Chapter 303: Arrangements
After testing Kyuryu's abilities, Ryan returned it to the Master Ball. Seeing Hoopa's defeat, the siblings, Meray and Baraz, didn't dare ask Ryan for anything more, but the deep sense of frustration still made them very uncomfortable.
"Hoopa, we're leaving now. Do you plan to come with us back to Pallet Town, or go back home with Meray and Baraz? It's up to you. If you come with us, I'll train you and make you stronger. If you want to go back home, I won't say anything, but I'll send someone to find you for the final battle; we'll need your power then," Ryan said, looking at Hoopa in its reverted Confined form.
Hoopa paused for a moment, then looked into Ryan's eyes and fell into deep thought. After a long while, Hoopa shook its head and said, "Ryan, I'm sorry, Hoopa can't go with you. Home is Hoopa's home, and Meray and Baraz are Hoopa's family. Hoopa doesn't want to leave them. Hoopa is really sorry."
After saying this, Hoopa lowered its head sadly. Although Ryan felt disappointed, he wouldn't force Hoopa to leave. After all, Hoopa had its own thoughts, and no one could change them. He patted Hoopa's head and said, "No need to apologize, Hoopa. This is your choice, and no one can blame you. However, I also welcome you to come and visit me. Now that everything is over, it's time to part ways. See you again someday."
After saying this, Ryan prepared to leave with Lillie, but Hoopa grabbed Ryan's sleeve and said, "Ryan, Lillie, let Hoopa see you off. It'll be faster with Hoopa's ring."
After saying this, Hoopa opened its golden ring, and a pale blue vortex was slowly rotating inside. Beyond the vortex lay Pallet Town. Ryan smiled and nodded to Hoopa, then stepped into the golden ring first. Lillie hugged Hoopa and said, "Goodbye, Hoopa. Come visit again sometime!"
With that, Lillie also stepped into the golden ring and vanished completely. Hoopa retrieved the golden ring, its expression slightly lonely. Meray stepped forward and said, "Hoopa, if you want to go along, then go ahead. After all, your brother and I can't give you the strength you want, but Ryan can train you and help you improve."
"Hehehe, no need. Hoopa doesn't want to rely on others to become stronger; Hoopa wants to become stronger on its own! Hoopa won't lose to Ryan!" Hoopa revealed its signature mischievous grin.
Hoopa knew very well that following Ryan wouldn't make it Ryan's main team member; on the contrary, Ryan could only provide it with some training, not wholeheartedly help it improve its strength. So don't let Hoopa's mischievous nature fool you; it's as shrewd as anyone else. Besides, it's Hoopa! How could it lack opponents?
It can summon all sorts of Legendary Pokémon to battle with using its rings, making it no less capable than Ryan in terms of improving its strength.
As for Ryan and Lillie, they returned to their manor in Pallet Town via the golden ring. Ryan stretched and said helplessly, "The trip's over, and now it's back to the tedious paperwork. Ugh, so much to do every day!"
Lillie rolled her eyes at Ryan and said, "It seems like the one who handles the most work is Matori; she's the one who works the hardest. Unlike us, we can drop everything and go on a trip anytime."
Ryan sighed; Lillie was right, and he couldn't really argue. But now that they were back, they should release all their Pokémon and let them train in their respective spaces. Later, they needed the Unown to help Victini and Diancie open up new pocket dimensions. Lillie also released her Pokémon to let them rest.
Ryan led Lillie to the Mercenary Guild headquarters building, where they found Matori processing documents in the guild leader's office. Matori peeked out from among the numerous files, looking at Ryan and Lillie with a bewildered expression: "Weren't you still in the Kalos region? How come you're back so suddenly? That's incredibly fast!"
"Don't overthink it," Ryan explained to Matori. "We encountered a Pokémon that can travel through space, named Hoopa. It can connect two different locations using its golden ring. It might come to visit us sometime, so I'm just letting you know not to mistake it for a wild Pokémon and try to capture it. Although, well, you probably wouldn't be a match for it anyway."
"Oh, I understand, I'll pass the word along," Matori said.
"Okay. Lillie, you help Matori with the documents for now. Send anything that needs my attention to the manor. I'm going to find Colress; I have something to discuss with him."
With that, Ryan left the president's office. Afterward, Ryan went to the research department and found Colress, who was inspecting a new batch of Genesect.
"Boss, are you here to inspect the work?" Colress asked, somewhat surprised, though mostly in jest, when he saw Ryan.
"No, I just wanted to discuss something with you. How's the production and improvement of the Genesect and weakening devices going?" Ryan asked, looking at the batch of Genesect produced.
"The Genesect genetic materials are still plentiful, so mass production shouldn't be a problem. However, we still haven't figured out how to improve the weakening device. The technological level of Ultra Megalopolis is truly admirable."
"Hmm. I understand. Matori informed you, right? Now focus on producing weakening devices at full capacity. I'm giving you two years to produce at least ten thousand units. We don't have much time left, so we must speed things up.
At the fastest, two years; at the slowest, three years or more. War will definitely break out, and we must complete all preparations in such a short time. Also, we need to speed up the production of those energy cannons.
I've already obtained Victini, and with its large amount of energy, it should be able to maximize the effectiveness of the energy cannons. It all depends on you guys." Ryan said, rubbing his temples.
"Okay, I understand, boss." Colress said.
"By the way, has N returned yet?" Ryan asked.
"Not yet. He's supposedly still in the Hoenn region, and it seems he and Steven Stone have become friends." Colress said helplessly.
Ryan's temple throbbed. He had brought N into the Mercenary Guild hoping he could help him with some matters, and N's strength was certainly capable of providing support. But this guy went to the Hoenn region and never came back! He was more carefree than Ryan himself, completely washing his hands of responsibility. Rosa was waiting for N's answer. Rosa was, after all, Ryan's friend; he had to make N explain himself!
(End of Chapter)
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