The fifth day after the opening of the Alternate Space.
On the unnamed island.
Agatha, Genji, and Kikuno, three Elite Four members from different regions, have been waiting here for a full four days.
Regarding the specifics of the situation inside the Alternate Space, what has happened, and whether there have been any casualties, they are completely in the dark.
And just this morning, they received news that further dampened their already poor spirits.
On the fifth day, they still couldn't restart the spatial device.
This means they need to wait at least another day.
Genji waved irritably to dismiss the trembling staff member who came to report, but didn't say anything blaming.
They could see that these staff members had been working day and night to repair it.
Yet the later they enter the Alternate Space, the more the potential mishaps.
The ones entering the Alternate Space are the elite Trainers from various regional youths; losing even one would be regrettable.
If those who are already in the spotlight were lost, it would be a huge blow to every region.
Though they wouldn't be punished, for the incident wasn't closely related to them, as veteran members of the alliance, what they most wanted was for the younger generation to grow up smoothly and take on the duties of the alliance.
"Stop pacing; consider this incident as a real trial. The ones who survive, we bring them back and nurture well. They are the purest 'gold' swept by the waves." Agatha, sitting in the tent, leaned on her cane watching the pacing Genji, speaking without restraint.
Genji sighed silently and indeed stopped pacing.
He was typically stubborn yet soft-hearted, unlike Agatha's cold exterior and even colder heart.
"Perhaps, the youngsters will all survive well," Kikuno remarked, somewhat self-deceptively.
"Heh—"
Agatha sneered without replying.
And no one commented on Agatha's nature.
They were all Elite Four, having met and interacted frequently, familiar with Agatha's character and ways; that's just how she was.
If Agatha could choose, she might prefer the confinement to last longer, so the 'gold' left behind would be most valuable for nurturing and support.
At this moment.
A league staff member rushed in hurriedly.
Panting and said, "Three, three Elite Four members, there, there's an unknown ship approaching the island, v-very fast."
"Unknown ship?"
Upon hearing this, Genji and the others exchanged glances, then rose and strode out together.
"Who else knows about this place?" Genji led the way, asking as he walked.
"Many know," Agatha's indifferent response came.
Many indeed know, but they're all from the higher-ups of the alliance!
Soon enough.
They reached the island's edge.
In the distance.
A swiftly red ship was cleaving through the waves.
As the Elite Four of Hoenn, Genji recognized at first glance which faction this ship belonged to.
Magma Team!
"How does Flarepine know?" Genji's face darkened instantly, frowning as he asked.
Though the alliance told Natsuhiko and the Trainers it was an unknown Alternate Space, how could the alliance really conduct no investigation before sending in their "precious treasures"?
The alliance naturally knew this Alternate Space was tied to Groudon.
Yet they determined the approximate difficulty of the Alternate Space before making such a decision.
Besides, there were three Elite Four members stationed.
And Magma Team, as a group crazily pursuing Groudon, appearing in places related to Groudon was normal.
What's abnormal is that they shouldn't know this Alternate Space is connected to Groudon!
They shouldn't even know the entrance to the Alternate Space is here.
Someone leaked information!
And it was someone within the high ranks of the alliance.
The realization of this made the three Elite Four's hearts sink.
The larger the alliance grows, the more chaotic the internal situation becomes, which was anticipated, but the speed it happened was not!
"It's not just Flarepine." Agatha suddenly said.
"Indeed, there are quite a few people," Kikuno nodded.
As the ship neared, they saw clearly Flarepine standing at the prow, dressed in a scarlet robe, wearing glasses with folded arms, and the two people beside him.
Knowing there are three Elite Four members stationed here, how could Flarepine dare to come alone?
Of course, apart from the three at the forefront, an elder trailing slightly behind them with a smiling face was not to be underestimated.
If Natsuhiko were here, he would surely recognize him.
Goldenrod City, the information broker at the Challenger Bar.
Old Bill!
...
...
It was already the sixth day into the Alternate Space.
After spending a day resting and adjusting their state, Natsuhiko and his four Pokémon finally left the ruins beneath the desert and returned to the desert above.
Although they got a "warm greeting" from the Krookodile almost immediately, the newly empowered Beedrill and the gradually mastering Dual Blade Doublade made them understand what "why the flowers are so red" truly meant.
The Krookodile horde, facing the upgraded "Krookodile Nemesis" Doublade, was easily wiped out.
And after defeating the Krookodile leader, Beedrill also successfully acquired its "Leader's Aura."
Everything was going smoothly.
The four well-coordinated Pokémon displayed their deserved strength more vividly.
Only after taking care of this Krookodile horde did Natsuhiko officially start his journey to find the desert's exit.
It was only then he realized how insufficient the secret signal plan devised with Lance and the others before entering the Alternate Space was.
If they entered the forest or Rock Area, marking was feasible.
But in the desert, how to leave a mark?
There was no choice.
Natsuhiko had to take the most stubborn approach, riding the Yanmega, picking a direction... Fly!
However, the sky was also filled with numerous Wild Pokémon, making the journey not entirely smooth.
Fortunately.
After Yanmega flew for about an hour, he finally saw the boundary of the desert, glimpsing a lush green ocean.
Forest Zone.
Indicating Yanmega to land.
A few minutes later, Natsuhiko finally stepped once again on soft grass exuding a faint fragrance.
The long-missed scent of nature.
He signaled for Yanmega to rise and monitor the surroundings, its compound eyes covering a wide range of visions, capturing much of the forest's scenes.
Then Natsuhiko threw the Pokeball, summoning the recently captured and successfully tamed Mudsdale.
In this environment, Tyrantrum's movements were a bit too loud and not agile enough, easily inciting the strong territorial Wild Pokémon's frenzied attacks.
Mudsdale, on the other hand, seemed relatively more "gentle."
Riding on Mudsdale's back, it truly felt like a leisurely outing, a stroll in the courtyard.
Very serene.
In the air, Yanmega silently mourned for three minutes for its "old friend" Tyrantrum.
Indeed, it was the one cut.
The true "new toy-loving" Natsuhiko.