Deep on the first floor of the Abyssal Ruins, Ghetsis stood with two of the Seven Sages at his side—Giallo and Sumra—while Rood, Asura, Yorgos, and even Vio were absent.
Ahead of them, the green-haired young man studying a stele was the recently recalled N.
"As long as we decipher the script of the Abyssal Ruins… we can obtain the power to rule all heaven and earth. This is the ancient might passed down by the Harmonia clan. When the Ruins awakened, I heard its call…"
"If we bring the rightful one—the descendant of the king—he can undergo the King's Trial and obtain that power. They say the crown of the First King is hidden in one of these chambers."
"And there is something even more incredible…"
Ghetsis had found ancient statues here, each brimming with potent energy, which greatly pleased him.
Along the way he had also seen strange "plates," but he had no idea what they were for, assuming they were fragments fallen from the great monoliths.
Bringing N was the correct choice—for hearing the call of the Ruins, and because N could read the inscriptions. Combined with Ghetsis's notes, they could produce an accurate translation.
The knack was uncanny; not even N knew why. He simply felt he could read it—and then he could.
"A tremendous power that rules heaven and earth; a power to make all people understand one another; reveal every secret; gain the Sea King's recognition—and you are the one heir who can inherit it…"
Ghetsis droned on while nursing another plan.
According to the Shadow Triad's reports, N had begun harboring "improper" thoughts. Ghetsis had intended to expose him to the world to attract followers and build his strength, but it seemed his foster son had grown some unrealistic notions.
Such immaturity needed "correction." If he refused to return to the fold… Why hadn't Ghetsis brought the sages loyal to N? Because, if necessary, he meant to seize control of his foster son by force.
If N wouldn't inherit the Sea King's power, then N could just become Ghetsis's puppet.
"Oh brave one, heed the king's words.
"This is where the king bestows praise.
"He who understands prime numbers understands the truths of the world.
"The king turns at the second corner; the king turns at the third, fifth, and seventh corners.
"He has the Heart of a King.
"The king has courage; the king has hope; the king has kindness; the king has dreams; the king has a spirit of adventure; the king embraces all; the king is all-accepting with a loving heart.
"The king shall not fall into hatred again."
N recited and took notes, wholly absorbed by that "main text of history."
But now… they seemed to be lost again. The way ahead ended in another dead end. N shut his eyes and let that mysterious intuition pick a route, but even so, his sense of space tangled into confusion.
Thoom—
A dull sound echoed not far away. Ghetsis's face darkened.
"The mechanism's been triggered again!"
When a mechanism fired, the Ruins unleashed a special force that expelled everyone inside!
Still, since they'd decoded along the way, trial-and-error would do. Ghetsis had the sages record the route so they wouldn't take this wrong path again.
"We'll be back!"
A flash of light—and Team Plasma vanished from the Ruins' interior.
Elsewhere, Hikaru and Caitlin were translating the same lines and had taken a different path.
The first floor twisted like a maze, but Hikaru sent out Riolu, and the blue pup linked its Aura to the Ruins' power to pinpoint the proper way forward.
And by moving with Telekinesis—"intent-borne conveyance"—their steps didn't count!
"This is basically cheating… but psychic power is our power," Hikaru chuckled.
Caitlin, meanwhile, stared at the red monoliths, a little dazed.
"These great stones record Unova's history… And you really did translate the script."
"As expected of a myth scholar and guardian of ruins. Hmph." Her tone made a strange sound, but her expression was pleased.
"Then what we've recorded so far is as follows…"
She happily jotted the lines, already planning to flaunt the research notes to Cynthia-san, and read them softly.
Beyond what N had read, new lines appeared:
"The king embraces all.
"The king bears power to inspire the people.
"The king bears power to shine upon the people.
"The king's steps do not go astray; those who get lost have no right to be king."
"Mm?" Caitlin blinked, tapping her cheek with a finger, puzzled. "Something's off."
"No right to be king if you get lost…"
There it was—the jab she couldn't quite ignore.
Hikaru looked at the red "main text." Dead ends everywhere. That line had been placed specifically at this cul-de-sac.
In truth, this dead end was actually—
"We need to go back."
"We're leaving the Ruins now."
Caitlin frowned. "Why?"
"Because this stele is wrong."
"Then we should find the right stele."
"No—the right stele is this one."
Caitlin froze, brow furrowing as she spun up a brainstorm.
"???"
"Am I… not smart?" The golden-haired beauty looked baffled.
Hikaru rapped the stele, smiling. "Because there's a step limit here."
"Step… limit?" Caitlin blinked.
"Right." Hikaru recalled the first-floor defense. "If you reach this stele within 190 steps, its text is different. Each large monolith's area counts as one step."
"The correct wording is—'The king's steps do not go astray. Brave king, go forth!'"
"Exactly. Because we took over 190 monoliths to reach this point, the text has changed to this scolding version. This stone has power."
Hikaru focused and touched the red historical stele!
[Mythic Artifact: The King's Red Stele!]
[Description: A red "main text" stele recording the words of the ancient First King—the legends of Unova's heroes and monarchs. It holds tremendous psychic power. Only one with the proper "kingly" qualification can truly read it and pass into the depths!]
[Effect: Houses great psychic power and governs the energy of the Ruins and the surrounding sea. Though ages pass, the red stele does not decay! Once activated, it bestows a wondrous force that lets humans and Pokémon converse here without barrier.]
"To collect those plates, we walked a lot of extra tiles. So now we have to exit once."
"Even if we didn't trigger an expulsion, the Ruins are still watching us."
The red stele's power to connect human and Pokémon hearts wasn't surprising—the manga also gave the Abyssal Ruins this effect.
For Hikaru, who could already understand Pokémon, it felt normal.
But to Caitlin it was novel. She suddenly heard Jellicent muttering and bent down in surprise. Hikaru explained:
"The red stelae let humans and Pokémon talk freely. Even if you don't share a language or species, you can converse and befriend one another. That is the Sea King's power."
Caitlin's eyes widened. "It's true… I can hear Jellicent's voice! Eek—you're complaining about Shauntal? I heard that!"
She winked playfully, and Jellicent went stiff.
That wasn't supposed to be said!
Teasing done, Caitlin glanced at Hikaru.
"You're kidding me…" she grumbled.
"Within 190 stelae, you have to reach this stone and read all the text? That's impossible. If you don't know the rule, no one can open the path onward. And—"
"This place is so convoluted. No wonder archaeologists can't make headway even when they find the Ruins. Translation, stele mechanisms, power hidden in history—if you're not the right person on the right path, you can't disturb the Sea King's rest."
"By the way, what are those plates?"
They'd gathered odd plates, ancient coins, and urns along the way, the coins still gleaming.
So collecting those had prevented the text from changing?
Hikaru looked at the treasures in hand.
"These… are Plates, from the Pokémon called a god!"
Yellow, orange-red, crimson, gray…
『Mythic Artifact: Zap Plate!』
『Mythic Artifact: Fist Plate!』
『Mythic Artifact: Flame Plate!』
『Mythic Artifact: Iron Plate!』
He'd only found four on the first floor—unlike the game, the rest weren't present yet.
But the Abyssal Ruins practically held the full set. Setting aside Pixie and Sky, and with Draco and Splash not in the depths but washed up on Undella's beach…
"So we need to gather all the Plates too?"
With Plates came their boons—and new professions.
The Fist Plate matched Martial Artist, which he already had—so he upgraded it, pushing his martial attainment further.
[Martial Artist → Master of Martial Arts!]
[Martial Skill +100% | Integration +100% | Teaching Insight +100% (you can train disciples; their learning accelerates under you).]
[Found a School — mighty Trainers and Pokémon will come to learn; Fame +50%.]
Two of the new "professions" were also augment types.
『Gained Professional Lore ×3』
『Fire Expert: Mastery of Fire-type knowledge. +100% to all uses of flame; greatly boosts friendship with Fire Pokémon. Your cooking/forging/firing improve.』
『Researcher: Mastery of research craft. You've studied with multiple Professors; greatly boosts friendship with Electric Pokémon. Research +100%; gained information-construction techniques. Can also craft Porygon.』
『Mechanic: Mastery of mechanical disassembly. You hold multiple engineering skills; greatly boosts friendship with Steel Pokémon. Mechanics +100%; gained upgrade/disassembly abilities. Can also craft Enhancement Plugins.』
Hikaru guessed:
Some remaining Plates might map to jobs he already possessed. The Mind Plate, for instance, should map to Psychic—but he was already a psychic.
Since Mechanic, Researcher, and Martial Artist were preexisting, or he already had similar abilities, no "mystic blueprint" popped for those. But the Fire Expert did unlock something new:
『Obtained Mystic Artifact Blueprint ×1』
[Magma Suit — a suit blending Team Magma and Devon Corp. tech; withstands any impact; enables travel and protection in space and spacetime.]
A genuine space suit, using Devon's latest tech; in the storyline it's what Brendan/May wears to fly with Rayquaza into space.
With it, he could even go to space. So… modern human science's crowning jewels could count as "mystic artifacts," huh.
Hikaru and Caitlin exited—but their route to the red stele was recorded. With their minds extended, the once-twisting maze clarified.
"The puzzle's about primes. At prime-numbered intersections you must turn. Follow the hints to reach the red stele and go deeper."
"At intersections with non-prime sequence numbers, go straight."
Pa-pa. Caitlin patted a statue she'd picked up on the way out, studying it. "Pretty finely made… looks like a gallant swordsman."
"Come to think of it, the powers to inspire and to shine upon the people… sound just like yours, Tenchou."
She blinked and hid a laugh behind her hand. "A heart that lifts others, sunlight that bathes them—by that measure, you truly fit a king's qualifications."
"But I'm not Harmonia; I don't have the right to inherit this place. I'm here to investigate—and to clear the challenge."
Hikaru waved it off. Inwardly he mused he did have a title as an ancient king, but the Relic Castle loss wasn't undeserved. No wonder one of the twin heroes reclaimed it later. Here the Abyssal Ruins had super-power and super-wisdom, plus the tao dragons and almost a full Plate set—what could you even fight him with?
In the end, the twin heroes realized the error of war and reconciled. The nation later fell because their descendants rekindled conflict and enraged the Black and White Dragons.
"What did you experience at Relic Castle?" Caitlin propped her chin, curious. "A strong mental force blocked my foresight. Is there something in that undeveloped city?"
Hikaru: "The ancients' mental force is like lingering souls. No—more like formless heroic spirits, radiant and scorching like the sun."
Caitlin listened closely, lashes trembling as thoughts welled up—and her curiosity for the Ruins grew.
She wasn't Unovan, but Unova's legends—and souls lingering for millennia—were fascinating.
"If it were in Sinnoh… we'd have more stories of Pokémon."
She murmured softly.
The Abyssal Ruins had four entrances; any exit worked. The proper stele lay at the first floor's center.
They left from the west entrance and re-entered. Clicks sounded again as mechanisms shifted, and this time they beelined for the central stele.
This time, the words were correct.
The red "main text" shuddered and began to glide. As it moved, a path upward opened!
At the same time, at the east entrance, Ghetsis led Team Plasma back inside.
When the central stele trembled, Ghetsis's face changed.
"Someone's here."
His expression sank. N and the sages he'd brought adopted wary, thoughtful looks.
"These Ruins repel outsiders and tomb-thieves. Now that the Ruins 'awaken,' the unchosen can't possibly find this place. People swim across Undella Bay every day; archaeologists search the region; none can uncover anything—that's proof."
"But now, someone has come in—and this tremor isn't the same as before!"
He strode forward. Thankfully they hadn't moved many steps this time; otherwise, further searching would have gotten them warped out again.
"This isn't the expulsion tremor," said Sumra with a respectful bow. "It may be… that the true path has appeared."
"Right. We've been expelled several times—the mechanism's sound runs small to large, far to near, clear to muffled. But this tremor… the whole Ruins feel it, and it's very gentle!"
"Incredible." Ghetsis looked at his entourage and loyal subordinates. "The Sea King's rest disturbed by grave robbers! This place is for our king alone—how dare outsiders intrude! It's an insult!"
He declared with righteous flourish; the sages bristled; the underlings believed utterly in their cause.
This tomb was left for their king. Anyone else entering is an enemy!
Inside, though, Ghetsis was shaken.
Others could hear the call of the Ruins—besides him and N! If he couldn't control that person, not only would N's legitimacy as puppet-king be questioned—his own existence and ambition, to use a king to control all Pokémon and rule Unova, would be jeopardized.
This was no "hero game" anymore.
"Heroes" are only titles; if rising young Trainers wanted, he could fabricate heroes with PR. Those "heroes" would just be pitiful stepping stones.
If there were no hero, he'd create one—then have King-Hero N defeat them, defeat the Champion, defeat the League, shaking the people and rewriting memories with Beheeyem. A perfect plan.
The grander the stage, the better. A shining stage needs a villain to be whole.
But the Abyssal Ruins were different!
Once a site unknown and unheeded, never showing any power. Even after learning "a king's descendant can receive special power," he'd thought it a story no one would care about.
Now, after hearing the Ruins' voice, he was certain:
The Harmonia line had a real claim. The Sea King truly left the family something. The twin heroes' descendants both held inheritance rights here!
And whoever took up the Sea King's name would gain the power to rule heaven and earth!
He must obtain it. If N could not, he'd seal or destroy it. It must not fall into an unknown hand!
"Could it be that young man? No… impossible. Is he truly linked to Harmonia?"
"He clearly isn't from Unova."
A new thought bloomed.
The path he couldn't find despite everything had been opened by an outsider. That might not be bad.
The Sea King's inheritance would be extraordinary. If he shadowed the interloper's footsteps, he could reach the top—the deepest place—find the source of that vast power, and claim it.
"This is the so-called 'mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.'"
"Ready the Pokémon. Release them all. We'll use everything to drive out those who defile the king's remains! This isn't a simple ruin survey—it's a holy war surrounding the royal tomb!"
"N, your ancestors are being insulted. You should be angry! O King, give the order."
Ghetsis remembered his "Chief Sage" station—he couldn't command in the king's stead. Then again, "holding the Son of Heaven hostage" wasn't new to him. N looked to the three sages—none were his loyalists; Ghetsis had picked them to keep him in check.
"…All right. Then—forward."
As they hemmed N in, he heard Sumra murmur:
"When the Great Way is abandoned, benevolence and righteousness arise.
When wisdom appears, so too does great deceit."
The Way must be lost before preaching "benevolence" becomes necessary.
Only in chaos do "loyal ministers" stand out.
N blinked, then nodded slightly.
Then was Sumra the "loyal one"? He had tried to control the giant at Reversal Mountain, but something seemed to have changed.
N glanced sidelong at the elder sage. Perhaps it was an illusion… but blue and yellow lights seemed to flicker in the old man's eyes.
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