Oreburgh City, Oreburgh Coal Mine.
Many researchers from the League had been dispatched, but there was no conclusion yet.
That was why Roark wanted to invite Steven, a renowned mineralogist, to take a look.
As Wayne had guessed, Roark and Steven had known each other for a long time, their bond forged through their shared interest in minerals.
"Drip, drip, drip."
Geologists held instruments that emitted urgent dripping sounds. The sound of instruments was everywhere here.
Machoke held up chandeliers to provide light for the staff, and with the light reflected from the mirror-like stone surfaces, the cave was brightly lit.
Several other staff members were directing Machoke to reinforce the mine shaft with additional wooden supports.
The interior of the cave, which was originally quite spacious, became somewhat crowded with the various instruments laid out and the throng of geologists and Pokémon.
Roark, Steven, and the geological workers were studying and discussing together.
The reflective stone on the rock wall glowed with a shimmering blue light under Steven's searchlight.
Just like his previous research on meteorites, Steven was meticulously studying the mirror-like stone.
A man who was focused was indeed very handsome.
Steven's concentrated face was reflected on the mirror surface, but his attention was entirely on his research.
After putting on white gloves, Steven gently stroked the stone surface, feeling its temperature.
The geologist adjusted the spectrometer.
"It's a very special stone. Its refractive index exceeds that of currently discovered gems like Fire Gems and Steel Gems."
Hearing this, Steven nodded and took out Devon Corporation's latest energy neutralizer, scanning the stones.
"There are energy fluctuations... ripples..."
Wayne, meanwhile, took Lucario to explore the area.
"Did you find anything?"
Just as Wayne and Lucario walked past, their profiles were reflected on the reflective stone.
Lucario shook its head.
"Lucario." (The Aura transmitted into these stones all disappeared.)
When speaking of this, there was still some caution in Lucario's eyes.
"Is there any difference?"
Lucario explained with Aura: (If an object exists, like a Geodude behind us, then the Geodude will appear in the form of Aura, but...)
Wayne nodded slightly. The Aura Lucario had spread out had all vanished without a trace.
Wayne felt a little disappointed.
He had originally thought that returning to the place where he'd found the meteorite would cause some changes to it, but he hadn't found anything yet.
After searching around with Lucario, Wayne returned to where Steven and the others were working.
"How is it? Any results?"
Roark shook his head with a solemn expression.
"Not yet."
Wayne frowned slightly. "Why is your expression so serious?"
This was a concern Wayne had noticed earlier. Some of the geologists even had cold sweat on their faces.
Roark sighed. "To be honest with you, someone has gone missing. Let's talk over there."
Roark, with a worried look, led Wayne aside. "In the past two weeks, three people have gone missing here."
Wayne frowned slightly. "Are there any eyewitness reports? Can you confirm they disappeared here?"
Roark seemed a little surprised. "Why do you ask the same questions as the investigators who came to inquire?"
For a fleeting moment, Roark mistook Wayne for an investigator.
"Let's get to the point."
Roark's tone was concerned.
"Yes, someone from the maintenance team personally saw someone walk into the rock wall... and then completely disappear, just like the rumored Spirit World Rift!"
The Pokémon world had a Spirit World, or rather, there were rumors of a Spirit World.
There was also an item called the Reaper Cloth.
It was said that some Pokémon went to the Spirit World after they died, and it was also where Ghost-type Pokémon resided.
It was worth mentioning that Giratina's location was the Distortion World, not the Spirit World.
Dusknoir and Litwick were the Pokémon most connected to the legendary Spirit World.
Wayne was inclined to believe it existed.
Wayne vaguely remembered that Ash had encountered a situation where the Spirit World opened during his journey.
"Please don't spread this news for now to avoid causing panic. We're trying our best to resolve it."
Roark cautioned again.
If Wayne were an ordinary person, Roark certainly wouldn't have told him this.
But after seeing Wayne's Shiny Metagross last time, Roark had specifically looked up Wayne's information.
Could a man who could provide care for Cynthia's ace Garchomp be an ordinary person?
Coupled with Wayne and Steven coming together this time, it was enough to prove that Wayne was not an ordinary Trainer.
Roark also hoped Wayne would participate and help brainstorm. Perhaps there could be a solution?
Roark's eyes held a plea.
"I also want to ask for your help."
Before Wayne came, and not being very familiar with Wayne, he naturally wouldn't presumptuously ask.
But since Wayne had come with Steven, Roark didn't want to miss this opportunity.
Wayne and Lucario exchanged glances.
(I want to help.)
Lucario wanted to help, and Wayne couldn't stand idly by. "I'll give it a try."
Wayne threw out three Luxury Balls.
"Everyone, come out!"
"Arcanine, detect if there are any abnormalities around, but be careful."
"Woof!"
Arcanine lowered its head and sniffed around.
Arcanine had been spending time with Officer Jenny's Arcanine lately and had been learning some detection techniques in the process.
"Metagross, try to search with your psychic power."
"Meta!"
Metagross's crimson eyes glowed with a blue light.
Unlike Lucario's Aura detection, Metagross used psychic power combined with its supercomputer-like brain to reconstruct the surrounding scene in its mind.
"Drakloak, Dragapult, you two use Ghost-type energy to sense where there might be Spirit World energy."
Coincidentally, Drakloak and Dragapult were Ghost-type Pokémon, so perhaps they could sense the presence of a Spirit World rift.
"Grrrrrr~"
Dragapult closed its eyes, purple energy covering its entire body and gradually spreading outward.
Even though he had already anticipated that Wayne was not an ordinary Trainer, Roark couldn't help but be surprised when he saw Wayne's Pokémon lineup.
Lucario remained by Wayne's side.
Wayne looked at Roark. "Take me to see where the others disappeared."
Roark, who had been lost in thought, was startled and only reacted when he heard Wayne's words.
"Huh? Sorry, could you please repeat that?"
Wayne repeated it patiently.
Roark pointed at Steven's crouching back. "Actually, it's right where Steven and the others are currently researching."
"..."
Wayne didn't know how to respond for a moment.
Isn't this sending them all into danger?
What if there really was a Spirit World rift?
Roark quickly explained:
"But ever since all of us have been here, that Spirit World rift that swallows people hasn't appeared again."
Wayne said helplessly, "Let's see what Steven says first."
Just then, Steven stood up and took off his white gloves.
"Steven, how is it?"
Steven nodded slightly.
"I do have some ideas."