Chapter 284: The Rampaging Trio
On the way to Alto Mare.
Lorelei and Will rode on Lapras's back.
Although Lapras wasn't known for speed, she was a Lv. 80 Champion-level Pokémon. She was definitely faster than any speedboat available.
That's right.
The current Lorelei was a powerhouse with two Champion-level Pokémon.
One was the little penguin, Will, and the other was Lapras.
Both were at Lv. 80.
Although Will was frustrated.
He had to admit, having "Blue" potential was tough.
It required much more effort and sweat to keep up with the growth of a genius.
He knew this all too well.
In his previous life.
As a Sceptile, his "Gold" potential allowed him to gain one level per year in the Champion tier.
Now.
With "Blue" potential, gaining one level per year in the Elite Four tier was a struggle.
He had to train incredibly hard just to not be surpassed by Lapras.
And now that Will had reached the Champion tier, he felt that leveling up would be even harder.
If he couldn't find a way to improve his potential, it might take two years to gain a single level in the future.
"Ho-Oh said Manaphy might be able to help me complete my genetic defects..."
Isn't this a perfect opportunity?!
Will's eyes lit up.
If he could help Manaphy retrieve Phione's egg, Manaphy surely wouldn't mind helping him with this small favor.
"By the way, is the Sea Crown really that amazing? Is it worth those pirates risking their lives?"
Lorelei looked at the vast ocean ahead, tilting her head in confusion.
Will glanced at her but didn't speak.
Of course not.
If the Sea Crown was so powerful it could command even Kyogre, why would Archie, the leader of Team Aqua, go through all that trouble to get the Blue Orb?
However.
The Sea Crown was still quite an incredible item.
In the Pokémon world, it was basically a cheat on the same level as the Ultimate Weapon.
First.
It allowed the user to fly and carry others, using a method similar to Liquidation, wrapped in a column of water.
Second.
It made the owner the beloved of the sea.
Not only did it greatly increase affinity with Water-type Pokémon, but it also allowed the user to breathe underwater.
The owner could communicate with marine Pokémon and ask for their help.
This even included Kyogre.
If Kyogre was in a good mood and heard the call, it might respond.
Finally.
While in the ocean, the user could summon Manaphy at any time.
So.
How could the Sea Crown not be considered a cheat?
As they advanced.
The sky gradually darkened, clouds gathered, and the air became heavy with moisture.
"We're almost there. Alto Mare..."
Lorelei squinted at the sky and the surrounding sea.
The ocean was restless.
Waves rolled in one after another, each higher than the last.
"Lorelei."
Will looked down at Lapras's fins slapping the water.
"Hmm?"
Lorelei looked down at the little penguin by her leg.
"The sea level. It's rising."
Lorelei frowned deeply.
She couldn't see such a subtle change, but she trusted Will's words.
But this meant...
Manaphy was nearby, and it really intended to attack Alto Mare.
"Lapras, can you go any faster?"
"Meee."
Half an hour later.
They arrived at Alto Mare against the wind and waves, and immediately saw Steven standing on the shore, gazing at the sea.
"On behalf of the Hoenn League, welcome, Senior Lorelei. Although I'd love to invite you to my family's cafe for a drink, now doesn't seem to be the time."
Steven bowed slightly to Lorelei.
Every movement was full of grace and etiquette.
As expected of the heir to the Devon Corporation.
As for Steven calling Lorelei "Senior," there was nothing wrong with that.
Steven was younger than Cynthia, nearly seven years younger than Lorelei; he was only 21 now.
And Steven had joined the League several years later than her.
So Lorelei was indeed Steven's senior.
Even though Steven was stronger now.
But Will believed...
If Lorelei hadn't become an Elite Four member 10 years ago and started working, but instead continued traveling as a trainer...
Her strength would definitely surpass Steven's by now.
"Any movement from Latios and Latias?"
Lorelei looked at the City of Water.
The Hoenn League and Steven seemed to have issued a warning in advance, telling citizens to hide in their homes.
So Alto Mare was empty now; there was almost no one in the city or on the canals.
"Yes. They've gone into the sea to find Manaphy. It seems they intend to drive Manaphy out of the waters around Alto Mare."
Steven nodded helplessly.
His team had no Water-type Pokémon and wasn't good at underwater combat, so he couldn't keep up with the Eon Duo.
"Stopping the three of them is pointless. We must find those pirates, retrieve Phione's egg, and return it to Manaphy."
"I know. Our people are conducting a carpet search of the entire city, even the canals. Finding them is only a matter of time."
Steven nodded.
He knew the solution too.
RUMBLE~
Suddenly, the entire city of Alto Mare shook violently.
"Their battle is escalating. If this continues, the underwater foundations of Alto Mare will collapse! Lorelei, I might have to trouble you to negotiate. If negotiation fails, try to lure them over here."
Steven held a Poké Ball in his hand.
"Mm."
Lorelei nodded.
She turned and picked up Will, returning to Lapras's back.
She had prepared herself for this danger long ago.
Besides.
Over the years, she had done things far more dangerous than this.
The sea became even more turbulent than before.
"Lorelei."
Will looked up from Lorelei's lap.
"Hm?"
"After this mission is over... retire."
"Worried about me?"
Lorelei grinned and rubbed Will's head.
Over the years.
The words she heard most often from Will were telling her to retire.
Especially before every dangerous mission.
"Mm."
Will nodded.
Being an Elite Four member was prestigious, yes.
People in other regions worshipped and followed her, and Gym Leaders treated her with respect.
But this was bought with her life.
Elite Four members either had no work, or work that ordinary people couldn't handle, work that threatened their safety.
Who would dare disrespect such an existence?
"Okay. I'm... a little tired too."
Lorelei sighed, but then rallied her spirits and looked at the sea.
"Piplup, find them."
"I'm looking."
Will closed his eyes, sensing the fluctuations underwater.
A moment later.
He pointed in a direction.
Lapras immediately accelerated that way.
With every three seconds Lapras advanced, the sea became more violent.
Until a minute passed.
"Hey, hey, this is too exaggerated..."
Lorelei looked at the scene on the sea ahead and gulped.
There were dozens of whirlpools of varying sizes on the surface.
Countless aquatic Pokémon were caught in the whirlpools, unable to escape.
Not far away, waterspouts were rising one after another.
"Lapras, protect Lorelei. I'm going to take a look."
"Wait, take this."
Lorelei took the Water Scale from her wrist and put it over Will's shoulder (like a sash).
She knew Will usually did more to keep her out of danger.
And she couldn't stop him.
So Lorelei could only try to make him safer.
This Water Scale... she had asked for it for Will, not herself, from the beginning.
Will secured it, then dove underwater.
The three Pokémon entered his Aura sensory range.
"This is bad... all three of them are furious."
Will pressed his lips together.
He had hoped they might listen to him out of respect for an "Aura Guardian."
Now, it seemed unlikely.
Pokémon in a frenzy...
Could barely listen to their partners, let alone a stranger they'd never met.
But no matter what.
Will had to try.
He couldn't just watch them fight.
The battle location was too close to Alto Mare's underwater foundations.
The fact that the shockwaves from three Champion-level Pokémon hadn't collapsed Alto Mare yet was a testament to the city's engineering.
"I see them."
From Will's position, he could see the three Pokémon.
The older brother, Latios, was clearly enraged.
He charged at Manaphy, Dragon Claw on his left hand, Shadow Claw on his right.
Manaphy's condition was even worse.
Facing Latios's charge, it didn't dodge, meeting him head-on with Liquidation.
This was the clearest sign of losing reason—not dodging attacks, just tanking them to hit back.
The younger sister, Latias, seemed to retain a little reason.
She circled her brother, using moves like Charm, Helping Hand, Tailwind, and Wish to buff Latios or debuff Manaphy.
Although Manaphy was higher level.
Facing the perfectly coordinated siblings, it was a stalemate for now.
But only temporarily.
"Maaaa~"
A long cry echoed through the sea.
Will knew Manaphy was about to use its species ability.
What was the biggest difference between Legendary/Mythical Pokémon and ordinary Pokémon?
Why couldn't most ordinary Pokémon beat Legendaries of the same level?
Because of their unique species abilities.
Some Mythicals had abilities that surpassed most Legendaries.
And Manaphy's ability was definitely stronger than the mere abilities of two sub-Legendaries.
The Eon Duo's abilities were numerous, but not particularly powerful in direct combat: shapeshifting into humans, invisibility, foresight, shared vision, telepathy.
But Manaphy...
Controlling the sea was just the basics. Summoning help in the ocean was its strongest ability.
Soon, more and more Water-type Pokémon would come to help Manaphy fight.
Even if Latios and Latias were powerful, they would be helpless against an ocean of Water Pokémon.
If Manaphy summoned Kyogre...
Then Alto Mare was doomed today.
"Manaphy vs. Latias and Latios... it'll be a war."
Will frowned. Now he understood why Lorelei wouldn't let them come.
Involving three Legendary Pokémon... this was indeed not something ordinary people could interfere with. Even an Elite Four member might not be much help. Only a Champion-level powerhouse could intervene.
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