Aoki walked to the edge of the lake, kneeling down as he hesitated for a moment. Seeing that his Alakazam showed no reaction, he cautiously extended his hand and dipped his fingers into the cool, crystalline water.
A refreshing chill spread from his fingertips through his entire body, washing away the fatigue of constant battles. His mind cleared, and for a brief moment, he felt weightless, as if floating in pure energy. The lake was brimming with untapped power—neutral, unaligned energy that soothed his exhaustion. He nearly sighed in relief.
The water was impossibly clear, free of impurities, not even the faintest ripple of a Pokémon disturbing its surface.
What a strange place…
Aoki wondered if submerging Ralts' egg in these waters would have any effect, but he dismissed the thought just as quickly. Experimenting here was too risky. Instead, he retrieved an empty water bottle from his backpack—one he hadn't stored away with his other supplies—and carefully filled it with the lake's mysterious water. Perhaps later, with the upgraded system's analysis, he could uncover its secrets.
As he stood, a flicker of movement caught his eye—a reflection in the water. A small, floating figure stared back at him, its expression unreadable.
Aoki jerked his head up.
Azelf hovered before him, wide-eyed and curious, having awakened without a sound.
For a long moment, they simply stared at each other. Azelf tilted its head, studying him with quiet intensity. Beside them, Alakazam wiped its brow nervously, then quickly relayed the situation telepathically.
"Hmm…" Azelf's voice echoed in Aoki's mind, thoughtful.
Instinctively, Aoki activated his system's scan.
Pokémon: Azelf (Insufficient Data – Upgrade Required for Full Analysis)
Gender: Genderless
Level: 89
Type: Psychic
Ability: Levitate
Held Item: Mind Plate – A sacred artifact unique to Azelf, effects unknown. Further analysis required.
Basic Moves: Natural Gift, Rest, Confusion, Imprison, Detect, Swift, Uproar, Future Sight, Extrasensory, Psychic, Explosion
Egg Moves: None
Learnt Moves: Fire Punch, Magic Coat, Wonder Room, Iron Tail, Signal Beam, Role Play, Skill Swap, Gravity, Last Resort, Thunder Punch, Helping Hand, Trick Room, Ice Punch, Zen Headbutt
TM Moves: None
Aoki's pulse quickened.
Level 89—the second-highest he'd ever encountered, surpassed only by Professor Oak's Dragonite. The system's incomplete data suggested Azelf's power exceeded its current scanning capabilities. And that held item… a Mind Plate? A relic tied to a Legendary Pokémon's very essence.
Before he could process further, Azelf's eyes narrowed.
"You're observing me," its voice chimed in his mind, neither masculine nor feminine, but undeniably youthful.
Aoki stiffened.
No Pokémon had ever detected his scans before—not even Oak's Dragonite. Was it the plate's influence?
Azelf shook its head. "No… an illusion. I haven't sensed this presence in years, and certainly not from someone like you."
Aoki barely had time to react before Azelf continued, "I know why you're here. But what they seek isn't with me."
What?
Aoki didn't even know his own purpose here—let alone who "they" were. The Unown? What did they want?
"However…" Azelf's gaze flicked to Slowking and then to the egg in Aoki's arms. "Your Pokémon interest me. One brimming with potential, the other… touched by Mew's essence."
Aoki wasn't surprised Azelf sensed it. As a Psychic-type Legendary, it would recognize Mew's energy.
Azelf pulled Slowking into its telepathic link, excluding Aoki. As they communicated, Slowking's eyes widened with revelation, and Azelf's expression shifted—now regarding Aoki with something akin to intrigue.
"I wasn't going to interfere," Azelf admitted, "but Slowking insists you're trustworthy. And a trainer bonded to Mew's aura… well, deceit doesn't cling to such souls."
With a flick of its tail, the red gem on Azelf's forehead glowed.
The four Unown symbols on Aoki's wrist detached, swirling around Azelf in silent conversation. After a minute, they returned, settling back into place before Aoki could protest.
"They seek something in the realm where time and space converge," Azelf explained. "If you're bold enough to go, tread carefully. You're… woefully underprepared."
Then, without warning, Azelf's body radiated a soft blue light, enveloping Ralts' egg.
"I intended this gift for Slowking," Azelf mused, "but Mew's essence already nurtures it. This little one needs it more."
The glow intensified, warm and humming with latent power. Aoki held his breath. Whatever Azelf was doing, he sensed no malice—only an ancient, benevolent energy seeping into the egg's shell.
And then, as suddenly as it began, the light faded.
Azelf hovered, watching. Waiting.
The lake's surface remained undisturbed.
But something had changed.