The 246th day after leaving the Orange Islands, night.
Night hung over the earth like an enormous curtain, heavy and oppressive. The surroundings were silent and deserted, with only the occasional low chirp of unknown insects adding a touch of mystery to the night.
After several days of relentless searching, they finally reached the stone forest of Fains. Under the moonlight, the forest was filled with jagged rocks, with silent stone pillars soaring into the clouds.
They had stayed in this wilderness for several days. Aside from the wind through the stone forest, the occasional passing bird, and some Wild Pokémon, they had found nothing unusual.
Until tonight, when the Flying-type Pokémon sent out to scout hurried back and conveyed news of an anomaly with urgent cries.
Following the direction indicated by the Flying-type Pokémon, they saw flickering firelight in the distance. Yu Hai exchanged a glance with A Long, and with a mixture of tension and curiosity, they quietly approached the light.
When they carefully arrived near the source of the firelight, they saw several familiar figures through the hazy glow—Ash and the others.
However, Ash's companions had changed this time. Of the original group, only Brock remained. Xiao Yao, Xiao Sheng, and an unfamiliar woman had joined them.
"Boss, why is it always them?" A Long asked in a low voice, frowning with confusion and disbelief.
A Long had already vaguely sensed that something was off. As a human with normal thinking who had struggled through the Pokémon World for many years, he simply could not understand why Ash always appeared whenever something major happened.
It was as though the whole world revolved around Ash, while they themselves had been arranged by fate to encounter his group again and again.
"Heh. Do you see that Pokémon in the