Hearing the seriousness in Elias's voice, Latios still had lingering doubts, but he knew Elias wasn't joking.
"Alright, I understand," he responded earnestly.
Latios didn't press for more details.
After all, if nothing else, the reason he was still alive right now was entirely because of Elias.
Without Elias's carefully prepared medicine and energy supplements, he wouldn't have lasted this long.
So the idea that Elias would try to deceive or scheme against him never even crossed his mind.
What was there to plot against a dying man?
But still…
"Elias, make sure you tell Latias that I'm just traveling far away."
Latios reminded him anxiously.
No one knew better than him just how stubborn his little sister could be.
Take raising Elias, for example—Latias had never been the type to simply listen to reason.
If she found out he had died, even with Elias there to console her, Latios feared she might do something reckless.
"Don't worry, I know." Elias replied softly.
---
[Your call with Latios was abruptly cut short when Tias came running in, urging you to go to bed.]
[But perhaps because he missed her, Latios' overprotective tendencies kicked in before hanging up…]
"Elias, you have to watch over Latias. Don't let any weird people near her."
"Especially men!"
"...Mm, I'll keep an eye on her."
Elias answered, all while gently soothing the pouting Latias in his arms.
Still, he couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.
Because something suddenly occurred to him—
If Latios became a ghost and started following him around, wouldn't that make certain things… incredibly inconvenient?
---
[You began to realize how troublesome your ability could be.]
[But thankfully, not enough to make you reconsider saving Latios.]
Over the next few days, after finalizing all necessary arrangements, Elias logged onto an underground poaching forum under his alias as Aquadon Hunter and posted an anonymous tip.
"A Latios sighting on a remote island near Alto Mare in the Hoenn region?"
J narrowed her eyes at the message on her screen, momentarily puzzled by Elias's intentions.
After all, from what she had observed, Elias's relationship with those two "Eon Pokémon" was exceptionally close.
And he wasn't a real poacher.
So why would he willingly expose Latios' location?
Unaware of Elias's special ability, J fell into deep thought.
After a while, she suddenly had a realization.
Elias was an undercover agent who had only recently infiltrated the poaching industry.
If he wanted to establish a strong reputation quickly, capturing a Legendary Pokémon would be the fastest way.
Moreover, doing so would actually serve as a layer of protection for Latios.
After all, once a Pokémon was reported as already captured, other poachers wouldn't bother searching for it.
Most would assume there was little value left in the area and steer clear of Alto Mare altogether.
J smirked, feeling rather proud of her insight.
If she had figured out Elias's plan, then what she needed to do was simple—
Disrupt it.
---
[Perhaps because your name wasn't well-known yet, your post didn't gain much attention from other poachers.]
[But that was within your expectations.]
[Your main goal was to build your reputation and send Latios off on his final journey—too many strong poachers showing up would only be a hassle.]
[Still, to be safe, you warned Latias to stay indoors for now.]
"Why can't I go out?"
Latias huffed in dissatisfaction.
Staying cooped up at home was boring! She had wanted Elias to take her out to play.
"There've been poachers lurking around Alto Mare lately," Elias explained.
"Just stay home for a while, alright?"
"Poachers? But there haven't been any for a long time."
Latias frowned in confusion.
It wasn't that she doubted him, but Elias had practically eradicated poachers in Alto Mare over the years, turning it into a criminal's worst nightmare.
For them to suddenly reappear? It was suspicious.
"Yeah, they've only just started showing up again."
"Steven and I are working on taking care of them—it'll be over soon."
Seeing her hesitation, Elias added another reassurance.
Hearing this, Latias finally let out a defeated sigh.
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she asked:
"Then… what about my brother? Can I go find him?"
To Tias, it felt like forever since Latios had last come to visit her.
Even when he sent the Eon Flute, he had used an Abra from the island to deliver it instead of coming himself.
And when she called him, he refused to let her return to the island.
That left her feeling… uneasy.
---
[As much as Latias' pleading gaze tugged at your heart, you still refused her request.]
[Letting her run around freely right now wouldn't just risk her getting captured—it could also interfere with your and Latios' plan.]
[Fortunately, she was obedient enough.]
[After sinking her teeth into you—hard—she didn't push the matter any further.]
[In the following days, you had expected some poachers to show up, even if only to test their luck.]
[To prepare, you even coordinated with the League and Devon Corporation to set up a large-scale sting operation in Rustboro.]
[But to your surprise—not a single poacher took the bait.]
Several days passed, and there wasn't any activity.
It was as if your post had caused no reaction at all.
"Maybe it's because everyone knows this city has you, the 'Poacher Exterminator.'"
Steven teased with a chuckle.
Unlike Elias, he didn't find the situation all that unusual.
After all, Devon Corporation's headquarters was right here in Alto Mare, meaning there was always a strong security presence.
Plus, Elias had spent years ruthlessly hunting down poachers, turning this entire area into a criminal's worst nightmare.
Even Daigo himself had heard various urban legends about Alto Mare circulating in underground circles.
"Let's hope so."
Elias responded lightly.
But something felt off.
Poachers were, by nature, both desperate and reckless.
If they caught wind of a Legendary Pokémon sighting, true or not, at least some of them should have shown up to investigate.
For none to take the bait?
That was very strange.
---
[Time passed quickly. Before you knew it, the promised day had almost arrived.]
[Tomorrow was the appointed time.]
---
...
Huh. You really stuck it out all the way to the end.
Didn't think you had the patience. Guess I was wrong.
WiseTL's the one who actually made all this come together. I'm just here putting a bow on it... or, well, shoving it in a backpack and calling it a day. Same thing.
If you had fun, you know what to do:
👉 [patreon.com/WiseTL]
And if you're the social type, there's a Discord too. Pretty decent spot to hang out—no battles required.
👉 [discord.gg/wisetl]
Alright. That's enough standing around. Go on—before you make it weird.
—Leaf