Mt. Pyre.
"W-wait, wait, wait… that's a Salamence, isn't it…"
The Magma grunt stared at the fierce dragon hovering menacingly in front of him, throat tightening as he swallowed hard. Instinctively, he shuffled two steps backward.
Being stared at so intently by such a terrifying dragon, the psychological pressure he felt was immense.
And besides, what was he supposed to do against a Salamence? Could a mere grunt like him possibly handle that? Of course not.
"Now then, would you be so kind as to tell us—why did you suddenly decide to attack us?"
Lucas narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at the grunt, but his lips carried a gentle smile as he asked in an almost polite tone.
The presence of a Team Magma member here was absolutely not a coincidence. In the original storyline, both Team Magma and Team Aqua had come to Mt. Pyre with the intent of seizing the two orbs.
If that was the case, then did this mean that the two criminal organizations had already located the sleeping places of Groudon and Kyogre?
Lucas pondered silently. Their actions were much faster than he had anticipated.
Still, it was not certain—perhaps they had only gotten information about the orbs first, which was why they rushed here to try and take them.
"T-this…"
The Magma grunt stumbled backward again, clearly wavering.
"Please answer carefully, won't you? Otherwise, I really can't say what I might end up doing… you see, my Salamence doesn't exactly have the calmest of tempers."
Lucas's tone remained pleasant.
As if to prove his trainer's words, Salamence let out a thunderous roar. The shockwave of air it generated swept out violently, forcing the grunt to shield his face.
When he finally dared to open his eyes again, Salamence's savage head was already looming dangerously close to his own.
"Ahhhhhh!"
The Magma grunt let out a terrified cry and fell flat on the ground. As a native of Hoenn, he knew all too well how ferocious Salamence could be.
This was a carnivorous Pokémon—one that devoured its prey without hesitation!
Steven stood silently to the side, watching the scene unfold. Though he personally disapproved of Lucas's method of intimidation and coercion, he did not intervene.
He was not a naïve man. He knew perfectly well that there were times when such methods were the most effective.
"It… it was the boss who told me to stand guard here. Said we were to stop anyone from going up the mountain."
Without a moment's hesitation, the grunt spilled everything, throwing his own leader under the bus without a second thought.
"What? Maxie is here too?"
Steven's brows furrowed tightly. Of course, he knew the name—Maxie was the boss of Team Magma.
A lean and composed middle-aged man, Maxie was known for his cold maturity. By contrast, Team Aqua's leader Archie was a brash, muscle-bound brute.
"Y-yes… not just the boss. A lot of Team Aqua members are up there too. Both groups should be gathered on the summit by now."
It was only then that the grunt noticed Steven properly. His eyes went wide with disbelief.
No way. Wasn't this… wasn't this the former Champion of the Elite Four, Steven?!
The grunt's voice trembled as he continued to spill every bit of information he knew.
"And what is the reason they've come here?" Steven's voice was cold as he pressed further.
Though he already had a general guess in mind, he needed confirmation.
"T-that, I don't really know…" The grunt stammered in a low voice.
He was just a mid-ranking member, nothing more. How could someone like him know the true goals of the leaders? If he did, he wouldn't be standing here like a glorified guard dog.
"Isn't it obvious?" Green rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "Of course they're here for the orbs. Those are treasures that can control Groudon and Kyogre. What else could it be?"
Her tone suggested that Steven's question was almost redundant. After all, evil organizations didn't do pointless things—and certainly not when both Aqua and Magma, who were usually at odds, had shown up in the same place.
"Then I have to inform Wallace immediately. Those two orbs absolutely cannot be allowed to fall into their hands."
Steven's face grew heavy as he pulled out his PokéNav. Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Lucas, noting that the latter made no attempt to stop him.
That was curious—but all the better.
Artifacts capable of controlling Groudon and Kyogre could not—must not—fall into the hands of lunatics like Maxie and Archie.
One dreamed of creating a continent of endless land, while the other sought to engulf the world in boundless ocean.
Steven simply could not understand how either of them thought. Wasn't the current world good enough already?
Land and sea—each existed in balance. For one side to overwhelm the other would only bring disaster to humanity.
"Come on, let's head up. Chances are, the two groups are already clashing by now."
When Lucas saw Steven finish his call to Wallace, he spoke with a light smile.
He himself didn't mind. After all… by the time Wallace managed to arrive, the situation here would most likely already be resolved one way or another.
Mt. Pyre was a long way from Sootopolis.
The group pressed on toward the summit. Along the way, they saw skirmishes breaking out left and right between Magma and Aqua grunts.
It was as expected. Though their goals were the same, neither side was willing to allow the other to succeed.
The closer they got to the peak, the thinner the mist became.
At the top, Mt. Pyre flattened into a wide, open plateau. The atmosphere there was thick with tension.
Members of both teams were locked in combat, but at the far end of the field stood an elderly couple—the shrine guardians—watching in terror as the two criminal groups clashed over the sacred treasures.
"Archie, let's each take a step back. You take your Blue Orb, and I'll take my Red Orb. What do you say?"
"If we keep fighting until the League shows up, neither of us will gain anything."
Maxie, dressed in his slim red uniform, his glasses flashing cold light, spoke with forced calm. He had no interest in dragging this farce out any longer. The more time wasted, the greater the chance of accidents.
Cautious by nature, he despised such unnecessary variables.
"Hah! Don't make me laugh. Why should I hand the Red Orb over to you? I was the one who found this place first!"
Archie, broad-shouldered and imposing, barked out a disdainful laugh. His voice dripped with mockery as he sneered at his rival.
He had never once respected Maxie. Not only did the man oppose him at every turn, he spouted that ridiculous nonsense about "land being humanity's true destiny."
A joke!
The sea was the cradle of all life! Only the ocean represented the world's true form.
Maxie was nothing but a deluded cultist.
Maxie's frown deepened. This was exactly why he hated Archie. The muscle-headed fool was utterly incapable of seeing the bigger picture.
Their strengths were evenly matched. Continuing this battle would accomplish nothing.
'…Should I let her act?'
Maxie hesitated for a moment, glancing back at the figure standing not far behind him.
It was a striking young woman with sun-kissed skin, wearing a tattered gray cloak draped loosely over her shoulders. Her long black hair shimmered faintly, her upper body clad in a tight black shirt, her lower body in denim shorts.
Everything about her radiated arrogance and wild intensity.
This was Zinnia—a newcomer to Team Magma from Meteor Falls.
But Maxie never fully trusted her. Her purpose was unclear. Most importantly…
Her strength was terrifying.
Yes, terrifying.
Her Salamence in particular emanated such pressure that even Maxie himself, the calculating leader of Team Magma, felt a chill of unease.
So, while she always acted obedient and capable, completing missions flawlessly in just a few months, even winning the respect of high-ranking admins like Matt and Shelly—Maxie's wariness toward her never faded.
The girl was simply too mysterious. Mysterious enough that even he, who trusted no one lightly, was forced to stay on guard.
'…No. Unless absolutely necessary, I can't let her act. Otherwise, her influence within Team Magma will only grow stronger.'
In the end, Maxie shook his head. He would not give her the opportunity to rise further.
Just then, a playful female voice suddenly rang across the battlefield:
"What's this? So lively. Are you all having… some kind of group activity?"
The words carried clearly into the ears of everyone present. Almost instinctively, all eyes turned toward the staircase leading up.
"…So, someone really did come."
Maxie's gaze sharpened instantly. They had delayed too long.
Four figures emerged from the mist.
But the moment their eyes fell upon the man in the black suit at the front, both Maxie and Archie's pupils shrank sharply.
Steven Stone.
As for Lucas and his two companions, both bosses nearly dismissed them entirely at first glance.
"Damn it." Archie's face darkened. "Why is Steven here? Isn't he supposed to be… mining in another region right now?"
"It seems you've frightened them quite a bit, Steven. Truly, your reputation here precedes you. Just look these criminals don't even dare make a move."
Lucas chuckled as his eyes swept over the field, teasing Steven lightly.
The name of the former Hoenn Champion still carried immense weight. Even though he had stepped down and passed the title to Wallace, the pressure he commanded remained overwhelming.
After all, everyone in Hoenn knew—Steven had retired by choice. He had recommended Wallace himself.
And though Wallace had quickly risen in fame by defeating the Elite Four, he had never actually fought Steven.
So, in truth, no one really knew whether Wallace was stronger than Steven.
What they did know, however, was that Steven's strength was absolutely not something people like Maxie or Archie could contend with.
"Mr. Lucas, this is hardly the time for jokes…"
Steven forced a strained smile. He truly didn't know what to do with the man beside him. Tremendous intimidation indeed. Wasn't Lucas himself the most dangerous Team Rocket executive of all? And yet he had the audacity to tease him!
But Steven's smile soon faded, replaced by steely resolve as his sharp eyes swept across the Team Magma and Team Aqua members.
He might not be able to do anything about Lucas… but these criminals? He would never let them go free.
Yes—before allies, he could be humble and deferential. But to enemies, he would strike with full force.
The atmosphere shifted. A strange silence spread across the summit.
"Tabitha, Maxie, Shelly, Archie… and that one must be…"
Lucas's gaze lingered briefly on each familiar face—the delicate Courtney, the voluptuous Shelly, the gaunt Maxie, the brash Archie and finally, it settled on the cloaked young woman.
His eyes narrowed, surprise flashing in their depths.
Zinnia, the heir of the Draconid people!
He hadn't expected this. He had originally thought to seek out the Draconids himself at Meteor Falls. But to think Zinnia had already walked out into the world—and even joined Team Magma of all places.
"And that dragon energy… truly powerful. Champion-level, without a doubt."
Lucas studied her closely, sensing the dense Dragon energy she carried.
The Draconid people were descendants who had long dwelled in Meteor Falls, their specialty lying with Dragon-type Pokémon. Zinnia herself was clearly an expert of the highest caliber—a Champion-level Dragon master.
------
"Zinnia, that handsome boy keeps staring at you, you know~"
Courtney nudged her playfully, pointing toward Lucas with a mischievous smile.
"…."
Zinnia's brow twitched as she shot Courtney a withering glare.
Courtney was one of her few genuine friends since leaving the seclusion of Meteor Falls. But her overly lively, eccentric personality often left Zinnia exasperated.
"What a powerful aura of pressure… he's a Dragon trainer too."
Her expression grew serious as she muttered under her breath, eyes locked on Lucas.
Since leaving Meteor Falls with her secret mission, she had never encountered a trainer stronger than herself.
Until today.
"What do you mean, strong? You're talking about Steven, right? He's the former Champion of Hoenn. Things aren't going to end peacefully today."
Courtney had only half-heard Zinnia's words and assumed she was referring to Steven.
Even as she said it, Courtney's delicate face hardened. Steven's presence weighed heavily on them all.
"No. Not Steven. The one beside him."
Zinnia shook her head slightly, sparing Steven a glance but keeping her gaze on Lucas.
She knew Steven was strong. But it was Lucas whose presence made her chest tighten.
"???"
Courtney blinked in confusion, giving Lucas another look. Handsome, refined, extraordinary—that much was obvious.
But… stronger than Steven?
It was difficult to imagine.
Still, Zinnia was not someone who lied. If she felt that way, it had to be true. And given that Zinnia was already far stronger than Maxie himself, her judgment carried weight.
"Zinnia. Retrieve the Red Orb."
At last, Maxie made his decision, addressing her firmly.
He could not afford to delay any longer. Steven had already arrived, which meant the League's reinforcements would not be far behind.
"Yes, sir."
Zinnia's expression grew solemn as she nodded, then darted swiftly toward the elderly couple holding the orbs.
She knew it was an evil act. But she had her own reasons.
"Stop her!"
Steven's eyes narrowed sharply. Seeing Lucas only watching in amusement, he finally acted himself.
With a flick of his hand, a Poké Ball burst open—Metagross landed before him, gleaming with metallic brilliance.
"Use Flash Cannon!"
Light surged as Metagross gathered radiant steel energy, unleashing it in a blazing beam toward Zinnia's path.
"Salamence, Dragon Claw!"
Zinnia's eyes flashed. With a swift motion, she threw out her own Poké Ball.
A colossal roar split the heavens as her Salamence soared upward, wings unfurling majestically.
The battle was about to erupt.
(End of Chapter)