With all the Key Stones set in place, the Inheritor's succession ceremony finally concluded.
"Side quest (Inheritor) completed. Quest evaluation: S. Quest reward: 10,000 gold coins, fifty quest points."
"The gift package has been stored for you and can be claimed at any time."
Ace looked at the Key Stone, shaped like a long dragon, embedded in his chest. He gently stroked it and said to Granny Dragon, "Granny, I still have one more Key Stone."
"You can keep that one yourself," Granny Dragon said with a smile, not asking for it. "The more Key Stones you have, the greater your power to assist Lord Rayquaza. This Dragon Scale Armor was also specially prepared for you. The death of the previous inheritor served as a warning to us; we won't let you, the new inheritor, suffer harm again."
Ace's face flushed slightly upon hearing Granny Dragon's words.
He had just thought that this garment was made of dragon scales, and only the affluent and dragon-type Pokémon-rich Meteor Village could afford such an expensive item.
After all, dragon-type Pokémon would inevitably shed some scales during battles. So, while this might be rare in the outside world, it was probably easy to collect a large pile of dragon scales in Meteor Village.
More importantly, from Granny Dragon's words, the previous inheritor, Zinnia, didn't receive this treatment.
This meant that taking off his clothes and putting on this armor earlier wasn't part of the ceremony at all!
Thinking about stripping down in front of so many people, Ace felt a wave of shame.
After the ceremony, the many Meteorians began to return to Meteor Village. However, as they passed Ace, they would bow to him, a gesture of respect for the Inheritor.
"Come with me," Granny Dragon said to Ace after everyone had left and the dragon-type Pokémon had returned to the Dragon's Den. She gestured for Ace to follow her.
Ace put his previously removed clothes back on, re-fastened his fanny pack, and immediately followed Granny Dragon towards a large wooden building in Meteor Village.
"Granny, where are we going?" Ace asked. He noticed that with the Dragon Scale Armor underneath, he still didn't feel too hot while wearing his sweater and thick windbreaker, suggesting the armor could automatically regulate his body temperature.
"Ace, I've seen your Pokémon. It seems you don't have any Dragon-type Pokémon, do you?" Granny Dragon stopped in front of the building, turned to Ace, and asked.
Ace nodded. Although his Aerodactyl and Lapras had "dragon" in their names, they weren't Dragon-type in terms of actual typing.
"As the Inheritor of Meteor Village, it's a bit out of place not to have a Dragon-type Pokémon by your side." Granny Dragon pushed open the large door and said to Ace, "Go inside, and then follow your instincts to choose a Pokémon that suits you."
As Granny Dragon opened the door, the scene inside the building was revealed!
Within the enormous structure was a vast hall, and arranged throughout the hall were numerous wooden racks.
On these racks, Pokémon Eggs were neatly placed on soft cushions, surrounded by many candle holders. The abundant flames illuminated the hall, making the entire space somewhat stuffy.
Ace's pupils contracted. These Pokémon Eggs were undoubtedly all Dragon-type Pokémon. Granny Dragon's intention was clearly for Ace to choose a suitable Dragon-type Pokémon.
And she had also told Ace the key point: to follow his own feelings.
Don't think that Granny Dragon was just saying that casually. Ace had just gone through the Inheritor's ceremony, and his body was filled with the Dragon-type energy bestowed by the Pokémon.
Ace's affinity for Dragon-types could now be said to be at its highest. In this hall full of Dragon-type Pokémon Eggs, by simply relying on his instincts, Ace would definitely be able to find the most suitable Dragon-type partner among these Eggs.
"Thank you, Granny." Ace didn't refuse. In his current state, it would be strange not to acquire a Dragon-type Pokémon.
Moreover, if he had a Dragon-type Pokémon, Ace's current condition would likely make it easier to raise than any other Pokémon.
Ace stepped through the doorway and entered the slightly stuffy hall.
As soon as he entered, Ace heard what sounded like cheers and jubilation. The Dragon-type Pokémon Eggs seemed to glow, vying to show themselves off.
However, a voice in Ace's heart told him that while these little guys had great potential, they weren't suitable for him.
Ace walked deeper inside, passing one Pokémon Egg after another.
Soon, he stopped in front of an Egg with a light blue shell and some red patterns.
The voice in his heart spoke again, telling Ace that this was the most suitable Dragon-type Pokémon for him!
Ace believed Granny Dragon's words and his current instincts.
He reached out and picked up the Pokémon Egg.
As soon as Ace held the Egg, it immediately emitted a white light. When the white light faded, a Gible appeared in Ace's arms.
"A Gible, huh? It really is the most suitable Dragon-type Pokémon for me." Ace couldn't help but exclaim. He then lifted the Gible high, and soon, Gible's data appeared before Ace's eyes.
Pokémon: Gible
Gender: Male
Level: 1
Ability: Rough Skin
Nature: Adamant
Aptitude: Excellent
Egg Moves: Outrage
Moves: Sandstorm, Dig, Dragon Claw, Bite, Sand Tomb, Take Down.
[Fold...]
Ace looked at the Level 1 Gible and its almost perfect configuration, couldn't help but marvel at how much potential this Gible truly had!
When Ace walked out of the hall holding Gible, Granny Dragon looked at the Gible in his arms and nodded, "A Gible, is it? This little fellow seems to have excellent potential."
Ace smiled, then took an empty Poké Ball from his fanny pack. He touched Gible with the switch, and Gible instantly transformed into a red light, being drawn into the Poké Ball and becoming Ace's Pokémon.
"Granny, I plan to leave Meteor Village for now." Ace put away the Poké Ball and looked at Granny Dragon.
His mission in Hoenn was now only to find Rayquaza. His tasks in Meteor Village were complete, and he had received all the benefits he could. There was no need for him to stay here any longer.
Granny Dragon sighed. She knew that Ace wasn't one of the Meteorians, so forcing him to stay in Meteor Village wasn't realistic.
"If you're going to look for Lord Rayquaza, I suggest you don't do it in the short term." Granny Dragon said, "Lord Rayquaza is extremely wary right now and no longer trusts us humans, even us Meteorians."
Ace nodded upon hearing this. He wouldn't be looking for Rayquaza in the short term.