Chapter 95
{Mysterious Scale: A strange scale apparently left behind by Enamorus. It contains some of its energy. Carrying it may improve your luck, and perhaps it has other uses as well.}
"A scale from Enamorus? It has scales?"
Mike stared at the object in confusion.
"The Incarnate Formes of the four Forces of Nature seem to be based on the Four Symbols, and Enamorus’s Therian Forme resembles the Black Tortoise. The Black Tortoise is entwined with a snake, so I guess shedding a scale isn’t that strange?"
(Four symbol/ four guardian beast from east asian folklore, azure dragon, black tortoise, white tiger, vermilion bird)
Still, this was a little ridiculous.
Gengar leaned over and curiously examined the scale before asking Mike what it was.
"A scale from Enamorus," Mike answered.
"Gar—"
[Can I eat it?]
Before Mike could reply, Gengar stuck out his tongue and licked it.
"Ptooey! Ptooey!"
He spat several times, then stared at the scale in Mike’s hand with disgust.
[It tastes awful! I hate it!]
"I never said it was edible. And when are you going to fix that habit of yours? You try to lick everything you see. Aren’t you afraid you’ll poison yourself one day?"
"Gar—"
[I’m a—]
"Speak normally."
Mike put the scale away in his pocket.
Since it could improve his luck, he might as well carry it close to him. Perhaps he would get lucky and find money lying on the road someday.
[That thing isn’t nearly as fun as my rock.]
Mike followed Gengar’s gaze and saw him playing with a smooth, rounded stone.
Gengar tossed it into the air, caught it with his thin bamboo staff, then knocked it upward again.
He repeated the trick over and over.
{Oval Stone: A mysterious, smoothly rounded stone capable of helping a certain Pokémon evolve.}
{Compatible Pokémon: Happiny → Chansey.}
"...Gengar, where did you get that stone?"
Seeing that Mike was interested in the rock he had casually borrowed, Gengar generously handed it over.
"Gar—"
[I picked it up while we were leaving the cave. I took it because it looked fun, and it really is.]
Mike stared at him.
He had played with an evolutionary stone the entire way here without realizing it!
...
Mike continued traveling at an unhurried pace and didn’t reach the main road until evening.
After checking the sky, he found a relatively safe spot beside the road with a nearby water source.
He pitched the tent there and prepared to spend the night.
The Pokémon world truly had an abundance of water.
Rivers, lakes, and streams were everywhere. He encountered some form of water source along almost every route.
Gengar built the cooking fire, Snivy prepared the ingredients, Beedrill gathered branches, and Glameow played nearby while Mike supervised.
Everyone had a clear role, and nobody argued.
"Gengar, higher heat."
Mike called toward Gengar, who was tending the fire.
The aroma rising from the pot attracted all the nearby wild Pokémon.
However, with Beedrill and Snivy present, none of them dared approach too closely.
"Put out the fire. It’s time to eat."
Mike divided the steaming food onto several plates and placed them on the table.
Gengar distributed one serving to each of them before taking his own and digging in enthusiastically.
After dinner, Beedrill and Snivy rested beside the campfire. They occasionally teased Glameow and watched her play.
Gengar sat nearby, fiddling with a piece of foxtail grass he had found somewhere.
Mike leaned against a tree and organized all the footage he had filmed recently.
He transferred everything from the camera to his tablet and sorted the files into different categories.
Once he finished, Mike released a deep breath, rolled his aching neck, and sighed.
He glanced at Gengar and Beedrill, who were still fooling around, then reached down and stroked Glameow as she slept beside him.
Snivy extended her vines from the tree and gently placed them over Mike’s shoulders, massaging the sore muscles.
"Thanks, Snivy."
"Sni~"
After resting for a while, Mike returned his attention to the footage from the ancient ruins.
Remembering that the ruins contained information about Enamorus, he hesitated before sending Professor Rowan a message.
[Mike: Professor, are you asleep? I wanted to ask whether you know anything about the three Forces of Nature from Unova.]
Professor Rowan called him soon afterward.
"Prof—"
Before Mike could finish greeting him, Rowan interrupted.
"Not yet. I just finished my research for the day. How are things on your end?"
"Everything’s going well. I’ve filmed plenty of material recently, and I also had an incredible adventure. I’ll send you the video later."
"Hahaha, good."
Professor Rowan laughed before continuing.
"Why are you suddenly asking about the three Forces of Nature from Unova? Did you encounter them?"
"Well... I suppose I did, in a way. But the Pokémon I encountered wasn’t any of the three."
"Not one of the three? What do you mean? Is there a fourth?"
"Apparently."
Mike carefully chose his words.
"Gengar and I explored a cave in the forest today. By complete accident, we discovered an ancient ruin inside it."
"According to the surviving inscriptions and carvings, there was another member besides the three known Forces of Nature. It seems to have been called Enamorus."
"An ancient ruin... Enamorus?"
Professor Rowan seemed to search his memory.
"I think I may have heard that name before, but I don’t know much about that particular myth..."
"There wasn’t much information about it on the murals either," Mike said.
"The Herald of Spring... Now I remember."
Professor Rowan’s voice filled with realization.
"It was a story my mother told me when I was a child. Back then, stories about the Herald of Spring seemed to be passed around everywhere in our village."
"Let me think about how the story went..."
"Don’t rush me. It was a long time ago, and I was very young."
Mike didn’t urge him and quietly waited while the professor searched his memories.
"I remember the story mentioning that whenever storms and thunder appeared over this land, abundance, harvest, and new life would soon follow."
Professor Rowan haltingly recounted what little he remembered.
"That matches what was written on the wall," Mike said.
"Then according to your interpretation, the storm and thunder refer to Tornadus and Thundurus."
"The abundance and harvest would represent Landorus, while the final symbol of new life would be this Enamorus you mentioned?"
Professor Rowan analyzed the information aloud.
Mike nodded, though the professor couldn’t see him.
Even modern archaeologists knew very little about the other three Forces of Nature.
There were only records of two of them appearing in Unova.
"I don’t know much about Unova’s mythology," Professor Rowan admitted. "I only heard this story about those four Pokémon when I was young. I’m afraid I don’t have any deeper knowledge."
"Besides, as you know, my research focuses on Pokémon evolution. This falls under mythology and ancient history, which are far outside my field."
So even Professor Rowan didn’t know.
That made sense.
His research had always centered on Pokémon evolution. He only possessed a general understanding of most Legendary Pokémon, let alone Enamorus, which had vanished from history.
"However, I do know someone who specializes in mythology and history," Rowan continued. "She’s an exceptionally talented mythological historian. I can ask her for you."
"I’d really appreciate that, Professor."
"Give me a moment. I’ll send her a message."
"Wait, Professor. I’ll also send you all the videos and photographs I took inside the ruins. Could you forward them to her as well?"
"Of course. Send them over, and I’ll pass everything along."
Mike transmitted all the photographs and footage of the ancient ruins from his phone.
Afterward, he ended the call and found a flat place nearby. They were outdoors, but the location was comfortable enough for the night.
The videos were still uploading when Professor Rowan called again.
"Hello, Professor. Did you already get a reply?"
"I suppose you could say that."
Rowan’s answer left Mike confused.
What did that mean?
"I sent her the photographs and videos. She’s extremely interested and plans to come meet you tomorrow so the two of you can discuss them in person."
"Tomorrow? She’s coming to find me?"
Mike’s mouth fell open.
"Professor, I’m out in the wilderness. We were planning to continue traveling tomorrow morning."
"That won’t be a problem. You only need to give her your approximate location. She’ll contact you when she reaches the area."
Mike sighed.
He had no choice but to agree.
"All right. I’ll remain camped somewhere around here tomorrow."
"Good."
"Thank you, Professor."
After ending the call, Mike settled back against the tree.
Glameow shifted closer and crawled into his arms, her tail searching around beside her.
Mike understood and placed his hand against her body. Her spring-shaped tail immediately curled around his wrist.
Snivy climbed down from the tree and lay on Mike’s other side, joining him in gazing at the night sky.
Gengar sat on the blanket with his bamboo staff in his arms. He and Beedrill each chewed on their Toxic Orbs while quietly whispering to one another.
Mike’s phone screen lit up.
He picked it up and saw a new friend request.
[Really Want Ice Cream: Hello, Assistant Mike.]
[Gengar, Stop Stealing My Drumstick: Hello.]
When no further message arrived, Mike switched off the screen, put his phone away, and closed his eyes to sleep.
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