Chapter 133: The Plate in the Abandoned Manor
The next day, Ryan and his companions parted ways with Ash and headed for the abandoned manor where the Plate was located.
Many trainers were catching Pokémon or challenging other trainers in Petalburg Woods. Along the way, Ryan and his companions encountered three trainers who offered to battle them.
However, Ryan had no desire to fight, while Sapphire enthusiastically accepted their challenges and, of course, won all three matches. Sapphire's current Pokémon were Torchic and Poochyena. Torchic had exceptional potential, and Poochyena was high-quality. Ryan envied the protagonists' luck; almost every Pokémon they caught was at least high-quality, and exceptional potential wasn't uncommon either.
Although his Pokémon were all high-quality, without the system's appraisal ability, their performance would likely be much worse.
After walking for a long time, Ryan and his companions arrived at the dilapidated manor. Ryan released Metagross, and Ruby followed suit with Mightyena and Gardevoir.
"What's wrong?" Sapphire asked.
"Typically, dilapidated, uninhabited buildings become home to Pokémon, and most of them are Ghost-types," Lillie explained. "Psychic-type Pokémon can usually sense Ghost-types, and Mightyena is a Dark-type, so it's particularly effective against Ghost-types."
Sapphire nodded in understanding. The four of them entered the house. Ryan said, "Let's split up and search. Lillie and I will check the back rooms, and Ruby, you and Sapphire search the front."
"Got it," Ruby said.
Ryan led Lillie to search the back rooms. The rooms were badly damaged and covered in dust. The dust kicked up as they searched, making Lillie cough.
"Are you okay? How about I do it myself?" Ryan asked.
"It's fine," Lillie said. "Look, Ryan, it looks like a diary."
Lillie found a notebook while searching. They opened it and saw that it was indeed a diary. Although they didn't know who owned it, the handwriting suggested it was written by a child, a little girl.
"Sunday, sunny. Today, Mom bought me a beautiful dress. I love it, and Shiro likes me wearing it too."
"Wednesday, cloudy. The medicine tasted terrible, but luckily Shiro was there to keep me company."
"Saturday, sunny. Mom and Dad said Shiro was the reason I couldn't get better, saying it was cursed. They drove it away, and I'm so lonely."
As the diary entries continued, it became clear that the little girl was ill, and as the diary progressed, it seemed she had passed away. Ryan was curious about the Shiro she mentioned. What kind of Pokémon was it, driven away by the adults and called cursed?
However, the diary didn't mention what species it was, so Ryan and the others had no way of identifying it. He was, however, very interested in this Pokémon named Shiro. He wondered if he would encounter it again.
After some thought, he put the diary into his backpack. He then searched several more rooms, but found nothing resembling the Plate fragments.
He did find quite a few Pokémon, but they were mostly Ghost-types, with a few Grass-types as well. Most of them didn't like sunlight, like Shroomish or Paras.
After searching the back rooms, they still couldn't find any trace of the Plate.
They reunited with Ruby and the others, who had also found nothing.
"At this point, we really need to call in an expert," Ryan said, rubbing his chin.
"Expert?" Ruby and Sapphire asked curiously.
Lillie was also confused at first, but then she understood and nodded as each released their Togepi.
That's right, can't find anything? The Super Luck Pokémon is your best bet! Lost and confused? Follow Togepi, and you'll definitely find what you're looking for.
Whenever you're stuck, why not ask Togepi?
The two Togepi hadn't played together in ages, jumping and frolicking in the air. Then, accidentally, they bumped into the wall, scraping off some dust and revealing a hint of blue.
Ryan admired the blue hue on the wall and silently praised the original owner of this house: Using Arceus's Plate fragments as wall tiles is incredible!
He had Metagross float over and knock the Plate fragment off with Meteor Mash. Ryan collected the fragment and said, "Alright, retrieval mission complete. Next, let's head to Rustboro City."
After recalling their Pokémon, everyone left the area and continued their journey toward Rustboro City.
In Unova, a young man with long green hair, holding a Zoroark, smiled and said, "Ryan? He can understand the voices of Pokémon? It seems we are kindred spirits."
The young man had a video phone in front of him. On the other end was a person in a black robe, but judging by the figure beneath the robe, it seemed to be a woman. She said in a muffled voice, "You can go meet him. After all, you said you might be similar people."
The young man shook his head and said, "We're not the same, but I'd like to meet him."
"He should be in the Hoenn region now," the black-robed woman said.
"Well, consider it a vacation," the young man said.
"I hope things will change," the black-robed woman said.
"I hope so too," the young man said.
With that, he hung up the phone and walked out. Two people wearing white uniforms and white caps were standing outside the door. When they saw the young man coming out, they said respectfully, "Lord N."
That's right, that young man with long green hair was Team Plasma's figurehead—N. Though crowned the king of Team Plasma, N holds no real power. He's merely seen as a symbol of Team Plasma's authority and unity, a puppet of Ghetsis. But for now, it seems Team Plasma hasn't yet taken action regarding the legendary dragons Reshiram, Zekrom, and Kyurem, and the Unova region remains relatively peaceful.
"I'd like to go to the Hoenn region," N said indifferently.
"But Sage Ghetsis forbids you from traveling freely. Our plan must begin," one of the Team Plasma members said.
"Is he the leader of Team Plasma, or am I?" N said with a cold glint in his eyes.
"Lord N, I dare not presume." The two men immediately fell to their knees, begging for mercy.
"Prepare a plane for me. I won't say it again," N said coldly. "If Ghetsis has any problems, let him come to me."
"Yes, Lord N," the two Team Plasma members said immediately, then quickly retreated and began preparing transportation for N.
"Hmph." N exhaled heavily, touched Zoroark in his arms and said, "When will this kind of life end? I just want Pokémon to live freely and hope to build an ideal world!"
Zoroark nuzzled N's cheek and gave soft encouragement. No matter what difficulties he encounters, it will stand by him!
(End of Chapter)
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