Hidden Passage and the People of Sootopolis

"I wasn't bullying it." Tetsuya shrugged. "This kid's just too timid, that's all. Is Little Pi its name?"

"Yeah, this kid really is a little afraid of strangers."

Captain Stern chuckled as he stroked the Wingull that had hopped onto his shoulder.

Wingull's most distinctive feature was its pair of wings, each more than half again as large as its body.

Even folded up, they were still incredibly conspicuous.

"I can't remember exactly what day I met this kid.

"After retiring, I had plenty of free time. I came here almost every day to fish or enjoy the scenery.

"Then one day, while I was fishing, this kid landed on my head just like it did earlier.

"Of course, it also scared away the Pokemon that had been just about to bite.

"But I suppose that was fate of a sort. Otherwise, why would this timid little thing choose me of all people?

"Ever since then, whenever I fish here, Little Pi always shows up."

Captain Stern gazed gently at the Pokemon on his shoulder.

He had once been a fairly capable Trainer in his younger years.

Otherwise, he could never have accomplished the feat of sailing across the world's oceans with President Tsuwabuki and Genji.

But the dull life of retirement did not suit his old buddies.

So, he had entrusted those powerful Pokemon to old friends, allowing them to live in freer and more well-provisioned environments.

That was certainly a good thing.

Yet Captain Stern, who was often alone, inevitably felt somewhat lonely.

Little Pi's appearance had filled that loneliness nicely.

In Captain Stern's heart,

although he had never caught Little Pi with a Poke Ball, the bond and affection between man and Pokemon had already become incredibly deep.

"Then why call it Little Pi?"

Tetsuya asked curiously