Species: Tornadus

Location: Roaming the Alabaster Icelands

What I know: A flying type with the ability Prankster. It creates incredibly strong gale force winds and moves with fantastic speed; you have to be fast to even encounter it. While it lacks Drizzle, it’s infamous for the heavy wind and rainstorms that follow wherever it travels, causing substantial delay and damages to those who reside there. One particularly infamous case states that it once leveled a house to the foundation under the realized potential of its high winds. As a legendary Pokemon, it doesn’t have any evolutionary data, but it does share an undefined connection with Thundurus and Landorus. Supposedly, it can use a specific item to transform into a different shape.

Notes: It’s best known for roaming modern day Unova, wreaking havoc with the weather. I’d never heard tell of it having any connection to Sinnoh before today.

Species: Thundurus

Location: Roaming the Cobalt Coastlands

What I know: An electric/flying type with the ability Prankster. As it flies, it discharges electricity, and is reported to cause forest fires as a byproduct. Similar to Tornadus, its presence is heralded by the thunderstorm that perpetually accompanies it, in spite of the fact that its documented ability is completely unrelated to weather effects. Its short temper and propensity for flinging electric attacks on a whim give it a rather foul reputation. This Pokemon isn't known to evolve into or from anything, but is connected to Tornadus and Landorus in some capacity. According to some folk tales, it can use a specific item to change its form.

Notes: Again, I’d only ever heard that it was native to Unova. If the both of them are afoot, is the third as well?

Species: Landorus

Location: Roaming the Obsidian Fieldlands

What I know: A ground/flying type with the ability Sand Force. Unlike its presumed brethren, its presence is welcomed, helping to restore depleted soil and counteract the damage caused by Tornadus and Thundurus; for this reason, it’s been dubbed the “Guardian of the Fields” in Unova. Legend states that it utilizes the energy it siphons from the other two, and it taught humans to do the same. Among traditionalists, it’s a commonly held belief that the first wind turbines were inspired by Landorus’s wisdom. There’s no confirmed evolutionary data where it’s concerned. Some believe that this Pokemon can use a specific item to shift into another form.

Notes: This is very strange. I don’t mean to brag but, while I’m no expert, I’m likely more informed on the matter these Pokemon than the layperson, per my involvement in determining the Battle Subway’s restrictions. The entire time we researched, we never saw any mention of them from outside of Unova. First the “Unovan” nobles and now this… it makes me wonder if there’s not some kind of connection between my home region and Sinnoh that’s been lost to time.

Species: Enamorous

Location: Roaming the Crimson Mirelands

What I think I know: Clear fairy typing, and if it follows the others, then likely flying as well. I’ll need to study it more to discern its ability. Cogita implied that it has a connection to springtime, which has interesting implications for the rest of its ilk.

Notes: I had no idea there was a fourth member of this group. I wonder, has she also made the move to Unova, or decided to remain here in Sinnoh as the years pass? It would be interesting to find out what’s become of her in the modern day.

Update: After battling her, I can officially confirm fairy/flying, and that her ability is Cute Charm. Perhaps that shouldn’t have come as a surprise when her name is derived from infatuation, but the circumstance led me to believe that her capabilities would more closely resemble Thundurus and Tornadus. Like both, she was accompanied by a shift in the weather, and as there’s no known ability that allows a Pokemon to generate fog, my first thought had been that she would share Prankster with them as well. Should circumstances permit, I’ll have to remember to listen for reports of unnatural cloud cover at home; it may be a sign that she’ll be active in Unova, after all.

Species: Manaphy & Phione

Location: Seaside Hollow, Cobalt Coastlands

What I know: Water types, all with the ability Hydration. While there’s no evolutionary connection between the two species, they’re somewhat unique in that Phione are known to be the offspring of Manaphy when most legendary Pokemon are supposedly unable to produce young. It’s quite strange in accordance with our understanding of Pokemon breeding as well; I’m not familiar with any other instance of a Pokemon’s children being an entirely separate species. Miltank can produce Tauros, but that’s a matter of sexual dimorphism, distinct from what we see here… but I’ve gotten distracted. While they’re pure water types, it’s speculated that they have latent spiritual or psychic abilities, which is what enables them to meddle with the hearts and minds of humans and other Pokemon. Any research into the matter has been held up by the timid nature of both species, making it incredibly rare to encounter one.

Notes: I found these Pokemon by following up on a myth Professor Laventon was looking into, and they were surprisingly eager to battle, compared to their behavior in the modern day. Folklore states that Manaphy has the ability to grasp the souls of people and Pokemon, and that this move, Heart Swap, is capable of transferring its targets into the opposite bodies. This is why we determined that, in the unlikely event a trainer might attempt to bring either Phione or Manaphy aboard a battle train, they would be turned away. Dragons above, can you imagine the chaos that could result of it?

Species: Shaymin

Location: Floaro Gardens, Obsidian Fieldlands

What I know: In its default form, it’s a grass type with the ability Natural Cure. As implied, it can also shift into a more aerodynamic form that boasts grass/flying typing. This Pokemon is very shy and skittish, but was extremely receptive to positive energy; it is referred to as the Gratitude Pokemon, after all. I witnessed its ability to purify its surroundings firsthand. It can even cause flowers to bloom where it walks.

Notes: I met this one in an attempt to reunite a Jubilife resident with a lost friend, and through strong emotion, it was able to restore the withered portions of the Floaro Garden. Now that the meadow is in full bloom, I realize that I've seen the flowers that grow here before, but their name eludes me at the time of writing this; I’ll have to inquire next I speak with Professor Laventon, or possibly when Arezu is available. After some debate, we determined that this Pokemon was also theoretically banned from the Battle Subway. While it’s proven quite sweet tempered, I simply can’t retract my vote.

Species: Heatran

Location: Firespit Island, Cobalt Coastlands

What I know: Fire/steel type with the Flash Fire ability. This Pokemon has a unique type combination, but those types aren’t necessarily symbiotic. The heat from its own core melts its steel body, causing it to become misshapen. It’s said to have magma running through its veins. Heatran is another unique case among legendary Pokemon, in that there have been a number observed out in the wild, and they demonstrate an even gender ratio. Where many such Pokemon will lack a gender, like Phione, or consist of one member and therefore be a single-gender species, like Enamorous, Heatran can be any gender. While rare, they're more common many other legendary Pokemon, which means a substantial amount of research focused on them exists; despite their gender ratio, they've proven incapable of reproducing, even with another member of the same species.

Notes: It’s long been rumored that a Heatran lives in Reversal Mountain, Unova. As a side note, I think I may finally be adjusting to this battle format, or maybe the heat of Firespit has just gotten to me; one of its attacks flew perilously close, but the sensation barely burnt at all.

Species: Regigigas

Location: Snowpoint Temple, Alabaster Icelands

What I know: Normal type with the ability Slow Start. This Pokemon is a terrifying powerhouse, but its ire is difficult to rouse. Legends state that it created Regice, Regirock, and Registeel, and it seems undeniable that there’s some form of connection between them, as iconography resembling the three was present in Snowpoint Temple. Any ties to Regidrago and Regieleki are theoretical at best, and, at worst, extremely divisive.

Notes: All known lore ties this Pokemon to the Sinnoh region, but there have been reports of it in modern day Unova, much like Cresselia, Heatran and the lake spirits. This only strengthens the idea that Sinnoh and Unova share more history than we’ve been led to believe.

---

I had hoped this day wouldn’t come, but the conflict with Heatran set off a chain of events that led to the partial destruction of my coat.

It was hardly in presentable condition going into the battle, but the entirety of the good cuff was burnt away, and when I brought it to Anthe to look into repairing it, she was of the opinion that the fabric there was too thin to mend. That must have been why my attempts at mending the damage from the red chain failed so thoroughly. I hadn’t realized I was being so hard on it; I should have been more careful with something so precious.

She offered to replace it with something more practical, but the functionality was never my primary concern.

We came to a compromise: the sleeves can’t be salvaged, and due to my best efforts at sewing, the back panel has been fraying down the split for some time. While there’s nothing to be done there, she told me she’ll try to reshape it, to utilize those parts that remain and make it into something I can use again. The idea bothered me at first, but I’ve come around on it. It doesn’t need to be the same as it was the day I arrived here; so long as I can carry it with me, that’s enough.

It… was in quite bad shape, though, so this project may take some time. I don’t want to leave the village without it, so surely I can make myself useful around Jubilife for a few more days. Even if nobody needs help, the people here have started to come around on the sport of battling; I should be able to entertain them and myself.

It’s nerve wracking to trust her with this, but seeing it in such a state of disrepair feels infinitely worse.

---

At the end of four days spent jotting down requests from villagers and taking notes on opponents, three pictures are taken. The first is of a work table covered in dark fabric.

The coat is immediately recognizable in spite of the very clear alterations. Fraying or damaged material has been excised to allow a foothold for the new fabric-- a sizable amount has been trimmed from the bottom, the back panel replaced in its entirety. These portions have been visibly mended, making no effort to hide the difference between the new and old. Where Scyther’s blades once tore through, there’s now a textile replica of the rough peaks of Mount Coronet, wreathed in snow and wisps of low-lying fog. On its right edge, a tiny embroidered figure scales its heights. At this angle, it’s clear the sleeves are entirely absent, and the gaps they left have been sewn permanently shut.

The second photograph is the same article from the front; half is laid out properly, the other turned down, displaying its inner lining. It’s been amended, including a second panel to capture and retain heat in the mountains, and the side on show features an extra pocket, plus a neat line of the catches the Security Corpsman use to carry their pokeballs.

Opposite that, folded outward to show the patch job off, is the hole that had been caused by the alpha Rapidash so long ago, which Ingo had quickly given up on mending for himself. Instead of attempting to sew the two edges back together, an extra piece of fabric has been added from behind-- presumably sandwiched in between the original material and the new lining. The golden eyes of a Gliscor peer out from the makeshift cave, the bat’s body a shade of purple more vibrant than the real thing, but it truly does give the impression of seeing the alpha stare out from the dark.

Last is a photograph of a photograph, and that fact couldn’t be any more obvious. The camera quality isn’t up to modern standards and the colors are slightly off-- particularly when compared directly to the two that preceded it-- but it certainly does tell a story in and of itself.

In it, a well dressed, dark haired woman stands proudly to one side, deservedly showing off her hard work. To the other side is a man all her opposite: light haired, blank faced, standing slightly sheepishly. His eyes are happy, though, and the coat rests over his shoulders, not a crooked seam to be found. It can’t be terribly cold in this old fashioned studio, but the garment is bound securely, no doubt to show it off in full-- a measure of cord tied tight between the two little metal fasteners, each an inward facing triangle.

It may look a bit strange by modern standards, but it’s clear just how much effort has gone into it, and that the end result is already very well loved.

---

The Diamond Clan’s Treasure: Adaman of the Diamond Clan has challenged you to a battle. Claim victory against him to find out more. COMPLETE

The Pearl Clan’s Treasure: Irida of the Pearl Clan has challenged you to a battle. Claim victory against her to find out more. COMPLETE

Rolling with Spheal: A villager named Senki has asked you to look for his Spheal that went rolling off into Bolderoll Ravine.

Gone Astray...in the Highlands: Zeke from the village wants you to find his sister, Wanda. She seems to have gone missing somewhere in the Coronet Highlands.

Seeking the Remaining Plates: With help from Cogita's hints, you've gathered 17 plates in all. Search for the remaining plate with Volo's aid.

---

The ever-shifting Plates subsection finds some semblance of stability for several days. Its contents settle on:

The “Original One” & Creation:

- The Original One breathed alone before the universe came. (Ayashishi)

- Where all creation was born, that is the being’s place of origin. (Basagiri)

- The Original One is in all things. The Original One is nowhere at all. (Cresselia)

- Two beings of time and space set free from the Original One. (Crebase)

- Two make matter, and three make spirit, shaping the world. (Darkrai)

The Third Being:

- Three beings were born to bind time and space. (Mesprit)

- Three beings whose power can hold both time and space fixed. (Regigigas)

- The third being raged, raining down bolts of anger. (Marumine)

The “Other Side”

- The rules of time and space change within the opposite world. (Sneasler)

- That which fills the other side of the world can shape the rage and mold it. (Heatran)

- The rift is born of disorder on the other side of this world. (Unearthed in the Shrouded Ruins)

Plates:

- When the universe was created, its shards became this Plate. (Gachiguma)

- The powers of Plates are shared among Pokemon. (Dredear)

- The rightful bearer of a Plate draws from the Plate it holds. (Idaitou)

- The power of defeated giants infuses this Plate. (Windie)

- It gathers power from the Plates, listening for the flute’s song. (Landorus)

Unsorted:

- The being poured the remains of its power into stone and buried it deep. (Warrgle)

---

I admit, I’ve been putting off searching for the last of the plates with Volo. His demeanor has changed drastically since it became a topic of discussion, and not for the better. Where his conflicting mannerisms put me on edge before, it’s as though he’s barely bothering to disguise himself any longer. Or… maybe he simply can’t contain himself? I’m honestly not sure which I would prefer.

He’s asked to meet in the Sacred Plaza, so the territory is familiar, and I can be certain that Sneasler won’t let him get away with anything, assuming that Melli doesn’t run him off first. The least I can do is work with him as a warden of the Highlands.

I wonder if whatever this last plate holds will tie the rest together. It’s a tall order, as many of them seem disconnected from the others, or repeat themselves in slightly different language.

It’s quite plain that these are important artifacts, but I worry for their application. They were protected by noble and legendary Pokemon up to this point; there must be a reason they’ve been kept out of human hands.

Who or what, precisely, is their “rightful bearer”?

I suppose it’s better to be in on it than to let Volo dig into something so potentially dangerous without aid.

As they say, keep your friends close.