Outside the Celadon Hotel in the Kanto region.
Grey and Burgh were both here, each doing their own thing.
Burgh was borrowing Grey's Pokémon as models for his drawings.
And Grey was trying to build some rapport with Genesect.
This was a Champion-level Pokémon.
Even if it wasn't Fighting-type, it was still a Mythical Pokémon.
Since the Kanto League had entrusted Genesect to him for training, Grey couldn't afford to let them down.
"Geno."
After being released, Genesect just stood there like a metal plate—completely motionless.
"Hello?"
Grey bent down, trying to talk with Genesect.
"Geno."
Genesect made a sound, and Grey couldn't understand it.
Or rather—
The sound Genesect made really was just those two syllables.
"Oh? Gym Leader Grey, this Pokémon is giving off a very powerful Bug aura."
Burgh turned his head. The moment he felt the waves of presence rolling off Genesect, he knew this "metal plate" Pokémon was strong.
So strong that he even felt that if he owned Genesect, the Unova Elite Four would be nothing but a bunch of nobodies…
That alone showed how terrifying Genesect really was.
Just a trace of its presence was enough to give Burgh that kind of impression.
Powerful. Nothing more needed.
"Yeah. This is a Pokémon from Colress. We intercepted it and took it for ourselves in Kanto."
Grey nodded.
Then he told Burgh the whole Genesect story.
"How outrageous! Team Plasma actually dared to do something like that! And Colress too—he doesn't value Pokémon lives at all. He treats them like dirt!"
Burgh was so angry his chest rose and fell hard.
Whether it was Team Plasma or Colress, they all deserved to be held accountable!
As a Trainer from Unova—and a Bug-type Gym Leader—Team Plasma's actions were basically a slap right across his face.
Burgh pressed a hand to his chest, setting his brush aside.
"But what's going on with this Pokémon? Its emotions feel… off."
Burgh looked at Genesect.
As a Bug Pokémon specialist, he could vaguely sense what was happening.
It felt kind of like…
it was locking its heart away.
"What, did it get catfished online for fifteen bucks and swear off love forever?"
"?"
"Ahem. Just kidding. Lightening the mood."
Grey cleared his throat.
Genesect was a Pokémon created by Colress.
And it was high-tech.
Having some internet capability…
was probably normal, right?
For a second, Grey even pictured Genesect going online and flirting with some girl through messages…
Yeah.
Way too beautiful of a mental image to believe.
Still, right now he had to focus on Genesect's condition.
Its Aura felt normal.
No big emotional spikes or crashes.
Grey could tell it was alive and energetic.
It just didn't want to engage.
So how was he supposed to get Genesect to open up and talk?
Grey honestly didn't get it.
Was he really going to have to find Genesect an online girlfriend to chat with?
Wait…
Speaking of online chatting…
There was a perfect candidate right here.
"Metang, I'm counting on you."
Grey thought of Metang.
Metang appeared on the grass, its silvery body looking especially striking under the lights.
Genesect sensed an unfamiliar wave of Steel-type energy, and even its Aura feedback shifted slightly.
Seeing that, Grey knew he'd gambled correctly.
Genesect opened its eyes and saw a "metal plate" Pokémon that looked somewhat like itself.
That made Genesect wildly excited.
It hadn't expected to meet its own kind here!
Because of the similar appearance, Genesect decided Metang was basically a "relative" of the same species.
Even if it wasn't, then Metang had to be some kind of regional variant of the same line!
Today, even if it wasn't, it was.
At least in Genesect's mind, Metang was absolutely a "relative."
Even if Arceus showed up, it still wouldn't be able to twist that established "fact"!
"Klang?" (Hello. Do you need something? I'd like to get to know you. Would it be convenient for you to get to know me?)
Metang, as always, sounded extremely robotic.
"Geno." (I'm willing. My name is Genesect. What is your name? Would it be convenient to tell me? Thank you.)
Genesect's way of speaking was also pure "robot," to an almost ridiculous degree.
So pure that Grey—who could understand them—could only cover his face.
"Klang." (My name is Metang. I am very pleased to meet you. What will you do next? Or should we go somewhere together?)
"Geno." (Ha! Metang, your name is actually the same as that late-blooming Pokémon from the Hoenn region. It's just that its color is not as white as yours. It is very late today, so let us go out tomorrow.)
The two "robot-flavored" Pokémon chatted with incredible enthusiasm.
Especially Genesect. Even though its delivery sounded stiff and flat, the Aura waves coming off it were massive.
"That's awesome."
Grey gave a thumbs-up.
He hadn't expected his sudden idea to actually work and get Genesect to communicate with the outside world on its own.
At least the result was good.
Grey couldn't help but feel impressed.
"Geno." (This human, may I ask who you are?)
During its conversation with Metang, Genesect had learned that Metang had a Trainer.
"Me? I'm Grey. Nice to meet you, Genesect."
Grey reached out his hand.
Genesect scanned Grey.
"Geno." (Grey, resident of Saffron City. Trainer who captured the Legendary bird Pokémon Zapdos and Articuno. Strength at Elite Four level. Also the Fighting Dojo Leader of the Kanto region, honorary Elite Four member of the Kanto League… Trainer ID is…)
Genesect sounded like it was doxxing Grey, digging up nearly every scrap of information it could.
Grey's expression kept changing.
This was straight-up doxxing, wasn't it?
What kind of black-tech was Colress even using?!
Giving Genesect the ability to doxx people was… seriously illegal.
Like, seriously illegal.
"Geno." (I am very pleased to meet you, Mr. Grey of Saffron City's Fighting Dojo… honorary…)
Genesect rattled off a huge list of Grey's titles before finally "officially" meeting him.
"Uh… next time, just call me Grey."
Grey's head hurt from listening.
Genesect nodded blankly.
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