"Sigh!"
Just as Aubert sighed, he struggled to thump his chest. Indeedee quickly reached out another hand to pat his chest and help him catch his breath before he continued.
"Ah..." Aubert began again. "Maxie, if you were a loyal man like Archie, you wouldn't have ended up in such a state..."
Maxie thought about how to deal with the situation before asking in return, "Old man, you've been hiding yourself for so long. What exactly are you trying to do? Control Groudon and Kyogre and rule the world?"
"No, no, no!" Aubert shook his head repeatedly. "That's something young people like you would do. I've never wanted to use them to rule the world. I truly believe in and respect the gods."
"Maxie, just lend me the orb for a while. When the opportunity comes, I'll naturally return it to you."
After saying that, Aubert nodded toward Indeedee beside him. Without needing any further explanation, Indeedee immediately understood his intention, and a powerful glow of psychic energy began to radiate from its body.
Alakazam's eyes rolled back and it fainted in an instant. The Banette that had tried to ambush Aubert struggled to let out a painful cry, but the moment it opened its chain-like mouth, waves of resentment began drifting out of its body until they disappeared completely.
In the end, the Gym-level Banette quickly withered into a shriveled, tattered doll.
Maxie was terrified as psychic energy completely invaded and controlled him. His eyes became dull and empty, leaving him standing loosely in place like a zombie.
Only then did Aubert nod in satisfaction and tap his cane.
Within just a few seconds, several flashes of psychic energy appeared across the rooftop. The space twisted slightly, and one figure after another appeared before him, all dressed in blue and white robes.
"Chief!" the group shouted together.
A handsome, middle-aged man with long green hair stepped forward at the head of the group. He then said, "Father, the members of Team Magma have already been dealt with. They're only unconscious, and we've also altered some of their memories..."
"Good." Aubert nodded slightly. "Dyson, the Team Magma members have already set out, haven't they?"
Dyson replied, "Team Magma is returning to Sootopolis City. They're about to reach the coast, and there have been no abnormalities so far."
Aubert thought for a moment before suddenly asking, "What about that kid Wallace?"
Dyson looked slightly awkward. After hesitating for a moment, he reluctantly explained, "Wallace... he went to host a Pokémon Contest."
Whether they were the Sootopolitans or some other ancient survivors or families, everyone ultimately focused on training Pokémon. Strength was still the standard by which everything was measured.
Yet now, the direct descendant of the Sootopolitans had actually gone off to pursue something so flashy and impractical. It really was...
"It doesn't matter!" Aubert waved his hand indifferently. "Once everything is complete, the Sootopolitans will exist forever. Hoenn is only our starting point."
"Let everything end with my generation... Just let Wallace have his fun."
Only then did Dyson let out a sigh of relief. "Yes, Father."
* * *
The modified vehicles of Team Magma stopped by the eastern coast of Hoenn.
After speeding recklessly along the roads planned by the Pokémon League, they had finally reached the end of the road. To travel from Hoenn to Sootopolis City, they had to cross the ocean in front of them.
Sootopolis City was a city formed after a meteorite fell onto an island in the eastern sea of Hoenn. It was not far from the Hoenn mainland, but they still needed to travel there by ship or through the air.
Naturally, Team Magma had neither Water-type nor even Flying-type Pokémon.
Every time they traveled to and from Sootopolis City, they needed the help of the Sootopolitans.
A blue passenger ship had already been waiting at the shore for quite some time. The Sootopolitans aboard it quickly sent a message to their chief.
Clack!
The doors of all three modified vehicles opened at the same time, and the members of Team Magma stepped out one after another.
At the front, Courtney carried a bag containing the Red Orb, but she hesitated.
Normally, after obtaining the Red Orb, they should not have entered the territory of the Sootopolitans again.
However, their leader, Maxie, was still inside. After making so many trips to Sootopolis City, they had seen for themselves that it was exactly as the information they had received described. The place was rundown and weak, with no strength capable of opposing Team Magma.
It was even rare to find a single Gym-level Pokémon there.
Because of this, Maxie had repeatedly pressured the Lord of Sootopolitans before, and this time was no exception.
Besides, there were many Team Magma members beside Maxie.
After speaking with their leader earlier, Courtney had felt that something was wrong, but she could not put her finger on what it was. His tone had sounded as if he wanted them to hurry over and provide support.
Regardless of what was going on, they should go and take a look.
Although Courtney felt somewhat nervous carrying the orb, she still boarded the ship with the other Team Magma members.
Once they were aboard, the Sootopolitans did not make any unusual moves. Everything went as usual, and they transported the Team Magma members to Sootopolis City.
After entering the city, Courtney glanced at the fully prepared members behind her and quickly headed toward the center of the city, where their leader was located, the top of Sootopolis City's Central Temple.
Blaise behind them could not shake the feeling that something was wrong. The vast ocean surrounded them on all sides, and escaping would not be easy either.
Before long, just as Courtney and the others were about to reach the temple, a familiar figure was already waiting there.
"Boss!" Courtney's voice was filled with surprise.
Maxie leaned against the gray stone wall of the temple. His expression was slightly dazed for a moment before returning to normal. He then asked seriously, "Courtney, where's the orb?"
From where she stood, Courtney could see many Team Magma members waiting around the corner of the stone steps. Feeling reassured by their presence, she did not have many doubts and directly handed the bag to Maxie.
"Good!" Maxie said heavily before turning around and walking up the stone steps.
Courtney instinctively asked, "Boss, shouldn't we leave?"
Without turning around, Maxie calmly replied, "The orb needs to be examined by the Lord of Sootopolitans to confirm whether it's genuine."
It had originally been nothing more than an excuse to get through the situation, but now it had become a convenient explanation for Courtney.
Still, she could not shake the feeling that something was wrong.
Could the boss she respected most really trust that creepy old man this much?
Impossible!
Something was definitely wrong.
Courtney was highly decisive. The moment she furrowed her brows, she rushed forward and grabbed Maxie by the arm.
"Boss! Boss?"
Maxie, who was under the control of psychic energy, trembled slightly. Of course, he wanted nothing more than to leave this dangerous place as quickly as possible. If he could break free from the psychic control, there might still be a chance.
However, the psychic power of a Champion-level Pokémon was far beyond what he could resist. After turning his head, he coldly said, "Courtney, go back at once. That's an order!"
Courtney's eyes suddenly widened when she noticed a clear layer of psychic energy glowing in Maxie's eyes.
**
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