Day after day, year after year, generations passed.
Expedition after expedition ventured into the Great Crater of Paldea… yet none ever returned with the so-called treasure. In fact, most never returned at all.
Among them… were Hannah's parents.
Because of that, she grew up relying solely on her grandmother. Eventually, the two distanced themselves from the family altogether and settled in a remote town, hoping to live quietly.
But peace never came.
Certain people, driven by greed, believed her parents had discovered the treasure and brought something back. They began investigating the grandmother and granddaughter relentlessly.
Even after finding nothing, they refused to stop. The pressure escalated—harassment turned into pursuit… and pursuit into outright attempts on their lives.
Forced into constant escape, they drifted from place to place.
And in that endless struggle, her grandmother's old illness relapsed.
She didn't survive.
Carrying both hatred and hope, Hannah came to Johto… determined to find Ho-Oh—and bring her grandmother back to life.
…
"…I see." Brent exhaled slowly after hearing everything. "That explains it… I'm sorry, but I don't know anything about Ho-Oh. Still, I can try to help you locate Entei."
Peter, however, remained silent, his gaze fixed on Hannah.
His instincts told him something was off.
If her parents truly found nothing, why would they have been hunted for so long?
Unfortunately, before coming to this world, Peter hadn't even played the DLC for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. He only knew that a research station existed at the bottom of the crater—anything deeper remained a mystery to him.
After a moment, he spoke.
"…Can we talk privately?"
Hannah blinked, then nodded. "Alright."
..
Moments later, they sat across from each other in a quiet reception room inside the Gym.
Peter got straight to the point.
"I know a bit about Ho-Oh. But in return, I want you to tell me everything you know about the The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero."
"…?!"
A flicker of hope appeared on Hannah's face—but the moment she heard those words, it turned into shock.
She quickly suppressed it, returning to her usual calm, expressionless demeanor.
But it was too late.
Peter had already seen enough.
The term "The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero" was something he had only learned from DLC previews in his previous life. If Hannah reacted like that… then her parents definitely knew something.
He didn't rush her. He simply waited.
After a long silence, Hannah let out a breath.
"…Maybe you really are the right person to uncover this truth."
She reached into her pocket and pulled out a photograph.
"My parents left this behind. I don't know what the The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero is… but I've heard them mention it before."
Peter took the photo.
At a glance, he recognized it immediately—it was the Area Zero at the bottom of Paldea's Great Crater.
Crystalline structures. Glowing flora.
All of it looked exactly like the scenes he had seen in his first playthrough.
Nothing new.
Just as disappointment began to creep in, Hannah added:
"My grandmother said… my parents got this after meeting a couple wearing white lab coats. They said they were going deeper—into the underground."
"…Underground?" Peter frowned.
Based on his memories, those two were likely the researchers behind Terastalization and Paradox Pokémon—Professor Sada and Professor Turo.
[Note: Terastalization]
A unique phenomenon in the Paldea region where Pokémon crystallize and gain a new type. This grants them type advantages and boosts. If the type matches their original type, STAB increases to 2×.
[Note: Paradox Pokémon]
Mysterious Pokémon from the Great Crater, resembling ancient or futuristic forms described in the Scarlet/Violet Book. They possess unusual abilities and are often significantly stronger than modern Pokémon.
…
"I see…" Peter nodded slowly. "Thanks for the information."
Hannah leaned forward slightly. "Then… can you tell me where to find Ho-Oh?"
Peter handed the photo back.
"You won't be able to find it."
"…What?" Her eyes dimmed, but stubborn determination quickly surfaced. "Why not?"
Peter didn't answer directly. Instead, he turned his gaze toward the window.
"…Have you ever heard the legends of Johto?"
"…No."
His voice lowered, calm and steady, as if unfolding an ancient scroll.
…
Over 1,500 years ago, civilization in Johto began to take shape. Written language emerged—strangely resembling the forms of Unown.
Later, migrants from Sinnoh arrived, settling in what would become Ecruteak City. There, they developed traditions to honor Legendary Pokémon—ritual dances that eventually evolved into the Kimono Girl culture.
Through faith and reverence, humanity formed bonds with two divine beings:
Ho-Oh — the guardian of rebirth Lugia — the master of the seas
Two great towers were built as their sanctuaries:
The Bell Tower, where Ho-Oh resided The Brass Tower, home to Lugia
Under their protection, humanity prospered.
But prosperity bred ambition.
And ambition led to war.
Eventually, humans set their sights on the gods themselves.
In Ecruteak City—the very place of their faith—they attempted to capture Ho-Oh and Lugia. To do so, they even set fire to the Brass Tower.
Lugia, disgusted by humanity's betrayal, summoned a storm of thunder, reducing the tower to ashes before departing.
It fled to the Whirl Islands, splitting the land and creating massive whirlpools to guard the seas. From then on, it intervened in all sea battles, rescuing those in peril—earning the title God of the Sea.
The fire in the tower raged for three days and nights.
When it finally died down, three Pokémon had perished within the flames.
Then—
Ho-Oh descended.
It revived them, granting each new power:
Raikou — embodiment of lightning Entei — embodiment of fire Suicune — embodiment of the north wind
The Legendary Beasts were born.
Disappointed in humanity, Ho-Oh left them behind to observe mankind… while it itself took to the skies, searching the world for a truly pure-hearted person.
…
Peter turned back to Hannah.
"Ho-Oh only appears to those with a pure heart. Only those it acknowledges can truly meet it… and receive a Rainbow Wing."
His voice softened slightly.
"Follow the guidance of the Rainbow Wing. Pass the trials of the Legendary Beasts. Then, at the base of the rainbow—on Mt. Tensei—place the wing upon the Rainbow Stone."
"Only then… will Ho-Oh appear."
"And only then… can you become the Rainbow Hero."
The room fell silent.
Because what Peter had just given her…
Wasn't just an answer.
It was a path.
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T/N:
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