The footage was filmed with remarkable clarity. It was obviously not recorded by a surveillance camera, but by professional filming equipment.
The video showed a group of people using heavy machinery to excavate a barren mountain peak. Wearing safety helmets, the workers followed unified commands as they carefully dug, while experts and scholars could be seen gathering together, discussing matters in low voices from time to time.
Logan recognized the markings on the workers' uniforms and machinery at a glance.
They belonged to Devon Corporation, the largest conglomerate in the Hoenn region.
"This was recorded during the excavation after the League discovered the ancient ruins," Norman explained.
"At the time, the League cooperated with Devon Corporation to unearth this Rayquaza-related relic."
The video was extremely long, and Logan had no interest in watching an entire excavation documentary. He fast-forwarded the footage, searching only for key moments.
As the playback accelerated, cheers suddenly erupted in the video. The ruins had finally been fully excavated. Amid the tense shouts of experts, workers and their Pokémon carefully transported all materials and artifacts out of the site.
Among everything recovered, one object stood out above all others—
A jade-green gemstone.
The gemstone was extremely small, roughly the size of a human fingernail. Because the video had audio, Logan could hear the experts debating loudly, questioning why the "Green Orb" was so tiny. According to ancient records, both the Red Orb and the Blue Orb were described as massive crystal spheres.
No conclusion was reached in the end. The only explanation they could offer was that the Green Orb was incomplete, which was why it was so small.
With the desired artifact secured, the League and Devon Corporation prepared to wrap up the excavation.
Then—just as everyone was celebrating—
A sudden disturbance erupted.
In the video, it was clearly visible that one of the workers suddenly went berserk.
It was a beautiful young girl.
Norman paused the footage and spoke solemnly:
"…This girl had been hiding among Devon Corporation's excavation workers the entire time. After the League and Devon obtained the incomplete 'Green Orb,' she suddenly shouted 'Return the Dragon God's relic!' and launched an attack."
"However, this excavation was extremely important to the League. Both the League and Devon Corporation had deployed numerous powerful individuals on-site. Though the girl was strong, she was gravely injured during the struggle for the Green Orb and was forced to flee."
Logan dragged the timeline forward and watched the final moments.
The unknown girl, badly wounded, barely managed to escape the pursuit of the League and Devon personnel.
The video ended there.
Without hesitation, Logan opened the second video.
The image quality of the second recording was noticeably worse—it had clearly been captured by security cameras. The location was unmistakable: this very research facility.
The footage was brief.
It showed a young woman commanding a Salamence, wreaking havoc throughout the institute.
Logan paused the video and zoomed in on the girl's face.
She looked strikingly similar to the girl from the excavation site.
"They look alike, but facial recognition confirms subtle differences," Norman said calmly, arms crossed.
"They are not the same person. They are most likely sisters."
"The girl who attacked the institute was far more aggressive and volatile than the one at the excavation. From fragments of what she shouted during the attack, the League gathered considerable information. She claimed she came to avenge her sister."
"Prior to the assault on this facility, she also attacked one of Devon Corporation's branch offices—both the League and Devon confirmed this."
"And from her own words, we obtained one crucial piece of information: she claimed to be one of the 'Draconids.'"
"Draconids?" Logan interrupted.
"I've seen records of them. They're a mysterious people whose name survives in history, but who have almost no confirmed sightings. They worship the 'Power of Dragons,' revere a 'Dragon God,' and guard a certain hidden power."
"Judging from the girl at the excavation shouting about the Dragon God, they were undoubtedly Draconids."
Norman stared at Logan in surprise, clearly not expecting his knowledge to be this extensive.
"You're absolutely right, Champion of Kanto," Norman said.
"After receiving the League's commission to locate Rayquaza and the Green Orb, I attempted to find the Draconids' settlement as well."
"Wait," Logan cut in sharply.
"You said locate the Green Orb? Wasn't it here in the institute? Are you saying it was lost?"
Norman let out a bitter smile.
"…Yes. To be honest, this incident also involves my son."
"At the time, I was preparing to assume my position as a Gym Leader. Because the Chairman was occupied with research on the Green Orb, he asked me to come here to formally report in. I brought my wife and son with me."
"…The Chairman believed that as Hoenn's incoming Gym Leader, I had the right to know about the region's looming crisis. He personally guided my family through this secret institute."
"While I was reporting to the Chairman, my son wandered off on his own."
Norman pointed at the girl who had destroyed the institute.
"That girl approached my son. Through casual conversation, she coaxed information out of him and learned the exact location of this secret facility."
"That's how she was able to launch such a precise attack."
"In the chaos, the incomplete Green Orb was stolen."
"After the incident, the League deployed massive search teams, but the orb was never recovered. Because this mistake was caused by my son—and because it could potentially plunge Hoenn into catastrophe—I voluntarily resigned from my Gym Leader position."
"I offered all of my time to the League, dedicating myself entirely to locating Rayquaza and recovering the Green Orb, in order to atone for my failure."
Norman spoke calmly, explaining the reason he had bound himself to the League.
Yet when he mentioned his son, a trace of warmth slipped into his voice—there was no hint of blame.
"This wasn't really your son's fault, Mr. Norman," Logan said gently.
"The Chairman bears responsibility as well. How could he allow a child to freely tour such a critical facility?"
While offering comfort aloud, Logan was mercilessly cursing Norman's son in his mind.
Because of you, my Green Orb is gone!
Otherwise, I'd already be happily heading off to find Rayquaza with it!
Unaware that his son had already been mentally sentenced to execution, Norman replied gratefully:
"…Thank you for your kind words, Champion. But a child's mistake is still a father's responsibility."
"The Green Orb was only one step away from completion. All of this institute's core systems are still intact."
"If I can recover the Green Orb before Groudon and Kyogre awaken, there may still be hope."
Hearing this, Logan's eyes narrowed slightly.
So the facility hadn't been fully abandoned after all.
The core research infrastructure was still operational.
If he were lucky—if he found the missing Green Orb first—he could quietly return here and complete it himself.
Of course…
Finding such a tiny gemstone would ultimately come down to pure luck.
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