???
Upon hearing Steven's request, Aiden's first reaction was:
Sure enough, the champion's intelligence network is impressive. Even things that few locals in Paldea know about, he has already figured out.
Aiden naturally knew about the "Pokémon from the past" Steven mentioned.
The Paldea League officially had no records of any specific information about them. To avoid causing panic, this part of the news was deliberately sealed off.
But you can't keep a lid on a fire. The accidents that occurred in Area Zero and the sealing of Area Zero led to the urban legend of "monsters from Area Zero" spreading across various cities in Paldea.
Although most of these were baseless nonsense with no truth to them, merely sensational "news charm moments," they didn't even warrant clarification.
However, one piece of information was correct, and sightings were still increasing—
Recently, near the city of Levincia in the Asado Desert, a beast resembling Donphan by seven or eight parts but with a terrifyingly large size appeared. Occasionally, humans attempting to cross the desert would notice its presence from afar.
Of course, facing such a behemoth, normal people wouldn't dare to get close, so what currently circulated in Paldea were just some blurry photos.
But Aiden, who knew more details, was well aware that the "monster from Area Zero" was real.
"How much information do you know?"
Aiden didn't rush to respond but instead asked Steven a question.
"Not too much, I've only heard some rumors recently."
Steven quickly stood up, revealing a smile as if his plan had succeeded.
"However, judging from Teacher Azure's reaction, my guess should be correct?"
"..."
So, you were bluffing me just now?
Good for you, Steven, looking all noble and innocent, but you're quite cunning!
Aiden couldn't help but roll his eyes.
However, even if Steven hadn't said anything, he would eventually have to face the "special Pokémon from the past" Steven spoke of.
Because according to the order of the Path of Legends, after collecting three kinds of seasonings, his next target was precisely the special individual who successfully escaped before Area Zero was sealed and was currently lurking in the Asado Desert.
That was a powerful Pokémon named Great Tusk, also the fourth Titan on the Path of Legends, with very strong abilities.
To this day, the people of Paldea still don't know what Heath saw when he entered Area Zero two hundred years ago.
But one thing is certain—
Those Pokémon in his book that clearly defy logic and shouldn't exist have gradually been proven during the exploration of Area Zero.
They either have bodies made of various metals full of technological sense or have rugged appearances, like ancient beings. In short, they are individuals never seen in any other region.
These things actually exist? Completely inconsistent with the research theory of the Pokémon world...
For this group of Pokémon, the Paldea League temporarily adopted the content from Heath's book, naming them "Paradox Pokémon," or Paradox Species.
Great Tusk was one of them.
It seemed to be the ancient ancestor of Donphan, looking extremely similar to Donphan.
Perhaps because it survived from ancient times and retained the most primitive wild nature, Great Tusk' personality was completely opposite to the gentle Donphan, indiscriminately attacking any creature that approached it.
And because Great Tusk seemed to possess some intelligence, after witnessing the power of humans in Area Zero, it now avoids humans and stays far away.
Therefore, even after more than half a year since the incident, its existence was still known to very few people.
This matter was quite a headache for the League, but due to the huge impact of the previous Area Zero incident, which had not yet been fully resolved, the League was particularly short-handed. Additionally, there had been no incidents of Great Tusk attacking humans, so they could only leave it alone for now.
Of course, if someone could help eliminate this hidden danger, President Geeta would probably be delighted.
So after thinking it over, Aiden decided to accept Steven's offer.
After all, the difficulty in the game was obviously reduced; the levels of these Paradox Species in Area Zero were absurdly high, and Great Tusk, which managed to escape from such a perilous place, would only be stronger.
If I went alone, there really might be a chance of failure.
With Steven, a champion-level trainer, there would be no such concerns.
"If we want to see the legendary Paradox Pokémon, today won't work; its habitat is in the Asado Desert on the other side of Paldea."
"So, let's go back and prepare today. I'll come find you in Mesagoza tomorrow morning?"
"Of course."
Seeing Aiden agree, Steven quickly nodded and smiled.
"As a ten-year fan of Teacher Azure, I'm looking forward to seeing you battle in person."
After saying this, Steven directly jumped onto the head of the nearby Metagross and soon disappeared.
"Wow, flying Metagross, huh? Is this even legal?"
Watching Steven leave, Aiden couldn't help but make a comment.
In earlier Pokémon games, Fly was a very important HM move that helped trainers quickly travel between cities.
And theoretically, Metagross shouldn't be able to learn this move.
However, reality isn't limited to flying Pokémon taking to the skies. For example, Metagross using Earth's magnetic force to achieve supersonic flight, Psychic-type Pokémon floating through telekinesis or teleportation, etc., all have powerful effects for carrying passengers.
Thinking about it, it makes sense.
Who is Steven's flying mount?
Skarmory.
Like Steelix, it's covered entirely in hard steel, and its body structure determines that riding it will definitely be uncomfortable...
Relatively speaking, UFO-like Metagross might be more suitable?
While Aiden internally criticized, he quickly took out a Poké Ball and recalled his companions who had finished eating.
Since he had agreed to go to the Asado Desert with Steven, he decided to return early today and prepare.
Even with a god-tier teammate like Steven, better preparation could make the battle smoother.
...
Thanks to the power of the Herba Mystica, Miraidon regained some strength, and its jumping ability also became stronger.
Thus, on the way back, it no longer needed to take detours and could easily leap over hills, saving a lot of time.
It's just that Aiden, sitting on its back, experienced countless instances of weightlessness like on a free-fall ride, and immediately made a decision—
Restoring Miraidon's full power is urgent, and I need to get a flying motorcycle, or else this is unbearable!
When he returned to Sunshine Gym, it was almost dark.
At this moment, several lines of small text flashed before Aiden's eyes.
[Main quest "Path of Legends" has been updated.]
[Current task: Collect Herba Mysticas to awaken Miraidon's full form. (Current progress 3/5)]
[Reward: Random golden item *1, being distributed...]
[Reward: "Melancholic Prince" has been distributed!]
Aiden, who had just stepped inside, paused for a moment and soon remembered—
Oh, so I still have a main quest?
After traveling for a while and being a gym leader for so many days, constantly battling wits with those clever students at Naranja Academy, he almost forgot about the tasks assigned by the system...
Thinking of this, as Aiden focused his mind, a small toy made of white cloth quickly appeared in his hand.
[Melancholic Prince (Gold): A seemingly ordinary rainy-day doll. If hung outside overnight, it will ensure rain the next day!]
Another conceptual-level item, did the system stuff a fathead fish (Kyogre) inside?
Aiden silently grumbled to himself.
This item clearly belongs to the same series as the "Sunny Cinderella" given by the system last time.
One controls sunny weather, the other controls rain, and they're a prince and Cinderella...
Aiden suddenly had a thought—
What would happen if I hang both of them outside overnight?
Something incredible might occur, like the meteorological turbulence when the Hoenn duo meet.
Better not mess around...
Holding the rainy-day doll, Aiden quickly smiled.
However, this thing came at just the right time.
Speaking of Paradox Pokémon, whether they come from the past or future, their physical strength greatly increases under clear skies or electric terrain.
Great Tusk must have instinctively chosen to hide in the rarely rainy Asado Desert after escaping Area Zero, right?
Previously, Aiden was pondering whether it was feasible to pray for rain in the desert to affect the weather.
Now it seems there's no need to think about it anymore.
During the Dragon-type Master Tournament, he had already tested the Sunny Doll. Its effect range was immense, almost covering the entire Paldea.
Precisely because of this ridiculous effect, Aiden hadn't used it again after the Master Tournament.
He feared that frequent use might impact the surrounding ecology.
What if I caused a drought? Wouldn't I become a sinner?
However, occasional use should be fine.
Paldea often rains in winter anyway. Having a little rain in the desert tomorrow shouldn't be strange, right?
Aiden's thoughts began to diverge.
He suddenly became curious—could this conceptual-level power counteract the influence risks posed by certain legendary Pokémon?
If it could indeed do that...
If the non-flying version of Groudon ever awakens someday, and I simply hang this rainy-day doll, would it question its existence?
You should regress to your primal form before competing for weather control!
This is just sunny and rainy weather.
There are four types of weather in the Pokémon world. Maybe there will be snow and sandstorm dolls too?
But if these two were used, their impact would seem much greater than sunny or rainy weather...
Let's wait until we get them later!
Aiden shook his head and quickly hung the rainy-day doll at the entrance of the gym.
With such an outrageous item, will I be followed by rain wherever I go?
Is the Dragon King of the Pokémon world actually myself?
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