The key ingredient in the Volcano Powder recipe was, of course, volcanic ash. Next came ready-made fertilizer or materials like phosphate ore used to make fertilizer.
Then there was nutrient-rich mud sprayed by Turtwig, which Lilligant dried out using Sunny Day.
These dried mud blocks, infused with Ground-type energy, were then ground into powder and mixed into the earlier volcanic fertilizer.
If they could incorporate the power of a stronger Ground-type Pokémon, and add in unique soil types like peat soil, the resulting Volcano Powder would become even more potent.
[Crafting Process Complete.]
[Item (Material): Volcano Powder]
[Description: A unique powder made through powder crafting and soil science. It significantly boosts soil fertility, improves soil conditions, and accelerates plant growth! It can also be used as a nurturing item for Ground-, Fire-, and Steel-type Pokémon. Simply carrying it will enhance their growth, and there's a small chance they may learn moves related to volcanoes.]
[New Material Discovered: Ancient Soil (Peat Soil)]
[Location: Glacial Ruins in Shinto Forest]
Hikaru made a mental note of this new material's location. This time, it was surprisingly close—right in the forest.
Ancient soil—peat soil—was also the required item for Ursaring's evolution into Ursaluna.
And the new knowledge was extremely useful. Hikaru spread the Volcano Powder onto the soil, and the effect was nearly instant. The once reddish-brown earth of the floating island slowly changed. Neutralized by the Volcano Powder, it transformed into a soft, special soil, perfectly suited for plant growth!
Hikaru grabbed a handful of the improved soil:
[Material: Fertile Ruin Soil]
[Description: Soil discovered in the Ruined World, distinct from ordinary soil. After special refinement, it has become ideal for planting Berry trees or crops. Can be used in Ruin crafting. Plants grown in this soil will exhibit traits of the Ruined World.]
"The improvement was a success! And since the new soil spreads and transforms nearby old soil, if we bury it across the floating island, this whole place will gradually come back to life. It'll become a fertile island where any crop can grow."
Hikaru reported the results to Giratina. The old dragon, who refused to study, finally breathed a sigh of relief. At the same time, it began scheming—looks like it would need to sneak out and steal more volcanic ash every night. Hopefully, that Heatran would keep working hard and let Stark Mountain erupt just a little every day.
Oh, right—what about rain and sunlight? Rain wasn't an issue; Giratina could cause rain. But sunlight… It glanced at Lilligant, looking awkward, as if it wanted to say something but hesitated.
"Dorere?" Lilligant tilted her head, puzzled.
[I actually want to learn one of your moves.]
The move Giratina wanted to learn was Sunny Day, of course!
Although there was no sun in the Ruined World, Sunny Day could still create dazzling sunlight—though it required expending some of Giratina's own power. But that was no problem. In this world, Giratina had power to spare.
Lilligant smiled and nodded, agreeing to teach Giratina.
Why be shy? She'd be happy to teach Sunny Day! Let the whole world be filled with light!
[If I can manage that, it would be amazing…] Giratina slipped into daydream mode. Once it fully mastered Sunny Day, it could unleash the sunlight over multiple floating islands, like sowing the sun itself…
Oh, and it'd be best if the duration of Sunny Day could be extended, too.
"If you want to extend the duration, you should use a Heat Rock. This stone prolongs the effects of Sunny Day. If you build a louver box made from Heat Rock on every island, then each one can remain bright, sunny, and full of gentle wind."
"If you want rain, use Damp Rock. For sandstorms, use Smooth Rock. For snow, use Icy Rock. Place them on the floating islands, and then either you or a Pokémon with weather moves can adjust the climate."
"That way, you can recreate all four seasons of the real world here in the Ruined World."
Hikaru was painting a grand vision, but it was one that could genuinely be realized. Giratina's eyes gleamed with excitement. Even Scizor, still digging nearby, started to get caught up in the fantasy.
Though Scizor didn't like this world and only worked here out of obligation, the vision Hikaru painted—of transforming this barren and desolate world into a lush, vibrant new one—sparked a strange sense of excitement and joy just thinking about it. Such a strange feeling!
[So, where do we find these rocks!?]
"Regirock," Hikaru said, snapping his fingers. "That Legendary Giant who came with us last time—remember?"
"Regirock is great at digging up stones and understands the properties and uses of various rocks. Yesterday, I helped it restore the Rock Mountain Ruins. It plans to turn the ruins into a marketplace for Pokémon to trade. I'll send a mirror over for you, so you can trade directly with Regirock. Of course, it'll want something in return—what that is, you'll have to ask it yourself."
Giratina suddenly had an epiphany!
So this is what Pokémon helping Pokémon looks like!
[A Legendary Giant! Last time I only thanked it for bringing me a White Stone—who knew I'd need to ask for its help again… Once life and life begin to interact, more and more stories and bonds naturally arise.]
Hikaru then carved another statue of Calyrex on the island, offering yet more assistance to Giratina. By now, it was the latter half of the night, and Hikaru and the Pokémon all went back to rest.
Giratina gazed at the slowly transforming floating island and at the diligent Scizor still planting trees, eyes filled with visions of the island's beautiful future.
For the first time ever—it looked forward to the future!
———
The next morning, Hikaru awoke under the sunlight. A bit of a pity—they hadn't entered the Dream World last night.
After packing up, Hikaru headed for the Rock Mountain Ruins. Steven had been waiting near the forest since early morning, as today was the day he'd arranged to go mining with Regirock.
Metagross greeted Hikaru, proactively asking if there was anything it could help with. The usually cold Steel-type Pokémon suddenly acting so warmly caught Hikaru off guard—but Doublade casually struck up a conversation with Metagross, saying the workshop planned to expand its greenhouse. Since its Trainer was off mining with the rock golem, why not come help out at the workshop?
Metagross readily agreed.
After all, working with Hikaru was the best way to get stronger. If it wanted to return to the top-tier spotlight, it needed to seize this opportunity on its Shinto adventure.
When the two humans and their Pokémon arrived at the Rock Mountain Ruins, they found a crowd of Rock-type Pokémon gathered there. Upon seeing Hikaru and Steven, the Pokémon didn't attack, but began whispering among themselves, much to Steven's surprise.
"They're talking about us… They know what we've done. They're thanking us for restoring the ruins and creating a safe haven where Rock-type Pokémon can grow peacefully."
Hikaru translated through Doublade, explaining things to Steven. They never imagined that the two of them had already become "celebrities" in the Pokémon world. The Rock-types enthusiastically gathered around them, prompting Steven to flash a helpless smile.
"I've dug up a lot of rocks before, but it's the first time I've been so popular with Rock Pokémon!"
It was all thanks to Hikaru—Steven didn't think he'd contributed all that much.
The harmony between humans and Pokémon was what made the forest feel so warm. That was what this mysterious craftsman had been striving for.
Spending time with humans often involved complex issues of interest and gain, but Pokémon were different—most were simple at heart. If they liked you, they liked you. Good was simply good. No strings attached.
"Reggi—!"
Regirock's voice echoed from within the temple. Surrounded by Rock-type Pokémon, Hikaru and Steven entered the ruins—only to freeze the moment they laid eyes inside.
Behind the stone bar stood a giant orange-gray bear, awkwardly hunched like a child caught misbehaving. It looked pitiful, yet didn't dare make a sound. Only when Hikaru and Steven walked in did its eyes shine with renewed light!
"Gachii!"
(End of Chapter)
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