Is There Something You're Looking For?

Scottie came to the ruins with Trevor and Jacq in search of mysterious stones...

I sure hope we can find some of these mysterious stones around here.

According to multiple reports, they've apparently been found in Pasio's ruins.

In other words, there's a good chance that we'll be able to find some, too!

I see... Now that's exciting!

Excuse me, you three!

Looking for something?

Um... And you are?

I'm Volo! Just an ordinary merchant!

If there's something you're looking for, please let me know! You won't find a better bargain!

Ah, well, we're not really looking for something to buy.

We're searching for these odd stones that look like this.

Hmm, I see... That is indeed something I've never seen before.

Unfortunately, I don't have anything like that among my wares.

It's not easy doing business in a new land, is it...

Aww, a Togepi! How adorable.

Let me look it up in my Pokédex real quick!

What's that device you're using?

It's a Pokédex. You haven't heard of it?

Wow! That's a Pokédex?!

It automatically registers Pokémon you encounter.

Really?! How convenient!

Simply venturing off to wherever your curiosity takes you, with your knowledge growing as you encounter Pokémon...

Just the thought of that excites me!

Yes, I know what you mean! I want to travel to all kinds of places with my Pokédex!

My dream is to register Pokémon from all around the world one day!

Oh my! What a wonderful dream!

I'm sure it won't be easy, but I look forward to seeing you complete your Pokédex one day!

Hehe, thank you!

What about you, Volo? Are you interested in the Pokédex?

I actually developed a Pokédex app in Paldea.

An...app?

Yep! I'm a teacher, too.

So I want my students to use my app and learn more about our beloved Pokémon!

I see... I understand now!

You're all quite interesting! Oh, how you tickle my curiosity!

Investigating the odd and novel is key to any good merchant's success!

How about we see how our Pokémon stand up to one another in battle? That way, I can also test your knowledge, too!

Huh?! A battle, you say?

You're really pumped up, Scottie!

Wow, Scottie! You sure are motivated.

Well...

I've got no reason to turn down this invitation, I'll give it my all too!

Then let's split into two teams!

Let the battle begin!

It's always fun battling with Pokémon!

Hehe. I had fun too!

Mr. Jacq! I want to learn more about how you developed your Pokédex!

Could I bother you again to discuss it?

Of course! I want to get to know you better, too.

Why, thank you!

I also research Pokémon myths as a hobby.

So I'd like to share my knowledge with you and help you complete your Pokédex, Trevor!

Really?! Thank you!

We should introduce Volo to the others too.

Oh, I appreciate the offer, but...I'd like to keep my presence a secret.

There's someone I really don't want to be seen by on this island.

Really? Who could that be?

Now, now! We've all got our reasons, don't we?

Well then, see you in a few days!

There's something about him that I can't quite put a finger on...

But he does love Pokémon, that's for sure!

Yes! He seems very knowledgable too!

I hope I can become good friends with Volo!

Let's all have fun and learn a lot today!

OK!

Mr. Jacq! Where did Pokémon come from?

Hmm... That's a tricky question.

Well, I suppose...I'll start off by talking about a certain Mythical Pokémon!

That Pokémon is called Mew!

Mew's genetic composition is said to possess the information of all Pokémon...

Ah, in simple terms, "genetic composition" means something like a blueprint for an organism.

It's been said that if the information of all Pokémon is written in that blueprint...

then Mew must be the very first Pokémon, the ancestor of all Pokémon, basically!

Ohhh! I see!

Then where did Mew come from?

Ahaha... Didn't see that one coming...

If only Ms. Raifort were here to provide some historical knowledge to help me out...

Um... So this is a story, well, more of a legend, really, that people from a long, long time ago would tell...

"In the beginning, there was only a churning turmoil of chaos.

"At the heart of chaos, where all things became one, appeared an Egg.

"Having tumbled from the vortex, the Egg gave rise to the Original One."

This was Arceus, the creator of all things, the Pokémon known as a deity!

I dunno what that means, but it sounds cool!

It does, doesn't it? Why, Arceus is said to be the creator of both humans AND Pokémon!

Whaaat?! Pokémon created humans, too?!

Legend says that Arceus is the origin of life!

As you can see, there are still lots of mysteries about Pokémon!

And there still isn't a definitive answer to your question of where they came from.

There are many other theories on this subject, so if you're interested, please feel free to do your own research after class today!

OK!

Hello, Volo! Thanks for your help today!

It was no problem! I can't help chiming in on the subject of myths...

Teaching can be surprisingly difficult...

but you explained everything in a way the children could understand easily!

I don't even know if they understood what I was talking about!

The origin of living things and Pokémon mythology... What interesting stories those were.

I couldn't help getting absorbed in them.

I see... So your shared interest in the Pokédex is how you all know each other.

Oh? Looks like Togepi wants to say hello, too!

Hmhm... Nice to meet you.

Oh... Sounds like you're being well taken care of.

Hm? What's going on?

I heard that N can understand what Pokémon are saying.

Truly?

Wow! WOW! What an amazing skill!

What did Togepi say just now?

She said she appreciates Volo for always taking good care of her...

The sweetness of her voice speaks to Volo's love for her.

... ... ...

Well, observing my Pokémon includes taking care of them, of course!

I was just really curious to learn more about Togepi!

More importantly, I'm interested in the fact that you can understand what Pokémon are saying!

Your partner Pokémon are Unova's legendary Dragon-type Pokémon, right?

The jet-black Pokémon that assists those who seek to make an ideal world!

The white Pokémon that helps those who seek to build a world of truth!

Hmhm... That's right.

If you'd like to get to know me better, it might help for you to meet my friends.

What beautiful Pokémon! I would expect nothing less from Legendary Pokémon!

...And you can understand what they say as well, N?

Yes, of course.

In that case...

what about a Pokémon that's considered a deity?

Hmm... Good question.

I'm not sure. I've never met a Pokémon like that. But I'd love to find out if I ever have the chance.

Oh, no! I just remembered I was in the middle of doing something.

I need to bring this mysterious stone to Professor Bellis.

Mysterious stone?

I showed you a picture of it when we first met!

According to Professor Bellis's research, they react to the bond between a Trainer and their Pokémon, similar to sync stones.

And in the process, they release powerful energy.

This is the stone in question.

Oh my! This is my first time actually seeing one in person...

What a fascinating stone indeed!

If sync stones are already being put to practical use on Pasio...

then I assume these stones are being utilized in a similar manner?

No. Unlike sync stones, which can be integrated into our Poryphones...

we haven't figured out a safe, controlled, and compact way to put these stones to practical use.

I see. Sounds like a real conundrum.

(If those stones are what I think they are...)

(Looks like I'll need to lend a hand to the researchers here.)

The next day...

I understand that you're helping to develop technology that will integrate those mysterious stones into the Poryphone!

Well, you've certainly got your ear to the ground! Where did you hear this?

I'm a merchant, getting the latest news is my forte!

I heard it's been a challenge figuring out how to keep that technology both safe and compact!

Yes, precisely! There are several ways we could approach this if we disregard safety altogether...

But it's easier to collect data if the finished product is accessible to everyone!

In order to control the enormous energy released by the sync stone ultimate...

I took it upon myself to conduct some research on those mysterious stones.

Why don't you put your expertise to good use and help their integration, Jacq?

M-me?

Yes, you! You're the developer of a Pokédex app, after all...

and you're so good at teaching new concepts to others!

Take a look at this!

Wow! You've written down so many ideas!

I don't have expert knowledge on these devices, but I put together some ideas that seemed easy to apply from my mercantile perspective!

I know I'm the one making the request, but I thought it might help you out!

What do you say? Would you like to give it a try?

I agree with Volo! I'm sure you can do it, Mr. Jacq!

Ahaha... You sure are putting high expectations on me!

How could I say no after all this encouragement?

All right! If it'll help everyone, I'll do it!

That's the spirit, Jacq!

Let's head over to the lab right away!

Huh? Aren't you coming too, Volo?

I have plans to meet with some people after this.

OK, I'll see you later, then!

Yes, see you.

(Forming a connection with someone...)

(In the end, it's just a matter of using them before they use you.)

(That's why...)

(I will never give up.)

(Even if it takes me decades or centuries...)

(Even if my desires are destroyed by a single outsider...)

(This time, I will finally succeed at subjugating Arceus...)

(I will make the secrets of this world mine...and create a new, better world!)