Chapter 186: Celebi Appears

The night sky was shrouded in darkness, and a thick mist hung over the battlefield. Darkrai, its body covered in ice crystals, lay motionless on the ground, completely spent.

With Hypnosis failing to take effect, it had tried to rely on its ability to phase through shadows for hit-and-run tactics. However, Milotic, wielding the power of Misty Terrain, was able to perceive every presence within the fog.

Nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide.

Under Milotic's relentless pressure, Darkrai was finally defeated.

"Darkrai is unable to battle," Ingo declared, lowering his arm. "The winner of this match is Summer."

"Thank you, Darkrai…" Rei murmured, lowering his head as he recalled his Pokémon. His voice was steady, but there was a tremor beneath it. "I knew this would be the outcome, but still… I just really wanted to battle you, Summer."

Summer met his gaze, then nodded. "Dawn's Pokémon… I'll find a way to return them to her time."

Rei's eyes widened slightly before he exhaled, shoulders loosening.

"...I'm grateful," he said quietly.

At that moment, a radiant green light burst into existence between them. A small, light-green Pokémon with bright blue eyes hovered in the air, its expression shifting into one of surprise.

Summer? Why do I keep running into you while I'm working?

Summer blinked, then let out a chuckle. "Celebi? Looks like I won't even have to go back to Twilight Forest to explain the situation."

Ingo's eyes widened. "Could this be… Celebi?"

As the former head of the Battle Subway, he had seen records of many rare Pokémon. His homeland was known for Victini, the Pokémon said to bring limitless victory, and Meloetta, the legendary songstress. Though he had never seen them with his own eyes, he had read about them extensively.

That knowledge was why he recognized Celebi instantly.

"Yeah. And not just any Celebi—it's the one I know. Right?" Summer smiled.

Celebi tilted its head, then nodded. So you arrived in this time period before me… It crossed its arms, pondering the situation. This time, my task is to send someone displaced from time back to their era. I take it… that would be the older gentleman here?

Celebi floated down, scanning Ingo with a critical eye. The older man adjusted his hat and straightened his posture.

Before he could say anything, Summer took a step forward. "Celebi, there's something else I'd like to ask of you. It's about people… and Pokémon."

Summer explained the situation regarding Dawn's Pokémon—how they had been separated from their trainer and left stranded in the wrong time. He hoped Celebi could send them back as well.

As it listened, Celebi tapped its tiny fingers together, considering the request.

These Pokémon were captured by a trainer named Dawn? It blinked, then nodded decisively. That means they are connected to her. It'll be time-consuming, but… it's possible.

"Thank you, Celebi." Summer bowed his head slightly in gratitude.

Rei hesitated. He opened his mouth, closed it, then finally whispered, "Truly… thank you, Celebi."

His voice was barely above a breath, but there was a finality to it.

Celebi chirped in response, though it didn't quite understand why this human was thanking it.

Turning back to Ingo, Celebi gave his shoulder a small pat, signaling him to prepare himself.

Ingo adjusted his hat once more, silently memorizing the sight of Summer in front of him.

"I believe we will meet again," he said. "Rei, you… mm. Please fulfill your promise. And may you never repeat your mistakes."

A brilliant green glow filled the air. In an instant, Celebi, Ingo, and the six Poké Balls containing Dawn's Pokémon vanished, warping back to where they truly belonged.

For a long moment, Rei simply stared at the empty space where Ingo had stood. Then, without turning, he spoke.

"Summer… I've decided. I'm going to Snowpoint Village. I need to confess everything to Irida, face-to-face. Do you… trust me?"

"No," Summer said flatly. "I'll be escorting you there myself."

Rei let out a short, humorless laugh. "...That's fair. Sorry to trouble you."

He knelt down, carefully placing his remaining Poké Balls on the ground in front of him. It was a gesture of surrender.

As for Rei's fate…

Irida had literally kicked him into the freezing waters of Lake Acuity.

Her face, colder than the tundra itself, left no room for mercy.

Of course, she hadn't actually intended to kill him. She had people pull him out before he lost consciousness. But once he recovered, she dragged him through the entire village, making him personally apologize to every single person who had suffered from the nightmare plague.

After that, she banished him from Snowpoint Village.

His punishment was then handed over to the Galaxy Team.

Given his past contributions, he wasn't imprisoned. Instead, he was assigned a task.

His job?

To survey and map the still uncharted, dangerous regions of Hisui.

Rei accepted the punishment without complaint.

Before he left, he handed Summer an unfinished research request.

"…This is Dawn's last pending investigation," Rei murmured. "Summer, please. Complete it in her place."

Summer accepted without hesitation.

Rei gave a small, grateful smile. Then, with nothing left tying him down, he left Jubilife Village behind.

Obsidian Fieldlands.

A legend spoke of a mysterious Field of Gracidea, where if one gave a sincere thanks, a miraculous Pokémon would appear, carrying that gratitude into the sky.

Upon hearing about this, Arezu immediately insisted on joining the investigation.

She claimed her gratitude was undoubtedly sincere, so if anyone could summon the Pokémon, it was her.

Summer, amused, allowed it.

Then, as expected, Adaman also invited himself along.

"If it's an investigation, we need photographic evidence, right?" Adaman grinned, holding up his camera. "Count me in."

Summer didn't refuse.

After all, he already knew who the subject of this research was.

The mythical Pokémon, Shaymin.

Finding the hidden flower field wasn't difficult. It was nestled deep within the Farming Grounds, concealed behind a thicket of trees.

Adaman gazed at the field. "So this is it… but why is it all withered?"

Arezu took a deep breath. Then, closing her eyes, she spoke softly.

"Grandma Kikui. Grandma Tsumugi. Whether it was the noble Pokémon or the barbershop, I've done my best to take care of them. Have you been watching?"

Her voice wavered, but she smiled.

"Thank you… for everything."

Then, turning to Summer, she grinned.

"Summer… I'm really glad I met you. Thank you."

A sudden glow enveloped the field.

Before their eyes, the withered flowers bloomed into full life, vibrant pink Gracidea flowers swaying in the breeze.

From within the newly-revived flower field, a tiny green Pokémon emerged, basking in the floral scent.

"Chyu~uu!"

"Shaymin…" Summer whispered.

Then, a soft golden light wrapped around Shaymin's body. Two white wings sprouted from its head, and its scarf-like red petals fluttered in the wind.

Shaymin took off into the sky, soaring high above the flower field, carrying their gratitude with it.

Adaman swiftly raised his camera, capturing the moment in perfect clarity.

Arezu, wide-eyed, could only breathe out, "So cute…"

Summer smiled. "A mythical Pokémon that embodies gratitude… not a bad way to end a journey."

As Shaymin vanished into the clouds, his body was surrounded by shimmering light particles.

Adaman gave a hearty laugh. "Safe travels, Summer!"

Arezu softly murmured, "Do you think… my thanks reached them?"

Summer glanced up at the sky, then nodded.

"Of course. That Pokémon's flight is proof enough."

And with that, he vanished.

The Gracidea flowers remained in bloom.

For as long as people held gratitude in their hearts… their scent would never fade.