Arceus's Pirate Journey

As Shaina landed, the Sky Plate that had been lodging within her body also responded to Arceus’s summons and separated from her.

Drawn by this aura, nearby Pokemon revealed themselves as well. Beautifly circled the Sky Plate in curiosity, their desire tinged with a trace of reverence, and in the end they merely flew around nearby.

It was late morning now, originally the usual sleep time for Dustox, yet they, too, were awakened and guided by this aura, rousing from their slumber to form two clearly distinct flocks alongside the Beautifly.

A few blue birds directly perched on Shaina’s shoulders. Her body still carried residual traces of the Sky Plate’s aura, which had an immense attraction for Flying Type Pokemon.

Some Swablu were peeking at Shaina curiously from the clouds above, while the little birds on her shoulders were of a bolder species.

The Tiny Bird Pokemon—Rookidee.

It looked like a round blue little bird; rather than a bird, it resembled a ball, but the face and the black fur connecting chest and belly formed a mask-like ornament.

Its eyes appeared very large, but that was actually an illusion. The white area around their eyes wasn’t part of the eyes but markings, within which lay patterns invisible to the naked human eye that could instill fear in timid Pokemon.

These Rookidee weren’t created by Arceus recently; they’re chicks hatched by a Corviknight flock. Though their final form is incredibly imposing, their initial form is as tender as ordinary sparrows.

But if you underestimate them because of that appearance, you’re in for trouble. Rookidee use their small bodies to fly at high speed.

They’ll challenge enemies several times their own size, and even if they lose, as long as they’re still alive, they’ll grow rapidly and learn from the experience.

By the way, Rookidee are neat freaks who cherish their feathers. If you dirty their plumage, you’ll incur their revenge—and they... also don’t like Tinkaton.

The chirping of the Rookidee reached Shaina’s ears, and at the same time a few larger birds flew over in front of her, with even a basket clutched in their talons.

They were Corvisquire, the evolved form of Rookidee. With a bit more training, they would become newly promoted Corviknight.

As the name suggests, Corvisquire look like blue-and-black crows, with white markings around their eyes inherited from their Rookidee stage. They’re also much smarter, with more dexterous claws—Corvisquire can even handle rope and finish packing cargo on their own during transport.

These Corvisquire carrying baskets were gearing up for their future taxi jobs. In a sense, you could call it child labor.

”All right, make way, I’m going to see Lord Holy Beast.”

Shaina knew very well that these Pokemon weren’t being friendly because of her, but because of the lingering aura of the Arceus Plate.

Once she smoothly entered Ghost Island, those Pokemon likewise began circling around Ghost Island in flight, but didn’t come inside.

...

”Lord Holy Beast, I’ve come to plead guilty.”

As soon as she arrived before Arceus, Shaina stated her purpose. She wasn’t here to claim credit, but to seek punishment.

”You brought back the Plate. You did very well. What guilt could there be?”

”No, this was my selfishness. I destroyed Vegapunk’s cherished research records. Those studies and inventions might have contained many valuable things, but...”

”Sorry, I couldn’t hold back my rage. Those biological weapons made from the Lunarians Race bloodline... they filled me with utter disgust.”

”It doesn’t matter. Just petty technology. There’s not much difference between having it and not having it. This world is vast; it won’t stop turning because it’s missing one Vegapunk. Compared to you all, he’s worthless.”

”But...”

”No buts. Since you’re asking for punishment, then your punishment is to put your work down for now and go take a proper break for me. Many things are about to come to an end—just be patient and wait a little longer.”

As Arceus spoke, it also drew the Sky Plate back into its body. A strange vortex suddenly formed in the sky above Ghost Island. In Shaina’s senses, Arceus at that moment was like the center of a star sea, with a vast cosmos stretching out behind it.

A peculiar monsoon spread out from Ghost Island as its center, affecting almost half the New World. Wherever the monsoon passed, fallen leaves and petals danced in the air, composing a bizarre scroll across the sky.