----
The more you worry about something, the more likely it is to happen.
If something has even the slightest chance of going wrong, it inevitably will.
This principle was first stated by engineer Edward Murphy in 1949. Kai had no idea whether the Pokémon world had any equivalent philosophy, but as they sailed through the stormy sea, he couldn't help but feel that Murphy's Law applied all too well here.
At first, they had only been concerned about the heavy rain. But now, the ocean itself had turned against them.
Towering two-meter-high waves crashed against the speedboat one after another, making it nearly impossible to stay balanced.
Deafening thunderclaps tore through the night sky, punctuated by dazzling flashes of lightning that illuminated the storm in brief, eerie bursts.
CRACK! BOOM!!!
Maren, despite being a seasoned sailor, grimaced as she tightened her grip on the wheel. "This is bad. I really hope we don't get hit by lightning…"
She let out a wry chuckle, but her tone was filled with tension. "We already got caught in one storm earlier today before reaching Shamouti Island. I thought we'd have calm waters this time, but…"
She sighed to herself, 'If I had known it would be like this, I wouldn't have agreed to go out tonight…'
Maren cursed her own impulsiveness. If she hadn't encouraged Ash's enthusiasm, maybe they could have avoided this storm.
---
Back on Shamouti Island
Meanwhile, at the banquet hall, Melody stared out at the storm through a rain-speckled window, her brows furrowed in concern.
The strong winds made the torches inside flicker wildly, causing shadows to dance ominously across the walls just like the turmoil in her heart.
Raindrops dripped down onto her forehead, soaking into the white veil she still wore from the ceremony, but she paid no mind. Her gaze was locked in the direction where Kai and Ash had disappeared into the storm.
This is dangerous. They're heading out in this weather?
The thought made her stomach tighten.
She had to do something.
Turning abruptly, Melody declared, "Sister! I need to borrow a boat!"
Carol blinked. "Huh? At this hour? What for?"
Clenching her fists, Melody's voice was firm. "If I hadn't suggested that ridiculous tradition, they wouldn't have set out in this storm. It's my fault they're out there in danger!"
Hearing this, both Sabrina and Misty exchanged glances, slightly surprised.
They had assumed Melody was just a carefree, playful girl, but now it was clear she knew responsibility when it mattered.
Sabrina stood up, her calm, measured voice carrying across the room. "This isn't your fault. No one could have predicted how quickly the weather would turn."
As Kai's companion, she had the right to say this. And hearing her words, Melody's tense shoulders relaxed slightly.
But even so, Melody had already made up her mind.
"And yet, I still have to go!" She turned toward Misty. "If you want to stay here, I—"
"I'm coming too!" Misty interrupted without hesitation. "I wouldn't feel right just sitting here waiting."
Tracey, still holding a drumstick in one hand and a skewer in the other, let out a long sigh. "Guess I'm coming too, then…"
Melody hesitated. Taking more people out into the storm was risky. But seeing their determined faces, she knew there was no point in arguing.
"Alright. But if anything happens, I'm not taking responsibility!"
---
BANG!
A monstrous wave lifted the speedboat off the water. In an instant, it was flung forward straight into a jagged reef!
CRASH!
The impact sent the boat hurtling into the rocky shoreline of Fire Island, before slamming down hard onto the beach!
The jolt was so intense that both Maren and Ash were nearly thrown off the deck.
Kai, on the other hand, landed effortlessly, completely unscathed.
Thanks to Haunter's quick thinking, he had been safely cushioned before touching down.
Ash groaned as he staggered to his feet. "Ugh… That was rough."
Maren, clutching her lower back, winced. "Ow… I think I nearly broke something…"
Despite her aching body, she quickly checked the boat. After a thorough inspection, she let out a relieved sigh.
"Well, the hull is damaged, but at least it's still seaworthy. We should be able to make it back."
"Pika-Pi!!!"
At that moment, Pikachu let out a sudden cry and leaped off the boat, dashing into the darkness!
"Pikachu! Where are you going!?"
Ash panicked and immediately ran after it.
"Pikachu!!"
Maren called out after him, "Hey! Stay put! You shouldn't run off in weather like this!"
But her voice was swallowed by the wind and waves. In seconds, Ash had disappeared into the island's dense terrain.
She sighed heavily. "Great. Just great."
Kai chuckled. "Maren, thanks for bringing us this far. From here on, we'll take care of the rest. You should stay here and check on the boat we'll need it to get back."
Maren shook her head, exasperated. "Fine. You guys are the trainers, after all. Good luck."
Turning on his flashlight, Kai stepped off the boat and onto the barren volcanic island.
---
Fire Island, as expected, was the result of an ancient volcanic eruption.
It had little vegetation only jagged rocks and hardened lava formations.
Following what Melody had told them earlier, Kai quickly found a man-made stone staircase that led up toward the volcanic crater.
For safety, he released Gardevoir and Jolteon to accompany him.
"Be careful," Haunter's eerie voice echoed from the shadows. "I feel it too something is about to happen."
Kai nodded. "Stay on high alert."
As he climbed the endless stone steps, the silence of the island was unsettling.
No cries of wild Pokémon.
No rustling of leaves.
Only the howling wind and the occasional sound of loose pebbles shifting beneath his feet.
At least, one small mercy the rain had stopped.
But that relief was short-lived.
After what felt like an eternity of climbing, Kai finally reached the volcanic summit.
There, on a stone platform, he spotted Ash and Pikachu.
"Ash," Kai called out, stepping forward, "You really ran ahead, huh? What did you find?"
Hearing his voice, Ash turned around, his face lit up with excitement.
"Kai! Take a look at this!"
He stepped aside, allowing Kai to see what had caught his attention.
Illuminated by the flashlight's glow was a small, ancient shrine built entirely of rough stone.
Inside the shrine, a strange metallic statue of a bird Pokémon was embedded into the rock.
Kai's eyes narrowed as he studied it.
This was no ordinary artifact.
Something about it felt… powerful.
And yet, an unsettling sensation crept into his gut.
Something was coming.
Something big.
---
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