"However, this fishing contest will be held in two months. Going now would be too early."
Ethan pondered as he continued reviewing information about other cities. According to the schedule, he could still visit a few more places during those two months.
"Is the gym of Gullhaven City a Flying-type gym?"
"This gym could serve to test the results of Charizard's flight training. But the location of Gullhaven City is behind Coral City, so I would have to take a detour."
Ethan slightly furrowed his brow as he continued scanning the map with his eyes and consulting the available information.
More than twenty years might seem neither too long nor too short, but the original world had already undergone radical changes.
"On the other hand, this Nova City... ancient Pokémon fossils were discovered there inside a Secret Kingdom."
"Moreover, there is a laboratory of the Pokémon Researchers' Guild in the city dedicated to researching ancient ruins of Secret Kingdoms. It might be worth going to take a look."
Ethan murmured to himself and suddenly remembered something. He took a notebook out of his backpack and opened it to the page where he had recorded the ancient texts found in the ruins of the mobile Secret Kingdom in the desert.
According to his conjectures, those ancient texts might be related to the legendary Pokémon Regirock. Although he had already consulted many documents on his own, he had not obtained any results.
"Perhaps they can help me decipher them at that laboratory."
Ethan made his decision. A place like that, which frequently came into contact with ancient texts, would surely have sufficient experience. Perhaps there truly was a chance to decipher them.
"Then, I'll go to Nova City first, then Coral City, and finally Gullhaven City."
Very quickly, Ethan finalized his itinerary and began preparing supplies for the next leg of his journey.
...
"Come out, Gengar."
Upon entering a dangerous wild area, Ethan once again released Gengar.
Although Gengar had remained inside the Poké Ball for more than half a month, it showed no anger. As always, it diligently slipped into Ethan's shadow, acting as his shadowy guardian.
"And now you all as well, come out."
Next, Ethan released the other five Pokémon.
Because numerous mountain ranges lay between Greenfield City and Nova City, Ethan had no intention of traveling on foot. Instead, he chose to cross them directly by riding on Charizard.
At the same time, this also served as training for Charizard. This kind of long-distance flight placed heavy demands on the Pokémon's endurance and stamina. Although Charizard was already accustomed to carrying people while flying, it did not necessarily mean it could do so over such long distances.
Fuu fuu fuu~
Accompanied by the powerful flapping of Charizard's wings, they rose into the sky in an instant.
The ancient ruins research laboratory was located in a valley on the outskirts of Nova City, and that place was also the entrance to a Secret Kingdom of ancient ruins.
"Zzzt!"
From very far away, Meltan had already sensed the intense spatial fluctuations emanating from the Secret Kingdom.
"It looks like we're almost there. Good job, Charizard." Ethan smiled faintly and patted the Charizard beneath him.
"Charrzz!"
Charizard seemed to let out a sigh of relief and, with a flap of its wings, increased its flying speed once more.
"We've finally arrived. Charizard, return to the Poké Ball first to rest. And you as well, Gengar. Thank you for your protection along the way. Go back and rest."
Upon arriving at the valley where the ancient ruins laboratory was located, Ethan returned Charizard and Gengar to their Poké Balls.
Then, carrying Riolu in his arms and under Meltan's protection, he walked toward the ancient ruins laboratory.
"Hello, is anyone there?"
When he reached the laboratory, Ethan politely rang the doorbell.
"Coming, coming!"
Very soon, a staff member dressed in a researcher's lab coat came running over. From behind the metal gate, he cautiously asked, "Who are you?"
"Hello, I'm Ethan Black. We had previously contacted each other by phone." Ethan immediately introduced himself and explained the purpose of his visit.
"Welcome to the ancient ruins research laboratory."
After confirming Ethan's identity, the staff member welcomed him enthusiastically and led him inside.
Ethan quickly expressed his thanks and followed the researcher in. His gaze swept over the surroundings, and the first thing that caught his attention were several fossilized skeletal structures of Pokémon displayed in the lobby.
After that, he also noticed several stone steles from Secret Kingdoms, engraved with ancient Pokémon characters that bore some resemblance to the texts he had brought.
"Hello, Professor Brands."
Following the staff member, Ethan arrived at the office of the professor in charge of researching ancient ruins and greeted him politely.
"Ethan, you've finally arrived. Did you bring the model of the ancient texts you mentioned earlier?"
Upon seeing Ethan, Professor Brands' eyes lit up, and he quickly stepped forward.
"Professor Brands, these are the ancient texts."
Ethan immediately took out the notebook and handed it over for examination.
"As I suspected, these are ancient texts from a Secret Kingdom."
"Where did you obtain these texts?"
After confirming the authenticity of the texts, Professor Brands asked again.
Ethan remained silent for a moment before answering, "I found them engraved on an ancient stele during an exploration of a Secret Kingdom."
"Because the stele was too large, I couldn't take it out of the Secret Kingdom and could only copy the texts," Ethan explained.
"I see. Leave the notebook with me; I need some time to study it first. In the meantime, you can observe how I consult the information, or take a look around the laboratory if you wish."
Professor Brands, visibly excited by the ancient texts in his hands, immediately immersed himself in deciphering them.
Seeing the professor focused on his work, Ethan gently shook his head and began strolling around the place, examining the various items from Secret Kingdoms that were displayed in the lobby.
"This is... a Magmarizer?" Suddenly, Ethan discovered an object that suspiciously resembled a Magmarizer.
"Or is it not? According to logic, a Magmarizer should accumulate a huge amount of magma energy inside it, but there are no energy fluctuations here."
After carefully observing the object, Ethan slightly furrowed his brow. Although that artifact from the Secret Kingdom looked very much like a Magmarizer, it did not seem to be one entirely.
"Wait... according to the Pokédex description, this Magmarizer should be an item manufactured by humans to store the power of magma."
"Then is it possible that, due to the passage of too much time, the magma energy stored inside it has dissipated?"
As he considered this possibility, Ethan's eyes suddenly lit up.
Following this line of thought, if the Magmarizer were recharged with magma energy, would it be possible for it to recover its original function?
(End of chapter)