Chapter 137: Rustboro City
Early the next morning, Ryan and his group bid farewell to Kelly, preparing to continue their journey to Rustboro City. Kelly watched them leave and noticed an Altaria that had come to see them off. The Altaria circled hesitantly in the sky, looking from Ryan and his group to Kelly, its expression conflicted.
"Go ahead, Altaria," Kelly said. "But don't come back inside the protected area. We have to follow the rules. Once you leave, you'll be a wild Pokémon. I can't interfere with what happens to you then."
Altaria landed and nuzzled Kelly's cheek, then let out a long cry and chased after Ryan and his group. The Altaria and Swablu in the forest also chirped loudly, blessing their companion.
Ryan paused at the call, then smiled and continued on his way. Once outside the protected area, he looked up at the sky. Altaria had descended and landed right in front of him.
"Training with me is exhausting," Ryan said, pulling out an Ultra Ball and holding it toward Altaria.
Without hesitation, Altaria chirped, its wing tapping the button of the Ultra Ball, instantly being captured. The ball swayed and then stopped.
"I caught an Altaria!" Ryan said with a smile.
"I'm so jealous! Why didn't any Altaria want to follow me?" Sapphire cried unhappily.
"Don't be ridiculous! How much have you done for them?" Ruby said, patting Sapphire's head.
Then, he was knocked down with a single punch from Sapphire. Lillie watched the whole thing with a smile, without comment.
A few days later, Ryan and his group finally arrived in Rustboro City. Standing on the city's highest observation deck, they surveyed the coastal city.
"Let's go to the Rustboro Gym first, then take the boat to Dewford Town after the match," Ryan said.
"That's fine with me," Ruby said. "But there's a Pokémon Contest in Rustboro City tomorrow, and I plan to participate. Can we leave the day after tomorrow?"
Ryan patted his shoulder and said, "You have your own goals. Just tell us, and we won't stop you."
"Thank you," Ruby said.
Sapphire and Lillie had gone shopping at the mall. Ryan and Ruby, uninterested, sat on chairs at the observation deck waiting for them.
They discussed their next itinerary, discussing Pokémon strategies and moveset modifications. A man with long green hair and a baseball cap sat down next to them. The next second, Ryan jumped up and took a defensive stance.
"What's wrong, Ryan?" Ruby asked curiously, observing Ryan's reaction, which looked like he'd seen a ghost.
"Get away from there, Ruby. He's dangerous," Ryan said.
Looking at the green-haired man sitting there, Ryan felt a constant warning: This man is dangerous!
"You must be Ryan," the man said, looking up.
Only then did Ryan see his face clearly, and his pupils contracted. He knew this man—N, the "King" of Team Plasma!
How could he be here? was Ryan's first thought.
N looked at the defensive Ryan and Ruby, who immediately stood up beside him. He smiled, "Don't be so wary of me. I mean no harm."
This smile immediately dispelled Ryan's sense of danger, but it also made him even more cautious of N.
"Who are you?" Ryan asked, playing ignorant.
"Just call me N," N said. "If you don't mind, would you have a battle with me? A Pokémon battle?"
"I refuse!" Ryan said.
He knew N well: he was a formidable opponent, a self-proclaimed "hero," and could use persuasive language to confuse his opponents, even causing their Pokémon to question their trainers.
Furthermore, his arguments weren't typical villain rhetoric; instead, he offered philosophical analyses based on observable facts, often leaving his opponents unable to refute him.
So Ryan was deeply wary of N. It wasn't because his strength surpassed his own. It was because his convictions were too strong, possessing an intense idealism. When such a person became obsessed, he could be truly dangerous!
While Ryan was still on guard, Ruby pressed the switch on the poke Ball at his waist from behind, releasing Feebas and placing it in N's arms.
"Ruby! What are you doing!" Ryan shouted.
"I didn't do anything!" Ruby said innocently.
Ryan turned around and saw two Rubys staring at each other. He was momentarily confused: What's going on?!
But one of the Rubys immediately gave a mischievous grin. Ryan saw it, combined with his memory, and instantly understood. He gritted his teeth and said, " Zoroark!"
Ruby smiled and transformed into a small black fox. Its body was gray-black, with light blue pupils and black fur on its neck. Its limbs, around its eyes, and the flame-like protrusions on its head were all dark red. Who else could it be but Zoroark?
Seeing this, N smiled, held Feebas, and asked it, "Where are you from? Why were you caught?"
Feebas made blank sounds for a few moments. N nodded and said, "So you were caught by Ryan to repay a favor. That's wonderful! But don't you think Pokémon should be free? Poké Balls are just constraints!"
Feebas shook its head and responded earnestly.
N nodded and said, "I understand. As long as you feel happy."
After that, he returned Feebas to Ryan. Ryan immediately picked up Feebas and said, "N, what exactly do you want?!"
"Nothing, I just wanted to meet someone who can communicate with Pokémon," N said with a smile. "If possible, I'd like to join you and travel with you for a while."
"Do you think we'll agree?" Ruby frowned. He also sensed that this N was no ordinary person; it would be too dangerous to bring him along!
"Don't worry, I only have one Zoroark," N said with a smile. "And, Ryan, I want to give this to you."
N finished speaking and handed a white orb to Ryan. Ryan took the white orb and examined it. Three groove-shaped marks appeared on the otherwise perfectly round orb, making it look ancient, weathered by time.
"What is it? This white orb?" Ruby leaned over and asked.
Ryan's face was serious. "Do you know what this is?"
"Yes. Ideals and reality," N said, pulling out another black orb from his pocket.
Ryan hesitated and said, "Are you sure?"
"Will ideals become reality? Or will they be crushed by reality? I really want to know," N said.
"That's not how ideals work," Ryan said in a serious voice.
"Well, I've roughly understood some of it. I'm also grateful for some people's advice, but my ideals won't change!" N said seriously.
"Fine, I agree," Ryan said helplessly.
Ruby: Huh? Huh? Huh? What the hell are you two talking about?!!!
(End of Chapter)
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