Baimu, introduced by Flop, met the reinforcements sent by the International Criminal Police.
"Hello, my name is Leo."
The youth with a beige afro topped with silver sunglasses and a white stripe above his nose, wearing a strange blue coat, extended his hand to him.
"Hello, Baimu."
Baimu shook his hand, but his inner emotions once again fell into tumult.
Beside them, Flop introduced Leo's background with a smile, "Let me introduce him to you. Many years ago, he was once a member of the Seizing Team, playing an important role within.
"Later he saw the light and severed ties with the Seizing Team, successfully defeating the Shadow Team that had influence all over the Ore Region back then, and defeated the original mayor of Silicon City, Euya, and is now a member of the International Criminal Police."
Leo!
As someone who had played the Circular Arena series, how could Baimu not know this game protagonist? It's just that due to the environment and game being too different, he thought Leo didn't exist.
Unexpectedly, Leo indeed exists, it's just that the game's storyline timeline is earlier.
"Ergin is Euya's—"
Baimu looked at Flop.
"Ergin and Euya are cousins, inheriting his evil assets, reforming the remnants of the Shadow Team, turning many members into figures who could appear in the light."
Leo actively explained his confusion, "I came this time also to thoroughly resolve the Shadow Team remnants."
Baimu nodded.
Though he had long suspected, finding out Ergin indeed had a connection to Euya still surprised him; initially, he thought it was Euya's parallel world counterpart...
"Wait! You mean you're here to solve Ergin's forces?"
He said with some surprise.
He hadn't reacted just now, but upon pondering, what else could Leo mean? Otherwise, Leo should be heading to Silicon City.
"I can't say for sure. Besides, I'm not alone, my girlfriend Mire is already heading towards Pyrite Town with some villagers from Agate Village. Next, I'll persuade Ying Yuan, I had some interactions with him before."
Leo said with a smile.
Mire! These two have finally gotten together.
As early as when he played the game, Baimu knew they were probably a couple, now receiving a definite answer, he almost blurted out a congratulatory remark.
Regarding the mentioned Agate Village…
He knew this village located north of the Ore Region, the northern part of the Ore Region is one of the rare oasis areas, and the only character in the game categorized as a [Legendary Trainer] resides in this village.
Listening to Leo, it seems Agate Village has quite a few powerful Trainers.
"Before Ergin's forces arrive, Leo's presence can't be revealed, so the next few days will be tough on you," Flop took the opportunity to outline Baimu's upcoming task.
Namely, guarding the territory that originally belonged to the Evil Dog Team, preventing any intrusions.
"Uh-huh."
Baimu nodded, still feeling some concerns deep inside.
Can Leo really deal with Ergin's forces…? And why did the International Criminal Police only send him and his wife alone, didn't send more personnel; could it be Ergin has many remaining Shadow Pokémon in his hands?
Seeing Leo and Flop talking, he couldn't help but ask, "Speaking of which, I've always wondered what kind of power Ergin's forces actually hold, could they be wielding technological forces Pokémon cannot withstand?"
The mayor's forces indeed hold technological powers far surpassing other areas of Pyrite Town, but in main output they still relied heavily on Pokémon, distinctly featuring the Treasure Wind trait to minimize weapon destructive power.
Level below missiles compared to Wave Missiles.
No way around it, the Pokémon animation world emphasizes peace as a theme, it's been a long time since a major war occurred. Without war as a catalyst, this realm's technology tree is quite different from the previous life's.
Ergin has brandished power in the Ore Region for years, hardly faced any resistance, Baimu doesn't think he could cultivate destructive weapons akin to tanks and cannons.
"Technological forces are one aspect, the other is they also hold a fragmented technology." Leo spoke quietly, "Shadow Pokémon creation."
Baimu felt a chill in his gut.
Indeed, it's the Shadow Team's Shadow Pokémon.
"This technology seals Pokémon's emotions, turning them into soulless battle machines." Leo spoke in a low tone, "I once destroyed this technology, yet it reappeared soon after. After destroying it again... Ergin utilized it."
"To make sure Shadow Pokémon never appear again, saving Ore is imperative," Flop said seriously.
Baimu felt emotionally complex.
No wonder Liu Ge and the others have always been wary of Ergin's power.
Simultaneously he couldn't help but think if N saw the Shadow Pokémon, would this Reliever go dark and lose his mind—
Hard to say.
N had once witnessed Plasma Team control Pokémon, seeing this would undoubtedly stir abnormal feelings.
Coming all this way to assist, Baimu hopes this figure who painstakingly realized his ideals and strives towards future progress won't fall to wickedness like lion-headed Fladari.
Fladari developed world-ending feelings through repeated disappointments.
"Gotta give him a heads-up…"
He walked home, pondering how to bring it up to N, momentarily feeling a headache.
Only hoping N understands the inhuman nature of Ergin's group.
Uh-huh.
Directly revoke their humanity!
Yet halfway home, Shanren brought unexpected news.
"I've made contact with the De Wen Company in the Hoenn Region."
"De Wen..."
"This company has long been the leading enterprise in the Hoenn Region, involved in technology, biology, energy among others, a large part of Pyrite Town's minerals are exported to its subsidiaries."
"Then."
"Then I got in touch with their company president Zizhuqi, told them the current state here, they expressed willingness to assist us."
"Assist... they'll send their employees here to help fight Ergin?"
"What are you thinking, I mean technological aid, and the food issue you've been worried about!"
"Goodness!"
"Prohibited from swearing! Just wait, soon you'll enjoy mainstream region technology!"
Shanren said excitedly.
Baimu felt equally excited, knowing De Wen Company's tremendous capability.
With all these "familiar faces" appearing in the past days, he indeed felt a sense of a crisis rallying aid from all sides.
However.
This emotion soon faded away.
Baimu returned home, instantly seeing N's two sisters teaching Mawile about makeup, beside them were their Pokémon—Gardevoir and Gothitelle.
"Where's N?"
"In the backyard, did something happen?"
"Nothing… wait, something did."
Baimu pondered and thought it might be better to discuss ahead with Babina and Helena, perhaps they could relay the message to N more gently.
"Listen to me."
He approached the two, hugged the puzzled Mawile to his chest, and slowly spoke about the matters regarding Shadow Pokémon.