The next day, the sunlight was dim. Gloomy clouds blanketed the sky, and a chilly breeze blew gently.
In the institute's backyard,
Yong walked alone across the lawn and came to the pond.
As he watched the water ripple gently in the breeze, he was still turning over the information he had gathered over the past two days.
Whether it was the changes in the Unknown Place, caused by Lost Energy... no, it was called "variant origin" now...
Or those overlord-level Pokémon that had grown vicious after being corrupted by that strange energy...
Or life-forms with unusual modes of existence, such as that Ninetales, or even the Gengar stationed on the Sixth Floor of Mt. Pyre...
Before the variant origin appeared, they had all maintained fairly good relationships with humans.
Some Pokémon serving as Guardian Wardens had even partnered with humans to protect those dangerous areas.
Drake, acting as a "guardian," and Ninetales, acting as a "Guardian Warden," were one such pair...
Unfortunately, the appearance of the variant origin had changed everything, and had cost Drake a close friend!
Phew...
"The Mirage Tower..."
Yong crouched down and stroked the little head of a Wooper that had surfaced.
"That presence inside the mysterious space... I can't shake the feeling that something's wrong..."
"Yong!"
Xiao Yi's voice came from behind him.
"I've been looking everywhere for you! Come on! Professor Carolina and Mr. Drake are waiting!"
"Waiting for me?"
Was something special happening today?
Despite that thought, Yong followed Xiao Yi, and the two headed toward the institute.
Once again, they went to Professor Carolina's room.
When Yong entered, he found the two elders studying something. Seeing the boys, Professor Carolina smiled and said,
"There's an important document that Mr. Drake needs to take back to Hoenn and deliver to Mr. Steven.