Heroes Gather from Every Corner

That afternoon, after deciding to act under cover of the commotion tonight, Mingyou packed his things and set off on Wyrdeer. He kept Ogerpon in a Poké Ball, while Latias sat with him as though they were going on a picnic.

To reach the Eternal Forest, they had to cross the Kitakami Wilds and make a wide circuit around Oni Mountain. The forest lay in the most remote part of Kitakami.

But Ogerpon had told him about a shortcut only she knew. It went around through Infernal Pass, below the Kitakami Center. The route was rough, but that was no problem for Wyrdeer.

Unless a surface tilted past ninety degrees, Wyrdeer could climb it with ease. Carrying Mingyou and Latias, he bounded between footholds on the riverside rocks, his steps sure and steady.

"Wuu~"

Sitting in front of Mingyou, Latias delighted in the rush of Wyrdeer's gallop. She knew she was here to fight today.

But that was fine. It was only one monster. She would get Ogerpon's Mask back!

Mingyou gazed into the distance and said calmly, "Stay close to me and don't wander off. It looks like the Eternal Forest won't be foggy today, so we don't even know whether that monster will come out."

"Wuu~"

Who cares? If it comes out, I'll beat it up!

Latias was brimming with confidence. Unless the monster was a Legendary Pokémon too, she had nothing to fear.

"Don't get careless..."

Mingyou reached out and stroked her hair. Just then, Wyrdeer emerged from Infernal Pass and stepped onto the Kitakami Wilds.

Many Wild Pokémon lived here. Far from human settlements, some still lived in a more primal state and would attack without hesitation if a human approached.

Munchlax had once followed a Trainer wandering through this area, picking up food the Trainer