Anabel's face flushed, her voice trembling. "That's just because she's been lucky! If we were fully prepared, someone like Hunter J wouldn't be a problem!"
Lucas didn't argue, just nodded indifferently. "Let's just say that's true, then."
Anabel: ???
For some reason, even though Lucas agreed with her, she felt a ball of frustration she couldn't let out.
Tront quietly added more firewood and set a pot to boil soup.
The night was still young, and they couldn't sleep. If Hunter J arrived soon, it'd be fine; if late, they'd need to stay alert and eat to maintain their strength and warmth.
Glancing at Lucas—who had completely failed to realize he'd pushed Anabel to the brink of rage—Tront shook his head, sighing to himself, "Ah, to be young. Just say whatever you want—such spirit."
Outside, the storm howled, but inside the cave was peaceful and calm. Sensing the safety Luxray brought, Snover slept soundly next to Lucas.
Anabel, having finished with the equipment, sipped hot soup made from plants Tront had gathered, watching the data intently and exchanging information with her colleagues across the mountain.
Her earpiece crackled with wind-distorted voices as Anabel mapped out the current situation on Glaseado Mountain in her mind.
Looker was coordinating all the forces tracking Hunter J and her crew.
Tyme's sector near Montenevera Town reported nothing unusual.
Lyme's section on the mountain's mid-levels was clear.
Grusha's area around the mountain's Pokémon Gym was fine.
Rika's area at the mountain's base was normal.
Around the peak, where Anabel was stationed, nothing abnormal had been detected.
That meant Hunter J hadn't arrived yet—or hadn't made a move.
Unable to sleep with the wind howling, Lucas buried his face in Luxray's thick fur, taking a few deep breaths before sitting up and telling Tront the story of Delibird, who had been found by Luxray.
Delibird listened wide-eyed, moved and admiring the tale of its kin who had challenged nature, and now sought new adventures.
Though it might be older than Lucas's Delibird, that didn't stop it from admiring its courage.
Tront, cuddling his longtime partner, smiled. Lucas's stories reminded him of his own youthful dreams: to travel the world as a ranger, fighting evil and becoming a legend.
Dreams are dreams because they're hard to reach, which gives people something to chase.
But now, with ties that bind him, those dreams are no longer his top priority.
Still, maybe this young man before him could realize that dream in his own way.
After the stories, the cave fell silent except for the wind and the beeping of Anabel's equipment.
Lucas, sneaking his cold hands into Luxray's warm belly for heat, was met only with a glance—Luxray let him be, as if to say, "Well, I chose you after all."
Soaking up the warmth, Lucas poked at the system in his mind: "Has Hunter J arrived yet?"
[Not yet]
Lucas frowned. "Say it clearly."
[She's entered the Paldea region, but hasn't reached Glaseado Mountain yet.]
"Oh, let me know when she does."
[Okay.]
…
Paldea region, above Los Platos.
A cloaked airship crossed into Paldea from the nearby sea, flying past Los Platos and into its outskirts.
Long hours in the cockpit had left the crew tired, but no one dared doze off—Hunter J was ruthless enough to throw them out if they slacked. They forced themselves to stay alert, eyes on the data screens.
One of them, needing distraction, switched the monitor to view below the airship.
Spotting the scene, he whistled. "Wow, what a big wheat field down there. Too bad it's night now—bet it looks golden and beautiful in the day."
The others looked over, bantering.
"Looks like a bumper crop."
"These Paldea villagers have it easy. Good weather, good land—don't even need to try to get a harvest."
"So annoying."
"Why don't we drop an incendiary and torch the place?"
"Great idea, I can already see the owner bawling his eyes out!"
Just as they were plotting, Hunter J's icy voice cut in: "Don't do anything extra to expose us, or I'll feed you to the Sharpedo."
They promptly shut up and returned to their stations. The airship sped away from Los Platos' outskirts, heading straight for Glaseado Mountain.
A while later—
Hunter J, sitting at the head of the ship, propped her chin on her hand, watching the snowy weather outside.
Seeing the blizzard, she couldn't help but smile.
The storm would hide their ship, and her Pokémon targets preferred to travel in weather like this!
She stood up, her voice sharp as she donned her gear: "We're entering the target zone—everyone, stay sharp. This mission must succeed. Failure is not an option!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
Her command was met with a chorus of firm responses.
….
Lucas, asleep in the cave, was woken by the system's alert. Opening his eyes, the cold wind snapped him fully awake.
Seeing the message, Lucas's gaze sharpened. Even Luxray, lying beneath him, sensed the change and opened its alert, watchful eyes.
Scanning the cave, Lucas saw that Anabel was on night watch, Tront was dozing lightly, and Snover was sprawled out fast asleep.
Lucas stood, putting on his clothes and gear, making sure everything was ready for the cold.
His movements caught Anabel's attention—why was he getting up before his shift?
Once dressed, Lucas whispered to Luxray to watch the ground, then grabbed Dragonite's Poké Ball and summoned it.
Dragonite's orange form filled the cave, waking Tront.
Lucas ordered, "Dragonite, Dragon Dance!"
Dragonite, knowing this meant a showdown, immediately began a fierce Dragon Dance, ramping up its power to the maximum—six times boosted.
Now, Dragonite's attack and speed stats soared to thirteen thousand!
Lucas turned to his companions. "Alert everyone—get ready to intercept Hunter J's crashing ship!"