From the outside, the wooden cabin didn't seem large, but inside it was a different story.
At the far end of the living room stood two modest statues, one black and one white, both majestic and divine.
They were clearly the Legendary Pokémon of the Unova Region: the black Dragon Zekrom and the white Dragon Reshiram.
Farther in sat an elderly woman, her figure slightly hunched and hair snowy white. She sat upright on a floor cushion in the center of the room, eyes gently closed, seemingly in deep meditation.
The group stood at the entrance, unsure whether they should take the initiative to sit or remain standing since Wilma made no move to open her eyes.
"You may sit, children."
Fortunately, Wilma didn't keep them waiting long. She opened her eyes and spoke slowly in a gravelly voice.
"Wilma, hello, we-"
"I already know why you're here, but three among you are not fated to bond with Dragon-type Pokémon of the Unova Region."
Wilma not only cut off Joseph's self-introduction, but also eliminated three of them from contention for Dragon-types in a single stroke.
"This girl carries a strong aura of Ghost-type energy. She's clearly a Trainer who has already found her path. Gaining a Dragon-type would only be redundant, would it not?"
Wilma's eyes were not clear -in fact, they showed signs of degeneration- but those cloudy eyes seemed to see right through Phoebe in an instant.
"You're right, I don't have a strong desire… I was mostly just curious. Please forgive me," Phoebe admitted for once without arguing, apologizing sincerely. Her heart hadn't truly been in her request for a Dragon-type.
"At least you're honest. I can see you've developed a solid bond with Ghost-types. I know of an old mansion where a fine Ghost-type resides. Whether you and it are destined to meet will be up to fate."
Wilma seemed to have taken a liking to Phoebe. Though she didn't offer her a Dragon-type, she pulled out an old map, clearly something more fitting.
"What kind of Pokémon is it?"
"You'll know when you get there, but you must not force it. You'll need its approval to capture it. Force won't work."
"Okay. Thank you, Wilma!" Phoebe didn't dwell on it. She stepped forward to take the map… but found she couldn't pull it away.
"Five million."
"Huh?" Phoebe was briefly stunned but didn't hesitate long.
"No problem!"
The remaining four looked on in stunned silence. That sudden price tag shattered Wilma's "untouchable" elder aura in an instant.
But compared to a rare Ghost-type Pokémon, five million Pokédollars meant nothing to Phoebe.
"You'll definitely have a good Dragon-type partner in the future, but the time isn't now. Let fate take its course," Wilma said calmly.
She didn't ask Phoebe to pay on the spot, nor did she worry she'd back out. She simply turned toward Mark.
"I'll have one in the future? Not now?" Mark's eyes darted around, but he didn't object. He knew himself well… If Wilma really gave him a Dragon-type, he might not even dare to take it.
So he accepted her statement easily. 'I'll get one in the future? That means I'll have a fourth Pokémon! That's incredible news!'
"You're just like that girl. You've already found your own path. Dragon-types aren't suited for you," Wilma added, turning to Joseph and ending the conversation quickly.
Joseph gave a wry smile but didn't object. If there were a Dragon-type skilled in healing and support, he might be interested.
"This young lady… you can exchange five million Pokédollars right now for a Druddigon, or go through my difficult trial and try to earn an Axew," Wilma said, wasting no time as the conversation shifted to Ryoko.
"I'll take the trial!" Ryoko responded without the slightest hesitation.
"You're certain?" Wilma asked again.
"I'm sure. Please, Wilma, give me the challenge!"
"Very well. If you can pluck a leaf from the top of Exeggutor's head, you pass."
Ryoko blinked in surprise, then quickly nodded and stood up to head outside. Clearly, she was going for the leaf.
But everyone still remembered, when they were researching Wilma, they had confirmed she owned an Exeggutor. And it was through that Exeggutor's power that Wilma could oversee the entire Village of Dragons with such precision.
It was easy to imagine that this Exeggutor wasn't weak. In fact, it was likely so powerful that it had returned to a state of pure simplicity… so much so that no one had sensed it.
Which meant this challenge was truly difficult. Wilma had even warned Ryoko, but who would be content with just a Druddigon? Ryoko certainly wasn't some ornamental flower.
At last, Wilma slowly turned her gaze toward Sato. Her cloudy eyes didn't blink, locked motionlessly on him.
"Ten million Pokédollars," she rasped again… and just like that, it was another demand for money.
What was that supposed to mean?
"Deal."
While the others were still confused, Sato agreed without hesitation, shocking them yet again.
'What in the world was going on?'
Wilma stared deeply at Sato with her clouded eyes. Then, for the first time, she rose from her cushion.
"Come with me. The rest of you, wait outside," Wilma said bluntly. She opened the back door of the cabin and walked out.
"Wait for me outside. I'll be back soon," Sato said to the remaining three.
"What's going on?!" Phoebe frowned, her tone unfriendly. She had already sensed that Sato had been hiding a lot from them.
"I'll explain when I get back." Sato wasn't concerned with Phoebe's attitude right now. He quickly followed Wilma out, and the back door slammed shut behind him, just as the front door quietly opened.
"Let's step out and check on Ryoko. Maybe we can help her in," Joseph suggested, trying to keep Phoebe calm.
"Hmph!" Phoebe gave Joseph and Mark a glare that said, "You're all in this together", then walked out first.
"…Joseph, what exactly is Sato trying to do?" Mark asked in a hushed voice once Phoebe had left.
"Can't you tell? Sato's goal all along has been the Village of Dragons. Since Petalburg City, even."
"Huh? But the boss has never been to the Unova Region… how would he even know about a place this far away, let alone have plans for it?"
"Why don't you ask him?" Joseph smiled and walked out, ending the conversation.
Mark scratched his head in frustration. He really needed to fix his bad habit of avoiding deep thought. He was clearly smart… what a waste not to use it.
Elsewhere, Sato followed closely behind Wilma.
Though he knew he'd meet Zweilous eventually…
Now that the moment had arrived, he couldn't stop himself from getting excited.