Chapter 301: Let Me Clarify—The Legends Are Real!
After a brief silence, Pearl voiced the question on everyone's mind. "Dialga and Palkia are…?"
"Oh, right, you guys wouldn't know about this." Asahi nodded in realization before explaining, "Dialga and Palkia are known as the Twin Gods of Time and Space. They are Pokémon that govern time and space."
"The legend says that when Palkia was born, it shattered the barrier separating reality, creating the very concept of space. With every breath it takes, space becomes more stable."
"And it was only after Dialga's birth that time came into existence. Each beat of its heart sets time into motion…"
"Although these are just legends, let me clarify—every word of them is true."
Pearl: "..."
So… that means they stand even less of a chance?!
A Pokémon that can create time and space just by breathing or having a heartbeat—how are they supposed to fight something like that?!
Even as Officer Jenny from Jubilife City arrived to take all the captured Team Galactic members into custody, Platinum, Pearl, and Diamond were still processing the shock from Asahi's words.
Breaking the silence, Asahi suddenly spoke up.
"By the way, I almost forgot—I have something for you guys!"
Under the trio's puzzled gazes, Asahi reached into his shadow and pulled out Gengar. The Ghost-type grinned mischievously before reaching into its own mouth and pulling out three communication devices, handing them over.
Asahi explained, "These are special communication devices used by the International Police. I'm adding you all to the work group chat! It's filled with your seniors… and they'll also be participating in this operation."
Hearing this, the trio finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Seniors from the International Police?
They must be pretty powerful, right?
If they were anything like Asahi, maybe facing Dialga and Palkia wasn't entirely impossible after all.
At the very least, if the sky came crashing down, their seniors would take the hit first.
…
Well, that was what they thought—until they actually saw the group chat.
[Gary's Not Home Today]: Hm? [Alert] [Surprised] Asahi tricked more newbies into joining again?
[Psychic Girl]: Welcome, newcomers… Also, Gary, you're starting again?
[Gary's Not Home Today]: Lol, as if I'd be scared of Asahi? (Eevee-with-hands-on-hips.jpg)
[Gardevoir is the Best]: Oh really?
[Gary's Not Home Today]: …Yeah? What's the big deal?! What, you gonna come get me through the internet? (Ghost-face.jpg)
[Gardevoir is the Best]: Great… Sabrina, can you kindly send Gary over to Sinnoh?
[Psychic Girl]: Sure~ (Smile) !
[Gary's Not Home Today]: Hah, as if you can catch me? I'm not at the mansion right no—sajs＆%$....
[Psychic Girl]: Package secured. Delivery scheduled for tomorrow.
[Yellow]: LOL.
[Green]: LOL.
[Servent of Lord Rayquaza ]: LOL.
Platinum couldn't help but chuckle.
Though, looking at this conversation… were their so-called "seniors" really all that reliable?
Pearl and Diamond, on the other hand, were fixated on something else entirely.
This guy, Gary—his comedic talent was off the charts!
When he arrived in Sinnoh, they had to ask him for tips!
---
Oreburgh City—a mining town located east of Jubilife City, near the base of Mount Coronet.
The city was famous for its vast coal reserves, with the Oreburgh Mine—supervised by Gym Leader Roark—being the most well-known.
The coal from this mine fueled the city's development, and thanks to fully automated transportation technology, mining operations even extended beneath the seafloor.
But none of that was why Asahi and the others had come here.
---
Oreburgh Airport
Asahi stood with a welcoming smile, watching Gary shuffle off the plane. Spreading his arms wide, he said, "Welcome to Sinnoh! Excited?"
"Hah… Haha…"
Gary's face was the very definition of forced enthusiasm.
At this point, he had lost count of how many times he wanted to slap himself.
Why… why did he have to mouth off to Asahi?
He had been so sure that Asahi, being all the way in Sinnoh, couldn't do anything to him. He had forgotten that Asahi still had connections in Kanto…
And now, he was doomed.
He had no idea what kind of punishment Asahi had planned for him.
Asahi's smile remained as bright as ever, but to Gary, it felt like the grim reaper's grin.
Just as Gary was about to say something in his defense, he suddenly felt both of his arms being grabbed.
Instantly, his face filled with panic.
No way… Is Asahi really going to start messing with me right here at the airport?!
Before he could struggle, two eager voices reached his ears.
"Gary-senpai!"
"Please teach us how to be comedy masters!"
Gary: "Hah?"
Comedy… masters? When did he ever learn something like that…?
And also, who are these two?!
Gary turned to look at the two who were holding his arms.
Asahi chuckled. "These two are Pearl and Diamond—new recruits I picked up here in Sinnoh."
Gary scrutinized them closely but didn't see anything particularly special about them.
He turned back to Asahi with a questioning look.
"Don't underestimate them," Asahi said. "Pearl and Diamond are incredibly talented!"
They might not look like much now, but there was something special about them…
Gary fell silent, deep in thought.
Could it be that my perception is just lacking?
Since Asahi had an eye for talent—after all, he did recruit him, Kanto's Champion—Pearl and Diamond must have some hidden potential he wasn't seeing.
Then, shifting his gaze, Gary noticed Platinum standing behind Asahi. With a smirk, he asked, "So, does Green know about her?"
Platinum blinked in confusion.
Meanwhile, Asahi locked eyes with Gary.
The silent stare lasted just long enough for Gary to start sweating.
Then, Asahi sighed, "I was gonna let you off easy, but you just had to dig your own grave, huh?"
Gary's body stiffened. A sense of doom settled over him.
Sure enough, Asahi continued, "The organization has decided—you'll be leading the charge against Team Galactic this time."
"Heh… Hehehe… It's just… just Team Galactic, right?"
Gary forced out a laugh, but as he recalled the intel Green had compiled for him to deliver to Asahi, his body involuntarily shuddered.
Meanwhile, Pearl and Diamond, witnessing the exchange, felt the urge to clap.
Incredible!
Gary-senpai's comedic skills were absolutely top-tier!
There wasn't the slightest hint of forced acting—every movement, every reaction was effortlessly hilarious! It was like he had perfectly blended comedy into his everyday life.
If Gary-senpai entered a comedy competition, he'd be the undisputed champion!
They had to take this opportunity to learn from him.
Gary, noticing their admiring gazes, was utterly confused.
I didn't even do anything… Why are they looking at me like that?
Could it be that his earlier defiance toward Asahi had given them an impression of him as some kind of fearless rebel?
The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became.
So, standing a little taller, he subtly puffed out his chest.
Asahi watched all of this unfold and opened his mouth to say something—but in the end, he just let it be.
…Let Gary have his moment.
With that, he led the group out of the airport.
---
Oreburgh Mine
In a luxurious hotel under the Berlitz family's name, Asahi briefed the team.
"According to our intel, a Team Galactic squad has been active in the Oreburgh Mine. The League believes they're interfering with mining operations to distract Roark, preventing him from assisting the League."
"So we're…"
"Heading into the mines."
"…As miners?" Platinum asked.
Being a Berlitz heiress, she had never encountered such work before.
She instinctively mimicked the action of digging with a shovel.
Asahi: "..."
Gary: "..."
Pearl & Diamond: "..."
Finally, Asahi cleared his throat. "Ahem… Platinum, stop mimicking mining motions."
Platinum froze. Then, straightening up, she calmly denied, "I wasn't."
Pearl: "But you just—"
"I wasn't."
Diamond: "But—"
Platinum fixed him with a stare. "You saw wrong."
Everyone mentally sighed.
Moving on, Asahi said, "With Roark already in the mine searching for them, our job is to assist him and eliminate Team Galactic. Consider this your homework."
The three nodded firmly. "Understood!"
Asahi smiled. "Good. Then let's move!"
...
Oreburgh Mine
As one of Oreburgh City's most important assets, the mine occupied a vast surface area, with large-scale mining equipment visible everywhere.
Platinum, Pearl, and Diamond walked ahead while Asahi and Green followed behind.
Gary asked, "They only just received their starter Pokémon and became Trainers, right? Can they really handle Team Galactic on their own?"
Back when he was a rookie, he only managed to take on Team Rocket after earning several Gym Badges.
So Gary had some doubts about whether the three could handle Team Galactic.
"What, are you questioning my judgment?" Asahi asked with a smirk.
"No way!" Gary shook his head rapidly.
He wouldn't give Asahi any chance for payback!
"Tch…" Asahi clicked his tongue in disappointment but still explained, "Don't worry, their growth rate is much faster than you think!"
What was that phrase again?
Their art style is leagues ahead of yours!
Gary: "Really? I don't believe it."
As they were chatting, Platinum and the others encountered their first opponent.
Boom!
A Geodude rushed out of the mine tunnel, barreling straight toward them.
Faced with the sudden attack, the trio reacted swiftly.
"Piplup, Bubble Beam!"
A stream of shimmering bubbles shot toward the rapidly rolling Geodude, bursting on impact and interrupting its momentum.
At the same time, Pearl and Diamond took action:
"Turtwig, Razor Leaf!"
"Chimchar, Ember!"
From the left and right, Turtwig swung the leaf on its head, smacking the now-stationary Geodude into the air.
Then, Chimchar followed up by spitting a stream of embers, surrounding Geodude in a fiery glow.
Although Fire-type moves weren't very effective against Geodude, the embers obscured its vision.
"Now's our chance!"
"Piplup, Bubble Beam!"
Another barrage of bubbles shot from Piplup's mouth. The explosions sent Geodude flying backward, rolling deep into the mine and disappearing from sight.
"How about that?" Asahi turned to Gary.
Most rookie Trainers struggled just to understand their moves, let alone display this kind of precise timing and teamwork.
"It was just a Geodude…" Gary muttered stubbornly.
But despite his words, his expression revealed his approval.
For Trainers who had only recently received their first Pokémon, their level was already impressive. Not quite as good as when he first started out, but close.
If they worked together, handling a Team Galactic member shouldn't be a problem.
Upon entering Oreburgh Mine, the signs of human excavation were evident. Conveyor belts hummed, transporting coal out of the pit.
However, the number of visible workers was noticeably lower than usual.
Clearly, Team Galactic's interference was affecting operations.
Asahi stopped a miner wearing a safety helmet, who was accompanied by a Pokémon and seemed to be leaving. "Have you seen Gym Leader Roark?"
The miner gave Asahi a wary glance, then looked at Gary and Platinum, who carried an air of distinction.
Judging by their demeanor, they didn't seem like Team Galactic members.
The miner finally lowered his guard. "Mr. Roark is fighting Team Galactic in the lower levels!"
Mentioning Team Galactic, the miner's face twisted in anger.
"Those damn Team Galactic scum! Because of their harassment, the mine has been nearly shut down for days. If this keeps up, everyone's livelihoods will be in jeopardy! I just hope Mr. Roark can drive those bastards out soon!"
"You kids here to catch Pokémon? I'd advise you to come back in a few days. Those Team Galactic guys don't care who you are—they won't go easy on you like a regular battle…"
Hearing the warning, Asahi thanked him.
Then, with a smile, he said, "An attack by Team Galactic? That's exactly why we're here!"
---