Pokémon: Above the Top

"Master, your ramen is served!"

"Thanks!"

Under the awed gaze of the other person, Sato began slurping up the ramen enthusiastically.

The noodles were springy, the broth was a thick, and with the addition of seaweed and dried shrimp, the flavor was absolutely delicious.

Within ten meters around Sato, no ordinary "citizens" dared to get close. But that didn't stop them from gazing at him from a distance with admiration and reverence.

And the reason for all of this was the Beast -Pokémon- Houndoom lying at Sato's feet.

That's right. After roughly confirming the social standing of Beastmasters in Ecruteak City, Sato didn't mind revealing a portion of his "strength" to make things easier.

Still, he wasn't a local or someone familiar to the townsfolk, so suddenly showing up was bound to attract scrutiny from interested parties.

But then, a small-scale Beast attack suddenly occurred in "Ecruteak City".

At the "critical moment", Sato made Houndoom save a Beastmaster who was on the brink of death; perfectly seizing the chance to integrate himself into the local Beastmaster circle.

Likewise, news quickly spread throughout the city about this Beastmaster who controlled a hellhound -Houndoom-. The name of Sato's Beastmaster persona exploded in popularity among the locals.

After finishing the ramen, Sato placed a few copper coins he had exchanged two days prior on the table and stood up to leave. Houndoom immediately rose and followed him.

Behind him, the ramen shop owner treasured the few copper coins like they were rare gems. The crowd watching looked on with envious eyes.

After all, those were copper coins given by a Beastmaster!

Sato shook his head silently. In this era, Beastmasters were so rare and so powerful that they had practically been mythologized.

Paying for your food was the norm, but when a Beastmaster ate your noodles and paid, it became your glory.

Little did Sato know that after he left, a flood of customers poured into the shop just to sit in the same spot and eat the same ramen he did.

What a crazy time!

As Sato stepped out of the shop, still undecided on where to go next, he saw a little Sage sprinting toward him.

"Messenger Sato! Messenger Sato!"

The little Sage waved excitedly, worried that Sato wouldn't notice him.

Even though this wasn't his first time seeing the little Sage, Sato still felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

Because the child in front of him looked exactly like the little Sage who stood beside Master Sage in the Bell Tower hundreds of years later.

"Bright eyes" - "white teeth", "refined brows" - "delicate features" …Sato could only describe him using those same eight words.

But after spending two days together, Sato could tell there were some differences in personality between the two.

The little Sage on his time was shy and introverted, clearly a kid who hadn't seen much of the world.

But the one before him now -though still very good-looking- had to regularly participate in rituals at Bell Tower and receive visitors, so he was more outgoing and cheerful.

By his side was a Beast companion exclusive to Sages: a Bellsprout.

And as for the person Sato had saved two days ago… naturally, it was him.

"Messenger Sato, the ritual at Bell Tower is about to begin. The Master sent me to invite you to observe. You might even receive Ho-Oh's blessing!"

The little Sage was full of enthusiasm, chattering nonstop.

Sato thought to himself, 'Ho-Oh's the one who dragged me to this damn place in the first place, and now you think it's gonna bless me?'

What a joke.

Still, Sato had nothing better to do, so he didn't refuse. He had been here for days and still had no clue what Ho-Oh's trial was supposed to be. All he could do was keep looking for hints.

And since the little Sage in front of him looked exactly like someone from hundreds of years in the future, maybe there was something special about him?

They arrived at the Bell Tower, still intact and unburned.

With the little Sage leading the way, Sato successfully entered the Bell Tower.

Every beam, window frame, pavilion, and balcony was carved with intricate Ho-Oh patterns: gorgeous and exquisitely detailed.

"Messenger Sato, this way please!"

The little Sage guided him up to the eighth floor of the Bell Tower. Above that was the altar to Ho-Oh, the most sacred place in the entire tower.

Of course, Sato was an outsider and had no right to go further. He was only allowed on the eighth floor because he had saved the little Sage, a one-time privilege.

Fortunately, the Bell Tower was built with a hollow center. As long as he looked up, Sato could still glimpse the Ho-Oh statue on the altar.

"Please wait here for a bit, Messenger Sato. The ritual will begin shortly. If you pray sincerely to Ho-Oh, you might receive its blessing."

The little Sage whispered a few instructions, then hurried off as if he had other matters to attend to.

Sato sat cross-legged in the best spot on the eighth floor, calmly waiting for the ritual to begin. Houndoom lay beside him, relaxed with eyes closed.

Gengar, of course, was hiding in his shadow. And Zoroark -who could perfectly transform into a human- was allowed to roam freely. With its agility, it might even uncover some secrets.

After a while, more visitors arrived on the eighth floor of the Bell Tower.

When they saw the Houndoom beside Sato, they all kept their distance and sat far away.

Still, there were only so many seats. Houndoom wasn't occupying one, so eventually, some visitors couldn't avoid gradually sitting closer to Sato.

He ignored it all. After so many days, he had grown used to the way "ordinary" people looked at him.

As more time passed, every seat except those directly next to and behind Sato was filled. Everyone remained completely silent, casting cautious glances at him and his Beast.

They knew Beastmasters generally wouldn't cause trouble in the tower; but knowing something and not being afraid were two different things.

Just as Sato thought the ritual was about to begin, three people suddenly entered.

A wave of nervous murmuring rose from behind. Sato raised an eyebrow and turned to look, only to see three Beastmasters arrive at once, clattering as they sat down around him.

Sato tensed slightly, thinking they might be here for him, but at that moment, the ritual began…

Dong~ Dong~ Dong…

Nine chimes rang out in succession. The already quiet Bell Tower fell into complete silence, and all participants took their positions, with reverent expressions.

The three Beastmasters next to Sato were no exception. They pressed their palms together and gazed solemnly up at the statue of Ho-Oh.

Then, the presiding master, and Sages on the ninth floor of the Bell Tower all began chanting in unison.

The chant echoed through the entire tower. Though the volume wasn't high, it reached every ear with perfect clarity.