"It’s for safety reasons."

Lu Ye said seriously, "I recommend trainers equip rail-like harnesses when riding flying partners!"

Riding a Pokémon across the blue sky looks flashy, but it actually requires bearing enormous psychological pressure.

Glancing down at the height beneath you will involuntarily cause a feeling of dizziness.

Therefore, the flying mounts Lu favored either had rail-like riding rigs installed on their backs like Alolan Charizard, or had wide backs with innate air barriers, like Reshiram.

Like Little Red's Aerodactyl, who flew gripping his backpack straps;

or A-Jin's giant winged fish, which used a pool cue as a glider frame—

Just seeing those two made people break out in a cold sweat!

Lu admitted he couldn't be as confident as Red or as reckless as A-Jin, so choosing a flying mount was especially important.

Turning back to Latias—

A streamlined body comparable to a jet’s exceptional flight speed, short balanced wings suited for tight turns, rapid climbs, and high-difficulty dives.

Her glassy feathers refract light, allowing both rider and mount to achieve a sort of 'invisibility' effect.

Lu Ye felt a bead of cold sweat trace his temple as an image flashed in his mind of himself clinging to Latias's neck, racing through the sky.

Although I naturally like Latias—after all, the movie "Guardian of the Water City" left a deep impression.

The problem is... Latias's flight ability is just too outstanding!

Shouldn't Doduo have introduced me to a tropical dragon or a Drifblim as an elderly mount!

Right off the bat it's a "jet fighter"—they think too highly of Lu Ye!

Nurse Joy glanced at the pensive Lu Ye, understanding this was his excuse.

The real reason he hesitated to blow the Infinity Flute was that this flute represented an opportunity for Nurse Joy;

as a senior, Lu Ye didn't want to take it for himself.

That was the sincerity and kindness of a champion.

Nurse Joy smiled faintly, looked toward Latias, and her eyes flickered.

If Latias wanted to fight like her brother, with my strength I might still be unable to stop her.

But right now there stood a trainer worthy of trust.

Whether from past encounters or today's conversation, Lu had already earned my approval. Next, it would be Latias's own choice...

"I have only one wish."

Nurse Joy extended her slender arm and opened her palm to present the small flute, speaking earnestly: "Please blow this flute. It is my personal, humble request."

Through the flute’s sound, Latias could glimpse his heart...

"Is this the assessment that Lance mentioned?" Lu Ye rubbed his brow.

"You could call it that." Nurse Joy lifted a smile.

He had expected the test would be to evaluate the inspector’s wild battle ability.

Lu Ye took the Infinity Flute and toyed with it. He hadn't expected such an assessment for an official...

"Rest assured, I've cleaned and disinfected it," Nurse Joy noticed Lu Ye's expression and said.

Lu Ye arched an eyebrow.

The more you say that, the more suspicious it seems!

After cautiously scanning with Aura sensing, there were no suspicious substances. Lu Ye pondered for a moment.

Failing the assessment wouldn’t be the end of the world...

Lu Ye regarded himself as lacking that kind of charm that would make a legendary Pokémon like someone at first sight.

Besides, who knew what kind of tune the World Tree–appointed "world guardian" Lu Ye would play...

Lu Ye leaned closer to the Infinity Flute and asked, "Is this the only assessment item?"

"Exactly."

"Can this flute really reflect someone's inner heart?"

"The old woman from Hoenn said so..."

There are indeed many items in the Pokémon world that reflect the spiritual realm. For example, the great bell of the Tower of Heaven, the Light Stone that reveals truth and ideals, and the Dark Stone.

Lu Ye had encountered a fair number of them and carried a skeptical mindset, thinking:

"What if the melody is beautiful but the heart is filthy... then what?"

With that in mind, Lu Ye began to play "Castle in the Sky" on the Infinity Flute.

He covered the mouthpiece of the recorder and a melodious tune filled the room. Meloetta's crystalline eyes sparkled with curiosity.

Soon, Meloetta floated in midair, closing her eyes and losing herself in the melody, her small hands gently keeping time.

Nurse Joy looked at the calm black-haired young man, surprise briefly flashing across her gaze, then she listened quietly.

The notes rose from low to high, as if drifting over a castle in the clouds before slowly disappearing back into the mist.

"Lat...," Latias watched the young man and, using telepathic communication, closed her glassy eyes.

A scroll-like scene slowly unfurled before Latias: a star-filled night sky, a brilliant comet trailing a long tail suspended on the canvas above.

Accompanied by the "Castle in the Sky" melody, Latias seemed to connect with the trainer's mind, empathetically recalling images from a year ago.

At that time, Jirachi floated happily under the starry sky while Gastly and Squirtle were splashing in the stream.

Lu Ye’s flute melody placed him beside a fluffy Eevee, bathed in silver starlight.

Latias heard the human's heart:

"I want to stay with the little ones forever."

Although the flute playing had imperfections, the feeling was so sincere, and the starry sky brimmed with the meaning of "infinite."

Latias opened her eyes, which shone faintly.

I think I get it now—this is what Nurse Joy praised...

Lu Ye understood the principle of the Infinity Flute.

Even if the technique wasn't flawless, the flute could discern various "baby-adoration" behaviors;

the instrument's own tuning had imperfections.

Overall, nothing critical.

Lu Ye was about to stop when Meloetta floated beside him and placed a small hand on his shoulder.

"Melo~" Meloetta sang happily.

In an instant, the Infinity Flute in his hand was bathed in Meloetta's aura;

the tuning became flawless and the flute's sound turned even more ethereal!

No technique was needed—notes flowed naturally.

As Lu Ye reached the end of "Castle in the Sky," he suddenly realized with a change of expression.

Crap... I forgot about Meloetta!

Cheating? Extra help is not allowed!

When the song finished, silence filled the room, then three brilliant lights blossomed.

Nurse Joy, immersed in the melody, was stunned when she saw the white lights:

"Three?"

There shouldn't be more than one Latias in the room!

As the light faded, three Pokémon in the room looked at each other.

Lu Ye was surprised by a red-and-white streamlined Pokémon whose glassy feathers unfurled as she floated in the air, amber eyes gleaming.

Nurse Joy blinked as she looked at the Pokémon flanking Lu Ye.

One little V-headed creature chewed a tiny sweet biscuit, crumbs at the corner of its mouth, curiously staring at Latias.

Graceful and adorable Meloetta floated with a smile, wearing an expression that said "no need to thank me."

As a senior inspector, Nurse Joy could naturally identify these two Pokémon—

Hoenn's mythical Pokémon?

Following Lu Ye, and there were two of them!?

"Latias was hiding inside the room before?" Lu Ye exclaimed.

Latias's feathers refracted Aura;

Lu Ye hadn't activated his Power of Transcendence radar, so the 'invisible jet' successfully evaded detection.

"Your Pokémon are the same..." Nurse Joy pursed her lips.

No wonder Lu said he had a lot of research on legendary domains.

Having two mythical Pokémon accompany you in person was beyond normal comprehension...

Nurse Joy glanced at the intrigued Latias.

There might even be another legendary Pokémon that would join!

"These two little ones are shy, so they usually hide and follow me," Lu Ye rubbed the head of the little V that had climbed up and placed it atop his head, then looked at Joy:

"Maybe the melody relaxed them, that's why... hiss, little V, don't pull the hair."

"Nee~" Victini bared its tiny fangs and made a V-sign with its hands.

Lu's feelings were complicated.

I think I understand now... the price of being 'never defeated' is baldness!?

I can only pray Victini's Victory Star hit-rate bonus won't take effect...

"Latias also heard the emotion contained in the flute, so she manifested," Nurse Joy stroked Latias's forehead, then looked toward Lu Ye with a serious expression:

"Lu, I'd like to ask you to take this child with you and command her through Kanto's various Gyms for the assessment... This is also the child's wish, please!"

Lu Ye fell silent.

The emotion contained in the flute... was it aided by Meloetta?

Of course, perhaps it was the Infinity Flute's own effect. I also recalled the scene from last year's Tanabata...

Being under a brilliant starry sky with the little ones was the moment closest to 'infinite.'

Lu Ye missed the adorable Jirachi;

he wondered if Hoopa could try to get it out—

Then Jirachi, Meloetta, Togepi, Victini, and Mew...

Five little ones—not only could they do coordinated battles, they could play Three Kingdoms card battles too!

Regarding Nurse Joy's request, Lu prioritized Latias's own will.

The Infinity Flute was only a medium;

forging a bond was a long process, and it was normal if Latias didn't want to follow him.

After all, they had known each other for less than an hour.

Lu Ye stared at the levitating Latias, their eyes meeting her amber gaze. In his heart, Latias's voice sounded clear and girlish through sensing.

"Nurse Joy says you're a good person."

Lu Ye sensed the Power of Transcendence;

a faint beam of light linked the two. Compared to that, his beams with Victini and Meloetta were obviously brighter.

"How do you know I'm a good person?" Lu teased.

Latias thought seriously for a moment, then answered stubbornly:

"Because I heard Eevee and Jirachi say so!"

Lu Ye was slightly taken aback, then realized Latias had shared her mental viewpoint, one of the abilities shown in the Water City movie.

From the tone, this Latias was very young;

even in humanoid form she'd likely appear as a little girl.

What the heck, this life keeps getting more interesting!

"You should still go with Nurse Joy." Lu said hoarsely. "My journey is dangerous;

one misstep could collide with big things."

Hoenn was home to Groudon and Kyogre, and both had "Primal Reversion" forms.

As the two most oppressive legendary beasts, before reversion they once wiped out the Hoenn League. Steven nearly worked himself to death and only escaped by changing the timeline with Celebi.

Logically... the chance of revival was small, but it could not be ruled out!

Bright excitement flashed across Latias's eyes.

"Sounds fun~"

Lu Ye: "..."

If Latias truly followed me... who knows what trouble she might cause.

"I will perform my duties as an inspector conscientiously."

Lu returned the Infinity Flute to Nurse Joy.

"You should keep this flute."

"But... Latias..." Nurse Joy hesitated.

"If she’s willing, she can accompany me to observe a few Gym assessments... then decide later." Lu Ye smiled.

Nurse Joy and Latias exchanged a glance.

Latias again vanished into the air;

from this angle she was semi-transparent, floating beside Lu Ye and nodding lightly toward Nurse Joy.

Through the Infinity Flute, Latias had seen this trainer's past scenes and grown curious.

She wanted to know more about this trainer— and Pokémon battles are the best way to reflect a trainer’s heart.

Nurse Joy showed a relieved smile, as if she had found someone trustworthy for her daughter. The Infinity Flute in her hand glowed softly.

"I'll be going ahead." Latias said.

"Remember to tell me how you feel after the journey," Joy replied in her heart.

"I will." Latias added, "Don't you secretly cry, okay? I'll be back soon."

"I think you'll be the one being sent back." Nurse Joy laughed.

Latias made a fierce expression, her feathers refracting light as she gradually faded into the sunlight.

"Lu Ye!"

Before leaving, Nurse Joy called out to Lu.

"Latias's whereabouts are not fixed;

sometimes you might not be able to find her... so you should take the Infinity Flute with you."

Lu Ye shook his head.

"This is a token between you and Latias. I have other ways to communicate with her, so no need."

Nurse Joy watched Lu's retreating figure, her heart moved.

Perhaps beyond the treasures everyone chases, there are things more worth pursuing...

Lu Ye: "…uh, so, how does this door open?"

Joy paused, then laughed: "I'll do it."

Lu stood to the side, sensing the faint link with Latias and lost in thought.

Encounters between lives always give rise to bonds.

Darkrai had formed a bond with Alicia centuries ago, and later gradually opened up to Lu.

The relationship between Nurse Joy and Latias resembled the bond Mewtwo once had following Siebold;

there was a connection between the two.

Compared to capture, Lu and Latias's relationship felt more like teacher and student—

Lead Latias to experience the charm of battles, and help fulfill her wish.

If necessary, he would also ride Latias for flight...

Provided he had Latias's permission, and a custom riding rig would need to be made.

"We happen to be heading to Hoenn..."

Lu Ye rubbed his chin and murmured:

"Will ask Devon Corporation to customize it... Steven might even give a discount!"

【END】