Chapter 81: Saffron City, Xatu's Divination
"Mienfoo, unleash your power," Ryan called.
"Coco, charge," Ruby commanded.
"Serperior, use Vine Whip to lock them down," Rosa said.
Ryan and his group had arrived at the National Park. While caution would have been fine, Rosa couldn't resist trying to catch a Teddiursa.
It was spring, the perfect time for Pokémon to breed. Female Pokémon are naturally sensitive and irritable, and Rosa had stirred up a hornet's nest. A swarm of Ursaring immediately surrounded Ryan and his group, attacking them.
"Sorry," Rosa said sheepishly after dispatching the Ursaring.
"It's okay. I just happened to be sending some Pokémon to the breeding ranch. Ruby, do you want these Ursaring and their cubs?" Ryan said.
Ruby was still a newcomer, after all, and facing such an intense battle all at once, he was still a little overwhelmed. He waved his hand and said, "I don't need them. I want Pokémon that are both graceful and powerful. I can't handle a bulky Ursaring."
Ryan patted Ruby's shoulder firmly and said, "Young man, you still lack training. Do you want to work out with me every day?"
"Get lost! Who wants to work out with a monster like you?" Ruby said angrily.
He had seen Ryan working out. Ryan, whose current fitness and strength stats were over 100, usually did push-ups with Cosmoem on top of him. He certainly didn't let Cosmoem directly release its psychic power. By gradually reducing its psychic support, Cosmoem's Weight would gradually increase, becoming the perfect training Weight.
But Ruby and Rosa didn't know that. At first, Ryan had teased them by simply having Cosmoem remove its psychic support and letting them try to carry it. After that, they viewed Ryan's training regimen as absolutely inhuman.
After capturing the defeated Ursaring and the Teddiursa, Ryan and his companions set out on their journey again.
Two days later, they arrived at a place called Saffron City. Ruby excitedly said, "Let me tell you, there are a lot of Psychic-type Pokémon here. Almost every household has one. I also know a secret: there's an old man who raises a very powerful Xatu. He even runs a fortune-telling parlor, and it's quite accurate."
With that, Ruby led Ryan and the others through a winding path to a run-down cabin. Ruby walked over, knocked on the door, and said, "Is Master Kenzo here? I'm Ruby."
"Come in, the door's unlocked. I figured you'd come today," an elderly voice said.
Ryan smirked. "He's really being mysterious. Whether he's truly capable or not, we'll have to see for ourselves."
Ruby pushed the door open and walked in. Ryan and Rosa followed suit. There wasn't anything unusual inside; it was a simple, ordinary cabin. An old man was feeding a very aged Xatu. He must be the Master Kenzo Ruby mentioned.
"Master Kenzo, I'm here again," Ruby said respectfully. "Can you do a divination for me?"
"No need. I can't tell you what you want to know," Master Kenzo said calmly. "That being has already informed you. What you do is up to you. Young man over there, come here. Let me take a look at you."
"Please, Master," Ryan said solemnly.
The reason was simple. The old Xatu was an elite-grade Pokémon at level 100. And it exuded some fundamental power of time, a power Ryan was all too familiar with; it was Celebi's fundamental power. If the Xatu didn't have the ability to predict the future, Ryan would be the first to disbelieve it.
"Old friend, please. Predict the future," Master Kenzo said.
The Xatu nodded, its eyes gleaming blue, a look of deep concentration. After a long pause, Master Kenzo fell silent. Then he spoke, "Another chosen one. Young man, stay true to your heart, and you will achieve what you desire. You're already connected and entangled with too many things. Don't pursue too much; just go with the flow."
"How long will it take to take that step?" Ryan asked.
"Three years is enough," Master Kenzo said.
"Yes. Thank you," Ryan said.
"Let me remind you, everything has its pros and cons. A fierce heart can appreciate gentle beauty. Human nature has two sides, yet the opposing sides are inherently harmonious," Master Kenzo said mysteriously.
"Yes. One more question, about relationships," Ryan said, blushing slightly.
Master Kenzo smiled and said, "What's meant to be yours will always be yours. It can't be taken away."
"Master Kenzo, can you help me take a look too?" Rosa couldn't help herself and immediately leaned over to ask.
"Yes. Let me take a look," Master Kenzo said with a smile. Then he had the Xatu use its predictive power again.
After a while, Master Kenzo said, "Alas, the chaos is finally coming. The battle between the Legendary Pokémon is not far off, and those chosen by destiny will soon appear one after another to prevent the disaster."
"What do you mean?" Rosa was confused.
Ryan, however, felt uneasy. He had watched the anime before, and because of the episodic format, Ash traveled from region to region, subsequently resolving disasters. But now the timeline has changed, and it's possible that the villainous teams from various regions are collaborating to cause chaos. If the League doesn't handle it well, it could really be catastrophic.
"I can't reveal the details. After all, the future is changeable. If people deliberately alter it, the future will also change," Master Kenzo said.
He was speaking to Rosa, but Ryan knew that Master Kenzo was reminding him. After all, he definitely knew Celebi, who sat on Ryan's shoulder.
"What about my love life?" Rosa asked anxiously.
"Childhood friends," Master Kenzo said. "Okay, get going, children. There's no need to waste any more time with an old man like me."
Ryan and the others bowed respectfully to Master Kenzo. After all, he was an elder, and a capable one at that, worthy of their respect.
Leaving Saffron City, Ruby curiously asked, "By the way, you both asked about your relationships. Who are your partners?"
"It's an adult matter, kids don't need to know," Ryan said, subconsciously forgetting that he was only fourteen.
"Haha. I don't believe you haven't thought about it before. Come on, tell me, who is your sweetheart?" Rosa's expression darkened, practically ready to interrogate Ruby.
Ruby trembled and began to seek protection from Ryan.
"By the way, Ruby, you're quite capable. Why are you pursuing the path of a Contest coordinator? It's usually chosen by girls, isn't it?" Ryan smirked, rubbing his chin.
"Bro, you're my real bro." Ruby quickly came up and covered Ryan's mouth. "Can you please show some mercy?"
"Oh~ I see." Rosa dragged out the words. "It seems like childhood sweethearts."
"Aren't you the same?!" Ruby said angrily.
"Oh, hehe. It seems you're asking for trouble." Rosa instantly went ballistic and chased after Ruby, ready to beat him up.
"Hey, slow down!" Ryan helplessly chased after them.
Master Kenzo watched the three of them leave and sighed, "Keep going, children. The future truly lies in the hands of you chosen ones. I hope the League will be more vigilant, otherwise it will be truly irreversible."
(End of Chapter)
If you enjoyed this chapter, leave a Power Stone or Review!
P@atreon/Soulforger (45+ advanced chapters)