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After learning where Archie and Iga had gone, Liam began to consider whether he should head to Mt. Chimney.
After all, Team Magma and Team Aqua were very likely to clash there. Should he step in…?
Liam thought it over carefully for a long time. In the end, he decided—he would go to Mt. Chimney and see for himself!
One of his original goals in coming to Hoenn was to search for meteorites at Mt. Chimney anyway. This was the perfect chance to handle everything at once.
After making up his mind, Liam used Team Aqua's communication device to contact Gyokuryu Shigen of Johto.
"Ahem, I saw the Team Aqua signal on the communicator, so I knew it had to be you, Liam. How is it? Is the situation resolved?"
When Gyokuryu Shigen appeared on the screen, he smiled slightly before asking.
"Ugh, what a hassle. I'd say it's half resolved. A friend and I just swept through Team Aqua's base, captured a number of their members along with Janine. But the other Iga and their leader Archie weren't there.
We got intel that they've gone to Mt. Chimney—apparently to stop Team Magma from triggering a volcanic eruption. That's the situation.
Anyway, old man, I'm planning to head to Mt. Chimney. This one's a bit tricky—where's that support you promised me?"
Liam briefly explained everything, then got straight to asking for reinforcements.
"I didn't expect things to escalate like this. Liam, although Hoenn isn't under my jurisdiction, I recall there are many towns near Mt. Chimney. The residents there are innocent.
I'll notify the Hoenn League immediately so they can prepare. And I support your decision to go—if you're there, you'll definitely be able to stop them. I trust you.
As for support… hmm… I'll send Harribel over right away. That should be sufficient, right? What do you think?"
Gyokuryu Shigen rested his chin on his hand, his expression serious. After a moment of thought, he decided to dispatch Harribel.
The moment Liam heard that, his face darkened.
"Ahem! Hahaha—just kidding! It's just a few small fries, I can handle it alone. No need to trouble Harribel. Don't worry, old man—I'll handle this cleanly."
What a joke. Dealing with Lorelei alone was already giving him a headache. If Harribel showed up too…
"Hmm? Confidence is good, but be careful. In that case, I'll notify the Hoenn League to send assistance."
Gyokuryu Shigen gave Liam a long look before speaking. After that, he ended the call and began contacting Hoenn's League officials.
Not long after, as Liam and Lorelei finished tying up the captured Team Aqua members and dragged them toward the underwater exit—
"Crack! Crack!"
The sound of ice breaking suddenly came from below the water.
Liam and Lorelei instantly turned to look. Through the ice, they could vaguely see several dark figures crashing against it from beneath!
The sudden change put both of them on high alert. Two flashes of white light appeared—Prinplup and Alolan Vulpix quickly emerged in front of them!
"Boom!!"
With a loud explosion, the ice covering the underwater exit shattered violently!
A massive dark figure burst out—
A powerful Swampert leapt from the water and landed heavily on the ice!
"Please stay calm! We're police!"
Immediately after, several people in black diving suits surfaced. Each had a large "P" emblem on their chest. The first man who emerged quickly raised his voice upon seeing Liam and Lorelei's wary expressions.
After confirming, these "P"-marked individuals were indeed police sent by the Hoenn League as reinforcements.
This time, the authorities had actually acted fast.
After Gyokuryu Shigen contacted the Hoenn League chairman, the police from Slateport City mobilized immediately. In less than half an hour, they had already arrived—an impressively swift response.
Liam handed over all the captured Team Aqua members to them. The police quickly rescued both the frozen people and their Pokémon from the ice.
Looking at the thoroughly frozen Team Aqua members and their Pokémon, everyone couldn't help but think—Liam had been pretty ruthless…
Meanwhile, completely unaware that he had just taken the blame, Liam had already left Team Aqua's underwater base with Lorelei.
As for Janine, Liam also handed her over to the Hoenn police. They assured him she would be securely transported back to Johto, so Liam no longer needed to worry about it.
Returning to the Pokémon Center, Lorelei registered a room, and the two went their separate ways.
Back in his room, Liam quickly changed out of his diving suit, took a refreshing shower, and put on clean clothes.
Afterward, he stepped onto the balcony, gazing out at the distant sea. Far away, faint lights from Team Aqua's base flickered on the horizon.
He sighed inwardly. There was still so much to deal with… who knew when everything would finally be resolved?
Just then—
Knock knock knock~
A crisp knocking sound came from the door.
Liam: "…"
He already knew who it was.
He hesitated. The soft knocking echoed in his ears like the tolling of a bell.
"Creak—"
In the end, he opened the door.
Standing outside, just as he expected, was Lorelei—already changed into fresh clothes.
She had returned to her familiar outfit: a cool, revealing ensemble. Her wine-red hair was tied into a ponytail, and she wore her signature red-framed glasses.
Everything looked just as he remembered…
No—something felt slightly different.
For some reason, Liam felt like her outfit looked… smaller than before.
…Must be his imagination.
"What's wrong? Took you long enough to open the door. Didn't want to see me?"
Lorelei smiled faintly, her eyes carrying a teasing glint.
Liam stiffened for a moment, then smiled and shook his head. He stepped aside to let her in and closed the door.
"I didn't come here for anything else. I just wanted to ask—what's our next move? Are we heading to Mt. Chimney?"
After entering, Lorelei glanced around the room before walking to the balcony. Just like Liam earlier, she gazed out at the sea, bathed in pale moonlight.
After a moment, she turned slightly and asked.
"Our?"
Liam stepped onto the balcony, frowning slightly.
"You're joining me for what comes next?"
"Of course! My mission is to bring that Iga back. I haven't completed it yet—how can I just leave? Do you want Lance and Bruno to laugh at me?"
Lorelei rolled her eyes, puffing her cheeks slightly in annoyance.
Liam: "…"
"Alright then. I'll be counting on you this time. Once this is over, I'll make sure to give you a proper reward."
Liam thought for a moment, then spoke.
But the instant he finished—
Lorelei suddenly stepped forward!
She pushed Liam back against the wall, pressing close to him. Looking up at his face with a faint smile, she said softly—
"I didn't come to help you for some reward, you know~"
Liam: "…"