"Zinnia…"
Wallace narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at the heroic young woman standing before him. That name—he remembered it.
"You're the one who stopped Steven at Mt. Pyre, aren't you? Why are you helping those two evil organizations?"
"Do you understand that if Kyogre and Groudon are awakened, it will be an unimaginable disaster for the entire Hoenn region?"
Wallace's voice was heavy as he questioned her. He didn't know exactly what reason Zinnia had, but what he did know was that—if Maxie and Archie succeeded…
The Hoenn region would be doomed!
"My choice is the correct one. You people would never understand."
The smile on Zinnia's face gradually disappeared, replaced by a cold, sharp tone.
"As the Champion of Hoenn, you turn a blind eye to the true evils of this world. Why then, do you still get to stand here acting so righteous?"
Her palm slowly clenched into a fist, her entire body taut and trembling with repressed emotion.
"What in the world are you talking about?"
Wallace frowned. He could tell from her eyes—Zinnia was not lying.
Could it be… that there were secrets in Hoenn even he did not know about?
"My sister… she was killed by the Devon Corporation!"
"Wha…"
Wallace froze, stunned by her words. His eyes locked on the young woman before him, whose gaze carried complicated emotions of grief, fury, and conviction.
The truth was, Wallace usually didn't involve himself too much with political matters. He had only become Champion last year.
Before that, he had simply been a Contest Coordinator and the Gym Leader of Sootopolis.
He honestly didn't know much about the shady dealings of powerful conglomerates, or the corruption hidden within the League's council members.
To put it bluntly, before becoming Champion, Wallace had only been a refined coordinator and an elegant Gym Leader—never someone who delved into politics.
"I don't know if there's some kind of misunderstanding… but Miss Zinnia, if what you say is really true…"
"I will make sure you receive justice! But right now, please—step aside."
After only two seconds of thought, Wallace spoke solemnly, his face serious. He was a trainer with kindness in his heart.
Perhaps his closest friend's father's corporation really wasn't as clean as it appeared.
But that wasn't the most important matter now. The most urgent priority was to stop Archie!
Just exchanging a few words here had already wasted precious time.
"There's no need for Champion Wallace's help. My own matters, I will settle myself. As for this place, I believe I've already said it clearly—"
Zinnia drew out a Poké Ball, her tone faint but firm. As she spoke, her fearless and radiant smile once again appeared.
"This road is closed."
She hurled the Poké Ball. Accompanied by a savage dragon's roar, a Salamence descended in front of her, its wings spread wide and menacing.
"Then I'll just have to break through by force."
Wallace's expression shifted slightly. Seeing both Noivern and Salamence standing before him, his eyes grew solemn.
As Steven had said, she was indeed a powerful and troublesome enemy.
-------
Meanwhile, on a nameless island—
Courtney and a group of Magma grunts stood guard at the cave entrance. Courtney leaned lazily against a boulder, staring up at the sky as if daydreaming.
Their task was simple: Maxie had left them here to guard the cave. If anyone appeared, they were to fight with everything they had to stop them.
"I can hardly wait… for Lord Maxie's ideal world."
Her clear, watery eyes were filled with curiosity toward Maxie's vision.
"A world full of nothing but land—what's so exciting about that?"
The voice came like a muttered complaint, drifting into Courtney's ears.
It was faint, but she heard it.
Courtney froze, her delicate face stiffening as her sharp gaze swept across the surrounding Magma grunts.
There was no one else nearby. Whoever had spoken—it could only have been one of their own.
And that voice… it had clearly been a girl's voice.
Her eyes quickly locked onto a figure in the corner. Just as she was about to walk over—
The thunder of countless running footsteps suddenly came from afar.
"So fast…"
Courtney's head snapped around. In her vision, a large group of people were charging toward them. A sweet smile curved across her exquisite features.
"As I thought—it's you again, Champion Steven."
When the group drew closer, her eyes immediately fixed on the young man in a suit at the very front—Steven himself.
"Step aside. I won't harm you."
Steven's expression was deadly serious as he cast a glance at the cave entrance behind them. His voice deepened as he spoke to Courtney.
He had no time to waste with these people. Maxie had clearly been inside the cave for quite a while already.
"That won't do. Lord Maxie's dream is about to be realized. We absolutely cannot allow you to disturb him."
Courtney's sweet smile deepened—so much that it almost looked twisted.
She knew they were no match for Steven. But no matter what, even if it cost them everything, they had to delay him!
"Then don't blame me."
Steven drew in a deep breath. Without hesitation, he hurled a Poké Ball.
Metagross landed heavily in front of him, its majestic, overwhelming aura enough to make one's heart tremble.
"Those who seek to shatter this world's harmony, I will show no mercy to any of you!"
The normally gentle Steven now had eyes sharp as blades as he swept his gaze across the Magma members, his voice resonant with fury.
He rarely lost his temper—because of both his calm personality and the excellent upbringing he had received since childhood.
But right now, he truly was anxious. Maxie had already been inside for too long. He couldn't delay any further.
---------------------
Meanwhile, deep within the Seafloor Cavern.
Archie and his people continued pressing forward.
The faint echoes of battle carried from far behind, leaving their hearts heavy.
Wallace himself had come to stop them—the pressure was immense.
But they couldn't turn back now. Gritting his teeth, Archie quickened his pace.
The deeper they went, the darker the surroundings became. Passing through a narrow path, they suddenly saw a faint light ahead.
Archie's eyes flashed with excitement. Breaking into a jog, his expression twisted with exhilaration.
He saw it.
A vast underground lake spread before them, and at its center floated a massive figure.
Not a fish. Not a whale.
It was Kyogre.
Yes—it was Kyogre itself!
The brilliance of the cavern came entirely from the light reflecting off its massive, slumbering form.
"Hahahaha! Found it! We've finally found it!"
Archie burst into wild laughter as he stared at the enormous Kyogre, eyes closed and half-submerged in the lake's surface.
Kyogre! Kyogre!
The dream he had chased for half his life was finally within his grasp!
"Hahaha, listen to me, Kyogre! I have been waiting for this day! I've waited so long!"
He rushed to the lake's edge, spreading his arms wide as he shouted in ecstasy.
"This world is chaotic and broken! Humanity thinks only of their selfish desires! That is why nature and Pokémon alike continue to suffer!"
Archie's voice trembled with excitement. After so many years—he had finally found Kyogre!
At last, his dream could be realized!
"Now! Kyogre!"
With trembling hands, he pulled out the blue orb, his face twisting into an almost demonic mask of exhilaration.
As though resonating with Kyogre's presence, the orb's glow grew brighter and brighter, pulsing like a living flame.
"Return the world to what it once was! To the form it was always meant to have!"
Archie shouted frantically. But at that very moment.
"Wait!"
A hand suddenly grabbed his arm.
"Shelly?"
Archie froze, frowning at his most trusted subordinate.
"Leader… can't you wait a little longer? I have a terrible feeling about this."
"And… are you sure the world Kyogre creates will truly be the one we desire?" Shelly bit her lip, her voice full of worry.
Her unease surged uncontrollably as she stared at Kyogre's enormous slumbering body.
For the first time, she wavered.
Was this really, right? Would the world Kyogre brought truly be their dream?
"What nonsense are you spouting? Shelly, we've come this far! Kyogre is right before us! Do you expect me to stop now?!"
Archie's face twisted with anger.
"Kyogre's power is beyond imagination… Leader, have you thought of the possibility that it might flood the entire world beneath the oceans?!"
Shelly's voice shook. She herself didn't know why, but the unease within her heart grew stronger, almost unbearable.
"As long as I hold the Blue Orb, Kyogre will obey me."
Archie sneered coldly, raising the orb high. He ignored her completely.
Turning back toward Kyogre, his lips curved into a sinister grin.
"Go, Kyogre!"
With a surge of strength, he hurled the blue orb straight into the water.
Yes—he threw the orb directly toward Kyogre!
The instant it touched Kyogre's body, a blinding azure light exploded, illuminating the entire cavern.
At the same time, hurried footsteps echoed from behind.
Wallace rushed in, Zinnia following close behind him.
"No!!!"
Wallace's pupils contracted as his gaze fell on the sight before him.
Within the dazzling light, Kyogre's massive form began to swell and expand—undergoing Primal Reversion!
A pair of golden eyes, filled with savage killing intent, snapped open.
"Wooooohhh!"
A deep, resonant roar rang out, shaking the cavern like the cry of a prehistoric beast. The sound crashed into everyone present like a tidal wave.
Unprepared, Archie and his men staggered, clutching their ears in pain.
"What have you done?!"
Wallace finally came to his senses, roaring in fury at Archie.
Kyogre hadn't merely awakened—it had achieved Primal Reversion!
Primal Kyogre had awakened!
The Hoenn region was now destined to be swallowed by the endless tides of the Primordial Sea.
(End of Chapter)