As Petilil left the workshop, Hikaru turned his attention to the effect of the crafted artifact.
Another artifact tied to an event. But why wasn't it marked as a hidden event?
The effect seemed difficult to understand at first glance, but after careful thought, its meaning became clear.
For instance, the word he was about to piece together.
"Wait, could this slab attract Unown and pull me into a space-time rift?" Hikaru cautiously glanced around, ensuring there were no black, floating eyes appearing before he felt reassured enough to proceed with the inscription.
Suicune.
The name itself is derived from the Japanese phonetics of Suikun, and Unown's inscriptions are essentially written in Romanized Japanese.
Thanks to obtaining the Clear Bell artifact, the first Pokémon that came to Hikaru's mind when considering a name was Suicune. After all, he had been thinking about it not too long ago.
As the leader of Ho-Oh's legendary trio and deeply connected to the Clear Bell, Suicune held a special significance. However, Hikaru wasn't planning to capture it—mainly because his current strength was nowhere near the level required to do so. Still, if the Symbolic Slab could establish a connection…
"Let me take a look at that crystal on your head. What is it made of?"
Hikaru wasn't sure how to use Suicune's crystal in crafting, but perhaps it wasn't about the crystal itself but rather the energy it emitted. Suicune's abilities seemed to originate from that gem atop its head.
As for Ho-Oh, it was also rumored to be linked to Unown and the ancient ruins of the Johto region. If a connection could be established, Hikaru would try to obtain a Rainbow Feather from it.
Of course, the true purpose of crafting the Clear Bell wasn't to capture these legendary Pokémon—it was simply an effort to explore and develop superior and more mystical crafting techniques.
"If I can't find Suicune, maybe I can use a substitute… Ancient Crystal? Or…"
"Walking Wake?"
An image of an ancient dragon emerged in Hikaru's mind—a creature bearing an uncanny resemblance to Suicune, but with the appearance of a more raptor-like being. It existed as a Paradox counterpart of Suicune, known from the game as an event-exclusive Pokémon.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, the inscribed Symbolic Slab began to glow. The Unown-shaped carvings etched into the surface radiated an intense light.
At the same time, Hikaru noticed the water bucket inside the workshop. The water inside, once impure and filled with minor debris, was now perfectly pristine—transformed under the influence of the glow.
"Oh? So this is the so-called connection?"
Suicune possessed the ability to purify water, turning even the filthiest pools into crystal-clear sources. Known as the embodiment of the North Wind, it had its moments of clumsiness, but this purification ability was uniquely its own—it wasn't tied to any specific move but rather a natural skill.
By midnight, Hikaru had finished reorganizing his materials and tools, and drowsiness crept over him.
The lights in the workshop dimmed. Honedge leaned against a corner, resting after a busy and fulfilling day.
Outside, in the medicinal herb field, Petilil nestled into the soil for a peaceful slumber.
...
In the dead of night, near the workbench, the air distorted slightly. From the unmoving clock, a small, palm-sized eye emerged.
Unown—Letter E.
"Un..."
Hikaru had been living here for quite some time. Unown E had been forced out of the basement and into the workshop. It hid behind cabinets and within the broken old clock, minimizing its movements to avoid detection. As a result, neither Hikaru nor Honedge had noticed its presence.
But Unown E had been observing them for a long time.
Its eye flickered toward the word Suicune inscribed on the slab, then turned its gaze toward the sleeping Hikaru, whose unconscious body emitted an unintentional pulse of psychic energy.
Was this human… a descendant of ancient Johto? Of ancient Sinnoh? Or perhaps the remnants of an even older civilization?
"Un…"
So he wanted to see Suicune?
But, interestingly enough, he wasn't looking to capture it or challenge it—he simply wanted to examine the crystal on its forehead?
What a simple wish.
Then let me help you.
Unown were drawn to strong emotions, occasionally manifesting certain desires into reality. While they didn't truly create things, they had the ability to project dreams into tangible experiences—blurring the lines between imagination and the real world.
A glow of Hidden Power enveloped the small workshop, swallowing both Hikaru and Honedge in its mysterious radiance.
At that moment, the Symbolic Slab's inscription of Suicune began to scramble, rearranging itself into a different word.
...
Hikaru found himself standing before the Burned Tower in Ecruteak City.
"Oh? A connection has formed?"
Dreamers rarely realize they are dreaming. Hikaru, too, was unaware that he was inside a dream. His subconscious rationalized his presence in Ecruteak as natural, while his thoughts of unfinished workshop tasks faded into the background.
The Burned Tower—this made sense. In the games, Suicune was first encountered here.
According to legend, three nameless Pokémon perished in the Burned Tower 150 years ago, only to be resurrected and transformed by Ho-Oh. Out of gratitude, they became its guardians—Suicune, Raikou, and Entei.
The trio was said to dwell in the tower's basement, just as depicted in the animated adaptations. However, as per tradition, one couldn't see them from the second floor. One had to descend the staircase to the bottom level.
Unown E drifted into Hikaru's dream, blending into the scene.
He just wants to see Suicune, right?
If he truly wished to meet the real Suicune, there might be a chance in the future…
Thus, it followed Hikaru through the dream, ensuring his journey continued smoothly.
As they reached the basement, a deep, resonant growl echoed from the darkness.
"Right, the Legendary Beasts should be here… But what era is this? Why are they still in the Burned Tower? Or… have they never left?"
Hikaru's reasoning kicked in again. Unown E hurriedly intervened, subtly adjusting the dream's narrative to ensure consistency.
Only Suicune is here.
It simply came back to visit. Perfectly reasonable.
"Oh, it came back to check on the place. Makes sense." Hikaru nodded in understanding.
Unown E: Whew, that was close.
Searching for reality within a dream was utterly ridiculous.
Still, just as expected, the scene conformed to the adjusted dream logic. As the figure emerged from the darkness, it revealed its form—a sleek, azure body adorned with white markings. A magnificent blue crystal sat atop its head, while its flowing purple mane resembled a thick, cloud-like shroud. Its white, ribbon-like tails drifted elegantly behind it.
Unown E: There it is. That's Suicune.
Hikaru's eyes widened. "Wait a second—what kind of Suicune is this?! This isn't Suicune!"
"Roar!"
The creature stepped fully into view, letting out a fierce snarl. Indeed, its appearance strongly resembled Suicune, but rather than a quadrupedal mammal, its form was distinctly raptor-like!
"This is… Walking Wake!"
(End of Chapter)
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