At this moment, the chairman wanted nothing more than to remain silent. However, seeing the trainers from his side sprawled across the floor, he abandoned the idea.
Besides, he was eager to learn the true purpose behind the Tech Hunter's sudden attack.
"What... are you after?" the chairman asked cautiously.
He had heard rumors about the Tech Hunter's activities in Kanto. What could have possibly driven this elusive figure, missing for over a year, back to the Hoenn region?
Luo Yuan noticed the probing tone in the chairman's voice but didn't mind. He had no intention of concealing his purpose.
"The Hoenn Pokémon Association once spearheaded a project known as the 'Rayquaza Capture Plan,' correct?" Luo Yuan stated.
The chairman's face changed immediately upon hearing those words.
Of all the things the Tech Hunter could have mentioned, he hadn't anticipated Rayquaza being brought up.
A flood of thoughts rushed through his mind.
Not long ago, there had been a report from Fortree City about the destruction of Sky Pillar during a fierce battle. At the time, he assumed it was an isolated incident.
But now, it seemed likely that the Tech Hunter was involved.
Digging deeper, it became evident that many of the Tech Hunter's targets from a year ago were companies that had participated in the Rayquaza Capture Plan.
Had the Tech Hunter been collecting information related to this project all along?
The realization sent chills down his spine.
Unbeknownst to him, Luo Yuan wasn't privy to the chairman's imaginative connections, though he certainly wouldn't mind if it added to the man's unease.
Seeing the chairman's silence, Luo Yuan spoke again.
"After capturing Rayquaza back then, your Association created an Emerald Orb. Hand it over, and I'll leave."
This raid on the Pokémon Association headquarters had two purposes: avenging Rayquaza and obtaining the Emerald Orb.
The Emerald Orb was an artificial gemstone crafted under the leadership of Professor Yanase Berlich, a scientist from the Berlich family, after Rayquaza's initial capture. Its purpose was to control the legendary Pokémon.
Though the project had been abandoned after Rayquaza's escape, and the orb remained incomplete, it still retained some functionality.
Now that Luo Yuan had captured Rayquaza, he didn't need the orb to control it. However, he couldn't risk leaving such a dangerous tool in the Association's hands.
The chairman's expression darkened upon hearing the demand for the Emerald Orb. This was one of the Association's most closely guarded secrets.
If not for extensive investigation, it would have been impossible for anyone to know about it.
This only confirmed the chairman's belief that the Tech Hunter had meticulously planned this attack.
But surrendering the Emerald Orb was out of the question.
If the Tech Hunter already had Rayquaza in his possession and managed to acquire the orb as well, the consequences would be catastrophic.
With this in mind, the chairman's expression steeled. No matter the cost, he resolved not to reveal the orb's location.
Luo Yuan noticed the shift in the chairman's demeanor and smirked beneath his mask.
He wasn't surprised—he hadn't expected cooperation to begin with. This was merely a shortcut.
If the chairman refused, things would only get slightly more troublesome.
Seeing the chairman firmly shut his mouth, Luo Yuan's lips curled into a faint smile. Gently, he tapped the Master Ball on his belt.
Shwoop!
Deoxys materialized in front of Luo Yuan, its alien form radiating an unsettling presence.
The chairman's heart sank the moment he saw the Pokémon.
Before he could react, Luo Yuan snapped his fingers.
"Deoxys."
Voom!
Deoxys' eyes glowed blue, and its psychic waves penetrated the chairman's mind with a unique resonance.
"Where is the Emerald Orb?" Luo Yuan asked.
"Third floor. Vault number four," the chairman answered mechanically.
With the information in hand, Luo Yuan snapped his fingers again. Deoxys unleashed a psychic wave, rendering everyone in the room unconscious.
Strolling toward the third-floor vault, Luo Yuan moved with the ease of a man walking through his own backyard.
---
While Luo Yuan was raiding the Pokémon Association, a fierce battle was unfolding on the other side of Slateport City.
On one side stood Groudon, recently awakened and having replenished its energy within the volcanic depths of Mt. Chimney. On the other was a team led by Steven, which included Wallace, Giovanni, and "Luo Yuan."
The battle had raged for over ten minutes on the outskirts of Slateport, as the group attempted to intercept Groudon's advance.
Groudon rampaged through the battlefield, its immense power baking trees to ash, cracking the earth, and spreading magma in all directions.
The legendary Pokémon was furious.
It had an urgent meeting to attend, only to be obstructed by a group of human trainers.
"Roar!"
With a ferocious roar, Groudon's eyes gleamed with murderous intent as it swung a fiery punch toward Steven's Metagross.
This wasn't just any Fire Punch—it was a punch wreathed in molten lava, befitting Groudon's nature.
Magma oozed from the grooves on its massive fist, distorting the air with intense heat. Even at a distance of several meters, the trainers felt the scorching waves.
"Not good!"
Fire-type moves were doubly effective against Steel-types. At Groudon's level of power, a direct hit would spell doom for Metagross, even as Steven's ace Pokémon.
Steven understood this all too well.
But there was no retreat.
As the primary defender of Slateport City, he couldn't allow Groudon to advance toward the populated area.
Protecting the citizens of Hoenn was his responsibility as Champion.
Gritting his teeth, Steven prepared for Metagross to endure the blow.
"Metagross—"
Before he could issue the command, Giovanni's voice cut through.
"Leave it to me... Rhyperior, Fissure!"
Steven barely had time to react as Giovanni's Rhyperior charged fearlessly at Groudon.
"Fissure!"
With a mighty stomp, Rhyperior split the ground beneath it. The earth cracked open, forming a massive chasm that spread toward Groudon.
The ground shook violently, and Groudon's balance faltered mid-swing. Its fiery punch narrowly missed Metagross.
Infuriated by the interference, Groudon shifted its focus to Rhyperior.
Just as it prepared to attack, a confident smile appeared on Giovanni's face.
"Dugtrio, Dig."
Boom!
The ground beneath Groudon collapsed suddenly, one of its massive legs sinking into a hidden pit. The legendary Pokémon toppled to the side, roaring in frustration.
Meanwhile, Giovanni's Rhydon, which had been waiting for its moment, charged forward with its horn glowing.
"Megahorn!"