Night had fallen.
Baimu and Steelix roamed freely beneath the stars.
Together, they gazed down at the earth. A lonely, lead-gray mountain rose from the darkness, its stark form washed in the cold night.
Mount Wela.
The smallest of Ula'ula Island's three mountains, it had geothermal energy to spare. A geothermal power plant had been built there to supply the island's residents with electricity.
Even late at night, the plant at the foot of the mountain blazed with light. White vapor hung around its enormous exhaust stack, while the fans used for cooling gave off a low drone.
Baimu glanced at it, then looked away.
"Ahh..."
Setting out in the middle of the night made him yawn. He was used to getting up on schedule. His Pokémon, on the other hand, were full of energy. Hydreigon and the Dreepy Siblings had flown so far ahead in their race for first place that they were already out of sight.
Even Dragapult, normally too shy to show herself, had become visible. She trailed far behind, enjoying the peace of an empty sky.
Were they all night owls?
No.
They had simply spent too long in their Poké Balls that day without a chance to burn off their energy through training.
It happened from time to time when their days were too busy.
It couldn't be helped.
Aggron and the others fulfilled Baimu's dream of having giant companions, but their sheer size also meant he couldn't bring them all out together in public.
If he could carry one on his shoulder, tuck two more into his bag, lead another on each side, and bring a Rotom along for good measure, like Ash did, he absolutely would.
Unfortunately, he couldn't.
A sudden feeling of weightlessness rose in his stomach, and he quietly adjusted his