"There are... more?"
Bria, the little Alolan Vulpix, paused mid-bite. The garden around him suddenly grew brighter, silver light spilling across the grass like frost. He lifted his head, voice trembling with wonder.
He remembered clearly the last time they gathered to watch the meteor shower. Back then, Ethan Lin had told them stories about Jirachi.
Seven days later, Jirachi would fall asleep.
Seven days later, their star granting friend would return to slumber.
Bria repeated the words silently.
Then a realization struck him.
Today... was the seventh day.
He froze, then whipped his head toward Jirachi.
Jirachi floated in the air, happily gulping down a bottle of juice. But something was different.
On the golden diamond embedded in its belly, a seam slowly opened, like an eye awakening.
Even so, Jirachi looked more joyful than ever.
Bria felt his little heart tighten.
He rushed to Ethan and tugged at his sleeve with a paw. "What day is it?"
Ethan didn't need to ask what he meant.
Above them, the Millennium Comet tore across the sky, illuminating the world below. The once dim outskirts of the small town glowed like midsummer night, stars flickering like diamonds scattered across velvet.
People stepped out of their homes, drawn by the celestial spectacle.
Although Woodcrest City was not large and lacked towering skyscrapers, the whole skyline seemed to stand under the comet's brilliant arc. Nearly every resident tilted their head skyward, their faces washed in wonder.
"Look, a shooting star."
A mother carrying her son stopped in the street, pointing up at the sparkling tail of light.
"Jamie, do you see that? They say shooting stars grant wishes. If you have a dream, whisper it to the star. Maybe it will hear you."
"Really? Will it come true?"
The boy blinked his big eyes, full of hope.
"If you work for your dream, one day it will answer you."
The mother smiled softly.
Jamie clutched her sleeve, closed his eyes and made a wish.
He wished that someday he could catch his own Pokémon, train it well, and grow strong enough to become a real trainer.
Just then, his mother paused. Something in her gaze sharpened.
The meteor was moving strangely slowly, unlike any ordinary falling star.
But she soon dismissed the thought and continued home, hand in hand with the boy.
Back in Ethan's garden.
Bria stared up anxiously. Ethan placed a gentle hand on his snowy head.
"Yes," he said quietly. "Today is the seventh day."
Bria's eyes widened. "So... today is the day?"
Time felt like it had slipped away without warning. Seven days passed in a blink.
He turned sharply toward Jirachi, voice rising. "Does that mean Jirachi is going to sleep today?"
Halfway through speaking, he faltered.
Because Jirachi was smiling.
Radiant. Peaceful.
Not afraid at all.
Why?
If he was about to sleep for a thousand years, why would he look so happy?
The comet glittered brighter, drawing the attention of every Pokémon in the garden.
At first, many did not understand.
But soon the whispers spread.
Jirachi would sleep.
The comet was the sign.
Mew hovered beside Jirachi, silent, small paws curled close to its chest.
It wanted to stop this, to shield its friend from the comet's light.
But it also understood that Jirachi had a duty. All it could do was stay beside him.
"Chaa..."
Blaze, the Blaziken, slowly lowered the rice ball in his hand. A heavy thought crossed his mind.
If Jirachi slept for so long, how long before he could taste Ethan's cooking again?
Going a day without it was already painful.
A thousand years was unimaginable.
"Cream?"
"Is it really time? Already?"
The Alcremie fluttered anxiously, bumping into each other as they whispered frantically.
The Eevee siblings stood shoulder to shoulder, silent, gazing upward.
Aside from Jiu, their first gift as a family had been from Jirachi, each one receiving a handmade plush toy.
He had touched every life here, even Salamence who often feigned indifference.
Now, the friend who granted wishes was drifting higher. Slowly, steadily.
Sweet, sweet...
Steenee tugged at Ethan's shirt with teary eyes.
Bria looked up desperately. "Isn't there a way? He doesn't have to sleep, right?"
Ethan lifted the confused Sprigatito off the table and placed her gently aside. Then he picked Bria up and held him close.
"This isn't something we can stop. Jirachi chose this. See that comet?"
He pointed upward.
"It holds endless energy. Jirachi will absorb it and return that power to the world. Thanks to him, the land remains full of life."
"But... one year is so long..." Bria's voice quivered.
He gazed at Jirachi's awakening third eye, glowing like a sunlit pearl.
The comet brightened further, light cascading over Jirachi like silver rain.
"It won't be a thousand years."
Ethan ruffled Bria's soft fur and looked around. Every Pokémon watched him, hope trembling behind their eyes.
"Jirachi will sleep only one year. Just one. Next year, he will wake again. And sometimes, he might visit your dreams."
Silence fell.
Then Bria leapt from Ethan's arms in astonishment.
"Really? Only one year?"
"Really." Ethan nodded.
Bria exhaled deeply, relief washing over him.
Around the garden, every Pokémon breathed out too.
A thousand years was too long.
But a single year?
For the long-lived among them, it was hardly longer than a season of meals and naps.