Chapter 72: Capturing Latias?
Chapter 72: Capturing Latias?
What does it feel like to have a legendary Pokémon throwing itself at you?
Hikaru couldn't help but feel as though Latias was on the verge of offering itself to him.
As Latios's expression gradually softened, Latias happily scooped Hikaru up into the air, flying joyfully in loops.
"Strange... I did all the work, so why does it feel like he's the one reaping all the rewards?" muttered Takashi from the side, a hint of jealousy in his tone.
"Alright, Latias, let me down," Hikaru said, laughing nervously, as the sensation of soaring through the air started to feel a bit too much like a rollercoaster.
"Hmm~"
Latias chirped cheerfully before gently lowering Hikaru back to the ground.
Hikaru looked at Latias's streamlined body and innocent, sparkling eyes. His heart skipped a beat.
It was beautiful. Cute.
And he wanted to capture it.
But as a professional trainer, he could only have a maximum of six Pokémon. Besides, it wasn't like Latias had actually asked to come along.
Would he seriously consider capturing a legendary Pokémon?
Takashi glanced at Hikaru skeptically, his eyes narrowing.
If this kid managed to capture Latias at his age, his future would far outshine Takashi's own.
Though Takashi had already tacitly acknowledged Hikaru as his future brother-in-law, it was hard not to feel a pang of jealousy. After all, who wouldn't want to shine brighter than their peers while still wishing them well?
Fortunately for Takashi, Latias didn't seem inclined to leave with Hikaru just yet.
After one last longing glance at Hikaru, Latias picked up the still-recovering Latios and vanished into thin air.
It needed to take Latios somewhere safe to heal. But Latias promised itself it would return—for Hikaru's food, of course.
---
Afterward, Hikaru and Takashi took some time to explore the surrounding cave. Deep in the central chamber, they discovered an ancient wall etched with cryptic symbols.
Thanks to Hikaru's Sub-Profession Specialist trait, deciphering the text was a breeze.
It detailed the legacy of Latias and Latios as guardians of Shuimu City and protectors of the Soul Dew.
But...
"You can read ancient scripts?" Takashi asked, utterly flabbergasted.
Ancient scripts were remnants of the civilizations once present in mysterious realms. Humanity had long suspected that the realms held lost civilizations, with places like the "Ruins of Alph" serving as evidence.
Deciphering such scripts required years of study and expertise.
Hikaru shrugged. "Just a little hobby of mine."
But Takashi wasn't buying it.
The ease with which Hikaru translated the text suggested far more than casual interest.
This kid wasn't just talented as a trainer—his skills as a breeder and knowledge of ancient languages made him feel like an all-rounder.
---
Takashi's attention turned to another matter that had been bothering him.
"How did you even know Latias and Latios were being attacked down here?"
"Dream Projection. Latias shared the scene with me through its psychic abilities," Hikaru replied simply.
"But why you?"
"Maybe it's my unique... aura? Legendary Pokémon seem drawn to me," Hikaru said with a wry smile, thinking about his Legendary Attractor trait.
Takashi blinked, processing the sheer absurdity of that explanation.
The more he thought about it, the more envious he became.
He had won countless championships in his youth, yet not a single legendary Pokémon had ever shown interest in him.
Was there something wrong with him?
---
Once they had deciphered the text and ensured that the Soul Dew was safely returned to its rightful place, Takashi offered one final piece of advice.
"Keep all of this to yourself."
Hikaru nodded. "Of course."
If word got out about the treasures and secrets hidden beneath Shuimu City, it would undoubtedly attract more attention from those with nefarious intentions. The best solution was to keep this knowledge buried in the depths.
Takashi made sure the culprits were incapacitated, leaving them for the authorities to deal with later. Their fate was no longer Hikaru's concern.
---
Back on the surface, the waters of Shuimu City had calmed, and the residents were left scratching their heads.
The upheaval had come as quickly as it had gone, leaving everyone wondering what had just happened.
To maintain order, the city's officials promptly issued a statement claiming that the disturbance was due to tectonic activity and that everything was now under control.
As for the Provincial High School Championship, Hikaru was officially declared the champion.
---
The championship had been incredibly beneficial for Hikaru's Pokémon.
Frogadier: Level 33
Charmeleon: Level 34
Riolu: Level 18
Kirlia: Level 31
Charmeleon, spurred on by the sight of Takashi's Dragonite, had made significant progress.
Frogadier had gained the most experience, having participated in the majority of battles.
Riolu's growth had been the most challenging but also the most rewarding, as it had persevered through countless hardships.
All of them were now on the brink of evolution. Frogadier and Charmeleon, in particular, were only a step away from becoming Greninja and Charizard.
Even Kirlia had expressed a desire to take a break from battles, feeling that it needed time to reflect and prepare for its own evolution into Gardevoir.
Hikaru couldn't wait. The thought of his once-tiny Ralts finally becoming a beautiful Gardevoir filled him with pride.
The joy of nurturing his Pokémon from the ground up was a feeling only trainers could truly understand.
---
On March 20th, Shuimu City hosted a grand awards ceremony for the championship.
Every participant was celebrated for their achievements, with special recognition given to the top 16 competitors.
Prize: An S-tier Water Stone
Honor Certificates: Issued to all top 16 participants, these certificates made them highly sought after by prestigious Pokémon universities.
The crowd cheered wildly as the announcer called out each competitor's name.
"And now, the runner-up: Lili! A specialist in Eeveelutions, her team featured a remarkable lineup including Vaporeon…"
"And finally, our champion: Hikaru! His Pokémon have displayed truly extraordinary abilities, from the explosive power of his Riolu to the surprising versatility of his Frogadier and the awe-inspiring flight of his Charmeleon. Truly a trainer to watch!"
"Let's give them all a round of applause!"
The audience erupted into cheers as Hikaru stepped onto the stage, clutching his certificate and S-tier Water Stone.
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To Be Continued...
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