The Undercurrent of the Hoenn Region

"Condensation system functioning normally."

"Backup hidden energy reserves are sufficient, energy systems are functioning normally and ready for normal replenishment."

"All is well with the heat shield."

"There are no deficiencies in the power system, and it is expected to operate until the energy is depleted."

Within the Submarine Explorer, listening to the reports from the cadres, Maxie stood silently before the window, gazing at the outside world.

It was a space filled with light and heat.

An opaque red color was reflected in Maxie's eyes.

The leader of Team Magma was now wrapped in thick protective clothing, and his most vulnerable eyes were also protected by goggles.

Only with such care did he have the qualifications to look directly at this heaven and earth.

"How beautiful, how magnificent, how splendid..."

Now, gazing at the crimson sea that wrapped around the Submarine Explorer carrying his ship and could not be seen at the end of a glance, Maxie was still as if he was crazy, praising the stunning scenery that was full of killing opportunities.

Indeed.

The average person would never be able to see such a picture in their lifetime.

Crimson magma filled this space, and Submarine Explorer cautiously advanced within the scorching ocean, going against the current.

Scorching waves surged through the submarine's shell, the crimson liquid was like writhing plasma, especially lurid.

"Ha..."

A scoff reached Maxie's ears.

Turning his head, a burly figure was standing at the back of the cockpit.

"Archie, you seem to be having fun?"

Maxie furrowed his brows, displeased with the frivolous attitude of this nemesis who could still laugh out loud even after what happened.

"Those fools from Hoenn League are probably frantically searching for us above the land and within the sea right now." Looking towards Maxie, Archie also unmercifully snickered at their enemy, saying, "Those fools probably couldn't have guessed in their entire lives that apart from being able to dive into the deep sea, the Submarine Explorer can come and go as it pleases, even in this lava-filled hell."

"Hell...?"

Listening to Archie's snort, Maxie instead gazed out the window thoughtfully.

"This color and brightness of magma has already exceeded the limits of what humans can withstand."

"If it wasn't for the protection of this Submarine Explorer ship, we would have been vaporized into dregs by this terrifying heat a few hours ago." His tone was very flat, as if he was talking about some insignificant trifles, saying, "It's not a problem for you to say that it's hell here."

"This attitude of yours is really annoying."

Archie rudely responded to Maxie's words.

"Heh."

Maxie responded with a cold smile.

They had always been at odds.

Team Magma and Team Aqua were even enemies who had been fighting against each other for an unknown number of years.

"..."

The two leaders of the criminal organization commented on this sea of lava rather elegantly, while the six cadres under them sat silently within the cockpit, each responsible for debugging the various programs of Submarine Explorer to ensure that they and the others could still make use of this scorching hot ocean to hide their traces, rather than being drowned and burned to death by it.

Yes, this sea of lava was exactly where they were hiding.

They were now located in the interior of Mt. Chimney in the Hoenn region.

Originally, Groudon who had been sleeping here was nowhere to be found, and was now probably active in the vicinity of the earth's veins, devouring the energy of the magma to replenish his power.

Then, the lair that belonged to this super ancient Pokémon has become the hiding place of Maxie and Archie...

Even the Elite Four of Hoenn could not have imagined that Submarine Explorer actually still possessed the power to swim in the sea of lava.

Being so lampshade-like, they had instead escaped the pursuit unhindered.

"When can we get out, I hate this 'ocean' too much."

Moving his body rather uncomfortably, Archie also asked Maxie with a bored expression.

He liked the ocean, but definitely not an 'ocean' that could burn people to death.

"Groudon and Kyogre haven't fallen asleep yet, sooner or later they'll start a big battle again." Maxie pushed his goggles a bit and said, "At that time, the entire Hoenn region will once again be thrown into chaos, and our chance will come."

Together, the duo looked to a nearby glass cabinet.

The Red and Blue Orbs lay quietly within the glass cabinet, and the Omega and Alpha patterns shone with a brilliant light.

"That's the only chance we'll get, we can't fail again."

"Hehe, this lord will definitely regain control of Kyogre's power."

Over the past few days, the light of the precious Orbs had become brighter and brighter, which was direct proof that Groudon and Kyogre's battle intent had been renewed at a high level.

The great battle inspired was only at their whim...

"Right now, it's enough for us to just build up our strength."

"Hahahahahah!"

Once they thought of the grandiose power of the Ultra Ancient Pokémon, the eyes of Maxie and Archie flashed with a scorching light within their eyes.

... ...

"Groudon and Kyogre have revived."

Beneath the dusk, a girl clad in a burlap cloak also stood on top of the hill, bathed in the drifting of smoke and dust, her eyes gazing straight at the towering tower in the distance.

"Rayquaza... Where have you been?"

Above the girl's ankles, the Stone of Keys, set within a curved bronze wheel and inscribed with a seven-colored DNA pattern, also flickered with a faint glow.

Taking a step, the people of the meteor named Zinnia walked towards the high tower built by her ancestors.

... ...

Finally, riding in Steven's limousine, Aisha and Summer followed him along with Lance to the headquarters of the Devon Co.

The four of them entered the building, which was decorated in a rather modern technological style, and entered the elevator under the reverent gaze of the nearby staff, ascending to the parlor on the top floor.

"It's already getting late, I've arranged a place for you two to stay at a hotel in Rustboro City."

Looking at the sunset that had already dyed the sky red, Steven also made it clear that Summer and Aisha's schedule had already been contracted out to him, saying, "If it's now, the company has already prepared dinner for us, so it's kind of like I'm picking up the pieces for you two."

"Thanks a lot, Mr. Steven."

"No, the one who should say thank you should be me."

Steven denied Aisha's thanks and instead expressed his gratitude towards him.

"If Mr. Aisha doesn't mind, you can just address me as Steven."

"In that case, there's no need for you to bring honorifics, Steven, just call me Aisha."

"Good."

Aisha and Steven smiled at each other, both of them liking each other's easy-going personalities.

Next to them, Lance seemed to realize how inappropriate his behavior was in asking for a fight as soon as they met, and now his toes were scratching the ground to the point of embarrassment.

Summer snickered to the side - swiping Aisha's favor, that had to be something she was good at!