Legendaries were not only powerful due to their raw strength but also their exceptional control over energy. To stand a chance against them, Lian needed to match their level of mastery.
Improving his Control Rating was more beneficial than increasing ability values. In fact, Lian's abilities were already quite sufficient; few Pokemon could achieve a Special Attack base stat above 150, whereas he currently had a remarkable 169.
This significantly outclassed most Pokemon. More importantly, the bond between Lian and Kalia continued to strengthen, nearing the coveted 100% bond value threshold. Once achieved, they might be able to attempt Mega Evolution.
Upon evolving, Lian's base stats would skyrocket, with his Special Attack base stat potentially reaching over 200 - a feat unmatched by any known Legendary Pokemon.
Of course, there might be exceptions that Lian was unaware of, but at least he hadn't encountered such terrifying Legendaries before.
However, maintaining Mega Form for extended periods was impractical, as it involved tapping into latent potential and requires substantial energy consumption.
Lian checked his Flame Control progress: currently at 70%, requiring 160,000 Combat Points to advance further, which was indeed a massive expenditure.
To reach 80%, he would need a staggering 320,000 Combat Points, making this the most resource-intensive system feature thus far.
Next, Lian decided to enhance his Fire Type Mastery.
***
In the western sea, deep within its dark and mysterious depths, no human could survive. Even the most advanced submarines today would be unable to descend so far beneath the ocean floor.
The western sea lies between two regions, covering vast expanses with numerous marine Pokemon inhabiting it.
Unlike the North Sea, the western sea features several islands with diverse ecosystems, supporting sizable populations that have formed distinct communities.
On one side is Cyan Town belonging to the Ellie region, while on the other is Westsea Town of the Sebas region. Although not far apart geographically, these towns typically maintain limited interaction.
Due to the Sebas League receiving intelligence about Kyogre's imminent awakening, almost all residents of Westsea Town have evacuated, leaving behind only those unwilling to depart.
Simultaneously, trainers from Sebas have temporarily settled in Westsea Town, tasked with patrolling the West Sea and investigating any unusual occurrences.
While the inhabitants of Westsea Town have left, those in Cyan Town chose to remain despite witnessing the purple comet. As residents of the Ellie region, they were unaware of Kyogre's situation.
In reality, the Pokemon League hadn't extensively publicized details about Kyogre; they merely announced that potential tsunamis might occur in the West Sea, prompting residents to temporarily evacuate.
The people of Cyan Town naturally didn't believe this warning. Despite Westsea Town's residents urging them to leave before departing themselves, no one heeded their advice.
Even now, mid-level Trainers from Sebas frequently tried to persuade them to evacuate, but it remained futile as they continued to ignore the warnings.
Truthfully, even these resident mid-level trainers doubted the likelihood of a tsunami. After three months with no incidents, life carried on as usual, including regular fishing trips without any disturbances.
"It's been three months stuck here, so incredibly boring," complained one mid-level Trainer. Honestly, none of them were accustomed to island life, but due to their assigned duty, they couldn't simply leave and had to endure it.
"Exactly! There hasn't been any sign of trouble. I think we can leave already; nothing seems to be happening."
"All right, time's up. Let's continue patrolling the sea," said a more composed-looking Trainer, who was the patrol team captain responsible for overseeing these mid-level trainers and ensuring timely completion of patrol duties.
After departing, they passed Cyan Town again, but this time, they didn't attempt further persuasion; it wouldn't have swayed anyone. Leaving would mean losing their fishing income.
Moreover, they genuinely believed that nothing significant was likely to occur. With three months of peace, if there were any real danger, it should have manifested by now.
The group of four to five mid-level trainers mounted their Flying-type Pokémon and headed deeper into the West Sea. However, they didn't venture too far, focusing mainly on detecting any unusual signs or anomalies.
Such indicators included persistent storms or unusually large waves—phenomena rumored to occur after Kyogre's awakening. Of course, these trainers were simply carrying out their duties, unaware of such specifics.
Today, the sun shone brightly with only scattered clouds in the sky, and the sea surface remained calm and tranquil—a perfect day for fishing expeditions.
On ordinary days, residents of Westsea Town would already be setting sail in boats, casting their nets, and returning with bountiful catches.
"What beautiful weather! I wish we could find a beach, lie down, and soak up some sun," murmured a Trainer dressed in blue, gazing at the azure sky.
Time passed quietly.
Suddenly, without any noticeable wind, the calm sea surface began to stir with waves.
At the same time, numerous Water-type Pokémon emerged and gathered together, swiftly swimming towards a specific direction—an unusual sight indeed.
"Something's happening!"
The five Trainers couldn't miss such obvious changes and quickly took notice. The agitated sea and the behavior of these marine Pokémon indicated that an event was unfolding, though its nature remained unclear. They needed more information.
"Caden, notify all the senior Trainers immediately; tell them there's a situation," the team leader instructed firmly. Known for his cautious and steady demeanor, he naturally assumed the role of captain among the group.
Sensing something amiss, he chose not to take chances but promptly sent someone to alert the high-level trainers dispatched by the League. Even if it turned out to be a false alarm, it was better than being unprepared when disaster struck.
"I understand."
One of the Trainers swiftly departed, utilizing a Swellow—a Flying-type Pokémon known for its exceptional speed—to ensure maximum efficiency in delivering the message.
"The weather is changing!"
Just as the Trainer left, the sky abruptly changed. Within seconds, clear blue skies were replaced by dense clouds.
The vast expanse of clouds gathered like schools of fish, forming ominous dark masses that instantly plunged the surroundings into gloom.
These storm clouds spanned nearly several kilometers wide, casting a somber shadow over the area.
Everyone sensed impending trouble; this was clearly no ordinary weather shift. Even the sea began to churn with gusts of wind, signaling the brewing of massive waves.
"We shouldn't stay here any longer. I feel a sense of danger; let's move away first."
Being too close to the shoreline risked getting overwhelmed by potential giant waves, and flying too high could expose them to lightning strikes during a thunderstorm.
For safety, they decided to distance themselves from the cloud-covered zone. Flying amidst potential thunderstorms is extremely hazardous.
"What exactly is happening?"
"I'm not sure, it just suddenly turned dark."
All the Trainers felt perplexed, but none knew the cause. Only when the League's high-level trainers arrived would they understand what was unfolding.