Far out at sea near Sootopolis City, seven or eight large ships were stationed around the entrance to the secret realm.
These were forces dispatched by the League—
sent to surround and eliminate Team Magma and Team Aqua.
After all—
this trial had invited so many promising young trainers from across regions—
yet two dark organizations had barged in.
It was nothing short of a slap in the face to the League.
And with so many next-generation elites trapped inside—
the League had taken this matter extremely seriously.
Every available investigator—
regardless of rank—
had been mobilized.
Leading them were two of Hoenn's Elite Four:
Glacia and Flannery's grandfather Mr. Moore (Mu La).
Just as Mu La was about to give the order to enter—
the entrance to the secret realm suddenly began to distort violently.
The next moment—
Chen Shi and his group appeared above it.
Wrapped in Jirachi's psychic barrier—
they hovered in midair instead of falling.
Mu La froze for a moment.
Then—
he quietly let out a breath of relief.
Good.
They were safe.
These young people were the brightest talents of their generation—
if anything had happened to them—
the League would have gone mad.
…
"We're… really out!!"
Phoebe patted her chest, her face still pale with lingering fear.
The scene inside had been nothing short of apocalyptic.
She had truly believed she was going to die.
The others looked no better—
every one of them wore the expression of someone who had narrowly escaped death.
Chen Shi quickly scanned the surroundings.
Without hesitation—
he had Jirachi guide them down onto Mu La's ship.
Beside him, the elegant blonde Glacia smiled.
"Welcome back, little ones. You can rest here for now—we're about to head in and capture the criminals."
Chen Shi's lips twitched.
Ignoring her—
he turned directly to Mu La.
"Senior Mu La, Team Magma and Team Aqua forced their way into the secret realm for one reason—"
"To awaken Groudon and Kyogre."
"You should already know who they are, so I won't explain."
His expression turned deadly serious.
"They've already awakened."
"And they're likely about to come out."
"So—"
"We need to run. Now."
Mu La's grip on his cane trembled slightly.
Even someone of his experience—
was shaken by this.
"…What you're saying… is true?"
"It is," Steven Stone stepped forward urgently.
"We need to leave immediately. This is the entrance—they'll definitely come out here!"
"If we don't go now, it'll be too late!"
Lance added in a low voice,
"We wouldn't joke about something like this."
"You didn't see what we saw inside—it was like the end of the world!"
"If we stay… no one here will survive."
Leon, Cynthia, and the others all spoke up as well.
Glacia's expression hardened.
"Senior Mu La, what should we do?"
Mu La fell silent for two seconds.
Then—
bang! bang!
He struck the deck twice with his cane.
"Everyone—evacuate using Flying-type Pokémon."
"I mean everyone."
"Leave anything non-essential behind. Move immediately."
"Understood!" Glacia responded without hesitation, issuing rapid commands.
The investigators didn't understand what was happening—
but seeing the urgency—
they obeyed instantly.
Flying Pokémon filled the sky.
Those without one shared with others.
A full evacuation began.
…
Chen Shi couldn't help but feel a trace of admiration.
As expected of a veteran Elite Four.
Decisive.
Ships.
Supplies.
All abandoned without hesitation—
just to ensure everyone survived.
"No time to waste. We're leaving too!"
Chen Shi released Dragapult and Charizard.
Mu La simply nodded.
"Go. Head for Sootopolis City."
Chen Shi leapt onto Dragapult's back.
"Full speed!"
"Ba-lu-ya!"
Dragapult shot forward like a missile.
Phoebe climbed onto Charizard.
Cynthia and the others summoned their own Flying-type Pokémon—
all racing toward Sootopolis.
…
After flying some distance—
Chen Shi suddenly raised a hand.
"Stop here."
Dragapult hovered midair.
He glanced back—
watching.
He couldn't leave.
Not yet.
There was still something he had to do.
He needed to see what would happen next—
and—
prepare to summon Rayquaza if necessary.
"Old Chen, why are we stopping? Let's go!" Steven frowned, flying closer on his Skarmory.
The others slowed as well, confused.
Chen Shi smiled faintly.
"You guys go ahead."
"I'm staying."
"I want to watch the show."
"Are you insane!?" Steven's face darkened.
"This isn't a show—that's death!"
Phoebe also urged anxiously,
"Big Brother Chen Shi, let's go! This place still isn't safe!"
Cynthia said nothing.
She simply looked at him—
and smiled faintly.
Her intuition told her—
Chen Shi wasn't staying just to "watch."
…
Before anyone could argue further—
it happened.
From the entrance—
a colossal shadow burst into the sky.
A massive, whale-like body.
Deep blue.
With enormous fins marked by white patterns.
The sea itself seemed to obey it.
The Ocean Deity—
Kyogre.
Moments later—
another figure emerged.
Towering.
Crimson.
Like a living volcano.
Spines lined its body—
glinting under the sunlight.
The Land Deity—
Groudon.
Facing those two apocalyptic beings—
Chen Shi chuckled softly.
"You guys should go."
"This is one show I have to watch."
"Because…"
"There's a good chance I'll be stepping onto the stage myself."
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