The enormous black shadow that suddenly appeared resembled a whale-like Pokémon.
It had two massive pectoral fins, each tipped with four white square structures.
Its body was a deep blue, with a white chin and two sharp white protrusions.
Most remarkably, vivid red stripes traced its chin, eyes, the backs of its fins, and along its torso—making it stunningly beautiful.
The "stinky fish" Groudon affectionately referred to was none other than the Lord of the Sea—Kyogre.
"I didn't expect even the Lord of the Sea, Kyogre, to come! We can't fight it!"
"Retreat!"
"Retreat quickly!"
Team Magma couldn't even handle Groudon—let alone Kyogre.
And this was the ocean!
As the Lord of the Sea, Kyogre didn't even need to get serious. One flip of its fin could drown them in misery.
Still, despite ordering a retreat, Team Magma's leader, Maxie, hadn't truly given up.
After all, Groudon and Kyogre were ancient enemies. If they started fighting, Team Magma might be able to benefit from the aftermath.
---
"Kyogre..."
"Yo lizard, long time no see. I've missed you dearly."
"Oh, but you're looking a bit... disheveled."
Leaping out from the sea and floating across the surface, Kyogre grinned.
"Stinky fish!" Groudon shouted angrily.
"What's your deal? You picked this time and place on purpose, didn't you?"
"Don't push me too far, or I'll unleash my powers!"
"Are you crazy?" Kyogre flapped its fins dramatically, as if showing off.
"Don't you remember what happens when we go all out?"
"If we fight here, the entire archipelago will be destroyed. That annoying guy will definitely come chasing us down."
"If you've got guts, then fight me fair and square—hand-to-hand..."
"I'll hand-to-hand combat your whole family!!"
Kyogre was still mid-sentence, intending to taunt Groudon further, but to its surprise, Groudon suddenly launched a fierce attack—with no warning or hesitation.
Its enormous claws smashed into Kyogre with a deafening Bang—!
Waves surged violently as Kyogre was slammed into the sea, the splash so powerful it rocked the airship overhead.
"You lizard... You're forcing my hand!!"
Before anyone could react, Kyogre burst back out from the sea.
It looked a little battered, but to a Tier 1 Legendary Pokémon, these were nothing more than scratches.
"Force your hand? If you keep being arrogant, you'll get yourself killed!" Groudon growled.
"I'm doing this for your own good!"
"Bullshit!!" Kyogre roared in fury.
"If that's how it is, then let's see how you'll kill me!"
"That's not what I meant... Are you insane? First, you curse me, and now you're the one using powers first?!"
Groudon had wanted to mock Kyogre a little longer, but Kyogre, seemingly pushed to its limit, suddenly unleashed a portion of its power.
Instantly, the sea grew eerily calm.
Then, under the gaze of every human and Pokémon, the ocean began to rise—
A giant tsunami hundreds of meters high silently took shape.
"You're insane!"
"Stinky fish, are you trying to flood the island?!"
"Stop it right now!!"
Groudon nearly released its own power in panic—but it knew.
If the powers of two Tier 1 Legendary Pokémon clashed, it wouldn't just be this island at risk.
The entire Orange Archipelago could be annihilated by a single blow.
---
Riku, who had been observing everything, frowned as the tsunami took form.
A surge of anger swelled in his chest.
What's over there...?
Kyogre, truly enraged this time, was just about to unleash the towering tsunami on Groudon—
When suddenly, it turned its attention toward a small island nearby.
It had sensed something terrifying on that island.
An unfathomable and overwhelmingly powerful existence—far above even Groudon or Rayquaza.
Instantly, Kyogre trembled all over.
It hurriedly withdrew its Water-type power.
Under its precise control, the tsunami gently receded back into the ocean, without so much as a ripple.
"Lizard... that human... what kind of being is he?" Kyogre asked, slightly shaken.
"Mind your own business!" Groudon snapped.
"You're lucky you didn't attack just now, or you'd be a dead fish!"
"Now scram. If you offend my mas—uh, big shot, you might end up in a pot of fish soup."
Calling Riku "master" in front of his old rival was too embarrassing, so Groudon changed it to big shot.
But that was more than enough to shock Kyogre.
The majestic Lord of the Land, a Tier 1 Legendary, actually calling a human... a big shot?
"Lizard... So that's why you're here!" Kyogre growled.
"You're vicious!"
"Did you lure me here to get me killed by that human?"
"Let me tell you something! I, Kyogre, am the Lord of the Sea!
As long as the ocean exists, I will never perish!!"
"Bullshit." Groudon rolled its eyes.
"You're the one who teamed up with humans to ambush me!"
"And now you're acting like the victim?"
"Just you wait!" Kyogre realized the situation wasn't in its favor.
After a half-hearted threat, it dove into the sea and swam off at high speed.
---
After the Kyogre incident, Groudon had no more patience to toy with Team Magma.
Turning toward their retreating airship, it opened its mouth and unleashed a plume of scorching smoke.
Standing nearly 100 meters tall, Groudon's fiery breath engulfed the entire vessel—
BOOM—!
In one strike, the airship exploded.
Clearly, Groudon had been holding back earlier—only toying with them.
Had it fought seriously from the start, it could've ended the battle instantly.
Watching Groudon's towering figure gradually disappear, May sighed.
"Team Magma was really asking for death.
Provoking the Lord of the Land...What were they thinking? Did they really believe they could capture Groudon with their strength?"
Riku shook his head.
"Forget it. It's got nothing to do with us anyway."
"So much happened tonight. How about staying over at my place?"
May was taken aback and gave Riku a once-over.
Seeing the purity in his eyes, she smiled wryly.
"I still have to go back to Mandarin Island.
You're the only one here, but Mandarin has a lot of civilians."
"With both Legendary Pokémon appearing, people will panic. I have to help keep order."
"Okay," Riku nodded, not insisting she stay.
Watching Blastoise carry May away, Riku turned back toward his wooden hut, planning to check if Red Shrimp was asleep.
But just a few steps in, he heard coughing.
Looking back, he saw that Team Magma's survivors had begun washing ashore with the help of their Pokémon.
Groudon's attack had been devastating—but Pokémon Trainers weren't so easily killed.
Several Team Magma members had escaped.
Without hesitation, Riku ran to the beach to help.
Regardless of their intentions—whether to catch a Legendary or worse—Riku couldn't just watch people die.
Team Magma hadn't expected to find someone on this isolated island, much less someone who helped them.
They were immediately grateful.
---
As dawn broke, Riku even helped cook breakfast.
Maxie, having observed Riku the entire time, thought he was a kind youth—and possibly interested in joining Team Magma.
But when he asked Riku to summon his Pokémon...
Riku called out Feebas.
Feebas flopped on the ground helplessly.
At that moment, Maxie gave up.
He left behind 50,000 Pokédollars as thanks and said:
"If you ever grow stronger, you're welcome to join Team Magma in the Hoenn Region."
Riku took the money without hesitation.
After Team Magma left, he returned to the wooden hut—
Only to find Groudon and the three silly birds fighting over the leftover fish soup he'd made.
They never show up normally, but the moment there's food, they come running.
These Pokémon weren't even as loyal as cats or dogs.
Let alone fit for battle.
Don't be fooled—Team Magma may have been helpless before a Legendary Pokémon,
But even a random grunt could summon a Pokémon capable of beating Riku's current team to a pulp.
Riku had no interest in joining Team Magma—
But that disdainful rejection still stung a little.
Fine, he thought. I'll just train these guys to death later!
---Support with power stones