Chapter 327: Different History
Actually.
Will could have used the power of the Sea Crown to summon a large Water-type Pokémon like Wailord, Mantine, or Lapras to take them to Nuvema Town.
Although he hadn't tried it in this life.
In his previous life, he always did this when traveling around the world. With his affinity for Water-type Pokémon, it shouldn't be a problem.
However, this thought only flashed by.
Setting aside the feeling of enduring the sea breeze for three or four hours while riding a Pokémon.
Will didn't want to use the Sea Crown's power unnecessarily. He didn't even plan to use it in the upcoming Unova Regional Conference.
He hoped that in the public eye, he was just an ordinary Riolu with excellent talent, immense strength, unusually large size, and a slightly ridiculous move pool.
To save himself and Cynthia from being targeted by Team Rocket, Team Galactic, Team Plasma, and the like.
At least.
Before reaching the Elite Four level.
Maintaining this caution and vigilance, hiding some clumsiness, was necessary.
Departing by boat.
Although Nuvema Town was the "Novice Village" of the Unova region.
Its scale was much larger than Pallet Town.
At least Nuvema Town was a real town, while Pallet Town was more like a village.
Nuvema Town bordered the sea to the south and had windmills in the town. It was a leisurely town with a rich life atmosphere, generally a good choice for retirement.
"Is it Cynthia's first time here?"
"Mm! But it doesn't matter. Before coming, I contacted Professor Juniper in advance; she sent me a panoramic photo of Nuvema Town!"
Cynthia placed her golden Pokédex in front of Will.
Pointing to an orange-red building in the northwest of the town, she said:
"This is the laboratory. It only takes us ten minutes to walk there."
"Let's go then."
"Mm!"
The two little ones proceeded on foot.
Soon they arrived outside Professor Juniper's laboratory.
This place was remarkable.
This was the place where Ash, newly arrived in Unova, had his max-level Pikachu defeated by Trip's novice Snivy.
With such an opening back then.
Many viewers were dissatisfied, but could still bear to watch.
After all, at the start of Sinnoh, Ash also lost to Paul, and Paul's character was portrayed very "gamer-like," receiving even worse reactions (initially).
Entering the door.
"Professor Juniper~ I'm here~ It's Cynthia~"
Cynthia put her hands to her mouth and shouted.
"Oh~ Cynthia's here. Welcome to Nuvema Town."
A big sister with her hair tied up in a bun (maybe Aurea Juniper, but text implies younger/different appearance or maybe referring to her father Cedric Juniper's daughter, Aurea) walked out.
Will looked up and took a few more glances.
In the anime, this Professor was different from those of other generations.
She looked very young and had high looks. Unlike the old men of previous generations, she had charm like a bottle of mellow red wine just aged.
But the current Professor Juniper wasn't that wife-like figure yet.
She looked like a young woman not yet twenty.
"Sister Juniper~ Long time no see~"
Seeing this person, Cynthia's eyes lit up, and she pounced on her.
Then.
A middle-aged man walked out from the back room. He looked somewhat similar to the young woman.
Will was stunned for a moment seeing him.
Then realized.
This middle-aged man was Professor Juniper (Cedric Juniper)!
His surname was also Juniper. He was the father of the future Professor Juniper (Aurea Juniper), the current Pokémon Professor of the Unova region.
Will thought so.
Why were other regions full of old men, but Unova was special?
Turns out Unova also had an old man (eventually), just retired earlier.
"Oh?! This is Riolu... developed really well... This is a rare Pokémon even in your Sinnoh region. Congratulations, Cynthia; I remember you wanted a Riolu since you were little, right?"
Old Juniper bent down to look at Will and reached out to rub his head.
"Is Cynthia here in Unova to challenge the League or research myths? Maybe I can provide you with some clues~"
Young Juniper stepped forward and hugged Cynthia.
"Mainly researching myths, challenging the Unova League by the way."
"Mm, myths are more interesting indeed, right?"
Young Juniper smiled satisfiedly, patting Cynthia's shoulder with both hands.
Like her father.
Although their research topics were "Origin of Pokémon" and "Distribution and Ecology of Pokémon" respectively, this father and daughter pair used to be backpackers very interested in archaeology.
Backpackers were trainers in the Pokémon world who ran around carrying big bags.
Both father and daughter used to carry bags for archaeological purposes everywhere.
Precisely because of this.
Cynthia knew Young Juniper.
Old Juniper knew Carolina and Carmela, mother and daughter.
All archaeology enthusiasts.
Hearing this, Will immediately became interested.
As local archaeologists and Pokémon Professors in Unova, this father and daughter must know something about the Kingdom of the Vale more than a thousand years ago, right?
At least they could find some relevant books for them to read?
"Mm! Riolu and I went to the Castelia Gallery before. Now we are super interested in the myths of the Unova region, especially the Kingdom of the Vale a thousand years ago."
Cynthia and Will were of one mind.
"Then how about this, I'll update your Pokédex, and you go to the library with Aurea; there are some records about the Kingdom of the Vale there."
Old Juniper spoke.
Cynthia nodded repeatedly.
Arriving at the library.
Will rushed to the table first, sitting obediently, waiting for Cynthia and Aurea (Young Juniper) to tell that history.
"Riolu looks very interested in history. I envy you so much~ finding a Pokémon with the same hobby as you. My Pokémon fall asleep every time they see these."
Aurea reached out and touched Will's head, saying enviously.
"Tell you a secret, Riolu is not only willing to research history with me, but he can also talk."
"Eh?"
"Riolu could use Aura to speak two years ago."
Cynthia hugged Will, showing a proud look.
Aurea turned to look at Will.
The latter understood.
"Sister Juniper, I want to know about the Kingdom of the Vale."
Will spoke using Aura, emitting a boyish voice.
His voice hadn't changed for a long time.
This should be the limit of Riolu's voice; the next voice change would probably wait until evolving into Lucario.
As for an old monster living over a hundred years calling a youth not even a fraction of his age "Sister," would he be ashamed?
Naturally not!
Living so long.
Having a face thicker than a city wall is normal, right?
Moreover.
Will started practicing the art of acting cute since his Dragonair period, reaching perfection in his Piplup period!
Even quasi-Champion Carmela had to bow down to his cuteness.
Such an awesome skill, if not used well.
Should he just watch it go to waste?
"~Actually spoke."
Aurea opened her mouth but reacted quickly.
She pulled out a yellowed notebook from the bookshelf.
The book was quite thin, maybe only ten pages, recording very little.
Aurea opened it and placed it in front of Will and Cynthia.
The history of the Kingdom of the Vale unfolded before them.
[Approximately 13 centuries ago, a tribe named 'People of the Vale' rose in the northwest of Unova. Its chief, relying on the power of Kyurem, first unified the western continent of Unova, established the Kingdom of the Vale, and pushed the Unova region from the tribal era into the kingdom era.]
"Kyurem..."
Cynthia frowned seeing this name.
"The Legendary Pokémon with the title of 'Strongest Dragon,' Kyurem. He can even use the powers of Zekrom and Reshiram!"
Aurea introduced briefly.
"What?! Can use the powers of two other Legendary Pokémon? That is indeed the Strongest Dragon."
Golden light burst from Cynthia's eyes, full of thirst for knowledge.
Will's scalp tingled seeing this light.
Would he have to follow Cynthia to confront Kyurem in the future?
Yes.
Kyurem's title of "Strongest Dragon" was somewhat watery.
After all, the Creation Trio, Rayquaza, Zygarde, Eternatus hadn't spoken yet.
But this didn't mean Kyurem was weak.
Everyone could see the situation in Pokémon anime and movies.
Naturally, whoever was the protagonist was the "strongest."
In the Kanto era, Mewtwo was said to be the strongest.
In the Hoenn era, Rayquaza was said to be the strongest.
In the Sinnoh era, Arceus was said to be the strongest.
Then in the Unova era, naturally, Kyurem had to be the strongest.
Although this "strongest" title rotated.
Being rated on him meant at least Kyurem was the well-deserved "Boss" in Unova.
Moreover, even placed among all Legendary Pokémon.
Kyurem must be on the same level as Rayquaza, a tier stronger than the bottom-tier box legendaries like Zekrom/Reshiram, Groudon/Kyogre (base forms), Ho-Oh/Lugia.
With Black/White Kyurem forms activated.
Kyurem's strength would rise another level, surpassing Rayquaza (base), sitting on equal footing with Primal Groudon/Kyogre.
Rayquaza could compete for that "Strongest Dragon" title relying entirely on its Mega form.
Ordinary Rayquaza was indeed no match for Black/White Kyurem.
Such a character.
Not to mention Will's current level.
Even his third life self didn't want to actively fight Kyurem unless he had Mega form and Totem Aura (Alpha status?) equipped.
Or his fourth life self at the master level would dare to find trouble with Kyurem.
Going now was basically seeking death.
Done for.
He wanted to retract his words about Cynthia being steadier than Lorelei.
Lorelei wasn't that interested in Legendary Pokémon, only slightly more in Water-types.
But Cynthia was different.
Will didn't dare to be sure how many Legendary Pokémon he would encounter following Cynthia in the future.
He only hoped those legendaries wouldn't run around blindly and would just hide and sleep properly.
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