Unova Region, Decolora's main island.
Decolora's main island was far more prosperous than when Dian had first arrived. Many people had moved there from elsewhere, and land prices had reportedly doubled.
The reasons were the arrival of the research institute and improvements to the environment.
It might have seemed unbelievable, but this was normal in the Pokémon World.
Pallet Town, for example, owed its name to Professor Oak's ancestor, Oak Pallet, who had been a Champion. The town had been named after him.
And today, thanks to Professor Oak's fame, everyone in the world knew of Pallet Town in the Kanto Region.
Now, a tightly secured Laboratory lay hidden beneath the center of Decolora's main island.
Golden Walls made by Beheeyem using special techniques were covered in blue energy lines. Bit by bit, those lines connected the entire Laboratory to the Leyline Energy beneath the island.
More than a dozen special rooms had been built in the Golden Laboratory for secret research.
Experiments on Mega Evolution Waves, physiological samples from giant Pokémon, analysis of Zoroark's illusions, and more.
Dian stood before one of the golden rooms. It contained nothing but an artificially excavated tunnel leading straight to an Underground Forest discovered by chance.
Hunter K stood respectfully beside him and held out a Poké Ball. "Boss, this is the Spiritomb that was sealed in a village in the Sinnoh Region."
Dian took it. "How much did the villagers ask for?"
Hunter K's expression turned odd. "They didn't ask for money. They seemed desperate for us to take Spiritomb away. Apparently, hardly any passing Trainers were willing to catch it."
How strange did someone have to be to catch a Ghost-type Pokémon tied to souls? he muttered inwardly.
Dian pointed at the golden room. "Is that Caterpie in there?"
Hunter K