While Zinnia sized up Natsui, Natsui happened to turn his head, and their eyes met mid-air.
Seeing Natsui look at her, Zinnia showed no embarrassment. Instead, she smiled and introduced herself. "Hello, my name is Zinnia. I am a Lorekeeper of the Draconid people."
"Draconid people?"
Misty was stunned. Having only just arrived in Hoenn, this was the first time she had heard that name. In fact, most people in Hoenn probably didn't know who the Draconid people were.
Looking at Misty, Zinnia waved her hand and said dismissively, "It's just some people who have lived near Meteor Falls for generations. Just a different name, nothing special."
It's not that simple...
Although Zinnia said it casually, Natsui knew these Draconid people weren't just reclusive common folk, but a group of trainers who specialized in Dragon-type Pokémon.
These people lived in the hidden Meteor Village, located deep within Meteor Falls, accessible only through an underground waterway.
The reason the Draconid people stayed here traced back to the great battle between Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre two thousand years ago.
According to records, the battle between the two Pokémon was devastating. As meteors streaked across the sky, the super-ancient Pokémon Rayquaza finally appeared and stopped them.
A thousand years later, a meteorite crashed into what is now Sootopolis City, awakening Groudon and Kyogre again. The Draconid Lorekeeper of that time stood on a rainbow stone and prayed for Rayquaza's return. The prayer caused Rayquaza to Mega Evolve. After another fierce battle, Groudon and Kyogre returned to the depths, and Rayquaza returned to the sky.
After that, the Draconid people built the Sky Pillar to commemorate their god, painting murals on the walls. They prophesied that in another thousand years, another meteorite would strike the planet. When that time came, the helpless people could only summon Rayquaza again to protect the world.
It sounded like the Draconid people were guardians of the world and worshipers of Rayquaza.
Nearby, Professor Cozmo, seeing Zinnia's modesty, stepped in to explain the truth to Natsui and Misty. His explanation was largely the same as what Natsui already knew.
Natsui just listened to the story again, while Misty finally understood who Zinnia was.
"Groudon... Kyogre... and Rayquaza..." she said softly, her eyes shining. "I can't believe Hoenn has so many amazing Pokémon..."
Seeing her expression, Natsui said with a smile, "It's nothing unusual. Just like Ho-Oh and Lugia in Kanto and Johto, these Pokémon possess immense power and are hidden away, mostly worshipped as gods. Although they are Legendary Pokémon like my Raikou, they're in a league of their own."
Thinking of Ho-Oh and Lugia, Misty now had a real concept of Groudon and the others.
Ho-Oh had the power of resurrection, and Lugia was called the guardian of the seas. These Pokémon must also have their own different abilities...
The group chatted for a bit longer. They learned that Professor Cozmo and Zinnia had only recently met. Professor Cozmo had come here alone to investigate the meteorite, got lost, and was rescued by Zinnia. It was then that Team Aqua targeted him, leading to the kidnapping.
"By the way..." Misty finally asked, "Professor Cozmo, what field do you research?"
"Me?" Professor Cozmo shrugged. "My research focuses on meteorites. I study all kinds of them. Did you know you can even use wormholes to send meteorites to other universes...?"
Perhaps because he rarely got to talk about his specialty, Professor Cozmo went on and on, unstoppable. It wasn't until Zinnia, unable to listen anymore, coughed several times that he sheepishly shut his mouth.
They stayed there for a long time. Seeing no sign of Team Magma or Team Aqua, they gradually relaxed.
After waiting a while longer, seeing it was already 3 or 4 in the afternoon, they left the hidden cave via another path and headed back to the surface.
With Zinnia, a local guide, leading the way, they didn't have to worry about getting lost. She led them quickly to the nearest exit.
The journey was peaceful. As they got closer to the surface, their steps became lighter.
But just as they reached the exit, they were suddenly ambushed by Team Magma!
It turned out that after losing Natsui's group in the maze-like caves, Courtney had thought for a moment and decided not to chase blindly. Instead, she set up an ambush here. Although the cave paths were complex, there were only a few exits. If they waited patiently, they were bound to catch them.
And now, their prey had arrived.
In an instant, dozens of Houndoom leaped out from all directions, surrounding them. Misty and Professor Cozmo panicked, but Natsui, knowing Team Magma wouldn't give up so easily, had been on guard. Their appearance wasn't a surprise.
What did catch his eye, however, was Zinnia. Faced with this situation, she was also completely calm, showing no signs of panic.
She's got nerves of steel...
On the other side, Courtney emerged from the Team Magma grunts, watching the surrounded group with cold eyes.
She had already called for reinforcements while waiting. Team Magma members closest to Meteor Falls were on their way. Even if these people had that powerful Pokémon, once her reinforcements arrived, she was confident she could capture them all.
Her only worry now was Shelly and those Team Aqua grunts. They would definitely come for revenge, just as she had done to them.
Surrounded, Natsui and the others released their Pokémon.
First was Misty, who sent out her Starmie and Politoed.
This Politoed had been with Misty since it was a Poliwag. It later evolved into Poliwhirl, battled Ash in the Whirl Cup, and finally evolved into Politoed. It was very strong.
Next was Professor Cozmo, who wasn't helpless either. He threw a Poké Ball, and a strange, orange, meteor-like Pokémon with eight spikes floated into the air.
It was Solrock, a Rock/Psychic-type. Although it was their first time seeing it, now was not the time to admire it.
Almost simultaneously, Zinnia released her Pokémon.
It was a fierce-looking Salamence. As a Dragon/Flying-type, the Salamence stood on all fours, spread its red wings, and let out a low roar at the Houndoom, baring its sharp teeth.
Finally, Natsui assessed the situation, threw two Poké Balls, and released his Dragonite and Tyranitar.
Seeing Natsui only send out these two, Courtney said coldly, "Where's that Electric-type of yours? Why don't you send it out? Are you scared?"
Natsui smiled slightly. With just a few words, he shook the enemy's morale.
"Of course not," he said. "I just have to save it to deal with Team Aqua. As you know, Electric-type moves have a huge advantage against Water-types."
Hearing this, Courtney's face darkened, and she glanced nervously to the side.
Just as he said, she also considered Team Aqua a major threat.
Never mind him holding back a trump card for Team Aqua; she herself had already sent a squad to guard their rear, precisely to prevent Team Aqua from suddenly appearing and disrupting their formation.
But regardless of her worries, the immediate priority was to capture Professor Cozmo.
At her command, twenty to thirty Houndoom closed in from several directions, and the battle began.
But as they fought, she realized things weren't as simple as she thought.
Aside from the Solrock, which was average, the other three's Pokémon were surprisingly tough.
Especially Dragonite, Tyranitar, and Salamence. Her grunts' Houndoom rushed in, only to be knocked out in a few hits, as if they weren't even in the same league.
Shocked, Courtney couldn't help but wonder, Who are these people? Where did they come from!?
With that thought, she waved her hand, sending her own Camerupt into the battle, while asking, "Who are you people!?"
Natsui was busy commanding his two Pokémon and was in no mood to answer her. Instead, Zinnia, looking at the woman of similar age, glanced over and said, "I'm Professor Cozmo's friend. And this is the territory of us, the Draconid people. We won't let you do as you please!"
Draconid people?
A look of understanding flashed in Courtney's eyes.
So they still exist!
She had assumed they had all died out.
And with that one sentence, Courtney knew that to get Professor Cozmo, she would have to defeat these people.
She said no more, simply waving her hand and ordering an all-out attack.
She had clearly mistaken Natsui and Misty for Zinnia's companions, members of the Draconid people.
At this point, nothing more needed to be said. Natsui's group had to protect Professor Cozmo and break through the blockade, while Team Magma's primary goal was to capture him.
The Pokémon clashed in a chaotic melee.
A Houndoom, baring its fangs, lunged at Dragonite, only to be sent flying by a tail whip.
Several other Houndoom spat fire at Dragonite, but Politoed and Starmie countered with a combined Water Gun, pushing the flames back.
Zinnia's Salamence was also performing impressively, taking on four or five Houndoom at once and skillfully knocking them out one by one.
But the most eye-catching Pokémon on the field was Natsui's Tyranitar.
Relying on its resistance to Fire-type moves and its thick armor, it was like a walking tank, rampaging through the battlefield, paying the Houndoom no mind.
Frankly, Team Magma's Pokémon couldn't even beat those of an average trainer, let alone this group.
While not defeated instantly, they could hardly withstand these fierce opponents. They were only holding on thanks to their sheer numbers, the barrage of attacks forcing Dragonite and the others to dodge occasionally.
Just then, Courtney's Camerupt joined the battle, finally slowing the decline.
But this was only temporary. The moment Misty's two Water-types were free, they would likely focus fire on that slow-moving target.
Courtney frowned, surveying the battlefield.
Honestly, she hadn't expected the battle to turn out this way.
During the first ambush, things had been too chaotic for her to realize how strong Natsui was. She'd only noticed the power of his Electric-type. But now, in a direct fight, she immediately saw how formidable these people were.
Just then, the sound of rushing footsteps came from behind her.
Courtney's heart leaped, thinking her reinforcements had arrived. She was about to order them into the battle, but when she turned, she saw it wasn't Team Magma. It was that despicable woman, Shelly, leading Team Aqua!
How could this be!?
Her heart sank. She clearly remembered sending a team to guard the rear. How did they get here?
Shelly, arriving with her team, saw the chaotic battle and said with a loud laugh, "Courtney, well, well, how the tables have turned! I never thought we'd be the ones to reap the rewards this time. How does it feel? Did you expect this to happen when you ambushed us earlier!?"
Courtney was furious.
Caught in a pincer attack, she knew defeat was inevitable today. With that thought, she looked deeply at Natsui.
It was this man, who ambushed her from behind!
If it weren't for him, the victory today would have belonged to Team Magma!
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