anwhile — aboard a hovering airship over the Hoenn region
A woman with flowing crimson hair and finely sculpted features stood silently before a wide floor-to-ceiling window, gazing down at the brightly lit land below.
After a mont lost in thought, her gaze finally settled on a lone island.
The island lay west of the mainland—not large, but bearing the scars of so major catastrophe.
At its center was a deep pit where no grass grew, casting an eerie presence beneath the cover of night.
"Elias..."
Tis gently placed her fingertips against the glass, whispering the na.
Just then, a blue-and-white Pokémon with the shape of a jet aircraft floated up beside her and spoke:
"The poachers in the Hoenn region have mostly been cleared out."
"Elsewhere, in Sinnoh, all the factions aside from that group called Team Galactic have been shattered. They're no longer a serious threat for the ti being."
Latios kept his voice soft. He knew—his sister was thinking of Elias again.
In truth, it wasn't just Latias. He, too, often dread of the figure who had given him a second chance at life.
And he, too... could never forget the sight of him vanishing into the blaze.
Latias didn't respond imdiately to her brother's report.
Only after steadying her emotions did she draw a deep breath, furrow her brows, and ask:
"Team Galactic?"
"I rember they were already on our list a long ti ago. Why haven't they been eliminated yet?"
At her words, Latios handed over a file he had already prepared and said:
"They're stronger than expected—and their operations are widespread."
"More importantly… it seems they're working with a Johto-based cri group called the Masked Legion."
"The leader of that group is very powerful. So much so that every ti we move, we make no real progress."
Latios couldn't help but feel a headache coming on as he explained.
After Elias's disappearance a few years ago, Latias began launching retaliatory strikes against various criminal groups.
And whether they were poachers or not, she showed no rcy.
This had always worried Latios.
Tis was powerful now, yes, but humans had endless tricks up their sleeves. He feared one day she might fall into their trap.
Especially when facing deep-pocketed organizations like Team Rocket.
That's why, back when Latias first began her campaign, he proposed they start small—deal with minor groups first, then go after the big ones once they were strong enough.
Fortunately, Latias had retained her sense.
Though reluctant at tis, she'd rarely gone after groups like Team Rocket or Team Magma these past years.
But there was one exception—Team Galactic.
That criminal group from Sinnoh had once worked closely with Hunter J.
That was sothing Latias could never forgive.
No matter the cost, she was determined to wipe them out.
And sure enough, the mont Latios finished explaining, Tis didn't hesitate. With a wave of her hand, she declared:
"Then we'll take down that Masked Corp in Johto first."
"Once they're out of the picture, I'd like to see how Team Galactic plans to keep crawling forward!"
Her tone was firm, leaving no room for argunt.
Latios had no choice but to nod in agreent.
He exhaled softly. Once Latias set her mind to sothing, only Elias could ever talk her down.
If only...
Just as the conversation seed to be winding down, both Latios and Tias suddenly froze.
Their eyes widened in unison, as though they had witnessed sothing unbelievable.
It was a voice.
A voice both familiar and foreign.
One that should have perished in the fire all those years ago.
"Brother, did you hear that?"
"It's the sound of the Infinity Flute!"
Latias spun around sharply, her expression bright with surprise and excitent.
Years ago, she had scoured the island for anything—anything at all—related to Elias.
In the end, she had found only a single Poké Ball at the island's edge—the one she had used to "capture" him.
Nothing else.
She had believed the Infinity Flute had been completely consud by the flas. And yet… tonight, she had heard it again.
Had soone picked it up—and played it?
Or could it be…
The second thought struck her like lightning, stealing the breath from her lungs. She didn't dare say it aloud.
But just as she was about to sink deeper into that world of hope, a sharp voice broke through.
"Latias. I was there that day. I saw it with my own eyes—he was swallowed by the fire."
Latios' voice was grave. He feared she might act on impulse and rush toward the sound's source.
Because rather than believe in the near-impossible—that Elias had returned—
He was more inclined to believe it was a trap.
"Don't forget—the Infinity Flute once fell into Hunter J's hands."
"If she recorded the sound and released it later, don't you think humans have the technology to replicate it?"
He gave the warning quietly.
It took a mont, but Latias slowly cald down.
Yes. Elias returning...
The chances... were so slim...
A shadow passed over her spirit, leaving her visibly deflated.
"I'll stay rational," she told Latios softly.
Then, she turned her senses toward the location where the flute's lody had co from.
—Johto region.
Tis narrowed her eyes slightly.
Both the Masked Corp and the flute were in Johto. Coincidence?
If soone else had found the Infinity Flute, fine. She would simply retrieve it.
But if it was as her brother feared… then they had only themselves to bla.
"I'll stay in Hoenn and wrap things up here. Brother, go ahead to Johto and look into it."
"If anything happens, tell right away," Latias instructed.
"Understood."
---
The next morning
Elias and Gardevoir were already up and out of bed.
He rubbed his numb arm, looking a little helpless.
Gardevoir had a habit of sleeping wildly—she'd sprawled nearly her entire body over him, and his arms had taken the worst of it.
Now, he slled faintly of honey.
"I hear scent-marking is one way Pokémon claim their territory,"
a crisp voice called out from the doorway.
Elias turned toward the voice, blinking in surprise.
"Blue?"
"Yes, it's , Mr. Elias. Long ti no see."
"It's so wonderful… to see you again."
The brown-haired Blue stepped into the room with a smile, her sapphire eyes fixed firmly on Elias.
As though sizing him up.
---
...
Huh. You really stuck it out all the way to the end.
Didn't think you had the patience. Guess I was wrong.
WiseTL's the one who actually made all this co together. I'm just here putting a bow on it… or, well, shoving it in a backpack and calling it a day. Sa thing.
If you had fun, you know what to do:
👉 [patreon/WiseTL]
Heads up—Patreon's 50% off for all tiers during May. So if you were on the fence? Now's the ti.
And if you're the social type, there's a Discord too. Pretty decent spot to hang out—no battles required.
Alright. That's enough standing around. Go on—before you make it weird.
—Leaf
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