"What were you doing just now?" Raifort asked curiously as she stopped and waited.
Naoki pulled out the stone he had pocketed earlier and held it up. "I found a lot of these gem-like stones back there."
Raifort examined the stone briefly before hazarding a guess. "It might be a fossil of some ancient creature. The seismic activity here millions of years ago caused the extinction of many ancient Pokémon."
"Ancient Pokémon…" Naoki murmured, his thoughts drifting.
He recalled the Pokémon fossils discovered in various regions: the Helix and Dome Fossils of Kanto, as well as Aerodactyl's Old Amber; the Root and Claw Fossils from Hoenn; and the Skull and Armor Fossils of Sinnoh.
Then there were the fossil Pokémon from Unova, Kalos, and Galar. But two regions stood out for their lack of fossil Pokémon—Alola and Paldea.
"This stone might be highly valuable to fossil enthusiasts!" Raifort said with a smile. "I suggest you hold onto it. You might be able to trade it with collectors for something interesting in the future."
Naoki thought about it for a moment and realized she was right. Currently, Paldea didn't have the facilities to revive fossils. To revive this fossil, he'd have to travel to Kanto or Hoenn, which wasn't feasible in the near future. Especially with the baby Eevees due to hatch back at the ranch soon, he'd be busy caring for them.
He resolved to keep the stone for now and revive it when the opportunity arose. He only hoped the technology to revive such unique fossils was widely available.
Pocketing the fossil, Naoki followed Raifort as they continued their journey. Before long, they reached the entrance to the royal city ruins.
The staircase leading into the ruins was cracked and weathered, littered with boulders and thick layers of dust.
Raifort knelt to touch the stone steps, rubbing some dust between her fingers before blowing it away. "It's clear no one's been here in ages. Perfect—I won't have to worry about someone beating me to the treasures."
She raised her head, gazing at the shadowy silhouette of the ruined city in the distance. Her lips curled into a determined smile. "Let's go. First, we need to find the chamber where the Paldean Empire stored its secrets."
Naoki nodded and followed her up the worn steps. Passing through a crumbling archway, they officially entered the city.
The once-majestic royal city was now a shadow of its former glory. Residential buildings lay in ruins, their collapsed walls and shattered foundations testifying to the immense destruction wrought by the Treasures of Ruin during the Paldean Empire's downfall.
"They really earned their reputation as disastrous forces," Naoki muttered under his breath, marveling at the scale of devastation.
Suddenly, a rustling sound from behind caught his attention.
Naoki began to turn, but Koraidon reacted faster, letting out a thunderous roar. "Raao!"
A powerful wave of oppressive energy radiated from Koraidon, sending a gust of wind surging outward. The sudden force drove back a group of sneaky Mimikyu Pokémon attempting to ambush them from the shadows.
Naoki accidentally made eye contact with one of the ghostly figures. An icy chill ran down his spine as an unnatural coldness enveloped him.
"Be careful!" Raifort shouted, her voice urgent. "Those are Mimikyu! Seeing their true form can be dangerous. Avoid making eye contact with them!"
Naoki snapped out of his daze, taking a deep breath to steady himself. He counted eight of the shadowy Pokémon lingering nearby, their ghostly forms glowing faintly in the darkness. Despite Koraidon's intimidating display, the Mimikyu seemed unfazed, advancing cautiously as if testing their resolve.
"They're not backing down," Naoki muttered. His tone hardened as he issued a command. "Koraidon, use Flamethrower!"
"Raao!" Koraidon responded, its maw opening wide as flames began to swirl and gather. A searing beam of fire erupted from its mouth, engulfing the ghostly Pokémon in a wave of intense heat.
The Mimikyu let out eerie cries of pain as the flames forced them to retreat. Their forms flickered and melted into the darkness, leaving the area eerily silent once more.
"Stay alert," Raifort warned, her Zoroark reappearing from the shadows to stand at her side. "Zoroark says there are more Pokémon in this area—not just the Mimikyu."
Naoki nodded, his hand instinctively brushing Koraidon's side. "Understood. Let's move carefully from here."
Raifort surveyed their surroundings, her sharp eyes assessing the layout of the ruins. "This must be the entrance to the royal city," she remarked. "Based on the architecture of the time, the main castle should still be further up."
The two pressed onward, with Raifort taking the lead, navigating through the rubble and identifying their path. Naoki followed closely, with Koraidon vigilantly scanning their surroundings to guard against any sudden attacks from the Pokémon inhabiting the ruins.
As a historian and field researcher, Raifort's expertise in ancient civilizations and her uncanny knack for uncovering the past proved invaluable. Her excitement was palpable, her steps quickening as they neared their destination.
Eventually, the pair arrived at a weathered wooden door adjacent to what appeared to be the main hall of the castle.
"This is it!" Raifort exclaimed, her face lighting up with excitement.
She stepped forward, eager to push open the door and uncover what lay within. However, Naoki's sharp eyes caught an unusual movement in the rubble flanking the path.
"Wait—something's wrong," he said, his voice tense.
Before Raifort could respond, the ground trembled violently. Dust and debris flew into the air as two massive, golem-like Pokémon erupted from the ruins, their stone bodies crackling with energy.
Golurk.
The two imposing Pokémon stood motionless for a moment, their heads swiveling unnaturally as their glowing yellow eyes locked onto Raifort near the small door. Without warning, one of the Golurk surged forward, its massive fist raised high and glowing with energy as it prepared to strike.
"Look out!" Naoki shouted.
Koraidon reacted instantly, launching forward with a burst of speed. With a resounding roar, it swung its tail cloaked in dragon energy, delivering a devastating Dragon Tail that sent the attacking Golurk tumbling backward.
Meanwhile, Raifort's Zoroark leaped into action, its movements swift and precise. Facing the second Golurk, Zoroark used its Dark-type advantage to outmaneuver the lumbering guardian, evading its powerful blows with ease. With a combination of agility and super-effective moves, Zoroark managed to bring down its opponent in short order.
As the battle concluded, the golden light in the eyes of both Golurk dimmed, their massive bodies slumping back into the rubble from which they had emerged.
Raifort let out a sigh of relief, clutching her chest. "That was close. Thank you! It seems I really did choose the right person for the job."
Naoki, still on edge, nodded toward the wooden door. "We can celebrate later. Focus on the task at hand."
"Right." Raifort straightened herself, her excitement returning. With a firm push, she opened the door and stepped inside.
Naoki peered in from the doorway, observing what appeared to be an ancient archive. Dust-covered tomes and yellowed scrolls were scattered haphazardly across the floor, the room bearing the weight of centuries of neglect. Without hesitation, Raifort began combing through the documents, her eyes scanning for any mention of the Treasures of Ruin.
Left with little to do, Naoki sat down on the crumbling stairs leading up to the castle hall. Koraidon settled beside him, its vigilant gaze never leaving their surroundings.
Reaching into his pocket, Naoki retrieved the gem-like fossil he had picked up earlier. Turning it over in his hands, he examined its unusual shape and crystalline texture. The faint shimmer of the fossil reflected the dim light filtering through the ruins.
Koraidon's eyes were fixed on the stone, its curiosity mirroring Naoki's own.
Naoki raised an eyebrow and asked, "Koraidon, do you know what this is?"
"Raao…" Koraidon tilted its head uncertainly, letting out a low sound.
Seeing this, Naoki realized that Koraidon didn't know either. He had assumed that a Pokémon with ties to the ancient past might recognize the object.
He held the stone up to the light once more. After being cleaned, it didn't resemble a traditional fossil at all. Instead, it gleamed like a gemstone—its translucent surface reminding him of amber.
"Maybe I could make it into a pendant," Naoki mused, an idea forming in his mind. He held the stone against his neck, testing its weight. "It's a little big, but it could work as a nice ornament."
Before he could ponder further, Raifort's excited voice echoed from inside the room.
"I found it! The parchment that details the Treasures of Ruin! With this, I can locate the four disaster Pokémon!"
Naoki turned, his curiosity piqued. The mention of the legendary Pokémon of disaster brought old myths to mind. Concerned, he asked, "Are you sure about unsealing them? What if they go berserk and bring disaster to Paldea again after being freed?"
Raifort hesitated, her excitement briefly dampened. Naoki's words struck a chord, reminding her of the darker aspects of the legend.
The story told of the four Treasures of Ruin—ancient Pokémon transformed into harbingers of calamity through the accumulation of human greed and malice. The parchment she had uncovered might hold the key to their whereabouts, but also to the warnings left behind by those who had sealed them away.
Leaning closer, Raifort carefully began deciphering the ancient text, her expertise in archaic languages allowing her to translate it with ease.
The parchment read:
"To suppress the four Treasures of Ruin, the king summoned a renowned Pokémon trainer. Using eight enchanted stakes, the trainer sealed each disaster Pokémon within its shrine.
Those whose hearts are tainted by greed must not break the seals, for they will unleash calamity upon the world once more. Only those with pure intentions may unseal the treasures, allowing their true forms to be revealed."
Raifort murmured the passage aloud, her voice thoughtful.
"Only those with pure hearts…" She paused, her expression shifting to one of mild unease.
Was she truly someone free from greed? She doubted it. Her sole reason for seeking the Treasures of Ruin was to claim them for herself—a far cry from the purity of intent described in the text.
Raifort awkwardly cleared her throat, a sheepish look crossing her face. Still, she wasn't one to back down after coming this far. She rolled up the parchment and tucked it into her bag before turning to Naoki.
"Well, my part's done. Now it's your turn to collect those coins! If I'm right, the treasure vault should be this way!"
Naoki caught a glimpse of the parchment as she put it away but chose not to pry further. His goals were simpler and less ambitious than hers. All he wanted was to gather enough coins to help his Gimmighoul evolve into Gholdengo.
Naoki and Raifort walked along the crumbling path, navigating through most of the ruins until they finally reached the castle's treasure vault.
Perhaps to deter theft, the door and walls of the vault were constructed from a remarkably durable material. Despite centuries of exposure to rain and groundwater, they remained pristine, retaining their original strength and form.
The door was securely locked. Naoki instinctively turned to Koraidon, considering breaking the lock by force. However, before he could act, Raifort pulled a small metal pick from her bag and began fiddling with the lock.
With a soft click, the lock snapped open.
Raifort pushed the door ajar, and before Naoki could express his surprise at her lock-picking expertise, his attention was immediately drawn to the gleaming treasure inside.
A mountain of gold coins glimmered under the faint light, their brilliance captivating.
"Wow! That's… so many gold coins!" Naoki exclaimed, wide-eyed.
Raifort stood in the doorway, a satisfied smile on her face. "Looks like your wish is about to come true."
Grinning ear to ear at the thought of his Gimmighoul evolving into Gholdengo, Naoki walked in with Koraidon and began scooping coins into his bag.
After a couple of trips, he paused and, without warning, lay down on top of the pile of gold coins.
Raifort tilted her head, perplexed. "What are you doing?"
Naoki closed his eyes, sinking slightly into the treasure. "You know how in pirate movies, they always show someone lying on a pile of treasure? I wanted to know what it feels like."
"And? How is it?" Raifort asked, suppressing a laugh.
Naoki sat up, brushing stray coins off his arms. "Honestly? It's not comfortable at all. Hard and cold."
At that, Raifort chuckled, her voice echoing softly in the room.
Naoki shook off the thought and returned to packing the gold coins into his expandable bag. Among the coins, there were also various gold and silver ornaments scattered around—items like an intricately designed golden crown, a ruby necklace, a pigeon-egg-sized gemstone, and an elaborate golden scepter.
Despite their obvious value, Naoki seemed unimpressed. Items like the crown and scepter, relics of a long-dead king, felt eerie to him. He preferred to stick to the practical: gold coins.
"I'll just take the coins. The rest is all yours," he said casually.
"You don't want these?" Raifort asked, her surprise evident. She gestured toward the ornate scepter. "A piece like this could sell for tens of millions outside."
Naoki hesitated briefly at the mention of such a staggering sum. But as he glanced up, he caught the gleam in Raifort's eyes—a subtle yet deliberate test.
It clicked in his mind. Raifort was gauging his intentions.
She had read the contents of the parchment earlier with him present. He recalled the specific line: Only those with pure intentions and clear minds can remove the seals.
The challenge was clear. Would he choose the promise of wealth and glory, or The Treasures of Ruin?
Naoki didn't need long to decide. His goal was already set.
He wanted the Treasures of Ruin. Specifically, the idea of owning his very own Chien-Pao, the legendary snow leopard Pokémon, had captivated him.
He gave Raifort a firm look, his decision unwavering. "No, I'll stick with the coins. That's all I need."
Naoki's primary goal for this journey had always been to collect the gold coins, and now that purpose was fulfilled.
Hearing his decision, Raifort nodded, a look of understanding dawning on her face. Her tone turned thoughtful, even a little impressed.
"You're resolute, I'll give you that... Alright, I understand. I'll take care of the rest. After I've translated these parchments thoroughly, I might need your help again. I'll count on you then!"
"Sure thing," Naoki replied with a smile.
...
With the exploration of the underground ruins successfully completed, Naoki and Raifort retraced their steps out of the cavern and back to the scorching Hot Desert.
By the time they emerged, the sky was bright, signaling the arrival of morning.
Exhausted from a sleepless night, both of them looked worn out.
Raifort drove Naoki and Koraidon straight back to Cascarrafa City.
At the city's intersection, the two bid each other farewell.
"What's next for you?" Raifort asked, stretching slightly as she glanced down the bustling street.
Naoki stifled a yawn. "Heading home for some much-needed sleep. What about you?"
"I'll find a hotel and rest for a bit. Thanks again for everything. Let's team up again if the opportunity arises. See you!"
With a wave, Raifort turned and disappeared into the streets of Cascarrafa City.
Naoki climbed onto Koraidon's back and started his journey home.
Koraidon, equally fatigued, seemed eager to return. Picking up speed, it covered the distance to the ranch in less than ten minutes.
Once back at the ranch, Naoki released all his Pokémon from their Poké Balls.
Originally, he intended to give the coins he'd collected to Gimmighoul, but his exhaustion got the better of him. Tossing the backpack full of coins onto the living room floor, Naoki trudged to his room and collapsed into bed.
Half-asleep, Naoki felt something hard and slightly uncomfortable in his pocket. Without opening his eyes, he fished out the object—a gem-like stone he had found in the ruins—and lazily tossed it onto the floor before drifting off into deep slumber.
A short while later, Indeedee entered the room holding a steaming cup of hot milk.
Seeing that Naoki had already fallen asleep, Indeedee quietly set the milk aside and began tidying up the room. Picking up Naoki's discarded clothes, it prepared to put them in the washing machine.
As Indeedee turned to leave, its gaze fell on the mysterious stone Naoki had tossed aside.
Curious, the Pokémon walked over and picked it up, studying it briefly. Then, with its natural penchant for organization, Indeedee carried the stone out of the room and placed it in Naoki's dedicated storage area for evolutionary items like Fire Stones, Water Stones, and Everstones.
...
Bonus Chapter @500PS