Seeing that Theo had agreed, the smile on Butler's face deepened further. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a platinum card shimmering with golden light before handing it over to Theo.
"This is the amusement park's platinum card. Every attraction is free to use. You just need to show it."
Theo accepted the card and put it away.
"Then we'll head back first. We'll wait for all of you at the amusement park tomorrow."
Butler waved his hand before climbing back onto Mightyena together with Diane. Before leaving, Diane still looked reluctant to part with Jirachi and waved toward it repeatedly.
"Jirachi, see you tomorrow!"
"Jira~"
Jirachi poked its little head out from Theo's arms and waved its tiny hand back at Diane as well.
Mightyena carried the two of them away, gradually disappearing into the night.
The campsite slowly returned to silence once more.
Brock was still excitedly rambling about all the things he wanted to do tomorrow with Miss Diane, while Ash enthusiastically planned which attractions he would bring Jirachi to experience.
May cleaned up the bowls and dishes, while Max stayed beside Jirachi, tirelessly teaching it more words.
...
Mightyena's footsteps crossed the grass as it gradually carried Butler and Diane farther and farther away from the campsite.
The night wind lifted Diane's golden hair. She gently leaned against Butler's back, her arms wrapped around his waist as she spoke softly with a trace of pleading in her voice.
"Butler, since Jirachi can't really grant wishes, can we stop targeting it now? It only awakens for seven days every thousand years. That's so pitiful… please let it go."
Butler rode atop Mightyena, his eyes fixed on the moonlit road ahead. Hearing her words, he slowly turned his head.
Moonlight outlined the profile of his face. The gentle warmth he had deliberately maintained in front of Theo's group had long since disappeared. Now, the look in his eyes as he gazed at Diane carried undisguised tenderness.
He raised a hand and lightly patted the hands wrapped around his waist, lowering his voice gently.
"Don't worry, Diane. I never expected to rely on Jirachi to fulfill wishes in the first place. I only need to use a machine to borrow its power and guide the energy of the Millennium Comet. That's all.
Since you've said this much, then I promise you I'll be careful. When the time comes, I absolutely won't hurt it. Is that alright?"
"That's wonderful!"
Diane immediately smiled brightly. Her arms tightened around him even more as she pressed her cheek firmly against Butler's back. While feeling the warmth of his body, she completely failed to notice the complicated expression that flashed briefly across his face.
The night breeze passed through the forest carrying the fragrance of grass and trees, lifting the hair of both of them.
The moonlight stretched their shadows long across the grass, making them appear exceptionally intimate.
A faint and ambiguous atmosphere quietly lingered in the air.
Mightyena's footsteps echoed through the silent woods as it carried the pair farther and farther into the distance.
...
Meanwhile, back at the campsite, Theo and the others had already finished setting up several tents. The orange canvas stood out brightly within the darkness.
"Good night!"
"See you tomorrow!"
After everyone exchanged goodnight greetings, they each crawled into their own tents.
Inside Theo's tent, Fire Vulpix and Ice Vulpix had already rushed in ahead of time, curling themselves into fluffy balls atop the sleeping mat and blankets.
One emitted gentle warmth while the other carried a refreshing coolness, like a tiny living heater and a little cooling pack, already warming up Theo's "bed" in advance.
"Jirachi, Larvitar, come over and wash your faces. It's time to get ready for sleep."
Theo called out while holding a small basin of water and a towel.
At that moment, Jirachi floated happily through the air, its yellow ribbon-like streamers swaying gently. Larvitar continuously jumped and chased after it while making cheerful "Lar Lar" cries, the two little ones clearly having the time of their lives.
The moment they heard Theo's voice, both little Pokémon immediately stopped playing and obediently ran over.
Theo dampened the towel with warm water first and gently wiped Larvitar's chubby little face.
The small Pokémon narrowed its eyes comfortably and affectionately rubbed itself against Theo's palm.
Then Theo switched to a clean corner of the towel, preparing to wipe Jirachi's face as well. But the mischievous little thing floated backward slightly and poked the towel with its finger, shaking its head like a rattle drum in obvious refusal.
"Alright, alright, I know. I'll wash it again."
Theo laughed and rinsed the towel once more. Only then did Jirachi obediently float back over, allowing him to gently wipe its pink little face.
Afterward, it even made a playful funny face at him, causing Theo to burst into laughter.
"Alright, now hurry inside, both of you."
Theo smiled and lightly patted their little heads.
Jirachi stretched out its small hand and grabbed Larvitar's claw. The two little ones waddled toward the tent together on their short legs before slowly crawling inside.
Theo then turned to look at the Metagross standing outside the tent.
Tyrantrum, Zweilous, Volcarona, and Milotic had already been recalled into their Poké Balls to rest. Only Metagross remained standing silently beside the tent like a quiet guardian deity.
Theo walked over and took out a clean towel, carefully wiping the dust from Metagross's body.
"You worked hard tonight," Theo said softly.
Metagross shook its head and gently bumped Theo's shoulder with its own, as though saying it was not difficult at all.
Then it lightly nudged Theo's back, signaling for him to hurry into the tent and rest while it stood watch outside.
Inside the tent, Jirachi quietly lifted one corner of the flap and curiously watched the interaction between Theo and Metagross. Its little head tilted slightly as though trying to understand the silent bond between them.
Theo smiled and rubbed Metagross's head before turning and climbing into the tent.
"Lar?"
Larvitar lifted its head and looked at Theo. Its little claw pointed outside toward Metagross, seemingly asking why it was not coming inside to sleep.
"Metagross is helping guard the night for us. It's protecting everyone's safety."
Theo gently explained to Larvitar.
"Lar!"
Larvitar immediately puffed out its tiny chest and planted its claws on its hips as though proudly declaring, "I can do it too!"
It ran toward the entrance of the tent and called out "Lar Lar" several times at Metagross outside, clearly telling it to come in and rest while it took over guard duty instead.
Fire Vulpix and Ice Vulpix also ran over and cried "Vuul Vuul" toward Theo, obviously wanting to join Larvitar in standing watch.
Although Jirachi did not fully understand what "guarding the night" meant, it still copied the others. It scooted over beside Theo and lightly tugged at the corner of his clothes with its little arm, as though expressing that it also wanted to help.
Seeing the serious expressions on all these tiny little faces, Theo could not help laughing. He reached out and rubbed each of their heads one by one.
"Good children. You're all amazing, but there's no need. Metagross has four brains, so it can rest in turns. But all of you only have one tiny little head, so you should obediently sleep and grow properly instead."
Outside the tent, Metagross seemed to hear the conversation happening within. It lightly lifted one corner of the tent flap and released a low humming sound, as though agreeing with Theo's words and telling the little ones to sleep peacefully.
(End of Chapter)