Mt. Pyre, the resting place for Pokémon souls in the Hoenn region.
Compared to its depiction in the games, the real-life Mt. Pyre has a massive inner rock cavern, which serves as the true resting ground.
Aerodactyl slowly descended with Ace at the foot of Mt. Pyre. Salamence landed as well, and Zinnia jumped down next to Ace.
"So this is Mt. Pyre?"
Ace recalled Aerodactyl and began walking toward the mountain. Seeing this, Zinnia also recalled Salamence and followed Ace.
The exterior of Mt. Pyre was accessed via an artificial tunnel. Candlelight flickered inside the tunnel, casting the surroundings in a gloomy and somewhat eerie glow. An ordinary person coming here would likely be too frightened to proceed.
But clearly, Ace and Zinnia were not ordinary people.
"Aren't you curious why I came here?"
Ace looked at Zinnia, who was glancing around with curiosity but hadn't asked him any questions, and decided to ask her first.
"Curious, but it's unnecessary."
Zinnia looked into Ace's eyes and offered a slight smile. "It's enough that I can help you."
Ace smiled back, amused. Zinnia was very stubborn, and she was being so now.
After passing through the tunnel, Ace and Zinnia entered the massive rock cavern inside Mt. Pyre.
Rows of neat gravestones lined the walls. There was no dust or debris on the floor, indicating someone regularly came here to clean.
"Splash..."
The sound of flowing water reached them. Ace and Zinnia looked towards the sound and saw an elderly couple using buckets and ladles to fetch water and sprinkle it over the gravestones.
"Outsiders, have you come to inter a Pokémon?"
Just as Ace and Zinnia noticed the couple, the couple noticed Ace and asked.
"No, we haven't."
Ace replied flatly, looking indifferently at the couple. "I wish to see the Red and Blue Orbs you guard. What do you say?"
Standing beside Ace, Zinnia's eyes immediately lit up, and a beautiful arc curved on her lips. She finally understood the purpose of Ace's visit to Mt. Pyre.
Hearing Ace's words, the elderly couple's faces instantly changed, their expressions turning solemn.
"Don't worry, we are not bad people; we just want a look."
The indifference vanished from Ace's face, replaced by a slight smile. "Besides, if we really intended to take them, do you think you could stop us?"
Ace's words sobered the couple. The old woman smiled bitterly, then turned to her husband and said, "You continue here. I'll take the two of them up to see."
The old man opened his mouth, but found no words. He shook his head, set down the bucket, and took his wife's hand. His meaning was clear: whatever happens, they would face it together.
After exchanging glances, the couple spoke to Ace and Zinnia, "Follow us."
With that, they stepped forward, reached the stairs, and began to ascend towards the summit.
Ace and Zinnia said nothing more, silently following the elderly couple up the stairs.
After a long climb, Ace and Zinnia finally reached the summit of Mt. Pyre.
Stepping out of the cavern, they found a platform paved with bluestone slabs. Not far from this platform was a small, crudely built shrine.
Through the open entrance of the shrine, Ace and Zinnia could clearly see two stone pillars standing in the center. Resting on the middle section of the pillars were two orbs—one red, one blue.
"These are the two Orbs. You have seen them now. Can you please leave?"
The old man spoke, looking warily at Ace.
"Don't worry. As I said, we won't be taking these two Orbs. Rest assured."
Ace said with a smile, then quickly walked toward the shrine, followed by Zinnia.
The old man started to object but was quickly restrained by the old woman. She, too, knew that Ace was right; if he chose to use force, they, with their old bones, would be no match for them. Rather than useless resistance, it was better to wait and see, ensuring their own safety.
Ace and Zinnia entered the shrine. Ace walked to the Red Orb, and under his direction, Zinnia stood before the Blue Orb.
Ace and Zinnia simultaneously extended their hands and touched the surfaces of the two Orbs.
Seeing this, the elderly couple's hearts leaped into their throats.
On Ace's side, he felt his consciousness sink into darkness. A phantom image of Groudon appeared, quietly sleeping in the gloom. Ace felt his mental energy being rapidly consumed. He decisively disconnected from the Red Orb and returned to his body.
While Ace returned smoothly, Zinnia encountered some trouble. Seeing Zinnia close her eyes and suffer, Ace decisively grabbed her hand and pulled her forcefully away from the Orb. At the same time, his Aura surged out, stabilizing Zinnia's mind.
"Hah! Hah! Hah..."
Breaking free from the Orb's consciousness, Zinnia was pale and gasping for air. This showed just how difficult it was to use the Orbs to control the two Pokémon. Generally, anyone attempting to control the two Pokémon this way would inevitably be backlashed by Groudon and Kyogre, who would then reverse the control and manipulate the controller!
"What did you see?"
Ace asked when Zinnia had calmed down somewhat.
"A [monster]."
Zinnia gave a bitter smile, looking at the calm and normal Ace. She profoundly understood the immense gap between herself and him.
"Well, that's not bad at all."
Ace laughed. Looking at the fleeting pattern on the back of Zinnia's hand, Ace knew that Kyogre must have left a mark on her. He figured the same had happened to him—Groudon had left a mark as well.
"This is enough."
Ace smiled. The significance of the two Orbs to the League was substantial. If he rashly seized the two Orbs, it would be tantamount to provoking the League, causing a rift in their relationship. Therefore, Ace would never do such a brainless thing.
As long as they had touched the Orbs, Groudon and Kyogre would undoubtedly try their best to leave a mark on the contact individuals. With this mark, once Maxie and Archie were dealt with, Ace and Zinnia only needed to be present at the scene. They would then effortlessly and rightfully claim the two Orbs.
Furthermore, this way, they would not be easily viewed as enemies by the League. It was even more likely that the League would shamelessly come to Ace, begging him to suppress Groudon and Kyogre.
This two-birds-one-stone strategy—gaining the Orbs while earning the League's gratitude—was far more perfect than simply snatching the Orbs.
"It's just that Zinnia's mental strength is still lacking. I need to give her special training."
Ace lifted Zinnia, whose body was still a bit weak. He thought to himself, deciding that after wrapping up the current affairs, he would take Zinnia to a place for special training. Only if Zinnia could withstand Kyogre's corrosion could the subsequent plans proceed...
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