Hoenn Region, Ever Grande City – A Meeting in Full Swing
Those gathered in this meeting were undoubtedly high-ranking officials and key figures of the Hoenn region—individuals who held significant influence or occupied critical positions.
Summoned by the current Hoenn Champion, Steven Stone, they had arrived in Ever Grande City, the political heart of Hoenn and the host of the annual Ever Grande Conference. Seated in a pristine, well-lit conference room, none could muster even a hint of a smile as they stared at the handsome yet expressionless man at the head of the long table.
Tension hung thick in the air.
Beside Steven sat the former Hoenn Champion, Wallace, who had—uncharacteristically—set aside his passion for mining to attend. Resting his chin on interlaced fingers, Wallace stared blankly at the table, lost in thought.
Both men wore looks of deep concern.
"Champion Wallace, the Elite Four—Sidney, Phoebe, Drake, and Glacia—have split into two teams to pursue the fleeing remnants of Team Magma and Team Aqua," reported a high-ranking League investigator, his uniform adorned with several medals. "Based on intel, they've successfully captured a large number of the organizations' members."
Under the relentless pursuit of the Elite Four, the grunts of these two extremist eco-terrorist groups had been driven to the brink. Most had either surrendered or been crushed after futile resistance, swelling the ranks of Hoenn's prisons with long-term inmates.
Yet, the report brought no relief to Steven or Wallace.
Because...
"However, according to records, Team Magma's leader, Maxie, along with his commanders—Courtney, Tabitha, and Blaise—remain at large. Similarly, Team Aqua's leader, Archie, and his commanders—Shelly, Matt, and Amber—have also evaded capture."
"...Understood."
Even Wallace, known for his grace and composure, had been worn down by recent events. His response was flat, devoid of his usual elegance.
"Another matter... After Rayquaza's intervention, both Groudon and Kyogre have vanished. Devon Corporation's investigation is ongoing, but neither our intelligence nor research divisions have been able to locate them. Additionally, according to the League's Psychic Division and Legendary Research Department, Rayquaza itself seems to have... disappeared from Hoenn entirely."
Sweat beaded on the investigator's forehead as he delivered the report under Wallace's icy gaze.
"The only confirmed detail is that Groudon and Kyogre are still alive. The risk of them reigniting their battle remains."
With that final statement, the investigator laid bare the group's greatest fear.
"Tch..."
Wallace lowered his head, fingers pressing into his temples as he exhaled sharply.
"..."
Silent until now, Steven placed a reassuring hand on his friend's shoulder before dismissing the investigator with a wave. His gaze then swept over the remaining politicians.
The meeting had officially begun.
The agenda was simple: devise a solution for Hoenn's current crisis.
Neither Steven nor Wallace enjoyed these political discussions, but duty demanded their presence.
To put it bluntly... Hoenn was in deep trouble.
After awakening Groudon and Kyogre, Maxie and Archie had somehow lost control of the Legendary Pokémon . Rather than face the consequences, they'd taken the Red Orb and Blue Orb and vanished, abandoning their expendable underlings to buy time for their escape.
With their high-tech submarines, they could disappear into the depths of magma or the farthest reaches of the ocean. Tracking them down would be near impossible.
Worse, Groudon and Kyogre could resume their cataclysmic battle at any moment. And Rayquaza—the only Pokémon capable of stopping them—had seemingly left Hoenn. All three legendaries were now missing.
Just... perfect.
The battle between Groudon and Kyogre had already devastated multiple cities and towns. The League was stretched thin—simultaneously hunting the criminals and the legendaries while managing disaster relief and reconstruction.
Internal strife, external threats... a complete mess.
After days of nonstop work, Wallace felt like his brain was about to short-circuit.
Now I see why Steven dumped the Champion title on me...
The Elite Four were out in the field, hunting down the remnants of Team Magma and Aqua.
Gym Leaders stood guard over major cities, wary of the legendaries reappearing in their territories.
Even retired Steven had crawled out of whatever dark mine he'd been obsessing over, bringing Devon Corporation's resources to aid the search.
Hoenn was on full alert.
Every notable trainer under the League's banner had been reduced to an overworked corporate drone.
And why?
Because Groudon and Kyogre's destructive power was that terrifying.
Left unchecked, their battle would bring calamity to Hoenn—and eventually, the world. If this dragged on, other regions might intervene out of sheer self-preservation.
"..."
An hour later, the meeting adjourned.
As the politicians filed out, Steven and Wallace remained, their expressions heavy.
It wasn't that the politicians had been useless. On the contrary, their experience had yielded practical solutions for disaster recovery—provided the legendaries didn't resume fighting.
But right now, the two Champions had other concerns...
"Metagross. Seal the room."
Steven tossed an ultra ball, and in a flash of light, his signature Pokémon materialized—a gleaming, silver Metagross, its crimson eyes sharp, its four massive arms radiating psychic energy.
"META—GROSS!"
With a metallic cry, the Pseudo-Legendary unleashed a barrier, its psychic waves enveloping the room. No eavesdropping. No interference.
Nothing could breach a Champion-level Metagross's mental shield.
"Wallace. You've heard the rumors about Rayquaza?"
"Mmm..." Rubbing his temples, Wallace responded wearily.
Without wasting words, Steven pulled a photograph from his suit—a high-resolution image of Rayquaza descending upon the battlefield, taken by a League reporter at great risk.
Unlike the sanitized versions broadcasted globally, this one was clearer. Closer. And far more revealing.
Which was why it had ended up in their hands—not on the news.
"Here. Look."
Steven tapped the photo, pointing to a faint, blurry outline near Rayquaza's head.
"We think it's a person. A human."
Wallace's exhausted face twisted in disbelief.
"...You're saying Rayquaza has a trainer now?"
Steven shrugged.
"Hard to believe, but it's the only explanation that fits."
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