"Relic Crown, Relic Band... is there some connection between these?"
Sato shook his head, placing the Relic Band next to the previously obtained Relic Crown¹ and putting them away together.
"If nothing else, I can display them at the Gym as exhibition pieces."
The rewards from this sea voyage were already more than enough. Even if the Relic Band turned out to be useless, Sato was more than satisfied.
After wrapping things up, dawn gradually broke. Under the morning sun, Sato finally saw the League's helicopter approaching to take over.
With Zoroark at his side, Sato quietly waited by the beach for the helicopter to land, wondering who the appointed official might be.
Still, it didn't really matter anymore.
Half an hour ago, the reliable Lance had already destroyed the Kyogre statue in the Sea Blue Palace. To prove it, he even sent Sato a photo.
Lance also told him that the moment the statue was shattered, most of the natives on Rosen Island experienced a brief daze, and then gave up all resistance.
Everyone on Tower Town and aboard the ship was still deep asleep, so Sato couldn't confirm whether destroying the statues truly worked, but based on what Lance had told him, Joseph and Mark should be fine.
Feeling relieved, Sato decided to temporarily let Maxie and Archie go. Deceiving people and ruling over territory; back in ancient times, that was called rebellion. Their outcome wouldn't be good either way.
Soon, several people descended from the helicopter. Sato happened to recognize the one in charge…
Phoebe!
Champion of the current Young Elite Tournament!
Naturally, the League wouldn't let talented Trainers run loose. Even he had been roped into the League by being "offered" a Gym.
"I'm Officer Phoebe. We've met before!" Phoebe wore a breezy outfit, her tanned skin and bright smile giving off an easy charm that was hard to dislike.
"Provisional Gym Leader Sato. Let me handle the formalities on my side."
Although he didn't dislike her, Sato still wanted to get things over with quickly. After all, they weren't close.
"Sure, that's fine!" Phoebe nodded without hesitation.
---
Half an hour later, with everything handed over, Sato boarded the helicopter with the freshly awakened Mark and Joseph. They were to be dropped off in the nearest city: Lilycove City.
After finding a decent hotel in Lilycove City, Sato brought the still-dazed pair to their room and slowly explained everything.
"You mean we were both under control?" Mark jumped in shock.
"Thinking back… we did do a lot of strange things," Joseph rubbed his temples, visibly shaken.
"Still, it was the right call for Mark to insist we board the ship back then."
Mark gave Sato a look that said, 'You can say that to comfort me, but I'm not buying a word of it.'
"Archie and Maxie had quite the collection. I ended up with two Mega Stones!" Sato added, hoping to offer some consolation.
"Really?"
After traveling for so long, Mark naturally understood how rare those were. The moment Sato pulled out the two Mega Stones, all of his guilt vanished without a trace.
'I'm the strongest mascot ever!' Mark thought proudly.
"I'll take the Dark-type Mega Stone. As for the other, I'll hold on to it for now. If any of our Pokémon become eligible for Mega Evolution, we can trade and try it out."
"Count me out. I didn't do anything at all… I'd feel bad taking it," Joseph quickly declined with a shake of his head.
Mark nodded in agreement, though a hint of hope still glimmered in his eyes.
Sato didn't insist. If Arbok ever turned out to be capable of Mega Evolution, he wouldn't mind helping Mark find a suitable stone. After all, the mascot was still pretty valuable.
However, from what Sato remembered in his past life, Arbok couldn't Mega Evolve.
Unless Mark captured a new Pokémon, he might never get to experience Mega Evolution in this lifetime.
When the two of them left, Sato immediately contacted Lilian Joy and had all the Pokémon capable of using the Dark-type Energy Crystal transferred over.
Zoroark, Houndoom, Umbreon, Cacturne, and Weavile.
When Sato brought out the Dark-type Energy Crystal again, all four Pokémon- except Zoroark- instantly showed intense desire in their eyes.
Sato closed the lid of the box, blocking their line of sight.
"You all saw it, this Energy Crystal can be used by any of you. If I give it directly to one of you, it wouldn't be fair. So we'll draw lots this time!"
"Zoro!"
Before Sato had even finished, Zoroark raised its paw and voluntarily took a step back, signaling it wouldn't participate.
Just like the eldest sibling in a family, always leaving the best things to the younger ones.
Zoroark stepped aside, and before Sato could even frown, Weavile opened its claws and formed a beautiful snowflake.
"Weavile! Wea-vile!"
Weavile pointed to the snowflake and then also stepped back. The message was clear, it wanted an Ice-type Energy Crystal.
"Cactuuurne!"
"Awoo!"
To Sato's surprise, Cacturne and Houndoom also agreed with Weavile's stance, stepping back as well, each preferring a type other than Dark.
Umbreon looked to the left, then to the right, seeing that all four older brothers and sisters had backed off. What was the point of drawing lots now?
"Umbree!"
With a prideful toss of its head, Umbreon turned away from the Dark-type Energy Crystal in Sato's hand and took two big steps back.
Sato watched the scene unfold, half laughing and half exasperated. This incredibly valuable Dark-type Energy Crystal… and not a single one wanted it?
"All of you, get back here!" Sato shouted, half angry and half amused, deciding to exercise his Trainer authority.
But the five Pokémon looked at each other, none of them stepped forward.
Hey! This was outright rebellion!
Sato didn't waste time. He took out a blank sheet of paper, cut it into five pieces, drew a circle on one, and balled them all up.
"No moves allowed to cheat. Each of you must pick one! That's an order!" Sato declared sternly, holding out his hand.
Unfortunately, it seemed the five Pokémon had made a pact. None of them moved to draw.
"Weavile, you go first!"
Sato extended his right hand toward the closest one -Weavile- with a sharp glint in his eyes.
"Weavile~"
Weavile sighed, picked one of the paper balls casually.
"Cacturne, your turn!"
"Houndoom!"
"Zoroark!"
"Umbreon, get over here. Doesn't matter, you'll be left with the last one either way."
Umbreon obediently walked over, gave Sato a friendly nuzzle, and took the last paper ball.
Sato could tell.
They all wanted the Dark-type Energy Crystal. But out of pride, or perhaps with Zoroark's selfless attitude in mind, none of them wanted to be the one to take it directly.
Not even the youngest, Umbreon!
All five paper balls were opened at once. The one with the circle was in the paws of the very first to withdraw… Zoroark.
It was settled!
.
.
.
¹. Ch 117 at Belle's.