"We've arrived. This is where the Three Loyal Pokémo," the mayor announced.

  Naoki and the mayor followed the path along Apple Hill until they reached a ft, opehe space was circur, bordered by a wooden fence, with quaint park benches arranged along its edges. A few townsfolk sat there with their children and Pokémon, enjoying a moment of rest.

  At the heart of the square stood a small shrine, with statues of three distinon enshrined within. Naoki observed the figures ily—it was clear these were the panion Pokémon the mayor had spoken about.

  "Thanks to them, our town was saved from the oni. Everyone owes their lives to their sacrifice," the mayor said, his voice filled with gratitude.

  Naoki leaned closer, intrigued. "Are their remains buried here?"

  The mayor nodded solemnly. As he stepped closer to the shrine, he noticed a smudge on its surfad immediately began ing it with care.

  At that moment, a vilger came running from behind, shouting, "Mayor, something terrible has happehe truck transp apples has fallen into a ditch!"

  "What?!" The mayor's face lit with . Turning to Naoki, he said, "I'm afraid we'll have to cut this visit short. Feel free to explore the area, but I o attend to this."

  "Do you need any help?" Naoki offered early.

  The mayor smiled but shook his head. "Thank you, but our town has staff specifically trained for these situations. I wouldn't want to trouble you."

  Naoki watched as the mayor hurried off. Left alone, his attentiouro the shrine before him. Within it were three small statues. Their weathered forms made it impossible to dis the exact appearances of the Pokémon they depicted.

  As he pondered, a familiar voice called out from behind.

  "Naoki? You're visiting the shrine of the Three Loyal Pokémon too?"

  Startled, Naoki turo see Helian approag, his face alight with enthusiasm.

  "Helian? I thought you'd already left Kitakami" Naoki excimed.

  "Not yet. My training is over for now, so I decided to linger a bit and take in the peaceful sery of this region," Helian replied with a grin.

  Naoki nodded, and together they turheir gazes to the shrio the right of the shriood a stoablet etched with an at of the Pokémon's heroism.

  Helian began to read aloud. "'The Brave Pokémon Statue: Long ago, these heroion defehe town against a fiersught of oni. Though their bravery saved the vilge, they ultimately fell in battle. Their remains now rest beh this mo, where they are eternally honored.'"

  Naoki listened in silence, his thoughts swirling. 'Could the green Pokémon he entered the day before really be a oni? The idea seemed impusible. The timid creature he'd seen hardly fit the image of a destructive specter responsible for such devastation. Doubts clouded his mind, and he resolved to seek answers.

  After a moment's ption, Naoki turo Helian. "I o go cheething out," he said, exg himself.

  Helian nodded in uanding as Naoki called for Koraidon. The Pokémon stepped forward, letting out a sharp "Raao!" before l itself to allow Naoki to climb on.

  As soon as Naoki was seated, Koraidon unfurled the wing-like structures on its head and leaped into the air. With powerful strokes, it flew toward the eerie mountain cloaked in mystery.

  In just ten mihey arrived at the entrao Oni FAng Cave. The path ahead was narrorecarious, suspended along the mountainside. Beyond it y the cave where Naoki had entered the enigmation the previous day.

  Yesterday's enter repyed vividly in Naoki's mind. He reasohat the mysterious Pokémon had likely bolted from the cave out of fear—specifically fear of Koraidon.

  After all, Koraidon, summoned from aimes, bore a fearsome and primal appearao a modern Pokémon, its presence was as jarring as a dinosaur from the Jurassic era appearing before a floodern-day animals.

  "Wait here for me," Naoki instructed gently, guiding Koraidon te thicket. "I'll go in and che things by myself."

  Koraidon obeyed with a soft growl of agreement and crouched behind the bush. Its head peeked over the foliage, gazing at Naoki with a forlorn, almost pitiful expression.

  After ensuring Koraidon was well-hidden, Naoki approached the cave. As he drew he silhouette of the Pokémon he'd entered the previous day came into view.

  Hearing the faint sounds outside, the Pokémon's ears twitched. It turs head abruptly, its movements stiff with nervousness.

  Their eyes met, log across the spabsp;

  Naoki immediately softened his expression, doing his best to appear non-threatening. "Hello," he said gently. "Do you remember me? I came here yesterday."

  But as soon as Naoki spoke, the Pokémon froze, its wide, panicked eyes darting to its surroundings. With hurried, fumbling movements, it pulled a green grass mask from us coat and slipped it onto its face.

  The transformation was striking. As soon as the mask was ihe Pokémon's unease seemed to vanish, repced by an air of posure. All its emotions were hidden behind the mask's carved features.

  Naoki was stunned, the creature ily. The mask seemed to fit it perfectly, almost as if it were a part of the Pokémon itself. Drawing on his knowledge, Naoki thought of items like Dialga's Adamant Orb and Palkia's Lustrous Orb—could this mask be a simir artifact, an item uied to this Pokémon?

  Despite his curiosity, Naoki was careful not to make any sudden movements. He was relieved to see the Pokémon hadn't bolted this time. That only reinforced his earlier suspi: the Pokémon had run away not because of him, but because of Koraidon.

  "It's okay," Naoki said softly. "I won't hurt you. I mean no harm."

  Keeping his voice low and soothing, Naoki shifted his attention to the mask. It was old and worn, with several cracks and scuffs across its surface, hinting at its long history. Whatever this Pokémon had been through, the mask had clearly endured alongside it.

  While Naoki studied the Pokémon, the Pokémon was also him, its fascrutable behind the mask. Its cautious gaze followed Naoki's every move.

  Naoki's eyes drifted to the stoable in the cave. He noticed the pile of fruit was noticeably smaller—proof that the Pokémon had eaten some of it. When the Pokémon noticed his gaze, it grew visibly uneasy, its small hands fidgeting nervously.

  Naoki chuckled softly and shook his head. "Don't worry. Those fruits were a gift from Pawmot and me." He paused, his tone lightening. "You remember Pawmot, don't you? The pink Pokémon from yesterday."

  The Pokémoated, then gave a small nod.

  "That's good," Naoki said with a smile, though his thoughts remained a swirl of questions. Could this Pokémon truly be the masked oni from the town's legends? It didn't fit. This creature was timid aant, not a fearsome specter of destru.

  The atmosphere grew quiet. her Naoki nor the Pokémon spoke, the air between them filled with an unspoken uanding.

  Naoki's gaze shifted to the stone bed and table in the cave. A thought struck him, and he asked gently, "Have you always lived here alone?"

  The moment the questio his lips, a wave of sorrow seemed to radiate from the Pokémon. Though its face remained hidden, the sadness in its posture was unmistakable.

  Naoki froze, his heart sinking. Did this Pokémon once share its home with someone—or something? Had it lost a panion? The thought weighed on him, but he decided not to press further. It was clear the topic caused the Pokémon pain.

  Naoki felt he had learned enough for now. He stood, his movements slow and deliberate. Immediately, the Pokémon tensed, its masked face turning toward him.

  Naoki was momentarily stunned but quickly reassured the masked Pokémon. "Don't worry, I'm just leaving now. I won't bother you anymore."

  He slung his backpack off his shoulder, retrieving a bottle of fresh MooMoo Milk from the rand a few pieces of homemade Poffins. He pced them gently ooable. "These are for you—a small gift. Goodbye!"

  With that, Naoki turned ahe hidden cave.

  Outside, he found Koraidon crouched behind the bushes, its head still peeking out. He gave it a reassuring pat. "Let's go," he said softly.

  Koraidon cast o goward the cave, but then obediently carried Naoki out of Oni Fang Cave and back toward the vilge. By the time they arrived, the sun was already high in the sky, signaling noon.

  Despite the warm midday light, Naoki's thoughts remaiangled. Something about the legend surrounding the masked oni didn't add up. Yet no matter how he tur over in his mind, he couldn't piece together the missiails. Sighing, he decided to set the mystery aside for now and focus on lunch.

  The meal at the vilge's unity ter was nothing short of delightful. The spread of farm-to-table dishes and the rustic, cozy atmosphere felt like a tryside holiday. Every bite reminded Naoki of the deep e between the vilgers and the nd they tended so lovingly.

  After lunaoki decided it was time for a break. He returo his room, released his Pokémon from their Poké Balls, ahem some fresh Poffins. Just as he was settling in for a short nap, a knock at the door interrupted him.

  He ope to find an elderly woman standing there, her white hair glowing softly in the light. Her expression was a mix of and curiosity.

  "Grandma Hideko?" Naoki asked, surprised.

  The woman, Hideko, gave a small nod before speaking directly. "You went into Oni Fang Cave yesterday, didn't you? Did you see a oni?"

  Naoki blinked, caught off guard. "How did you know about that?"

  "It's all over town!" Hideko replied, her tone a mixture of amazement and scolding. "You're quite brave—or reckless—to go into that pce!"

  Naoki sighed. Living in a small town had its downsides—nothing stayed a secret for long. He braced himself, expeg Hideko to mirror the vilge chief's warnings to steer clear of the cave. But what she said pletely surprised him.

  Her expression turned serious. "Did you see it? The oni? What was it like?"

  Naoki hesitated, sensing there was more to this versation. "I… saw something. But it didn't seem like the oni described in the legend."

  Hideko let out a heavy sigh. "So, it's true." She paused before tinuing, her tone resolute. "e with me. My husband has something to tell you."

  fused but intrigued, Naoki didn't hesitate. "Let me grab my things," he said, recalling Koraidon and gathering his Pokémon before following Hideko out of the unity ter.

  She led him to a small house oskirts of the vilge. Beh the eaves, an old man stood waiting. His back was hunched, his face lined with age, and his thin hair was ly parted down the middle.

  "e ihe old man said, his voice low but steady.

  Naoki nodded, stepping into the house with Koraidon and his Pokémon trailing behind.

  The group settled on the sofa. The old man studied Naoki and Koraidon for a long moment before speaking. "Did you see a oni in the cave?"

  Naoki hesitated, then replied, "If that green Pokémon wearing a mask is what you call a oni, then yes."

  "As I thought!" The old man's eyes widened in uanding. "I 't believe it actually revealed itself to you. It seems the time has e."

  Naoki blinked, unsure how to respond. In truth, the masked Pokémon hadn't willingly revealed itself. If Koraidon hadn't been so vigint, he doubted he would have even noticed it.

  "Have you heard the oni legend that circutes in this vilge?" the old man asked.

  Naoki nodded. "I have."

  The old man leaned forward slightly. "And what do you think of it?"

  Caught off guard, Naoki paused to gather his thoughts. "I… I'm not sure. The Pokémon I entered doesn't feel like a oni to me," he admitted. "If anything, it seemed timid and afraid. It's hard to imagi being the same creature from the stories—ferocious, ruthless, and terrifying."

  Or perhaps, Naoki sidered silently, it had two personalities: one meek and fearful, the other violent and deadly.

  But the old man shook his head firmly. "No. It is the oni. That event truly happened in history, but the stories told in the vilge are all wrong. The real history is the plete opposite of what you've heard."

  "The opposite? What does that mean?" Naoki asked, intrigued.

  The old man's expression grew solemn. "Since you've entered the oni—no, we should call it by its true name, Ogerpon—I will share with you the truth. This is the history my family has passed down feions. But you must swear not to tell anyone in the vilge about this!"

  Naoki saw the gravity in the old man's fad nodded without hesitation. "I promise."

  Koraidon, sitting nearby, let out a soft growl of aowledgment, and Pawmot nodded eically in agreement, its small paws csped iermination.

  Sunlight streamed through the window, casting shifting shadows on the wooden floor. Dust motes danced in the golden beams, adding an almost ethereal quality to the room. The old man's voice, deep and deliberate, carried the weight of a story that felt as a as the light itself.

  "A long time ago," the old man began, "a traveler and his Pokémon—a creature unlike anything seen in these nds—wandered into Kitakami Township."

  "Their appearance was fn, their ways unfamiliar, and the vilgers feared them. They were turned away and forbidden from approag the vilge."

  "The traveler and his Pokémon were heartbroken. They had sought refuge and panionship but found only reje. Still, they found so each other's pany. Together, they retreated to the mountains, where they carved out a quiet, humble existen a cave."

  "The vilge's mask craftsman was the only one who took pity oraveler and his Pokémon," the old man began. "Moved by their plight, he decided to help. He crafted several masks for them, each adorned with gemstones brought from their homend. These masks were dazzling, intricate, and utterly unique."

  "The masks allowed the traveler and the Pokémon to hide their faces and mih the vilgers without fear. For the first time, they felt a sense of belonging. Grateful for the craftsman's kindness, they cherished the masks and began to secretly attend vilge celebrations, blending in with the festivities."

  "But the masks were so exquisitely made that word of their beauty spread far and wide, even reag distant nds. This drew the attention of greedy Pokémon who sought to steal these treasures for themselves."

  "One day, a group of these Pokémo into the cave where the traveler and his Pokémon lived. They attacked, attempting to steal the masks. The traveler fought bravely, managing to proteask, but the others were taken. Tragically, he was gravely injured iruggle and succumbed to his wounds."

  The old man's voice grew heavier, his words slow and deliberate. "When the Pokémouro the cave hours ter, it found the traveler lifeless and the stolen masks gone. Overe with grief and fury, it dohe remaining green mask and desded upon the vilge."

  "It wasn't long before it found the Pokémon parading their stolen masks in the vilge, reveling iheft. Enraged, it attacked, defeating the thieves arieving the masks. But the se terrified the vilgers, who misuood what was happening. All they saw was an angry, masked Pokémon attag others."

  "They assumed the three Pokémon who had stolen the masks were heroes who had saved the vilge from a rampaging oni. To honor them, the vilgers buried them as revered protectors, calling them the Three Loyal Pokémon."

  "The masked Pokémon, wounded and filled with sorrow, returo its cave in the mountains, where it has lived in solitude ever since."

  The old man sighed deeply. "Our aor, the mask craftsman, tried to tell the truth of what happened, but no one believed him. Instead, he was branded a heretid ostracized for defending the so-called oni."

  Naoki sat in stunned sileruggling to process the story. "How could things have gone s..." he murmured, his voice barely audible.

  Nearby, Koraidon lowered its head, its usual pride dimmed by the weight of the tale. Pawmot gripped its small hammer tightly, anger fshing in its eyes.

  The old man observed their reas and nodded solemnly. "If Ogerpon revealed itself to you, it means it sees something in you. I believe it trusts you. That's why I have a favor to ask."

  Naoki met the old man's gaze, listening ily.

  "Take Ogerpon away from this pce," the old man said. "Away from Kitakami Township, where it has endured nothing but reje and hate. Let it live somewhere it find peace."