The Riolu egg had successfully regained its vitality.
If sensed with psychic powers, one could feel a dense accumulation of aura energy surrounding the egg.
It must be said: "Misfortune may conceal a blessing, and a blessing may bring misfortune."
This Riolu egg, though damaged for unknown reasons...
Was fortunate enough to encounter Cain, someone capable of repairing it.
Had it been purchased by someone else, even someone from the League, they likely wouldn't have found a way to restore it.
It had great luck—meeting Cain, this guy with "external advantages."
And Cain truly did save it.
After the storm comes the rainbow.
The materials created this time, filled with aura energy, began to flow forcefully into the egg through its cracks.
The estimated time of hatching also began to drop rapidly.
From one year, it went down to eleven months... and continued decreasing with the injection of aura energy.
And not only that: according to the system's scan, the quality of the Riolu inside the egg also began to improve.
It originally had a dark blue quality — already quite good for a Pokémon egg — but the aura energy seemed to be enhancing that quality even further, which greatly pleased Cain.
His efforts had not been in vain.
Now it was just a matter of waiting for Riolu to be born.
Cain ordered Gengar to store the egg back in his shadow.
According to the system's analysis, while the aura energy was still being absorbed, it wouldn't hatch immediately; it needed some adaptation time.
Maybe around a week.
After taking care of the Riolu egg, Cain collapsed onto the bed and fell into a deep sleep.
...
Time passed quickly.
A few knocks on the door woke Cain up.
Still drowsy, when he opened the door, he saw Steven and Phoebe already ready.
They informed him that the ship had arrived in Slateport City, so he needed to prepare to disembark.
Upon hearing this, Cain barely managed to perk up. He tidied himself up a bit and disembarked with Steven and Phoebe.
As they got off, they discovered that Drake and the head of the Jenny family were already waiting at the port.
Upon seeing the head of the Jenny family, for some reason, Cain didn't want to look her straight in the eyes.
He felt like she was looking at him in a somewhat... odd way.
How to put it...?
As if she were... looking at a son-in-law?
Yes!
It was exactly that kind of look, which made Cain feel very uncomfortable.
At his side, Steven and Phoebe were chuckling quietly.
"Let's go," Drake said with a strange expression, patting Cain on the shoulder and smiling wryly. "Juan is already waiting for us at the temporary meeting center in Slateport City."
Seeing Drake's smile, Cain could only nod helplessly.
No need to say it: that shameless old man was also laughing at him.
This time, the five of them didn't use flying Pokémon.
They went directly in a police car sent by the Jenny family, speeding through the city until they reached the meeting center behind the Pokémon Center.
The meeting room was already full.
High-ranking officials and administrators of the League had gathered in that hall.
President Juan was seated at the head of the conference table.
All the seats along the long table were occupied, and the surrounding chairs were also filled.
There were people of all ages, both familiar and unfamiliar faces.
If someone were to destroy this place now...
The Hoenn League would probably collapse entirely.
Of course, one would also need the strength and courage to do so.
The arrival of the five drew everyone's attention.
Clap clap clap clap!
With Juan's clapping, everyone began to applaud.
It must be acknowledged that what Drake and Cain did truly deserved recognition.
Steven and Phoebe looked at each other and blushed a little.
After all, they were the ones who had been rescued this time. The applause made them feel a bit uncomfortable.
Drake sat next to Juan, on his right. The head of the Jenny family also took her seat.
Cain, Steven, and Phoebe headed toward the seats in the corner, where they were supposed to sit.
"Cain, sit here," Juan suddenly said, stopping him.
Cain showed a surprised expression.
Sit there?
Weren't there more researchers?
Cain looked around. The other three Chief-level researchers of the Hoenn League were also present.
So it shouldn't have been his turn.
But when observing the three — representatives of the Joy, Jenny, and Stone families — none of them seemed displeased.
Steven's cousin, Vivian Stone, even signaled for him to sit.
All eyes turned to Cain.
Steven also gave him a small push with a smile, then sat down with Phoebe.
Pushed into it!
With no choice, Cain had to sit at the table.
His master, one of Hoenn's Elite Four, Matsuda Takashi, sat a bit higher up, grinning from ear to ear.
He almost looked like a blooming flower.
Proud!
"Ahem... Alright, let's begin the meeting," Juan said, clearing his throat. The League meeting officially began.
The main topic was how the League should respond to the three major factions: Team Magma, Team Aqua, and the Hunter Guild.
This time, the Hunter Guild had allied with Team Magma and Team Aqua, and they managed to cause considerable damage to the League.
It couldn't just be let go.
80% of those present supported: war!
They had to make them pay, to intimidate them!
At this critical point, clearly no one would oppose. Those who didn't support simply abstained.
"Then it's decided. The League will officially enter a state of war readiness. First target: the Hunter Guild! Any member of the guild encountered is to be captured on the spot without need for reporting. If they resist, show no mercy: eliminate them on the spot!" Juan declared with a serious face.
Eliminate them on the spot!
Such an order, coming from an organization like the League that values peace...
Shows just how furious Juan and the high-ranking officials were over Wattson's injuries.
The Elite Four represent the face of each League region, and one of them was wounded using dishonorable methods. He still hasn't awakened.
For the League, if they didn't now deliver a powerful counterattack, their authority would be completely destroyed.
"As for Team Magma and Team Aqua, if any of their members are encountered, capture them with full force."
They weren't given a shoot-on-sight order.
After all, attacking one to set an example for the other two was the best strategy. Declaring war on all three at once would be too costly, even for the League.
"Cain!" Juan called his name again as he concluded.
(End of Chapter)