After handing things over to Lucian, the Sinnoh Elite Four's strongest member wasted no time leaving Lake Verity.
Standing in front of Aiden was simply too awkward.
After all, this was the man who had single-handedly crushed the entire Sinnoh League Headquarters.
Even as the Elite Four's ace, Lucian couldn't pretend that defeat hadn't happened.
If not for Cynthia's direct order to ensure Team Galactic's suppression succeeded, he would never have volunteered for this mission.
Being defeated was one thing.
Being defeated publicly was another.
So once Mars and her squad were secured, Lucian departed swiftly with his men.
Only after the Sinnoh League personnel had completely withdrawn did Azelf and Mesprit reveal themselves again.
They had concealed their presence earlier.
Even with Gallade's psychic perception nearby, the two Lake Guardians had successfully hidden.
"It seems you were right," Mesprit said softly, looking at the fading silhouettes of the League forces. "The secrecy of the three lakes cannot last much longer."
Aiden looked at it calmly.
"So, what's your decision? Stay here alone… or come with me and remain with your companions?"
Mesprit glanced at Azelf.
Then at the lake it had called home for centuries.
A faint sadness passed through its pink eyes.
"Sinnoh's humans and Pokémon already understand emotion."
"Our presence is no longer essential."
It floated closer to Aiden.
"Since Azelf has chosen you… I will too."
With that, a gentle pulse of psychic energy touched the Luxury Ball in Aiden's hand.
Click.
Light enveloped Mesprit.
It entered willingly.
The ball shook once.
Twice.
Ding.
"Mesprit has been captured."
Aiden couldn't help but smile.
Aside from the Rayquaza granted by the system, this was the first time a Legendary Pokémon had willingly entered his Poké Ball.
So this was what it felt like.
To be chosen.
Azelf chuckled and returned to its own Luxury Ball as well.
Two of the three Lake Guardians secured.
Only Uxie remained at Lake Acuity.
Inside system space, Azelf and Mesprit were momentarily stunned by what they saw.
Two colossal Rayquaza coiled through endless skies, their dragon aura oppressive and ancient.
Far below, oceans churned under Kyogre's dominion, while magma surged beneath land shaped by Groudon.
Countless Pokémon thrived across plains and forests.
Mesprit whispered, "Doesn't this resemble the earliest days of Sinnoh… when everything had just begun?"
Azelf nodded slowly.
"It does."
"Since we chose this human… let's strengthen his Pokémon with willpower."
The Being of Will drifted toward Aiden's main battle team, quietly spreading its influence.
Invisible.
But profound.
Resolve.
Mental fortitude.
Perhaps in future battles, his Pokémon would stand firmer than ever.
Aiden, unaware of the changes unfolding within system space, shifted his attention toward Lake Acuity.
One final capture.
And the Griseous Orb would be his.
Far away, inside Team Galactic's headquarters, Charon received the reports.
Mars captured.
Saturn captured.
Jupiter captured.
The Lake Guardian operation—
A total failure.
"You useless fools!" Charon slammed his console in rage.
Cyrus was absent on important matters.
All operations had been under Charon's temporary command.
Now everything had collapsed.
Three commanders detained.
Multiple bases destroyed.
Even worse—
An unknown powerhouse had intervened.
Before Charon could reorganize—
A deafening explosion tore through the upper levels of the base.
Dragon energy erupted violently.
Concrete shattered.
Smoke billowed.
Through the collapsing structure descended a golden-haired woman standing atop a ferocious Garchomp.
Cynthia.
Her coat fluttered in the shockwave.
Her gaze was cold.
"You picked the wrong opponent."
Behind her, Sinnoh League forces flooded the perimeter.
At the same time, another force struck from the shadows.
Under J's leadership, Aiden's Sky Team elites infiltrated Team Galactic's regional branches across Sinnoh.
Intelligence servers were seized.
Encrypted data extracted.
Documents regarding Mt. Coronet—
Dialga.
Palkia.
The Adamant Orb.
The Lustrous Orb.
Everything was immediately encrypted and transmitted to Aiden.
Because everyone in Sky Team knew—
Their boss sought Legendary Pokémon.
Within half a day, every known Team Galactic base in Sinnoh had fallen.
Only one man remained unaccounted for.
Cyrus.
And somewhere beyond the chaos, his ambition still burned.
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