After finishing breakfast, the members of the Rising Volt Tacklers each began their respective tasks.

Liko, Roy, and Friede disembarked onto the island to visit Roy's grandfather for advice. Meanwhile, Jin and the remaining crew members and Pokémon worked on moving the ship to the beach.

With Orla leading the operation, Jin and the others provided support, completing the move to the beach in a few hours—much faster than expected, according to Orla.

As lunchtime approached, they decided to feed the Pokémon that had helped with the move, gathering on the deck to eat and chat together.

"That's everything that happened last night and this morning," Jin said.

"So, you two are?" Mollie asked.

"Yes, we've officially started dating," Jin replied.

"I knew it! The atmosphere between you two was completely different yesterday and today. I thought so," Mollie exclaimed.

The conversation revolved around Jin's confession to Orla and Mollie about his relationship with Liko.

"Congratulations, Jin! But are you sure it's okay to tell us this?" someone asked.

"Yeah... Should you really have revealed it so easily?" another added.

"Liko seemed like she wanted to keep it a secret..."

"It's fine," Jin assured.

There were only eight members on the ship, including Jin and Liko. In such a small group, it would be impossible to keep their relationship hidden for long. It was better to reveal it themselves rather than having it come out awkwardly later.

"Besides..."

"Besides what?" everyone inquired.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing Liko's adorable reaction when she finds out everyone knows about us when we get back," Jin said, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.

Jin could easily imagine Liko's face turning bright red and her tearfully confronting him about spilling the secret. The thought alone made him chuckle.

"Is something wrong?" he asked, noticing the silence.

"No, it's nothing... Just don't tease her too much, okay?"

"Of course. I'll make sure to stop before it gets too serious."

Jin didn't want to see Liko genuinely upset. However, he had every intention of teasing her up to the brink.

"Is it just me, or is Jin kind of a sadist?" someone whispered.

"Well, they say the more you like someone, the more you want to tease them."

"Will they be okay?"

"Who knows... But it might work out. Jin is a bit of a sadist, and Liko seems like a masochist. They might actually be a good match."

Orla and Mollie whispered to each other, watching Jin. They genuinely wished the best for the new couple, but they were concerned that if Jin and Liko fought and broke up, it could lead to the same tense atmosphere they had experienced at dinner the previous night.

"Huh? ...What?"

"What's wrong?"

"Just a feeling..."

(I have a bad feeling about this.)

This sensation was something Jin had felt several times before when he traveled alone through the Hoenn region. It was like a sixth sense, an intuition with no concrete basis, but it usually meant trouble was imminent. Though difficult to explain in words, Jin trusted this sixth sense. Thus, he immediately scanned the area around the ship and quickly identified the source of his unease.

"I see. So that's it... This could be troublesome."

"What is it? ...Oh no, it's the Explorers!"

Following Jin's sudden actions, the three others with him soon noticed a group approaching on a Corviknight and two Skarmory.

"We've been found!"

(But how did they locate us? There were no pursuers when I broke away from them.)

If they were near Liko's home, it would make sense for the Explorers to have anticipated their location. However, the current stop at this island was due to an unexpected accident. Predicting this would be impossible.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

(Which means, they must have planted a tracker.)

"Damn it! Everyone, get down!"

(...I'll figure it out later.)

Fighting on the Brave Olivine, still under repair, was not a viable option. With this in mind, they decided to leave only Mollie on the ship to protect the non-combatant Pokémon while the rest prepared to face the Explorers on the beach.

"I need you, Rockruff."

"Are you ready, Metagross?"

Murdock and Orla each brought their partners, Rockruff and Metagross, to the beach to prepare for battle.

(...This looks tough.)

Too weak.

That was Jin's assessment of the Rockruff and Metagross before him. Rockruff aside, Metagross should be much stronger in terms of level, but it seemed inexperienced in combat.

Previously, Jin had battled Amethio and Zirc of the Explorers, and he honestly believed that even together, Rockruff and Metagross wouldn't stand a chance against Zirc, let alone Amethio.

(It might be better if I took on all three by myself.)

However, realistically, that would also be difficult. The Explorers were after Liko and the pendant. If they realized Liko wasn't on the ship, they would likely try to seize the vessel.

Given Amethio's desire for revenge from their last encounter, Jin could easily imagine him wanting a rematch. In a one-on-one battle, Jin was confident he wouldn't lose, even to Amethio. But such a fight would still take time. Meanwhile, the other two could defeat Rockruff and Metagross and move on to either seize or destroy the ship.

(I don't have time to think...)

While they were deliberating, the Explorers arrived on the beach where Jin and his group were. Dismounting from their Skarmory and Corviknight, Zirc sent out his Rhydon and Onia her Golduck, assuming battle positions. As expected, their battle experience was on a different level.

However, there was an unexpected silver lining.

(If it's just that Golduck, then maybe…)

Jin had considered Onia's strength to be on par with Zirc's, but it seemed Zirc was slightly superior. If Murdock and the others could engage Golduck simultaneously, they might at least buy some time.

(A tag battle… or at least if we can take them on one at a time...)

"Jin!"

Amethio shouted, his voice filled with disdain as he faced Jin.

"Amethio, you're back again?"

"Of course. I won't give up until I defeat you, take the pendant, and the girl."

"...Didn't you just lose the other day? Isn't it too soon for a rematch?"

"Shut up... I won't lose twice."

"I see... But if it's a rematch, shouldn't it be the guy with the rooster comb who goes first?"

"Who are you calling a rooster?! I'm still in my twenties!"

"!!!"

"Don't act so shocked!"

(Nice comeback.)

Onia had quite a humorous personality, but Zirc was just as entertaining. Jin couldn't help but mentally applaud his sharp retort.

"My apologies... But you want to get revenge on me too, right? You should go first. I'll take you on now."

"Sir Amethio, please let me go first!"

"No. I'll handle this."

"Sir Amethio!"

"Quiet. Zirc, you know you can't win against him."

"..."

Zirc reluctantly fell silent at Amethio's command.

"Come on, don't give up before the fight even starts. You never know how a battle will go until you try."

"It's obvious. Jin, I've thoroughly investigated you. You're quite famous in the Hoenn region, aren't you?"

"...."

(…This guy.)

"Famous?"

"Jin is?"

"What, you haven't told your teammates? In the last Hoenn Pokémon League Ever Grande Conference, you won with overwhelming strength without losing a single Pokémon. The media calls you the next Elite Four, the future Champion."

"...You know a lot."

Seeing Jin not deny anything Amethio said, Murdock and Orla looked shocked.

"No way! You won the Pokémon League?!"

"Wait a second! Why didn't you tell us?"

"…Didn't I mention it?"

"Don't pull a Friede on us! Answer seriously!"

Jin's attempt at impersonation was brushed off, and he reluctantly began to speak honestly.

"…I didn't think it was that big of a deal."

"Of course it is! That's an amazing accomplishment!"

"Is it? Actually becoming an Elite Four or a Champion is amazing, but there are plenty of league champions if you look around."

Depending on the region, the history of the Pokémon League is long. There are indeed quite a few individuals who have won championships over the years.

Despite being called the next Elite Four or a future Champion, Jin was currently just a regular person. Only by participating in the Champions League, which is open exclusively to league winners, and winning there could one challenge the Elite Four or the Champion. Jin thought it was a bit of an overstatement to be rated so highly without having done that.

"…Well, enough about my past. What do you want to do, Amethio? If you're worried about a one-on-one, we can do a double battle, or even two against one."

"I won't fall for your provocations anymore. I will face you alone. Zirc, Onia, proceed with the plan to take over the ship. Do not let them escape from this island."

"Understood!"

(…Not taking the bait, huh?)

Jin had hoped Amethio might take the bait, but it seemed he was determined to achieve his goal by any means necessary this time. Given his previous failure to steal the pendant from a rookie trainer and the defeat due to his own poor judgment, Amethio had no room for error left.

"Go, Ceruledge!"

Amethio threw a Poké Ball, sending out his familiar Ceruledge.

"Let's begin. Send out your Pokémon quickly."

(…Looks like there's no other choice.)

Jir and Onia were already facing off against Murdock and Orla. At this point, it would be difficult to intervene.

"Jin, leave this to us!"

"Take care of them!"

"…Got it. I'm counting on you."

Given the circumstances, the only option left was for everyone to do their best. Jin had some concerns, but he knew he had to trust his comrades. With that resolve, he took out a Poké Ball from his pocket and threw it into the air.

"I choose you, Sceptile!"

"Scep!"

It was obvious that the type matchup was unfavorable, but to end the battle as quickly as possible, Jin chose Sceptile, his fastest Pokémon, who had been eager for a rematch since their last battle.

"…Sceptile, huh."

"What? Not going to point out the type disadvantage?"

"I won't underestimate you anymore. I'm going all out!"

(All out, huh…)

There was no trace of complacency or arrogance from Amethio or Ceruledge. They were clearly approaching this battle with the intent of challenging a stronger opponent.

"…Alright. Then we'll give it our all too."

Muttering this, Jin reached into his chest and pulled out a pendant.

Unlike Liko's pendant, this one had a sparkling gemstone embedded in it. Jin touched the gemstone on the pendant. In that instant, the gemstone in the pendant and the one on the scarf around Sceptile's neck began to glow simultaneously, enveloping Sceptile.

Amethio, Ceruledge, and indeed every Trainer and Pokémon present were captivated by the transformation they witnessed.

"Sceptile, Surpass your limits—MEGA EVOLVE!"

// END