There was no way the Pokémon could continue clinging to one another like this after regaining their senses.
Getting such a large number of Pokémon to retreat at once was no simple task. It would take a great deal of time, with those on the outer edges leaving first.
However, the Pokémon below were retreating almost as if they had rehearsed it beforehand. They were moving away as a whole rather than in separate groups.
This meant that whatever had brought them here was still controlling them and directing their retreat. But how had Shiro gained control over whatever was controlling these Pokémon?
Glacia immediately thought of Drake.
This is all Drake's scheme!
While she was lost in her wild speculations, Corviknight had already reached the eastern coast of Lilycove City.
At the same time, almost all the wild Water-type Pokémon had moved more than a hundred meters away from the shore. At the very least, people could now stand by the sea and look out without worrying about a wild Pokémon crashing into their faces.
Just then, a message came through the psychic link from Unown A.
'Should I destroy the device now and let those Pokémon return to normal?'
After a brief moment of thought, Shiro replied, "There's no need. Let's wait a little longer. We can deal with it once they've completely left this stretch of sea."
He wasn't in a hurry to call Unown A back. It would be better to let it continue operating the device and drive the Water-type Pokémon even farther away.
The wild Pokémon were packed too closely together. If he stopped the device now and allowed them to return to normal, a massive battle might break out right next to Lilycove City.
Letting them swim a few more miles out to sea would ensure that even if they did start fighting, the city wouldn't be caught in the middle. That way, this unexpected mission wouldn't end on an unpleasant note.
By the shore, Corviknight slowly descended from the sky and folded its black wings. Shiro leaped onto the ground and looked up to see Officer Jenny speeding toward him on her motorcycle.
After a sharp drift and a sideways stop, she let out a slight breath, removed her helmet, and walked over to him.
She had been chasing him the entire way and could no longer contain her curiosity. "Shiro, those Pokémon... How did you do that?"
Clara had carefully observed the rampaging Water-type Pokémon herself, but their behavior didn't match anything she knew.
Whether they had gathered together out of hatred or been affected by some kind of special drug, neither explanation seemed particularly convincing.
Even in the best-case scenario, where the Pokémon didn't unleash a tsunami, their continued blockade of the sea would bring every port in Lilycove City to a standstill. The only option left would be to drive them away by force.
Unfortunately, Shiro didn't answer. Instead, he glanced at the time.
More than three hours had passed since he left the battle arena in Ever Grande City. If Drake had been traveling at full speed, he should have reached Littleroot Town by now.
Team Aqua's plan to awaken Kyogre had already been half thwarted by him. Meanwhile, Team Magma seemed to be making excellent progress. Not only had they found Groudon's resting place, but they had also discovered the location of the Red Orb.
Whether Team Magma had obtained the information through a League insider or through the Devon Corporation, it didn't matter. Once they stole the Red Orb, they would undoubtedly accelerate their efforts to revive Groudon. He needed to prepare in advance.
'Perhaps I should head over to Mt. Chimney and intercept them before they get there?'
As he considered this, Shiro turned to her and asked, "Clara, have you received any news from the League? Anything about what's happening in Littleroot Town?"
Clara froze for a moment, staring at him with her sharp, almond-shaped eyes. She had completely forgotten to answer.
'He called me Clara! That's so intimate...'
"Uh..."
By the time she finally managed to collect herself, Shiro had already leaped back onto Corviknight.
"Then you should get back to work. I happen to have something else to take care of."
He gave her a casual wave. Corviknight spread its wings, blocking her view as it soared into the sky.
Clara stood there speechless. Once she realized what had happened, she felt as though she had turned into a Sudowoodo.
Behind her, Glacia hurriedly jumped onto the road and sidled up to her with a suspicious look.
"Officer Jenny! I've discovered an important clue... A huge secret!"
Clara's regret was quickly replaced by curiosity.
Glacia leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Shiro is just Drake's accomplice. All of this was planned by Elite Drake..."
After hearing her out, Clara's expression gradually grew serious, even though the theory had initially sounded absurd.
After all, Drake, the former Hoenn Champion and one of the current members of the Hoenn Elite Four, had always been the leading opponent of the Kanto Jenny and Joy families' attempts to establish themselves in Hoenn.
He had even threatened the Jenny family not long ago. Drake had also been mentioned in the instructions given to her by the family's elders.
Could he really have planned all of this?
Clara didn't dare take her suspicions any further, but Glacia stood beside her with an expression of absolute certainty.
"That's definitely it!" Glacia clenched her fist. "Drake went to Littleroot Town. What if he's actually connected to Team Magma? He must be trying to use this Pokémon rampage to cover up his real objective! Officer Jenny, I need your help!"
Clara immediately played along and voiced her agreement a few times. Combined with the shock and suspicion already written across her face, this was enough to quickly earn Glacia's trust.
However, there was one part of Glacia's theory that Clara considered nothing more than baseless slander.
Shiro was Drake's accomplice?
Absolutely impossible!
Even if Drake used all of his Pokémon, could he really beat a Champion?
Corviknight alone could probably take down six of his Pokémon!
* * *
Corviknight quickly flew across Lilycove City from the coast.
The first to spot the black figure were the League trainers participating in the blockade along the shore. One of them excitedly grabbed his companion and shouted, "It's Champion Shiro! It's Corviknight! Corviknight!"
A more knowledgeable trainer beside him immediately chimed in. "I've heard it's a signature bird Pokémon unique to the Galar region!"
Another person released his Pokémon and chased after the flying figure, shouting, "We're so lucky today! We actually get to see a Champion from this close..."
The others quickly realized what a rare opportunity this was and followed suit.
If they could catch a Champion's attention, even if it was just to exchange a few words, they'd have something to brag about for the rest of their lives.
Meanwhile, along the streets, many people returning from the western district looked exhausted. When they suddenly saw the trainers rushing past them, they couldn't help but stop and watch.
It wasn't until someone excitedly pointed at the sky and shouted, "Shiro! It's Shiro..." that everyone immediately looked up.
They saw Corviknight flying swiftly over the tops of the high-rises.
Throughout the city, from the bustling main streets to the narrow alleys, and from the towering buildings to the low houses, people emerged to look up in curiosity and excitement. Quite a few quick-witted trainers immediately decided to follow. Many Pokémon capable of flight soon joined the chase behind Corviknight.
The city's public broadcast system also changed its message and tone once again.
"Dear citizens of Lilycove City, whether you live in the eastern or western district, please turn your attention to the Champion who saved our city..."
"He deserves your cheers!"
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