Chapter 229: Cresselia

The Shadow Triad, cadres within Team Plasma and the most loyal servants of Ghetsis and Master N. All three share the name "Shadow," and their methods resemble those of ninjas; in the games, they are known for their "sudden appearances and disappearances."

Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that these three guys actually possess psychic powers.

In the timeline of Black 2 and White 2, Cheren mentions that these three have a special ability to restrain others' movements. This is likely the reason why, in the game, as soon as they surround the protagonist and say "Come with us," the protagonist is forced to follow them.

"Using a psychic to deal with a psychic—that is the correct judgment."

Xiang Guangtai picked up the remains of the Woobat robot. This gadget had appeared in the Special manga and was a surveillance device frequently used by the Shadow Triad.

If he could decipher some of Team Plasma's technology from it... Hmm. Team Plasma's technology, eh? Let's think about what Team Plasma has manufactured.

Colress machines?

Mind-control radio wave machines?

Genesect modification surgeries?

Super civil engineering and concrete-pouring technology for building castles under the League?

Flying Team Plasma frigates?

That would be too cool! But that thing requires Kyurem as an energy source; it's impossible to craft by hand, so it's just a fantasy.

If the Team Rocket trio tried it, maybe it would be possible. After all, those three really did use their part-time job earnings to build a rocket capable of reaching space in two days in the TV series. No wonder people say they are the reincarnation of green-skinned beings.

"Wang wu!"

Riolu pointed in a direction, signaling for him to run that way.

"Team Plasma has set their sights on me... That's only natural, I suppose, since I've been noticed by Master N."

"Then, let's call it a day."

Xiang Guangtai looked at the curious passersby nearby and nodded with a smile.

Those people didn't seem to have noticed the arrival of the Shadow Triad. After all, those three were cautious; their coming and going without a trace was no different from a "respawn." Late at night like this, some people who had just finished work and had a few drinks would probably just think they'd had too much if they saw a grown man vanish into thin air.

Then, thinking about it again.

Ah... maybe it was just a passing psychic playing a trick.

Anyway, Castelia City has all kinds of people; there's no need to worry.

"Is this the composure of a big city..."

Xiang Guangtai and his Pokémon returned home. The light of the blue crystal pendant gradually dimmed. Clearly, its sudden glow earlier was a warning, or perhaps it simply triggered its defensive function because the person who had snuck up on him had a heart too full of darkness.

————

"Wu."

In a certain building opposite the Castelia Gym, inside Team Plasma's secret base.

One of the Shadow Triad "respawned" out of thin air.

"I failed. The surveillance robot was destroyed, but I didn't suffer any injuries. Pawniard helped me block that strike; Steel-type Pokémon are very useful as shields."

"The opponent's perception is very keen. He is indeed a special psychic, and his Pokémon are also very troublesome."

The Shadow reported to the satellite-haired scientist before him.

Although, in theory, they could not be driven by Colress, the order to "monitor that person" was issued by their King.

Master N cares very much about that person, so he temporarily allowed them to follow Colress's command. However, the mad scientist before them didn't seem to need all three of them, so he only kept this one.

The Shadow Triad never acts alone.

This time was an exception.

"Huhu! I didn't expect that not only could the Pokémon not get close, but even humans couldn't! My, I thought that since you are also psychics, you would at least be able to trade blows with him!"

Colress wore an expression of exaggerated surprise, then immediately looked somewhat disappointed.

The Shadow remained silent; he had already reported what he needed to report.

"In that case, it will be impossible to monitor his movements at all times. Tracking and investigating will also be very troublesome."

"Psychics with sensory abilities are the hardest type of people to investigate. It really gives me a headache. How am I supposed to collect data like this?"

"To defeat the 'King' of those Pokémon, one needs stronger power. Using machines to draw out the potential of Pokémon, making them better, higher, stronger, and larger—is the final form of scientifically enhanced Pokémon the form of a King?"

"The more I think about it, the more curious I become, and the more I can't hold back, but I don't have good experimental samples to prove it."

"Forget it. The atmosphere here in Castelia City is no longer suitable for Team Plasma's activities. In any case, one piece of information gathered is that he will leave Castelia City soon, right?"

"Mr. N just sent a message. The next cities for promotion are Nimbasa City, Driftveil City, and Mistralton City. Let's go there first; let the peripheral members handle things here."

Colress doesn't really like dealing with infiltration and organizational planning. In his view, these are stumbling blocks that delay his scientific research progress, but it just so happens that an excellent target has been set as his research subject.

The only thing he is loyal to is his own thirst for knowledge.

"No, I think I can continue tracking."

The Shadow spoke suddenly, and even Colress was stunned for a moment.

What kind of wind was blowing?

These people who only swore loyalty to Ghetsis and Master N were actually taking the initiative to offer an opinion?

"From just now until now... I feel like my body has undergone a slight change."

The Shadow's eyes were thoughtful; he was also surprised that he actually had the urge to express himself proactively at this moment.

During the approach earlier, there was no doubt that some kind of subtle ripple emanated from the opponent's house. That should have been some kind of psychic power, or perhaps the Ghost-type energy of that giant sword. But after that ripple brushed over his heart, the Shadow discovered that he seemed to have become... slightly better at thinking.

This kind of thinking doesn't mean changing from stupid to smart, but rather being able to view certain things from a different perspective than before.

Although this feeling is somewhat unreal, the sudden burst of desire to express himself at this moment is actually the best side evidence!

"Next time, I won't let him discover the camera robot..."

Colress was quite pleasantly surprised: "I know, I know! There are many more here! If you want them, take them all! It's amazing that you would actually take the initiative to continue this mission!"

"Since you still want to continue tracking and investigating, if you discover anything important, such as the reason for the Pokémon's surge in power, contact me immediately. My machine signal is always at full bars."

"This mission was originally a long-term one. Although you failed, if you still want to continue, then there is no problem at all!"

Colress issued the order to continue the mission, directly erasing the small flaw of the mission failure, and continued his research, starting to test and record data on some Pokémon captured by Team Plasma.

As for the Shadow, he continued to think in his heart.

What kind of power was that ripple that brushed over his heart... Why, as someone who had existed as a tool for years, did he suddenly feel a sense of "the nightmare is over" just now...

But his loyalty had not wavered in the slightest, whether toward Ghetsis or Master N. Just because Ghetsis had once saved the lives of the three of them, they had sworn lifelong allegiance to him.

If his loyalty hadn't wavered, then why did he feel this strange and absurd sense that his current life was a nightmare?

This is a question worth thinking about. In the past, he would never have had such thoughts.

Therefore, the answer lies with that person. Is it his power, the power of his Pokémon, or the power of some tool he manufactured?

Information gathered from the Pokémon Center earlier showed that he seems to be a backpacker, or rather, an item craftsman?

By the way, from the information found, it can be discovered that he previously gave those who retrieved their Pokémon a special medal. The Castelia Gym seems to have one too.

Should he go steal it? But this is an autonomous action. If he fails, it will definitely cause the security level here to rise, which is a high risk. Now Castelia City is already undergoing social rectification. If the rectification level is raised again, this secret base here will have a slight risk of exposure.

Of course, just a slight one.

Perhaps there is no need to be impatient. That person should still be handing out medals to more people. What exactly does he want to do...

In the end, reason overcame this inexplicable impulse. The Shadow did not act rashly and decided to proceed according to the original plan.

————

After half a night of dismantling, Xiang Guangtai certainly had something to show for it!

Although Team Plasma's technology is quite good, this is ultimately just a camera robot. Its positioning is merely surveillance and tracking, so most of the technology it carries is related to hiding, filming, and interference.

And as it happens, Team Galactic's radio signal science is considered second to none among all the villainous organizations in the region.

【Obtained: Machine camouflage and drive knowledge!】

【Obtained: Signal activity and interference knowledge!】

【Attached: Production knowledge for corresponding machinery.】

【Can manufacture: Camouflage surveillance robot, radio protective shield, machine substitute, Team Plasma anti-interference and signal badge, Red Card (signal version), Target (signal version), evacuation backpack (signal version).】

【If more Team Plasma and Team Galactic research technology is obtained, more powerful machines can be manufactured.】

【Related technology: Hiding, can be known after obtaining more information about Team Plasma technology.】

【Note: Using Team Rocket's cheap machine manufacturing technology can quickly manufacture such machines and ignore some manufacturing conditions for machines, including advanced machines, but will bear certain risks.】

【Risk: Explosion probability +50%, instability +30%, malfunction probability +30%, overload and loss of control +50%, usage efficiency reduced by 30%, success rate against similar instruments -30%.】

【Cost-performance ratio +300%, cheap is the hard truth.】

Although most of the machines look high-end, the actual functions haven't changed much. As for advanced machines and more related technologies, they couldn't be dismantled from a single camouflage robot. However, regardless, Xiang Guangtai was still very satisfied.

Team Plasma would never have imagined that the one who deciphered their technology knowledge, which they were so proud of, was the scientific technology of Team Galactic from across the sea. It can only be said that radio signal science is indeed one of the most important means of manufacturing various machines.

It started with Team Rocket pondering this stuff, creating the rage evolution radio wave, and subsequently, other villainous organizations in other regions basically poured all their tech points into this area. Giovanni is still a step ahead of the bosses of other regional organizations when it comes to causing trouble, possessing long-term strategic vision.

Considering that when he obtained Team Galactic's knowledge earlier, he had already been prompted that he could go to the lairs of those villainous organizations to acquire some secret technology, Xiang Guangtai even wondered if Arceus's true body also wanted to play with scientific technology, which is why it reminded him to go there?

Science is the ladder of human progress.

"Two important battle items have also been obtained: Red Card and Target. Come to think of it, these two things were indeed added to the game in the fifth generation and were developed in the Unova region."

Having obtained new items, and compared to those advanced machines, the Red Card can be manufactured now. Its true form is a radio signal card.

Of course, when obtaining this part of the knowledge, there were special notes behind the Red Card and Target, and some content was also mentioned in the production knowledge—

【The Red Card is a card with magical power. After the Pokémon carrying this item receives damage from any attack move, the attacking Pokémon leaves the field, and a random Pokémon is replaced to take the field.】

【Using mysterious inscriptions, mysterious voucher craftsmanship, and powerful psychic/spirit/dream energy, one can manufacture a Red Card that does not require radio signal drive and is indestructible.】

The Target is the same.

These two types of items have both "mysticism" and "science" production routes. In the fifth generation, the Red Card is also one of the very few items that can be obtained from the Dream World. The power attached to it is completely different from conventional items.

"Besides these, the first thing that should be manufactured is the radio protective shield."

This is a square machine that looks like a die. It can be unfolded by hand, which is very convenient. It uses radio signals to interfere and shield. It was originally a machine manufactured by the International Police after analyzing Team Galactic's technology, and it also has excellent effects for interfering with Team Plasma.

However, now, Team Galactic is still active, and Team Plasma hasn't developed new radio instruments yet. The use this radio protective shield can be put to has become very great; it can be used in almost any situation!

As the night deepened, Castelia City also became completely silent. The bustling city only becomes quiet during these few hours. Xiang Guangtai and his Pokémon rested for a few hours, and Team Plasma didn't continue to send people to monitor them.

And in the backpack, the wooden fake Lunar Wing suddenly emitted a hazy faint light.

Not just one, all the Lunar Wings were glowing, and at the same time, the blue crystal pendant once again surged with a faint light, but this time it was not a warning.

A strange Pokémon appeared in the blurry halo. Although Xiang Guangtai did not enter the Dream World, he did indeed see that Pokémon in a "regular dream."

【To think someone can see another world in a dream... The fake Lunar Wing, why does it have the same power as the real Lunar Wing?】

【Who are you? Your soul... This voice is...】

【So that's how it is... Someone who can create Lunar Wings, someone who hears the echoes of the Spirit Realm.】

That Pokémon requested as such.

【Please do me a favor.】

Xiang Guangtai opened his eyes, and the strange call in the dream disappeared along with it.

"Cresselia?"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 230 =====