Aoki examined the energy sphere resting within the metal box, a faint warmth radiating from its core. Even if this object was not the precise key to triggering Groudon's Primal Reversion, it was undoubtedly and intimately connected to the primordial Groudon itself. At this moment, however, he could not fathom its exact nature. Perhaps the unconscious Trainer lying on the ground possessed some knowledge of it; otherwise, he would not have fallen into the enemy's meticulously laid trap.
"System, analyze this," Aoki commanded, settling into a cross-legged position on the floor. It was best not to venture outside for the immediate future; studying this enigmatic object was a far more prudent course of action.
After initiating the system's scan and awaiting its analysis, Aoki turned his attention to treating the injured Trainer. During his retreat from the earlier confrontation, he had swiftly collected all six Poké Balls from the table. Judging by the condition of the Pokémon within, they were undoubtedly the Trainer's team. Two of them were critically injured, hovering on the brink of death; without immediate treatment, they would likely perish within half an hour. It was evident that in the effort to subdue this Trainer, no quarter had been given. Releasing the two completely unconscious Pokémon, Aoki began emergency treatment. Allowing the Trainer's combat effectiveness to drop too severely would be counterproductive to Aoki's own plans.
Having expended considerable effort to stabilize the two gravely injured Pokémon, Aoki finally received the results from the system's analysis.
Item Name: [Unknown]
Description: An energy body containing a massive concentration of Ground and Fire-type energy. The energy is highly volatile and possesses a faint, discernible connection to a specific, distant object or creature.
Function: Can stimulate a Pokémon's latent state. There is a measurable probability it could enable a Pokémon to tap into its own primordial power.
Note: Due to the unstable and potent nature of the energy, use without proper understanding and preparation is strongly discouraged to avoid triggering uncontrollable and potentially dangerous phenomena.
So, it was profoundly connected to Primal Groudon. Aoki's interest was piqued. He retrieved a specific Poké Ball and summoned his Tyranitar.
With a deep roar, Tyranitar materialized, its eyes swiftly scanning the surroundings for threats. Finding none, its posture relaxed slightly. Its gaze then fell upon Aoki, and specifically upon the peculiar energy sphere within the metal box he held. The Pokémon stilled for a moment, captivated.
Seeing Tyranitar's reaction, Aoki knew it had sensed the unique energy radiating from the Primal Groudon crystal. Given the sheer density of energy contained within, it was more accurate to call it an energy crystal. "Tyranitar, can you feel something from this?" Aoki inquired.
Tyranitar responded with a low, rumbling growl and a nod, a look of profound confusion crossing its features. It clearly sensed that the energy signature of this crystal did not align with its own Rock and Dark typing, and yet, it felt an inexplicable, powerful attraction towards it. It was as if the crystal was silently compelling Tyranitar to absorb it. But Tyranitar was uncertain; what tangible benefit would absorbing such foreign, volatile energy actually provide? Therefore, unless Aoki gave the command, it would not initiate absorption on its own.
Confirming Tyranitar's perception, Aoki felt his hypothesis was likely correct. After a moment of hesitation, he decided against allowing Tyranitar to absorb the crystal immediately. Caution was paramount. He slowly extended his own psychic powers towards the energy crystal, but upon the faintest contact, his psychic energy was instantly and entirely absorbed by the sphere, yielding no other reaction.
He decided to store the item away for now. With the League, Team Magma, and Team Aqua on the brink of a major confrontation, Tyranitar's full combat prowess might be required at a moment's notice. It was better to set the crystal aside for the time being.
Watching Aoki secure the crystal, Tyranitar felt a subtle sense of relief. With a heavy thud, it sat down on the cavern floor, dug a pink diamond out from some hidden fold on its body, and tossed it into its mouth, crunching down on the hard treat with gusto.
Aoki couldn't help but feel a wave of affectionate exasperation at the sight. This was a habit Tyranitar had maintained since its days as a Larvitar. Even now, it still managed to stash food away in some secret location, a minor mystery Aoki had never solved. It was like a magic trick.
With the immediate tasks handled, Aoki summoned the rest of his Pokémon team. Whether they engaged in intensive training or not was secondary; it was better to have them out and ready in the secure environment he had established.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the region, within the main command tent of the League camp, the atmosphere was thick with tension. The faces of everyone present were etched with seriousness.
It had been two full days since Aoki had entered the labyrinthine depths of Meteor Falls. Under normal circumstances, even if he had not located the base of operations for Team Magma and Team Aqua, he should have returned by now, utilizing his Slowking's Teleport ability. His continued absence was causing significant concern among the League leadership.
"Lord Drake," Steven said, his voice laced with palpable anxiety, "should we not dispatch a team to investigate?"
Internally, Drake shared the concern, but as the overall commander of this operation, he needed to maintain a clear and strategic perspective. The entire League's plan could not be jeopardized by personal emotions. He was responsible for the safety of all the League Trainers gathered here. "We have already sent scouts into Meteor Falls with the urgent task of mapping its complex and extensive tunnel network," Drake replied, his tone measured. "If we were to charge in blindly without that intelligence, we would almost certainly be walking directly into an ambush laid by Team Magma and Team Aqua."
Steven knew Drake's reasoning was sound; his own worry for Aoki's safety was simply clouding his judgment. He was not alone in his anxiety; Phoebe and Wallace shared his apprehensive looks.
"Then... allow me to go in and look for him," Steven stated, rising to his feet. This reconnaissance mission had originally been his responsibility, but Aoki had insisted on taking his place. Had it been him, Steven reasoned, even if he had fallen into a trap set by the enemy teams, he possessed the means and power to ensure his own escape.
Drake looked at Steven, genuinely considering the proposal. The former Champion would be a formidable asset in any rescue attempt. Yet, after a moment's thought, he shook his head. "We will wait until nightfall. If Aoki has not returned by then, Steven, you have my permission to enter and search. The rest of us must remain on high alert and ready for battle. The moment our surveyors complete a clear map of Meteor Falls' periphery, we will mobilize and advance immediately!" Drake declared, finalizing the strategy.
No one offered any further argument. The focus now shifted to preparing for the inevitable confrontation with Team Magma and Team Aqua. The enemy had seized the initiative, securing a defensible position with the geographical advantage of Meteor Falls. If they had indeed established ambush points within the caverns, a rash League assault would inevitably result in heavy casualties—losses the League was unwilling to bear, and losses for which Drake, as commander, would be held accountable. However, the moment their scouts confirmed a relatively safe route, Drake was prepared to lead the charge into the heart of the mountains.
Both he, as well as the other leaders, had endured the provocations and schemes of Team Magma and Team Aqua for far too long. Even if they could not completely eradicate the organizations in this single operation, they were determined to inflict a crippling blow.
A separate, gnawing concern troubled Drake: the agent he had planted deep within Team Magma had provided no intelligence for this operation. According to their strict protocol, Drake could not initiate contact, as doing so would irrevocably compromise the agent's safety. He could only wait to passively receive information. This complete silence from his agent, without even a pre-arranged signal, was deeply disquieting. Part of him feared for the agent's safety, while another, more cynical part worried that his agent had been turned or had defected. It was an internal conflict he could not voice aloud, especially since, during their most recent communications, Drake had detected a shift in the agent's mindset, a concerning and unpredictable change in his loyalties.