After arriving on Pinkan Island, Aiden and Lorelei immediately headed for the Pokémon Sanctuary.
Since Lorelei herself was a trainer born and raised in the Orange Archipelago, the local League staff knew her well.
The moment they recognized her, all formalities were waived.
Thus, Aiden simply followed Lorelei directly into the protected area.
Looking at the pink Ponyta, Oddish, and various other Pokémon wandering around, Aiden felt as though he had stepped into an entirely different Pokémon world.
However, just as Lorelei had said—
These Pokémon had almost completely lost their wild instincts.
Even when they saw Aiden and Lorelei, they continued peacefully eating Pinkan Berries without showing the slightest fear of humans.
Aiden scanned them with the system.
After confirming that none of them possessed particularly impressive talents or unique characteristics, he immediately lost interest in capturing them.
After all—
If these pink Pokémon stopped eating Pinkan Berries for an extended period, their coloration would eventually return to normal.
Without that unique pink appearance, they weren't especially remarkable.
As a sightseeing destination, however—
Pinkan Island was undeniably wonderful.
After spending an entire day there, Aiden prepared to continue his journey.
His next goal—
The Crystal Onix.
Among all the unusual Pokémon found in the Orange Islands, this special Shiny Pokémon had always fascinated him.
In fact, one of the reasons he had never bothered capturing an Onix or Steelix before was because he had been waiting for the Crystal Onix.
...
Once again, the journey resumed.
Aiden reclined comfortably atop Kyogre's enormous back.
One Gardevoir rested beside his left arm.
The other leaned against his right.
Both were peacefully asleep.
Meanwhile, Lorelei sat nearby reading a book.
Occasionally, she glanced toward Aiden.
Part amused.
Part helpless.
The man truly knew how to enjoy life.
Unfortunately—
The peaceful voyage did not last long.
In the distance, a large ship suddenly appeared.
Several trainers aboard immediately released their Pokémon.
"Boss!"
"We finally found someone!"
"There are two travelers ahead!"
"A man and a woman!"
"And two Gardevoir!"
Hearing the report, the pirate captain immediately raised a telescope.
The moment he saw Lorelei's face, his eyes lit up.
"Hahaha!"
"What a beauty!"
"We've waited for days and finally caught something worthwhile!"
Only then did Aiden realize—
These people were pirates operating around the Orange Archipelago.
They specialized in robbing traveling trainers.
Unfortunately for them—
They had chosen the wrong targets.
As Crawdaunt, Dewgong, Pelipper, and several other Pokémon began surrounding them, Aiden lazily turned his gaze toward the approaching ship.
"Interesting."
"Looks like our boring voyage just got a little more entertaining."
Lorelei closed her book.
Crossing her arms beneath her chest, she watched the approaching pirates calmly.
That single motion nearly caused several pirates to stare themselves silly.
Seeing that none of them recognized either of them, Aiden couldn't help laughing.
Come to think of it—
The Pokémon world really worked that way.
As long as someone wasn't wearing their usual outfit, most people failed to recognize them.
Just look at Team Rocket.
Despite countless disguises, Ash and his friends never seemed to notice.
Given that Lorelei wasn't wearing her usual Elite Four attire, it wasn't surprising these pirates failed to identify her.
As for Aiden—
Although he was famous as the Hoenn League Champion, his fame was strongest among ordinary civilians.
Pirates not recognizing him was entirely understandable.
"You there!"
The captain pointed toward Aiden.
"If you know what's good for you, hand over those two Gardevoir!"
"And the woman!"
"Do that, and maybe I'll spare your life!"
Hearing this, Aiden simply smiled.
"Seriously?"
"You really don't recognize her?"
"You're from Kanto, right?"
"And you're still trying to rob her?"
The one-eyed pirate captain carefully examined Lorelei.
Then shook his head.
"Doesn't matter who she is."
"She'll be my woman soon enough."
"As for you—"
"You can become fish food."
"Men!"
"Attack!"
The order was given.
More than ten pirates simultaneously released their Pokémon.
Most of their attacks targeted Aiden.
After all—
In their minds, Lorelei was already theirs.
The two Gardevoir were valuable prizes as well.
Yet at that very moment—
The calm ocean suddenly became violent.
Boom!
A massive wave rose from nowhere.
The pirate ship was instantly overturned.
Had they not all possessed Water-type Pokémon, that single wave might have wiped them out entirely.
"What the hell?!"
"Where did that wave come from?!"
"The sea was calm a second ago!"
The pirate captain roared furiously.
Aiden merely lifted one foot slightly.
The next moment—
The ocean parted.
Kyogre's gigantic form slowly emerged from beneath the surface.
As the enormous whale-like deity revealed itself, every pirate instantly turned pale.
"W-What is that?!"
"What kind of Pokémon is that huge?!"
"It's bigger than a Wailord!"
"No—"
"This isn't good!"
"We've kicked an iron plate!"
"Who are these people?!"
Listening to their panicked cries, Aiden smiled faintly.
"Since you're about to die, I suppose I can tell you."
"This beautiful lady is Lorelei."
"Vice Champion of the Kanto Pokémon League."
"And I—"
"Am Aiden Flint."
"Champion of the Hoenn Pokémon League."
"Lorelei is my woman."
"As for trash like you..."
"You can repent at the bottom of the sea."
Earlier, Aiden had already scanned their minds with his psychic powers.
Murder.
Robbery.
Human trafficking.
Arson.
Every crime imaginable.
These people weren't harmless thieves.
They were genuine scum.
As a result—
Aiden showed no mercy.
With a simple command from Kyogre, the pirates were condemned to the depths of the ocean.
Assuming, of course—
That the Pokémon world had an afterlife waiting for them.
...
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