"Am I forgetting something?"
At the exit of Meteor Falls, Chen Shi scratched his head, feeling like something had slipped his mind.
But Dragapult and Jirachi were both here, and most importantly, they had successfully brought the Giant Energy Stone out.
It didn't seem like he'd forgotten anything.
"Xiaoshi, that was so exciting!"
Now that they had escaped, Jirachi patted its little chest, looking positively thrilled.
There wasn't the slightest trace of its earlier fear.
In all the years Jirachi had lived, this was the first time it had ever done something so exciting.
They had actually snatched the Giant Energy Stone right out from under the noses of all those Pokémon fighting over it.
So much fun!
Chen Shi's attention was immediately diverted, and he stopped thinking about whatever he might have forgotten.
"Jirachi, we're still not safe here. We need to take this stone out to sea."
"The sea? Where's the sea?" Jirachi asked in confusion.
"Over there."
Chen Shi pointed in a direction.
"Could you teleport us that way?"
The coastline wasn't too far from here.
As long as they moved the Giant Energy Stone out over the ocean, his job would basically be done.
Jirachi clenched its tiny fist.
"Okay!"
With that, Jirachi teleported Chen Shi, Dragapult, and the Giant Energy Stone away.
In a single flicker—
They appeared above a vast stretch of ocean.
Chen Shi still didn't feel safe enough, so he had Jirachi teleport them several more times before finally relaxing.
They were now so far from land that he had no idea how many miles separated them from the coast.
Even if Hoenn's three Legendary Pokémon started fighting here, the battle probably wouldn't threaten the mainland.
Looking at the Giant Energy Stone floating before him, Chen Shi broke into a satisfied grin.
"I really am a little genius!"
"..."
High above the Hoenn region, within the ozone layer, Rayquaza was quietly recovering from the injuries it had suffered in its previous battle, preparing itself for the possibility of dealing with Groudon and Kyogre.
Suddenly—
Rayquaza sensed something.
Its eyes snapped open, and it looked down toward the world below.
Then it saw Chen Shi and Jirachi taking the Giant Energy Stone out of Meteor Falls.
Rayquaza went completely blank.
Wait.
Bro.
What the hell are you doing?!
Was that thing something you could just casually carry around?!
At this rate, you were going to be the death of it!
And while Rayquaza was still dumbfounded, it watched Chen Shi and Jirachi carry the Giant Energy Stone farther and farther out over the ocean.
Before long, they had traveled an enormous distance.
But the most important thing—the absolute, most ridiculous thing—was...
Of all the directions you could've gone—
Why the hell are you heading toward the place where Kyogre is sleeping?!
Were you trying to deliver the thing straight to its doorstep?!
Rayquaza was utterly stupefied.
At this moment, it desperately wanted to tell Chen Shi:
Brother, aren't you basically forcing Kyogre and Groudon to wake up?!
You're practically shoving a piece of meat right into Kyogre's mouth!
How could it possibly refuse?!
And Rayquaza wasn't the only one watching.
The moment the Giant Energy Stone left Meteor Falls, countless gazes from across the world had already turned toward it.
"..."
In the Hisui region, within a tranquil courtyard—
A woman in her twenties lounged lazily on a reclining chair.
She wore an exquisite platinum-white dress and a round hat, while casually fiddling with a red device in her hands.
Every now and then, she even took a selfie, clearly having the time of her life.
If Chen Shi were here, he would instantly recognize the device.
It was the first-generation Pokédex—or rather, smartphone—created by Professor Oak.
"This thing really is interesting. I wonder how that brat ever came up with it."
A faint smile tugged at Volo's lips, breathtakingly beautiful.
Just then, the courtyard door opened.
A shiny Gardevoir slowly walked inside and stopped before her, respectfully speaking through telepathy.
[My Lady, Qiu has taken the Giant Energy Stone out from the depths of Meteor Falls.]
"I know."
Volo waved a hand dismissively.
Then, seemingly remembering something amusing, she couldn't hold back a laugh.
"Pfft! That brat actually thinks that as long as he takes the Giant Energy Stone out to sea, Groudon and Kyogre won't end up fighting near the mainland."
"What he doesn't realize is that the very act of taking the Giant Energy Stone out of Meteor Falls is what causes Groudon and Kyogre to awaken in the first place."
Volo paused, her smile widening.
"Look."
"Almost every Legendary Pokémon currently awake now knows that a human named Qiu exists."
"So... doesn't that mean he's already completed the task I gave him?"
"Should I give him his reward now?"
"Hahahahaha!"
After saying that, Volo finally lost it.
She clutched her stomach and burst into laughter.
Even Gardevoir looked like she was struggling not to laugh, though she didn't dare behave as freely as Volo.
Chen Shi's series of brilliant maneuvers had genuinely stunned everyone watching.
What was that saying again?
The ignorant are fearless?
No, no.
Perhaps it was better to say—
You couldn't blame someone for what they didn't know.
After laughing for quite a while, Volo finally calmed down.
"Start preparing. That brat will probably be coming here soon."
[Understood.]
Gardevoir nodded with a smile, then brought up another matter.
[My Lady, the Giant Energy Stone is extremely tempting. Is there any chance that other Legendary Pokémon might interfere?]
Volo lazily leaned back in her chair.
"It'll be fine."
"Rayquaza only made a move a few days ago. Everyone knows it hasn't gone back to sleep yet."
"Those who might covet the Giant Energy Stone wouldn't dare reach for it."
"And those strong enough to dare reach for it wouldn't care about the Giant Energy Stone in the first place."
"The only exceptions are those two idiots, Groudon and Kyogre. They'll charge straight in without caring about anything else."
Gardevoir was left speechless.
[My Lady, now that Qiu has taken the Giant Energy Stone out to sea, Kyogre will certainly sense it and awaken to seize it. Once Groudon senses Kyogre awakening, it will undoubtedly awaken as well.]
[Rayquaza will inevitably drive them back. Once that happens, everything in the Hoenn region will be settled.]
[Wouldn't that mean Qiu can come to the Hisui region immediately afterward?]
"That's right."
"I originally wanted that brat to stay there a little longer so he could improve his strength."
"I didn't expect him to be in such a hurry to come here."
"In that case, once things over there are finished, go bring him here," Volo replied.
Gardevoir nodded lightly.
[Understood, My Lady. But after I bring him over from Hoenn, where should I take him first?]
"Where should you take him...?"
Volo rubbed her chin thoughtfully.
"That brat finished his tasks in Hoenn way too quickly. It messed up my plans a little."
"Things here aren't urgent yet, so we might as well let him have some fun in Hisui first."
"When the time comes, just dump him somewhere random and—"
She abruptly stopped.
Volo reached up and lightly touched her delicate cheek, an odd expression appearing on her face.
"No."
"When you bring him over from Hoenn..."
"Bring him directly to me."
A mischievous smile slowly appeared on her lips.
"I have a feeling his expression when he sees me is going to be very interesting."
"..."
Can't Fly
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