Master Craftsman of the Pokémon World-Chapter 157

[Crafted Item: Ancient Statue (Exquisite)] — A hybrid style combining the Ancient Castle and Sacred Ruins.]

[Description: A statue carved in imitation of ancient styles, shaped like Tapu Fini. Crafted using Gratitude White Stone. Whispering thanks to the statue may yield an unbelievable response.]

[Item Effect – Interwoven Worlds: Can release a small fragment of the mist from the afterlife, creating a momentary intersection between this world and the next. When used with specific items, one may reunite with the departed.]

As the mist surged forth, Doublade had already moved to guard Hikaru's side—like a tiny knight of justice, ready to strike at a moment's notice!

Was this another power of the spirit world? No—it felt slightly different...

"The afterlife... That's what the Alola region calls the world of the dead. And unlike other regions, the souls of the dead in Alola seem to linger near the Ruins of Hope. With help from the island guardians, one can meet the departed at any time."

"If this happened in other regions, Dusknoir would've dragged you away on the spot."

Hikaru muttered to himself, as he heard faint whispering voices.

Something had connected with his heart. Both the statue of Ai and the statue of Tapu Fini glowed with a gentle, hazy light.

He suddenly had a feeling—now was the time to use the Cloth of the Spirit World. Placing it between the two statues, Hikaru and Doublade were immediately plunged into a vision!

It was a world of pure darkness—nothing existed. Suddenly, a golden halo of light formed within the blackness, taking the shape of a little girl. She looked at Hikaru and Doublade as they appeared in the darkness.

Hikaru sensed her emotional shifts. First, confusion—then surprise and disbelief. A swirl of emotions danced on her face. Tentatively, Hikaru called out:

"Ai?"

At once, like an electric current, her emotions surged violently. Yet Hikaru couldn't hear her voice. The mist then dispersed, and the strange vision vanished without a trace.

"Yohhh!"

Doublade had seen a lot of strange things in its time, but that scene just now was even more bizarre than the dream realm!

"It worked... We actually connected with the departed. But I couldn't talk to her—probably because I hadn't written my message of thanks yet."

"This part... has to be done by Mewtwo."

Just then, Hikaru heard Lilligant calling from outside. It turned out that when the mist had surged earlier, Lilligant and Grotle had come running to the forge, drawn by a feeling in their hearts. But they were shocked to find the forge shrouded in mist—and somehow much larger than before. The odd scene had them panicked.

"Doreli!"

Really now—more dangerous tools again!?

Lilligant was worried and a bit upset, waving her leaves at Hikaru to complain.

What if you suddenly vanished, Trainer?! What would we do then?!

"Yohhh~" Doublade floated up confidently, proudly declaring it would protect its Trainer at all costs—but Lilligant scolded it!

It's even more dangerous with you around, Doublade-senpai! You're always causing trouble too!

"Doreli! Doreli!"

Lilligant was not happy.

"Alright, alright. We've worked with ghost-type tools before—this one's just a bit more special. But with Giratina's power and the energy of the spirit world, I'll be fine."

Hikaru comforted her for quite a while before Lilligant finally calmed down. After all, seeing a living person vanish in front of her eyes really had shaken her. She had originally wanted Hikaru to promise not to make such dangerous things anymore—but then realized many tool effects only become known after testing... and that made her mad again.

"If you master Aura, you'll be able to sense me anytime," Hikaru offered, raising a finger and successfully changing the topic.

Lilligant thought for a moment, then nodded seriously.

That's right—if she could fully master Aura, then she could always feel her Trainer's presence!

Hmm... Grotle, say something too!

Lilligant turned to Grotle, who after a pause, offered a cautious suggestion.

"Haaya..."

Unexpected events really are a bit out of control. He recommended adding more psychic and spirit-proof protective tools to the forge, and suggested placing finished tools by the door for testing rather than activating them inside.

Grotle shared a whole list of safety precautions—even going as far as suggesting renovations to the workshop. This left Hikaru a little stunned.

He always thought Grotle just knew how to plant flowers and trees. How did it suddenly get so smart after evolving?

"Hahaaya?"

Hmm... Not sure! I just felt like I should say that—and I knew it somehow!

Indeed, Pokémon often gain more intelligence upon evolution. Some even have their personalities change completely.

Hikaru calmed the two Pokémon down, then sent a message to Mewtwo.

But there was no reply.

"Sigh... Maybe it's busy with something else."

It was already very late. After experiencing the mist event, the Pokémon insisted on sleeping beside Hikaru. He tidied up the day's finished tools.

[Crafted Item: Choice Band]

Description: A somewhat particular headband. Boosts the holder's physical attack, but limits them to using only one move.

[Crafted Item: Choice Scarf]

Description: A somewhat particular scarf. Boosts the holder's Speed, but limits them to using only one move.

[Crafted Item: Choice Specs]

Description: A somewhat particular pair of glasses. Boosts the holder's Special Attack, but limits them to using only one move.

The three major "Choice" items—completed!

After a busy day, Hikaru drifted into sleep along with his Pokémon. Grotle rested beside the bed, Lilligant leaned on Grotle and the mattress, and Doublade hung from the wall beside the bed—murmuring softly about its past companions and dreamlike memories, its aura slowly turning pink again.

...

Alola Region – Poni Island – Ruins of Hope

Within the ruins, Tapu Fini—dozing as usual—suddenly sensed something strange.

Its power had been used... far, far away?

Tapu Fini had a mermaid-like black body and flowing long hair. Its pale blue eyes were framed with white eyelids. A white T-shaped mark sat on its forehead, and purple rings adorned its shoulders. It dwelled inside a violet shell, which closed into the shape of a swordfish's head.

"Tapu?"

Tapu Fini traced the direction of that power's activation. If it wasn't someone from Alola—how could they be using its blessing?

It felt... a connection with the user?

Hmm. A "worthy" individual?

They had caught its interest.

Should I prepare a Z-Crystal?

...

Mt. Moon – North of the World Tree of Origin

Many Pokémon lived in this area, but only one had long shared a bond with the now fossilized tree—Mew.

"Mew?"

Mew heard a faint whisper from afar. It felt like... someone was thanking it.

But the voice was so familiar...

Who was it?

Mew didn't know.

(End of Chapter)

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