Time passed in the blink of an eye—two whole days slipped away. Since the evening of that dinner, Zinnia had vanished without a word.
She had no desire to idle away her time with trivialities. Her mind was set on only one thing: accelerating the progress of her plan.
On the other side, the Hoenn League was moving with the same urgency. After leaving Mt. Pyre, Wallace immediately returned to headquarters and wasted no time in submitting the intelligence that Steven had provided.
So, although the Hoenn region looked outwardly calm, with skies Green and seas tranquil, beneath that surface the winds of turmoil were already rising.
But unlike the leaders, Champions, or schemers worrying about these hidden tides, Lucas, Marnie, Green, and the overly enthusiastic "stone fanatic" Steven—who had stuck to them insistently, insisting on being their unpaid guide—were in an entirely different state.
The four of them, at that moment, were leisurely soaking in a steaming outdoor hot spring, completely relaxed.
"Ahhh~ as expected of a land famous for its hot springs. This is… too comfortable~"
Lucas leaned back lazily, a folded towel placed upon his head. With his eyes closed, he let out a satisfied groan that seemed to carry no real meaning other than pure enjoyment.
"The hot springs of Lavaridge Town truly are second to none," Steven replied from across, his own face relaxed with pleasure.
Yes—right now, they were in Lavaridge Town.
Because of its special location at the foot of Mt. Chimney, the underground waters here were naturally heated by volcanic activity, creating steaming pools that never dried out. Thus, this place had long been a natural spa paradise, drawing visitors from all over.
Unlike the simplified version of the hot springs in the games, here the baths were clearly separated into male and female sections. Naturally, Lucas and Steven were apart from Marnie and Green.
"…Are we really just here for sightseeing?"
Halfway through his soak, Steven cracked an eye open and glanced at Lucas, his thoughts confused.
For the past two days, he had been dragged along everywhere with these three. He had become nothing more than their walking credit card.
Helicopters flown across the skies, extravagant hotels, meals of every variety, he had funded and guided them as they toured multiple scenic spots across Hoenn.
But what unsettled Steven most was that the night he returned to Lilycove City, Zinnia had already disappeared.
When he asked Lucas about it, the boy had replied casually that he had simply "let her go."
But could it really be that simple?
Not just that. Steven had also noticed that the blue orb no longer seemed to be in Lucas's possession.
Most likely, Lucas had handed it over to Zinnia. But why? What was the reason?
Steven could not make sense of it. Yet for two whole days, Lucas had done nothing suspicious—no plotting, no strange movements. Only sightseeing, relaxation, and leisure.
Meanwhile, while Lucas soaked in peace, a completely different storm was brewing elsewhere.
Inside a secret base, a tall, slender woman with tan skin and a striking figure approached Archie with a heavy expression.
"Boss… Amber's been captured."
Amber was one of Team Aqua's three admins.
"Captured…? Damn that League!"
Archie's face twisted with fury, and he could not help but roar aloud, the anger he had suppressed spilling out.
Over the last two days, the Hoenn League's crackdowns against them had grown tenfold in intensity.
In nearly every city, and even in the wilderness, the League carried out searches and investigations. Once a Team Aqua hideout was discovered, the League sent forces immediately to destroy it.
Of course, Team Magma suffered under the same merciless treatment.
"…Did he manage to seize the submarine?" Archie asked after forcing down his rage.
Amber's assigned mission had been to steal the Submarine Explorer 1, which was under construction at the Slateport Shipyard.
"Mission accomplished," Shelly replied firmly. "The submarine is hidden on a small island near Lilycove City."
Relief flashed across Archie's face. Amber had sacrificed himself to buy time, ensuring the submarine escaped—it had not been in vain.
Even a surprise attack on the shipyard would have been impossible to succeed in, not with the League doubling its guards and tightening security everywhere.
Archie burst into booming laughter. "Hah! Excellent! Equip the drill at once—we're going to the Seafloor Cavern!"
Although Amber's capture angered him deeply, securing the submarine was the true victory.
Because Archie had already found Kyogre's resting place. And yesterday, a mysterious figure had delivered the Blue Orb directly into his hands.
With the orb and the submarine, he could awaken the sleeping Kyogre.
"The ocean is the origin of all life—it must be vaster, grander, greater!"
This was Archie's dream: to expand the seas and bring about the world he envisioned. For in legend, it was Kyogre itself that had created the ocean.
"Once I awaken Kyogre, the cursed League will pay dearly!"
His face contorted with a hideous snarl. The Hoenn League had gone too far, pressing them with such unrelenting force.
Even the Elite Four had been dispatched—this was no longer suppression; it was eradication.
"…But, Boss, is this really wise? That orb was taken by that mysterious man, wasn't it? Now it suddenly ends up in our hands? This reeks of a trap."
Shelly's sharp eyes narrowed, her tone wary. Though she dressed alluringly, she was intelligent, far from a brainless subordinate.
She was right: just days ago, at Mt. Pyre, the blue orb had been seized by the young man who fought alongside Steven.
That man had been terrifyingly strong. His Gardevoir had flattened every Team Aqua Pokémon present with a single Psychic.
And yet somehow, the orb had fallen into their hands?
Delivered to them directly?
It was far too suspicious.
"Do not worry, Shelly. So long as we obtain Kyogre, no scheme will matter," Archie sneered.
Of course, he was not oblivious. He knew there were problems.
But he could not refuse.
The orb was real, that was enough. Once Kyogre was awakened, whatever conspiracies lay behind it would crumble before the primal sea.
Because in Archie's heart, Kyogre, the one who had created the oceans—was supreme.
And that was precisely why Zinnia had chosen to deliver the orb herself. She knew that even if Archie suspected, his obsession with Kyogre would drive him forward blindly.
Meanwhile, Maxie too had discovered Groudon's chamber, preparing his own move.
The winds of fate were stirring restlessly.
(TN: Amber is a guy.)
----------------
"…Understood. I'll head there immediately."
Steven's eyes hardened the moment he ended the call.
"What happened?" Lucas asked curiously, shrugging on his robe.
"According to intel from our spy in Team Magma, Maxie has located Groudon's chamber and is already moving in. Team Aqua is the same."
Steven's voice was low and heavy, thick with unease.
The caller had been none other than Wallace.
Both villainous teams had begun their final gambits.
"Oh? So, they aren't completely useless after all. At least they've got some ability," Lucas remarked with a smirk.
He had expected progress, given what Zinnia had revealed, but he had not thought it would take only two days for Maxie to pinpoint Groudon's resting place.
The suffocating pressure of the League had only sharpened his resolve.
"…If they really awaken Kyogre and Groudon, disaster will follow," Steven muttered, frowning deeply.
"Then it seems you'll be busy, Mr. Steven. Good luck," Lucas said with a light chuckle, dismissing the weight of the crisis.
Steven hesitated, giving Lucas a complicated look. He wanted to ask: Are you involved? But he knew there would be no honest answer.
After two days together, he had begun to faintly understand this youth. Despite the dark rumors—that the Reshiram's Trainer was a villain who had wreaked havoc in Galar, Unova, and Kanto, Steven had not sensed such malice. Perhaps Lucas was merely waiting, biding his time.
"…No. Nothing. Farewell, Mr. Lucas."
"Safe travels, Mr. Steven."
Lucas raised a half-smile, watching Steven depart. "I imagine we'll meet again very soon," he murmured softly.
Then, taking out his phone, he dialed.
"Have you moved out yet?"
"Yes. I've already infiltrated Team Aqua. I've also sent you Magma's coordinates," Zinnia's voice replied calmly.
"…What? Maxie didn't take you along for something so important?" Lucas asked, genuinely surprised.
"He doesn't trust me. I've been absent often these past days, so his suspicions only grew. He ordered me to remain at base."
Her tone was steady, even lighthearted.
After the Mt. Pyre incident, Maxie had begun to trust her again. But her frequent activity these past two days had reignited his paranoia.
Still, it suited her. His distrust had given her the perfect opportunity to slip into Team Aqua instead.
"Very well. Then let's begin. The League has already dispatched their forces—we must make sure both of them succeed in awakening the Big-Headed Fish That Cannot Fly."
"…Huh??"
Zinnia froze. Did she hear correctly? The Big-Headed Fish That Cannot Fly?
Surely that was some strange nickname?
"Don't mind the details. That's all for now."
Lucas coughed awkwardly, realizing he had let slip the private "titles" he used for the ancient Pokémon.
"…Oh. Right."
-----------------
Outside Lilycove City, the sea was calm. Wingull soared overhead, the ocean meeting the horizon in endless Green beauty.
But beneath those tranquil waters, a submarine surged forward, its drill smashing through a cliff of stone.
BOOM!
"Here it is, the Seafloor Cavern!"
The submarine surfaced inside the cavern. Archie strode out, his eyes alight with ecstasy as he beheld the vast chamber before him.
This was it—the legendary Seafloor Cavern, where Kyogre slumbered in the depths.
"The new world calls to us! Forward!"
He swept his arm, leading his men inside.
At the same time, across the sea, Maxie led his followers into a similar cavern hidden on an uncharted island.
"…So many wild Pokémon, and strong ones too."
Inside the Seafloor Cavern, Archie and his men quickly realized the place was enormous, its passages winding and complex.
Countless wild Pokémon lurked within, their strength formidable enough to cause real trouble.
The tan-skinned woman's brow furrowed as she scanned the surroundings. Though underground, the cavern was not dark—its ceiling glittered with coral-like stones that glowed, illuminating the way.
"Stop right there! You shall go no further!"
Suddenly, a sharp yet dignified voice rang out from behind them.
Archie froze, his expression shifting. Someone else was here?
When he turned, his face grew uglier still.
A white cap. A flowing white cape. Refined, handsome features.
It was none other than Wallace, the current Champion of Hoenn.
"In the name of Hoenn's Champion!"
"Archie, surrender. Outside is completely surrounded, and I will not allow you to take another step forward."
Gone was his usual grace and gentleness. Wallace now radiated authority and unshakable resolve.
Though he preferred Contests, though he had once urged Steven to retake the Champion's seat, here and now Wallace was Hoenn's strongest Trainer.
And he would never allow its peace to be destroyed.
"Boss, go ahead. Leave Wallace to us."
A dark-skinned woman stepped forward, her voice low but firm.
Archie blinked, a flicker of emotion stirring in his chest. Loyal subordinates…! He nodded heavily.
"Very well. I leave it to you, my brothers and sisters!"
Resolute, he rushed deeper with a handful of close aides.
"Don't you dare run! Milotic, Hydro Pump!"
Wallace hurled his Poké Ball. His partner appeared in a flash of light, elegant and radiant. A torrent of water surged forth.
But a Poké Ball flew from the woman's hand as well.
"Noivern, Dragon Pulse!"
A bat-like dragon soared overhead, unleashing a violet blast that collided with Milotic's Hydro Pump. The two attacks exploded, shockwaves rippling through the cavern.
"…Such power. Who are you?"
Wallace's eyes narrowed. His Milotic's attack had been stopped head-on?
And that Pokémon—it was a Noivern, a species rare even in Kalos, let alone Hoenn.
The woman raised her head, wiping away her disguise. A fearless, open smile curved across her lips.
"My name is Zinnia. And I'm afraid, Champion Wallace, this path is closed."
(End of Chapter)