Of course, in addition to the five Pokémon in the first echelon, Aoki also assigned training tasks to Roselia.
Although this might only be temporary for their time on the island, as the only support-oriented Pokémon on the team, Florette played a crucial role.
Aoki didn't want Florette to falter at a critical moment.
Thus, he ensured Florette received proper training, focusing primarily on the move Grassy Terrain.
It had to be said—while Florette's potential was relatively low compared to the rest of Aoki's team, its value couldn't be understated.
If Aoki had tamed a Florette like this earlier during his trials on the island, his life would have been much easier.
Moreover, Florette's lower potential didn't diminish its importance.
When it came to Grassy Terrain and other support moves, Florette performed exceptionally well—despite having little formal training in them.
Every time Aoki watched Florette practicing its support techniques, he couldn't help but nod in approval. It was a hidden gem.
After assigning training to the main battle team, the five younger Pokémon also needed to participate.
For now, their training focused more on physical conditioning. Mastering their bodies now would be far more beneficial than rushing into move practice, laying a solid foundation for their future growth.
As Aoki oversaw the training, an unexpected figure appeared beside him—
Altaria.
Aoki was surprised to see Altaria approach.
The majestic Dragon/Flying-type let out a soft cry, observing the training Pokémon before nodding approvingly, as if acknowledging their disciplined efforts.
After a brief hesitation, Aoki activated Telepathy, linking his mind with Altaria's.
"Hello, Altaria. My name is Aoki—I'm a Pokémon Trainer." A faint blue glow flickered in his eyes.
By now, Aoki had grown quite adept at using Telepathy.
Altaria tilted its head in surprise, clearly not expecting the human before it to communicate this way.
"It's me speaking. This is Telepathy—a special application of psychic energy," Aoki explained.
"Hello, Aoki!" Altaria's voice resonated in his mind—clear and melodic, carrying a mature tone befitting a mother (given that it was raising two Swablu).
Aoki smiled. "Is there something I can help you with?"
Altaria hesitated, its expression thoughtful. Aoki waited patiently.
"You… you're from the outside world, aren't you?" Altaria finally asked.
The question made Aoki stiffen slightly.
Outside?
Did it mean beyond the island? Or outside the Illusion Barrier surrounding it?
Before Aoki could answer, Altaria sighed, reading the confirmation in his expression. "I thought so. You really are from out there."
"Is the outside world… vast?"
Longing shimmered in Altaria's eyes.
Aoki sat down, gazing at the starry sky. The island's barrier, likely crafted by a powerful Psychic-type (perhaps Mew?), obscured the outside world—yet the night sky remained visible.
"How did you realize this place isn't part of the 'outside world'?" Aoki asked carefully.
"Once, before my children hatched, I tried flying beyond the island. But no matter how far I went, I always ended up circling back—as if trapped in an endless maze," Altaria explained.
As one of the strongest Pokémon on the island, Altaria faced no threats here. Nothing could stop it from leaving… except the island itself.
"Then how did you know the 'outside world' existed?" Aoki pressed.
Altaria's gaze grew distant. After a moment, it answered:
"The father of my children… he was from the outside."
Aoki's eyes widened.
An outsider Pokémon had entered the island?
"Where is he now?"
"Gone. He… left."
"Left? As in, passed through the barrier?"
Altaria nodded.
Aoki's mind raced. If this Pokémon could freely bypass a barrier possibly created by Mew, its power must have been extraordinary—at least Champion-level, if not higher.
A Flying-type? A Legendary?
If so, those two Swablu might have even greater potential than Aoki had imagined.
"Do you… want to see the outside world?"
"The outside?"
For a moment, Altaria's eyes burned with desire. Ever since learning of the world beyond, it had yearned to explore it.
But then—hesitation.
It had two children to care for.
Aoki's mind whirred. He saw the conflict in Altaria—its longing clashing with responsibility.
A plan formed.
This was no deception. He was simply… offering perspective.
"You know we came from outside. But we're just scouts. Stronger humans are waiting for our report. Even if we don't return, they'll come eventually—and when they do, they'll target the island's strongest Pokémon. Like you."
As Aoki spoke, Altaria's aura flared—its draconic power surging at the implied threat.