Chapter 353: Plates Collected!
~Azure S. POV~
[Johto Region, Days Later, Goldenrod City]
The soft hum of the air conditioner was the only sound breaking the contented quiet of the Goldenrod City hotel room. Outside, the sprawling heart of Johto pulsed with life, but in here, time seemed to slow, encapsulated by the gentle snores of my partners, Pikachu and Eevee.
They were curled up together on the plush duvet, a tiny, newly hatched Ralts snuggled between them, radiating a faint, innocent psychic warmth. A fond smile touched my lips as I watched them, wondering if Gardevoir would love to have one of its kin around.
|Name: Ralts (Feeling Pokémon)
|Type: Psychic/Fairy
|Level: 5
|Gender: Male
|Held Item: None
|Ability: Trace
|Nature: Adamant
|Moves: Growl, Teleport, Double Team, Disarming Voice, Disable (IM), Destiny Bond (IM), Mean Look (EM) (1 Moves to learn)
It was a scene of pure, unadulterated peace, a stark contrast to the relentless pursuit I'd finally, blissfully, completed just hours ago. In my hands, heavy with a power I was only just beginning to comprehend, rested the eighteen Plates of Arceus.
Each one, a sliver of the world's fundamental essence, hummed faintly in my grasp, a chorus of elemental power. And a MAJOR pain in the ass to collect.
[Observe].
[Item: Fist Plate
Rarity Item: S
Type: Held Item
Description: A stone tablet imbued with the essence of fighting spirit. When used on a certain Pokémon, it allows that Pokémon to gain the power of the Fighting type. It boosts the holder's Fighting Type moves by 20%.]
[Item: Blank Plate
Rarity Item: S
Type: Held Item
Description: A stone tablet imbued with the essence of normalcy. When used on a certain Pokémon, it allows that Pokémon to gain the power of the Normal type. It boosts the holder's Normal Type moves by 20%.]
[Item: Sky Plate
Rarity Item: S
Type: Held Item
Description: A stone tablet imbued with the essence of Flight. When used on a certain Pokémon, it allows that Pokémon to gain the power of the Flying type. It boosts the holder's Flying Type moves by 20%.]
[Item: Toxic Plate
Rarity Item: S
Type: Held Item
Description: A stone tablet imbued with the essence of poison. When used on a certain Pokémon, it allows that Pokémon to gain the power of the Poison type. It boosts the holder's Poison-type moves by 20%.]
[Item: Pixie Plate
Rarity Item: S
Type: Held Item
Description: A stone tablet imbued with the essence of fairies. When used on a certain Pokémon, it allows that Pokémon to gain the power of the Fairy type. It boosts the holder's Fairy-type moves by 20%.]
[Item: Dread Plate
Rarity Item: S
Type: Held Item
Description: A stone tablet imbued with the essence of darkness. When used on a certain Pokémon, it allows that Pokémon to gain the power of the Dark type. It boosts the holder's Dark-type moves by 20%.]
[Item: Draco Plate
Rarity Item: S
Type: Held Item
Description: A stone tablet imbued with the essence of dragons. When used on a certain Pokémon, it allows that Pokémon to gain the power of the Dragon type. It boosts the holder's Dragon-type moves by 20%.]
[Item: Icicle Plate
Rarity Item: S
Type: Held Item
Description: A stone tablet imbued with the essence of ice. When used on a certain Pokémon, it allows that Pokémon to gain the power of the Ice type. It boosts the holder's Ice-type moves by 20%.]
[Item: Mind Plate
Rarity Item: S
Type: Held Item
Description: A stone tablet imbued with the essence of psychic energy. When used on a certain Pokémon, it allows that Pokémon to gain the power of the Psychic type. It boosts the holder's Psychic-type moves by 20%.]
[Item: Zap Plate
Rarity Item: S
Type: Held Item
Description: A stone tablet imbued with the essence of electricity. When used on a certain Pokémon, it allows that Pokémon to gain the power of the Electric type. It boosts the holder's Electric-type moves by 20%.]
[Item: Meadow Plate
Rarity Item: S
Type: Held Item
Description: A stone tablet imbued with the essence of plants. When used on a certain Pokémon, it allows that Pokémon to gain the power of the Grass type. It boosts the holder's Grass-type moves by 20%.]
[Item: Splash Plate
Rarity Item: S
Type: Held Item
Description: A stone tablet imbued with the essence of water. When used on a certain Pokémon, it allows that Pokémon to gain the power of the Water type. It boosts the holder's Water-type moves by 20%.]
[Item: Flame Plate
Rarity Item: S
Type: Held Item
Description: A stone tablet imbued with the essence of fire. When used on a certain Pokémon, it allows that Pokémon to gain the power of the Fire type. It boosts the holder's Fire-type moves by 20%.]
[Item: Iron Plate
Rarity Item: S
Type: Held Item
Description: A stone tablet imbued with the essence of steel. When used on a certain Pokémon, it allows that Pokémon to gain the power of the Steel type. It boosts the holder's Steel-type moves by 20%.]
[Item: Spooky Plate
Rarity Item: S
Type: Held Item
Description: A stone tablet imbued with the essence of ghosts. When used on a certain Pokémon, it allows that Pokémon to gain the power of the Ghost type. It boosts the holder's Ghost-type moves by 20%.]
[Item: Insect Plate
Rarity Item: S
Type: Held Item
Description: A stone tablet imbued with the essence of bugs. When used on a certain Pokémon, it allows that Pokémon to gain the power of the Bug type. It boosts the holder's Bug-type moves by 20%.]
[Item: Stone Plate
Rarity Item: S
Type: Held Item
Description: A stone tablet imbued with the essence of rock. When used on a certain Pokémon, it allows that Pokémon to gain the power of the Rock type. It boosts the holder's Rock-type moves by 20%.]
[Item: Earth Plate
Rarity Item: S
Type: Held Item
Description: A stone tablet imbued with the essence of earth. When used on a certain Pokémon, it allows that Pokémon to gain the power of the Earth type. It boosts the holder's Earth-type moves by 20%.]
Eighteen. All eighteen.
It had been a monumental pain in the ass over the past few days, weeks even, if I was honest. Johto, for all its beauty and tradition, held its secrets tight, scattering these ancient relics like breadcrumbs in a scavenger hunt.
I'd traversed every crag of Mt. Silver, plumbed the murky depths beneath Olivine, deciphered cryptic messages etched into the ruins of Ecruteak, and even navigated the treacherous political landscape of Mahogany, a place still wary after the Team Rocket debacle. Each Plate had presented its own unique challenge, demanding specific strategies, a keen eye, and the unwavering dedication of my team.
The last one, the Blank Plate, had been particularly elusive. Goldenrod City. Of all places, the bustling metropolis, a hive of commerce and incessant chatter, had hidden the final piece of the puzzle.
I'd initially scoured the sprawling underground, convinced it would be tucked away in some forgotten sewer pipe or a hidden compartment beneath the game corner. My map that Morty gave me was helpful in this cause.
It wasn't until I called upon Weavile that the real hunt began. Her icy, sharp eyes scanned the urban labyrinth.
With a quiet command, she'd dispatched a small team of Sneasels, agile and stealthy, perfect for navigating the city's nooks and crannies. They were like shadows, flitting through alleyways, scaling walls, and slipping unnoticed into restricted areas.
It was one of them, a particularly mischievous Sneasel with a permanent smirk, who finally found it. It hadn't been buried deep or locked away in some impenetrable vault. No, the Blank Plate was simply hidden.
Tucked within a forgotten, derelict clock tower that had long since stopped telling time, nestled behind a crumbling facade and a loose brick, almost as if waiting for the wind to finally dislodge it. The Sneasel, using its keen senses, managed to detect it just as I'd described and had scaled the tower like a phantom.
A quick tap, a rustle of ancient mortar, and there it was, lying exposed on a dusty ledge, shimmering with an understated, yet profound, neutrality. I remember the surge of triumph, the quiet exhalation, the feeling of a weight finally lifting from my shoulders as I held it for the first time.
Now, back in the quiet sanctuary of our hotel room, the full collection spread before me, the task felt almost surreal. I had the Flame Plate, vibrant as a volcano's heart, the Splash Plate, cool and clear like an arctic spring, the Meadow, Zap, Icicle, Fist, Toxic, Earth, Sky, Mind, Insect, Stone, Iron, Draco, Spooky, Dread, and Pixie Plates.
And finally, the Blank Plate, radiating a versatile emptiness that spoke of infinite potential. The only one missing, to my knowledge, was the mythical Legend Plate, said to be Arceus's very essence.
But I didn't need that one specifically. The eighteen elemental Plates were tangible, practical, and potent enough for what was coming. They were my cheat advantage, as I'd grimly termed it. A faint ripple in the air caught my attention. It was a subtle shift in the room's energy, a distortion that only I, and perhaps my highly sensitive Pokémon, would notice.
*Pop*
From the pristine white Master Ball nestled among my other gear, a crimson beam of light erupted, coalescing mid-air with a silent hum. In an instant, the air solidified, and there it stood: Mewtwo.
Its imposing form, a testament to genetic engineering and untold power, was framed against the hotel room's muted decor. Its eyes, sharp and intelligent, immediately fixed upon the Plates in my hands.
There was no theatrical flourish from Mewtwo, no wasted movement. Its presence alone commanded respect, a quiet authority born of immense psychic prowess.
A tendril of psychic energy, invisible but palpable, reached out from Mewtwo, brushing gently against the collection. I felt its scrutiny, a mental probe that sought to understand not just the Plates, but my intent.
Mewtwo was no mere tool; it was an intelligent being, a partner whose trust I had to earn and maintain. Mewtwo's voice resonated directly in my mind, a deep, calm resonance that bypassed the need for spoken words, 'So, these are the artifacts you sought so tirelessly. They bear a remarkable energy signature. Highly unstable, yet paradoxically, perfectly balanced…'
Its gaze lingered on the Mind Plate, which pulsed with an internal light that only it seemed to perceive as Mewtwo continued, 'The Mind Plate resonates with an unearthly aura. A concentrated wellspring of raw mental energy.'
I nodded, gently shifting the Plates in my palm. I reached over, carefully separating the Psychic Plate from the others, its smooth surface cool against my skin, explaining calmly, "That's why I needed them, Mewtwo. All of them. But especially that one against them. Giovanni. And his Deoxys."
Mewtwo's eyes narrowed fractionally, a subtle flicker of recognition, perhaps even disdain, in their depths. Even in this new reality, the shadow of Team Rocket and its infamous leader loomed large.
I remembered Team Rocket from my other life, but here, in the Pokémon Adventures world, their ambition and ruthlessness were on an entirely different scale. Giovanni wasn't just a regional crime boss; he was a global threat, a strategic genius whose machinations had once nearly engulfed Kanto.
And now, with a creature like Deoxys – a literal alien, a viral Pokémon of incredible power and adaptability – under his sway, the stakes were astronomical. But combine that with Giovanni's skill… monstrous.
I shivered at the thought that Red only won that because he had no plan but to go all out with Mewtwo in the Manga. I explained, my voice low and serious, "Deoxys is nearly unstoppable, Mewtwo. Its ability to change forms, adapt to any attack, and regenerate almost instantly… It's a nightmare. Conventional strategies won't work. We need something that can fundamentally alter the battlefield, something that can disrupt its very molecular structure if necessary."
My gaze met Mewtwo's firm resolve as I continued explaining, grasping the plates, "The Plates, especially the Mind Plate, will be our 'advantage.' We won't just be amplifying our attacks; we'll be tapping into primal forces. The very fabric of this world, concentrated into these Plates."
Mewtwo considered my words, its formidable intellect processing the implications as it said telepathically, 'A sound strategy, Master. These Plates represent fundamental truths of existence. To wield them is to manipulate reality at a foundational level.'
It extended a hand, and the Psychic Plate gently lifted from my grasp, levitating towards it, asking, 'Allow me.'
*Shiii*
The Plate settled into Mewtwo's palm. It closed its eyes, and the air in the room grew heavy, charged with an invisible force. A faint, ethereal glow began to emanate from Mewtwo, a soft violet light that pulsed in rhythm with its breathing.
The Mind Plate itself seemed to thrum, resonating with Mewtwo's immense mental power. I watched, mesmerized, as the unearthly aura I'd sensed earlier intensified, swirling around Mewtwo like a cosmic mist.
Its body seemed to absorb the Plate's energy, its already formidable psychic abilities enhancing, deepening, becoming something even more profound. It wasn't just using the Plate; it was integrating with it, becoming a conduit for its raw power.
Pikachu, stirring from his nap, blinked open one eye, his ears twitching as he sensed the surge of energy from Mewtwo. Eevee, ever alert, lifted her head, her brown eyes wide as she took in the glowing Pokémon, though she showed no fear, only a respectful curiosity.
Even Ralts, nestled safely between them, emitted a soft, inquisitive chirp, drawn to the power, yet protected by the gentle presence of its adopted siblings. I smiled, a genuine, hopeful smile this time.
My partners. My family. They were the true champions, the reason I fought. We had faced down countless challenges, adapted to a world that was both familiar and startlingly different.
Mewtwo opened its eyes slowly, the violet glow receding, replaced by a subtle, yet profound, depth said stunned, 'The Plate's energy is… immense. It grants a connection to the very thoughts of the world, a wellspring of raw psychic potential that transcends conventional limits. I understand now, Master. This is more than a 'cheat'; it is a necessary augmentation.'
I reached out, gently stroking Pikachu's head as I stated boldly, trusting Mewtwo's power, "It is. And with you wielding it, Mewtwo, Giovanni won't know what hit him. Deoxys won't stand a chance. But will use it as a last resort…"
Mewtwo nodded his head in agreement as he slyly smirked with his arms crossed as he responded telepathically, 'Indeed. But of course, I wish to test myself against Deoxys without relying on the Plates. I wish to see how my Mega Forms would do against the adaptable Deoxys Formes.'
I simply nodded my head. While using the Plates against Giovanni seems overkill, I would rather my Pokémon use them to overpower his own.
But it's more than likely I'll save them for when I truly need them. Don't need to tip my entire hand to him just yet.
Plus, in the Manga, Mewtwo should've lost rightfully so if not for Red's stubborn interference and tactics using himself to battle another Trainer, in this case, Giovanni. I won't make the same mistakes as him.
The air in the room settled, but a new kind of tension had taken root – the quiet hum of impending battle, of preparation complete, of a destiny embraced. We had the Plates. We had the power.
And we had each other. Let Giovanni come.
Let Deoxys show its alien might. We were ready.
The Pokémon Adventures world had thrown its worst at us before, and we had always found a way, together. This time, we would not just find a way; we would forge a victory that would ensure this world's future remained vibrant, diverse, and free.
/////
A/N: Reach the goal of 100 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!