Reshiram landed, and Dylan and the others dismounted from their Pokémon.
"So this is it? Cerise Island."
Blue took off his sunglasses, eyes fixed on the massive dormant volcano in the center of the island. No doubt about it—it matched all the intel.
"Is it gonna rain? …No, something's off."
Blue glanced at the sky. Thick black clouds were gathering overhead, heavy with menace. It looked like a storm was brewing—but something didn't feel right.
Giovanni turned to look behind them. The dark clouds stretched endlessly across the sky, but it had been bright and sunny during their flight over. Something was definitely wrong.
"When the heavens shift strangely… a great evil stirs!"
Selene's expression was serious—but the next second…
"Ow! That hurts!"
She clutched her head, eyes teary after taking a hard flick to the forehead. Dylan calmly retracted his "offending" right hand, expression blank.
"Cut back on those fantasy novels," Dylan said with a glare.
Selene shrank back, intimidated by her master's authority.
"Alright, fellas, let me say a few words."
Dylan clapped his hands, drawing the attention of Giovanni and the others.
"We all know why we're here. The former Elite Four have strayed from the path. As the upright current Elite Four, it's our duty to guide them back."
He coughed and straightened up, sounding official.
"…That's the PR version. Let's get to the real plan."
"No need to make it fancy. We'll split into four groups and advance from all sides toward the center."
"If you run into one of the former Elite Four, don't wait for explanations—just take them down. We'll contact each other afterward."
Dylan lifted his communicator and waved it around.
"If you encounter Lance, call me. I doubt you can handle both of his Legendaries."
"Go all-out—I've got your backs."
"I've already promised Chairman Goodshow to have this wrapped up by 5:00. You get the idea."
Dylan glanced at his phone. It was just after 1 PM—four hours left.
"No problem! Just some washed-up exes. Leave it to me," Blue said, smug and confident. He turned on his heel and strode toward the right path with flair.
As long as he didn't run into Lance, he was confident in beating any of the others—even that creepy old lady. Frankly, he always felt like she looked at him funny.
Hopefully, she didn't have a thing for younger men…
Red glanced at his friend's retreating back, nodded silently to the others, and headed left. He didn't talk much, but that was fine. It didn't matter who the opponent was.
"These youngsters really don't waste time, huh? Guess I'll take the middle route," Giovanni said with a faint smile.
He released a Nidoking from its Poké Ball and then casually stuck his hands in his pockets, heading directly toward the central dormant volcano of Cerise Island.
Compared to Agatha, Lorelei, and Bruno, Giovanni had only one target: Lance.
"You two?"
Dylan turned toward Leaf and Selene as the others disappeared from view.
"Hmm… Want to team up, Selene?" Leaf asked after a moment.
"Sure," Selene agreed easily. The island didn't exactly feel like the safest place.
"Be careful," Dylan said. He wasn't too worried—neither girl was helpless.
"Got it!"
Leaf waved, then headed off to the right with Selene.
Dylan took to the sky on Reshiram, flying toward the volcano's center. It had been a long time since he last saw Lance.
Meanwhile, to the right, Blue made his way along the narrow path. Cerise Island had always been uninhabited, and the overgrown weeds made travel annoying.
Fortunately, his Tyranitar was clearing a path.
Suddenly, Tyranitar halted, growling with a fierce gleam in its eyes.
"Tyranitar!" Blue called, immediately releasing Blastoise to guard him and stepping closer to his partner.
"Ban!"
Tyranitar turned its menacing gaze downward and slammed a foot into the earth.
BOOM!
It wasn't even using Earthquake—just a stomp—but the ground cracked wide open beneath the force.
A moment later, a huge deep-purple cobra slithered up from the ground, cold eyes locked on Tyranitar.
"Arbok… so that means it's Agatha, huh?"
Blue narrowed his eyes. He understood immediately.
"Hehehe… Very well trained—alert and sharp."
A raspy voice echoed through the trees. From behind a trunk emerged a frail old woman in a violet dress, leaning on a cane and smiling eerily.
It was indeed Agatha.
"So full of promise, the youth of today," she said, her face lined but her smile unnerving.
"That old Oak… he must be proud of you."
"You knew my grandfather?" Blue asked, not surprised. Oak was famous throughout Kanto, and Agatha was clearly from his generation.
Come to think of it…
Blue studied her closely, starting to get a bad feeling.
"I've heard Oak doted on you. He was such a strong, admirable man in his prime. But now? He's a pale shadow of who he once was," Agatha said, voice slowly rising in anger.
She truly resented how Oak had quit his trainer career. In their youth, Agatha, Oak, Steel, and Pryce had been close friends. Oak was a powerful trainer and always helped Agatha, despite her abrasive nature.
Over time, she came to admire him—maybe even more than that. But as the years passed, Oak turned his focus to research. Agatha felt abandoned.
Even now, after all these years, she had never forgiven him.
Blue blinked. Something was definitely off about her tone.
Wait—no way… Was this creepy granny one of Grandpa's exes?!
"My grandpa doesn't train anymore. I've never seen him battle," Blue replied, thoughtful. That much was true. For most of his life, Blue had believed Oak was just a researcher. Only later did he learn that Oak had once been the Kanto Champion.
But that was long ago.
"Hehe… That was his choice," Agatha said coldly.
"I tried to change his mind, but the old fool insisted. Disappointing, really."
"Well, that's all in the past now. But today… hehehe…"
Her eerie laughter echoed through the trees.
"Agatha, I'll call you Granny out of respect—since you knew my grandfather."
Blue adjusted his Poké Ball, head tilting slightly, his tone growing cocky.
"I'm not here for a vacation."
"As a current member of the Elite Four, I must ask you to come back to the League with me."
"Oh?" Agatha didn't look surprised at all.
"I know why you're here. Young man, did you really think we wouldn't know about your little raid on Cerise Island?"
"What do you mean?" Blue's eyes narrowed.
"Heh… That Bruno fool thinks he's subtle. Please. He couldn't keep a secret if he tried," Agatha sneered. She'd known about his betrayal for a while now.
"We noticed you the moment you arrived."
"I see," Blue said, understanding now—Bruno was the mole.
"Doesn't matter. We weren't trying to be sneaky anyway."
Blue shrugged.
"But looks like you're not planning to come quietly, Granny. No hard feelings then."
"I don't hold back."
Blue lifted his chin, full of pride.
"My, my… such arrogance. I'm your predecessor, boy—you're just a replacement."
Agatha chuckled darkly.
So he really was Oak's grandson… but compared to Oak in his prime, this kid was nothing.
"Tch. You know what 'former' means? It means 'irrelevant.'"
Blue scoffed.
In his eyes, the former Elite Four were just outdated relics. The current Kanto Elite Four? They were the real deal.
This old hag still thought she could act tough? Laughable.
"Hehehe…"
Agatha laughed softly, but there was no humor in her voice.
Did that brat just call her irrelevant?
Even her patience had limits. How dare this snot-nosed kid speak to her like that?
"Young man… looks like I'll have to teach you what respect for elders really means."
Her eyes narrowed dangerously.
From her shadow, two crimson eyes gleamed—her Gengar rose slowly, grinning wickedly.
"I'm nothing like your grandfather. Let me show you what real battle is."
"Tch… Then let me show you, my dear Agatha Granny—"
Blue flipped his hair and stuck one hand in his pocket, grinning wildly.
"Times have changed!"
Former legends shouldn't be crawling out of retirement. Time for some sweet EXP—and then they could kindly step aside!
(Chapter End)