Naoki and Ogerpon rode Koraidon down the mountain. As they neared Mossui Town, Ogerpon's expression suddenly ged, a look of fear flickering across its face.

  "Oge… pon…" Ogerpon murmured anxiously.

  "Raao?" Koraidon tilted its head back to look at Ogerpon, then nded just outside the town. Naoki turo face the frightened Pokémon.

  "What's wrong?" Naoki asked, fused. Then it struck him—Ogerpon might be scared of entering the town because of the reje it had faced in the past.

  "You don't want to go in, do you?" Naoki asked gently.

  "Pon…" Ogerpon nodded, its gaze dropping to the mask in its hands.

  At that moment, a vilger carrying a hoe walked by. Startled, Ogerpon hurriedly put on its mask and hid behind Naoki.

  The vilger, reizing Naoki as a visitor from the agricultural exge, smiled and waved. "Good afternoon! Have you had lunch yet?"

  "Not yet," Naoki replied politely. "I just went for a look around outside and am heading baow."

  The vilger nodded warmly and tinued on his way, whistling a tune as he went.

  Koraido out a low rumble of . "Raao…"

  Naoki turned back to Ogerpon. "Don't be afraid," he said softly. After a moment of thought, he added, "It was the desdant of the mask craftsman who told me about you. His aor tried to tell the truth to the vilgers but ersecuted for it. He even lost his life."

  Ogerpoated, its small hands clutg its mask. Memories of the kind human who had made those masks surfaced in its mind.

  "The craftsman's desdant has always been worried about you," Naoki tinued. "He feels terrible about everything that's happened. Would you like to meet him?"

  Afraid htening Ogerpon further, Naoki quickly added, "Don't worry—no one will hurt you this time. I'll be with you, and so will Koraidon."

  "Raao!" Koraidon rumbled in agreement.

  Ogerpon looked up at them, its glowing eyes filled with emotion. It hesitated for a moment before nodding slightly.

  Naoki smiled and patted Ogerpon's head. But as he looked toward the town, he realized there was still some distao the Yukito household. They would likely enter more vilgers along the way, which might frighten Ogerpon even more.

  After thinking for a moment, Naoki pulled out ay Poké Ball. "If you're nervous, you stay in here for now," he suggested.

  Without hesitation, Ogerpon touched the ball and disappeared ihe ball wobbled gently twice before clig, signifying a successful capture.

  Uhe times Naoki had captured other Pokémon, there was no sense of triumph or excitement. Instead, he felt a deep sadness for the lonely Pokémon now resting in the Poké Ball.

  "Ogerpon is so pitiful," Naoki thought. "Once we're back at the ranch, I'll make sure Alcremie and the others take good care of it."

  Sighing quietly, Naoki tucked the Poké Ball away and rode Koraidon into town. Along the way, several vilgers greeted him warmly, and Naoki responded politely to each of them.

  Before long, they arrived at the Yukito household. Outside, Yukito, the elderly craftsman's desdant, was feeding a Tympole by the Magikarp fountain. Spotting Naoki, he stood up quickly.

  "Did you find Ogerpon?" Yukito asked anxiously.

  Naoki nodded and pulled out the Poké Ball. Releasing Ogerpoched as the masked Pokémon materialized in front of them.

  Yukito's eyes widened in shock. Without a word, he quickly shut the gate and ushered Naoki and the Pokémon ihe house.

  Hideko, who reparing lun the kit, turoward the otion. When she saw Ogerpon, the iron basin in her hands cttered to the floor.

  Carmine and Kieran, who were sitting on the sofa watg TV, leapt to their feet. Carmine covered her mouth in astonishment, while Kieran stared at Ogerpon, his expression a mix of awe and disbelief.

  "That's…" Carmiammered. "That's Ogerpon?!"

  Naoki g the masked Pokémon, which had instinctively moved to hide behind him. "Yes," he said calmly. "This is Ogerpon."

  Kieraement alpable. He had admired the Pokémon since he was a child, not only because of its legendary strength but also because it had single-handedly defeated the three Pokémon revered as heroes. After learning the truth about Ogerpon's past from Yukito, his admiration had only grown.

  Meanwhile, Yukito, after ensuring the doors and windows were securely closed, turned back to Ogerpon with tears welling in his eyes. His voice trembled as he murmured, "You're here… You're really here…"

  "Oge?" Ogerpon murmured timidly, its glowing eyes darting nervously between the unfamiliar humans in front of it.

  Naoki offered a reassuring smile and said, "This is Yukito, the desdant of the craftsman who made your mask. And these two are his grandchildren, Carmine and Kieran."

  Turning back to Yukito, Naoki tinued, "Ogerpon has agreed to leave with me. After the exge meeting ends in two days, I'll take it bay hometown."

  Yukito's face lit up with relief. "That's wonderful. I'll leave everything to you," he said, his voice trembling slightly as though a heavy burden had been lifted. He sank into the sofa, letting out a deep breath, only t back up again moments ter as if propelled by an unseen force.

  "Oh! That reminds me—there's one more thing!" Yukito excimed.

  Naoki blinked in surprise. "What is it?"

  Yukito: "The masks."

  He leaned in for a closer look. "My aor made four masks ferpon, but it seems only this one remains… Wait a sed." His brow furrowed. "This mask is damaged, isn't it?"

  Hearing this, Ogerpoated before slowly removing the mask, its expression forlorn as it gazed at the worn and broken edges of the Teal Mask.

  Naoki, notig the Pokémon's distress, quickly ged the topic. " it be repaired?"

  The mask clearly held deep seal value ferpon. It was more than just a tool—it was a link to its cherished memories.

  Yukito examihe mask carefully, his fingers running along its edges. "Although my skills aren't as refined as my aor's, don't worry. I repair it."

  Naoki breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good to hear."

  Yukito nodded. "I have most of the materials needed for the repair, but there's one crucial ingredient I don't have. I'll need your help to obtain it."

  "What do you need?" Naoki asked.

  "Crystal shards from the bottom of the Luminous Pool," Yukito expined. "The pool is located at the peak of Oni Mountain, but the path is treacherous, filled with strong wild Pokémon."

  Ogerpon, standing nearby, grew visibly anxious at the mention of the danger.

  Naoki, however, was uerred. He knew Koraidon and his other Pokémon could handle any challenges along the way. "The top of Oni Mountain? I know the way. I'll head there right now."

  Without hesitation, Naoki retrieved Ogerpon's Poké Ball, returning it for safekeeping. He then turned on his heel, mounted Koraidon, a off toward the mountain.

  Halfway to the summit, Ogerpon uedly emerged from its Poké Ball, its expression filled with worry. "Pon… oge…" it murmured, tuggily at Naoki's sleeve.

  Naoki immediately uood. He reached out, gently patting Ogerpon's head. "It's okay. Don't worry," he reassured it.

  Despite Naoki's calming words, Ogerpon still seemed uneasy. After a brief moment of hesitation, it made up its mind to stay outside the Poké Ball. While it wasn't fident in battle, it wao be nearby to help if needed.

  With Ogerpon at his side, Naoki urged Koraidon onward, the three of them heading toward the Luminous Pool at the peak of Oni Mountain.

  ...

  Meanwhile, back at Yukito's home, the craftsman examihe Teal Mask closely uhe warm light of the room. Turning to his curious grandchildren, Carmine and Kieran, he began to speak.

  "There are four masks in total," Yukito expined. "In addition to this Teal Mask, there are three others: the Hearthfme Mask, the Wellspring Mask, and the erstone Mask."

  Yukito sighed deeply. "The other three masks are currently kept in the shri the ter of Kitakami. The vilgers sider them relics of the Three Loyal Pokémon…"

  "That's eous!" Carmine excimed, her fists trembling with anger.

  Kieran stayed silent, but his ched fists betrayed his frustration.

  Yukito shook his head. "What's important now is to repair Ogerpon's Teal Mask," he said, setting aside his meal and turning his full attention to the broken mask on the workbench.

  After lunch, Carmine and Kieran grew increasingly agitated.

  As they strolled through the town, Carmine finally exploded, her voice quivering with fury. "It's infuriating! Those masks belong to Ogerpon, not the so-called Loyal Pokémon!"

  Kieran goward the northern part of the towhe shriood. After a moment, he tugged on his sister's sleeve. "Carmine," he said quietly, "why don't we take the masks back? They should be returo Ogerpon."

  Carmine's eyes lit up with realization. "You're right! That's a brilliant idea, Kieran!" she excimed.

  Looking around to ensure no one was watg, Carmine added, "Everyone's busy having lunch right now, so the shrine should be empty. Let's go grab those masks and give them back to Ogerpon!"

  The siblings quickly hatched a pn. With a shared look of determination, they slipped away, heading toward the shrine half the mountain.

  ...

  At the summit of Oni Mountain, Naoki and Koraidon desded gracefully, sparing him the arduous climb.

  When the breathtaking view of the summit came into focus, Naoki was momentarily stunned. Before him y a serene, crystalline pool, its surface shimmering uhe sunlight. Beh the still water, luminous crystals glowed brilliantly, their radiance casting prismatic patterns in every dire.

  These were no ordinary crystals. Nahem immediately—they resembled the crystals found in Area Zero, the heart of the Paldea region.

  'Dr. Sada once mentiohese crystals were imbued with immeerastal energy,' Naoki thought.

  As the e formed in his mind, Naoki suddenly uood why Slugma had appeared overly crystallized during his earlier enters.

  'But why would such crystals—uo Paldea—be present here in Kitakami, far across the world?'

  Ogerpon, oblivious to Naoki's musings, stared at the glowing crystals with childlike delight. "Pon! Pon!" it chirped, hoppiedly.

  Naoki smiled, assuming Ogerpon was simply ented by the beauty of the pool.

  Koraidon nded nearby, and Naoki dismounted. "Have you been here before?" he asked Ogerpon.

  "Pon~" Ogerpon shook its head and trotted eagerly to the edge of the ke. Its bright eyes sparkled as it gazed at the crystals beh the water.

  The tranquility of the summit seemed to put Ogerpon at ease. For os timid demeanor faded, repced by curiosity and wonder.

  Naoki and Koraidon followed, their footsteps g softly on the volic debris scattered around the pool. Naoki crouched by the ke, assessing the situation. The crystals were embedded deep beh the water's surface.

  His gaze shifted to the surrounding terrain. The ground ale white, scattered with volic rubble.

  "This must have been a volo," Naoki murmured, his mind pieg together the area's history.

  He imagined a powerful eruption in the distant past, creating the crater that now held the shimmering pool. Over time, volic ash enriched the soil, attrag settlers who fouhe vilge below. But the mystery of the crystals lingered.

  "Could the Terastal energy have seeped up from underground?" Naoki wondered.

  "Pon?"

  Ogerpon gazed at the glowing crystals restih the surface of the ke, its expression troubled. The shards were submerged, and it had no idea how to retrieve them.

  Notig this, Naoki grinned and began rolling up his sleeves. "Leave it to me!" he decred.

  Uhe sunlight, Naoki leapt nimbly into the ke with a spsh, divih the surface. The cold water prickled his skin, but he swam fidently to the bottom, colleg several crystal shards.

  Moments ter, he resurfaced, holding the glowing fragments triumphantly. "I've got them!" he called out, his voice ringing with excitement.

  "Pon! Pon!"

  Ogerpon cheered, its mask tilting slightly as it bounced on its toes.

  Naoki climbed bato the shore, drying himself off quickly and slipping bato his clothes. "Let's head back to town a your mask repaired," he said, smiling warmly at Ogerpon.

  He mounted Koraidoending a hand to help Ogerpon up. Together, they soared down the mountain, the cool wind whipping past them. As they neared Mossui Town, however, Ogerpon grew visibly uneasy. Without a word, it retreated into its Poké Ball.

  Naoki sighed, his expression softening with uanding. "It really doesn't feel fortable here," he muttered to himself. "Maybe we should things up quickly and head back to Paldea."

  Koraidon nded gracefully in Yukito's yard, and Naoki handed over the shimmering crystal fragments. Yukito's eyes widened in astonishment. "Already? That was fast!" he excimed.

  Naoki chuckled, patting Koraidon's head. "That's what happens when you've got a great Flying Pokémon to help," he said.

  "Raao!" Koraidon rumbled proudly, puffing out its chest.

  Yukito took a deep breath, holding the shards carefully. "Well, now it's time for the final step," he said, his voice steady with determination.

  He pced the crystal fragments onto the mask and began w meticulously with his tools. Sparks flew as he chiseled and smoothed the pieces, his focus unbroken.

  Meanwhile, Naoki gnced around the house. Carmine and Kieran were o be seen. He frowned. 'Where did those two run off to?'

  Before he could dwell ohought, Yukito's voice broke through. "It's done!" he announced joyfully.

  Naoki rushed over to see the pleted mask. The Teal Mask now gleamed with a brilliant crystal inid at its ter, emitting a soft, radiant light. A strange energy pulsed through it, fai undeniable.

  At just a gnaoki could tell this mask ecial—akin to legendary artifacts like Dialga's Adamant Orb. This was undoubtedly Ogerpon's exclusive treasure.

  "Let's try it on Ogerpon," Yukito said, his voice tinged with anticipation.

  Naoki nodded, releasing Ogerpon from its Poké Ball in a fsh of white light. The masked Pokémon appeared, looking up curiously.

  Naoki k down, holding the newly restored mask out to it. Ogerpon froze, staring at the Teal Mask with wide eyes. For a moment, it seemed as though time had rewound—memories of the past surged forward, of the inal mask craftsman handing over a mask with the same gentle care.

  Tears welled up in Ogerpon's eyes, glistening like stars. It looked at Naoki with gratitude before wiping its tears and carefully pg the mask on its face.

  As soon as the mask settled into pce, a powerful aura rippled outward.

  ...

  At the shriop Apple Hill, a pilr of ominous purple light erupted into the sky. From within the shrihree shadowy figures began to materialize. The Three Pokémon stepped forward, their bodies emanating a dark, foreboding energy.

  Their expressions twisted into cruel smirks as they surveyed the world before them. They moved with fidence, crossing their arms and stepping forward with an air of domination.

  Back at Yukito's house, Naoki was asking Ogerpon how it felt with the repaired mask when the peaceful moment was shattered by frantic footsteps.

  A young girl burst into the room, her face pale with worry. "Grandpa Yukito! Something terrible happened!" she cried. "Kieran and Carmio the shrio steal the masks—and they got caught!"