Jubilife Pokémon Theme Park.
By Swan Lake,
Two Aerodactyl circled down from the sky and walked up to Ash.
They lowered their heads, bringing their rocky skulls close to Ash as low rumbles rose from their throats.
"Are they saying hello?"
Mallow and the others could not help looking surprised.
"Huh? Ash, do they know you?"
"Haha, yeah!"
Ash proudly rubbed an Aerodactyl's chin.
"When I came here to play before, I often visited them on the Artificial Island over by Cherry Blossom Lake. After a while, we got to know each other!"
Kiawe clenched his fists, trembling with excitement.
"That's Ash for you... he can even make friends with Legendary Pokémon..."
Lana nodded too. "What incredible affinity..."
Freezington, Crown Tundra.
Inside their guide Huiyuan's home.
The fire burned in the fireplace, driving away the tundra's chill.
Huiyuan carefully checked the direction indicated by Magearna's Soul-Heart.
Then he compared it with the route and location Xiaoxiu had described, resting his chin in his hand as he thought for a moment.
Seeing how worried Lillie and Gladion looked,
Xiaoxiu said with a cheerful smile, "Don't worry. My father is the best guide in the village!"
"That direction... yes, hardly anyone goes out there."
The firelight shone on Huiyuan's weathered face.
"But about six months ago, while I was serving as a logistics guide for a team venturing deep into the Crown Tundra..."
"I caught a distant glimpse of a little cabin in a mountain hollow in that direction. It looked like it had been there for some time."
Huiyuan made a point of adding,
"It wasn't there in the Crown Tundra before."
At that, a thoughtful look appeared in Lusamine's eyes.
Gladion and Lillie exchanged a glance.
Even Faba, who was calibrating a machine, could not help looking over.
Huiyuan