Chapter 320: Crescent Forest
Chapter 320: Crescent Forest
From her perspective, Emma Damnson had already realized something important.
Even though Latias had been with Hikaru for quite some time and was being treated exceptionally well, Latios still didn't want her staying with him.
That meant only one thing:
Latios held a general distrust—or even dislike—toward humans.
This much was clear even from what little she understood of their earlier conversation.
Despite knowing Hikaru had once saved them, Latios still harbored negative feelings toward humanity.
Which... was bad news for her.
Because this mindset was going to be a serious obstacle in her goal of forming a bond with Latios.
She couldn't figure out why he felt that way, though.
So for now, she simply replied:
"Yes. I'll be participating in the Youth League."
Hikaru quickly added,
"Alright then—Latios, if you think Latias won't grow stronger under my care…"
"Then how about this?"
"Stick with Emma for now. She'll be in the Youth League, too. When the time comes, we'll have a proper Trainer battle. Latias vs. you."
"If Latias wins, that should prove she's doing just fine, right?"
"Hmm?"
Latios hadn't responded yet, but Emma blinked—her expression a little strange.
Because she knew exactly how strong Latias was.
Master-tier. And not just any Master-tier Pokémon.
Meanwhile, Latios was barely Elite peak.
This was a trap—Hikaru was setting him up.
She understood perfectly.
But Emma didn't expose him.
After all, if it meant keeping Latios around longer, that was a win for her.
So when Latios finally processed the proposal, he blinked.
"You want me to fight… her?"
He was clearly caught off guard.
He had never battled his little sister before.
But the moment he thought about it—
Latios recalled that his power had always surpassed hers.
He had nothing to fear from a battle like that.
"Alright."
He agreed confidently.
Seeing Latios agree, Hikaru smiled.
He looked between Latios and Latias.
They hadn't seen each other in a while, so he asked,
"Do you two want to meet up?"
"Yes!"
"No!"
The two voices rang out simultaneously.
Big brother said yes.
Little sister turned her head and said no.
A clear disagreement.
"Hmm?"
Latios froze.
Did his little sister… not even want to see him anymore?
That felt like a knife to the heart.
They may not have been super close before, but their relationship had always been warm.
Now?
"Hmph."
Latias stuck her tongue out and hid behind Hikaru's back.
Serves you right, big brother, for trying to take me away from Hikaru.
"Cough…"
Hikaru scratched his head awkwardly.
"C'mon, at least say hi to your brother."
"...Okay."
Only after hearing Hikaru's words did Latias reluctantly agree.
They picked a meeting spot and ended the call.
Hikaru let out a deep breath, set his phone down, and patted Latias—now back in her true form—on the head.
"Your brother's such a sis-con, and you? You're like a rebellious teenager who ran away from home."
Latias blinked.
"Sis-con? What's that?"
Hikaru was used to her innocence by now and didn't bother explaining.
He jumped onto her back.
"Never mind. Let's go see your brother."
Naturally, Latias was faster, and she carried him out of the city effortlessly.
---
Outside Kyoto, at Crescent Forest.
Emma hung up the call and looked over at Latios—who looked emotionally wrecked.
She couldn't help but smile a little.
This guy… really is a textbook overprotective big brother.
Just one refusal from Latias had him completely deflated.
Seizing the moment, Emma asked,
"So, how exactly did you and Hikaru meet?"
People are most willing to talk when they're down.
Sure enough, Latios raised his head.
He still looked proud, but he began to speak.
"Our kind are the guardians of Alto Mare…"
He skipped over any mention of the Soul Dew, giving only a surface-level explanation.
Emma understood only part of it—something about Hikaru saving them from human captivity.
Which at least explained why Latios had such a negative view of humans.
What he didn't expect…
Was that his sister would like Hikaru so much.
He didn't hate Hikaru himself, per se.
He just didn't like humans in general.
As they talked, a streak of red flashed through the sky—
Latias, with Hikaru riding her back, had arrived.
Before they could even land, Latios took flight, shifting into his true form and rising to meet them.
Emma, a Psychic specialist herself, floated upward using her abilities.
The red jet and the blue jet met mid-air.
Latias didn't even glance at her brother.
Latios, on the other hand, edged closer.
"I'll let you two catch up." Hikaru said, leaping onto Charizard's back.
Charizard let out a surprised grunt.
"You… want to ride me?"
Still, he spread his wings and took off, letting Hikaru get some distance.
Latios nodded.
"Thank you."
Hikaru turned to Latias,
"Talk to him nicely, okay?"
"...Okay."
She didn't look thrilled, but she glanced over at her brother.
They'd known each other for over a decade.
They were still family.
Latias was just being honest with her emotions.
As the siblings caught up, Hikaru turned to Emma.
"Senior, I'm heading to the center of Crescent Forest."
"Alright, go ahead." Emma replied.
She'd rather stay and gather more info from the legendary siblings.
Now that they were both here, she had a rare opportunity to study them.
"Let's go, Charizard!"
Hikaru patted Charizard's neck.
Charizard let out a mighty roar and took off.
Immediately, Hikaru felt the difference.
Compared to Latias's sonic speeds, Charizard felt... slow.
But that was expected.
Latias was built for speed. Charizard still had to flap his wings.
Still, the goal was clear:
Head to the center of Crescent Forest—
And investigate the two Master-level Pokémon: Bellossom and Vileplume.
---
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