Happy times are always brief. Before long, the person Victini cherished most—Empress Zhangsun—fell ill and passed away.
Victini's grief was boundless. In the end, he placed all the feelings he had for Empress Zhangsun onto little Xiao Sizi, and only then did he begin to recover.
But only a few years later, Xiao Sizi passed away as well. Victini's sorrow deepened. Day after day, he crouched alone in Lizheng Hall, where Empress Zhangsun had once lived.
Time trickled on. Soon, Li Shimin, too, reached his twilight years.
He missed Empress Zhangsun and Xiao Sizi terribly, so in the mountains he had a Guanyin Temple built for them. In an unobtrusive little room inside the temple, he placed lifelike statues of Empress Zhangsun and Xiao Sizi.
When the temple was completed, a grey-haired Li Shimin led Victini out of Lizheng Hall and brought him to this shrine dedicated to the two of them.
The moment Victini saw their statues, the missing and longing he had kept in his mind overflowed.
He drifted up, gently alighting in Empress Zhangsun's open palm and on top of Xiao Sizi's head, exactly as he used to when they were alive.
Seeing Victini like this, Li Shimin smiled in relief. The final knot in his heart eased.
The grey-haired emperor sank down to sit on the floor and began telling Empress Zhangsun and Xiao Sizi all that had happened over the years.
He spoke to them for a long time. At last, he stood and looked at Victini in Empress Zhangsun's palm and said, laughing softly, "Victini, you've been with us for so many years. We've grown old, but you're still just the same as ever—haha."
"If there's somewhere you want to go, then go and see it. And you can always come back here anytime, to sit and chat with the two of them again."
Still musing aloud, Li Shimin turned to walk out.
"Ah, time flies so quickly. I've grown old as well. In the blink of an eye, our first meeting feels like yesterday."
"Victini, you will meet them—the one you're meant to wait for."
Li Shimin, already halfway out the door, turned back and tossed out this seemingly out-of-nowhere line.
Victini didn't know who it was he was supposed to be waiting for. But he couldn't bear to leave the Empress and Xiao Sizi he loved.
So he didn't do as Li Shimin suggested. He didn't go traveling, didn't go searching for new friends. Instead, day after day, he talked with Empress Zhangsun, kissed Xiao Sizi on the cheek, just as always.
Seasons turned; years slipped by. Whether under the scorching sun of summer or the heavy snows of winter, nothing outside ever touched the stillness of the little room where Victini stayed. With time, drowsiness overtook him, and slowly he drifted into sleep—just as he used to—nestled in Empress Zhangsun's hand.
Oceans changed into mulberry fields; the human world went on its busy way.
Victini woke to a chorus of chattering voices. Only then did he realize the room—and the courtyard beyond—was crowded with people.
He took a short flight around and finally understood what had happened.
Back when Li Shimin had this temple built, he planted a ginkgo tree here. Centuries passed—more than fourteen hundred years—and the sapling had grown into a towering giant.
Recently, that ginkgo had become famous, drawing crowds of visitors to the temple.
It was the noise of the tourists that had woken Victini.
Understanding, Victini drifted back—somewhat dispirited—into the little room with the statues of Empress Zhangsun and Xiao Sizi.
Only then did he begin to ponder the last thing Li Shimin had said to him all those years ago.
He thought for a long time. And then, suddenly, a spark of insight.
(When he said I'd be waiting for someone… could that person be among these visitors?)
So Victini left the room and perched in the ginkgo tree, watching the crowds, hoping to catch sight of the one—whoever it was—that he was meant to meet.
…
"Victini? Victini? Are you okay?"
Victini pulled himself out of his memories and looked at Auron and the others, all of them watching him with worried faces. He shook his head and made himself smile.
Everyone let out a breath. Good—nothing was wrong. Victini's sudden daze just now had given them all quite a scare.
Auron picked up where Serena Elm had left off.
"Even if you're planning to wait here for someone, that doesn't stop us from going out to have some fun together."
Serena leaned in at once. "Exactly! And there aren't many people coming here right now anyway. How about you come with us for a few days?"
Her eyes shone. Besides the Pokémon, she'd been the one playing the wildest with Victini just now. She liked Victini so much—she simply had no resistance to him whatsoever.
Auron saw Victini waver and, smiling, rubbed the tips of Victini's ears. His voice was gentle.
"Right. We'll go out for a few days, and then we'll come back. When we head back, we can bring you here again. It won't affect your waiting at all."
Victini looked at Auron, then at the Pokémon who had just been romping around with him. A smile blossomed; he nodded.
"Yay! That's great!"
Serena hopped up in delight, scooped Victini from Auron's hands, and planted a big smooch on his cheek.
Victini had never been ambushed like that before. His face flushed red; he darted free of Serena's palms and hovered in the air with both hands clapped to his cheeks.
Seeing him like that, Auron, the others, and the Pokémon couldn't help bursting into laughter. Joy spilled into the air around them.
After a while, when Victini had calmed down, Auron beckoned him to perch on his shoulder.
Victini glanced at Auron's shoulder, then at his head, and without the least hesitation flopped down atop Auron's hair.
Auron chuckled and didn't mind. He lifted a hand and patted Victini's tiny backside. "When we run into other people, remember to go invisible, okay? If you show yourself outside, you'll cause a sensation."
Victini nodded, half-understanding. Auron didn't press the point. With Victini perched on his head, he headed out.
Victini, it turned out, had understood enough. Whenever they passed temple staff, he blinked out of sight right on cue.
They recalled their Pokémon and made their way back to the car. Jace Rowan exhaled like a great weight had lifted.
"Whew—good thing we picked this time and this spot while it's still not crowded. Otherwise Victini would have to stay invisible the whole trip."
Auron nodded, laughing. "For real. Not many people go traveling right after finishing their college entrance exams without taking a breather first."
Most folks took a few days' rest after exams before heading out to relax.
They joked and bantered their way along, while Victini, still a little amazed, peered all around the inside of the car. Auron tapped his back and then gathered him into his arms.
"The car's about to start moving, okay? Sit tight."
Victini nodded, excitement glimmering. Since waking, he'd seen these things called cars, but only from a distance. He'd never actually ridden in one. Finally, he had the chance.
The engine turned over, and soon they were on the national highway.
Victini plastered himself against the window, watching the trees sweep backward along the roadside. He was spellbound, the twin tail-fins behind him—like little wings—wiggling with delight.
(End of this chapter)