Chapter 229: Rochin, Followed by Marshadow

Chapter 229: Rochin, Followed by Marshadow

"Huh?"

Rochin stared blankly at Hikaru approaching from behind.

Then, Hikaru spoke softly, "Latias, use Healing Pulse."

"Mmm~"

Latias nodded, gracefully flying to the unconscious Butterfree and Oddish.

A gentle white glow radiated from her body, cascading down like glowing mist over the two Pokémon.

Under the watchful eyes of both Hikaru and Rochin, the wounds on Butterfree and Oddish visibly healed, their breathing steadied, and their expressions relaxed.

In just a few moments, they were fully recovered.

For ordinary-tier Pokémon, Latias's Healing Pulse was more than enough.

Using Verdant Force openly was not an option, so this was a good chance for Latias to practice her Healing Pulse technique.

Even though she knew the move, she rarely got to use it.

"Well done."

Hikaru patted Latias, smiling in praise.

Latias flapped her wings happily, her red eyes curving with delight.

"Mmm~" (Thank you, thank you!)

Seeing his Pokémon fully healed, Rochin quickly bowed repeatedly in gratitude, using hand gestures to express his thanks.

"Thank you, thank you…!"

Hikaru waved it off casually and helped Rochin up.

"It's nothing. Just a small favor."

Rochin hurriedly knelt back down, checking his Pokémon carefully before finally returning them to their Poké Balls.

Then, he sighed deeply and turned his gaze to Latias—

The legendary Pokémon standing obediently beside Hikaru.

His heart stirred with emotion.

The gap between people… was truly overwhelming.

At sixteen or seventeen, Hikaru had a team full of incredibly powerful Pokémon.

He was also a wielder of Aura, with a future brighter than anyone's.

Meanwhile, his own journey was still long and uncertain.

But this time, Rochin's eyes burned with renewed determination.

The road was difficult,

But no matter how difficult, it was still meant to be walked.

Hikaru, despite his ordinary family background, had come this far.

He must have endured countless hardships alongside his Pokémon.

So how could he—just because of setbacks—think about giving up?

A deep sense of shame and regret filled his heart.

---

"Do you want to know what that Pokémon just now was?"

Hikaru's voice broke the silence.

Rochin looked startled.

"You… know?"

Even though Hikaru couldn't understand his sign language, he felt the meaning through Aura and nodded.

"Yes. That Pokémon was Marshadow."

"Marshadow is a Mythical Pokémon—Ghost/Fighting type. It's said to be Ho-Oh's Guide of Shadows."

Rochin froze.

Hikaru's words made no sense to him.

"Ho-Oh?"

"Marshadow?"

What were those Pokémon?

Hikaru wasn't surprised by his reaction.

After all—

Ho-Oh had never been seen by the public, and information about Marshadow was even more obscure.

He explained further, "You can think of them as two Legendary Pokémon."

At the mention of Legendary Pokémon, Rochin stiffened in shock, followed by rising panic.

Just now—

A Legendary Pokémon had been lurking in his shadow?

And he didn't even know why?

Immediately, he gestured frantically,

"Why is it following me?"

Hikaru shook his head.

"I'm not entirely sure either."

Normally—

Marshadow would only appear if someone had been recognized by Ho-Oh.

So why had it followed him?

Hikaru's gaze darkened.

"Rochin, have you ever seen a very strange-looking Pokémon?"

"It resembles a Fearow, but not quite. It looks more divine… kind of like a Shiny Fearow."

At the term "Shiny Fearow", Rochin hesitated, as if something clicked in his memory.

Seeing his reaction, Hikaru's interest deepened.

He waited patiently.

---

A few moments later, Rochin's expression shifted, and he began signing quickly.

"When I was a child… I think I saw something like that."

"I was around ten years old. I was walking home with some classmates when I saw a really huge bird Pokémon flying above us."

As he spoke, his memory became clearer.

"At first, I thought it was just a Fearow. But the colors were wrong, and it was flying really high. I tried to take a picture with my phone, but by the time I got it out, it was already gone."

"As time passed, I… forgot about it."

Then, his eyes suddenly widened.

"Wait… Are you saying… That was Ho-Oh?!"

"And that Ghost Pokémon followed me because I saw Ho-Oh?!"

Hikaru nodded—then shook his head.

"It's possible—but not the full reason."

"Rochin, when you saw that Pokémon, did it give you anything?"

"Like a feather?"

Because—

The Rainbow Wing was the key.

In Hikaru's knowledge—

Ho-Oh would only choose pure-hearted people and grant them a Rainbow Wing.

Those who received it would have a chance to meet Ho-Oh.

And their guide—

Would be Marshadow.

---

"A feather?"

Rochin shook his head immediately.

"I didn't get anything. I only saw it fly by."

Nothing?

Hikaru frowned slightly, then sighed.

"Alright."

Seeing his reaction, Rochin tensed.

"What is it? Why is this Ghost Pokémon following me?! It even controlled my Pokémon!"

His panic wasn't unfounded.

An uncontrollable, powerful Pokémon lurking in his shadow?

It was like carrying a ticking time bomb.

He wanted to get rid of it.

But Hikaru himself wasn't sure how to deal with Marshadow either.

It must have sensed Ho-Oh's presence—

Or maybe—

It was drawn to Rochin because of his encounter with Ho-Oh years ago.

Hikaru sighed inwardly.

"Legendary Pokémon aren't something that can be understood so easily."

"Marshadow is probably… testing you."

"Its thoughts are impossible to predict."

Rochin's face paled.

Even Hikaru didn't know what to do?

Then what was he supposed to do?

Hikaru looked at him seriously.

"I don't think it intends to harm you."

"But… You'll need to find out what it wants on your own."

Rochin gulped, but eventually—

He nodded stiffly.

---

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