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The two musicians were extremely enthusiastic towards Hikaru. They shared that they had once performed at Nimbasa City's Music Theater, and two of the melodies played there were composed by them.
After performing the Ancient Song together with Hikaru, before he could even react, the two young musicians were already moved to tears by their own emotions.
Hikaru, in turn, obtained their precious musical knowledge!
[Acquired: Musical Rhythm Knowledge from Pianist and Jazz Drummer!]
[Description: Knowledge from two musicians about musical rhythm, helping you better harness the power of melodies and tunes. Music can stir emotions and touch the core of life itself. Sound-based moves you use will become more powerful.]
[You can now quickly learn any tune and perform it at Excellent level or above!]
[Craftable Item: Metronome!]
[Note: Excellent music knowledge can guide you to the Melody Tree, whose fruits empower sound-based moves. It is said this tree is linked to the mythical Pokémon Meloetta.]
"Have you considered applying as a music instructor at Nimbasa's BW Entertainment Company?" Lilystring asked.
She reminisced about her past, saying she once held an important post at BW Entertainment Company but left because she couldn't create music freely there. Still, with her and Takebeat's skills, they never worried about making a living.
She simply felt that with Hikaru's talent, he would become a sensation at BW Entertainment.
"I don't have such plans for now, but perhaps I'll visit the Musical someday if it counts as a performance."
"By the way, at Café Sonata in Nimbasa, there's a guitarist who can sing the Ancient Song too. Maybe you two should try teaming up with him."
Hikaru thought of the guitarist he met when first arriving in Unova – the important NPC who teaches Meloetta's Relic Song in-game, possessing the power to move hearts with melody.
At the time, since Hikaru already had the Ancient Song, he hadn't learned from that guitarist.
Having gained new knowledge and indirectly connected the three musicians, Hikaru left this vine-clad, wind-blessed town. He did think Pokémon Musicals might be worth visiting someday as a source of musical knowledge.
He then returned to Striaton, Nacrene, crossed Skyarrow Bridge… and arrived back in Castelia City.
Come to think of it, he now had the Liberty Pass, granting access to Liberty Garden Island – in the games, this is where you capture the Victory Pokémon, Victini.
However, in reality it was simply a sightseeing pass, not a special item. Many people visited Liberty Garden Island for tourism with it.
Besides, it was permanently valid, so there was no rush.
After working briefly at his Castelia home, he headed out at dusk, crossing the bustling crowds and arriving at Route 4. Here he encountered Hikers, Fishermen, and Breeders.
The yellow sands billowed in the wind, temporary construction tents were everywhere, and building materials lay scattered.
Route 4 was one of Unova's major roads. The League had invested heavily in its development. In Black 2, it would become a special small town; in White 2, development halted due to the discovery of ancient ruins.
Beyond Route 4 lay the famous Join Avenue, though it was still under construction.
"A labyrinthine ancient ruin, where the immense psychic power of the ancients lingers, burying all who venture too deep beneath quicksand. The deity of the farmlands sleeps quietly within. You need Flash to proceed… This is an unseen hardship compared to the game."
Apparently, one of the Dragon Stones was deep within the Desert Resort too?
Volcarona hadn't seen it in the real ruins. Perhaps it was buried too deeply, or deeper than even Volcarona's chamber, or in a secret place with no connection to Volcarona or Landorus.
According to the game's plot, this Desert Resort Dragon Stone is the one obtained later by the Unova hero. Driftveil City's Boss Clay should be overseeing its excavation – a long-term project, only unearthed shortly before Black & White began.
This ancient city truly was Unova's origin point.
Once glorious, now buried beneath desert sands.
Though millennia had passed, submerging it in quicksand, three unique Pokémon still resided near its ruins. Wild Pokémon thrived within – as human civilization declined, nature reclaimed it, just like the Dream Ruins.
Hikaru approached the Desert Resort's entrance, taking out the Flash TM he'd bought in Castelia's market.
Among his Pokémon, Torterra could learn Flash.
He decided to explore the castle first. If he could reach its depths without encountering Landorus, that would be ideal.
The desert was filled with Doctors, Rangers, Backpackers, Psychics… The swirling sands were harsh, but Hikaru had prepared Protective Goggles.
He had also created several new items upon returning to Castelia.
By dusk, the blood-red sun slanted westward, bathing the desert in blazing light.
[Item: Protective Goggles]
[Description: Goggles that protect not just from weather damage but also powder-based moves!]
[Effect: Pokémon and humans wearing them are immune to sandstorm and hail damage, and to powder moves and Spore-based abilities.]
[Item: Assault Vest]
[Description: A vest that increases Special Defense while preventing use of status moves.]
[Effect: Increases holder's Special Defense by 50%, prevents use of status moves.]
[Item: Heavy-Duty Boots]
[Description: Heavy boots that negate the effects of entry hazards.]
[Effect: Pokémon wearing them are immune to entry hazard effects upon switch-in.]
The essential Desert Exploration Kit – plus an Escape Rope for emergencies.
Protective Goggles could be bought on the market, while the other two were handmade by Hikaru. With his current crafting skill, making these was no trouble, and he also found clues to new materials.
At the Desert Resort's entrance, many Darmanitan sat immobile in their Zen Mode statue forms. Tourists often mistook them for actual statues.
In reality, using Rage Candy Bars would awaken them for battle. These were true ancient monsters, potentially thousands of years old.
Hikaru attempted to guide them with his Draconic Vein knowledge, but as he expected…
Just as the Desert Resort was once Unova's origin but now a wasteland, the dragon veins beneath it had long since dried up. That was why it sank into quicksand.
"If I can't use dragon veins as guides… Well, I expected this. Prosperous lands would never be deserts."
The first floor, being open to tourists, was lined with torches. Workers bustled about, accompanied by researchers, Psychics, and fossil collectors.
"Ah! Sorry, kid. The lower levels are still filled with sand – haven't been cleared out yet. This ancient castle, forgotten by time, is such a tragedy."
On the second basement floor, workers told Hikaru it was impassable for now, buried in sand. He recalled that in Black & White's plot, it started this way too, with excavation underway.
"How deep is this sand buried…?"
These workers were from Driftveil City – employees under Boss Clay.
"You say you hear sounds from within the ruins?! Every time we dig where you direct us, we get buried by quicksand. Psychic abilities don't seem very useful here!" a gruff voice roared not far ahead.
A middle-aged man in cowboy hat and shorts shouted at a Psychic, who passionately insisted, "It's this way! Trust me!"
"Boss Clay is personally supervising the excavation here?"
The Psychic continued mumbling. "I can sense it… The source of great power… It's right here."
Boss Clay smacked his face. "Enough of that! I've heard you guys say this a hundred times. What a waste of time!"
At that moment, Hikaru felt something shift.
It was as if endless emotions rushed towards him from all directions. Countless whispers and laughter echoed around him – not frightening, but like the echoes of bygone lives he'd heard once in Sinnoh, remnants of an ancient world.
These emotions strengthened his psychic powers, and he felt them calling out to him.
[Knowledge 'Voices from Another World' activated!]
[Temporary Power Gained: Historical Emotions]
[Description: Any place with history is filled with boundless energy – countless joys and sorrows turned to sand. Can you understand it? This is power born from ages past.]
[Effect: All your special powers – Psychic, Aura, Spirit, Creation – are raised by one rank within the Desert Resort. You may also resonate with related individuals here.]
[Note: This Desert Resort is the fabled City of the Sun. Its counterpart, the Moon Kingdom, lies hidden elsewhere. This city once worshiped not only Volcarona but also giants. You once wielded a giant's power – thus, the city calls to you.]
[Note: The Desert Resort holds immense psychic power – radiant and scorching like the sun. If you accept its call, you may gain something… But beware. Gods of history and ancient guardians slumber here.]
"This way," Hikaru said, guiding Torterra in a specific direction.
Boss Clay noticed him. "Hey! You there, traveler. Excavation is tough today. Why not visit the tower entrance instead? We've cleared a few floors there for sightseeing!"
But before he finished speaking, the quicksand before Hikaru suddenly collapsed. The sand receded like a tide, revealing dark stairs to the next floor.
"What?! The sand… disappeared?!"
"The psychic power here just surged! What a powerful psychic…" the Psychic named Talent exclaimed, feeling Hikaru's overwhelming aura drawn by the ruins.
"Hey, kid, wait up!" Boss Clay called.
As both mining and business magnate, Clay immediately sensed a commercial opportunity. He called out, raising his thumb in approval:
"Impressive! You cleared what all of us couldn't handle alone. My psychic says you've got incredible power. How about working with us?"
"You must've been drawn here by the same psychic forces as the others, right? I don't know much about psychics, but clearly your powers can help with excavation!"
"Of course, I'll pay you well! Name your price. I'm Driftveil City's underground boss, Boss Clay!"
Hikaru didn't really need the excavation fees, but it was true – going deeper was easier with a team. Workers could clear paths, making the return safer.
Plus, if he encountered Landorus, he could always gang up with them.
"Hahaha! You're a straightforward one! I love dealing with people like you—eh?"
Boss Clay laughed heartily at Hikaru's agreement, but mid-laugh, he suddenly saw Hikaru seem to glow faintly. Rubbing his eyes, a wave of nostalgia rose in his heart.
He looked at Hikaru suspiciously.
"Did you just… glow?"
"No," Hikaru shook his head, and the others saw nothing unusual.
"How odd… For a moment, I felt like you were an old friend I hadn't seen in years. But I don't even know you."
"Indeed… You don't know me," Hikaru replied softly, then understood.
Was this the resonance of the Shinwa People?
Within the Desert Resort, such senses were amplified, allowing the ancient power of Shinwa to manifest.
Boss Clay's ancestor, Kiku'i, was once the factory head overseeing Kleavor in Hisui, under the Pearl Clan. The Pearl Clan's ancestors had ties to other Shinwa people overseas.
Hikaru asked, "Boss Clay, did your ancestors ever leave you any legends?"
"Legends? That stuff's useless to me. I built my life alone here in Unova. I used to be at the bottom of society! You think I became boss and mining tycoon thanks to ancestors' blessings?"
"Hmph, normally I'd be pissed if someone said that, but… for some reason, I can't be angry at you. What's with you all staring?! I'm not under any psychic influence!"
The Psychic Talent spoke thoughtfully. "Perhaps it's a resonance. Hikaru-sama's ancestors may have been like yours – powerful people who once shared spiritual connections, possibly as close friends."
"Ancient psychic energies persist into the present, as proven by the ambient power in this city."
Boss Clay frowned. "Hmph… I don't remember anything like that. Don't know much about my ancestors anyway. But this ain't a bad thing, right?"
"Haha! I feel strangely connected to you. Maybe Talent's right – perhaps our ancestors knew each other. Helping us here might just be a fated reunion of their descendants! My luck sure is good!"
"Alright! I'm counting on you to lead the way!"
(End of Chapter)
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