"How much farther is it? We've been flying for two hours already!"
Sitting on Charizard's back, Phoebe shouted loudly.
Since setting out, they had been heading straight toward Team Magma's gathering point. It had already been over two—almost three—hours.
And they still hadn't arrived.
Her legs were going numb from sitting.
Chen Shi took out the Team Magma watch and checked it. They were already very close—right inside the volcano ahead.
"Stop complaining. That volcano up ahead is the place."
Hearing that, Leon looked at the volcano in front of them and said in surprise:
"This isn't the one I was at before. Didn't expect this secret realm to have another volcano."
Chen Shi explained:
"This land is basically divided into four regions—forest, desert, and two volcanoes."
"This one should be where Team Magma is gathering."
Cynthia added calmly:
"That's right. The Team Magma members I saw earlier were heading here."
Lance crossed his arms and chuckled.
"This is getting interesting. Leon mentioned earlier that Team Magma was attacking a Torkoal colony in the other volcano."
"I wonder what they're planning."
"Who cares what they're planning?" Steven Stone snorted coldly.
"Since they dared to target the League's trainees, there's only one outcome waiting for them."
Chen Shi glanced at him with interest.
"Oh? And what outcome would that be?"
Steven answered matter-of-factly:
"They'll spend the rest of their lives in prison."
Chen Shi was speechless.
He had expected something more… decisive.
But this?
Still—
this was understandable.
Steven wasn't yet the future Champion of Hoenn.
He hadn't fully grasped how unreliable the League's prisons could be.
Chen Shi gently patted Jirachi's head and murmured:
"There are too many people this time… you won't need to act."
Jirachi snuggled into his arms, rubbing against his chest.
For it, Chen Shi's words were absolute.
It had already realized—
it was actually very strong.
No matter what, it would protect him.
Chen Shi's reason for not letting Jirachi act was simple—
too many witnesses.
He didn't mind exposing it, but avoiding unnecessary trouble was always better.
Besides—
he had brought along another trump card.
Handling Team Magma wouldn't be a problem.
"We're here—that's the place!" Lance suddenly pointed ahead.
Everyone turned to look.
Before them stood a massive extinct volcano, covered in black volcanic rock.
At the front—
a dark cave entrance yawned open.
And standing guard outside—
were two Team Magma grunts.
Chen Shi's eyes sharpened instantly.
He released Metagross and jumped onto it.
"Dragapult—strike! Capture them!"
"Baruyaa~"
Dragapult moved without hesitation.
In a flash—
it shot forward like lightning.
Everyone was startled by Chen Shi's decisiveness.
No warning.
No hesitation.
Just action.
Lance glanced at him, surprised—but approving.
When dealing with dark organizations—
hesitation was fatal.
Guards like these had to be neutralized instantly.
Otherwise, they might alert those inside.
And that would give the enemy time to prepare—or escape.
"…He'd make a great investigator," Lance muttered quietly.
…
The two Team Magma grunts noticed the group in the sky and were about to shout—
but before they could react—
a green blur flashed past.
A heavy impact struck their chests.
Before they even understood what happened—
they were sent flying.
Dragapult had already held back considerably.
Otherwise, ordinary humans wouldn't survive that kind of strike.
"Metagross!" Chen Shi called.
"Meta!"
Metagross immediately understood.
Psychic energy flared—
binding the two men mid-air.
Nine Poké Balls flew out from their bodies.
"No!!"
One of them shouted in desperation.
He knew—
those Poké Balls were his last hope.
But Metagross paid him no mind.
The Poké Balls floated straight to Chen Shi.
Without a word, Chen Shi locked them all and tossed them to Lance.
"These—and those two—are yours. You're the professional, after all."
Lance didn't refuse and nodded.
Then Chen Shi said:
"Let's go. We're heading inside to see what they're up to."
The group descended.
Lance stayed behind to deal with the prisoners—
while Chen Shi led the others into the cave.
The tunnel was deep and dark, stretching endlessly ahead.
Chen Shi took out a flashlight from his bag.
As they walked, Steven chuckled.
"Chen Shi, that was pretty decisive back there. You acted before I could even react."
Chen Shi replied seriously:
"Remember this—when dealing with people like them, act decisively."
"Never hesitate."
"Especially out here. Do what needs to be done."
"They're people who live with blood on their hands. They won't give you a fair fight."
Everyone exchanged glances—
then silently nodded.
After walking for a while, Steven frowned.
"Where does this cave even lead? Why haven't we reached the end yet?"
Just then—
Caitlin, who had been quiet at the back, spoke:
"We're close."
"I can sense a lot of people ahead."
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