After parting ways with Lucian, Peter and Whitney boarded a ship bound for Iron Island.
Unfortunately, Whitney quickly discovered something about herself—
She hated ships.
"Ugh… Honey, I feel sick…" Her face had turned pale, her usual lively expression replaced with fragile discomfort.
Peter gently supported her. "Hang in there, just a few more minutes." He pulled out a small white bottle. "I asked the captain for some motion sickness medicine. Take two, then we'll fly the rest of the way on Braviary."
Whitney pouted immediately. "Do I have to take it…?"
"If you don't, it'll only get worse."
She blinked, then tried a hopeful expression. "What if… you take it for me? We're basically one body anyway—if you eat it, it's the same as me eating it~"
Peter couldn't help but laugh at her adorable logic. Still, he forced himself to stay serious. "Nope. Two pills. No negotiations."
"…Fine…" She puffed her cheeks, squeezed her eyes shut, and swallowed the pills with water.
The next second—
"Ugh, it's so bitter!"
Before he could react, she grabbed him and kissed him directly.
The bitterness spread instantly.
Peter sighed, rubbing her head with a helpless smile. "Satisfied now? I ended up 'taking' the medicine too."
"Hehe~ I feel a little better already. Let's go… I never want to sit on a boat again."
…
Moments later, Braviary lifted off from the ship and carried them toward the nearby island.
As they landed, Peter helped Whitney down and glanced toward the interior. "Yeah… we're definitely avoiding ships from now on."
He had barely taken a few steps when—
"BOOOOOM—!!!"
A deafening explosion erupted from the heart of the island.
The ground shook violently.
Rocks cascaded down the mountainside, and thick smoke poured from the mine.
"Whitney, careful!"
Peter immediately threw out Slaking, using its massive frame as a shield while pulling Whitney into his arms.
In the next instant, debris and dust swallowed them whole.
"Laaah—!"
Slaking roared, sweeping away the falling rubble with brute force. As the dust cleared, Peter brushed himself off and helped Whitney up.
"You okay?"
"I'm fine… but what was that? An earthquake?"
Peter narrowed his eyes toward the mountain. "That tremor… it's just like what happened at Mt. Coronet…"
Before he could finish, a mechanical voice echoed in his mind.
…
[Ding! Limited-time mission triggered: "Assist the Steel Titan."]
[Mission: Assist Registeel]
Description: Awakened by the explosion, Registeel is battling Pokémon Hunters who have infiltrated the Iron Ruins. As a guardian appointed by Regigigas, its presence stabilizes the underground steel energy of Iron Island. Assist it in defeating the enemies.
Rewards: Blessing of Blackgold, Steel Emblem, reduced cost (–1/3) for capturing Regigigas.
Note: This is a prerequisite mission. Completion is strongly recommended.
…
"Just as I thought… it's them again."
Peter looked toward the sky. A semi-transparent airship hovered faintly in the distance.
Pokémon Hunter J.
And their target this time—
Was Registeel.
Deep beneath Iron Island, within the Iron Ruins, the Steel Titan had been awakened.
"Whitney, stay here. You're still not feeling well. I'll handle this."
He quickly set up the tent and made sure she was safe before mounting Braviary again.
Whitney watched him leave, worry in her eyes. "Be careful, Honey!"
Peter waved once before disappearing into the forest canopy.
…
As he approached the mountain, he leapt down from Braviary.
Based on his past knowledge from both games and anime, the ruins were deep underground. The explosion had triggered a localized quake—confirmation that the disturbance came from below.
He needed to get there fast.
Inside the mine, the air was thick with dust. Old excavation marks lined the walls, but recent explosions had filled the tunnels with smoke, reducing visibility and making breathing difficult.
Peter paused briefly, then threw out two Poké Balls.
"Lopunny, Indeedee—use Aura and Psychic sensing to find a path downward."
"Mi-lo~"
"Ai~"
The two Pokémon closed their eyes, guiding him through the labyrinthine tunnels. Gradually, the ground sloped downward, each step bringing them closer to the source.
Then—
Voices.
"Lucario, Aura Sphere!"
"BOOM—!"
The explosion cleared some of the dust, revealing the scene ahead.
A man in a blue coat and black trousers stood firm, a Lucario by his side.
[Lucario Lv.55 (Gym - Mid)]
Peter immediately recognized him.
Riley — the Aura Guardian.
Riley's voice was sharp. "You trespassed into my mine. What exactly are you after?!"
"Lu—rio!"
Across from him stood five Pokémon Hunters.
Their leader smirked and tossed out a Poké Ball. "All of you—move! Don't let him interfere with the boss's plan!"
Five Pokémon appeared instantly:
Rhyperior Golem Drapion Magnezone Machamp
A lineup built purely on brute strength.
But just as tension reached its peak—
A blur erupted from the side.
"Lopunny—Fake Out into High Jump Kick! Slaking—Magical Torque! Arboliva—Seed Bomb! Indeedee—Psychic! Braviary—Brave Bird! Zoroark—Shadow Sneak into Shadow Ball! Ursaring—Mega Kick!"
"BOOM! BOOM! BOOM—!"
The hunters' Pokémon didn't even get the chance to act.
They were instantly overwhelmed—crushed under a coordinated onslaught.
Within seconds—
All five collapsed.
"Retreat!"
The hunters panicked, recalling their Pokémon and attempting to flee deeper into the mine.
But they were too slow.
Lopunny dashed forward, her movements almost invisible. A series of precise kicks knocked all five unconscious before she flipped gracefully back to Peter's side.
Everything had happened in the blink of an eye.
Even Riley stood stunned for a moment.
"…You are?"
Peter stepped forward calmly. "Peter. Pokémon researcher. Currently challenging the Sinnoh League—I came here to find Byron of the Canalave Gym."
"I see…" Riley extended a hand. "I'm the owner of this abandoned mine—Riley."
They shook hands briefly.
"If you're looking for Byron, try the house on the western side of the island—"
Peter shook his head. "That can wait. These hunters… their real target is—"
"BOOOOOOM—!!!!"
A terrifying explosion cut him off.
From deep underground, a torrent of Steel-type energy erupted.
A silver-white beam blasted upward, punching straight through the mine ceiling and tearing open the mountain itself.
The entire cavern trembled—
As something ancient…
Something colossal—
Awakened.
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T/N:
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