One day later.
Whoosh... whoosh... whoosh...
A majestic flock of Flying-type Pokémon soared across the vast sea just outside Dewford Town under the clear blue sky.
The strong gusts they created whipped the ocean's surface into rolling waves, making the sea dance endlessly.
Most of them were Tropius, their green bodies complemented by large leafy wings fluttering gently in the breeze.
Tropius were known for their gentle nature, ease of training, and were the ideal choice for piloted flights.
Leading the group, the most imposing was a Salamence, spreading its wings with regal authority — truly the king of the skies.
Riding on their backs were elite investigators sent by the Alliance, dispatched to assist Dewford Town in dealing with the unusual changes in the Rock Cave.
Hulala~
Under Salamence's firm command, the Flying-type Pokémon gradually descended, landing lightly on the sea near the cave's entrance.
A middle-aged man in his fifties dismounted from Salamence's back.
Though his beard had turned gray, his posture remained strong and steady, like a seasoned warrior battle-hardened by time. His open shirt revealed a powerful chest, radiating formidable strength.
This was Drake — one of the renowned Hoenn Elite Four, the eldest, strongest, and famous for his mastery over Dragon-type Pokémon!
"So this is the Rock Cave?" he asked, his sharp eyes scanning the area.
Brawly — the young Gym Leader deeply connected to Dewford — stepped down from Tropius, nodding confidently. "Yes, Sir Drake, this is the place!"
"As I passed through Dewford's residential area, everything remained intact, with no signs of disruption."
Brawly sighed in relief — there were no indications that Steel-type Pokémon had invaded the town.
Dewford was his hometown, the place he had devoted his heart and soul to protecting.
He knew every corner, every familiar face.
Drake nodded, his deep voice resonating over the salty air: "Alright, all investigators, listen up! Begin setting up defenses as soon as you arrive!"
The team sprang into action, encircling the cave entrance, releasing their Pokémon, ready for any potential threats.
Their gazes were sharp, carefully inspecting every shadow, wary of any sudden attack from rampaging Steel-types.
Watching the investigators' seamless coordination, Brawly couldn't help but let out a sigh.
"Thank you very much, Sir Drake," he said sincerely.
After receiving Brawly's request for help, the Alliance quickly held an emergency meeting to discuss how to handle the situation at Dewford.
To be honest, most members of the Alliance were not very concerned about the issue.
Because Dewford was such a small town — almost overlooked.
The population was small, just a close-knit community.
Before Brawly's request, the Alliance had only issued a bounty mission — planning to spend 150 units to hire someone to deal with the matter.
But once Brawly stepped forward to offer support, the Alliance's attitude changed immediately.
Not only because they recognized the seriousness of the situation.
But also because of Brawly — the youngest Gym Leader at just 25 years old.
He was an exception among Gym Leaders.
To become a Gym Leader, two important conditions had to be met.
First, one's personal strength must be excellent.
Second, one must have a solid external foundation.
Regarding the first point, Brawly consistently proved his strength.
But regarding the second, his family had no significant influence.
A normal family, with no major connections or power.
Their influence was confined to the small scope of Dewford.
There were plenty of people stronger than Brawly and with firmer family backgrounds.
But Brawly — through talent and perseverance — had become a Gym Leader envied by many.
All thanks to a close friend — Bruno, one of the Elite Four from Kanto.
Rumor had it that Bruno and Brawly trained and exchanged battle skills together.
Bruno mastered the "Secret of Strength."
Brawly mastered the "Secret of Flexibility."
Bruno had reached the level of an Elite Four member.
And Brawly, ten years younger, had great potential to reach the same level.
Therefore, the Alliance paid special attention to Brawly and supported his rise as a Gym Leader.
Drake, already advanced in age, was expected to retire soon, and it was likely Brawly would succeed him as a new member of the Elite Four.
"That's not a big deal," Drake smiled, his eyes glinting with satisfaction. "Now, let's get started."
"Yes!" Brawly nodded, eyes full of determination.
"Teams D and E will guard the cave's perimeter — no Steel-type Pokémon are allowed to escape!"
"Teams B and C will form a defensive line protecting the researchers led by Professor Birch, positioned in the center."
"Team A will be responsible for securing the rear!"
"Move out!" Drake commanded, every movement orderly and commanding like a true general.
Under Drake's leadership, the group ventured deeper into the cave.
"Professor Birch, there's something unusual in the data," a researcher whispered, holding a scanner.
"The machines detect no strong fire energy source here," Birch responded cautiously.
"We saw a fragment of the meteorite from above. Maybe the equipment hasn't registered it yet," Birch added, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Drake's investigation team pressed onward, step by step.
Time passed without incident.
The cave was eerily silent.
No signs of rampaging Steel-type Pokémon.
"Everyone, stay alert. Don't be fooled by the calm. This could be the calm before the storm," Drake warned with a stern gaze.
But in truth, the journey proceeded smoothly without any obstacles.
The investigators cautiously advanced.
After ten minutes of vigilant patrolling, one member whispered, "There's a group of Aron at 3 o'clock, about 80 meters away."
"Be careful!" Brawly immediately called out, voice tense.
The team quietly approached.
Looking closely, the Arons were just lying there, sound asleep.
Suddenly, one Aron woke up, startled by the nearby presence.
It cried out in fear and fled immediately.
The others, roused by the cries, also woke one by one and scattered.
"???"
Drake looked at the team, confusion written across his face.
Hadn't they agreed that Steel-type Pokémon wouldn't attack humans without reason?
Why did they run away upon seeing people?
Brawly was equally perplexed.
"This is completely different from what I knew!"
Clearing his throat, Drake gestured to the team: "Keep moving forward."
The investigators pressed on, discovering more Steel-types the deeper they went.
At the sight of the large group, the Pokémon scattered in panic.
Drake said nothing, steady steps continuing onward.
The team's tension eased as confidence grew in the outcome.
Approaching the meteorite, the truth became clear.
Someone had been here before them.
Footprints marked the solid ground.
The meteorite was pocked with drill marks and chips.
The Fire Stones that caused mutations in Steel-types were removed.
In other words, someone had taken the lead and resolved the mutation issue here.
Drake looked at Brawly, speechless.
Brawly glanced helplessly at Professor Birch.
Birch waved awkwardly.
The Alliance had poured huge manpower and resources, devised a perfect plan — and yet this was the result!
After long efforts, the problem was already solved.
They could only treat this as a sightseeing trip.
"Report! All these footprints belong to one person," a prosecutor reported.
…
At that moment, a stunned silence fell over the group.
A massive team had arrived — yet one person had dealt with the issue alone.
Who could dare venture deep into the cave alone and successfully resolve the Steel-type mutation?
All eyes turned toward the team — filled with curiosity and amazement.
Everyone wanted to know: who was the mysterious hero?