Unnamed island.
Agatha, Genji, and Kikuno, along with the people brought by Flarepine from the Magma Team, started with a battle and found that although they could overpower the other side, completely subduing them was still too troublesome.
Moreover, the focus of this incident was no longer about their victory or defeat in the battle, but about how much impact the members of the Magma Team entering the Alternate Space would have on the alliance members inside, and what the Magma Team's real objective was.
Most importantly, whether they won or lost the battle didn't have much effect on the outcome, as the Magma Team had already entered.
"Are they not here yet?" Genji asked in a deep voice.
This trial, due to the appearance of the Magma Team, could be considered a major incident for the alliance.
And although these three trainers didn't have to bear any responsibility, they felt unsettled.
"Almost there."
Sitting on a chair, Agatha leaned on her cane, looking down.
Compared to Genji, who was still worrying about the young trainers inside the Alternate Space, Agatha was more focused on how this information had leaked from the top levels of the alliance.
Even such crucial information could be leaked, leading Agatha to place a question mark on her impressions of several people in the alliance leadership.
Suddenly.
Agatha pulled out a special device from the pocket of her apron.
After staring at the incoming content for a long time, she slowly stood up, leaning on her cane.
"What happened?" Kikuno asked.
"The Magma Team is ready to leave; they've got what they came for." She put away the device and placed her hands on her cane.
"They've achieved their goal?"
Genji also stood up abruptly.
"Is the information reliable?"
"Yes." Agatha emitted a low sound from her nose.
Neither Genji nor Kikuno pressed Agatha on how she obtained this information.
But since the Magma Team wanted to pull back, they certainly wouldn't let them leave easily.
Earlier, it was Flarepine and his team who forcibly held back the three trainers; now, it was their turn to completely keep the Magma Team here!
Meanwhile.
A shadow quickly darted from afar, merging into Agatha's shadow.
It was one of Agatha's Ghost-type Pokémon.
Upon learning the message it brought, Agatha's mouth slowly curled into a sinister smile.
"The timing is perfect; reinforcements from headquarters have arrived."
Upon hearing this, Genji and Kikuno's expressions became solemn.
This meant that the final battle to end this incident was also at hand.
Watching Genji and Kikuno stride out of the tent, Agatha looked down once again and took out the special communication device, which Lance had used to send her a message. Agatha finally received it.
However, in Lance's message, she saw something quite interesting and also recognized a familiar name.
Natsuhiko.
"Interesting little guy..."
...
...
On the other side.
On a ship in the waters off the unnamed island.
Flarepine and a few others were gathered together at this moment.
But compared to the harmonious interaction with the alliance's three trainers, the atmosphere here was significantly more hostile.
Flarepine and Archie never got along well, while Old Bill was smiling and didn't seem keen on getting involved.
There was another person, responsible for previously blocking Agatha, cloaked in black from head to toe, rarely expressing any opinions, with an aura of coldness surrounding him.
Watching the daily bickering between Flarepine and Archie, Old Bill interrupted them with a smile.
"Leaders, I think it's not time to discuss trivial things. I have a piece of news to share with you both for free."
After a moment's pause to build suspense, he continued, "Alliance reinforcements have arrived."
Upon hearing this, both Flarepine and Archie's faces sank.
They had been able to hold off the three trainers partly because they weren't limited by the number of Pokémon and kept sending various Pokémon to consume and delay.
The other reason was they had allies providing support and interference who hadn't entered the Alternate Space.
Such a condition could only be maintained while there were only three trainers opposing them.
Now that the alliance's reinforcements have arrived, who knows if there might be other trainers among them.
Once reinforcements arrive, this fragile balance would immediately collapse.
At that point, let alone achieving their goals, even escaping would be in question.
"Damn it, we had already settled on the retreat timing with Campfire, but suddenly we can't reach him." Flarepine angrily slammed the table.
"He might have died in there." Archie said gleefully.
"You..."
Swish—
The cloaked figure suddenly stood up, interrupting the brewing argument.
A hoarse, deep voice sounded, "Gentlemen, my part is done. The three trainers are coming, and alliance reinforcements have also arrived. I'm leaving now."
Without hesitation, he got up and headed out of the cabin.
Watching him leave, Old Bill smiled apologetically to Flarepine and Archie before also departing.
As the cloaked person reached the exit, he left a parting message, "Please deliver the promised item soon."
Then, his silhouette vanished from the cabin.
Flarepine's face remained composed, not commenting on the person's attitude.
Being able to enlist this person was honestly quite a surprise; it was with Old Bill's connections that it happened, and even he didn't know the real identity of this person.
Once the two left.
Archie lightly clapped his hands and then got up, saying, "Well, in that case, I'm off too."
They barely managed to hold back the three trainers, but now having one of their own leave and the other side having reinforcements come, it wasn't the Ocean Team's mission, so he didn't want to take risks.
As he watched them leave one by one without hesitation, Flarepine's countenance returned to calm.
Relationships based on profit are this fragile against powerful external forces.
As a Leader of the Magma Team, he had seen through such things long ago.
Without further ado, he gathered his subordinates.
Except for Campfire, who was stuck in the Alternate Space, there were still two key subordinates, Fire Village and Fire Shadow, among the Magma Team's top operatives.
"Boss."
Fire Village, whose figure was plump and tall, and Fire Shadow, whose figure was slender and cunning, stood respectfully upon entering the cabin and seeing Flarepine standing by the window with his hands behind his back.
Flarepine did not turn, only issuing orders.
"Activate the backup device. Retrieve as many people as you can in 15 minutes, then retreat immediately."
Upon hearing this, Fire Village and Fire Shadow exchanged surprised glances.
The backup device was notoriously unstable; once activated, even though passage was possible, it was uncertain how many might end up stranded in the chaotic flows of space.
But it was evident that Flarepine's orders signaled that it was an absolutely critical moment.
Without delay, the two turned to make arrangements.
But upon reaching the backup device, the slender Fire Shadow suddenly pulled the hefty Fire Village.
"What?" Fire Village bellowed.
Under his hood, narrow eyes flickered with malice and cunning.
He was the one among the Magma Team's three key operatives who most enjoyed using petty schemes and tricks.
Even after gaining significant power, his habits from when he was weaker hadn't changed.
It had become a habit.
He whispered, "Campfire is still inside."
Fire Village paused, then understood Fire Shadow's intent.
Yet, Fire Village refused without hesitation.
"The boss's requested item is also with Campfire." He replied, proceeding to command the activation of the backup device immediately.
Fire Shadow watched Fire Village rapidly issue orders, and couldn't help but smirk, "A privileged birth indeed thinks differently from us."
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