Then he will encounter:

• A purple cat
• Some kind of weasel
• A pastel-colored bat with a heart-shaped nose
• A baby zebra that shoots lightning

Striaton City looks less like a warehouse district and more like a residential neighborhood. With a few exceptions clustered near the northeast part of town, most of the buildings seem to be low-rise apartments. There's a nice park with an ornamental fountain.

When he heads over to the Pokémon Center, there are some people gathered outside, seemingly waiting for something.

He will hang around listening for a couple minutes before he goes inside. What are they here for?

He can catch snatches of conversation.

"-think it's important to hear them out, don't you?-"

"-my cousin in Accumula was at the rally last week-"

"-don't see why they don't just arrest them all-"

"-know where he gets his clothes-"

"-this wouldn't be an issue if we still used Apricorns-"

"-why are you bringing up Team Galactic, does this look like Sinnoh to you-"

Huh.

He gets Amadelphous healed at the Pokémon Center (it looks pretty similar to the one in Nacrene) and heads back to join the crowd.

Several people in hooded grey uniforms are setting up some banners. In the center of the street, another man is giving them instructions.

He finds a speech on the edge of the crowd and waits.

He doesn't have to wait long. The man takes his place in the middle of the street.

"My name is Ghetsis. I am here representing Team Plasma. No doubt, many of you have already heard about the speech I gave in Accumula Town. Today, I have come to share my message with you as well." He pauses for effect. "Today, I would like to talk to you about Pokémon liberation."

"You're a bunch of dirty thieves, is what you are!" shouts someone from the crowd. His neighbors shush him.

He looks at the man, and the corners of his mouth quirk up in a smile. "We shall get to that later. For now, I simply ask you to consider what I am saying."

"We are all taught from birth that we humans and Pokémon are partners. That we live with each other out of choice. That both of us benefit from this relationship. However... Is that really the truth? Have you ever considered that perhaps we humans... only assume that this is the truth?"

"We force Pokémon to obey us, regardless of their true wishes. We order them around, as if they are our servants, rather than our co-equal partners. If Pokémon truly desired to live with us, what need would we have to confine them in Pokéballs?"

He glances at Amadelphous's ball, nested in his bag. She would leave if she wanted to, right?

"In a just world, we would see Pokémon not as tools, but as living beings, full of potential, from whom we humans have much to learn. Tell me, what is our responsibility toward these wonderful beings called Pokémon?"

"Liberation!" shouts someone in the audience.

(He tries to snatch a glance at them, but it's hard to see over the crowd.)

"That's right! We must liberate the Pokémon! Then, and only then, will humans and Pokémon truly be equals."

He pauses, glancing directly at the man who shouted at him earlier. "Now, some who oppose our mission have accused us of common thievery. But is it not the obligation of all people to protect Pokémon from abuse? We have never interfered with those who properly care for their Pokémon, only with those who mistreat them."

The crowd looks pretty uncomfortable with this.

"Everyone, I end my words here today by imploring you to consider the relationship between people and Pokémon... and the correct way to proceed. We sincerely appreciate your attention."

A pair of grey-hooded guards retrieve the banners, and he departs.

"Not going to lie, I wasn't expecting him to just admit to stealing Pokémon."

"Well, what was he going to do, lie? No one would believe him."

"Some people would probably believe him. People'll believe anything. My cousin thinks there's a secret eighteenth type."

"He has a point, though. It's not like anyone asked the Zebstrika in the Nimbasa power plant if they want to power the grid."

"Are you saying we should just not have power, dumbass?"

(The conversation will continue like this for a while, as people gradually trickle away from the crowd.)

A teenager who looks to be around Sebastian's age approaches him. He glances at Amadelphous's ball, and doesn't say anything.

"Did you need something?"

"I was just listening to your Pokémon... it was saying some very strange things."

They can talk?????

"What sort of things was it telling you?"

"...So you can't understand it? I thought maybe... nevermind."

"It says you are not from this region, and that you seem a bit confused about how to battle." And that it likes you, and that you've treated it with kindness, and that it wouldn't leave given the choice.