Chapter 80: A Temporary Team, Rosa and Ruby Join
"Hello, I'm Rosa. I'm from Aspertia City in the Unova region," Rosa said.
"Hello, I'm Ruby, from Goldenrod City. You're Ryan from Pallet Town, right? I've heard about you from my father," Ruby approached.
Gary also approached, glanced over, said hello to Ryan, and left.
Ryan looked at the two before him and said, "I'm indeed Ryan from Pallet Town. What did you want to see me about?"
Rosa and Ruby exchanged glances. Rosa said, "Actually, I heard about your breeding ranch, so I rushed over from the Unova region. I was going there to see if I could get a Pokémon."
Ruby nodded and said, "Same here. I was planning to visit your breeding ranch to see if I could get a Pokémon. But the competition here also attracted me, so I came to participate. I didn't expect to run into you, Ryan."
Rosa also nodded in agreement with Ruby. Ryan nodded and looked closely at Mienfoo. Ryan had good luck, having obtained an elite-grade Mienfoo. Among Pokémon, Mienfoo represents a Fighting-type Pokémon with martial arts prowess, making it a perfect fit for the modified moves in Ryan's system.
With such a well-matched elite-grade Mienfoo, coupled with the modified moves in the system, this Mienfoo could become a key force in Ryan's arsenal.
He recalled the Mienfoo and teleported it back to his ranch. Ryan stood up and said, "You're going to my breeding ranch. So, are you heading to Goldenrod City, or are you taking another route?"
"That's what I was thinking," Ruby said. "Ryan, you're challenging the Johto League, so Goldenrod City is definitely your next destination. We're on the same route, would you like to travel together?"
"Yes, yes. Traveling alone gets boring," Rosa said.
Ryan thought for a moment and said, "That's fine. Since you're from Goldenrod City, Ruby, I'd appreciate you being our guide."
"No problem," Ruby said, giving him a thumbs-up.
After saying that, he glanced at the Celebi on Ryan's shoulder, then pulled Ryan aside and said, "Hey Ryan, let me tell you something. I recently encountered a Celebi too. It told me that I will be moving to the Hoenn region. Then, a very serious disaster will occur in the Hoenn region, and only a girl and I can solve it. But recently, it contacted me again and said that if possible, it hopes you can come and help me. That's why I sought you out."
Seeing Ruby's serious expression, Ryan probably understood the reason. Nodding without hesitation, he said, "No problem, when are you moving?"
"No plans for the time being. But my father has been appointed as the Gym Leader of Petalburg City by the League, and it will probably be soon," Ruby said seriously. "Probably after the Silver Conference. So, Ryan, I have a favor to ask of you."
"What is it?" Ryan said.
"I want to travel with you, at least until that big incident is over. Also, I'd like you to train me. Although my dad told me to take Wallace as my mentor, he's too busy to teach me for long. So I'd like to train with you first. You won the Indigo League, so you must be very strong," Ruby said.
Ryan was speechless. The difference was too great: he had only been taught by Steven, but Ruby had directly taken Wallace as his mentor, and even then, he complained that Wallace didn't have time to teach him.
Ryan wanted to grab him by the collar and shake some sense into him, but after thinking it over, he decided to agree to Ruby's request. At least he had a Champion-level mentor, and maybe Ryan could learn a thing or two about Contest techniques.
Seeing that the two had finished their discussion, Rosa came over and said, "You guys have finished your private conversation, now it's my turn. Ryan, do you have a girlfriend? What do you think of me?"
She said this while looking at Ryan with affection. It seemed that if Ryan just nodded, she would throw herself into his arms.
"Ugh!" Ryan sweatdropped. Were kids this bold these days? A direct confession?
Seeing his expression, Rosa finally smiled and said, "I was kidding. You're not my type."
Ryan looked at Rosa's instantly changed expression and shook his head helplessly. "Alright, let's travel together. Let's head to Goldenrod City first."
"Yeah!" Rosa exclaimed energetically.
"Then let's go," Ruby said.
Judging by the different expressions on their faces, it looked like the journey ahead wouldn't be lonely.
Later, Ryan and his group arrived in a dark forest. The light was dim, so Ryan released Gengar just in case.
Strangely, there weren't any Ghost-type Pokémon in the forest. Even Rosa was puzzled. "Such a dark forest should be a haven for Ghost-type Pokémon. Why haven't we seen any Ghost-type Pokémon?"
"I guess that's why," Ruby pointed to a Pokémon in a tree.
Ryan looked up and said, "No wonder! It's Noctowl. Noctowl is quite effective against Ghost-type Pokémon. While it might not be able to defeat them outright, Ghost-types can naturally sense its presence, so Ghost-types will definitely feel uncomfortable."
As he spoke, Ryan remembered that this was probably where Ash had captured his Noctowl. As expected, just as Ryan was thinking this, Rosa called out, "Look! It's a Shiny Noctowl!"
Ryan and his companions followed Rosa's direction and saw the Shiny Noctowl perched on a branch, its head twisted 180 degrees, staring at Ryan and his companions.
"Alright! I'm going to capture it! Go, Serperior, use Leaf Storm!" Rosa shouted, sending out Serperior.
Ryan facepalmed. They had underestimated this Noctowl. Every Shiny Pokémon has something special that sets it apart from its peers. Take Ryan's Beedrill and Gengar, for example. Beedrill's strength is exceptional, something he understood the moment he captured it and saw its poison stinger. As for Gengar, while Ryan didn't notice anything else special about it, this one was absolutely a natural performer. It was incredibly skilled at playing dumb and acting weak. Anyone who didn't understand would be easily fooled.
As for this Noctowl, according to the anime, it's incredibly intelligent. While its raw power isn't particularly impressive, it's incredibly clever. If it were facing a strategic trainer, it would definitely shine. But in the hands of the hot-blooded Ash, it was truly underutilized.
Facing the oncoming Leaf Storm, Noctowl spread its wings, shedding a cascade of feathers, obscuring everyone's view. When they looked again, it had already vanished.
"Damn! This Noctowl is really smart. It's blocking our view and then escaping. We'll definitely lose it now," Rosa complained.
"Forget it, it probably wasn't interested in you. If you can't capture it, don't force it," Ruby said.
Ryan glanced at Ruby and thought, "Do you think everyone is like you? A Delcatty, a Poochyena, and a Ralts taking down a Salamence?"
Even though Ruby was injured and the scar is still on his forehead, he was only a few years old at the time! This also shows that Ruby's battle talent is indeed formidable.
However, after that incident, Ruby also began to take the path of a Contest coordinator. As for why, Ryan also knew the reason.
He couldn't interfere in the affairs of the young couple.
(End of Chapter)
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