"Pokémon gathering?"
Theo stood up curiously, holding the two little Vulpix in his arms as he walked toward the edge of the ship's railing.
The scene before his eyes made him instantly hold his breath.
On the surface of the sea ahead, hundreds upon thousands of Tentacool and Tentacruel floated together. Their semi-transparent domes refracted a faint purple glow under the sunlight, while their long, slender tentacles swayed with the waves like drifting tassels. From a distance, it looked like a vast, moving sea of violet blossoms.
Farther out, several massive Wailord surfaced, blasting towering water spouts dozens of meters high into the air. Sunlight pierced through the droplets, forming shimmering rainbows that arched across the sky.
As the water columns crashed back down, they startled nearby Carvanha, Goldeen, Wailmer, Chinchou, and other Water-type Pokémon, causing them to leap out of the ocean one after another. The spectacle was so breathtaking that no one could look away.
"My gosh, this is way too beautiful!"
"This is my first time seeing so many Water-type Pokémon gathered together. Could it be that they also know the festival is coming?"
"This is incredible! I have never seen so many Pokémon gathered in one place before. Is it dangerous?" someone asked a crew member nearby.
The crew member, clearly a local from Sootopolis City, wore a proud smile.
"Don't worry, it's completely safe. This happens every year around this time. As the Water Festival approaches, nearby Water-type Pokémon naturally gather toward Sootopolis. It is said they are preparing for Lord Kyogre's arrival."
"Really? Does that mean Kyogre will actually appear?"
"That's not true. People said the same thing last year, but all we got was nonstop rain. Kyogre never showed up."
Hearing that, the crew member scratched his head awkwardly.
"I'm not lying. The heavy rain is a sign that Lord Kyogre is about to appear. Five years ago, it really did show itself. Who knows, maybe this year it will be in a good mood and show up again."
The surrounding passengers began chattering excitedly, their eyes filled with anticipation. Many took out their phones to record the rare sight unfolding before them.
Theo watched quietly, deep in thought.
These Pokémon were clearly being drawn by some invisible force, instinctively gathering toward Sootopolis. In a way, it also confirmed the sacred nature of the Water Festival.
The passenger ship moved slowly through this sea of Pokémon, taking nearly an hour to pass through the area completely.
The rest of the journey was relatively calm. Most of Theo's time was spent in the cabin training with his Pokémon. Occasionally, he would go up on deck to feel the sea breeze and watch distant seabirds chasing the ship's wake.
On the morning of the third day, when the first rays of sunlight touched the ocean, a wave of astonished cries suddenly erupted from the deck.
Theo looked up and saw, on the distant horizon, a massive stone wall rising straight out of the sea like a barrier descending from the heavens, dividing the ocean into two.
The wall towered into the clouds, its surface covered in the marks of time. Under the glow of the rising sun, it exuded an ancient and imposing aura.
"So this is Sootopolis City? I heard it is built inside an underwater volcano. This is my first time visiting. I hope we are not trapped inside forever."
"Ah, there is a submarine volcano down there? Will it erupt? Aren't the residents scared living here?"
The passengers discussed animatedly, while Theo felt his heart surge with excitement. No photograph online could truly capture the magnificence of what he was witnessing in person.
The ship slowly turned, sailing along the edge of the stone wall. About half an hour later, a massive opening appeared in the wall, like a fissure cleaved open by a giant axe, wide enough for three ships to pass side by side.
"This is… a water tunnel?" Theo murmured. He had seen mountain tunnels on land before, but never imagined such a structure could exist at sea.
As the ship entered the passage, the light dimmed instantly. However, before long, countless faint glimmers lit up beneath the water.
Looking closely, they were actually countless Staryu and Starmie, emitting soft bioluminescent light beneath the surface, illuminating the ship's path forward.
The dreamlike tunnel left the passengers utterly mesmerized.
After passing through, the view suddenly opened up.
Ahead, the surrounding cliffs had been transformed into layered terraces, with white houses arranged neatly along them. Blue rooftops complemented the lush greenery, creating a harmonious and picturesque scene.
At the center lay a vast, mirror-like lake, its crystal-clear waters reflecting the blue sky and drifting clouds.
There were no noisy car horns here, only the gentle tinkling of wind chimes and the cries of Pokémon. The air carried the scent of seawater mixed with blooming flowers, refreshing and serene.
The entire city felt peaceful and secluded, like a hidden paradise untouched by the outside world.
"So this is Sootopolis City…" Theo stood on the deck, gazing at the scenery, unable to hold back a sigh. "It is even more beautiful than I imagined."
The ship slowly docked at the harbor. Theo held the two little Vulpix and got ready to disembark.
As soon as he stepped onto the land of Sootopolis, Fire Vulpix and Ice Vulpix in his arms curiously looked around, their little noses twitching as they sniffed the unfamiliar surroundings.
At that moment, one of the Poké Balls at Theo's waist trembled slightly. It was the one containing Larvesta.
Theo did not pay much attention, assuming Larvesta had simply woken up and wanted to come out and play. He gently reassured it, telling it to wait until they reached the Pokémon Center, where they could reunite with Tyrantrum before letting everyone out together.
What Theo did not know was that Larvesta was still fast asleep inside the Poké Ball.
The trembling was caused by the "Ω" symbol imprinted on its forehead, which had suddenly reacted.
The mark flickered with a brief red glow before quickly fading back into its smooth white forehead, as if nothing had happened at all.
Meanwhile, deep beneath the central lake of Sootopolis, extending ten thousand meters down to the ocean floor, lay the base of an underwater volcano.
Within a region of water faintly tinged red from the surrounding heat, a colossal blue creature slumbered.
Its body was as vast as an island, resembling an enormous whale, with massive wing-like fins extending from both sides. A faint mist of water surrounded its form.
It was none other than one of Hoenn's three legendary titans, the sovereign of the seas: Kyogre.
At this moment, Kyogre slept soundly, letting out deep, rhythmic breaths. The warm seawater, heated by the magma beneath it, made its rest especially comfortable.
Suddenly—
Its closed eyelid twitched slightly, as if it had sensed something unsettling.
Somewhere, faint and elusive, a presence had entered its domain. The aura carried a trace of heat, something that instinctively irritated it.
Kyogre frowned in annoyance, slowly forcing one eye open. Its immense body shifted slightly, and the surrounding waters instantly stirred with powerful undercurrents.
"Mmm… mmm…"
A low, resonant hum rumbled from its throat.
It focused its senses for a moment, but found nothing. That unpleasant aura vanished as quickly as it had appeared, like a fleeting illusion.
"Was it just a bad dream?"
Kyogre tilted its massive head slightly, confusion flickering in its ancient gaze.
(End of Chapter)