Chapter 347: The Price of Ambition [Bonus]
~Third POV~
[Hoenn Region, Days Later, Lilycove City – Pokémon League (Hoenn)]
The cerulean sky of Hoenn shimmered with a deceptive calm, a stark contrast to the scars etched upon the land below. Days had passed since the cataclysmic awakening of Groudon and Kyogre, but the echoes of their rage still resonated in the steady rhythm of hammers and saws.
Rebuilding efforts were underway across the region, a testament to Hoenn's resilience, yet an underlying tension remained, a ghost of the destructive power that had swept through their home. Amid this fragile recovery, the name Azure Sky was spoken in hushed tones of awe and reverence.
The young Trainer, already a legend for his back-to-back victories in the Indigo League's Ninth and Tenth Pokémon League Tournaments with his stalwart partners, Pikachu and Eevee, had journeyed to Hoenn, conquering its League with unparalleled prowess. Yet, by his own choice, he had declined the coveted title of Hoenn Champion, leaving a void that Hoenn's people were still trying to comprehend.
It was into this atmosphere that Steven Stone, the former Hoenn Champion and scion of the powerful Devon Corporation, arrived. Beside him strode Drake, the formidable Dragon-type expert of the Hoenn Elite Four, his weathered face set in a grim, unyielding expression on his face.
Steven's usual composed demeanor was replaced by a rigid gravity, his eyes holding a steely glint as he clutched a sleek Rotom Phone. Before leaving the Hall of Fame, a final, cryptic email from Azure had landed in his inbox – a detailed expose, complete with irrefutable evidence, outlining the true genesis of the Groudon and Kyogre incident, and the insidious spark that had ignited Hoenn's near-destruction.
The details within it continued to churn in Steven's mind, a cold knot tightening in his stomach. They entered the imposing Pokémon Association building, a bastion of authority that now felt tainted.
Inside, the Hoenn Chairman, a man with a massive afro perpetually genial smile that rarely reached his eyes, was hunched over a desk, engrossed in a mountain of paperwork. He looked up, his jovial mask slipping into place as he saw Steven and Drake.
The Chairman boomed, rising to offer a handshake in a friendly voice, "Steven! And Drake! A pleasure to see you both. I trust you've come with good news. Did our young prodigy, Azure, finally accept the mantle of Hoenn League Champion?"
Steven's hand met the Chairman's briefly, his grip firm but devoid of warmth. He shook his head, slowly replying, "No, Chairman. Azure declined the position. After being inducted into the Hall of Fame, we spoke for a short while. Then he and his Gardevoir simply… vanished. Teleported away."
A sigh, carefully cultivated for public consumption, escaped the Chairman's lips. He murmured, "What a waste…"
But in reality, though internally, his thoughts were far less polite, seething with frustration, 'What a waste! I had hoped he would accept, so that we could demand that he let us study Rayquaza again under pretenses. We need Rayquaza for the Hoenn Region if Kyogre and Groudon awaken, but that brat also captured them…'
Years had passed since the disastrous Rayquaza Capture Project, an operation that had seen the legendary Sky High Pokémon escape the clutches of the Hoenn Pokémon Association. But the ambition, the obsession, had never truly died.
The Association, fueled by funding from the House of Berlitz and cutting-edge technology from Devon Corps and Greater Mauville Holdings when it was active, had once sought to control Rayquaza, even going so far as to create the artificial Green Orb. All their efforts had failed, utterly.
Yet, Azure, during his journey, had not only gained Rayquaza's trust but had battled it on equal footing in the sanctified heights of Sky Pillar, earning its allegiance. He, a mere boy, had accomplished what their combined technological and financial might never could hope to achieve.
And when Kyogre and Groudon had erupted, it was at Steven's plea that Azure, with Rayquaza soaring majestically at his side, had intervened. In less than two days, the catastrophic conflict had been brought under control, though the collateral damage inflicted by the two Super Ancient Pokémon was spread far and wide across the Hoenn Region.
But the true sting of envy, the bitter taste of fear, came when Azure had somehow managed to capture and tame both Kyogre and Groudon, bending their primordial wills to his own. The Chairman had watched, aghast, through satellite feeds, as Azure trained in the Secret Meadow, seeing the ancient titans follow his commands with chilling obedience.
He thought again, the word a venomous whisper in his mind, 'Monstrous. Just what kind of trainer can command those Legends...'
Not only had Azure captured the Weather Trio, but he had also seized control of the Regi Trio. Steven had once discussed a backup plan with his father, Mr. Stone, involving ancient tablets to control the legendary golems, feared and sealed away in their chambers.
But Azure, as Steven recounted, had bested Regirock in combat, broken Regice's seals through 'unconventional means,' and even had Registeel volunteer to join him after a mere conversation with its brethren. He had seen proof – satellite footage of Azure orchestrating all 3 legendary Pokémon to use Block, containing the widespread damage, each demonstrating its immense power under his command.
The Chairman knew what had happened to Archie and Maxie, the leaders of Team Aqua and Magma, who had tried to wield the Red and Blue Orbs, only to be consumed by the very wills they sought to control, decaying into nothingness when they clashed with Steven and Azure at the time.
He had silently, morbidly, hoped Azure would suffer a similar fate, hoping for the opportunity to claim the Weather Trio for Hoenn's sake. But the boy seemed immune, bonded inexplicably with these god-like entities.
He mused with another frustrated sigh in a bitter tone, 'And we couldn't simply kill Azure. Not when he has fucking legends on his side...'
The boy already commanded Ho-Oh and Celebi, legendary Pokémon known across the world. He wasn't a fool; other regions kept tabs on Trainers of Azure's caliber.
Besides, Azure had single-handedly introduced Mega Evolution and Z-Moves to the global stage during his Kanto League matches, forever changing the landscape of Pokémon battles. He was untouchable, a phenomenon.
His bitter reverie was abruptly shattered by Steven's voice, cutting through the silence like a shard of ice. Steven began, his tone devoid of pleasantries, "Chairman. Did you, and a few of your associates, have a hand in the Rayquaza Capture Project?"
The Chairman's heart gave a violent lurch, a frantic thrum against his ribs. He forced a calm he didn't feel, denying any involvement, his voice smooth and untroubled, "I have no idea what you mean, Steven?"
Internally, a cold sweat began to prickle his skin. Of course, he knew. It was one of the Pokémon Association's darkest, most clandestine secrets.
Years ago, the Devon Corporation had located Rayquaza at the Embedded Tower. The subsequent capture operation had been a bloodbath, resulting in the death of Aster, the Draconid Lorekeeper, who had sacrificed herself to protect Rayquaza.
The Association had then brought Rayquaza to a secret research facility, driven by the desperate hope of controlling it, a preventative measure against a potential awakening of Groudon and Kyogre.
Since Rayquaza possessed no corresponding orb like its counterparts, an artificial prototype, a 'Green Orb,' was commissioned. It was close to completion when disaster struck: an enraged Salamence, tearing through the facility, destroyed everything, injuring scientists, and allowing Rayquaza to escape back into the wild.
But even as the Chairman meticulously recited his practiced denial, Steven's expression hardened, his eyes narrowing to mere slits. With a deliberate movement, he placed a series of photographs onto the Chairman's desk – crisp, high-resolution images provided by Azure.
The Chairman's practiced smile wavered, then cracked, his facade fracturing under the weight of visual proof. Steven stated, his voice a chilling monotone, devoid of any sympathy, as he explained, "I figured as much. Thankfully, I have evidence of your involvement and that of your cohorts. Evidence that points directly to you as the primary cause of why Hoenn was almost ruined due to your actions."
Steven paused, his gaze boring into the Chairman as he added, "In fact, you and my father mentioned that I should control the Regi Trio as a back-up plan, as you knew of this in advance. I should have expected it then, but I was blind to see it."
The Chairman's expression hardened into a snarl, his bravado returning, asked, "What are you leading with this, Steven? This is preposterous!"
*Wooosh*
It was then that Drake finally moved, grabbing the Chairman's ample shoulder from behind, his grip like iron. A feral grin spread across the Elite Four member's face.
Drake growled, pulling the Chairman back from the desk, "It's easy, bub. You're being arrested for your crimes against the Hoenn Region. And the death of Aster, a friend of mine from Meteor Village, who your cronies killed off and stole her Pokémon. You, cowards, ain't getting away with that one."
Now the Chairman's composure was shattered entirely. He flailed, attempting to twist out of Drake's vice-like grip, his voice rising to a frantic shriek, "I did it for Hoenn! For the region, if those Super Ancient Pokémon ever woke up! Besides, you only got photo proof! That's not enough as evidence!"
Steven calmly conceded, his chilling tone silencing the Chairman in disbelief, "I agree. But I also have a witness."
Drake added, tightening his grip, boasting gleefully at the Chairman's terror, "And a damn good one. The one who created Team Magma and Aqua, a girl from the Meteor Falls Village, Zinnia. She was a close friend of Aster and witnessed Mr. Stone's and your deeds. It was her Salamence that attacked the Goldenrod City Research Facility, seeking revenge."
The Chairman's eyes dilated, his face paling as Drake continued, "Not only that, but Norman also offered to join, being a witness with his son and student of Wallace, Ruby, as they were there when the Salamence attack occurred. And fearing for his son's personal life that you would target him, he took the blame, lying while you ordered him to find Rayquaza for the past five years. If that ain't enough proof, we can have our Champion here, call Azure, look in your peanut head for answers."
The mention of Azure and the implication of his capabilities sent a fresh wave of terror through the Chairman. He pleaded, his voice cracking, "Steven, your father! He was in on it, too! Don't you care about him?"
Steven sighed, a deep, weary sound of disappointment. He said calmly, his gaze seemingly distant, "He already confessed once I showed him the proof, Chairman. I am deeply disappointed in my father's actions. But after witnessing the change Kyogre and Groudon brought to the Hoenn Region, I couldn't let personal feelings bias me. As the Hoenn Champion, the people of Hoenn dubbed me as such, and I must protect them from whoever dares to harm them. Namely, you, Chairman, and my father, will have your cases heard."
With a grunt, Drake hauled the now-limp Chairman from the room, his shouts echoing down the corridor before fading into the distance. Steven opened his Rotom Phone, his thumb hovering over the screen.
*Beep*
Steven said calmly, into the device, his voice ringing with renewed authority, "Alright! All Gym Leaders, Elite Four, and Gym Trainers surround the building. I want no one to escape from here. I want everyone to be interrogated and informed of what occurred, and to arrest the people involved, as stated in the file I've sent."
*Beep*
He ended the call…
*RMBL*
*RMBL*
Almost immediately, the sounds of distant battle, the clash of Pokémon attacks, and the shouts of Trainers began to filter through the thick walls of the Pokémon Association building.
Steven sighed, running a hand through his perpetually styled hair. He muttered to himself, a ghost of a wry smile touching his lips, "Being a Champion is a pain. No wonder Azure refused the crown and left. But it is my home, and as such, I should ensure the right people take care of Hoenn."
He paused, a new thought sparking of replacing the former chairman, "I wonder if the former Gym Leader Juan would be interested in handling the Pokémon Association, being the Hoenn Branch… He certainly has the charisma and integrity."
Steven mused that he'd probably use the Devon Corp to pay his father's bail – he was family, after all, and Steven wasn't ready to take the CEO seat just yet. His father, once the truth was out, would undoubtedly do everything in his power to repair the damage.
The reason for Hoenn's attack, at the hands of Zinnia, would shock the public. Steven shook his head. Zinnia, the League would probably want her behind bars as well. But at Drake's request, she had been given a pardon deal – if she confessed everything about her plan and agreed to forge a stable relationship with the Draconids.
After all, they still knew of old not yet widely known to the world, which made pardoning Zinnia a worthwhile trade. Not only that, but it also had Mega Stones not yet recognized, giving Steven's Skarmory its new Mega Stone, along with a few others.
A faint chuckle escaped Steven's lips as he muttered, "Haha… right. I forgot I didn't get everyone involved yet…"
He also knew another powerful group was conspicuously missing from this initial phase of the investigation: the House of Berlitz. A formidable family from the Sinnoh region, with a history spanning two centuries, their economic power and immense wealth were legendary, encompassing thriving businesses, grand hotels, and significant investments in Pokémon research.
Several family members were renowned academics, and their involvement in funding the Rayquaza Capture Project meant they would undoubtedly be implicated, directly or indirectly. Steven knew the Sinnoh family's funding was massive, their political reach frightening, and their involvement in the experimental technology undeniable.
He sighed, already feeling a massive headache coming as he muttered, "Sigh… I'll need to ask the Sinnoh League to cooperate. Questioning members of the Berlitz family about their participation in the Capture Project is going to be a colossal political headache."
Steven tapped his chin thoughtfully as he murmured, "Yes, I'll need to ask the families of those who participated for questioning as well."
He could already feel a monumental political headache blooming behind his eyes, a tangled web of power, corruption, and ancient prophecy. But it had to be done. But for now, Steven had a region to rebuild, not just physically, but morally.
He had a new foundation to lay for Hoenn, one built on transparency and integrity, a brighter future ahead, free from the shadows of past deceptions. He was, after all, the Hoenn Champion, and he would ensure Hoenn truly thrived.
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A/N: Reach the goal of 200 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!