Chapter 152: Reshiram, Heading to the Sinnoh Region

"Ghetsis."

Naturally, N recognized that the person who had arrived was none other than the leader of Team Plasma, Ghetsis.

"Ghetsis, what are you trying to do?"

"Hmph, you know very well what I want. Reshiram is the most powerful Pokémon in the world. If we can harness its power, changing this world will be a trivial matter."

"No! Have you forgotten what happened before? It was your forced summoning of Reshiram last time that caused such a tragedy."

"What you say is true, but this time we have the Pokémon Controller. Everything will be resolved."

Ghetsis walked directly to the side and initiated the summoning ritual.

"Legendary Pokémon Reshiram, kindle your flames once more and descend into my world!"

"Come forth, Reshiram!"

The Light Stone turned red, soared into the sky, and unleashed a torrent of powerful flames.

"Roar—!"

A white Pokémon appeared before everyone's eyes.

"Reshiram!"

At that moment, a beam of light struck Reshiram.

"It's a Pokémon control device! Oh no—!"

"Roar—!"

Reshiram's eyes instantly turned red, plunging it into a state of confusion.

"Roar—!"

A massive pillar of fire blasted toward the group.

"Everyone, get out of the way! Gardevoir, use Psychic!"

"Gardevoir!"

Everyone scattered to safety. Gardevoir used Psychic to alter the trajectory of the flames, diverting them to the side.

When the flames impacted the ground, they burned out a gigantic crater.

Reshiram was truly formidable; the combined strength of Cheng Cheng and the others was entirely inadequate against it.

"Reshiram, continue the attack!"

"Roar—!"

Reshiram launched another attack. The group had no choice but to dodge. Reshiram's power was simply too overwhelming to resist.

"This won't do. We have to destroy that machine first."

"In that case, you're up, Pikachu!"

"Pika!"

"Ash, be careful of that machine!"

"Got it!"

"Pikachu, Quick Attack!"

Pikachu moved swiftly using Quick Attack, making it impossible for the opposing machine to lock onto it.

"Gardevoir, please temporarily draw Reshiram's attention."

"Ash, leave the device to me. I'll handle Reshiram!"

"Alright, be careful. I'll find an opening to smash that apparatus."

"Gardevoir, use Shadow Ball!"

"Gardevoir!"

The Shadow Ball struck Reshiram, but it caused no visible damage.

In response, Reshiram unleashed a direct Flamethrower, forcing Gardevoir to use Teleport to evade.

"Ash, hurry up! I can't hold out much longer on this end."

"Understood. Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"

"Pika, chu—!"

Pikachu's Thunderbolt surged toward the device, but it was blocked directly by a protective barrier.

Subsequently, the device emitted another beam of light that struck Pikachu.

"Pikachu!"

"Oh my, this is bad. I didn't expect Pikachu to be controlled too."

"Not good! Gardevoir, dodge!"

Gardevoir successfully sidestepped the white light beam.

How troublesome.

"Pikachu, I believe in you. You'll be fine!"

"Pika..." Pikachu was currently struggling, trying to shake off the mental control.

"Pikachu, do your best!"

"Pika!"

Pikachu radiated electricity from its entire body, then took a step-by-step approach toward the opposing device.

"Pikachu!"

A beam of light struck Pikachu once more, hitting it dead-on. Yet, instead of succumbing to the control, Pikachu unleashed a devastating Thunderbolt. The massive surge of electricity struck Reshiram directly, wringing a cry of agony from the legendary Pokémon.

Under the influence of Pikachu's shock, Reshiram seemed to begin fighting back.

"No, impossible! Reshiram, resume the attack!"

"Roar—!"

Reshiram roared repeatedly but failed to launch another strike; it was actively resisting the control.

"Gardevoir, use Heal Pulse!"

"Gardevoir!"

Gardevoir employed Heal Pulse, hoping to calm Reshiram down.

"Pikachu, use Electro Ball!"

"Pika, pika pika pika, chu—!"

"Roar—!"

Reshiram also unleashed a torrent of powerful flames. The Electro Ball and the flames struck the apparatus simultaneously, shattering the device completely.

"No! Impossible! How could this happen?!"

Ghetsis couldn't believe his eyes. He refused to accept that a Pokémon could break free from the controller's grip.

"Roar—!"

Freed from the control, Reshiram grew intensely furious.

The legendary Pokémon unleashed a colossal wave of flames toward Team Plasma, instantly defeating all of their Pokémon and inflicting severe injuries on the Team Plasma members themselves.

"Reshiram, stop fighting! Calm down!"

N ran over to soothe Reshiram. Under N's comforting presence, the dragon's anger gradually subsided.

At this point, the members of Team Plasma attempted to flee, but how could Cheng Cheng possibly let them escape?

"Gardevoir, use Psychic."

Gardevoir restrained all of them with Psychic, followed by Hypnosis to put every last one of them to sleep.

"Reshiram."

"Roar—!"

Seeing that the crisis had passed, Reshiram departed from the scene. As they watched the majestic Pokémon leave, everyone harbored different thoughts in their hearts.

"N, did you get what you wanted?"

"I suppose so. What about you, Cheng Cheng?"

"I gained a few things, though they aren't all that useful."

"Then I wish you good luck."

"Ash."

"Mr. N."

"Ash, after everything that happened today, I've come to understand a great deal. Humans and Pokémon truly can live together in harmony. I saw hope in you and your Pokémon. Therefore, I've decided to set out on a journey for a while."

"That's wonderful!"

"Then let's say goodbye for now."

"Right, Mr. N. I look forward to meeting you again someday."

After bidding farewell to everyone, N departed. Shortly after N left, the police arrived and took the members of Team Plasma into custody.

"Cheng Cheng, where are you headed next? Why don't you continue traveling with us?"

Cheng Cheng glanced at Muzi, then gently declined Ash's offer.

"Muzi and I have decided to return to Opelucid City first. After that, I should head back to Fortree City to check on things."

"I see. Well, I hope we can meet again in the future."

"Until next time, then."

Cheng Cheng and Muzi said their goodbyes to Ash and his friends, then returned to the Pokémon Center in Driftveil City.

Back at the Pokémon Center, Cheng Cheng and Muzi rested for the night. That evening, Cheng Cheng had the system decode the text recorded earlier, only to discover that the inscriptions in the white ruins were identical to those in the black ruins. Cheng Cheng had hoped to find subsequent records, but they turned out to be mere duplicates. Thus, all current leads were temporarily cut off. However, Cheng Cheng was not in a rush; he would take things slowly.

Early the next morning, Cheng Cheng and Muzi boarded an airship bound for Opelucid City. They arrived back in Opelucid City shortly after.

Upon returning, Cheng Cheng stayed at Muzi's home for a few days. However, sensing that Caitlin's father was casting rather peculiar looks his way—coupled with his own desire to head back—Cheng Cheng ultimately decided to return to Fortree City.

"Cheng Cheng, are you leaving already?"

"Yeah, matters here are pretty much wrapped up, so I've decided to head back to Fortree City and check things out. After all, my Day Care is still running there. As the owner, I can't stay away for too long."

"Can I go with you?"

Catching the murderous glare in Caitlin's father's eyes, Cheng Cheng tactfully refused Muzi.

"Come on, we'll have plenty of chances to meet up later. If I plan another journey down the road, I'll be sure to invite you."

"Alright then, no going back on your word!"

"No problem."

Just as Cheng Cheng was preparing to board the airship, he suddenly received a video call from Champion Cynthia.

"Ms. Cynthia, hello! Is there something you need?"

"Cheng Cheng, can you come over to the Sinnoh region? That thing you mentioned earlier has just happened."

"What?"

Cheng Cheng was somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected that incident to occur in the Sinnoh region as well.

"Yes, it happened just a short while ago, so I'd like you to come and take a look. Perhaps you might discover something."

"Alright. Where is the exact location?"

"Near Floaroma Town. Come to Floaroma Town, and I'll wait for you here."

"Got it."

Cheng Cheng hung up the call.

Ms. Cynthia really something else—couldn't she have called a bit earlier? Another airship ticket wasted.

Cheng Cheng walked back to the ticket counter and checked for flights to the Sinnoh region. Finding no direct airships to Floaroma Town, he discovered one heading to Eterna City instead. Since Eterna City was quite close to Floaroma Town, Cheng Cheng decided to book passage there.

After waiting for two hours, Cheng Cheng boarded the airship to Eterna City.

By the time he arrived in Eterna City, it was already afternoon. Cheng Cheng decided to rest there for the night and set out for Floaroma Town the following morning.

After a full day of travel, Cheng Cheng finally arrived in Floaroma Town.

Along the way, Cheng Cheng sensed a familiar yet overwhelmingly powerful fluctuation. It had to be the same energy signature from the mysterious dark orb. It seemed another one of those dark orbs had appeared here.

Heading to the local Pokémon Center, Cheng Cheng placed a call to Ms. Cynthia. Not long after, Ms. Cynthia arrived at the Pokémon Center in person.

"Ms. Cynthia."

"Cheng Cheng, long time no see. Thank you so much for coming all the way here."

"Not at all. I'm also very eager to uncover the truth behind those dark orbs."

"Dark orbs? You're referring to that strange black sphere? That's a rather fitting name, indeed."

"Ms. Cynthia, what has happened to that dark orb now?"

"It has already been taken away by League personnel."

"I see. In that case, shall we go check out the site where it appeared?"

"Yes, absolutely."

Cheng Cheng climbed into Ms. Cynthia's vehicle, and they drove toward the incident site. Before long, Cheng Cheng and Ms. Cynthia arrived at the location where the strange event had transpired.