"Grandma Hala, I've told you all the details.
What do you think now? What will the League decide?"
"I think since we're going to agree anyway, let's not waste time and send out ships as soon as possible.
If we don't relocate these wild Pokémon from Cinnabar Cave to the Orange Archipelago, I'm afraid the Indigo League will resort to even more drastic measures."
At the Orange League headquarters, Leaf, who had reached the top floor, was reporting and making suggestions to Grandma Hala and several other League elders.
After defeating the new Indigo League Elite Four and their Elite-level trainers, Leaf had immediately led the wild Pokémon of Cinnabar Cave to prepare for their relocation to the Orange Archipelago. But when he arrived at the pier along Cinnabar Island's coast, he remembered an overlooked problem.
The Pokémon of Cinnabar Cave were all Fire-types—and none of them could swim. There were thousands of wild Pokémon, many of which were large Fire-types. Crossing the sea required ships.
"This matter... is quite significant," Grandma Hala said, frowning slightly.
"First, if so many wild Pokémon, including Elite Four-level ones, arrive in our Orange Archipelago, won't that cause massive disruptions to the local ecosystem?"
"Second, if our League takes this on, we'll definitely offend the Indigo League.
I believe you know, Leaf, the strength disparity between our Orange League and the Indigo League.
If it weren't for you, the Indigo League wouldn't even need to send the Elite Four—they could've just dispatched one Elite-level trainer to wipe us out..."
"Grandma Hala, now that I'm here, that situation won't happen!" Leaf responded seriously.
"It's only because it's you," Grandma Hala sighed.
"If it were anyone else—no matter the benefits—I wouldn't risk offending a major League like Indigo."
"It's settled?" Leaf was surprised.
"It's settled," Grandma Hala nodded.
"I'll make the call now. The ships will set sail for Cinnabar Island very soon..."
"But they're all ordinary people. You must make sure those wild Pokémon from Cinnabar Cave behave.
If they attack the humans on board..."
"You know the consequences."
"I understand!" Leaf nodded firmly.
Her concerns were necessary. The decision to accept the wild Pokémon from Cinnabar Cave was made only between Leaf and the League—residents of the Orange Archipelago didn't know about it yet. If the Pokémon attacked the transport staff, the public reaction would be terrible. Islanders might begin fearing them as aggressive invaders. Should protests erupt, Leaf might have to send them back to Cinnabar Cave—at least temporarily—and remain there himself.
Major Leagues were stubborn. Once they decided on a drastic measure, they would see it through to the end, no matter the consequences, just to save face.
And a new wave of trouble would surely follow.
Not to mention—Leaf had kept some critical information about the three Legendary Beasts hidden. That part couldn't be shared with anyone—not even Serena or Dawn.
---
Carried swiftly by Lapras, Leaf returned to Cinnabar Island.
"Leaf! How did it go?
Did Grandma Hala agree?" Serena and Dawn asked anxiously as soon as they saw him return.
This time, fearing a sudden reckless strike from the Elite Four, Leaf had left Metagross and Gengar with the two girls. Just in case the Indigo League launched a surprise attack, he had given some strict instructions:
Against the trainers' Pokémon—no need to hold back. Kill a few upfront to scare them off.
As for the trainers themselves—while they couldn't be killed in broad daylight, they could definitely be beaten so badly they'd be bedridden for months.
However, the new Indigo League Elite Four had likely learned their lesson. This time, they were cautious and observed from afar. Seeing that Metagross and Gengar were still guarding the girls even after Leaf left, they wisely backed off. The previous encounter had been a massacre. Gengar's poison and the sheer might of Shiny Metagross had left deep psychological scars.
Now, unless accompanied by their seniors, those Elite Four wouldn't dare go near Leaf.
An hour later, the ships arrived at Cinnabar Island.
The Elite-level trainers previously stationed at the checkpoint had also been summoned to assist in the mission. All of them, traumatized by Leaf, obediently complied. No one dared interfere. The ships departed together without issue.
The wild Pokémon of Cinnabar Cave, mentally and physically exhausted after the day's chaos, had no intention of making trouble. Their only desire was to rest. Moreover, with their leaders present, if any dared attack humans, their own commanders would punish them first.
The rapid dispatch of several large ships earned Leaf's silent approval. Though the Orange League was weak, it was still a League. Something of this scale couldn't have been accomplished by Leaf alone.
---
As night gradually fell, Leaf organized the resettlement of the wild Pokémon onto three unnamed small islands. He personally surveyed the islands, ensured there wouldn't be any significant environmental impact, issued instructions, and returned to his own island.
When Leaf stepped onto his own island, the Legendary Pokémon in the fruit forest suddenly paused and raised their heads.
"Hey hey hey—stop eating for a second.
Did you guys notice... there's a Legendary Pokémon aura nearby?"
"Yeah! I sensed it too—and it even set foot on our island!"
"This aura... if I'm not mistaken, it's second-tier Legendary level."
"And not just one—three! Three second-tier Legendary Pokémon have stepped onto the island!"
"...Damn! This aura—it feels really familiar..."
"...Wait—Damn it! It's the three dumb dogs!"
---