April 20.
April 21.
April 22.
Fang Yuan had stayed in Pingcheng for three days.
Three days later.
Mother Fang, who had previously missed Fang Yuan greatly, began to find Fang Yuan, who spent all day in the house playing games with Eevee, annoying.
Under the pretext of "go find a girlfriend and bring her back," she kicked Fang Yuan out again.
"Just three days and already fed up with me, I should never have come back—"
Fang Yuan and Eevee grumbled their way back to Magic City.
Finding a girlfriend? That wasn't on the agenda—he was off to the Pokémon World to look for Tablets.
Once he gathered all the Tablets and summoned Arceus, he would have the greatest support imaginable; what couldn't he have?
...
Pokémon World, Area of Fragrant Fate, Liuli City.
Less than a week after returning to Earth, Fang Yuan and company were back in the Pokémon World, this time in the Area of Fragrant Fate.
This trip to the Area of Fragrant Fate, besides the main quest of finding Tablets, Fang Yuan had set two side missions for himself.
The first was to get to know Da Wu through Mikkeli, who had invited him to the Glass Gym for a visit.
Da Wu, the Champion of the Fangyuan Alliance and heir of the Devon Corporation, which was a super-corporation to rival Sylveon's, had several cutting-edge technologies.
Among these, Fang Yuan was most interested in Devon's Fossil Revival Techniques.
After returning to Earth, Rotom and Dragonite had finally come up with a prototype for the cosmic battleship, based on Gil Ruth's super airship model, and the tactical plan was on the right track.
However, the Destructive Bug's resurrection plan was still a bit stuck.
Hence, Fang Yuan planned to learn from Devon, and if he couldn't gain anything from them, he might have to "visit" the Plasma Team in the Unova Region, who were also researching the Destructive Bug.
...
Liuli City.
Known as "the city where history sleeps mysteriously."
Legend had it that a huge meteorite hit the ocean a thousand years ago, and the current Liuli City was formed from that meteorite pit.
At that time, the meteorite shattered the earth, causing Natural Energy to erupt and leading to Primal Reversion fights in this area between Groudon and Kyogre, a battle that shocked the world.
Although Groudon and Kyogre had been slumbering for a thousand years, the people of the Area of Fragrant Fate had not forgotten the disaster that had affected the entire region.
People still held great reverence for Ancient Creatures like Groudon and Kyogre.
The current Luli City Mythology Museum clearly records that history.
"Mikkeli, Mikkeli, Mikkeli… pick up the phone."
Outside the Luli City Mythology Museum.
Fang Yuan held his phone, dialing Mikkeli's number and patiently waiting.
It took a long while before the call connected.
"Mr. Fang Yuan??"
On the other end, came Mikkeli's surprised voice.
"Are you calling me, which means you've accepted my invitation and decided to visit Liuli City?"
"Master Mikkeli, I'm already in Liuli City, would it be convenient to visit the Glass Gym now?" Fang Yuan asked.
His Milotic was currently trying to master the Power of the North Wind to ascend to a true Champion Level/Guardian Level.
Dragonite might also find an opportunity at the Glass Gym to strengthen the force of darkness and step up to Champion Level.
Whether it was Milotic's advancement or Dragonite's, none could be achieved without going through Mikkeli.
Interacting with Master Mikkeli, the Water Master, to enhance Pokemon's capabilities, was another side mission Fang Yuan had set for himself.
"..."
On the other end, Mikkeli was silent.
After a pause, Mikkeli apologized, "Mr. Fang Yuan, I'm very sorry, but I'm not in Liuli City at the moment and can't make it for now."
"If you don't mind, my master Adam is currently at the Glass Gym, perhaps I can ask him to host you instead…"
Mikkeli stated he truly couldn't make it.
"Uh…"
Fang Yuan looked exasperated. Damn it, I made you my first stop after arriving in the Area of Fragrant Fate and you're not even here.
"Sorry to have you come for nothing, I'll definitely apologize properly after I finish up here…"
"No need to be polite, Master Mikkeli, it's my fault for not notifying you in advance."
Fang Yuan said helplessly.
Well, since he was occupied, there was nothing to be done.
After exchanging a few more cordial words, they hung up the phone and postponed their meeting.
...
Area of Fragrant Fate, Autumn Town.
After hanging up the phone, a noble-looking man with silver-blue hair asked, "Mikkeli, who was that on the phone?"
"The Trainer I mentioned before, Fang Yuan," Mikkeli replied, "A very mysterious Trainer."
"You stood me up to go find him, didn't you?" Da Wu smiled as he looked at Mikkeli.
They had agreed to visit the museum, but Mikkeli had slipped away to the Orange Archipelago—Da Wu remembered it well and was holding a grudge...
"I'm here now with you, investigating the Magma Team... does that make up for it?" Mikkeli said with resignation.
Mikkeli had stood Da Wu up because of Fang Yuan, and now… he stood up Fang Yuan because of Da Wu.
But Mikkeli had no choice, the mysterious organization they were currently investigating, the Magma Team, had been very active lately, setting their sights on Ancient Creatures and even aiming to awaken and control them.
This was not a minor issue.
Da Wu, as the Champion of Hoenn, and Mikkeli, a descendant of the Luli people, could not allow the Magma Team to succeed.
Humans were utterly incapable of contending with these Super Ancient creatures.
If the Magma Team angered them, that would be the end.
If the disaster of a millennium ago were to reoccur because of this mad organization, both Da Wu and Mikkeli would have a major headache.