Slowly returning from the ozone layer into the atmosphere of the Pokémon Realm.
That was not a place where humans and ordinary Pokémon should be, and the drain on Natsuhiko's psychic abilities was somewhat terrifying.
"Where's Rayquaza?"
Natsuhiko looked around.
They had returned, but did not see Rayquaza's figure.
If Rayquaza isn't around, stopping the fierce battle between the two below, which Yuanzhi and others were struggling to intervene in, might be challenging.
With the destructive power of Groudon and Kyogre, even the aftermath of their battle could turn the Hoenn Region and the surrounding sea into chaos.
"I don't know."
Darkrai was also uncertain about Rayquaza's whereabouts, just frowning at the scene below.
If those two creatures continued to rampage, then its warnings to Natsuhiko would have been in vain.
Although Darkrai sometimes causes entire regions' humans and Pokémon to fall into a nightmare, it is more of a defensive action than a malicious one.
Dense darkness spread around it; it was already prepared for battle.
"Are you going down?"
Natsuhiko asked with a frown.
Darkrai did not answer, but its continuously accumulating energy and its blue eyes were fixed on Groudon and Kyogre.
As they descended, the energy fluctuations stirred by Darkrai caught Yuanzhi's attention below.
Instinctively looking up at the sky.
He frowned.
Because the distance was too far, he couldn't clearly see what was in the sky.
But he recognized Darkrai and Latios.
The silhouette of Natsuhiko on Latios's back was vague and indistinct.
But for someone who knew Natsuhiko had Latios, recognizing Latios was enough.
"Natsuhiko? He's back?!"
A hint of joy rose in Yuanzhi's heart.
If Natsuhiko couldn't return from Rayquaza's Alternate Space, he'd feel guilty for a lifetime.
After all, to some extent, Natsuhiko touching the Grass Green Treasure Pearl was partly his doing.
Now that Natsuhiko was back, that guilty feeling eased considerably.
But soon, his heart sank again.
Natsuhiko was here, but Rayquaza wasn't.
Can they only rely on themselves?
The future of the Hoenn Region and this sea was uncertain, and the outcome was unpredictable.
Even other regions would inevitably be affected to some extent.
As Yuanzhi noticed Natsuhiko, Natsuhiko was already watching the battle below.
His lips twitched.
If he remained hidden, without Darkrai's actions, Yuanzhi might not have noticed.
But since Yuanzhi saw him, it seemed wrong not to greet him and explain Rayquaza's situation.
With so many journalists risking their lives to film, revealing Latios would make headlines worldwide tomorrow.
Given Natsuhiko's current strength, not hiding Latios shouldn't be a problem.
But unfortunately, Hoshino Ryuzi had targeted him.
The existence of Latios could prompt hesitant Elite Trainers, intimidated by Agatha's pressure, to take risks.
After pondering slightly, Natsuhiko said to Darkrai, "Do me a favor."
Soon.
Under the many cameras that had moved back to ensure their safety.
Yuanzhi, commanding Salamence, Altaria, and Flygon against Groudon, was only able to defend, with no chance to counterattack.
As Groudon's revival progressed, even defending became difficult for Yuanzhi.
After all, it was Groudon. Even without fully restored strength, an Elite Four alone would struggle to hold it back.
The tactic centered around Altaria was relatively effective; otherwise, they might not have been able to stop it at all.
"Roar!!"
With Groudon's roar, jagged magma pillars shot up from the ocean floor, forcing Yuanzhi to evade.
Then suddenly.
Under the intense sunlight, energy gathered above Groudon's head, and it shot a dazzling white beam from its mouth.
If this Sunlight Beam hit Flygon, the fragile equilibrium between Yuanzhi and Groudon would likely be shattered instantly.
Buzz!!
Suddenly.
A black ripple appeared in the path of the Sunlight Beam.
Like a Black Hole leading to somewhere unknown, the radiant beam was absorbed completely.
Dark Cave!
Darkrai had intervened!
At the same time.
Natsuhiko and Ono, riding Latios, arrived at Yuanzhi's side.
Surrounded by black mist like flames, his appearance and features were completely obscured, except for the hand on his hat indicating he was human.
For those unaware, he might appear to be another hat-wearing Darkrai.
"Elite Trainer Yuanzhi." Natsuhiko's voice came from within the black mist.
"Natsuhiko?!"
Yuanzhi was a bit surprised.
But with his vast experience, a quick thought allowed him to understand the purpose behind Natsuhiko's hidden identity.
He didn't dwell too much on this matter.
"Is this Darkrai the one you warned me about last time? It and you..." Genji looked at the Darkrai battling against Groudon.
Due to Groudon's revival extent, Darkrai could even manage to exert some suppression.
"Uh... it's kind of a friend," Natsuhiko hesitated and said.
He didn't know how to explain the relationship between him and Darkrai.
But for now, they could be considered friends on the same front.
"Friends, huh..." Genji nodded.
The appearance of Darkrai eased his pressure.
"By the way, have you seen Rayquaza?" Genji hurriedly asked.
According to the preserved Alliance documents, Groudon and Kyogre have revived before, but each time they appeared, it was Rayquaza that calmed their rage.
"I saw it, it..."
Before Natsuhiko could finish his sentence, he saw a high-tech jet flying towards them at an astonishing speed.
And on this jet, the insignia of the Magma Team was printed.
Genji's face darkened.
Didn't Iron Spin successfully stop the Magma Team members?
They watched as the jet docked in front of Groudon, and the hatch swiftly opened.
Standing at the doorway was Flarepine, with a fervent look.
And in his hand, he held something crimson red, emitting an orange glow and a faint humming sound.
"That is..."
Upon seeing this object, Natsuhiko's pupils contracted.
"Do you recognize it?" Genji asked, keeping his composure but unable to hold back the question.
Natsuhiko's thoughts whirled wildly.
What Flarepine held was far beyond his expectations.
He wouldn't have been as shocked if Flarepine appeared with a vermillion Treasure Pearl.
Only what he now held...
Natsuhiko said word by word: "Lava... Amplifier!"
Moreover, it seemed to be improved, perhaps incorporating some Original Groudon Shell Fragments, the "Lava Amplifier!"
The item that originally could evolve Magmar into Magmortar.
The one he and Lance were seeking inside Severe Mountain, involving the researcher who blew up the Alliance Gene Library and escaped. His Magmar evolved into Magmortar through the "Lava Amplifier."
Natsuhiko initially thought that person was only connected to Tom Rokicki and the Rocket Team.
He never imagined there would also be ties with the Magma Team.
Just how many people, organizations, and forces were involved in that incident?
Natsuhiko felt as if an invisible net was swiftly weaving, attempting to envelop the entire Pokemon Realm.
And within this net, it wasn't just him; even Tom Rokicki might only be a relatively important node, not the most crucial one.
The guesses in his heart increased.
But the more he guessed, the more he couldn't determine which one was key.
"Lava Amplifier?" Genji furrowed his brow.
He wasn't sure of its origin or function.
But hearing the word "Lava" and considering Flarepine's actions despite the enormous risks to appear here.
It indicated that this item might bring extremely bad consequences!
"Darkrai!" Natsuhiko gathered his thoughts and quickly called out, pointing at the "Lava Amplifier" in Flarepine's hand, "Destroy it!"
Hearing this, Darkrai hesitated slightly before immediately following the order.
But.
At this moment, Flarepine's eyes were filled with madness.
He handed the "Lava Amplifier" to a Houndoom beside him and then had three Camerupts block Darkrai's approach.
Houndoom directly leaped into the fire, heading towards Groudon.
And the flames from the three Elite Trainer Level Camerupts hindered Darkrai's actions.
Using even an Elite Trainer Level Houndoom as a sacrifice to ensure Groudon could obtain this item without fail!
As the special "Lava Amplifier" in the mouth of Houndoom made contact with the somewhat drowsy Groudon.
Bzzzz—
The entire sea surface trembled violently with Groudon as the center.
In the next second.
Terror filled magma spouted with even more craziness than before.
A large amount of energy flowed through the special "Lava Amplifier" into Groudon's body.
The black lines on its body.
With the special "Lava Amplifier" as the starting point, they gradually turned golden.
"We're in trouble!"
Both Natsuhiko and Genji felt a sinking feeling in their hearts.
Even if Groudon couldn't completely revert to its original form, its abilities were terrifyingly enhanced.
What remained.
Were only the continuously surging magma and the normally gentle-looking, now maniacally laughing Flarepine.
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PS: 13,000 words, asking for monthly votes~~