That afternoon, on the southern outskirts of Giant Chasm.
Perhaps because of the recent incidents involving Pokémon running out of control, hardly any Wild Pokémon were in sight. The few that did appear risked venturing out only to gather Berries.
Mingyou and N traveled together toward a raised platform built by former researchers overlooking the crater.
No road had been built here to preserve the crater's environment. Only mountain paths worn by visitors and surveyors crossed the slopes.
Weeds had overgrown them. It seemed no one had visited in some time.
"We've still got a long way to go. Let's rest halfway up."
Mingyou glanced uphill and turned to N.
They had left later than planned because Mingyou had helped Nurse Joy repair the Pokémon Center's door, which Excadrill had damaged. He had expected to reach the summit by now and spend the night there.
N nodded. He had barely spoken to Mingyou since they set out. Instead, he watched how Mingyou interacted with his Pokémon while keeping a wary eye on Giant Chasm's strange conditions.
They found a reasonably level spot. Mingyou sat on a rock and took food from his bag for Ogerpon and the others, then had Ogerpon bring N two pieces of bread.
"Pon~"
"Thanks."
N took the bread and sat down. As he opened the wrapper, he watched Miraidon reluctantly eat Fast-Food Sandwiches with the others and asked curiously, "That Pokémon's unusual. I can sense tremendous power inside it, but here it acts like a newborn child curious about everything."
"It's not just innocent. This is its first time in this world. It hasn't experienced any of this before, so it's slowly adjusting and making friends with them."
Mingyou took a bite of bread as he answered.
N nodded, though he only half understood. He