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The tunnel beyond the cavern was long, narrow, and shrouded in darkness. Even with the submarine's floodlights blazing, Shelly could barely make out the path ahead as she pushed the vessel to full speed.
Yet no matter how fast she drove, they still failed to catch up to Archie.
After several hundred more meters, a faint glow appeared ahead. The passage gradually sloped upward clearly, they were nearing the end.
At last, the submarine broke through the water's surface, emerging into a vast underground cavern.
Before they could fully take in their surroundings, they spotted another identical submarine docked nearby.
There was no doubt it belonged to Archie.
The hatch was silent, but on the rocky shore stood a lone Team Aqua Grunt standing guard.
Shelly opened the hatch and climbed out first.
Seeing her, the Grunt blinked in surprise and immediately saluted. "Admin Shelly? What are you doing here?"
His gaze shifted past her to Kai and Misty as they emerged behind her. Confusion flickered across his face. He didn't recognize them.
Shelly subtly stepped forward, blocking his view. "Where's the boss?"
"He just left," the Grunt replied, pointing deeper into the cavern. "He shouldn't be far."
Without another word, Shelly hurried off with Kai and Misty in pursuit.
They moved quickly soon breaking into a near run scrambling over jagged rocks and shallow pools. Even with flashlights, visibility was poor. One misstep could easily send them tumbling.
At one point, Shelly nearly slipped while climbing over a boulder. Kai caught her arm just in time.
She didn't even thank him just pressed on.
Kai couldn't help but smile faintly. Only days ago, they had been locked in a fierce battle over the same Pokémon. Now they found themselves temporarily fighting on the same side.
Fate truly was unpredictable.
After several more minutes, a flickering light appeared ahead. The sound of rushing water echoed through the cavern and beneath it, voices.
They quickened their pace.
Silhouettes came into view four figures standing near a luminous pool.
Then a deep, booming voice rang out:
"Hahaha! The legendary super-ancient Pokémon Kyogre! After all these years, I've finally found you!"
Even before seeing him, Kai knew it was Archie.
As they drew closer, the man became clear. Though not as massive as Matt, he was powerfully built. A blue bandana wrapped around his head, a thick beard framed his face, and his shark-patterned diving suit gleamed under the cavern's glow. Around his neck hung a heavy chain shaped like an anchor.
Beside him stood three Team Aqua Admin-level Grunts.
And before them—
In the glowing waters of the pool floated a massive blue Pokémon. Its body resembled a fusion of whale, bird, and fish. It drifted silently, radiating an ancient, overwhelming presence.
There was no mistaking it.
It was Kyogre — the embodiment of the sea, the mythical Pokémon said to expand the oceans with torrential rain and towering tidal waves.
Archie stood before Kyogre, eyes blazing.
"Listen well, Kyogre! I am Archie, leader of Team Aqua! I've waited for this day! The world has lost its way—humans care only for themselves! Nature and Pokémon alike suffer for it! So let us restore the world to its true form!"
As he spoke, he raised a crystal-like orb the size of a fist the Blue Or,b and extended it toward Kyogre.
Shelly could no longer remain silent.
"Archie! Wait!!"
He froze mid-motion and turned, frowning. "Shelly? What are you doing here? Perfect timing come witness our dream becoming reality!"
"Listen to me!" she pleaded. "The world you envision isn't the world Primal Kyogre will create! I ran simulations at the Weather Institute! If it awakens in its Primal Reversion, its power will drown everything! There's no balance only endless sea and despair!"
The three Grunts looked shaken.
Archie did not.
"Simulations? Data?" he scoffed. "Cold numbers and baseless fear! With the Blue Orb in my hand, Kyogre will obey me!"
Kai stepped forward beside Shelly.
"It seems words won't reach him. Perhaps it's time to try my method."
Only then did Archie truly notice him.
"You—who are you?"
Kai removed his bandana and smiled faintly. "I've crossed paths with your organization many times. I assumed the leader of Team Aqua would recognize his greatest obstacle."
Recognition struck.
"It's you! Kai!"
His face darkened as he glared at Shelly.
"You traitor! You brought him here?!"
Before she could respond, Archie gave a sharp command.
Three Grunts released their Pokémon at once—
Mightyena, Golbat, and Crawdaunt surged forward, surrounding Kai, Misty, and Shelly.
Kai and Misty responded instantly, releasing their own Pokémon.
Kai's team: Gardevoir, Dragonite, Scizor, Eevee, and Metang.
Misty's team: Starmie, Staryu, Politoed, Corsola—
—and Psyduck.
Misty blinked. "…Wrong Poké Ball."
She hurriedly recalled Psyduck.
The cavern erupted into chaos as both sides clashed.
Even now, Shelly tried one last time.
"Wait! I haven't betrayed Team Aqua he's here to—"
"Enough!" Archie roared.
The Grunts attacked.
Powerful streams of water shot forward. Seeing Shelly frozen in place, Kai pulled her aside as Gardevoir teleported in front of them, raising a shimmering barrier of psychic power to deflect the attack.
Archie's expression twisted further.
He turned sharply, lifting the Blue Orb high.
"You cannot stop destiny!"
Kai quickly released Gengar.
"Gengar! Use your Shadow Sneak get underground and grab that orb!"
"Got it!"
Gengar sank into the shadows, moving swiftly beneath the cavern floor.
But the Admin-level Grunts fought fiercely, buying Archie precious seconds.
Then—
With a triumphant laugh, Archie hurled the Blue Orb toward Kyogre.
"NO!!" Shelly screamed.
Time seemed to slow.
The orb spun through the air.
Gengar was still too far.
Was it over?
Suddenly—the orb stopped midair.
It hung suspended, trembling.
All eyes widened.
Gardevoir stood with one arm extended, psychic energy radiating outward.
She had caught it with Telekinesis.
"Well done!" Kai shouted. "Bring it here!"
The orb flew toward him—
But Archie reacted instantly.
"Attack the ceiling!"
He pointed upward.
High above the battlefield hung a massive stalactite.
The Grunts redirected their Pokémon's attacks.
Multiple strikes slammed into the stone.
CRACK—
The stalactite shattered and plummeted downward—
Crashing directly onto the orb.
Debris exploded outward, smoke and dust filling the cavern, blocking all visibility.
Both Kai and Archie rushed forward at the same time.
Pokémon clashed around them, each side trying to block the other.
When they reached the fallen rubble—
The Blue Orb was nowhere in sight.
It had been buried beneath the shattered stone.
And now—
The race to claim it had truly begun.
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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
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For early access to advanced chapters on P-atreon:
P-atreon/iamxeno
(Just remove the - hyphen to access normally)
Thank you so much for your support and for reading!