After leaving the Swampert tribe, Chen Shi sat atop Metagross as it flew toward a new direction.
During all that "borrowing," he hadn't just been collecting resources—
He had also gathered quite a bit of information.
According to the Pokémon in the forest—
This land was roughly divided into four regions.
Two sides were volcanic zones.
One side was a vast desert.
And the last was the forest.
Beyond that—
An endless ocean.
The Swampert leader had mentioned that there were islands scattered across the sea—
But with very few berries, which was why they had moved to the forest.
…
Chen Shi hadn't forgotten his main objective.
He came here to stop Maxie and Archie from awakening the two ancient titans.
But so far—
There was no trace of Team Magma or Team Aqua.
So for now—
He could only wander aimlessly.
And hope to run into Phoebe or the others along the way.
…
Soon—
Metagross carried him out of the forest.
What came into view—
Was a barren mountain range.
Not a single trace of greenery.
The temperature rose sharply.
Occasionally—
A few weaker Pokémon could be seen below.
He knew—
He was approaching the volcanic region.
But strangely—
Even now—
He hadn't encountered a single human.
Just how big was this secret realm?
…
"Chen Shi, where are we going next?" Jirachi asked curiously, blinking its big eyes.
"Are we going to 'borrow' more things?"
After yesterday—
Jirachi was completely hooked.
Because not only did they collect resources—
They also got plenty of delicious food.
Most of which…
Ended up in Jirachi's and Victini's stomachs.
Chen Shi shook his head.
"I don't know either. We'll just take it one step at a time."
Then he glanced at Mew.
"Do you know where Groudon and Kyogre are?"
Mew looked at him with pure disdain.
It said nothing—
Yet somehow said everything.
Chen Shi's face darkened.
He stopped asking.
…
To be honest—
He didn't have high hopes of stopping Maxie and Archie.
He was alone.
They were two.
Even if he stopped one—
The other would still awaken their titan.
And once one awakened—
The other would inevitably follow.
That was why—
He had been so obsessed with finding Rayquaza before.
…
"But if Groudon and Kyogre wake up here and fight…"
"That wouldn't be so bad."
"At least it won't affect the outside world."
Chen Shi suddenly smiled.
Mew scoffed.
[If you were sealed for a thousand years… would fighting matter more—or escaping?]
Chen Shi: "…"
That made too much sense.
If it were him—
After being sealed for a thousand years—
And given the choice between fighting an enemy or escaping—
He would choose to leave first.
You could fight anywhere.
But freedom?
That came first.
…
Meanwhile—
On the other side—
Steven stood atop his Metagross, face dark.
Looking at the endless ocean—
He couldn't help but complain.
"Why am I this unlucky…"
"Of all places, I had to be dropped in the sea."
"How am I even supposed to find direction here?"
"Meta…"
Even Metagross looked tired.
It had been flying for an entire day—
With no sign of land.
A small island would've been enough.
But there was nothing.
Just ocean.
Even for a Pokémon that lived in the sky—
This endless monotony was exhausting.
…
Suddenly—
Metagross spotted something.
A hint of green.
It froze—
Then confirmed it.
"Meta!! Meta!!"
It pointed excitedly.
Steven followed its gaze—
And saw it.
An island.
Covered in vegetation.
"Quick! Let's go!"
"Meta!"
Metagross surged forward at full speed.
…
At the same time—
Steven noticed another figure approaching the island from a different direction.
At first, he thought it was a Pokémon.
But as they got closer—
He realized—
It was Hawlucha.
And riding on it—
Was Diantha.
Steven waved excitedly.
"Miss Diantha! You're here too!"
Diantha smiled, her beautiful face lighting up.
Honestly—
Her situation wasn't much better.
She had also been dropped into the ocean.
Flying for an entire day and night—
Before finally finding this island.
And now—
Running into someone familiar—
Felt like a blessing.
The two quickly began sharing their misery.
"Wonder how Chen Shi and the others are doing…"
"They can't be more unlucky than us, right?" Steven sighed.
Diantha shook her head.
"I doubt anyone could be more unlucky than us."
…
What they didn't know—
Was that no one else had it easy either.
Chen Shi?
Spawned directly in front of an Elite Four-level Breloom tribe.
If not for Jirachi—
He'd be in serious trouble.
…
Cynthia?
Dropped straight into a desert.
Endless sandstorms.
Visibility near zero.
But her mindset was solid.
She simply treated it as training—
Battling Pokémon along the way.
Until—
She fought a Cacturne.
Who then…
Called its entire tribe.
Now—
Cynthia was still being chased by a whole Cacturne swarm.
…
And Phoebe?
She had it the worst.
At first—
Her luck wasn't bad.
No immediate danger.
But once she entered a forest—
Everything changed.
For some reason—
The Pokémon there were extremely hostile toward humans.
And seeing her relatively weaker strength—
They attacked immediately.
And they were strong.
Way too strong.
She stood no chance.
She got completely beaten up.
And worst of all—
They didn't kill her.
Instead—
They robbed her.
Took almost everything she had.
Even tried to take her Poké Balls.
In desperation—
Phoebe smashed them herself—
Letting her Pokémon hide in her shadow.
Only then did the attackers stop.
After that—
She didn't dare stay another second.
She had Gengar carry her out of the forest.
…
Sitting outside—
Phoebe finally broke down.
"Waaahh—Chen Shi…"
"Where are you…"
"I'm getting bullied… by Pokémon!"
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