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"Cough, cough... Um, those people in the stands — just by their uniforms you can tell they're enemies. But what about you lot? Dressed like that... are you friends or foes?"
Leaping down from his Skarmory, Yasha hugged Kim who was running towards him in his arms, then looked up at the sky — at the Team Rocket trio and at Axu riding atop Raikou — his tone slightly edged with suspicion.
"Ahem. Our identities are not for you to doubt. Trust us — we're on your side," said Dragon from above, clearing his throat before speaking.
Meanwhile, Axu, sitting on top of Raikou, shook his head slightly and spoke calmly.
"I'm just passing through. We were on our way to pursue Ho-Oh. But since Suicune sensed Senior Delia's presence here, it brought us over first. Raikou and I will be leaving shortly."
He paused, turned toward Delia, and continued, "Senior Delia, Suicune and the others have been searching for trainers worthy of them. It's clear that Suicune has chosen you. Now that Ho-Oh has fallen under control, Suicune needs your help. Senior, will you fight alongside Suicune?"
As Axu spoke, Suicune had already walked gracefully to Delia's side. Its bright eyes stared quietly at her, waiting for her decision.
Delia listened, shock flashing across her face. Her gaze met Suicune's, and then she smiled softly. Turning, she picked up Riolu from the ground and placed it before Suicune.
"Suicune, do you remember this little one? It hatched from the egg you once protected. And last time in Ecruteak City, Liam was able to escape thanks to your help too. So I owe you a lot. This time, I finally get to return the favor—and that makes me really happy. So... please take care of me, Suicune!"
"Kuuuu!!"
Suicune's expression softened at her words. It looked down at the Riolu in Delia's arms, and the coldness in its eyes seemed to melt away. After letting out a majestic cry, Suicune lowered itself and turned its head, gesturing for Delia to climb onto its back.
"Is it really okay?"
"Kuuuu!!"
Delia's face lit up. She happily climbed onto Suicune's back, her fingers brushing through its silky-smooth mane. Her smile was full of wonder and affection.
"Kuuuu!!"
"Raaaoo!!"
With twin roars, Suicune and Raikou leapt from the ruins of the shrine, carrying Delia and Axu as two streaks of light that sped toward the direction where Ho-Oh had vanished.
Yasha watched them disappear, his face twitching uncontrollably.
"What the hell is going on!? Didn't that Champion, Liam, order a full lockdown!? So why are there still so many unidentified people showing up around the Whirl Islands!?"
He shouted angrily, his voice echoing through the empty ruins.
Dragon, Iron Fist, and Ice Blossom stood nearby in silence.
.....
Meanwhile…
"Achoo!! Damn it—someone's talking trash about me again!"
Far above the seas surrounding Cinnabar Island, aboard a mysterious circular airship, Liam sneezed violently inside a glowing spherical prison. Rubbing his nose irritably, he grumbled to himself.
Yes—at this moment, Liam was imprisoned inside a cage of pure light. He had been stuck there for nearly a whole day, and his patience was starting to wear thin.
Just a day earlier, Liam had been flying toward Cinnabar Island atop Aerodactyl. At its speed, they should have arrived within two or three hours. But halfway there—
—they were ambushed.
It was a perfectly planned trap. Without warning, thick clouds of black smoke burst from the ocean and sky, engulfing Liam and Aerodactyl in an instant.
Reacting immediately, Liam ordered Aerodactyl to use Tailwind to disperse the smog. But the attack was far from simple.
As the winds cleared the smoke, Liam suddenly saw it—a massive circular barrier of light enclosing them, tightening by the second.
He didn't hesitate. "Aerodactyl, Hyper Beam!"
A beam of destructive light erupted from Aerodactyl's mouth, but when it hit the barrier, it didn't pierce through—instead, it reflected, bouncing wildly around the interior of the dome like a mirror's reflection!
Caught off guard, Aerodactyl took a glancing hit from its own Hyper Beam. Though not seriously hurt, it was enough for Liam to realize—this barrier wasn't breakable by normal means.
So, with no better option, Liam stopped resisting. The light prison shrank further, then shot skyward—straight into this strange airship.
Once inside, surrounded by people in black uniforms marked with a familiar insignia, Liam realized he'd walked right into a Hunter Group base.
If it weren't for Aerodactyl still at his side, he might've already broken the place apart. He had even considered releasing Garchomp and the three Legendary Birds to tear this "light cage" to pieces.
But just as he was about to act, he overheard something—
The Hunters' leader had learned Liam had been captured and was very interested in him. She was already on her way.
So, Liam decided to wait. The Elite Four were still guarding the other Whirl Islands; nothing catastrophic would happen for now.
Might as well see what kind of person this mysterious leader really was.
And so—he waited. For a whole day.
Now utterly fed up, Liam reached for his PokeBalls again, ready to end this farce—
—but then the sharp click-clack of high heels echoed through the corridor outside. The sound drew closer.
Moments later—
"Oh, so you're Liam? The current Champion of Kanto, and the Team Rocket's 'Vortex' leader? Hmph. I was expecting a legend... not some kid."
A tall, mature woman stepped out from the corridor. She wore crimson heels and a fitted black-and-red office outfit. Her dark red hair flowed in soft waves, framing a smirk that was equal parts charm and disdain.
"...And you are? The leader of the Hunter Group?" Liam asked, voice dry. "Huh, you're really not what I expected. I thought the leader would be some sharp, commanding figure. But instead, you're just... an old lady past her prime. Tch tch tch—Auntie, could you please not talk to me? I'd like a moment of peace."
No one could out-snark Liam when he got started. Words were his sharpest weapon, and he never pulled punches—especially with an enemy.
"You—! Hmph!"
The woman's eye twitched, but she quickly composed herself, smiling coldly.
"Sharp tongue for someone your age. Still, I'll admit, you've got some backbone. I heard the little Rocket upstart grew this powerful under your command—I didn't believe it before, but now I see it's true. You've ruined several of my operations and cost me a few top officers. I think it's time we settled those debts."
Her smirk widened into something more unhinged, laughter spilling past her lips.
"Hahaha~ but look at me, getting ahead of myself. You're my prisoner now. Your life's in my hands. You came here for the Masked Man, didn't you? Then you'll love this—he's our partner in this operation. He just sent word that he's obtained a key item—something crucial to his goal. Once he's done, Kanto will descend into chaos. And me? I love chaos. It's the best time to fish in troubled waters! I think I'll take you to him—he'll be very interested in what to do with you~"
She laughed wildly, clearly enjoying her supposed victory.
Liam, however, only stared back, face dark. Slowly, he raised both hands, two PokeBalls between his fingers.
"I'm afraid I'll have to decline your invitation," he said flatly. "I'll handle things my own way. Go—!"
"BOOM!!"
Before he could even release his Pokémon, a deafening explosion rocked the entire airship. The floor trembled violently; the woman stumbled and fell hard, cursing in pain and fury as alarms blared.
"What the hell is going on!? Someone tell me—now!"
Her roar silenced the entire chamber. The Hunters glanced nervously at each other, none daring to speak.
And then—
BANG!!
The ventilation duct above burst open, its grate flying across the room. Two figures dropped down from the ceiling, landing hard and steady.
One of them—a towering man—glared at the stunned Hunters and said in a low, cold voice:
"Hmph. Since you asked so sincerely—"
(To be continued..)