Chapter 228: The One Who Fell Into the Inner World

Hikari: "Did Champion Adack mention a certain forest to you?"

Altano paused to recall: "It must be the Central Forest—there are many strange legends there, but our rangers are stationed nearby and haven't found anything unusual; after all, most legends are just legends."

"But Champion Adack never told me specifically what he was searching for."

Hikari frowned slightly and silently called upon the Linking Tree.

"Did Adack find you?"

"Did the C Device succeed?"

It wasn't surprising that he concealed the fact about Wave Ripple—it was to avoid being mistaken for a Legendary Dragon.

But the Linking Tree gave a negative response.

【Note 1: No! No! Traveling between worlds is not simple. People from the Inner World can journey to other worlds with strong desires, but if they lose their ties in the real world, they will return to the Inner World.】

【Note 2: People from the Surface World cannot enter the Inner World or the Linking World unless their will is strong enough. Theoretically, only the developing C Device allows free travel between worlds. However, under special circumstances, people from the Surface World may suddenly fall into the Inner World—or into someone else's world—but this phenomenon doesn't last long; they'll just think it was a strange dream.】

【Note 3: The hearts of Unova are divided; the Linking Tree is not omniscient and can only offer limited help and advice.】

【Note 4: Champion Adack may have accidentally entered another world, or perhaps that part of the information has vanished.】

【Note 5: Note that the Linking Tree cannot detect the true nature of Inner World residents. Those who enter the Inner World from the Surface World undergo transformations in appearance, identity, language, emotions, and personality—and the same applies to those traveling from the Inner World to the Surface World!】

【Note 6: Also, few know that when entering the Inner World—from the Linking World to the Inner World (someone else's world)—a player's identity undergoes drastic change, and this is also reflected in other individuals who enter the Inner World.】

【Some may be elementary school students in reality but become baseball players in the Inner World; others may be men in reality but become girls in the Inner World.】

【Note 7: The dreams and ideals of humans and Pokémon, swirling like vortices, converge and flow to form another true world distinct from reality.】

【Linking Task: Find the traces of Adack.】

【Reward: Released Jade ×10, Ideal Energy ×1, True Energy ×1.】

【Description: The Unova Champion has disappeared! This is a major event—without a Champion's guidance, heroes cannot step onto the stage of the future! Plasma's damage to hearts will intensify! Although Adack usually doesn't bother with affairs anyway.】

Fallen back from the Surface World to the Inner World. Got it—it's the Resident System.

The Resident System exists only in Pokémon Black/White.

In the Black City and White Forest, each resident has a friendship value that starts at the beginning of the game and decreases by 5 points per day; battling a Trainer increases it by 5 points. When friendship drops to zero, they disappear into the Inner World and never reappear.

These people are those who came from the Inner World to the Surface World.

"What's wrong?"

Altano, seeing Hikari remain silent for a long time, grew concerned; Hikari snapped out of it and smiled: "Nothing, just thinking about some things."

"I came to Unova to find Champion Adack—we had an agreement. I'll head to the location you marked to search for him. Thank you."

"You're welcome!" Altano sighed in relief; Hikari's expression had been strange, and he'd feared the psychic might be mentally exhausted from overusing their powers.

Only two Pokémon remain. Although Altano offered to escort them back to their original cities, Hikari said they were heading there anyway and didn't want to trouble him.

Nurse Joy spoke up at that moment, her expression apologetic:

"The Pokémon Centers in Driftveil and Dragonspiral Tower have also been searching for the Trainers of these two Pokémon, but sadly, no one has come forward to claim them."

"Although you say they're from these two cities, it's possible the Trainers abandoned them and then left or moved away."

"We've checked other cities' Pokémon Centers too—we found some Trainers with similar records, but after contacting them, all denied ever abandoning their Pokémon."

The Trainer may have disappeared out of guilt, or simply let go of their attachment, or maybe they just didn't want these Pokémon anymore—no matter the reason, the truth remains: their Trainers cannot be found for now.

Upon hearing this, Altano spoke up again:

"I'll stay in Unova for a while longer. After I return to the Ranger Union with my friend's account, I need to report on the Blue Crystal matter—it's been bothering me."

"If they've lost their Trainers, returning to the wild of their homeland is still a valid option—I believe that. If you need help, just contact me immediately! As a Ranger, it's my duty!"

"But if they're willing to follow you, that's also a wonderful outcome."

The renewed Chief Ranger struck a heroic pose, waved to Aty, who was still observing the blue-furred puppy, then left the Pokémon Center with confidence and a joyful smile.

On the other side, Riolu knew Aty meant no harm—his behavior was just incomprehensible to a Shiftry—so it didn't attack, but it firmly refused Aty's attempts to pet it!

No way!

The blue-furred puppy kept waving its hands politely, tirelessly stopping Aty's abstract gestures and forbidding any physical contact!

Fortunately, the Chief Ranger's departure drew Aty's attention away from the puppy, and Riolu immediately sighed in relief.

Humans really have strange quirks!

"Oh wow, he's completely regained his confidence! Your power is incredible—is this what psychic ability is like?"

Aty stopped teasing the puppy, astonished by Altano's departure, and became even more intrigued by Hikari. His sharp gaze also noticed the medal in Miss Yangkui's hand.

That ancient aura?!

Aty froze slightly, then felt the ancient aura was strangely familiar—as if he'd seen it before at some art exhibition or location. He strained his memory to compare...

Oh! It's exactly the same feeling as that unnamed ancient statue!

"You just said you're a craftsman... this medal—"

Aty had an unbelievable suspicion!

Could it be that the statue, crafted with master-level artistry, was made by this very person?!

Though it seems like a coincidence, perhaps fate's encounters are simply that miraculous!

Hikari: "Ah, Mr. Aty, thank you for bringing Chief Altano to me—I've now obtained crucial clues."

"Exactly!" Aty raised an eyebrow: "Then as a reward, challenge my Driftveil Gym!"

"And your sculpting art is fascinating—I have a favor to ask: could I have one of these medals?"

Even as he said it, Aty found himself smiling wryly.

As a Gym Leader, he'd always given out badges—but now he was asking for someone else's medal. This thing is practically the same as a badge!

"Of course."

Hikari generously gave him one medal; only a few remained.

After receiving the medal, Aty examined it closely—he was now 80% certain.

"... Are you free tomorrow?"

Aty suddenly made a strange request: "If you're free, would you join me for a visit to the Driftveil Gallery?"

The Driftveil Gallery is actually located on the fashionable street where Hikari now lives—not far at all.

"The gallery displays many artworks; all Unova artists discuss their creations with me at the gallery or the Gym. I'd like to invite you to see it."

"If I'm not mistaken... the 'ancient statue' I saw in Nacrene City—was it made by you?"

Aty's voice grew slightly excited:

"The ancient statue in Nacrene... that strange artistic aura from a distant past... and that bizarre Treecko statue that won first prize at the art exhibition, defeating my own work—ah, that statue must have been inspired by the ancient one!"

"I guarantee—if Unova's artists see that ancient statue, it'll become a hot topic!"

Aty stared intently at Hikari and delivered the explosive news!

Miss Yangkui: "Ancient statue... sounds like a powerful relic."

Aty: "Of course! Beautiful lady, I can assure you—this statue will spark a massive retro trend! You'll understand everything once you see it!"

As he spoke, Aty pulled out a photograph from his pocket. Miss Yangkui stared at the statue in the photo; even without touching the original, she sensed its faint ancient aura, as if it transcended time itself.

"Incredible..."

"Right?! Just looking at the photo, you can feel the ancient aura rushing toward you! Such extraordinary craftsmanship—"

Aty turned his fiery gaze back to Hikari!

Hikari: "That was indeed something I sold to Mr. Bourgeois—but it was an early work."

It was the truth.

If he sculpted now, he could easily create something far superior to that statue.

Hearing this confirmation, a heavy stone lifted from Aty's heart, yet a volcano seemed to stir within him—his excitement surged uncontrollably. He'd felt disappointed returning from Nacrene, but now—he couldn't have returned at a better time!

"Then it's settled! Tomorrow at 1 p. m., please come to the Driftveil Gallery entrance!"

Aty's heart brimmed with anticipation as he spun away from the Pokémon Center in an abstract dance, leaving Hikari once again marveling at the eccentricity of artists.

"Mr. Aty seems very happy... then I'll take my leave too!"

Miss Yangkui carefully tucked away the medals, saying the children would be thrilled to receive them. Her Honchkrow stood beside her, while the Pidove turned back three times, softly cooing twice.

It was a message for Hikari: say goodbye to the last two Pokémon—the Sproutling and the Axew.

The Pokémon who found their home and purpose had departed; the remaining ones now seemed lonely—like being left alone at school after all the other children had been picked up by their parents.

"Then, for now, come along with me."

Hikari carefully stored the last two Poké Balls; these two Pokémon' homelands were exactly where he was headed next.

Leaving the Pokémon Center, he arrived home by evening. Nally had spent the whole day learning from Shieldon and thanked him happily before leaving.

"From Skyarrow Bridge to Vast Poni Forest, then to Nacrene City and Opelucid City."

"From Driftveil City to Reversal City, then turn right toward the Mirage Forest, cross the Fantasy Bridge to White Forest."

"From Reversal City, turn left across the Charizard Bridge to Humilau City, then to Driftveil City."

These are key locations in the game—but in the game, you can't fly between them; in reality, there's no such restriction.

Hikari planned to visit Vast Poni Forest first, since it was the closest.

After visiting Nacrene and Opelucid, he'd return to Driftveil, then head to Reversal City—either left or right, and finally go to Dragonspiral Tower and the Undersea Ruins.

He needed to go to Nacrene because Adack had stayed there; upon reflection, Nacrene clearly had strong connections to the Dream World.

Miss Zitan.

She's a furniture designer who struggles to create beautiful furniture. After the protagonist visits the Dream World, Miss Zitan asks them about "furniture only seen in dreams" and provides unique Dream World furniture.

Also, the Dragon Stone unearthed from the Ancient Castle is displayed in the Nacrene Museum—but it probably isn't there yet.

Finally, there's Uxie.

Yellow Sacred Valley, once a giver of knowledge, will appear at the entrance of the Nacrene Museum after the Heart's Hollow storyline concludes—and now, this place holds Unova's oldest history and knowledge.

The Legendary Pokémon of Sinnoh appear in Unova because these two distant regions are actually connected in spatial terms, linked through the Hollow of the Heart, a dimensional rift.

"Come to think of it, there's one item that exists only in Unova."

That is Alloy Metal.

It is a special item used to evolve Alloysnake into Alloysword Dragon, forged from multiple layered sheets, a purely modern industrial artifact originally obtainable only in the Blueberry Academy version.

As for whether it might affect other Steel-type Pokémon—if it's a metal block forged from layered stacking, then its "texture" should still be quite good?

"The night sky over Fly Cloud City has grown quiet. Let's make some items."

Just as Guang Tai was about to begin working, the Blue Crystal Pendant suddenly emitted a faint, hazy glow!

Shieldon and Leafeon both went on alert.

The psychic sense detected malice; the spiritual energy sensed a malevolent mind lurking nearby. Shieldon's single eye scanned left and right, then its shadow suddenly stretched, slithering out through the door crack!

"Hmph—"

Something outside flashed past, struck by the shadow's ambush, and fled in disarray!

Leafeon flung open the door, sprinted outside, and used psychic sense to detect changes around him—the malicious psychic energy gradually receded, wounded by Shieldon's strike!

On the ground, apart from scattered fragments of clothing, there were also machine-like remains.

【Item: Camera Robot Remains (Rolling Bat Design).】

【Description: A disguised camera robot used by Plasma Group to surveil certain individuals, capable of perfect mimicry, nearly indistinguishable to the naked eye, with high performance and advanced long-range radio wave transmission technology. Owner: The Dark Iron Triangle.】

【Note: Plasma Group's technology may be reverse-engineered using Galactic Team's radio wave signal techniques.】

(End of Chapter)