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Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—
It was early morning in the Hoenn Region, yet the area surrounding Mt. Chimney was unusually bustling with activity.
A large group of local Hoenn Region Trainers had assembled at the mountain's base.
A black helicopter remained concealed in the darkness above.
From his vantage point, Steven immediately spotted Flannery and Wattson directing formations below.
"How did so many Trainers gather in such a short time?" Steven asked curiously, peering down from his seat in the helicopter.
"Some Trainers submit applications to the League to become members who help maintain regional order," Wallace explained.
Steven nodded in understanding.
So they're basically like Team Magma or Team Aqua grunts, but employed by the League instead.
"Wallace, how about we land first?" Steven suggested.
"Hmm?"
Wallace looked surprised.
"Why? Wouldn't we have a better view from the sky?"
Even at night, the moonlight provided excellent visibility for spotting Team Magma members in their conspicuous red uniforms.
This was because red wavelengths were much longer than those of other colors, making them easier to detect.
"Call it intuition, but I feel like this card might actually be useful." Steven retrieved the Team Magma card Wallace had given him and waved it before Wallace's eyes.
"I see..."
Wallace considered this for a moment. Steven's reasoning made sense.
"Alright, you scout ahead. Contact me immediately if anything happens."
Wallace produced an earpiece and handed it to Steven.
"Got it." Steven inserted the earpiece Wallace gave him and smiled.
"Be careful," Wallace said seriously.
Team Magma members typically carried Fire-type Pokémon, and if Steven were unfortunately surrounded, escaping would prove difficult.
"Don't worry, Wallace. Even if I can't win, I can definitely escape."
Steven smiled confidently, returned Piplup—who was still gazing around curiously—to its Poké Ball, opened the helicopter door, and called out Metagross.
"Metagross!"
Metagross descended and landed Steven on a relatively flat area along Mt. Chimney's mountainside.
Steven hopped off Metagross and began surveying his surroundings.
Mt. Chimney's internal structure was mostly solid rock, so if Team Magma was determined enough, establishing a base inside wasn't impossible.
In the games, Team Magma's base was located here, but Steven couldn't guarantee that would be the case now.
"Riolu, I need your help!"
Steven pressed Riolu's Poké Ball at his waist, releasing the Fighting-type Pokémon.
"Riolu?"
Steven crouched down and handed the card to Riolu.
"Riolu, use your Aura to help me detect if there's anyone inside the mountain. There should be some residual Aura on this card."
Riolu nodded, gripped the card firmly, and closed its eyes in concentration.
Buzz—
In Riolu's mind, the pitch-black darkness suddenly brightened, and layers of the surrounding environment's structure materialized clearly.
Sensing the peculiar Aura emanating from Steven again, Riolu's brow furrowed slightly.
Filtering past the Aura signatures from Steven and Metagross, it probed deeper into Mt. Chimney.
Hmm?
Below... there are many people moving around?
Riolu's eyes snapped open, and it pointed decisively in one direction!
"Riolu!"
Over there!
"You've been a tremendous help, Riolu." Steven gently patted Riolu's head before returning it to its Poké Ball.
Steven raised his hand, pressed the earpiece, and spoke in a low voice. "Wallace, I found it. Bring everyone over."
"Understood! Steven, wait for us to arrive first!"
Wallace's urgent voice crackled through the earpiece immediately.
Next, I just need to locate the entrance to Team Magma's base and try opening it with this card...
But that would take far too much time.
Steven briefly recalled the scene he'd observed from the helicopter earlier.
How about...
"Let's make a dramatic entrance, Metagross." Steven's lips curved into a slight smile.
He refused to waste time and risk allowing Maxie to successfully awaken the rampaging Groudon.
"Metagross!" Metagross instantly understood and stepped forward.
Ready!
Steven's right index finger came to rest on the Key Stone embedded on the back of his left hand!
Clang!
The Key Stone on Steven's hand and the Mega Stone attached to Metagross's body simultaneously erupted with brilliant light.
"Metagross, Mega Evolve!" Steven shouted.
"Metagross!"
Metagross roared powerfully!
Four spiraling light rays connected, and Metagross's entire body radiated dazzling white light!
An overwhelming Aura burst outward without restraint.
"Steven! Don't alert them!"
Wallace's anxious voice came through the earpiece.
Steven replied calmly, "Wallace, now is precisely the time to draw their attention, so they won't have time to awaken it!"
Wallace remained silent for a moment before speaking rapidly.
"I'll have Flannery and Wattson lead the teams over. I'm coming to help you now!"
Steven's lips twitched into a smile as he addressed Metagross. "Let's cause some chaos, Metagross!"
"Hammer Arm!"
"Metagross!"
Mega Metagross raised its massive arms and smashed them violently onto the spot Riolu had indicated moments earlier.
BANG—
The rock wall shattered instantly, leaving a massive crater from Metagross's devastating strike!
"AHHH!"
"Someone help!"
Chunks of rock tumbled down, and screams reached Steven's ears.
Oh, really?
An unexpected bonus?
Steven glanced at the edge of the enormous crater—the wall had been nearly two to three meters thick, completely pierced through by Metagross's attack.
Using Metagross's Psychic power, Steven descended smoothly onto the pile of rubble.
More screams echoed from beneath the rubble at his feet.
"Oh dear, my apologies."
Steven chuckled softly, offering a casual apology as he stepped down from the debris.
With every step Steven took, another scream rang out from beneath the rubble pile.
Each one distinctly different.
People in this world possessed remarkably strong constitutions, so Steven's actions wouldn't endanger the Team Magma members trapped under the rubble.
At worst, they'd be knocked unconscious from the pain.
Steven regarded the two remaining Team Magma grunts standing before him and flashed a friendly smile.
"Hello there~"
"Report to the boss—we have intruders!"
One Team Magma grunt immediately shouted to someone behind him, then swiftly grabbed Poké Balls from his belt.
In an instant, six Pokémon materialized before Steven, preparing to attack.
Steven calmly raised his hand and snapped his fingers.
A silvery-white figure flashed past Steven's side!
Bang, bang, bang—
Incredibly fast striking sounds rang out, and all six Pokémon were sent flying by single punches from Mega Metagross.
The fleeing Team Magma member didn't dare glance back at the carnage, wishing he could push his body to its absolute limit.
"Running that fast? Are you interested in competing in the Hoenn Region Trainer Physical Fitness Championship?"
Steven's voice echoed in the grunt's ear like a demon's whisper.
The grunt's trembling hands swept across his waist, and all his remaining Pokémon were released simultaneously.
Unfortunately, several more "bangs" followed.
The grunt realized all his Pokémon had been defeated.
Steven, standing atop Metagross's head, delivered a punch toward the sprinting grunt.
BANG—
The grunt instantly crashed into the wall, bounced back, and collapsed onto the ground, unconscious.
Steven examined his fist with mild curiosity.
"My punch has that much power?"
Thump-thump-thump—
Rapid footsteps echoed around the corner ahead.
Steven looked up to see a large group of Team Magma grunts blocking his path.
"Reinforcements arrived quite quickly, but they don't seem particularly useful."
"Who are you?! How dare you—"
Steven grinned.
Why does everyone always ask who I am?
Don't they get tired of it?
Steven immediately called out:
"Psychic!"