Roy took a few Oran Berries from his pocket and handed them to the last few Lycanroc lying on the ground.
After watching them eat, he called to his Pokémon to continue leaving Pawnee Valley.
The most powerful Pokémon in the Pawnee Valley pack was this Lycanroc. Their goal of building teamwork had been achieved, and there was no reason to waste time here any longer.
Besides, if they didn't leave soon, Roy worried that these beaten Lycanroc would recover and challenge Lucario to another battle.
Lucario's current condition wasn't suitable for continued fighting.
Roy had initially suggested that Lucario return to its Poké Ball to rest for the time being.
But Lucario insisted it wasn't seriously injured and didn't want to go back into the Poké Ball, so Roy stopped insisting.
Then all the Pokémon witnessed Roy turn his back and wipe away tears with his sleeve.
"My baby has grown up so much..."
Salamence remarked that it had seen countless plots like this in novels and remained completely unmoved.
But it was Ninetales who reacted the most dramatically, curling up its large tails and stomping its feet as it circled around Roy, occasionally nudging him with its head.
Roy peeked out with one eye, then cried even louder.
Blastoise stated that it didn't want to acknowledge this embarrassing guy as its Trainer.
Is it too late to change Trainers now?
Lucario shook its head.
It should be too late.
After this bout of joking around, Roy and the others approached the exit of Pawnee Valley.
The exit was much narrower than the interior of the valley, and Roy had to turn sideways to squeeze between the two cliff faces.
Salamence flapped its wings and soared into the air, not understanding why its Trainer didn't choose to fly out with it.
In fact, the moment Salamence took off, Roy felt a twinge of regret.
But it was useless to say anything now.
The path he chose, he had to finish even with tears streaming down his face!
Seeing that the other Pokémon naturally had more convenient ways to leave the valley, Roy felt even more dejected.
Back in the valley—
The Lycanroc pack was already able to walk while supporting each other, but when they noticed their leader facing the valley exit, standing motionless, they wondered what was on its mind.
A Midnight Form Lycanroc approached first.
What's the leader thinking about? Everyone's ready to head back.
The Lycanroc leader could no longer see Roy, so it withdrew its gaze.
Thinking about... the future of the pack.
?
The other Lycanroc couldn't figure out why the leader had suddenly started acting so contemplative...
The Lycanroc leader smiled and turned around, striding ahead.
It's nothing. I need to think some more. Let's go back first.
Oh, okay.
The Midnight Form Lycanroc responded without fully understanding and followed behind the leader step by step.
On the other side of Pawnee Valley, Roy and his Pokémon had also exited the area.
Until they arrived near the Black Tower, they didn't encounter any other wild Pokémon along the way.
As soon as they reached the ruins of the Altar of the Sunne, they saw Solgaleo and Lunala nestled in an open area around the black tower, absorbing light from the sun.
In the clearing on the other side of the black tower, in just a few weeks, the 'temple' promised by Tapu Koko had already begun to take shape.
Roy had to admire the efficiency of Pokémon—even compared to humanity's most advanced construction technology, it was in no way inferior.
In fact, because of the Pokémon's complete obedience to their Totem and a well-organized rotation system, combined with Pokémon having far more stamina than humans, they were simply ideal for construction work.
Roy examined the outline of the so-called temple and roughly understood that what Tapu Koko wanted to build was a structure that would encompass the black tower within the temple grounds.
Currently, it appeared that only the right side of the black tower was under construction. Though the left side remained empty, it was clear that the other half would be completely symmetrical.
Simple carved suns, supported by columns featuring stick-figure carvings of Solgaleo, stood in many places throughout the clearing.
Stone steps began directly in front of the black tower, followed by a wide plaza. Roy guessed it was intended for battles?
This was Blastoise's first time seeing construction. It took Electivire and Salamence to look left and right, examining various tools they'd never seen before. Their eyes sparkled with wonder, and they refused to leave until they saw how each tool was used.
Lucario, on the other hand, remained at Roy's side like the most diligent bodyguard.
Ninetales was also curious but only took a brief look before raising its small chin with an air of pride.
Tapu Koko held blueprints and instructed workers on where to place each pillar.
Today happened to be its turn to oversee the construction progress.
"Koko~"
Why are you here?
Tapu Koko was quite surprised to see Roy and the others.
After all, it had been dealing with many matters recently and didn't have much time to constantly monitor the internet.
What's more, there were no major threats in Alola's spirit realm now. The Pokémon previously called "Arman" by humans—an Abomasnow—had been captured yesterday and sent to China.
Tapu Koko hadn't had time to inform Roy about this matter yet. After all, it understood that sending Arman secretly to China had probably been Roy's idea all along.
If it had been Solgaleo's decision without Roy's input, then any other country would have been meaningless to it.
Roy was somewhat surprised when he heard what Tapu Koko said.
He truly hadn't expected that Tapu Koko would send Abomasnow to China after capturing it.
This had greatly exceeded his expectations.
So Roy expressed his gratitude: "Thank you so much,Tapu Koko."
Tapu Koko waved its hand dismissively and spoke with a serious expression.
"Koko!"
We should be thanking you.
Thank you for helping us care for the Child of the Stars and successfully bringing our god back to Alola.
As if sensing someone calling its name, Solgaleo lazily opened its eyes, which held a touch of golden light.
Light blue eyes adorned with bright golden stars made Solgaleo look extraordinarily majestic.
But in the next instant, Roy's figure was reflected in those light blue eyes.
Solgaleo sprang up quickly, looking extremely excited as it spread its limbs and bounded toward Roy.
"..."
It's been a long time since Lord Solgaleo has been so energetic...
Tapu Koko said this gently to Roy.