Professor Oak arrived at Celestia Island three days later in a seaplane.
Alaric watched the aircraft descend onto the water with his arms crossed and an expression that would have made anyone believe he was expecting an enemy.
“You could try to look happy to see him,” Lucian commented.
“I will try when I find a reason.”
“He is your friend.”
“He is my rival.”
“Those two things are not incompatible.”
Alaric looked at his grandson.
“You will discover that when you meet someone capable of arguing against a correct conclusion for four hours simply because you used a word he disliked.”
Lucian thought that sounded exactly like something his grandfather would do.
He decided not to mention it.
The family’s private port was located in a small bay south of the mansion.
It had a reinforced wooden pier, two warehouses, and a house used by the workers responsible for receiving supplies from the mainland.
Lucian waited beside Alaric, Elena, Adrian, and several staff members.
Beldum floated on his right.
Growlithe sat on his left, although his tail struck the ground whenever someone new stepped out of the seaplane.
Atlas watched from several meters away.
The first to appear was a pilot dressed in a blue uniform.
A Machoke followed, carrying several crates of instruments.
Finally, Professor Oak emerged from the aircraft.
He wore his usual white lab coat, a red shirt, and carried a suitcase that seemed far too small for a scientific visit.
His gray hair was even more disorganized than it had been during their video call.
He stopped when he saw Alaric.
“You continue to look older every time I see you.”
“And you continue to prove that age does not always bring wisdom.”
Oak smiled.
The two shook hands.
The gesture would have appeared friendly if their expressions had not immediately conveyed competition.
“I brought the fragment,” Oak said.
“I hope you stored it correctly.”
“I used a triple-isolation container.”
“Then you learned something after the Aerodactyl fossil incident.”
“That incident produced extremely valuable information.”
“It destroyed one of your laboratory walls.”
“The wall could be replaced.”
“It also tried to eat you.”
“The risks of research.”
Lucian realized that the argument could continue for the rest of the morning.
A girl appeared in the seaplane’s doorway.
Daisy Oak wore a sky-blue jacket over a white shirt, dark blue shorts, pale leggings, and shoes suitable for walking.
Her honey-blonde hair fell over her shoulders and was held to one side by a small cloud-shaped hair clip.
She held her notebook against her chest.
Daisy observed the pier, the beach, and the forests surrounding the bay.
Then she saw Lucian.
A smile appeared on her face.
Daisy quickly descended the stairs.
“Hello.”
“Hello,” Lucian replied.
She stopped in front of him.
During the video call, she had appeared curious.
In person, her gaze was even more attentive.
She studied his silver-white hair, his lavender eyes, and finally the two Pokémon beside him.
“They really are yours.”
Growlithe barked.
Beldum moved closer to Lucian.
“I told you they were my partners.”
“My grandfather says people exaggerate when talking about their Pokémon.”
Oak stopped arguing with Alaric.
“I said that some Trainers exaggerate.”
“You said almost all of them do.”
“That does not mean—”
“Samuel,” Alaric interrupted, “you have just been defeated by a five-year-old girl.”
Daisy appeared satisfied.
Lucian hid a smile.
Elena stepped forward and positioned herself beside him.
“I’m Elena.”
“I remember,” Daisy replied.
“His best friend.”
Elena nodded.
“I live on the island.”
“I live in Pallet Town.”
Both girls fell silent.
It was not a hostile silence.
But it was not entirely friendly either.
Lucian felt Alaric and Oak observing them far too closely.
“We can show her the island,” he suggested.
“After you finish in the laboratory.”
“I don’t need to see the laboratory,” Daisy said.
“I came to visit the breeding center.”
Oak placed one hand over his chest, pretending to be wounded.
“My own granddaughter despises research.”
“I like researching Pokémon. I don’t like staring at rocks for six hours.”
Alaric laughed.
“I like her.”
“Do not encourage her,” Oak replied.
Growlithe approached Daisy.
The girl crouched but did not immediately attempt to touch him.
She extended a closed hand and allowed the puppy to smell her.
Growlithe walked around her.
Then he placed his head beneath her palm.
Daisy stroked his tufts.
“He’s very friendly.”
“When he isn’t trying to prove that he’s the strongest,” Lucian said.
Growlithe barked in protest.
Daisy looked toward Beldum.
“May I approach?”
“You’ll have to ask him.”
She remembered their conversation during the video call.
Daisy stood and maintained some distance.
“Beldum, may I touch you?”
The silver Pokémon examined her.
His gaze lowered toward her hair clip and the notebook decorated with clouds.
“Cloud girl,” he transmitted.
Lucian had to suppress a laugh.
“He says he remembers you.”
“Can he speak?”
“Through telepathy. He is still learning.”
Daisy slowly extended her hand.
Beldum approached and allowed her to touch his surface.
The girl did not withdraw her hand at the coldness of the metal.
“You’re beautiful.”
Beldum released a satisfied signal.
Elena crossed her arms.
“I told him that too.”
“Then we’re both right.”
The response appeared to surprise her.
After considering it, Elena nodded.
“Yes.”
Their first dispute ended before it could begin.
Alaric instructed the workers to transport the crates into the laboratory.
Oak insisted on personally supervising the meteorite container.
Before leaving, he looked at Lucian.
“I would like to examine Beldum when he allows it.”
The Pokémon hid behind the boy.
“You’ll have to earn his trust,” Lucian replied.
“Naturally.”
Oak appeared excited by the idea.
Alaric seemed to regret allowing him to disembark.
Daisy took Lucian’s hand.
The gesture was so natural that it took him a second to react.
“Show me the breeding center.”
Lucian looked down at their joined hands.
Daisy followed his gaze.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
Elena took Lucian’s other hand.
“I know the way better.”
Lucian found himself between them.
Growlithe began walking ahead.
Beldum floated above their heads.
Adrian watched his daughter leave.
“This will be a long visit.”
“They’re only staying for three days,” Oak said.
Alaric watched the children.
“That may be enough.”
The breeding center occupied several hectares south of the mansion.
It was not a single building but a collection of facilities connected to open habitats.
There were areas for incubation, recovery, feeding, and research, along with fields where Pokémon could live in groups.
Daisy released Lucian’s hand only to open her notebook.
The first page contained drawings of various Flying-type Pokémon.
Pidgey.
Spearow.
Butterfree.
Zubat.
It also included a blue creature that Lucian immediately recognized.
Swablu.
“Do you like Flying-type Pokémon?” he asked.
“I like how they move. Some fly with strength, while others barely seem to touch the air.”
She pointed toward the drawing of Swablu.
“This one is my favorite.”
“They aren’t common in Kanto.”
“I know. My grandfather received photographs from Hoenn. Their wings look like clouds.”
Elena looked at the drawing.
“Some Pokémon from other regions live in the eastern part of the island.”
“Are there any Swablu?”
“I don’t know.”
Daisy looked at Lucian.
“A small flock was recorded two years ago, but they migrated south. They sometimes return during the warm season.”
Daisy wrote something in her notebook.
“I want to see one.”
“We cannot force them to return.”
“Then I’ll wait.”
The answer was simple, but Lucian remembered it.
Most children would have demanded that they go and search for one.
Daisy accepted that Pokémon followed their own paths.
The first area they visited was the incubation wing.
Several incubators kept eggs under specific temperature and humidity conditions.
A young researcher explained the process to two assistants while an Audino checked the monitors.
Daisy approached one of the glass chambers.
A cream-colored egg with brown markings rested inside.
“What Pokémon is it?”
Lucian studied the pattern.
“Eevee.”
The researcher heard him.
“Correct. It arrived five days ago and still requires two weeks of incubation.”
Daisy took notes.
“How did you know?”
“The color and distribution of the markings. The temperature is also lower than what would be used for Fire-type species.”
“Can you recognize every egg?”
“No. Some are very similar, and others change according to their parents’ health, the environment, or the species.”
“My grandfather says the important questions begin when something does not fit the classification.”
“My grandfather says classifications are useful until someone starts treating them like laws.”
Daisy smiled.
“They speak in similar ways.”
“Never tell them that.”
“Why?”
“They would argue over who said it first.”
Both began to laugh.
Elena looked at them.
“I know where the Ponyta eggs are.”
She took Lucian by the arm and led him toward another incubator.
Daisy followed.
Their next stop was the medical area.
Helena did not allow them to touch any instruments, but she showed them how Chansey prepared supplements for different species.
Daisy observed a tray filled with mineral mixtures.
“Is that what Beldum eats?”
“A similar formula,” Lucian replied.
“His was adjusted because of the astral energy within his core.”
Daisy stopped writing.
“Astral energy?”
Lucian realized he had said too much.
“An alteration caused during the meteor shower.”
“Is that why my grandfather came?”
“In part.”
Daisy did not ask anything else.
However, she wrote something in the margin of her notebook.
She was far more observant than she appeared.
They continued toward one of the open fields.
A group of Tauros rested beneath the trees.
Several Miltank fed near a shelter while two caretakers examined their calves.
Daisy stopped to draw.
Elena attempted to show her which Tauros was the friendliest.
She selected the wrong one.
The Pokémon began scraping the ground.
Growlithe positioned himself in front of the girls.
Beldum surrounded Lucian with psychic energy, prepared to lift him.
“No one is going to attack,” Lucian said.
The caretaker called the Tauros and gave it a Berry.
The Pokémon calmed down.
Daisy looked toward Growlithe.
“You tried to protect us.”
The puppy raised his head proudly.
Beldum transmitted that he had also been prepared.
“You both did well,” Lucian said.
That prevented another competition.
They arrived at a lake shortly before lunch.
Several Poliwag, Goldeen, and Wooper lived in the water.
Near the shore, a group of young Dratini played among the rocks under a Dragonair’s supervision.
Daisy stopped walking.
“Are they wild?”
“The tribe lives in the northern lake. These visit the breeding center for medical examinations and to become accustomed to humans.”
“May I approach?”
“Not without Dragonair’s permission.”
Daisy sat on the grass.
She did not call out to the Dratini.
She did not attempt to lure them with food.
She simply opened her notebook and began drawing.
Elena sat beside her.
Lucian remained behind them with his Pokémon.
Several minutes passed.
One of the Dratini noticed Daisy.
It swam toward the shore and raised its head.
She continued drawing.
The Pokémon moved slightly closer.
Finally, it rested its body on the grass and looked at the page.
Daisy turned the notebook so it could see.
“That’s you.”
Dratini touched the drawing with its snout.
Elena smiled.
Lucian felt Beldum watching the scene.
“Patient,” he transmitted.
“Yes.”
Daisy had neither psychic powers nor a system.
Even so, she knew how to listen in her own way.
During lunch, the three children sat beneath a tree.
Mara had prepared sandwiches, fruit, and juice.
Growlithe received cooked meat.
Beldum absorbed his mineral supplement.
Daisy removed a small container filled with seeds and food for Flying-type Pokémon.
“You always carry that?” Elena asked.
“In case I find one that needs help.”
“Do you want to become a Trainer?”
Daisy considered her answer.
“I want to become a Coordinator.”
Elena tilted her head.
“What is that?”
“Someone who participates in Contests with their Pokémon. It isn’t only about demonstrating strength. They also show beauty, precision, and creativity.”
Lucian knew that Contests were not yet as popular in Kanto as they were in Hoenn.
Daisy had probably learned about them through Oak’s work.
“Do you want to travel to Hoenn?” he asked.
“Someday. But first, I want to learn how to care for Pokémon and understand how they feel on a stage.”
“And what would your first partner be?”
Daisy looked at her drawing of Swablu.
“I don’t know. I want my partner to choose me too.”
Elena looked toward Beldum and Growlithe.
“They both chose Lucian.”
“That is why I want to know them.”
Daisy moved slightly closer to the boy.
“How did you know they wanted to go with you?”
Lucian looked at his companions.
“I didn’t know immediately. Beldum asked me for help before meeting me, but he could have returned to his colony afterward. Growlithe had been following me for almost a year, and I didn’t understand what it meant until recently.”
“Then you’re slow,” Elena concluded.
“In that regard, perhaps.”
Daisy laughed.
“I’ll have to remember that.”
“Why?”
She picked up a piece of apple.
“In case I ever need to tell you something important.”
Lucian did not find an answer.
Elena looked at Daisy.
Then at Lucian.
Afterward, she moved her shoulder closer to his.
Growlithe rested his head across all three of their legs, satisfied to be at the center.
Beldum floated above them.
The tension disappeared.
When they finished lunch, a shadow crossed the grass.
Daisy raised her head.
A small blue Pokémon was flying over the lake.
Its wings appeared to be made of white cotton.
“Swablu,” she whispered.
The Pokémon circled through the air.
Then it landed on a high branch.
Daisy remained still.
Even her breathing became slower.
Swablu watched them.
Lucian activated Analysis out of habit.
[Swablu]
[Sex: Female]
[Approximate Age: 1 year]
[Type: Normal/Flying]
[Ability: Natural Cure]
[Potential: Purple Mid]
[Strength: Initial Mid]
[Foundation: Solid.]
[Physical Condition: Mild fatigue.]
[Mental Condition: Curious and cautious.]
[Observation: Minor injury to the left wing.]
Lucian noticed the uneven position of her wings.
“She’s injured.”
Daisy turned toward him.
“How do you know?”
“She is holding her left wing lower. The system… my perception indicates that the injury is minor.”
She lost altitude.
Daisy stood.
“We need to help her.”
“If we run toward her, she’ll become frightened.”
The girl tightened her grip around the seed container.
“What do we do?”
Lucian looked at Growlithe.
“Find Helena. Do not bark, and do not bring anyone here while running.”
The puppy left for the medical center.
“Beldum, remain nearby, but don’t use telekinesis unless she falls.”
“Understood.”
Daisy opened the container and placed several seeds on her palm.
Then she sat again.
“Swablu,” she called softly.
“I’m not going to touch you.”
The Pokémon remained on the branch.
Daisy began to hum.
It was not a song Lucian recognized.
It was a simple, slow, repetitive melody.
Swablu tilted her head.
Daisy continued.
The Pokémon descended to a lower branch.
Elena remained silent.
Lucian reduced his perception so he would not place pressure on the creature’s mind.
Swablu descended again.
Finally, she landed on the grass several meters away from Daisy.
The girl placed the seeds in front of her and withdrew her hand.
Swablu moved forward with small hops.
She ate one.
Then another.
Daisy did not attempt to touch her.
By the time Helena arrived with Growlithe and Chansey, Swablu was less than a meter from the girl.
The doctor crouched.
“I need to examine her wing.”
Swablu retreated.
Daisy extended a hand.
“She will help you.”
The Pokémon looked at Helena.
Then at Daisy.
Finally, she allowed Chansey to approach.
The injury was not serious.
A broken feather had caused a small wound, and the muscles were fatigued from a prolonged journey.
“She needs to rest for at least two days,” Helena said.
“We can take her to the medical center.”
Swablu produced a nervous sound.
Daisy looked toward Lucian.
“Can she stay with me?”
“That depends on her and the doctor.”
Helena thought for several seconds.
“You can accompany her in the recovery room. If she feels uncomfortable, you will have to leave.”
Daisy immediately nodded.
Swablu allowed the girl to place one hand beneath her body.
She settled into her arms.
Her cotton-like wings wrapped around part of the sky-blue jacket.
Daisy smiled differently than she had throughout the day.
Softer.
More surprised.
As if she had found something she had been waiting for a long time.
Lucian felt the system react.
No mission appeared.
Only an observation.
[Exceptional compatibility detected.]
[Daisy Oak and Swablu.]
[Possible bond forming.]
Lucian closed the screen.
That did not belong to him.
Daisy would need to discover it herself.
Elena approached to look at the Pokémon.
“She looks like a cloud in your arms.”
Daisy stroked the feathers on her head with one finger.
“I know.”
They returned to the medical center.
Swablu did not look away from Daisy during the journey.
Lucian walked beside her while Elena held his other hand.
Beldum and Growlithe followed them.
When they arrived, Oak and Alaric were leaving the laboratory.
Both had dark stains on their coats and were arguing.
“I told you not to increase the frequency,” Alaric said.
“We needed to observe the reaction.”
“You nearly melted the second container.”
“But I did not melt it.”
“That is a poor defense.”
Oak saw his granddaughter.
“Daisy?”
She showed him Swablu.
“She’s injured.”
The professor immediately forgot the argument and approached.
He listened to Helena’s explanation, confirmed that the Pokémon was stable, and then looked at Daisy.
“You did well by not forcing her.”
“Lucian helped me.”
Oak turned toward him.
“It seems my granddaughter has already found a good guide.”
“I only showed her the breeding center.”
“And detected the injury before anyone else.”
Alaric approached.
“Lucian has begun studying Pokémon breeding and evaluation.”
“At five years old?”
“He insisted.”
Oak smiled.
“Then perhaps he should spend some time in my laboratory.”
Silence arrived immediately.
Lucian looked at the professor.
Alaric narrowed his eyes.
“No.”
“I haven’t even explained the proposal.”
“I know you.”
“In Pallet Town, he would have access to research, different species, and League records.”
“He would also have access to your disorganized schedules, three unsupervised laboratories, and a kitchen that should be declared a hazardous zone.”
“My kitchen is perfectly fine.”
Daisy shook her head.
“It isn’t.”
Oak appeared betrayed for the second time that day.
Lucian considered the proposal.
Studying under Professor Oak had been part of his plans since he recovered the memories of his previous life.
The researcher possessed knowledge, connections, and access to information unavailable in the Starfall library.
He also lived in Pallet Town.
The place where Ash and Gary would begin their journeys several years from now.
“He would not need to come immediately,” Oak said.
“We can begin with short visits. When he is a little older, he could study with me for several months each year.”
Alaric did not answer immediately.
“We will discuss it,” he finally said.
In his language, that meant he had not completely rejected the possibility.
Daisy looked toward Lucian.
“If you come, I will show you Pallet Town.”
“Do you know every path?”
“No.”
“Then we might get lost.”
She smiled.
“We’ll discover them together.”
Swablu released a soft song from within her arms.
Lucian felt Daisy’s hand find his.
This time, he did not release it.
Elena took the other.
Beldum floated behind him.
Growlithe sat on his boots.
Lucian found himself completely surrounded.
Alaric watched the scene and released a sigh Lucian did not understand.
Oak, on the other hand, appeared amused.
“It seems he will have reasons to visit Pallet Town.”
“Samuel,” Alaric warned.
“I did not say anything.”
“You were thinking too loudly.”
Before the argument could begin again, an alarm sounded from the laboratory.
The two elderly men turned around.
Violet light appeared behind the reinforced windows.
Beldum tensed.
Swablu moved her wings.
Lucian felt a pulse at the edge of his mental barrier.
It was not the entity’s voice.
It was something weaker.
More distant.
Like a signal transmitted from far away.
The system appeared.
[External resonance detected.]
[Approximate Origin: Kanto Region.]
[Professor Oak’s sample has responded to the Purified Astral Fragment.]
[New linked location detected.]
Oak looked toward the laboratory.
“That did not happen during our previous tests.”
Alaric was already moving toward the door.
“Because you had not previously brought your sample near ours.”
Lucian watched the violet light.
The visit had only just begun.
And the mystery of the stars had just extended beyond Celestia Island.