Chapter 153: Steven Stone
Fallarbor Town
Ayan's entire body was wrapped in bandages, looking guilty as he glanced at everyone from the Old Green House.
"I'm sorry... for making you all worry."
He had intended to use this project as a way to improve himself, but who knew something like this would happen. Fortunately, the rescue arrived promptly, or his injuries might have worsened.
"Brother Ayan, don't worry," Rina said with a choked voice, "A lot of police officers have already arrived outside. The ones who hurt you will surely be caught."
Days after the Mt. Chimney's explosion, the police forces that arrived later had been unceasingly entering Mt. Chimney. However, by the time they arrived, a considerable amount of time had already passed. As long as the perpetrators weren't fools, they should have escaped early on.
However, the situation didn't unfold as the police expected. Several explosions occurred at Mt. Chimney afterwards, and upon further investigation, it was discovered that these were pre-planted bombs.
The event was labeled as "a heinous bombing attack." Having understood the intention of the perpetrators, bomb disposal teams began to remove hidden bombs on Mt. Chimney to ensure the cable car project could continue.
As for the escaped criminals, they were already registered as international fugitives.
However, what shocked everyone was that the perpetrators didn't withdraw as expected. Instead, after some time, they reappeared at Mt. Chimney.
According to police investigations, there were approximately three criminals on Mt. Chimney.
To apprehend these three criminals, countless police officers ascended Mt. Chimney, conducting thorough searches, but to no avail.
Even when they seemed close, it was as if the perpetrators were getting the information somehow and withdrawing rapidly.
As a result, the police were constantly chasing the three people in circles on Mt. Chimney, making little progress.
In this situation, Fallarbor Town below Mt. Chimney was designated a protected area. With the criminals still at large, the safety of ordinary residents had to be strictly ensured.
The situation reached a stalemate. Unless the police increased their manpower again, it wouldn't be easy to arrest those three criminals at this rate. Moreover, if the criminals felt cornered, these mysterious forces with access to "explosives" from unknown sources could undoubtedly disrupt the peace of Hoenn.
They must be thoroughly eliminated; they cannot allow other regions' League to laugh at them!
This was the directive issued by the Hoenn League.
The opponents were troublesome. Facing such intense police operations, their frequent escapes indicated it wasn't just a matter of individual capability; they were likely skilled "Trainer" who adeptly utilized the power of Pokémon.
Setting aside the decision to mobilize more police, the League's higher-ups decided to deploy elite forces to suppress them with absolute force.
With such an incident, the Hoenn League's reputation had already been tarnished. The only solution was a more direct, more violent approach.
The Gym Leaders were the first ones the Hoenn League considered, but there were only a few who were truly capable. One person alone might not be more efficient than the combined efforts of the police.
Among the Gym Leaders, the one the League trusted more was Mr. Norman from Petalburg City. However, despite his strength, his ace Pokémon, Slaking, wasn't suitable for such occasions.
Too bulky and lacking in mobility, Slaking's terrifying destructive power would only create more chaos on Mt. Chimney.
Apart from the Gym Leaders, the only top-tier Trainers available were the Elite Four.
Sidney, Phoebe, Glacia, Drake—all of them are top Trainers who represent the honor of Hoenn. They are almost the symbols of the Hoenn League. Sending any one of them out would instill confidence in resolving this incident.
However, what puzzled all the higher-ups was that the ultimate decision-maker gave this public appearance opportunity to a young man.
"What did you say? A Trainer named Steven? What about the Elite Four? The Gym Leaders?!" a police officer exclaimed, saliva flying, bewildered upon receiving the news.
What a joke! Just three people managed to outmaneuver dozens of us. Sending out just one Trainer, how is that enough?
"Hey, newbie, haven't you heard of Steven?" another officer interjected.
"Who's that?"
"....."
"Devon Corporation. You know about that, right?"
Devon Corporation.
A heavyweight company in Hoenn, practically every Hoenn resident had heard of its name.
It was the kind of large company that could shake the entire economic system of Hoenn with a stomp of its foot.
"Steven Stone, the son of Devon Corporation's President, a rich young master who grew up with a golden spoon in his mouth since childhood. He's said to be an exceptionally talented Trainer. Also, with such a privileged background, there's nothing he can't do..."
"But the main point isn't that. I heard that during a collaboration between Devon Corporation and a large company in the Unova Region, Steven encountered one of their Elite Four members."
"And, Steven even issued a challenge. Hehe, and guess what? – that Elite Four underestimated him. Steven effortlessly dealt with their first Pokémon, and even though the Elite Four member sent out their ace, they still lost to Steven."
"One Pokémon defeated two Pokémon of an Elite Four, one of which was their ace. That battle utterly humiliated the Unova League. You see, Steven isn't even our Hoenn's Elite Four or a Gym Leader; he's just a formerly unknown ordinary Trainer."
"So powerful? Then why didn't he become famous earlier?" the first officer asked in astonishment.
"I don't know, maybe it's related to his background?" the other hesitated, "But that one battle catapulted Steven's reputation to the top. It is said that even that Unova's Elite Four had submitted their resignation application, and Unova is now preparing for a new Elite Four to take their place."
"Did you also hear... about Indigo League's Champion challenge? I think we should also introduce a representative young Trainer here," The police officer suddenly thought of something and gulped: " The heir of Devon Corporation, coupled with the identity of an Elite Four member or even the Elite Four Champion, his reputation...would become terrifying."
...
"Boss, how is it?"
It was a woman wearing a red uniform, with a hint of purple hair peeking from under her cap. From her voice, she didn't seem too young, but her figure was enough to be called a girl.
"Courtney, are you sure the device you provided is working fine? It's been three days, and we still haven't detected the whereabouts of the 'Red Orb.'"
"Mm-hmm, Boss Maxie, I am completely devoted to you. Please trust the device I've created."
"If we really can't detect it, then there's only one possibility left: the 'Red Orb' isn't even on Mt. Chimney."
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