"Star Crystal... the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero..."
Briar wanted to keep reading, but the depths of the Great Crater of Paldea were calling to her, too.
She took a deep breath. "Let's proceed carefully and see the truth for ourselves!"
Everyone agreed and, at Baimu's reminder, released their Pokémon.
Pop, pop, pop.
With a string of soft pops, Mabosstiff, Sylveon, Pawmot, and Polteageist appeared.
Baimu sent out Miraidon. The cybernetic lizard shook its head, then lowered its forelegs and stretched like a cat.
"Graaah~"
It looked around. Not seeing Koraidon, it seemed a little puzzled.
Baimu patted its head. "Stop looking. You two start fighting whenever you meet. How could I bring you both?"
"Agah..."
Miraidon nodded vaguely.
Baimu turned and noticed that Briar had no Pokémon beside her. Curious, he asked, "You don't have one...?"
"I've devoted all my time to researching Terastallization."
Briar smiled.
She had no spare time to care for a Pokémon, so naturally she had never caught one.
People like Briar weren't unheard of in the Pokémon World, though they weren't exactly common.
Ash's mother, Delia, was one of them.
Before Mr. Mime appeared, there had been no Pokémon in Ash's home besides his own.
Their preparations were complete.
Curious, excited, and uneasy, the six of them walked slowly into the narrow cavern, where countless crystals glittered.
The Porygon Phone kept recording and said quietly, "The research journal says this cavern formed two million years ago, leaving many traces behind.
"Until the cavern formed, this place was filled with an enormous amount of something... The professor also found signs of repeated collapses. He concluded they were caused by tectonic activity and erosion from rain and groundwater."
Collapses?
Arven hurriedly asked, "Doesn't that mean it's dangerous here?"
"No. The crater's terrain is quite stable now,