"Whew~ That feels great."
Looking back at the lush green plains behind him, Silas stretched hard.
Charizard Valley and Ecruteak City were already some distance apart. On top of that, Kiyo had dragged him into some extra "work" yesterday afternoon, so Silas had no choice but to spend the night at a place called Greenfield.
Greenfield wasn't just a generic description of green grasslands. It was actually the name of a small central town.
Though, to be fair, the surrounding wide green valleys filled with flowers and windmills were indeed the reason for its name.
As one of the most beautiful locations in the Johto region, Greenfield featured a Pokémon Center, a massive amusement park, and scenery that naturally calmed the mind.
It was a must-visit stop for many tourists traveling through Johto.
On his way there yesterday, Silas had run into Walker, who was conducting preliminary field investigations.
Based on what Walker said, they were surveying the possible underground ruins Silas had mentioned before.
After all, back in Dark Cave, Silas had encountered Lampent and Sableye.
Both species were commonly found near ruins.
After more than a month of analysis and searching, the Violet Gym and Violet City officials had narrowed the possible location of the ruins to somewhere between southeastern Goldenrod City and southwestern Violet City.
What remained now was luck.
If Unown were present in the unknown ruins, pinpointing the exact location would be extremely difficult.
Unown possess the ability to distort both biological and non-biological perception.
That was one of the main reasons why ruin exploration had made limited progress in the Pokémon world.
No one knew where Unown would appear, nor under what conditions they were born.
These mysterious entities, whose classification as Pokémon was sometimes debated, could "swallow" people whole.
Some victims would reappear unharmed after some time.
Others were never seen again.
Fortunately, experienced investigation teams had developed avoidance protocols over the years.
For this operation, Walker had even invited the renowned Pokémon researcher Professor Hale to lead the team.
As one of the leading researchers in Unown studies, his expertise would be invaluable.
Walker also invited Silas to participate in the ruins' development once they were located, since he was technically half the discoverer.
Silas readily agreed.
Though the professor's name did sound vaguely familiar. Perhaps he had seen it while reading academic papers late at night.
Silas felt rather proud of his love for studying.
Leaving Greenfield behind, Silas soon stepped onto the main road. Before long, a vast valley stretched out before him.
The Valley of Wind.
In the distance, several mountain peaks came into view.
At the far end stood a towering, snow-white mountain piercing the clouds like a giant.
That was Snowtop Mountain.
Although it wasn't the tallest mountain in Johto, it was the tallest in the northern region, and the world's highest Pokémon Center was located at its summit.
Near the peak, temperatures were frigid, and sudden blizzards were common.
It was said that Snowtop Mountain had deep ties to the Legendary Pokémon Articuno.
Travelers often claimed that Articuno watched over them during their journey.
According to local folklore, Articuno arrived at Snowtop Mountain long ago. Since Articuno are known to nest in high mountains and cold regions, many believed one had settled there permanently.
The strongest evidence was a statue of Articuno on the mountain.
Legend states that 1,200 years ago, three travelers became trapped in the mountains. An Articuno found them and guided them to safety. A year later, the three returned and built a statue in gratitude.
If that legend were true, Silas couldn't imagine how powerful a 1,200-year-old Articuno would be.
It would surely rank among the strongest of its kind.
That said, Silas wasn't planning to go that far today.
His destination, Ecruteak City, lay southeast of the Valley of Wind's center, still quite far from Snowtop Mountain.
If he were to investigate Articuno's traces, that would have to wait until after challenging the Ecruteak Gym.
Even though it wasn't directly on his route, Silas was extremely curious about potential Legendary Pokémon. A small detour wouldn't delay his badge-collecting progress this year.
Besides, Legendary Pokémon like Articuno rarely harmed humans. Its temperament resembled Suicune among the Legendary Beasts, relatively gentle.
Perhaps many Water- and Ice-type Legendaries were like that. The Fire- and Electric-type Legendary trios, by contrast, seemed far less outwardly amiable.
Still, Silas possessed the Rainbow Wing.
Even if Snowtop Mountain were replaced with Thunder Mountain or some volcanic peak, he wouldn't mind.
As Silas walked through the Valley of Wind, his thoughts drifted away on the strong gusts.
True to its name, powerful winds frequently swept through the valley without warning or pattern.
For many Trainers, it was a dangerous passage. Silas' distraction quickly cost him.
A sudden violent gust hit.
He couldn't stop in time and face-planted straight into a massive rock ahead.
A face-brake was technically still a brake.
"Ow, ow, ow…"
He clutched his face in pain.
Thankfully, no one was around. Otherwise, his hard-earned reputation might have ended here.
At that moment, Silas noticed Pidgeot's Poké Ball at his waist shake slightly.
He raised an eyebrow.
"Come out, Pidgeot."
"Piiidge!"
As soon as Pidgeot appeared, another gust roared through the valley.
This time, Silas was prepared. He sheltered beneath Pidgeot's broad wings and remained unaffected.
Dusting himself off, Silas asked,
"What made you want to come out all of a sudden?"
Normally, when traveling in the wild, Pidgeot—his "lazy senior brother"preferred staying inside its Poké Ball.
According to Pidgeot, it had protected the boss long enough. Now it was time for the youngsters to step up.
Considering most of Silas' Pokémon were quite young, the two-and-a-half-year-old Pidgeot could indeed be considered "elderly."
It was nearly ten times older than the youngest, Alolan Vulpix.
Of course, it wasn't the oldest.
Karrablast, having lived wild for years, was much older. Kirlia wasn't any younger either.
Wild Pokémon generally progressed in strength more slowly compared to those trained by humans. That was why more and more Pokémon were willing to become human partners in recent years.
They weren't foolish, Quite the opposite.
Especially when it came to their own growth.
Pokémon Professors usually attributed this difference to the bond between humans and Pokémon. A long-standing tradition in the Pokémon world:
When in doubt, attribute it to bonds.
Unscientific, But very Pokémon.
"Piiidge!"
Pidgeot folded its wings and chirped, attempting to explain.
Unfortunately, the strong winds distorted its expressions, making them difficult to interpret.
After a brief silence, Silas released his translator.
Blaziken.
"Blaze, blaze—blaze blaze."
Blaziken listened attentively and quickly finished translating.
"Next time, just ask Kirlia to handle this kind of thing (ー_ー)ノ. Using Aura to read minds is exhausting."
Before returning to its Luxury Ball, Blaziken didn't forget to complain about its Trainer.
It wielded Aura, not psychic powers.
Aura was primarily used for sensing, not mind-reading or translation.
Those who could use Aura were called "Guardians" or "Aura users" mainly because of their combat capabilities, not clerical skills.
"If you keep talking, I'll just catch a Meowth and have you all replaced," Silas shot back irritably. These Pokémon were getting more and more disrespectful.
He really wondered who they learned it from.
Though it wasn't entirely an empty threat.
A long time ago, Silas had been very interested in Team Rocket's Meowth.
He had even considered capturing it early and making it his feline strategist. But after becoming familiar with James, he had abandoned the idea.
The Team Rocket trio, they were better off staying together. Come to think of it, James recently mentioned they were catching Pokémon in the wild.
That technically counted as poaching.
Maybe he should report them sometime.
He might even get a reward.
Silas felt rather pleased with his logic.
With their backgrounds, there was no way the trio would stay locked up for long anyway. It would practically be robbing the rich to help the poor.
"Piiidge."
Pidgeot tapped its Trainer lightly with a wing, annoyed.
This time Silas understood.
Pidgeot was asking what he thought of its idea.
"Using the Valley of Wind's irregular gusts to train and break through to Elite level?" Silas pondered.
Honestly, he hadn't considered it.
Zero hadn't provided any related analysis either. Most likely because there was no data on Pokémon breaking through to Elite level within the Valley of Wind.
That was one limitation of his "cheat."
As his Pokémon grew stronger, Zero's usefulness would inevitably decline.
After all, Pokémon mystique ultimately surpassed technology.
Looking at Pidgeot's expectant eyes, Silas nodded.
"If that's what you want to do, then go for it."
As he spoke, he released Gigalith.
"Gigalith, I'll need you to carve out a small cave in the rock wall."
Even if Pidgeot's intuition proved correct, the process wouldn't be short.
It looked like he would have to delay his trip to Ecruteak City. Hopefully Kiyo, waiting at Mt. Mortar, wouldn't get too anxious.
Out here in the wilderness, Silas couldn't contact him via Pokégear anyway.
Still, Trainers going ten days or even half a month without news was common.
As long as they weren't dead, everything was fine.
"Well then, give it your all," Silas said with a smile.
If there was no data, then he and Pidgeot would create it. He had absolute confidence in his old partner.
"Piiidge!"
Pidgeot flapped its wings excitedly.
"First, we need to find a suitable location. Preferably a narrow canyon with sharp rock pillars at the bottom. If loose rocks fall occasionally, even better."
Silas narrowed his eyes as he planned.
Zero might not help, but that didn't mean he couldn't.
"Gigalith, scan the surroundings for a place that matches that description."
Having just completed the temporary shelter, Gigalith immediately received its second assignment.
A sandy-yellow glow radiated from its body like ripples, spreading outward.
Five minutes later, Gigalith stopped and nodded.
Silas snapped his fingers.
Good. Step one complete.
"Let's go take a look."
Led by Gigalith, Silas pushed deeper into the Valley of Wind, using its massive body as a windbreak. Meanwhile, Pidgeot wobbled slightly in the sky, already beginning its irregular flight training.
In theory, it wasn't much different from the erratic airflow exercises in specialized training facilities.
Silas guessed that natural wind and artificial wind differed in subtle ways.
To humans, it might feel the same But Pokémon likely sensed the forces differently.
Soon, they arrived at a cliff's edge.
Gigalith rotated slightly.
Silas' expression turned odd.
"You mean down there?"
Gigalith nodded again.
Silas licked his dry lips.
"Got it. Return for now, Gigalith. Pidgeot—it's your turn."
Flying down in this environment?
That was beyond thrilling.
Still, for Pidgeot's advancement, Silas waited for a brief lull in the wind and quickly climbed onto Pidgeot's back.
Almost immediately the winds resumed, roaring louder than before. Silas watched as a massive boulder nearby was torn loose and hurled off the cliff.
"Boom."
Four or five seconds later, the sound of impact echoed from below.
Good.
Based on free-fall calculations.
Roughly a 100-meter drop.
Without daring to approach the edge, Silas had already deduced the approximate depth.
"Alright. Let's move."
He took a deep breath and patted Pidgeot's back.
..
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