Chapter One Hundred: Dr. Yew, Farewell to the Ruins

Cheng Cheng and his Pokémon set out from Driftveil City, heading toward their next destination, Floccesy City, where the next gym awaited. His journey to challenge the Floccesy Gym had begun.

As he traveled, Cheng Cheng encountered numerous mountain ranges; it seemed the Unova region was abundant with mountains, each one rising after another. While hurrying along, he suddenly spotted a valley ahead filled with tents—someone must be living there. As he approached, he saw people excavating something, surrounded by machines scattered across the site. After passing two tents, he spotted two individuals.

"Hello," he greeted.

They turned at the sound of his voice and saw Cheng Cheng standing behind them.

"Hello, may we ask who you are?"

"My name is Cheng Cheng. I'm on my way to Floccesy City and happened to pass by. I noticed all these tents and grew curious."

"I see. We’re from the research survey team, here to investigate the situation in Chargestone Cave."

"May I ask if I could enter the cave for a look?"

"I'm afraid that's not possible. The entire cave is currently under research, so entry is forbidden."

"Alright," Cheng Cheng replied, a little disappointed. He felt as though something inside was calling to him.

"What’s happened here?" A middle-aged man walked over.

"Oh, Professor Juniper. There’s a passing trainer here who wishes to enter Chargestone Cave."

"I'm terribly sorry, but outsiders are not permitted inside Chargestone Cave at the moment. You’ll have to leave."

"You’re Professor Juniper?"

"You know me?"

"I know another Professor Juniper."

"Oh, you must mean my daughter, Professor Juniper. I am her father, Professor Juniper."

"Hello, Professor Juniper. I do know your daughter—she gave me my Pokémon dex."

"Is that so? Would you like to come inside and have a cup of tea?"

"Thank you, that would be very kind."

"Not at all. Come with me," Professor Juniper said, leading Cheng Cheng into a tent.

Cheng Cheng hadn’t expected to meet Professor Juniper’s father here. Clearly, there was something special about this place.

Inside, the tent was simple: a bed laid out within, and a table outside with a tea set atop it.

"It’s quite basic here, so please don’t mind."

"That’s alright, Professor Juniper."

Professor Juniper handed him a cup of tea.

"Thank you."

Cheng Cheng took a sip.

"What brings you here?"

"I’m heading to Floccesy City to challenge the gym, and happened to pass by this cave. I’ve heard it’s quite mysterious, so I wanted to see it for myself."

"Ah, you enjoy adventure? There are many dangers inside, you know."

"Of course I do! I love exploring ruins with Pokémon."

"In that case, why don’t you join me? Let’s go inside together."

"Really? Is it alright?"

"Certainly. But you must stay close to me and not wander off—the cave is very dangerous."

"No problem, Professor Juniper!"

Cheng Cheng hadn’t expected Professor Juniper to actually allow him inside.

"Very well, let’s set out in a bit," the professor said.

After resting for a while, the two headed toward the cave.

Cheng Cheng followed Professor Juniper into Chargestone Cave. There were no lights within, yet the entire cave was brilliantly lit.

"The stones on the walls are covered in powerful blue electricity. The electric light illuminates the entire cave, which is why it’s called Chargestone Cave," Professor Juniper explained.

"I see. It’s truly beautiful," Cheng Cheng replied, admiring the blue electricity dancing across the stone walls, forming intricate patterns.

"Professor Juniper, will the electricity on these walls harm us?"

"No, the charge is within our tolerance," the professor said, touching the wall.

At that moment, Professor Juniper seemed to be struck by a thunderbolt.

So this is ‘acceptable’ to you? Cheng Cheng thought, grateful he hadn’t tried touching the wall himself.

After walking a while, the two exited the cave and entered a forest.

"Let’s go, our journey has only just begun," Professor Juniper said as he strode ahead, and Cheng Cheng followed.

They crossed the forest and climbed more mountain paths, finally stopping in a secluded spot within the woods.

"Alright, let’s prepare dinner for tonight. Tomorrow, we’ll be able to reach our destination after another trek."

They’d been walking all afternoon, and now, night had fallen. Cheng Cheng released his Pokémon and fed them their food.

"Wow, you have so many Pokémon! Isn’t a trainer only allowed to carry six?"

"I’m not a League trainer. I wasn’t a real League trainer at first. Only after arriving in Unova did Professor Juniper give me the Pokémon dex."

"Oh, that’s quite nice."

"Hey, you have that Pokémon?" Professor Juniper noticed the Sigilyph eating.

"You mean Sigilyph? I found an egg and hatched it myself."

"Chirp chirp!"

"An excellent Pokémon."

"Chirp chirp!"

Suddenly, Sigilyph cried out sharply and vanished with a teleport.

"Sigilyph!" Cheng Cheng called, but it was gone.

"Everyone, return!" Cheng Cheng recalled his Pokémon.

"Professor Juniper, I must go find Sigilyph."

He sensed the aura of Sigilyph’s psychic power drifting farther away.

"Gardevoir, can you sense Sigilyph’s aura?"

"Gardevoir," she nodded.

"Good. Gardevoir, Teleport!"

Cheng Cheng grabbed Gardevoir, and in an instant, they teleported away, leaving Professor Juniper alone at the camp.

Following Sigilyph's aura, Cheng Cheng and Gardevoir teleported several times, finally arriving at an open field. Ahead stood a mountain, and before them was a cave, into which Sigilyph had apparently entered.

"Let’s go together, Gardevoir."

They entered the cave. It was dim inside, but there seemed to be some light, allowing Cheng Cheng to see.

Since the path was visible, he didn’t ask Gardevoir to use Flash.

He noticed that the stone walls were built of blocks, resembling the structure of a pyramid.

Moving forward, Cheng Cheng suddenly saw writing on the walls. He had his system scan and quickly translate all of it.

Upon reading, he discovered these ancient texts recorded the story of Zekrom and a hero, as well as some of Zekrom’s deeds. It seemed this ruin was indeed Zekrom’s.

Continuing onward, Cheng Cheng spotted Sigilyph ahead.

"Sigilyph, I finally found you. Really, don’t run off—this place is dangerous."

"Chirp chirp," Sigilyph hung its head apologetically.

"Is there something important that brought you here?"

"Chirp chirp," Sigilyph nodded.

"Alright, I’ll accompany you. Just don’t run off again."

Facing the stone wall, Cheng Cheng noticed a small statue at its center, with lines of text above.

"System, translate."

"Move the statue to the left."

Cheng Cheng grasped the statue and moved it to the right. Immediately, a door opened in the right wall.

Just as he expected. Upon entering the ruin, he suspected there would be traps; the clue was likely meant to mislead, so he chose to do the opposite. If it said turn left, then right was the way.

He entered the passage, which was even brighter than the previous corridor.

With two Pokémon at his side, Cheng Cheng advanced to the edge of a cliff. Two wooden bridges spanned the gap; crossing either should get him across.

But Cheng Cheng didn’t trust them—he believed both bridges were false. He had Gardevoir carry him across with flight.

On the other side, he found a stone wall. Knocking revealed it was hollow.

"Gardevoir, Shadow Ball."

"Gardevoir!"

With a bang, Gardevoir blasted through the wall with a Shadow Ball.

Inside was a stone chamber, lined with objects resembling mummy coffins.

Cheng Cheng walked over, but suddenly sensed a powerful presence—more than one.

Turning, he saw many coffin-like figures behind him. He realized they were Cofagrigus.

"Sorry for intruding, I mean no harm. I’ll leave now."

"Intruder detected. Eliminate."

The Cofagrigus gathered Shadow Balls, several forming before Cheng Cheng’s eyes.

"Gardevoir!" "Chirp chirp!"

Gardevoir and Sigilyph used Protect, shielding Cheng Cheng and barely withstanding the attack.

"Chirp chirp!" Sigilyph suddenly flew over and communicated with the Cofagrigus. Soon after, the Cofagrigus returned to their coffins.

Cheng Cheng sat on the floor, shaken by the danger. He wondered what Sigilyph had said, for the Cofagrigus had retreated. Regardless, he’d escaped disaster.

After resting, Cheng Cheng pressed on, soon finding a stone door ahead. He and Gardevoir pushed it open, and a brilliant light burst forth.

He entered a new chamber, constructed like a volcano’s crater, with a huge opening overhead letting in streams of light.

Below was a deep platform, apparently an altar, with objects placed atop it. Cheng Cheng found a ladder and descended.

On the platform, he saw blue crystals arrayed around the edges, and in the center, a single yellow gem.