The S.S. Anne was massive, but its size and cruising speed simply could not satisfy Logan's urgency.
After reaching an agreement aboard the luxury liner, the group transferred to a sleek yacht owned by Team Rocket. Compared to the S.S. Anne, this vessel was smaller, lighter, and significantly faster.
On the way to Cerise Island, under Sabrina's arrangement, they made a brief stop in Fuchsia City. One of Team Rocket's industries there specialized in jewelry manufacturing.
Back when Team Rocket had seized Cerise City and the Silph Co. headquarters, Logan had secretly acquired a portion of Silph Steel. To ensure the ring bearing his Key Stone would be durable enough, he had its foundation forged entirely from Silph Steel itself.
Standing at the bow of the yacht, Logan raised his hand and examined the tiny, grain-sized gemstone embedded in the ring on his middle finger. Under the glow of the setting sun, it shimmered brilliantly—like a fragment of rainbow light sealed within crystal.
"Cerise Island is surrounded by a strange energy field," Sabrina said quietly as she approached his side. "It cannot be seen from the air. That's why we must approach by sea. Otherwise, flying Pokémon would have been far faster."
"No wonder the League's search aircraft never found it," Logan nodded slowly. "They combed the southern seas for months. No one would choose ships over planes in a search like that. It only makes sense now."
Anyone with common sense would search for an island by air—faster, more efficient, more flexible.
Who could have imagined that Cerise Island possessed such an anomaly—completely invisible from above?
"The Elite Four are powerful. And I don't know what Giovanni intends to do," Sabrina murmured softly, her voice tinged with concern. "You… must be careful."
She still gazed out at the horizon rather than at him.
Logan smiled faintly.
"I've already accounted for both Lance and Giovanni. They won't be able to corner me. Even if I'm outmatched, I can escape. You, on the other hand—if you run into Bruno or Lorelei, you may manage. But if you face Agatha or Lance… don't force yourself."
Sabrina nodded quietly. Prideful as she was, she was no fool.
"I see land ahead!"
Green's voice called from above. She stood at the yacht's highest point, peering through a night-vision telescope of her own design.
Logan and Sabrina hurried up to the third deck. Cynthia and Yellow followed as well, looking out through the control room's glass.
Only Green had proper optics; the rest could barely discern a faint dark silhouette against the horizon.
"It's a cluster of islands…" Green reported.
"Ancient records state that Cerise Island consists of seven outer islands surrounding a central one," Logan said thoughtfully. "The central island must be the Elite Four's base."
"Everyone stay alert," he added, gripping a Poké Ball. "The League reported that over two hundred thousand wild Pokémon were deployed in the attack on Kanto's cities. Even if that number has decreased, the most likely habitat for those Pokémon is the surrounding seven islands. We are not subtle targets. The Elite Four may order them to attack."
Each of them readied a Poké Ball.
Yet as the yacht advanced, nothing happened.
No swarms.
No ambush.
Only the steady rhythm of waves.
"They didn't order an assault?" Logan frowned.
"If we can conserve strength before facing them, that's better for us," Cynthia said gently, though her eyes remained vigilant.
Logan nodded.
As the yacht fully entered Cerise Island's territory, the sun dipped below the horizon. Night spread across the sea. Moonlight and stars shimmered faintly overhead.
The eight islands stood far apart from one another, silent and ominous in the darkness—like a haunted domain.
Eventually, they reached the waters near the central island. The depth was too shallow for the yacht to approach further.
They disembarked.
"Sabrina, you three—return," she ordered the Team Rocket captains.
"Lady Sabrina?!" they protested instinctively.
"You would only be needless casualties against the Elite Four," she cut them off firmly. "You came to pilot the yacht. If we win, we won't need it."
"…Leave the area before the fighting begins. If you're caught in it, no one will save you."
With that, Sabrina rose into the air under Alakazam's telekinetic lift. Logan had Eevee evolve into Espeon, who carried the others ashore.
The three captains lowered their heads respectfully. They knew she was protecting them.
Once their feet touched Cerise Island's soil, all eyes turned to Logan.
He did not hesitate.
"Besides confronting the Elite Four, I have another objective," he said. "We must find Red and Blue Oak—and rescue them."
"If we save them, our strength increases significantly. The only issue… is locating them."
"If it's searching you require," Sabrina said quietly, lowering her gaze, "that is my specialty."
She raised her hand.
Under Alakazam's psychic amplification, a silver spoon materialized in the air before her.
It gleamed faintly in the moonlight.
This was her unique psychic technique—
The Spoon of Fate.
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