Faced with this question, Ogerpon hesitated for a moment. Perhaps she was worried about something, as she lowered her head and mumbled, unwilling to speak.
Seeing this, Lucas didn't force her for an answer. Noticing that Perrin was hurrying over, he pondered briefly before asking Ogerpon, "I'm afraid I don't have the time right now to send you back, and it's too dangerous for you to return alone.
How about this: until I finish what I have to do, you can stay with me for now. Once I'm done, I'll take you back. How does that sound?"
Although he said this, Lucas could have easily asked Luxray, Arcanine, or Spectrier to escort Ogerpon home.
The real reason for this suggestion was that he wanted to observe Ogerpon a bit more.
Not only was Lucas curious about the story possibly hidden behind Ogerpon, but also the truth about what happened between her and the Loyal Three.
After all, from Ogerpon's timid personality and her current weak strength, she really didn't seem like a Pokémon capable of taking on three at once.
Based on Lucas's years of playing Pokémon, the Loyal Three from the legends of Kitakami Village were probably legendary Pokémon. This record of one-versus-three seemed way too impressive for the current Ogerpon to live up to.
This time, Ogerpon didn't hesitate at Lucas's suggestion.
In fact, Lucas's proposal was exactly what Ogerpon wanted. She was just worrying about how to get closer to Lucas!
Those fragments must be with Lucas!
"Boni!"
Ogerpon nodded rapidly like a pecking chick, agreeing to the request.
A short while later, Perrin rushed over with Growlithe and saw that Lucas had a new Pokémon companion—Ogerpon.
Her photographer's instincts made her immediately want to snap some pictures, but she forgot to turn off the flash, startling Ogerpon, who hid behind Lucas.
As he comforted Ogerpon, Lucas helplessly reminded Perrin, "Be careful. If we run into the Bloodmoon and your flash startles it, causing it to go out of control, what will we do then?"
Perrin could only scratch her head with a look of realization, then dug a few candies from her satchel and offered them to Ogerpon in apology.
Sensing her good intentions, Ogerpon accepted the candy, unwrapped one, and popped it in her mouth. The sweet taste immediately blossomed, making her starry eyes shine even brighter.
With a few rounds of this, Ogerpon became a bit more familiar with Perrin, though she was still wary of her Growlithe and even Arcanine, the one who had saved her.
No one knew why.
Lucas just found it strange—Ogerpon seemed like a sensitive, introverted little girl, nothing like the fierce Pokémon from Kitakami's legends.
A moment later.
Lucas and Perrin, taking Ogerpon with them, headed deeper into the Timeless Woods.
On the way, Perrin held up a map she'd drawn, excitedly pointing at spots marked in red ink:
"Over the past month, I've explored nearly every spot big and small in the Timeless Woods, except for one place."
"Now that you're here, I can finally spend some time there with confidence."
"Oh?"
Lucas leaned over, took the map, and saw that the place she indicated was the only lake in the forest.
Perrin explained, "In nature, water sources are always the most precious resource. In human terms, it's the spot armies would fight over. The wild Pokémon here are the most numerous and powerful."
"After all, without strength, it's hard to compete for such valuable water."
"No matter what, the Bloodmoon is a creature. It needs to drink. Judging by the size of Ursaluna, there's no way the juice from berries alone could sustain such a large body for long."
"In the past, I couldn't stay long by the lake because of my lack of strength. But now that you're here, let's make it our first stop."
As she explained, Perrin looked up at the sky.
"What's more, tonight's moon is especially big and round."
Even at a hurried pace, it was nearly midnight when Lucas and the others finally reached the lake in the heart of the Timeless Woods.
Legend said the lake was fed by waters from Kitakami's native region, pooling at the forest's center.
Though it was the dead of night and all was silent, the area around the lake was bustling with "guests" coming and going.
"Grrr!"
A blast of pitch-black shockwave swept out like a storm, instantly driving away a group of Gastly and Haunter that had been closing in.
After this, Luxray calmly returned to the tent to continue his vigil.
Such attacks had happened countless times that night. Added to the battles with the original inhabitants—Bisharp and Pawniard—just as Perrin had said, the lake area was indeed full of dangers.
Inside the tent.
Ogerpon curiously eyed Appletun, her little nose twitching as she sniffed the air, her mouth watering uncontrollably.
It smells so good!
Especially the sweet pastry-like frills on Appletun's back—Ogerpon's instincts screamed that it was edible!
Appletun, uncomfortable with Ogerpon's stare, subconsciously shifted closer to Lucas.
Noticing this, Perrin asked curiously, "By the way, why did your Applin want to evolve into Appletun?"
"As you said, there are three evolution choices, and one of the new branches can even evolve again!"
Lucas patted Appletun's smooth, fruity head and smiled. "You'll have to ask him. It's actually a pretty boring reason."
"Puru!"
Appletun protested. His reason for evolving was not boring at all!
Seeing how righteous he looked, Lucas shook his head and explained to Perrin, "He thinks, rather than evolving into the battle-ready Flapple or Dipplin, he prefers to be a support member on the farm."
"Leave the fighting to those who are good at it—he wants to contribute in his own way. Those are his words."
Appletun, evolved from Applin using a Sweet Apple, naturally inherited the theme of "sweetness."
Whether it was the sweet, pastry-like "frills" on his back that could be eaten as dessert or used as decoration, or the syrup he secreted, Appletun was a fantastic source of sweets.
After evolving, his "Ripen" ability had also improved, affecting a wider area and further boosting the quality (and perhaps even the yield) of apples from the orchard.
This was the answer Applin had come to after much discussion with Serperior.
Hearing Lucas's explanation, Perrin looked at Appletun thoughtfully and sincerely praised, "You're amazing!"
"Puru..."
Appletun bashfully ducked his head, shy at the compliment.
Seeing this, Lucas and Perrin couldn't help but laugh, filling the tent with warm, cheerful energy.
Outside, Luxray's ears twitched as he chased away a pack of Mightyena with Thunderbolt, quietly awaiting the Bloodmoon's arrival.
…
Inside the tent.
Perrin started discussing the Bloodmoon's appearance conditions with Lucas.
"The Bloodmoon is far more cautious than other Pokémon. From what I've learned, it almost never shows itself to humans."
"That's why I've spent a month here without any results."
"But after my research, testimonies, and data, I've determined one of the necessary conditions for its appearance!"
"So, everyone who's seen it did so on a foggy night, with a cloudless sky, stars shining, and a nearly full moon overhead."
"And when the Bloodmoon appears, the moon is always tainted by a mysterious force and turns blood red."
"That's where its name comes from."
Hearing this, Lucas mused, "So, we can only wait here and hope for the goddess of luck to bless us?"
Perrin nodded.
"...Is the Bloodmoon strong?"
After a pause, Lucas asked.
Perrin shook her head. "I'm not sure. But to have survived since the Hisui era, crossed the sea, and reached Kitakami, it must be strong."
"That's good enough."
Lucas nodded slightly, closing his eyes.
Perrin was puzzled. Just as she was about to speak, he opened his eyes again, his voice brimming with confidence.
"Tonight, the Bloodmoon will appear."
"Huh?"
Perrin was dumbfounded.
How was Lucas so sure?
Beside her, Ogerpon also stared at Lucas, curious. Sensitive as always, she could sense other creatures' emotions.
From Lucas, he only saw unwavering confidence.
It was dazzling.
To stay awake for the Bloodmoon's arrival, Perrin drank instant coffee, struggling not to fall asleep.
Lucas, who had napped all afternoon, was wide awake and alert.
Wild Pokémon came and went by the lakeside, and the Pokémon on watch outside the tent changed from Luxray to Serperior, then Mimikyu. By 4 a.m., there was still no sign of the Bloodmoon.
Perrin didn't know what to say.
She couldn't accuse Lucas of just bluffing with luck, right? After waiting a month, a little longer wouldn't hurt. She waited patiently until her watch's minute hand reached "6."
4:30 a.m.
Fog suddenly rolled in by the lake. Wild Pokémon scattered, as if sensing something.
In the sky, the bright moon was tainted by some energy, slowly turning blood red.
It was the crimson moon!
…
…
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