
Hikaru set out a big bowlful just for them. Immediately, the flock swooped down, scrambling and pecking at the vegetables with noisy delight.
Skyla was amazed.
Wild Pokémon were picky—if a vegetable wasn't tasty, they wouldn't touch it. The way they devoured this proved its quality beyond doubt.
And thanks to Mistralton's fertile, Landorus-blessed soil, the crops grew quickly. There was no worry of wild Pokémon eating them bare.
"For even wild Pokémon to be so drawn to them… These Radiant Vegetables are extraordinary!"
Skyla's eyes lit up. She resolved to recommend them to her grandfather immediately. If they planted quickly, they could harvest by month's end!
"Incredible!"
After tasting a spoonful, Marshal felt his whole body strengthen.
"Oh! What is this feeling?
"It works not only on Pokémon but also humans. A refreshing breeze through my organs, a warm current filling me with power!
"I've never felt better! This is no ordinary dish—this is martial arts cuisine for strengthening the body!"
"This would be a hit among fighters and martial artists everywhere!"
He downed several bowls, already planning to share it with friends and family.
Nearby, Alder boasted, "I had two more bowls than you! Ha! Today I feel like I could dig through Twist Mountain!"
Breakfast passed quickly in hearty satisfaction. Even several more pots were cooked to keep up with everyone's appetite.
"Thank you! Such delicious and powerful food—we're grateful!"
"We'll part ways here. Safe travels!"
Marshal and Alder stayed at the airport to return to Twist Mountain, while Skyla donned her pilot gear, invited Shauntal and Hikaru aboard, and started up the plane.
The propellers roared to life.
"Let's fly!"
Skyla's spirits soared—flying always filled her with joy.
The plane ascended, land shrinking below into forests and towns. They crossed from Unova's west to east—almost the whole region.
"Huh? The flight feels smoother than usual… no turbulence?" Skyla muttered as they passed over Twist Mountain.
Normally, air currents around mountains caused bumps, even with altitude adjustments. But today, barely a shake.
"...?" Hikaru wondered. Could it be his own abilities reducing terrain and weather's negative effects?
And then—something glowing in his bag. A green orb!
The orb from Rayquaza seemed to negate weather and turbulence—like its Air Lock ability, nullifying weather effects while leaving the weather itself unchanged.
With the orb's "protection," their speed even increased!
Skyla was thrilled. Conditions and control felt perfect, cutting travel time in half as they neared Lacunosa Town.
"So fast! Already there?!"
Shauntal, mid-conversation with Hikaru, was stunned—they'd arrived far quicker than expected.
"Hehe, just great conditions and control today!" Skyla laughed.
Hikaru glanced at the orb in his bag. Its glow had faded, its work done.
This trinket was surprisingly useful.
Though unable to trigger Rayquaza's Primal Reversion or Mega Evolution, this green orb commanded the skies. No wonder Tornadus and Thundurus wanted it.
Useless for landbound Pokémon, but for fliers—it was an incredible tool.
If the Red and Blue Orbs were SSR rare, this Green Orb was a rarer UR. Just… one with limited uses.
"Not bad, huh? Soaring long distances is a different matter than just flying with a Pokémon," Skyla remarked.
Hikaru stroked his chin. "I've thought of catching a large Flying-type to haul me and cargo long distances. I already have a candidate in mind…"
"Oh! Why not choose Golurk?" Shauntal suggested brightly. "It can do that—and reach supersonic speed!"
"A Ground-type flying… makes no sense," Skyla muttered, shaking her head.
Golurk, huh? Not a bad idea. It could rocket through the skies, free of Electric weaknesses, immune to Lightning. Large enough to carry weight.
After all, ancient humans built them as war machines, designed for both air and land combat. Though being clay, they lacked resistance to water, but rain posed no real threat.
And as a sculptor himself, Hikaru found Golurk—born of a golem motif like the legendary giants—quite fitting.
"My Golurk was found near the ruins by Route 23, said to be Unova's last untouched nature, shrouded in mystery," Shauntal reminisced.
"I went there often for inspiration. Those nameless ruins gave me countless ideas. As if guided, I met this Golurk guarding the ruins.
"I believe we share a fated bond—perhaps in another life I was a priestess of that ruin."
"By the way, you can read Pokémon memories, right? Could you ask Golurk about the ruins' history?"
This was before Black & White 2, when Victory Road's entrance lay on Route 10, not Route 23.
"I can try."
Hikaru touched Golurk's Poké Ball.
Ancient fragments of memory stirred—but much was lost.
"This Pokémon has beautiful memories… but it can't recall them clearly."
He recited like a memory girl: "Yet, some fragments remain.
"The ruins of Route 23… feelings of longing, sorrow, pride… A ruin from the age of the legendary dragons… a Ruin of Will."
On Route 23 lies a battered, nameless ruin, only reachable by passing Kyurem's Giant Chasm.
"Could it be a shrine to Kyurem? Lost to history with the Hero of Nothing, left unnamed…"
Indeed, in the anime, Professor Cedric Juniper once mentioned discovering an 'Ice Ruin,' but the games gave no clue.
Route 23 was also where Azelf was meant to appear, embodying human and Pokémon 'Willpower.'
"So little information…" Shauntal sighed, disappointed. "I thought I'd uncover a 'secret of the past.'
"My Golurk must have slept too long and forgotten… A shame."
She didn't mind much—just curiosity. But Hikaru now had an urge to investigate Victory Road himself.
The plane descended.
They had reached Lacunosa Town.
[Unova Connection (Lacunosa Town) established!]
[Description: Nightmare energy saturates this mountain town, spreading faintly from inside and outside the Reverse Mountain. Something is emanating waves of power!]
[You are immune to nightmare invasion!]
(End of Chapter)
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