Aspiring to become a Pokémon trainer

A pinkish-white full moon rose into the sky. The cruelty of the blazing sun could not overshadow the gentle moonlight. It slanted down, completely engulfing the world in sight, and reflecting Guleton's astonishment and fear.

"Roar!"

Raising its forelegs and bulging its muscles, the crimson behemoth naturally refused to submit. It shattered the airflow, causing an airburst, and landed on the rock wall of the tunnel in one step. Its body was like a fully-driven train, rushing straight towards Nanyin, straight towards the end of the radiance.

A full-speed, violent ramming.

The two powerful forces collided, causing the earth and rocks to tremble. The entire tunnel shook as if it had experienced a miniature earthquake.

boom.

As the sound faded, the last rays of the clear sky were completely obscured by the rising moonlight. When the dust settled, Guleton had already bent his knees, his body covered in wounds, his head bowed and his steps faltering. Clearly, in the most direct confrontation just now, he could not break through the accumulated advantage of restraint and force, and was forcefully suppressed.

Even a legendary figure like Nanyin cannot easily defeat Nanyin in the present day.

The stalemate was broken with a single blow, and the enhancements from Crystallization and Mega Evolution gradually faded. This was also a considerable burden for Diancie, but out of concern, the girl did not insist.

"Muma?"

Floating to the disheveled behemoth, Zhenyi extended his hair ribbon and tentatively touched the beast's forehead. After eliciting an extremely angry roar, he immediately hid behind Nanyin, baring his teeth in a provocative manner.

This is simply human nature.

You're not convinced? Hmph, I have humans backing me up, do you?

Perhaps even the little guy himself didn't realize that in just a short time together, that initial, shallow affection had transformed into many emotions he had never experienced before: dependence, a sense of security...

"Everyone, please wait a moment. This Pokémon is not wild; it has been marked as caught in the Pokédex."

Stopping everyone from taking any further action, Ye Ci's gaze pierced through the ruins of the fourth observation station, looking deeper into the distance.

That place is the end of this journey, the experimental center of Zone Zero.

Chapter 223 The Deceased Parents and the Truth

"President Yeci, are you saying that this big guy has been subdued?"

Pointing at the massive beast that was crouching and breathing heavily, Nemo's face showed undisguised surprise.

"Yes, the League provided Orin and Dr. Fortu with a certain number of Master Balls in the hope of including the corresponding unfamiliar Pokémon and getting closer to the truth."

Without denying it, the information displayed in the Pokédex indicates that the former is indeed the Pokémon included in the corresponding Master Ball.

The so-called Master Ball is specially made by Silver Corporation and represents the pinnacle of human technology to date. Its construction materials are incredibly comprehensive, making it virtually impossible for any Pokémon to break free. Furthermore, Pokémon captured by it can sense the power of their trainer, thus accepting their fate with peace of mind.

Normally, Master Balls are never sold to the public. Only the Pokémon League can order them from Silver Company in fixed quantities, and these balls are often used to reward trainers who have made outstanding contributions to the League.

Just like the one in Nan Yin's hand, it is a symbol of the friendship she formed with Tianxi and a manifestation of mutual trust.

"Everyone, look, I've found the doctors' records about that Gulletton from earlier."

Peony, panting slightly, took out a yellowed document from the dilapidated survey station and stopped in front of the group.

[...Thus, Milton was successfully transferred, and Fortu also settled Milton properly. However, as expected, its temperament was indeed very volatile.]

"Huh? If this information is accurate, then Milton refers to that big guy who's always with Nan Yin?"

Looking closer at the azure lizard beast beside the girl, everyone roughly guessed that the similar-looking Pokémon was Milton, the one described in the text.

"Yes, the child has never told me about his origins, but as the journey progresses, we are getting closer and closer to the truth."

"The fourth observation station was destroyed like this, obviously it was destroyed by it and its enemies. The remaining information is just fragmented and incomplete sentences. Only by going to the research center can everything be made clear."

With her fingertips gently stroking the boy's thin forehead, Nan Yin would not question him about his concealment.

Introverted cats need to be accepted patiently and gradually. This was true for Eevee in the past, and it is true for this one as well. Since we have already made our choice, we should not disregard trust.

"The fourth lock has been opened, let's go."

He turned and walked deeper into the area, gazing at the old buildings in the distance, their doors locked and covered by massive crystal blocks. Even without speaking, Ci understood that his former friend was probably gone...

She pursed her lips, let out a long sigh, and a rare look of sadness and emotion appeared between her brows.

As the toes of the foot crushed the gravel, making a rustling sound, the dazzling and orderly crystal blocks covered the trees and submerged the grass, completely enveloping the outline of the entire building complex.

This is the masterpiece of nature, a creation of boundless power.

"This door has been sealed from the inside, and it cannot be opened even with the old authentication and switch."

Pipa tapped the crystal that almost split the entire research institute in two with his fingers, and looked troubled.

"What about brute force?"

Nemo, eager to try her hand at it, gripped the Poké Ball at her waist.

"It's difficult. If ordinary moves are used, they will probably be absorbed one by one by the Taijing Crystal, and the fluctuations will be calmed down."

Shaking his head, Ye Ci summoned Duolong and inquired about the possibility of the spirit escaping inside. However, the answer was obvious: the excessive confusion of energy caused the moves to go astray.

"I'll do it."

If conventional methods can't break the deadlock, then let's try a different approach.

Wiping the fine sweat from her forehead, Nan Yin slowly closed her eyes and placed her palms against the door.

Waveguides and telekinesis move at will, penetrating in countless threads, gradually tearing apart the structure of the Taijing crystal from the inside out.

Beep—!

An urgent alarm sounded. The research institute located at the deepest part of Zone Zero was known to be dedicated to exploring the secrets of the giant pit, namely, the Taijing energy.

To withstand potential crises, the building's structure is extremely sturdy and cannot be easily broken. The only way to the outside world is through a one-way gate. Once the gate is locked, it means that the research institute is facing a major crisis and urgently needs rescue.

It was very strange that Orin and Fortu did not send any distress signal to the outside world when they closed the gate, but the alarms during the forced opening and closing process were not reduced in the slightest.

The piercing horn still echoed in their ears. The doors of the Zero Zone Research Institute opened unusually slowly, but the process never stopped. Through sight, Nan Yin and the others were finally able to see the interior of this building that had been locked up for who knows how many years.

It is a paradox.

Countless paradoxical beings simultaneously turned their gazes toward the women standing in front of the door.

Ferocious Mushroom, Majestic Fang, Iron Thorn...

The Pokémon that could cause such a stir in the land of Padia with just one now appeared in hundreds or thousands of numbers. This astonishing scene immediately left everyone stunned and unable to calm down.

At the same time, those locked inside the research institute rushed out through the gate without hesitation, causing the ground beneath their feet to tremble frequently. A short while later, the dull thud of heavy objects hitting the ground echoed once again.

It is the same as the previous Leighton and many other illusory paradoxes.

No longer looking at each other with hostility, this is part of knowing the truth. The beasts of the past will no longer indulge in desires. They gaze at this research institute, and after only a moment, they pass by the paradoxical species, leaving a few people to face the vast ocean tide.

"This is bad."

Although the Pokémon in Zone Zero follow their instincts and wildness, their power is by no means weak. In game terms, they are at a very high level. Ensuring safety in such a large number and entering the research institute is not easy.

Moreover, the cave's geological condition is unstable, and using high-intensity area-of-effect attacks could easily cause it to collapse. Of course, even if it was unexpected, Nan Yin immediately thought of a solution.

"King Gorgon, Poison Spikes, Stealth Rock."

Once moves break free from the framework of combat, they will have more ways to be used.

"Bang!"

The azure scorpion spread its wing membranes and glided slowly from the heights, scattering sharp rock spikes and bluish-purple scales.

Driven by instinct, the paradoxical creatures, whose nature had been suppressed for too long, were clearly unable to understand the situation and gradually fell into a coma as their injuries worsened.

"Thank you for your hard work, Nan Yin. Normally, paradoxical species transferred through legitimate channels should be under the management of Orin and Dr. Futu, but the current loss of control means that the internal personnel are in deep trouble."

He explained the current situation, and then lowered his gaze, engaging in a long conversation between his crossed heels.

"As we just saw, the Zero Zone Research Institute is locked down. Not only us, but also Gullerton and Milton cannot break down the gates and force their way in."

"Although I don't know how those Pokémon from the future and the past, which defy common sense, came to the modern era, both Orin and Fortu are geniuses that are rare in thousands of years. With the help of the Master Ball, these Pokémon should not be able to harm them."

The paradoxical species of unknown origin, the intersection of the future and the past, the injustice of contradictions and struggles, and the strange behavior of the two doctors so far—all the answers lie behind this door.

“Papa, we should go see your father and mother.”

A bitter smile curved her lips; no one knew what emotions the black-haired beauty was feeling when she uttered those words.

Unwilling to show vulnerability in front of her juniors, she pretended to wipe her eyes and led everyone behind the gate toward the room where people had been wandering.

Click, click...

The wide corridor was filled with fragments of crystal, which jingled underfoot and echoed incessantly in the deserted passageway.

It is enormous, eccentric, and bizarre. The more you observe it, the more you discover all sorts of unusual structures. But once you get there, there is not much point in thinking about it any further.

After walking through the broken pipes for several minutes, the group finally saw what they were looking for.

broken.

This word came to everyone's mind.

Whether it's the various paper documents scattered all over the floor or the dusty building walls, no matter how you look at it, there's a lack of recent human activity here.

Just as the young people behind Nan Yin noticed these abnormalities, two clear, cold voices rang out at the same time.

"...Human reaction detected, backup plan activated."

In the distance, amidst scattered cardboard boxes and packages, two figures leaned quietly against chairs, watching the crowd.

The woman, Dr. Orin, is dressed in primitive attire; the man, Dr. Fortu, is dressed simply.

Looking at the figures lost in thought, Papa was stunned for a moment, then heard them continue speaking.

"...Confirmed to deactivate sleep mode."

Their eyes lit up one by one with red light composed of pixels, and then the two stood up, walked over with smiles, and stood in front of the crowd.

“I’m so glad you were able to get here before your remaining energy ran out. And Ci, your arrival was especially a surprise to me.”

Whether it's breathing or enunciation, a human's tone of voice should always have subtle variations, but the two men's voices remained consistently calm, without any ripples or fluctuations.

"Therefore, Leton's personality is too violent. In order to avoid harming you, I have put it into a Poké Ball in advance."

He took out a purple and white sphere from the inside pocket of his coat to show it off. Just as he had initially thought, it was indeed the Master Ball that Ye Ci had mentioned.

However, having arrived here, everyone was filled with confusion, bewilderment, and incomprehension. The boy, who was silently bowing his head and clenching his fists, had so much to say that he wanted to tell them.

So, he finally couldn't hold back any longer, gently pushed the others aside, and walked right into the sight of Orin and Futu.

Who are you?!

Pipa's voice was extremely varied and complex.

Surprise, doubt, sorrow...

From the moment he stepped into the Zero Zone Research Institute, or even earlier, he had imagined countless times the scene of reuniting with his parents, imagining himself holding back tears and questioning the years of indifference and neglect.

Why did his parents go to Zone Zero and never return, and never contact him again? Why did he only feel unfamiliarity and estrangement when he saw his parents again?

Perhaps, Pipa, who was separated from them at a young age, also didn't know much about her father and mother.

But at this moment, the abnormality of the Zero Zone Research Institute was extremely obvious. The documents and cardboard boxes scattered on the ground, and the yellowed research data all proved that this place had not been properly maintained for several years, let alone any trace of human life.

If that's the case, then who are the two people in front of us?

Faced with Piper's questioning, both Orin and Futu's expressions changed. Unlike their earlier calm smiles, they looked at the boy's face and fell into a brief silence.

It wasn't until a while later that a low, somber voice finally broke through.

"There is something we must apologize to you for: using someone else's identity."

“We are not Dr. Orin and Dr. Fortu themselves, as you have probably realized to some extent.”

Piper could sense the abnormality in the research institute. In fact, before they even met, Nan Yin had realized, through subtle clues, that the two doctors had probably already lost their lives.

Looking at the figures in front of me, their bodies and bones are no different from those of humans, but subtle differences can still be seen in their structure.

"I am a robot."

At this point, both Orin and Futu gave their answers.

"The former PhD devoted all his knowledge and memories to creating artificial intelligence. That AI program is still maintaining the operation of the time machine, and we are robots driven by AI."

"Once...once?"

Piper pursed her lips and looked at the robot in front of her, which was almost identical to her parents, but the robot remained silent.

"The real Doctors died in the accident at the Fourth Observatory. The Doctors, no, it would be more appropriate to call them Orin AI or Futu AI now."

"Therefore, Milton's personality is too ferocious, and its sense of territory is too strong. In comparison, Milton is much more reserved and timid. However, the difference in temperament and strength between the two individuals will eventually lead to a fight. In the incident at the Fourth Observatory, the Doctor stepped forward to protect Milton."

The two AIs looked at the young man in front of them, their words devoid of emotion, merely mechanical explanations based on rational thinking.