Mossdeep City was now shrouded in torrential rain.
Kyogre's awakening had caused sea levels in the surrounding areas of Hoenn to rise rapidly, flooding many low-lying parts of the city.
Thankfully, the Mossdeep Space Center's construction had accounted for potential disasters, so the facility remained secure for now.
Amidst this chaotic weather, a helicopter descended onto the rooftop helipad of the center's main building.
Thud.
Luo Yuan stepped out, gripping the door with one hand and planting a foot firmly on the ground.
It was a surreal experience.
He had "visited" Mossdeep Space Center countless times before, but never in this capacity.
Just a year ago, he had been Hoenn's most wanted "Tech Hunter." Now, he had returned as part of a rescue team to save the region from disaster.
In front of Luo Yuan, Giovanni stepped forward to greet Steven Stone, Hoenn's Champion, who stood proudly in his signature cape.
"Thank you for coming," Steven said solemnly.
Although he had requested aid from Kanto and Johto, he hadn't held high expectations. Rumors of Team Rocket's recent resurgence had reached his ears, including their brazen raid on the Orange Archipelago.
Given the situation, he had assumed Kanto and Johto's resources would be tied up defending against Team Rocket. Yet here they were, sending two Elite Four members to assist Hoenn.
Little did Steven know, the supposed reinforcements were none other than the heads of Team Rocket themselves.
"Hoenn's situation is far more urgent than anything happening in Kanto," Giovanni replied calmly.
As the leader of Team Rocket, Giovanni controlled Kanto's criminal underworld with a single word. Whether the region's trainers worked overtime or took the day off was entirely up to him.
Steven, unaware of this truth, was moved by their display of international solidarity.
At that moment, Luo Yuan turned to Steven.
"Can you brief us on the current situation?" Luo Yuan gestured toward the crashing waves visible in the distance. "I saw the conditions on our way here. It doesn't look good."
Steven's expression darkened at the mention of it.
"Follow me. There's a strategy meeting happening shortly where everything will be explained."
With a polite gesture, Steven led the way inside.
Behind him, Luo Yuan and Giovanni exchanged a subtle glance before following.
"According to our tracking, Groudon's position has been confirmed. It is currently inside the volcano at Mt. Chimney."
"Due to Groudon's presence, the volcano has become active. Residents in the surrounding area, including Fallarbor Town, have been evacuated."
"Kyogre's exact location remains unknown. It is somewhere in the depths of the ocean, but we haven't pinpointed it yet."
"Meanwhile, Slateport City and Lilycove City have been hit by tsunamis. Over half the docked ships have been destroyed, and coastal infrastructure has suffered extensive damage. Several temporary shelters have also been affected, resulting in injuries. We urgently need additional support."
"Finally, based on the latest report from Norman, we've confirmed that Rayquaza has been captured by an unknown group. Their identity and motives remain unclear."
One grim update followed another, with no good news to be found.
The only slightly positive development was Groudon's confirmed location—though that was mostly because the Pokémon made no effort to hide its movements.
Steven exhaled deeply, turning to Luo Yuan and Giovanni.
"As you can see, this is the situation we're dealing with."
Luo Yuan and Giovanni frowned in apparent concern.
Of course, they had already known all of this. Hunter J's reports had provided them with even more detailed information, including the current whereabouts of both Team Magma and Team Aqua.
Luo Yuan was mildly surprised, however, at how quickly the Hoenn League had dispatched Norman to investigate Rayquaza. Fortunately, he had left the Sky Pillar before Norman arrived, saving him the trouble of dealing with the Gym Leader directly.
"What can we do to help?" Luo Yuan asked.
As reinforcements, they naturally had to make themselves useful.
Steven didn't hesitate. Retrieving a map, he laid it on the table.
"We anticipated some of these developments and prepared accordingly, but Slateport City and Lilycove City were hit harder than expected. Wallace and I will head to Mt. Chimney to confront Groudon, while Sidney and Phoebe are already en route to assist Lilycove. Glacia remains in Sootopolis, and Winona is stationed here in Mossdeep. That leaves Slateport…"
"Leave Slateport to us," Luo Yuan offered immediately.
This arrangement suited him perfectly.
If he were to act alongside the Hoenn League trainers, it would inevitably restrict his actions. He had prepared several contingency plans to deceive the League, but it seemed they wouldn't be necessary.
Working with Giovanni would allow him to act freely, without needing to maintain pretenses.
Moreover, Slateport's proximity to Sootopolis—where Groudon and Kyogre's final confrontation would occur—was an added bonus.
Giovanni nodded in agreement.
As one of the architects of their plan, he understood the strategic advantage of this arrangement.
"Excellent. Then let's waste no time." Steven stood, his expression resolute. "Move out!"
---
Slateport City, situated on Hoenn's northeastern coast, was a popular tourist destination.
Its pristine beaches and status as a host for Pokémon Contests attracted visitors from around the world.
But now, the city was unrecognizable.
"What terrifying power," Luo Yuan muttered as he gazed down from atop Dragonite, surveying the flood-stricken city below.
Raging waves surged over the beaches, slamming into the shoreline buildings. Each crash caused the structures to tremble, threatening to collapse at any moment.
Nearby, Giovanni hovered in the air, held aloft by Crobat gripping his shoulders.
"Using nature's forces, legendary Pokémon can indeed unleash unimaginable power," Giovanni remarked.
His experience with creating Mewtwo gave him a deeper understanding of this reality.
To control Mewtwo, he had resorted to every trick in the book: psychological manipulation, power-restricting armor, and even a battle against Luo Yuan's Deoxys.
And yet, Maxie and Archie believed they could control Groudon and Kyogre with just two orbs.
Giovanni couldn't decide whether to call them confident or foolish.
But this wasn't the time for such musings.
"Contact Matori and have her meet us here. Then, let's get down there and start the rescue."