Michina, a small town located in the Sinnoh region.
Michina isn't particularly famous in Sinnoh, as it's primarily known for being a town with ancient ruins and its beautiful natural environment.
But the Pokémon world is filled with unique and stunning wilderness areas.
As for the ruins…
Those who are interested in exploring ruins are a minority in this world where Trainers dominate, and compared to other ancient ruins, Michina doesn't hold any significant advantage.
After all, there isn't much to explore or study in Michina, aside from the thousand-year-old legend!
After resting for a day in Veilstone City, Ryuu Shiro and Marnie arrived in this town.
"The environment here is truly beautiful."
The two walked along a green path, at the end of which was a crystal-clear lake. Marnie's eyes sparkled with delight.
It was a stunningly beautiful lake, its surface shimmering with ripples under the sunlight.
"Michina's environment is indeed one of the best," Ryuu Shiro smiled and praised.
"So, Shiro, why did we come here? You didn't bring me here just to see the scenery, did you?"
Marnie turned around, tilting her head slightly as she blinked her large eyes at Ryuu Shiro.
Though the scenery was lovely, it was just that—scenery. Marnie didn't believe Ryuu Shiro would go out of his way to fly to Sinnoh just for this.
"Why not? Enjoying picturesque scenery with Marnie is a wonderful feeling."
Ryuu Shiro's lips curled into a smile as he gazed at Marnie's delicate face.
"Speak plainly."
Marnie rolled her eyes playfully. She wasn't buying it.
"Have you read about Michina's history?"
Ryuu Shiro shrugged, deciding not to keep her in suspense any longer, and turned his gaze toward a distant mountain.
That was Michina's Great Mountain, and at its peak lay the Michina Ruins, also known as the Ancient Temple!
"It's said that Michina faced a catastrophe a thousand years ago, turning the entire area into a barren wasteland. However, the survivors of Michina received a divine blessing."
"Only then did Michina become fertile and prosperous, evolving into what it is today."
Marnie thought for a moment. This was the information she had found online about Michina last night.
Since Ryuu Shiro seemed quite interested in Michina, she had taken the initiative to look it up. But based on the available information, Michina didn't seem particularly special.
"That's right. A thousand years ago, an unprecedented massive meteor appeared in the skies above Michina. If it had landed, it would have likely destroyed all life in the Sinnoh region."
Ryuu Shiro's eyes gleamed as he explained Michina's past to Marnie.
The meteor that threatened to end the world—that was the calamity Michina once faced.
If it had been a small meteor, the impact wouldn't have been significant, as it wouldn't even have passed through the atmosphere. But a world-ending meteor was no joke.
The term "world-ending" didn't just refer to the destruction caused by the meteor's impact.
The collision of a massive meteor could not only obliterate the impact site but also trigger a catastrophic chain of disasters due to the shockwaves it would send through the planet.
Volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis—a series of unending natural disasters caused by the meteor's impact would be enough to drive all life to despair.
"Then, a god appeared and stopped the meteor from falling. However, the shattered fragments of the meteor still left Michina in ruins."
"And because of stopping the meteor, the god suffered a tremendous impact. The life source that sustained the god was shaken loose by the meteor's force, leaving the god on the brink of death."
"Finally, a kind-hearted human helped the god recover its life source, allowing the god to awaken once more."
"Trusting this human, the god took out five pieces of its life source and created the Jewel of Life, using it to restore the barren and devastated land to life."
Ryuu Shiro narrated slowly, but as he reached this point, a hint of mockery appeared on his lips.
Yes, the one who stopped the meteor was none other than Arceus, the legendary creator of the world!
Arceus's life source was none other than the seventeen Plates.
But Arceus, the Creator God who deeply trusted humans, didn't end up faring well in the end.
"What happened next? And what was that god?"
Marnie listened intently and immediately asked when Ryuu Shiro paused.
"Arceus. The god who restored Michina's land was Arceus."
Just as Ryuu Shiro was about to speak, a melodious female voice sounded from behind.
Ryuu Shiro turned around, and his eyes flickered as he saw the newcomers.
A cascade of golden hair, a black outfit that exuded mature elegance, long bangs covering her left eye, and a face of breathtaking beauty with a classical, noble aura.
This familiar figure was none other than Cynthia!
Beside Cynthia was another golden-haired beauty, her long hair flowing, her face exquisitely beautiful, and wearing a white-pink fitted dress that radiated the grace and elegance of a noblewoman.
Caitlin!
These two were none other than Cynthia and Caitlin.
"What a wonderful encounter."
Ryuu Shiro's eyes narrowed slightly as he discreetly observed the stunning 'duo' walking toward him.
These two women were anything but simple, and it was quite a coincidence to run into them here.
And why was Caitlin still in Sinnoh? According to the timeline, she should have already given up her position as a Frontier Brain and gone to Unova to train, eventually becoming one of the Unova Elite Four.