Terrance had learned from Zinnia that Team Aqua had once again launched a large-scale operation. A week later, the news was confirmed, though the information sent by the Hoenn League’s intelligence division differed somewhat from Zinnia’s account, because Team Aqua’s operational range was even broader.
The next three full months became the busiest period the Hoenn League’s intelligence division had ever experienced. During this time, Team Aqua and Team Magma both launched large-scale operations once again, forcing Terrance, Steven, Phoebe, and the others to constantly travel from place to place.
“Those branches were probably all bait thrown out by Team Magma and Team Aqua.”
“Why would they do that?” Kotoko asked.
Terrance had his own suspicions. Most of the organizational branches they had wiped out were merely empty shells. The people inside were all peripheral members of Team Magma and Team Aqua—or, more accurately, collaborators. The two organizations had abandoned them all and sold them out to the League. Their purpose was likely to interfere with the League’s judgment and buy time for their main forces.
Judging from the League’s results over the past three months, the two organizations had succeeded. Despite spending an enormous amount of time, the League had only captured a collection of small fry and had obtained no information whatsoever about the movements of either organization’s boss or admins. It had to be said that their gains were meager.
“Judging from the condition of every branch we eliminated, the core forces of both organizations have been relocated one after another. I suspect the two organizations may be concentrating their strength. In other words, they finally intend to bare their fangs and openly oppose the Hoenn League,” Terrance said.
“More importantly, Team Magma and Team Aqua are reportedly cooperating again. I don’t know whether it’s true, but either way, it’s worrying.” Terrance had a headache. Team Aqua had tricked Team Magma so badly last time, yet Maxie was still willing to cooperate? If it was true, then there had to be enormous benefits involved, enough to outweigh their hatred.
Kotoko fell silent. After a long while, she said, “You’ve worked hard. I’ll be careful here in Fallarbor Town as well.”
As a Trainer born and raised in Fallarbor Town, as well as the Gym Leader of Fallarbor Gym, Kotoko had access to many secrets ordinary people could never learn. The two organizations were acting more and more frequently, yet ordinary Trainers and civilians remained completely unaware, still traveling leisurely and going about their daily lives. That was only because groups of Trainers such as the Elite Four, investigators, and the police were working behind the scenes.
However, it was clearly not yet time to relax. As long as the two orbs capable of controlling Legendary Pokémon remained in the hands of Team Magma and Team Aqua, Hoenn would remain in danger.
Over the past three months, while Terrance traveled constantly, he had also been keeping an eye on several other matters. Togepi Paradise had developed rapidly. After another ten Togepi were brought in from around the world, all forty-eight Togepi had established perfect foundations and were nearing evolution. Togekiss had also grown rapidly with the help of Togepi Paradise’s power and had successfully stepped into the top-tier.
Terrance temporarily halted the introduction of more Ribombee. The existing forty-nine Ribombee were all active throughout Fallarbor Town in their final evolved forms, and every one of them had mastered the air current techniques taught by Beautifly. Their strength was outstanding.
After two months of research, the lunar stone’s energy dissipated, turning into an ordinary rock. Research into Fairy energy therefore came to an end. Terrance obtained a large amount of precious data, which was currently being stored by the Rotom Pokédex. During this period, Solrock formed a deep friendship with one of the researchers over the course of the experiments, so Terrance entrusted it to that researcher to raise. Lunatone, however, had grown extremely attached to Terrance because of the Ice Moon’s enhancement and showed no interest in any of the researchers. It had now returned to Meteor Falls, where it trained alongside the other twenty-three Lunatone.
With Terrance pouring vast amounts of resources into them, the Lunatone’s Cosmic Power had already reached the standard required to activate the Star Altar. Therefore, aside from Cosmic Power, they were now also training in moves such as Moonblast, Hypnosis, Future Sight, Gravity, and Helping Hand.
Next, although the Power Herbs were rapidly increasing in age, they still had not reached Terrance’s requirements.
Aside from that, Ash and Team Rocket’s group, whom Terrance had been keeping an eye on, had already left Lilycove City. With the date of the Ever Grande Conference drawing closer, they were currently heading toward Mossdeep City to collect their seventh Badge.
…
…
Meanwhile, as the date of the new Ever Grande Conference drew nearer, Troy, who had left Fallarbor Town to begin his journey, had now returned to Lavaridge Town.
Troy’s first Pokémon, Beedrill, had been gravely injured during Team Magma’s attack several months ago. Even with the help of the Genetic Potion, it had only recovered its vitality and was still unable to battle freely. Troy had set out on his journey to find a way to restore Beedrill. He knew the process would be difficult and that he needed strength, so he had always held himself to strict standards.
By now, aside from Fallarbor Gym and Lavaridge Gym in Lavaridge Town, the closest town to Fallarbor Town, he had successfully challenged every Gym in Hoenn. However, even though he had long since collected more Badges than required to participate in the Ever Grande Conference, he was still not satisfied. He planned to return to Fallarbor Town and claim the Fallarbor Badge as well.
“Congratulations. This is the Lavaridge Badge.”
Lavaridge Gym Leader Flannery handed over the Gym Badge with surprise in her heart. According to the records in the Gym system, Troy was merely a rookie who had debuted less than a year ago, yet his strength had earned Flannery’s praise. She had never seen such a powerful rookie before.
“Thank you.” After receiving the Badge, Troy turned to leave. During the challenge, a girl had remained by his side and witnessed the entire battle.
The girl was Crystal, who was traveling with the goal of becoming a Junior Breeder. She was a companion Troy had met after leaving Fallarbor Town.
“That was another easy Gym battle… I think Troy can definitely win the Ever Grande Conference,” Crystal said with a smile.
“Hopefully.” Troy’s expression remained calm. In his eyes, the result was not particularly important. What mattered most was the opportunity to battle strong opponents. After what happened to Beedrill, Troy’s personality had changed somewhat, and he had gradually become quiet and reserved. However, Crystal had already grown accustomed to him being this way and continued unconcernedly, “Come to think of it, you still haven’t told me why you’re challenging the Ever Grande Conference… Isn’t your hometown in Kanto?”
Troy had not told Crystal much about Beedrill or Fallarbor Gym. Even when faced with her question now, he still did not want to answer.
“Fine, forget it.”
Before heading to Fallarbor Town, Troy and Crystal rested for the night at the Lavaridge Town’s Pokémon Center. However, the night was anything but peaceful. In the middle of the night, Troy suddenly awoke. After hearing the commotion outside, he quickly left the Pokémon Center and saw flames soaring into the sky in the distance…
Magma flowed through the mountains, and in a corner Troy could not see, a crimson behemoth had also awakened…
The sight instantly reminded Troy of the tragedy that had occurred here three months ago!
Was that tragedy… about to repeat itself?
“Team Magma!!”
As something occurred to Troy, his pupils abruptly contracted, and he immediately ran outside. His actions left Crystal, who had also just awakened, completely bewildered.
“Hey, what happened? Where are you going?”
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