Chapter 78: The Cruel Tower

Sinnoh—the main battleground of the Diamond and Pearl games, and Mount Coronet, an immensely important place within them. Legend has it that traces of Arceus linger here, and the twin deities of time and space are mythical creatures that players can capture. Yet Zhao Fang had no idea what the place was truly like in reality.

After all, there are always some differences between games and real life. Zhao Fang had never been to Mount Coronet, but recalling Chimney Mountain in the Hoenn region, he could easily imagine that Mount Coronet must be a grand, imposing range.

Lost in thought, Zhao Fang was startled when Cynthia’s face appeared once again on the screen.

“I found it! The pattern you showed me—it’s quite similar to one found in the ruins of an ancient, dilapidated temple on Mount Coronet… Look, right here.” Cynthia, visibly excited, presented a photograph. It seemed to depict a mural, on which a majestic beast faced a radiant object. The pattern Zhao Fang had shown appeared beneath the glowing entity.

“But why would it be seen in the Hoenn region?” Zhao Fang mused aloud, perplexed. The image was from Mount Coronet, so why would the ancient tower appear in Hoenn?

“Can you still find that tower?” Cynthia looked at Zhao Fang hopefully. Her curiosity for history and theology was boundless. Legends spoke of mythical beasts in Sinnoh that could manipulate time and space, and Cynthia longed to battle them, to test whether her Pokémon might reach new heights.

Zhao Fang awkwardly shook his head. How could he admit that he’d practically dismantled the temple? Still, perhaps the memory of the Unown might provide other clues.

Though Cynthia was somewhat disappointed, she exchanged contact information with Zhao Fang and reminded him to reach out if he came across any other ruins. She’d be staying in Hoenn for another two weeks or so.

Zhao Fang quickly agreed, though he didn’t give the matter much thought. Ruins were hardly weeds in the field—one couldn’t stumble upon them without a stroke of luck. Zhao Fang had been fortunate, aided by the treasure map from Camellia and his own inability to sleep, which had led him to discover the tall tower.

Yawning, Zhao Fang lay down on his bed. Professor Odamaki’s experiments wouldn’t begin until evening; Zhao Fang decided to take a nap.

…

Once again, Zhao Fang opened his eyes in a dream. He was delighted—his theory had been right: as long as he slept, he could continue observing these memories. He wondered what he would see this time.

Before him was the familiar darkness, nothing but the eyes of other Unown. Just as Zhao Fang began to worry that things might never change, the light appeared again, revealing a vast body of water. At its center, a Kingdra floated, and then the door swung open. A man clad in strange, ancient attire entered, sending out a Sharpedo to battle the Kingdra.

Zhao Fang watched intently. These were the memories of the Unown. Could this man be the first challenger of the tower?

This ancient trainer was formidable, and his Sharpedo was powerful, too. Zhao Fang doubted he could defeat it himself. Yet the Kingdra was even stronger, leaving the trainer battered and defeated. In desperation, the trainer took out a stone, and Sharpedo was enveloped in a white light—Mega Evolution!

Zhao Fang’s eyes widened with astonishment. Ancient trainers had mastered Mega Evolution.

Sharpedo’s strength surged dramatically, but soon Zhao Fang felt that strange sensation in his forehead—a draining, almost brain-numbing feeling. Meanwhile, Kingdra began to glow, evolving. Zhao Fang was puzzled—could Kingdra have a Mega form too?

But then Zhao Fang sensed the tower’s malice toward trainers, for Kingdra evolved into Palkia, and with a single Spacial Rend, split the Mega Sharpedo in two.

Before Zhao Fang could react, Sharpedo was dead, and the trainer was dragged away by a figure in gray robes. Blood and corpse sank into the ground and vanished.

At that moment, Zhao Fang’s mother called him awake—it was time for dinner.

His expression was grim; the scene had been far too bloody. Sharpedo had died outright in the tower’s trial, and Zhao Fang felt a surge of relief—thank goodness he’d discovered the tower’s secret and avoided facing the Mega Steelix head-on.

“What kind of dream did you have? Why are you smiling so happily?” his mother asked, curious.

His father gave him a knowing look—a look every man understood—which made Zhao Fang feel uneasy.

“Ah, nothing… I just gained a deeper understanding of Pokémon.” Zhao Fang hurriedly waved his hands. He’d just realized that these memories were a treasure in themselves—a chance to observe Pokémon battles, a precious resource. Ancient trainers had been truly skilled.

Zhao Fang now hoped he might soon encounter trainers using Gyarados, or perhaps Aurorus or Dragalge.

After dinner, Zhao Fang hurried to Professor Odamaki’s laboratory, where he was greeted by Aurorus in a fit of temper, stomping repeatedly on a strange apparatus.

Apparently, Aurorus heard Zhao Fang enter. She looked over, and recognizing him, immediately brightened, coming over to nuzzle him, rubbing against his body and nudging his backpack with her head. Zhao Fang was confused—what was wrong with Aurorus?

“Zhao Fang, you’re finally here! Quick, feed her something—your Aurorus refuses to eat!” Professor Odamaki, bundled up in thick winter clothes, called out loudly.

Zhao Fang looked at the anxious Aurorus and couldn’t help but laugh. He’d wondered what was wrong with her, only to find she was simply hungry, unwilling to eat ordinary food. It made sense—his specially prepared food was highly enticing to Pokémon, pushing their limits. Who wouldn’t want that?

Quickly, Zhao Fang whipped up a pork cutlet meal for Aurorus. She ate happily, her base stats rising by another 0.4. Zhao Fang made careful note of the information.

“Your Aurorus is quite proud, but she’s mastered a remarkable array of moves. Take a look.” Professor Odamaki handed Zhao Fang a sheet of paper. Zhao Fang glanced over it and was astonished: in addition to her usual moves, Aurorus had learned Aurora Beam, Double-Edge, Avalanche, Ancient Power, and Nature Power, but most surprising of all—his Aurorus even knew Thunderbolt!