"Jirachi?! It can grant any wish?"
Ash and May cried out in unison.
"According to the legends, Jirachi only awakens during the seven days when the Millennium Comet appears."
Butler continued speaking:
"And it chooses companions who sincerely wish to protect it as its partners before awakening. Since the two of you were able to hear its voice, perhaps… you are the people it has been waiting for."
As he spoke, Butler carried the Cocoon of Slumber step by step toward Theo before gently extending the crystal toward him.
"It's still sleeping right now. If you're willing, please protect it and stay by its side. Let's see whether you can awaken it, just like the legends say."
Theo quickly handed Fire Vulpix and Ice Vulpix in his arms over to May before carefully accepting the purple crystal with both hands.
The crystal felt slightly cool to the touch.
The violet light flowing across its surface seemed almost alive as it moved faintly beneath his fingertips.
From within the crystal came a weak yet warm aura, as though it were responding to his touch.
Max also curiously leaned closer.
Treecko in his arms widened its round eyes and stared unblinkingly at the mysterious crystal as well.
"So it really can talk!"
Ash suddenly realized, scratching his head awkwardly.
"I thought you two were just hearing things. Jirachi… it can grant any wish? That's way too awesome!"
Suddenly, Ash turned toward Butler, his eyes sparkling brightly with anticipation.
"Mr. Butler! My dream is to become the world's greatest Pokémon Master! Can Jirachi help make that happen?"
Butler's gaze had remained fixed on Theo this entire time.
Only after hearing Ash's question did he finally snap slightly back to reality.
With a somewhat hesitant tone, he answered:
"Uh… I'm not entirely sure myself.
After all, these are only legends passed down through generations. If Jirachi truly awakens, then you can try making a wish to it personally and see whether it comes true."
The moment May heard that, she immediately raised her hand as well.
"Then I want to make a wish too! I want to become a Coordinator even greater than Wallace!"
Max immediately interrupted her.
"Big sis, you didn't even hear Jirachi's voice! If anyone gets to make the first wish after Jirachi wakes up, it should obviously be me!"
In an instant, Ash, Max, and May began arguing noisily over who would get to make the first wish.
And at that moment, Brock, who had remained silent the entire time, suddenly reddened around the eyes before charging directly toward Diane.
He grabbed both her hands tightly and spoke with overwhelming emotion:
"Miss Diane, unlike them, I'm not shallow at all. My wish has already come true!
Being able to meet a beautiful and gentle lady like you is already the greatest wish of my life!
Even the blazing flames of a volcano cannot compare to even a fraction of the passion in my heart!
Miss Diane, please join me in performing the symphony of love that belongs to us beneath heaven and earth!"
"Ah!"
Diane was completely stunned by Brock's sudden confession.
Her entire body stiffened instantly.
A bright crimson blush rapidly spread across her cheeks as she awkwardly tried to pull her hands free, looking completely flustered and helpless.
Beside them, the warm smile on Butler's face vanished instantly the moment he saw Brock tightly holding Diane's hands.
The surrounding atmosphere seemed to freeze solid in an instant.
"BROCK! What kind of nonsense are you saying?!"
May reacted the fastest.
She rushed forward and slammed a loud fist directly onto Brock's head before grabbing his ear and forcibly dragging him backward while apologizing repeatedly.
"We're really, really sorry, Mr. Butler, Miss Diane! Please don't mind him! Whenever he sees a pretty woman, he always turns into this weird state for absolutely no reason!"
As Brock was dragged away by his ear, he still muttered reluctantly:
"Miss Diane… Miss Diane…"
At last, the little farce finally came to an end.
Butler rubbed his forehead helplessly before looking toward Theo's group again.
After pausing briefly, he finally spoke:
"Now then… where were we?
Right, anyway, I'll leave Jirachi in your care. I hope you'll take good care of it."
After saying that, Butler very naturally reached out and took Diane's hand.
Following a simple farewell, the two of them turned around and continued organizing the magic props.
As Diane's hand was gently held by Butler, a sweet smile unconsciously appeared at the corners of her lips, and she seemed momentarily lost in thought.
Only after the two had walked several steps did she suddenly snap back to her senses and turn around, waving toward Theo and the others.
"If Jirachi wakes up, make sure to tell us! I'd really like to see what it looks like with my own eyes too."
"Okay!"
After saying goodbye to Butler and Diane, May dragged away Brock, who was still muttering nonstop to himself, and the group finally left the performance venue together.
Ash excitedly circled around the crystal in Theo's arms while continuously muttering to himself:
"Jirachi… world's greatest Pokémon Master… here I come!"
Meanwhile, Max stayed tightly beside Theo the entire time, terrified of missing even the slightest change in the crystal.
The night gradually deepened.
One by one, the lights throughout the amusement park slowly shut off until only the distant streetlights remained glowing quietly in the darkness.
Theo held the purple crystal in his arms while walking along the road back toward the campsite.
Within his palm, he could clearly feel a faint yet distinct pulse coming from inside.
It resembled the gentle beating of a heart.
...
Back at the magic performance venue.
Within the backstage area beside the stage, Butler slowly released Diane's hand.
Her cheeks were still burning hot, and her breathing remained slightly hurried.
Lowering his voice, Butler gently instructed her:
"Help me inspect the performance props. We still have several more days of shows ahead of us, so nothing can go wrong.
Also, tell the staff to be careful while moving everything. Don't let them bump into anything and damage the equipment.
I need to go take care of something first."
Diane nodded quietly, her gaze following Butler's departing figure until he disappeared behind the deep stage curtains.
Passing through heavy curtains and dim corridors, Butler entered a modified RV parked within the shadows.
The door shut behind him with a sharp click, sealing away the noise from outside.
After locking the compartment tightly, Butler walked toward the center of the vehicle and pulled out a circular communication projector from inside his coat.
The device was completely crimson red.
He pressed the button on its side.
Bzzzzt—
Static crackled through the air.
A red beam shot from the top of the communicator, sketching a virtual projection into the empty space before him.
Very soon, the image of a tall and slender figure wearing a white lab coat appeared.
She had the same purple hair as Butler.
However, unlike Butler's emerald-green eyes, hers were a deep and mysterious violet.
The corners of her lips curled slightly upward with a trace of pride and arrogance.
She was none other than one of Team Magma's core admins and chief researcher:
Courtney.
"Well, well. Isn't this our great 'magician' Butler?"
Courtney's voice carried a teasing tone.
"Shouldn't you be busy with your magic performances, awakening your precious Jirachi, and completing your ridiculous 'Project Recreate Groudon'? What made you suddenly decide to contact me?"
Butler's expression darkened immediately, his tone carrying visible irritation.
"Courtney, spare me the nonsense. I've already found the people capable of awakening Jirachi. My plan will succeed very soon.
And when that happens, you'll finally understand who the greatest scientist of the Volcanic Descendants truly is."
(End of Chapter)