Inside the Submarine Explorer 1.
[Identity Verification Successful]
Accompanied by the prompt of an electronic, mechanical voice, the heavy doors leading to the internal laboratory swiftly slid open. Lysandre, Archie, and Maxie exchanged a glance before walking inside together.
At this moment, countless researchers wearing Team Flare uniforms were bustling about inside.
They held different responsibilities, but their task was singular—focusing on the massive meteorite, which was contained within a giant, specialized glass vat, targeted by numerous laser beam emitters, and currently radiating brilliant, seven-colored light.
"Boss, research on the Seven-colored Meteorite is currently proceeding in an orderly manner." Noticing Lysandre and the others walking over, Team Flare Admin Aliana, who had been busy with the research, stood up and spoke respectfully. "As you can see, to prevent the meteorite's energy from leaking and causing a repeat of previous events, we have already implemented isolation measures in advance."
"You've all done well."
Gazing at the massive Seven-colored Meteorite before him, Lysandre nodded slightly.
To prevent triggering another conflict between Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre, shielding its energy was a necessary measure.
"How is the progress?"
"We have roughly analyzed the energy fluctuation type of the meteorite. It is indeed inextricably linked to the Ultimate Weapon excavated in Geosenge Town." Aliana, who was leading the meteorite research, responded, an uncontrollable expression of fanaticism appearing on her face. "We have temporarily named it Infinity Energy, or it can also be referred to as Life Energy."
"...Infinity Energy and Life Energy?"
As a rough and tumble guy, Archie clearly hadn't grasped the meaning of these terms yet.
Seeing this, Aliana prepared to provide an explanation.
After all, Team Flare was currently in an alliance with Team Aqua and Team Magma, so naturally, there was no need to hide anything.
"That's right. The reason we call it that is because we've discovered it seems to be a special type of energy converted from the life energy of Pokémon. Its wavelength is similar to Mega Evolution energy, but far more powerful."
As she finished speaking, she even boldly made a massive boast, "As long as we can truly master it, we can create a powerful device capable of seizing the life energy of others. When that time comes, I can guarantee that neither Groudon and Kyogre, nor Xerneas and Yveltal, will be able to withstand the weakening effects of this device..."
"Excellent!"
Hearing these words, irrepressible smiles appeared on the faces of all three men.
"That truly is wonderful news..."
Maxie pushed up his glasses and sighed in admiration.
It wasn't in vain that they had gone through untold hardships, gathering the strength of all three organizations, just to snatch this Seven-colored Meteorite.
Temporarily setting the matter of the Seven-colored Meteorite aside, Archie, Maxie, and Lysandre all looked toward the electronic screen on the other side—it was currently broadcasting the League news regarding the previous battle between Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre.
Thanks to the fearless filming by the League's TV station, the shocking footage of the battle between the Dual Gods was ultimately presented to the public. And the operation where Hakuya joined forces with Steven and the others to intercept the two super-ancient Pokémon had caused an even more massive uproar on the internet.
Furthermore—whether it was the Devon Corporation, led by Steven, fueling the flames behind the scenes, or the Hoenn League intentionally pushing forward a "savior" to dispel the local people's fear of Kyogre and Groudon's awakening—Hakuya's name and deeds instantly appeared across all mainstream media in the Hoenn region, to the point of overwhelming, blanket coverage.
"Xerosic, have you found the detailed background information on that Trainer yet?"
Lysandre pondered for a moment, then turned to look at the chubby researcher in the red uniform standing nearby.
"My apologies, Boss..."
Xerosic scratched his head, his words filled with apology. "We currently only know that he seems to be from Littleroot Town in the Hoenn region... As for the rest of the intel, we only have what the Hoenn League actively disclosed."
Although relying on the Holo Caster allowed Team Flare to grasp the private information of countless Trainers, on one hand, this wasn't the Kalos region, and their organization had almost no forces deployed here. On the other hand, it was because the vast majority of people in the Hoenn region used the PokéNav, making stealing the private information of local Trainers exceedingly difficult.
"Tch, this guy is no pushover..."
Looking at the photo of Hakuya on the screen, Archie and Maxie gritted their teeth, a layer of gloom casting over their faces.
After the battle ended, they naturally learned the news that Matt and the others left behind in the Cave of Origin had all been arrested.
As a high-ranking Admin of the organization possessing strength not inferior to a Gym Leader, and with the support of dozens of grunts... even if any of the Elite Four had arrived in person, even if Matt couldn't win, he could have organized a retreat and avoided the outcome of everyone being captured... Being able to achieve this level of total defeat was absolutely not something that could be summarized with a simple "he's strong."
—This guy hasn't just raised powerful Pokémon; his own physical capabilities are absolutely extraordinary as well. He's highly likely a genuine, pragmatic 'wild battler' type of Trainer.
At this moment, the expressions of the three men present were all different.
As the leaders of Team Aqua and Team Magma, Archie and Maxie currently only felt a deep, profound wariness toward the suddenly appearing Hakuya—a Trainer possessing such terrifying strength was bound to become an obstacle to their operations in Hoenn.
Comparing the gap in strength between them, they helplessly realized that trying to clash head-on with Hakuya at this stage would be a suicidal death wish. Until they could completely master the power of Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre, Team Aqua and Team Magma could only continue hiding underground like before, avoiding any direct contact with Hakuya and the others.
On the other side, however, Lysandre felt nothing but admiration and undisguised appreciation for Hakuya.
Unlike Archie and Maxie, he didn't view Hakuya as an obstacle that might affect his Ultimate Plan at all. Instead, he wished he could declare him a soulmate right then and there, hoping to share all his ideals and wishes with Hakuya.
Although the information they currently possessed about Hakuya was extremely sparse, it still couldn't conceal his selflessness and greatness.
"To think that even without an Evolution Stone, in order to protect this land, his heart resonated so perfectly with his Pokémon that they ignited a power far surpassing Mega Evolution... It truly is unbelievable."
Lysandre closed his eyes, his tone tinged with a faint, almost imperceptible joy.
Even from a great distance away at the time, Lysandre could still feel Hakuya's resolve to protect Rustboro City, his determination to give his all to stop the super-ancient Pokémon for the sake of the world, and the emotional bond between him and Floragato that transcended all else.