At that moment, Sato also vaguely understood why, in his previous life, even though he had come to the Village of Dragons, no one had ever told him any of this.
It was simply because he had been too weak!
A thirty-something Near-Elite Four Trainer, with an identity that couldn't even be revealed… maybe Wilma had never deemed someone like him worthy of being an "heir."
"And the other question, why did the young Zorua end up wandering all the way to distant Kanto?"
"You think that was something I wanted to see? I knew Zorua carried a precious energy seed, and you think I just threw it away?
This is nothing more than fate's arrangement. A native of the Village of Dragons would never be favored by Dark Energy again. It was me before, now, it's passed to you. But the next Dark Energy wielder, surely, they too will come from the Village of Dragons."
Wilma spoke with such certainty and mysticism that it made people feel it was true… a predetermined outcome.
"So the place you're taking me to next… it must be the Pokémon destined to be mine, right?"
Sato now knew everything he wanted to know. Even if he couldn't be sure it was all true, he still remembered the real reason he had come here.
Whether it was fate or not, Sato would never give up on Zweilous.
"Let's go." Wilma nodded without refuting, then turned and continued leading the way deeper into the mountain.
"Go back and rest properly. If anything feels off, you must tell me immediately." Sato stroked Zoroark's smooth, dark fur and spoke seriously.
"Zoro!" Zoroark nodded obediently. As Sato returned it to its Poké Ball, it still felt somewhat dazed, its potential had risen so suddenly, it didn't even feel real.
After putting Zoroark away, Sato quickly caught up to Wilma.
One young, one old… walking in silence.
Another thirty minutes passed before they finally stopped in front of a small cave entrance.
"You may enter-"
Before Wilma even finished, Sato had already rushed in. This wasn't his first time here, he had simulated this scene countless times recently.
"Zweee!"
"Zwee!"
Two curious cries echoed from within the cave, and Sato quickened his pace, eager to go deeper.
"Zweeezweee!"
"Zwee!"
The Zweilous had clearly sensed Sato approaching, it's cries grew increasingly urgent and excited.
It had been trapped here for a long time. Though food was delivered daily through Telekinesis, it hadn't seen anyone in ages.
Sato skillfully avoided the uneven terrain inside the cave as he rushed toward the spot where the Zweilous were held.
Finally, Sato and the Zweilous spotted each other.
Sato's heart leapt, but then his brow furrowed tightly. Despite not being especially large, the Zweilous was bound by six thick alloy chains, weighing heavily on its body.
Four on the limbs, and one on each neck… all brutally holding it down. The sight made Sato's heart ache.
But unlike Sato's emotional mix of sorrow and joy, the Zweilous, upon seeing him, immediately took two cautious steps back, it had never seen Sato before.
Clang… Clang…
The chains scraped slowly across the ground, their weight forcing Zweilous to stumble awkwardly. It looked pitiful.
"…Don't be afraid. I'm here to help you."
Sato stepped forward slowly. Then, as if remembering something, he quickly opened his backpack, pulled out his Berry Case, and took out a Petaya Berry he had specially brought from the Hoenn Region.
"…Here, try it. See if you like it?" Sato softened his usually cold tone as much as he could and held the Petaya Berry out toward the Zweilous.
"Zwee?"
"Zweeee!"
The left head of the Zweilous leaned forward curiously, while the right head pulled back warily, stretching its neck as if to retreat.
Sato smiled knowingly. Of course he remembered, each head had its own independent thinking. The left one was impulsive, full of curiosity, and quicker to anger.
The right head was more cautious, thoughtful, and clever… naturally more guarded toward Sato.
"Zwee zwee?"
Suddenly, the right head growled at Sato, as if to ask, "What are you grinning at, human? Are you mocking us?"
"Zwee!"
Hearing that, the left head lost interest in the Petaya Berry and immediately sided with the right, glaring fiercely at Sato, ready to pounce if he made a wrong move.
But Sato's smile didn't fade in the slightest. Staring at the Zweilous, who looked far younger than he remembered, he slowly extended his right hand and activated an ability he hadn't used in a long time…
Dark Energy: Soul Connection.
Black Dark Energy enveloped both Sato and the Zweilous, binding them together in a shared spiritual connection. In that instant, both minds opened to one another.
In Sato's mind, he saw a pitch-black Pokémon Egg. Under the careful care of two Hydreigon, a Deino hatched.
From Deino's perspective, Sato saw two humans who were very close to its parents, who joined in raising it together.
Deino's childhood was unquestionably joyful and carefree. Whenever it went out to play, its parents always protected it from the shadows. Among its peers, it stood out like a king.
Young Dragon-types ran around the Village of Dragons in groups, but among those born at the same time, Deino was the only one of its kind. The rest were all Axew and Druddigon.
It was born to be the ruler of its generation. And as it grew, Deino overheard the humans say that it possessed the highest level of potential.
'Champion potential? Could you eat that?' Deino didn't understand. But ever since its incredible potential had been identified, its childhood came to an end. Training and battle consumed most of its time and energy.
It didn't mind this life. In fact, it preferred bloody fights over boring games. It enjoyed seeing its opponents submit before it.
Then one day, Deino, having defeated all of its peers, began challenging the elders.
A Haxorus that had lived for decades… no matter how incredible Deino's potential was, there was no overcoming such a vast experience gap.
With a single move, the Haxorus knocked Deino down. Fortunately, the elder was gentle and didn't take offense to the challenge, it even held back.
Lying on the ground, Deino thrashed in frustration. In its rage… it evolved.
And then it lost control…
When the Zweilous next opened its four eyes, it found itself imprisoned in a cave.
---
On the other side, the Zweilous now saw Sato's memories, those connected to them. This was a new effect of the enhanced Dark Energy, it was no longer a completely equal connection.
---
As the Soul Link ended, Sato's hands were already gently resting on the Zweilous's two heads.
Neither left nor right head resisted. They simply stared blankly at Sato, stunned.
"Then… come with me."
Sato took out a Poké Ball and held it out in front of Zweilous…