Cain observed the orb that now lay inside the box, radiating a faint warmth.
Even if that object wasn't the key to Groudon's return to its primal form, it was undoubtedly inextricably linked to it.
The problem was that, for now, it was impossible to deduce exactly what it meant.
Perhaps Erick himself, lying unconscious on the ground, knew—otherwise, he wouldn't have fallen so easily into Maxie's trap.
"System, analyze this," Cain ordered as he sat cross-legged.
For the moment, it was best not to leave. Since he had time, he might as well find out exactly what this object was.
While the system carried out the scan and subsequent evaluation, Cain took the opportunity to tend to Erick's injuries.
During his escape, he had taken the six Poké Balls that had been on the table.
Upon checking the Pokémon inside, he confirmed that they belonged to Erick.
Of those, two were already on the verge of collapse. If they didn't receive immediate treatment, they would lose their lives within half an hour.
This showed that the enemies, when facing Erick, had had no intention of holding back. His face was so swollen it looked as if he had been beaten twice over.
Cain released the two unconscious Pokémon and administered emergency treatment.
He couldn't allow Erick to lose too much combat strength; that would interfere with Cain's plans.
After great effort, he managed to stabilize their injuries. At that moment, the system completed its analysis.
Object name: Unknown
Description: An energy body containing a massive concentration of Ground- and Fire-type energy. It displays a strong violent nature and seems to possess a connection to something—or someone—else.
Effect: Can stimulate a Pokémon's state, with a certain probability of helping it find its original power.
Warning: Not recommended for use without preparation. May cause uncontrollable phenomena.
Just as he suspected, it was closely related to Primal Groudon.
A gleam flashed in Cain's eyes as he drew a Poké Ball and released Tyranitar.
"Tyraaan!"
Upon appearing, Tyranitar looked around. Seeing no enemies, it relaxed slightly.
Then its gaze landed on the energy sphere inside the metal box. It froze.
Cain immediately understood that Tyranitar had sensed something emanating from that orb connected to Groudon.
In truth, given the density of energy it contained, it was more accurate to call it an energy crystal than a sphere.
"Tyranitar, can you feel something?" Cain asked.
"Tyraann..."
The Pokémon nodded, a doubtful look on its face.
Clearly, there was no trace of energy similar to its own in that crystal, yet it felt an enormous pull toward it.
It was as if the crystal were waiting to be absorbed.
However, Tyranitar hesitated. What would it truly gain by absorbing such energy?
Since Cain hadn't given the order, it didn't dare attempt it on its own.
Cain realized his hypothesis was quite accurate. Even so, he hesitated—he couldn't risk having Tyranitar absorb something so unstable.
Cautiously, he extended his psychic power toward the crystal...
But as soon as it touched it, the energy was instantly absorbed, without any reaction.
He decided to put it away. The situation with Team Magma and Team Aqua was at a critical stage, and he might need Tyranitar's strength at any moment. It was better to save it for later.
Curiously, Tyranitar itself seemed relieved to see Cain store the crystal away.
With a snort, it suddenly plopped down on the ground. From some hidden place in its body, it pulled out a pink diamond and began to chew on it happily.
Crunch!
Crunch!
Delicious!
Cain couldn't help but sweat at the sight.
It was a lifelong habit: even though it no longer had its little backpack, Tyranitar always hid food somewhere on its body. Where exactly? That remained a mystery.
It was like a magic trick.
A magician Tyranitar?
Well... with nothing else to do, Cain released the rest of his Pokémon to train for a bit.
The place didn't matter—training was training.
...
Meanwhile, at the League's camp.
In the main tent where Drake was stationed, the atmosphere was tense.
Two days had already passed since Cain entered Meteor Falls.
Normally, with Slowking's Teleport, even if he hadn't found Team Magma or Team Aqua, he should have returned by now.
His prolonged absence was becoming worrisome.
"Sir Drake, shouldn't we send someone to check?" Steven asked, visibly anxious.
Drake was worried too, but as commander, he had to keep a cool head.
He couldn't allow emotions to affect the League's entire strategy.
There were too many trainers under his command—he was responsible for all of them.
"We've already sent scouts to map out the intricate tunnels behind the waterfall. If we go in without information, we could fall right into Team Magma or Team Aqua's traps," he explained firmly.
Steven understood the reasoning, though his anxiety kept growing. Phoebe and Wallace felt the same.
"Let me go," Norman said, standing up.
That mission had originally been his, but Cain had taken it instead.
If he himself had fallen into an ambush, Norman was confident he could escape.
Drake looked at him, tempted, but finally shook his head.
"We'll wait until tonight. If Cain hasn't returned by then, Norman, you'll go in. Everyone else, prepare for full alert. As soon as we receive the maps of the waterfall's perimeter, we march," he declared, cutting off any further discussion.
Everyone fell silent.
They all began preparing for the imminent war against Team Magma and Team Aqua.
If the enemy had used the terrain to set an ambush, entering recklessly could cost them dearly.
A price the League could not afford... nor one Drake was willing to bear alone.
But once the safety of the entrance was confirmed, he would personally lead the charge.
Drake, Sidney, and Glacia had long been restraining their anger toward those organizations.
Even if they couldn't completely destroy them, they had to deliver a crushing blow.
Still, an uneasiness gnawed at him—the informant he had inside Team Magma hadn't sent any word.
According to their agreement, Drake couldn't reach out first to avoid exposing him.
But this time, Erick hadn't sent even a single message.
Drake was worried.
For his safety... and for the possibility that he had switched sides.
It was a painful contradiction.
In their last meeting, Drake had noticed something strange in Erick's mindset.
A bad premonition was starting to take shape.
(End of chapter)