Pokémon, Ash is going to become a perfect man from now on.

Chapter 698 The Wishing Star of Seven Nights, Enemies Meet

Farns, located southwest of Mt. Chimney and north of Lavatown, is a secluded and rarely visited place in Hoenn.

This is a vast valley filled with rugged and towering quartz sandstone peaks. When viewed from above, one cannot help but be awestruck by the magnificent scenery.

However, once you are there, you will find that the roads are extremely rugged and difficult to traverse.

Xiaoyao was in agony. She trudged through the woods, her headscarf now serving as a makeshift handkerchief to wipe the sweat dripping from her forehead.

She glanced at her companion ahead and saw that the other was still walking briskly, which made her feel even more exhausted...

"Higanbana... what are we looking for?" Haruka asked, panting. "Can we rest for a bit? I'm really tired..."

"We're looking for something very important!" Higana said in a deep voice. "We might be there soon, just hang in there a little longer."

Although she was cold-hearted, she slowed down and helped Xiaoyao up so that the latter could move forward on her own.

"What's the important thing... okay?" Xiaoyao asked, puzzled, but only to be met with a rebuff.

Higana wouldn't answer the question; she was alert to her surroundings.

From the beginning, she noticed that Farns' Pokémon were hostile towards them.

She also discovered a desert dragonfly that had been hiding behind the stone pillars, watching their every move.

The Pokémon in Farns should all know the legend of Jirachi, and have spontaneously become the guardians of this wishing star... If I were to casually reveal my goal, I'm afraid they would gang up on me!

The two continued their search and finally arrived at a horizontal cave at the deepest part of the valley. A hint of anticipation quietly appeared on Xijiana's tense face.

This is probably the most promising spot in the entire valley; hopefully, we'll find something there.

(Xi Jia Na, come back to me...)

The girl prayed silently in her heart, unaware that she was about to encounter two of her enemies!

...

"Champion, are you sure this is the place?" Deep inside the cave, Mura watched Daigo search the rock wall with a nervous expression.

The Hoenn champion held a detector-like device and repeatedly scanned a certain spot on the rock wall, but eventually shook his head in confusion.

"Strange... According to the instruments, there was clearly an enormous amount of energy here, so why isn't it here now?"

"Could someone have beaten us to it...? Who?!"

click!

While Mura was feeling anxious, he suddenly heard a noise behind him and immediately turned around to be on guard.

"Oh, it's you two..." Mura relaxed his guard slightly; he recognized both girls who had come.

"Is it someone I know?" Daigo asked.

"Yes, they passed by the Fubuki Dojo not long ago. The one in red is the young lady of the Senri family, Miss Haruka. She is challenging the Grand Festival. The other one is Higanbana. She is very strong. Aysa is no match for her at all."

In that three-on-three gym battle, Higanbana defeated Aysa's entire team with just one Altaria.

As the referee at the time, Murra found it incredibly frustrating to watch.

Putting aside that painful memory of disappointment, Mura introduced the two sides, but when he looked closely at Higana, he suddenly noticed something amiss.

Unlike when she first took on the challenge, Higana hadn't had time to hide herself, which allowed Mura to discover her super bracelet.

In Hoenn, besides the Dragon King Genji, only those of that race can skillfully command Dragon-type Pokémon and also Mega Evolve!

“Higana…” Daigo also noticed the problem. He read the name carefully, his mind racing to recall it.

Unlike Mura, the Zvoch family was in a dominant position in a certain plan back then, so Daigo knew a lot of detailed information.

All Mura knew was that the people who 'kidnapped' Rayquaza were from the Meteor Clan, but Daigo knew their real name.

Like Mura, he was secretly on guard, unaware that Higana was also increasingly unable to suppress her anger!

The champion of the Zuvuki family, former Fire Elite Four member...

She never expected to encounter her enemy here!

These bastards, they weren't satisfied with hurting the Dragon God and killing Shiokana, now they actually want to covet Jirachi's power!

This was his only chance to see Xi Jiana again... and they dared to ruin it?!

“Your name is Haruka, right? Well then, I’d like to get to know you properly.” Daigo smiled and extended his hand to Haruka, as if hoping she would come closer. “I have a friend who’s crazy about Contests, so I might as well introduce you to him.”

"Your friend, isn't that..." Xiaoyao couldn't help but feel flattered.

Having traveled this far, she is no longer a clueless newbie. Daigo is the champion, and his friend Wallace is the champion and a master of finesse. This is the most basic common knowledge in the Hoenn region!

Now Daigo actually says he wants to introduce himself to Master Michael?!

This kind of thing...

"Salamander, Noivern, Altaria, charge!!"

Unfortunately, before May could even savor the treat, Higanbana unleashed her fury and commanded her three Pokémon to launch a simultaneous attack!

"Typhoboros, Flame Wheel!" "Metamorphosis, Psychic!"

However, Mura and Steven were already on guard. The former Fire-type Elite Four member sent out a beast as fierce as a volcano, which easily suppressed the overconfident Altaria. The Champion-level Metagross even fought two opponents at once, using its powerful psychic abilities to defeat both of them simultaneously!

"What...what's going on? Higana, stop right now..." Haruka froze in fear.

She tried to dissuade Higana, but her companion, blinded by rage, simply ignored her and even pressed down hard on the keystone on her anklet!

"Salamander, Mega Evolution!!" "Roar!!"

With its enormous blood wings resembling a blood-stained crescent moon, and aided by the power of its sky-skin, the Salamander sent the Firestorm Beast flying far away with a massive Billion Impact.

But when it tried to deal with Metagross again, it felt itself being held firmly by an invisible force!

"Mental interference!"

hum!

Steven calmly gave the command, and an invisible ripple instantly swept out, sending the three Dragon-type Pokémon flying at the same time, while also forcing Shyvana to kneel on the ground.

"You're a Meteorite, aren't you?" Seeing that her opponent had been subdued, Mura stepped forward and demanded, "You've been following Xiaoyao with ulterior motives, just like back then, planning to take revenge!"

"Damn it!" Higan struggled fiercely, even grinding her teeth.

"Let's talk about what really happened back then calmly, okay..." Seeing her companion suffering, Haruka couldn't bear it and wanted to help her up, but she was startled by Higana's hateful gaze.

"Xiaoyao, come here quickly, that guy is dangerous!" Mura hurriedly reminded her, "I've heard that there's someone among the Meteor Clan who's blinded by hatred. Even the other Meteor Clan members have let go of that past, but she alone is relentless!"

“Mr. Mura, please say no more.” Daigo stopped Mura from adding fuel to the fire and bowed sincerely to Shikana. “You are a relative of Shikana from back then… We are truly sorry for what happened back then…”

"Shut up!" Higana screamed angrily. "Stop pretending! If an apology could save Higana's life, then there would be no need for me, the avenger!"

"What reason do you have for revenge? That Meteorite died from exhaustion, we didn't kill her!" Mura retorted coldly. "Besides, she knew nothing at all, and even ruined the entire Hoenn plan! It's because the plan failed back then that we are so unprepared for the current natural disaster..."

Pa~pa~

Before Mura could finish speaking, several claps, like swatting away mosquitoes, suddenly came from the cave.

The two sides that were facing off turned around at the same time, only to be surprised to find that Ash had arrived there at some point... and that he was followed by a number of people!

"Former King Mura, putting aside the facts, what you said was truly righteous and awe-inspiring," Xiao Zhi said with a light smile as he stepped forward to tease him.

"It's you?!"*2

Daigo and Mura were both on high alert.

But in Xiaoyao's eyes, all she saw was the dawn that illuminated the gloom.

"Ash... is that you?" She stared blankly in Ash's direction, then suddenly lunged forward without thinking, "That's great!"

"Oh my, how unrestrained~" Nanami said with a playful expression behind Ash.

“I see, so it’s sisters again… uh, companions.” Lillie also looked enlightened.

"Well... I can explain this situation." Ash turned around and gave the three girls an awkward laugh, while secretly patting May's back to help her relax.

"Um...sorry!" May finally realized what was happening and quickly moved away from Ash's side.

Blushing, she moved closer to Serena and timidly greeted her, "Long time no see, Serena..."

"Yes, I didn't expect to see you here." Serena chuckled and took May's hand. "Don't worry, Ash will handle things here."

To run into Haruka on a last-minute mission... to borrow Lillie's words, this is truly a special kind of fate~

"Mr. Ash, are you and Ms. Higanbana companions?" Steven asked warily.

"Don't make wild guesses, I don't know her at all." Ash denied it, but at the same time he released his psychic powers to force Metagross back and protect Higanbana behind him.

"I think you're all in cahoots!" Mura said angrily upon seeing this.

"You despicable old man! You..."

"Higanbana!" Ash interrupted Higanbana's scolding, feigning displeasure as he rebuked her, "How can you be so rude... Stop talking about revenge all the time. You Meteor Clan are still alive, and you should be grateful to them."

"You!" Higanbana's face turned cold, but she knew that Ash was trying to help her out, so she could only give up indignantly.

"Mr. Ash, what exactly are you here for?" Daigo sensed the sarcasm in Ash's words and immediately got straight to the point.

"Just like you, I came to find Jirachi," Ash admitted nonchalantly. "Looks like someone beat me to it."

On the surface, he appeared calm and collected, but inside, Xiao Zhi was so worried he wanted to slap his forehead.