Hearing the question, the four family members exchanged glances. The knowledgeable Yukito thought for a moment and replied, "Are you asking about the Crystal Pool?"
"Crystal Pool?"
Lucas repeated the name.
Yukito nodded, reminiscing, "That's right. It's one of Kitakami's Six Scenic Spots—a beautiful place. The bottom is filled with radiant crystals, and the photos taken there are stunning!"
Hideko added, "Perrin took pictures there, you know—she's a professional photographer. Those photos could be published in the Kitakami Daily!"
"But it's not easy to get there."
Seeing Lucas's interest, Yukito dampened his enthusiasm, "Perrin went up with her Leafeon, Noctowl, and Growlithe, but came back covered in dust."
"Crystal Pool is at the top of Oni Mountain. Climbing it is tough, and the mountain is full of dangerous wild Pokémon. Even locals need to hire trainers and go in groups for safety."
"What's more, on Oni Mountain..."
For some reason, Yukito's worried expression turned complicated, as if he was holding something back.
Carmine, in a voice only she could hear, muttered, "There's a ghost on Oni Mountain."
The group fell silent.
Three pairs of eyes turned to Kieran, who looked up and declared, "Danger doesn't matter!"
"Mr. Lucas is a strong trainer who defeated Champion Alder. With him here, I'm not afraid of anything!"
Yukito and Hideko's eyes widened.
Their guest was that strong?
Carmine quickly added, "Kieran's right. We've improved a lot at Blueberry Academy. We're not helpless kids anymore."
"If we go now, we can reach the top before dark, enjoy the reflection of the stars in Crystal Pool, camp overnight, and return in time for the Applin contest tomorrow!"
Carmine wanted to have a chance for a Pokémon battle on the climb—which meant more of Lucas's guidance.
As for safety, could anything be safer than staying near Lucas?
Lucas was tempted. With a full team, he could easily protect the kids, see Crystal Pool, enjoy the night view, and maybe even run into the legendary "Ghost."
It sounded fun no matter how he thought about it.
He offered, "I'll keep Carmine and Kieran safe. They seem eager. What do you think, Mr. Yukito?"
"Sigh... Go ahead, then."
"I'll handle the permit with the warden."
Yukito sighed—unable to resist his grandchildren's puppy eyes, he relented.
Hideko grinned, "I'll prepare breakfast and dinner bentos for you all."
After a quick prep, and carrying boxes packed with their grandparents' love, Lucas, Carmine, and Kieran set off for Oni Mountain.
As for the Loyalty Plaza, that could wait until tomorrow.
On the way, even the usually introverted Kieran perked up.
"Ghost, ghost, ghost..." he chanted, eyes sparkling as he searched the map for something, mumbling the word "ghost."
Heh, maybe today he'd really see the legendary ghost!
Though he'd snuck onto Oni Mountain many times as a child—never finding danger or a ghost, just a scolding from adults—Kieran felt sure he'd get his wish today.
Carmine gave Lucas an apologetic smile, "Sorry, Kieran is obsessed with ghosts."
Lucas grew interested, asking them to put the bentos in his space backpack. "Aren't all the townsfolk devoted to the Loyal Three? Why does Kieran like ghosts?"
Before Carmine could answer, Kieran cut in, "Because the ghost in the legends is so cool!"
"Even though everyone fears the ghost, I really like him. He's strong and cool—he doesn't care about being shunned by humans. I've admired him since I was little. I want to be just as cool!"
"Fighting off multiple enemies single-handed—now that's awesome!"
Lucas raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected Kieran to admire strength so much.
No, it was more about admiring the ghost's freedom—wanting to be like that.
Carmine warned, "Kieran, you can say these things in front of us and Mr. Lucas, but not in town."
"Remember how other kids wouldn't play with you as a child?"
Kieran pouted, "I don't want to be friends with people who don't like ghosts."
"Hmph, I could tell some embarrassing childhood stories of yours—because..."
Carmine threatened to spill the beans, but a flustered Kieran quickly stopped her. The siblings bantered as the three of them reached the foot of Oni Mountain.
Lucas surveyed the surroundings.
Even without a system prompt, he could tell from clues that plenty of wild Pokémon had been active nearby.
He reminded the two, "Release your Pokémon. While I'll protect you, your own partners are the ones you trust most."
The caution in his voice sobered them up. They took out Poké Balls and pressed the buttons.
"Dipplin, I'm counting on you."
"Come out, Poltchageist."
Two unique Kitakami Pokémon appeared beside them.
Lucas had seen Carmine's Poltchageist during tea at the inn. Its body was a broken black-and-white teapot, with a graffiti-like face and green powdery hands, one holding a tea scoop.
It resembled Sinistea, but whether it was a regional form or simply related was unclear.
With Poltchageist and Dipplin guarding their trainers, Lucas also released several Pokémon.
Red light flashed.
Luxray, Arcanine, Spectrier, and Applin all appeared before Carmine and Kieran.
Apart from the harmless Applin, the other three were handsomely imposing. Carmine and Kieran's eyes shone with excitement.
So cool! So strong!
"Kieran, you ride Arcanine. Carmine, you ride... Luxray. Let's climb before dark."
Lucas had considered letting Carmine ride Spectrier, but remembered that, on his farm, only Serperior and Moltres were prouder than Spectrier and Glastrier. Unless it was Lucas or Calyrex, those two wouldn't let anyone ride without a fight.
Recently, Glastrier had developed some new quirks, but Spectrier hadn't changed much.
Seeing the siblings settle onto Luxray and Arcanine, Lucas smiled knowingly, "Perfect. Applin needs a warm-up for tomorrow's contest."
"If we meet suitable wild Pokémon, let's stop for a battle. Okay?"
"Okay!"
"Hooray!"
The siblings cheered softly.
Seeing their happiness, Lucas grinned and told Mimikyu, hiding in his shadow, "You're in charge of finding appropriate wild Pokémon."
Mimikyu didn't answer, just poked out a shadowy claw and flashed an "OK" sign before vanishing ahead as a dark blur.
Satisfied, Lucas mounted Spectrier and called, "Let's go!"
Three sets of hurried footsteps faded into the distance.
At that moment—
A tiny head poked from the dense vegetation.
"Boni..."
Ogerpon, its star-patterned eyes wide with curiosity, watched Lucas's group depart.
After a moment of hesitation, it grabbed a battered green mask, uncovered its hidden den, and carefully followed.
Maybe those people would reach the mountaintop. If so, it might have a chance...
…
Climbing and battling, time flew by.
By around six in the evening, they finally glimpsed the outline of the summit and the flickering, multicolored light.
Carmine and Kieran were completely satisfied—they'd had at least ten Pokémon battles that afternoon, training Poltchageist and Dipplin, and receiving Lucas's guidance!
They didn't care why the perfectly matched wild Pokémon always seemed to appear right in their path. Their hearts were full of joy.
Finally, Luxray and the others leapt over the rocks, reaching the summit of Oni Mountain.
The breathtaking view stunned all three and their Pokémon.
Atop the soaring Oni Mountain, a beautiful lake lay still.
Beneath the calm surface, countless glowing crystals stood silently at the bottom.
So, the dazzling glimmer they'd seen was from these crystals.
Carmine and Kieran, cheeks flushed, gazed in wonder at the sparkling lake bed.
Such beauty—they had never seen it before.
Restricted by adults, they'd never seen Crystal Pool. Now, they watched in awe.
Just then—
A sharp cry rang out behind them.
"Boni!"
It was Ogerpon, who had followed them all the way to the summit.
The trio turned to see a small childlike Pokémon urgently calling to them, as if warning them.
This Pokémon wore a cloak like ginkgo leaves, a frilled green dress dotted with white stars, and a circle of black thorns around its face. On its orange face, those starry eyes gave Lucas a strange sense of familiarity.
It was as if he'd seen those same eyes on a dearly departed idol.
Clutching a green mask, Ogerpon cried out, showing its little pointed fangs.
While Lucas was confused, Carmine gasped, and Kieran yelled, "It's the Ghost!"
But before Kieran could celebrate, a huge splash erupted behind them. A monstrous figure rose from the lake, icy droplets splattering their skin.
Kieran and Carmine turned in a daze.
A Gyarados, jaws wide and terrifying, glared at them menacingly.
Even Lucas, half-expecting this, was surprised.
Because this Gyarados's entire body was sparkling, crystalline.
Atop its head was a crown shaped like a tiny dragon—its Tera Crown.
A Tera Dragon-type—Gyarados!
Lucas resisted the urge to joke about "Lance would be so happy," and suppressed his questions: Why is there a wild Tera Pokémon in Kitakami? Why is Gyarados at the top of Oni Mountain—because it can fly?
Calmly, with Applin on his head, Lucas ordered, "Luxray, Arcanine, protect Carmine and Kieran. Mimikyu, I'll leave this Gyarados to you."
Gyarados may be a terror for trainers in the wild.
But facing this lineup, it had definitely picked the wrong target!
…
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