Larry thought Lucas was crazy. That Tyranitar-like mechanical beast had clearly noticed them. How could they possibly just saunter past it?
Just like Roaring Moon, these things were practically modern incarnations of berserkers. Tyranitar is famous in modern times for its moody, violent temperament. Even if this metal Tyranitar was somewhat smaller than a normal Tyranitar, it wasn't something you could avoid engaging.
This was far too bold a gamble. He was here to work, not to bet his life!
Larry tried to struggle, but Lucas's hands clamped down hard on the right hand holding his Poké Ball and covered the mouth he needed for issuing commands.
How could a body ruined by years of overtime compare with someone who farmed every day? In front of Lucas, Larry was as powerless as a child before an adult.
Tauros didn't know what was happening on its back; it kept walking steadily. Even when they passed shoulder-to-shoulder with Iron Thorns, the Mimikyu lurking in Tauros's shadow didn't move. It had absolute faith in Lucas's judgment.
Larry felt his heart hammering in his chest. Already physically weak from chronic overwork, sweat beaded along his back.
This was way too exciting. A middle-aged man couldn't take this—bad for the heart!
As Larry's breathing grew heavier, Iron Thorns simply watched the two of them ride past on Tauros without the slightest intent to attack. Its emotionless gaze withdrew only after their figures faded into the distance.
As expected… Iron Thorns doesn't like initiating conflict—its temperament is extremely cool-headed.
Lucas's face remained calm, though he was inwardly relieved.
He released Larry's hands. Larry gasped for breath, looking back in astonishment.
It was rare for his emotions to fluctuate this much. For someone who lived by plain and steady is best, it seemed more reasonable and reliable to defeat the metal Tyranitar rather than risk betting on whether it would attack.
Thankfully things hadn't gone the worst way. As his heart settled, Larry sensed a dissonance.
Lucas shouldn't have been to the Paldea Crater before. How was he so sure the metal Tyranitar wouldn't attack?
Or was this just the boldness of a Champion-level Trainer, who had already prepared contingencies for either outcome?
After safely passing Iron Thorns, the two continued down the route. After about 10 kilometers, they found the wreckage of Station 3 in a corner near a cliff.
Debris strewn everywhere, scorched surfaces, and massive boulders sheared from the cliff by some rampant force and crushed down on the station.
Everything spoke of what Station 3 had suffered.
Ignoring the dust dirtying his shoes, Larry stepped into a drift of ashy fluff, squatted, and searched for clues.
A moment later, he said calmly, "These are traces of electrical discharge. It doesn't look like an internal short or some other equipment failure causing an explosion. It should have been attacked by an Electric-type… Pokémon."
"These scattered remains of books and research materials, obviously not yet packed up, also suggest the attack was unexpected."
As the Flying-type Elite Four, Larry naturally studied Electric-types, one of the natural enemies of flyers.
Because of that, he could assert that the devastation at Station 3 was most likely caused by an Electric-type Pokémon—or a monster like Roaring Moon.
Lucas nodded thoughtfully. Swampert had already cleared much of the rubble. They found no blood or exposed human remains among it, so it was likely the researchers and two professors had successfully evacuated.
Since they weren't at Stations 1 or 2, they must have fled to the lower Station 4.
There weren't many Electric-types in Area Zero. Along the way they'd only seen Raichu, Wattrel, and Bellibolt—just somewhat fiercer than average Electric-types.
Besides that, Lucas remembered that among Paradox Pokémon there were Electric-types, too:
Electric/Ground, Magneton's Paradox—Iron Treads.
Fighting/Electric, Hariyama's Paradox—Iron Hands.
Rock/Electric, Tyranitar's Paradox—Iron Thorns.
Electric/Dragon, the box legendary of Scarlet/Violet—Miraidon.
To cause this kind of destruction and strike high cliff faces, it seemed only Iron Treads, Iron Thorns, or Miraidon fit. Could it have been that Iron Thorns they'd just passed? Didn't quite match.
No way the two professors had already built a time machine and summoned Miraidon and Koraidon, right?
That project had only just rebooted.
Hard to believe.
There was no time to mourn Station 3. One way or another, they had to head to the lower caves.
Lucas stood, his gaze settling on the brilliant crystals on the cliff near Station 3.
The closer to the lower levels, the more crystals there were.
Larry rose as well and warned seriously, "I only stayed briefly in the lower levels. The walls and crystals everywhere are covered with Glimmets and Glimmoras blooming. You fought Chairwoman Geeta—you know well the deadly toxins those Pokémon carry."
"And the lower levels are home to powerful, ferocious Pokémon that love dark caves, like Hydreigon."
Lucas nodded slightly, voice deep. "Glimmet and Glimmora…"
How could he not know Chairwoman Geeta's signature Pokémon?
In the Champion Assessment, Geeta's Glimmora inflicted horrific toxins even on his Luxray, whose body was far sturdier than a typical Pokémon. If not for his Luxray's ability being Guts instead of the usual Rivalry or Intimidate, the outcome would've been uncertain.
Before he transmigrated, there were even theories online that Geeta was the secret final boss, with the main evidence being that her ace was Glimmora—a species only found in Area Zero.
No idea if the DLC ever filled in those holes. The main story was excellent; the follow-up should at least be decent, preferably fleshing out characters and worldbuilding…
Fortunately, he'd grown stronger since then, which was why he had the confidence to promise Arven a chance to take him into the crater.
They exchanged a glance, looked toward a cave entrance below Station 3, and said in unison, "Let's go."
Perhaps because of the many lakes in the mid-layer, the underground caves of Area Zero were dark and damp.
But Lucas and Larry didn't use flashlights. The walls and ground were studded with iridescent crystals whose glow was enough to see their surroundings.
The spiral terrain allowed them to descend safely into the unknown depths.
Boom!
A thunderous crash echoed through the vast cavern. Amid flying sand and scattered stones, the silhouette of Swampert, single-handedly swinging a Hydreigon's neck down into the ground, loomed in and out of view.
Elsewhere, a pink flamingo-like crane Pokémon delivered a heart-stoppingly powerful kick, knocking out a Lokix in one blow.
This was Larry's Flying-type ace, the Flying/Fighting Pokémon—Flamigo.
Within moments, the nearby wild Pokémon were cowed by Swampert's and Flamigo's brutal style, hesitating to approach and throw their lives away.
Lucas and Larry were happy to take it easy, having Swampert toss the chastened Hydreigon and Lokix back toward their groups, then proceeding calmly toward Station 4.
About three hours after entering the lower caverns, they should have been near Station 4, according to Larry.
Sure enough, after another twenty minutes, they stood on a higher ledge and saw in the distance the station built in front of a massive crystal.
That was Station 4!
They exchanged a look of delight.
Luckily, Station 4 looked intact from the outside, suggesting the staff and the two professors likely hadn't suffered a mortal threat.
Why are storm clouds gathering above the station?
And really, how could there be sky-borne storm clouds in an underground cavern?!
Beside Larry, Oricorio shuddered, sensing an enormous Electric-type presence below…
In the next instant, from the clouds over Station 4 came thunder like ten thousand drums. Lightning crackled through the stormbank, even forming a mysterious magnetic field.
They exchanged a glance. Since the exterior of Station 4 was undamaged, the mysterious magnetic field under that thundercloud must be what was interfering with communications.
After a moment's thought, they planned to circle around the side and scout. Swampert suddenly spoke up, pointing toward a colossal figure slowly emerging from their blind spot.
It was a beast at least five or six meters tall, its body covered in golden fur, with black arrowhead patterns in places. Its muscular, elongated forelimbs bore red, triple-tipped tufts.
On its back was a conspicuous pale-blue triangular carapace, extending to a pale-blue tail shaped like a bolt of lightning.
Most striking of all was its long, slender neck, crowned with a mane of purple, thundercloud-like fur.
Hidden within the thundercloud mane was the beast's face. It wore a black steel headpiece, sported lightning-bolt whiskers, and a pair of purple vertical pupils.
As it moved, the lightning flashing in the storm clouds above Station 4 frequently arced into the mane around its neck—as if charging it.
"What… is that?!"
Both were stunned. Neither Lucas nor Larry had ever seen such a Pokémon.
Beyond shock, Lucas looked slightly suspicious; he recognized a shadow of another Pokémon in this one…
One resurrected by Ho-Oh, listed among Johto's three legendary beasts—the thunder Pokémon, Raikou!
From this beast, Lucas sensed a vigorous life force and a power within that seemed capable of destroying anything.
No doubt, this was a Paradox Pokémon. But could even a legendary Pokémon have a Paradox form?
Whether or not this thing was a Raikou Paradox, Station 4 was right there. This Paradox was most likely the culprit behind the professors' disappearance and the destruction of Station 3.
Lucas couldn't identify it yet, but his task was clear.
Defeat it, then rescue the people trapped in Station 4!
Lucas said quietly, "Larry, I'll fight it with Swampert."
Larry frowned. "It looks strong. Wouldn't teamwork be better?"
"No—you cover me from the rear."
Lucas shook his head. If someone fled Station 4 during his battle with the Paradox, he wouldn't be able to protect them.
This was where the mobility of Larry's Flying-types would shine.
And this Paradox might be the perfect test of Swampert's power after Mega Evolution—time to let it truly go all out!
"Relax. I wouldn't suggest this without the certainty of victory. We're not here to throw our lives away."
Waving a hand, Lucas bent low and sprinted downhill.
Swampert was even bolder, leaping straight down from the high ground. Amid billowing dust, it landed before the Raikou-like Paradox.
"Looks like the last job of the day. Guys, grit your teeth and push through!"
Larry rubbed his brow with a sigh. He really couldn't read what young people were thinking anymore. He plucked his remaining Poké Balls between his fingers and threw them too.
Swampert's earth-shaking landing immediately drew the Paradox Raikou's gaze—let's call it Ancient Raikou for now.
A violet flash flickered in Ancient Raikou's vertical pupils. Unlike Roaring Moon, it seemed to retain notable intelligence.
On the other hand, it was more confident in its own power, with finer control—and more pride.
Faced with a challenger daring to provoke its majesty, Electric-type energy surged within its thundercloud mane. Golden lightning coalesced in the air into a clawed thunder dragon, pressing down on Swampert with terrifying destructive intent!
Hurrying down the side, Lucas couldn't help but laugh at Ancient Raikou's move. That massive Electric power might threaten a weaker Ground-type.
But against Swampert as it was now…
He touched the Key Stone and shouted, "Swampert, Mega Evolve!"