"You shall not pass."
At Dylan's words, both Steven and Cynthia furrowed their brows in silence.
"Miss Cynthia, I'll hold off Aizen—you go stop Maxie."
Steven quickly assessed the situation. Not seeing Maxie around made his heart clench with worry, and he immediately turned to Cynthia.
He knew that getting entangled with Dylan was meaningless. The top priority was stopping Team Magma from awakening Groudon.
If they could reclaim the orb, Team Magma wouldn't be able to awaken Groudon.
"I understand."
Cynthia nodded and attempted to circle around Dylan from the side.
Though there were many Team Magma grunts in that direction, they were nothing more than obstacles—completely incapable of stopping a Champion-level trainer like Cynthia.
However—
"Flamethrower."
Hydreigon let out a low growl. Flames gathered at its three heads before erupting in a fierce, blazing stream, blocking Cynthia's intended path.
As the fire scorched the ground, the sand and stone beneath melted from the intense heat, sending waves of burning air rippling outward.
Garchomp swiftly stepped forward, shielding Cynthia from the residual flames.
Cynthia turned her gaze toward Dylan, only to meet his cold, emotionless stare.
"I told you. You shall not pass."
"Aizen!"
Steven's eyes darkened.
"Do you even understand what you're doing? Do you know what Team Magma is trying to do?!"
Anger flared in Steven's chest as he glared at the man before him—calm, composed, and utterly indifferent.
"I am perfectly clear, Mr. Steven. I don't need your reminders." Dylan tilted his head slightly.
"You're clear? Do you realize how many people will be displaced, how much destruction will follow if Groudon and Kyogre awaken?!"
Steven's voice was sharp, his emotions surging.
Groudon and Kyogre—according to Hoenn's ancient records, they were incredibly dangerous Pokémon.
"Aizen! What exactly are you trying to do?!"
"I told you last time, Mr. Steven—this is fate. An inevitability. Neither you nor I can stop it."
Dylan spoke calmly, his indifferent tone as chilling as a machine devoid of emotion.
"They have slumbered for too long. Even without Team Magma and Team Aqua, they will awaken—perhaps next year, or the year after. It is only a matter of time."
Dylan's next words made Steven's heart tremble.
"And do you know, Mr. Steven? Hoenn will soon face a great catastrophe. One that could have been prevented—but because of greedy humans, the one person who could have saved us was killed by their own hands."
Steven's breath hitched, his heart pounding painfully.
Cynthia noticed his strange reaction, her elegant brows furrowing.
"...What do you mean?"
"A thousand years ago, the Draconids prayed for Rayquaza to quell the battle between land and sea. Their prophecies foretold that a thousand years later, another meteor would fall—one large enough to destroy all of Hoenn."
Dylan adjusted his glasses, turning toward the massive cavern ahead.
Steven's face paled. A prophecy? The Draconids…
"That's right. Sounds familiar, doesn't it? Zinnia is a Draconid. She found me and invited me to join her plan."
"She told me that the only way to prevent this disaster is through Rayquaza. And years ago, Zinnia's sister found Rayquaza and gained its recognition."
Dylan slowly stepped forward, brushing his hand against Hydreigon's fur.
Steven's expression grew even worse.
Finally, he understood.
He finally understood why Zinnia always looked at him with such hostility.
A splitting headache struck him—like needles stabbing into his skull.
His father…
"But what does this have to do with awakening Groudon and Kyogre?" Cynthia asked, glancing at Steven's stricken face.
"Isn't it obvious? The moment Groudon and Kyogre appear, Rayquaza will come to stop them. That is the history we inherited."
"But that's just a legend! What if Rayquaza doesn't appear?!"
Cynthia wasn't one to blindly believe myths. She had always been fascinated by history, often visiting ancient ruins and studying old texts.
Perhaps it was because she was from Celestic Town, where her grandmother was the head of the Historical Library.
But awakening Groudon and Kyogre just to summon Rayquaza?
"It is the fastest way to find Rayquaza. In the end, if not for the actions of the past, we wouldn't be here now. Everything is predetermined."
Dylan smiled faintly.
"At the very least, you've been given time to prepare, haven't you? Mr. Steven, I'm sure you've already arranged an evacuation plan for the citizens."
"I won't let you succeed. You're being too extreme."
Cynthia's golden eyes grew sharp. She didn't fully understand this so-called cycle of cause and effect, but she did know that Groudon and Kyogre must not awaken.
Even if Hoenn had prepared for evacuation, the destruction from their awakening would be immense.
As a Champion, protecting the people was her duty.
Steven felt the weight of it all pressing down on him—but he forced himself to focus.
Right now, he was needed.
He had to pull himself together.
"Then defeat me. If you can, that is."
Dylan adjusted his glasses, his expression composed and leisurely.
Steven and Cynthia, together—this should be interesting.
"Courtney, keep the League forces off this island. These two are mine."
Dylan ordered coolly.
"Yes, Lord Aizen!"
Courtney's face flushed, her bright eyes sparkling with excitement.
How fascinating! How absolutely fascinating!
She had listened carefully to everything Dylan had said.
She could tell—Dylan wasn't helping Team Magma because he believed in their land-expansion nonsense.
But…
Did that even matter?
Of course not!
What mattered was how powerful Lord Aizen was!
What mattered was his ruthless commitment to his ideals!
She loved it!
Oh, Courtney was a hidden yandere all right.
And when she got obsessed with something, she became utterly unhinged.
"I won't let you interfere with Lord Aizen~!"
Courtney and the Team Magma elites turned toward the League ship, grinning in anticipation as it neared the shore.
"Now, with those nuisances out of the way…"
Dylan clasped his hands behind his back, extending his other hand toward Steven and Cynthia in an elegant, inviting gesture.
"You'll have to defeat me first. And make it quick."
"Or else, Maxie may have already awakened Groudon."
"Aizen! You're too arrogant! Do you really think you alone can take on both of us?!"
Steven took a deep breath, withdrawing another Poké Ball and releasing his Aggron.
"A bluff will only make you seem weaker, Mr. Steven."
Dylan adjusted his glasses again, his voice steady.
"And forgive me for saying so—but I truly do not believe the two of you are my match."
How infuriating!
Steven and Cynthia both tensed.
Then we fight!
Meanwhile—
Deep beneath the ocean, Team Aqua's submarine had arrived at the Seafloor Cavern.
Archie himself led the way inside.
Shortly after, a League submarine docked at the same location.
Wallace and 'Dylan' stepped out, ready for battle.
"Haha~ You really followed us here. But I'm afraid, Wallace—you're a little late."
Inside the cavern, Zinnia sat atop her Altaria, blocking their path with a grin.
"Zinnia!"
Wallace's expression turned grim.
"Get out of the way! We're not here for you!"
They had already been delayed due to the undersea currents.
Right now, they needed to find Archie and reclaim the Indigo Orb!
"I already told you—you're too late. Archie and the others have gone deeper inside. I imagine it won't be long before Kyogre rises to the surface."
Zinnia tilted her head, peering down at Wallace and 'Dylan' with bright eyes.
Dylan had told her beforehand that 'Dylan' would actually be Leaf in disguise.
But wow—this was way too convincing!
"Don't worry—I'll let you through."
"But not yet."
She released her Salamence.
In a flash of light, Mega Salamence appeared.
"Milotic!"
Without hesitation, Wallace sent out his ace.
"You're just a former loser." Zinnia smirked.
"Gym Leader Dylan, we need to go all out—we can't afford to waste time here!" Wallace said urgently.
"I know."
'Dylan' raised a Poké Ball.
"Reshiram!"
"I understand. Reshiram!"
'Dylan' opened a Luxury Ball, and the noble, pure-white Reshiram appeared before them.
Since Leaf was disguised as Dylan, Dylan had temporarily lent her the Pokémon that 'Dylan' was expected to have.
Reshiram's blue eyes remained calm and composed, showing no surprise at the imposter behind it.
Well, they had already discussed this in advance.
"So this is the legendary Truth Dragon, Reshiram? Such breathtaking beauty and elegance~!"
Wallace's old habit flared up—he couldn't help but admire the pure white dragon before him.
It was far more beautiful than even his own Milotic!
"Zinnia! If you don't step aside now, don't blame us for what happens next!" Wallace quickly snapped back to reality, speaking righteously.
Ah, having a powerhouse to back you up makes all the difference!
So satisfying! Dylan was so much more reliable than Steven!
"Oh? The legendary Reshiram? Tch—this could be tricky."
Zinnia feigned shock but then clicked her tongue dismissively.
"But I already told you—you're too late."
She laughed, her excitement soaring. Her vision was about to be realized.
Deep within the Seafloor Cavern—
Archie and his men emerged from a dark corridor into a vast chamber illuminated by a faint blue glow.
Archie's eyes lit up as he rushed toward the central pool, unable to contain his joy.
"Hahaha! Kyogre! I've finally found you!"
His laughter echoed wildly. Years of effort had led to this very moment—he couldn't hold back his emotions any longer.
"I have waited for this day!"
Archie grinned, his fiery gaze locked onto the sleeping Kyogre in the pool.
"Listen, Kyogre! This world is chaotic and broken. Humanity cares only about their selfish desires!"
He waved his arms passionately, venting his frustration.
"That's why nature and Pokémon continue to suffer!"
"But now! Kyogre!"
Archie raised the Indigo Orb, his expression fierce. The orb pulsed with an intense, dazzling blue light.
"Return the world to its true form—to how it should be!"
Archie trembled with excitement—his ideal ocean world was finally within reach!
"Wait!"
"Shelly?"
Archie turned toward her with a frown.
"Boss… are you sure the world you want is the same as the one Kyogre will create?"
"What are you trying to say?" Archie's frown deepened.
"I went back to the Weather Institute for further research." Shelly hesitated, looking away.
"I wanted to confirm when Primal Kyogre would awaken, to see if it would truly create your ideal world… and to understand just how powerful Primal Kyogre really is."
"But…"
Shelly's expression turned grim.
"Boss, if we continue down this path, once Primal Kyogre awakens, all that awaits us is endless despair."
"Primal Kyogre will sink all life into the ocean!"
Shelly desperately tried to reason with Archie. She had come to understand the terrifying nature of Primal Kyogre.
"Ha?"
Archie scoffed, raising the Indigo Orb higher.
"As long as I have the Indigo Orb, Kyogre will obey me!"
He turned away and, with a triumphant shout, hurled the Indigo Orb toward the slumbering Kyogre.
"Archie, don't!"
"Stop!"
One voice was Shelly's frantic cry—the other came from Wallace and 'Dylan,' who had just arrived.
But it was too late.
The moment the Indigo Orb touched Kyogre, an overwhelming golden light erupted, completely engulfing its body.
Within the golden radiance, Kyogre's form began to change drastically.
Its body grew larger. The deep blue of its skin darkened to a mysterious purplish-blue. Golden markings traced its frame, and symbols resembling an alpha (α) appeared on its forehead and wing-like fins.
Then—its golden eyes snapped open.
Primal Kyogre had awakened!
"Oooooohh…!"
A deep, guttural roar—wild and primal—echoed through the cavern.
"Go, Kyogre! Destroy everything!" Archie shouted, ecstatic.
Primal Kyogre spun once in the air before crashing back into the water, sending a massive wave surging outward.
Water sprayed over Archie and the others as Primal Kyogre vanished into the depths.
"What have you done?!"
Wallace rushed forward, but Kyogre was already gone. Furious, he grabbed Archie by the collar, shouting in his face.
They had rushed here as quickly as possible, but in the end, they were still too late.
Kyogre had awakened.
Watching from the shadows, Zinnia smirked before slipping away into the corridor.
"Hahaha! My ideal world is finally coming!"
Archie laughed maniacally.
"Your ideal world is behind bars! You're never leaving prison!"
Wallace snapped back, but arguing with this lunatic wouldn't help now.
He quickly pulled out his phone—only to realize that deep under the sea, there was no signal.
They had to return to the surface first.
Inside the Seafloor Cavern, Kyogre smashed through a rock wall before surging into the open ocean, swimming rapidly toward the surface.
As the Primordial Sea ability took effect, the outside world was already changing.
Dark storm clouds gathered thickly across the sky, plunging the world into darkness.
"Ooooooohhh…!!"
A deep, ancient wail rumbled from the ocean depths.
Then—
A colossal figure erupted from the water.
Primal Kyogre had broken through to the surface!
Its magnificent, blue-violet body shimmered beneath the heavy storm clouds, its golden eyes cold and unfeeling.
The rain poured down in torrents, covering the entire sky and sea.
The ocean churned violently. Towering waterspouts stretched from sea to sky.
Pelipper, Gyarados, Lanturn, Luvdisc—countless Pokémon panicked, fleeing in terror.
Hurricane winds. Torrential rain. Roaring waterspouts.
A scene straight out of an apocalypse.
The Primordial Sea was expanding, spreading its rain clouds across the heavens.
Primal Kyogre hovered amidst the raging storms, gazing down at the world below with its golden, indifferent eyes.
Its glowing blue-violet body gleamed ominously as it swam effortlessly through the towering waterspouts.
Its presence—like a god.
Or a demon.