Chapter 0690: Groudon: Eat My Precipice Blades!!(Two-in-One)

The sea churned violently as the torrential downpour gradually lightened to a drizzle.

The sea churned violently as the torrential downpour gradually lightened to a drizzle.

Boss Giovanni stood on the submarine's upper deck, hands in his pockets, scanning the waters for any sign of the colossal shadow's return.

The image of Blastoise's Hydro Cannon shattering Origin Pulse and sending Primal Kyogre crashing into the waves was burned into his mind.

His sharp, calculating eyes lingered on Blastoise, still standing firm on its ice floe, before lifting to meet the gaze of the black-haired young man riding Latias high above.

As lightning split the sky, illuminating the world in stark white, the trainer flashed a grin and gave a casual two-fingered salute.

Giovanni exhaled in wry amusement.

"What the hell was that?! Blastoise just knocked Kyogre on its ass?!" Gold's jaw hung open.

"Primal Kyogre," Silver corrected flatly.

"That was Hydro Cannon, right? The Water-type starter's ultimate move?"

Crystal, ever the Professor's assistant, recognized the technique—but her voice trembled. "But…"

The Johto Pokédex holders spoke in unison:

"NATSUME-SENSEI, YOU CALL THAT HYDRO CANNON?!"

Latias was suspended in the air, and the black-haired young man on Latias' back shrugged slightly.

Natsume: "Hydro Cannon is supposed to be like this."

Silver blinked, then glanced at his Feraligatr. Feraligatr shook its head violently.

Don’t listen to him! Only HIS Blastoise does that!

"But... weren't you just asking in the group chat two weeks ago how to train Ultimate Moves?" Gold scratched his head in confusion.

Natsume gazed skyward, recalling the 'Ultimate Technical Machine' he'd obtained during his Unova journey - that golden bracelet shaped like Arceus' sigil...

"Maybe Blastoise just... ding," Natsume said with a strange expression, "and learned it."

He couldn't pinpoint exactly when it had been mastered, but one thing was certain - Blastoise learned faster than Gold ever could!

As if to confirm, Blastoise adjusted its sunglasses with a satisfied smirk.

As a member of the Water-type starter trio, mastering an Ultimate Move was only natural, right?

Besides, when it came to life-saving trump cards, why wait until tomorrow?

"Blastoise ヾ(■_■)" Blastoise gave a thumbs up.

Perfectly reasonable!

The Pokédex holders: "......"

Too reliable... Blastoise was just too reliable!

The memory of Blastoise shattering Origin Pulse and repelling Primal Kyogre still echoed in their minds, the thunderous impact ringing in their ears.

Gold's expression cycled through shock, confusion, and finally settled on acceptance as he crossed his arms and nodded.

"Natsume-sensei, as expected from the only trainer who's ever shut me out completely!" Gold praised.

Silver remarked calmly, "Given Natsume-sensei's Blastoise, defeating Primal Kyogre isn't surprising in the least."

"Right? Hah, knew you'd agree!" Gold threw an arm around Silver's shoulders laughing.

Crystal tilted her head slightly.

Wait.

"Defeating" Primal Kyogre?

Something felt off... but also completely correct?

Natsume recalled his now demega-evolved Blastoise to its Dive Ball for rest, his chest tight from the aftereffects of Mega Evolution and channeling various power boosts. Battling Legendary Pokémon took a tremendous toll on both mind and body.

No wonder Steven Stone had collapsed after commanding the three Regis against Hoenn's duo for 22 days straight in the Special Edition...

After all, battling Legendary Pokémon took a tremendous toll on both mind, HP, and spirit.

In Special Edition: Emerald, Steven Stone had commanded the Regi trio against Kyogre and Groudon for 22 days straight before collapsing from exhaustion - and that outcome wasn't surprising in the least...

Suddenly, the sea bulged ominously. Natsume tensed, secretly gripping a Poké Ball tighter - but the massive shadow beneath didn't surface, instead diving deeper.

"What's it doing now?" Natsume blinked in confusion.

Darkrai floated nearby, shadowy tendrils swirling in the gale. "Ancient Pokémon aren't fools. It's taking a detour. Besides, it still needs to battle Groudon later - retreating now is the smart move."

After a pause, Darkrai added begrudgingly:

"In other words..."

"You scared Primal Kyogre away!!"

"Pfft!" Latias couldn't hold back her laughter.

"And what are you laughing about? You didn't even use Light Screen! After I carried you through all of Kanto's gyms!" Natsume began ruffling Latias' feathers mercilessly.

"Hahaha—stop! That tickles!" Latias squirmed, tears forming from laughter.

As she threatened to drop him midair, Natsume wisely stopped. His radar-like Power of One sensed Primal Kyogre moving cautiously through the depths, as if wary of ambush.

"Looks like... the operation here was successful," Natsume murmured.

But they couldn't stop now.

What awaited them next would be even more dangerous and ferocious - another Ancient Pokémon!

"I've got to reinforce the other front!" he called down to Gold and the others. "You should evacuate with Team Rocket!"

"We need to help Champion Wallace!" Gold shouted back. "He's injured - his ship should be nearby in these waters!"

The distress signal had come from Wallace himself. He must have already fought a brutal battle against Primal Kyogre before their arrival. Natsume's intervention had been the second interception. Now, the western front demanded their attention.

The western front... where Primal Groudon's Desolate Land turned the terrain into a blazing hellscape.

Natsume's expression darkened.

While humans might survive floods, nothing could endure the scorching flames of Groudon's domain...

"Can Blastoise still use Rain Dance...?" Natsume muttered. "Or will we have to rely on Pupitar...?"

Primal Groudon's ability negated all Water-type moves. Liquid wouldn't quench its flames - but sand and rock could smother the inferno.

That was why Rustboro City's Rock-type Leader Roxanne led the western relief team.

But facing Primal Groudon directly...

Natsume's hand drifted to the Dusk Ball at his waist.

Pupitar hadn't even evolved yet. Was this mission too much for—

A pulse of determination from within the ball cut his doubts short.

"Pupitar... (▼へ▼メ)"

The glory of sandstorms falls to us.

Natsume exhaled, patting the Dusk Ball.

"My mistake. I won't doubt you again."

With a final nod to Giovanni below, he placed a hand on Latias' neck.

"Boss Giovanni, I'm counting on you to watch over Silver and the others!"

Giovanni gave a slight nod, hands still in his pockets.

As Latias streaked toward Rustboro City beneath the storm-darkened sky, Primal Kyogre already gone from these waters...

"Lt. Surge," Giovanni suddenly said.

"Yeah, Boss? What's the plan?" Lt. Surge grinned.

"Take the backup sub. Head to Seafloor Cavern..."

A smirk played on Giovanni's lips.

"If I'm right... there's something there worth collecting."

A small repayment for Natsume's assistance.

"Now?!" Surge eyed the still-choppy waves incredulously.

Giovanni's icy stare was answer enough.

"Roger that! I'll take the troublemaker with me!"

"Mmm..." Giovanni mused.

Fewer nuisances that way.

……

Half an hour earlier...

Hoenn League Emergency Response HQ

A deathly silence gripped the war room, thick with tension. A researcher stared in shock at his monitor.

The red blip on screen had stopped moving, its energy signature plummeting like it had been hit by artillery fire!

"Mr. President! Primal Kyogre has halted movement! Someone's engaging it in battle!" the researcher shouted.

Others looked up, murmuring in disbelief. Just moments ago, Champion Wallace had fought Primal Kyogre head-on, forcing it underwater—only to be struck by ice shards, his current condition unknown!

Yet now, in this atmosphere of despair, an unknown trainer had intercepted Kyogre a second time!

The Hoenn President's eyes narrowed. "Can we confirm the location?"

"Grid U14 waters! Feeding live footage to main screen now!"

All eyes turned upward as the massive display flickered to life—showing the same monotonous, terrifying waves they'd grown numb to seeing.

Lightning split the sky. A tsunami-sized wave erupted as Primal Kyogre breached like a whale taking flight, its massive wings carrying it through the storm.

The ancient deity's sheer scale stole breaths away. Then—

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

A streak of crimson weaved between water spouts. Latias.

"Natsume-sensei?!" a researcher gasped.

"Wait, you're a Natsume-sensei fan too?"

"No, I'm Team Cynthia," came the sullen reply.

Every gaze locked onto the screen as Kyogre's maw glowed—Origin Pulse charging—

Only for Mega Blastoise's Hydro Cannon to erupt from an ice floe below, shattering the attack and slamming Kyogre back into the depths!

The war room froze in collective shock.

The President's jaw hung open.

Three seconds of silence—

Then the room exploded.

"HOLY ARCEUS, BLASTOISE IS INSANE!"

"That wasn't Hydro Cannon—that was Origin Pulse vs Origin Pulse!!"

Cheers erupted like pent-up steam released. After hours of despair, this was their first real hope.

As analysts ran new models, one researcher paled. "Primal Kyogre's... retreating? It's actively avoiding that Blastoise!"

"Primordial Sea expansion halted! No further urban encroachment!"

"Primal Kyogre maintaining course toward Grid H17—Slateport City threat neutralized!"

The researcher turned, eyes shining.

"Mr. President! Natsume-sensei bought us critical time!"

The President adjusted his glasses, steadying his voice.

"Announce it to all sectors..."

A deep breath.

"Eastern Front interception operation—decisive victory!"

……

Reverse World, Mirror Tree of Beginning

Giratina in its Origin Forme levitated with six ghostly ribbon-like wings, its body adorned with golden spikes.

Ripples spread through the air as it landed on the mirrored Tree of Beginning, gazing up at the translucent sky where white clouds drifted peacefully.

"The weather's nice today... No thunderstorms or fire-type moves flying around..."

Just as Giratina thought this, a rift tore open elsewhere in the Reverse World—seawater came flooding in.

Giratina: "......"

Though the rift sealed quickly, Giratina recognized it immediately—this was Primordial Sea, water that could never evaporate!

"Gengar~ (◕‿◕✿)"

Gengar popped out, scratching its head with an apologetic grin.

"It's fine." Giratina remained calm. "I'm used to it."

Its gaze fell upon the golden cube Gengar had dutifully offered as tribute. Clearing its throat, Giratina added:

"A few more times... I can handle it."

With a flick of its spike, a glass jar levitated into the air.

"So... he's in trouble again? Serious trouble?"

"Gengar!" Gengar nodded seriously.

Giratina's expression darkened.

"You're saying Natsume already defeated Primal Kyogre, but still needs my help?!"

"Gengar! ヽ(≧◇≦)ノ" Gengar confirmed.

Giratina fell silent.

Emotionally, I don't want to believe it... but logically, that human once shattered Arceus' avatar when pushed to the limit...

So yes, he probably did clash with both Super-ancient Pokémon—and repelled Primal Kyogre head-on.

"Then... how can I help?"

Giratina's eyes sharpened.

"With all due respect, even a trainer's Inner Focus has limits. After hours of battle, commanding multiple legendaries would—"

"Gengar~" Gengar shook its head.

Not for fighting! For transporting something!

Giratina choked. "Transporting?!"

"Gengar!" Grinning, Gengar grabbed a floating bubble, showing Giratina an image—

Regigigas, seated upon its throne at Snowpoint Temple, head raised as if awaiting summons!

"...Ah. Delivering the big guy."

Giratina muttered: "That does require my assistance..."

But.

A delicate mood settled over Giratina.

He chose Regigigas over me?

Next time, I'm charging toll fees for Reverse World access!

……

Rustboro City, Grid H17 Waters

Mt. Chimney had erupted six hours prior, blanketing nearby towns in volcanic ash. Rivers of magma and scorching winds had transformed the landscape into a sea of flames - a true Desolate Land.

With liquid water useless against these supernatural fires...

Rock-type Leader Roxanne led a team of trainers using moves like Rock Tomb and Mud Shot to contain the inferno's spread.

Yet at the disaster's epicenter, an ancient behemoth advanced - its body spewing molten rock, its visage twisted in primal fury.

With each step, Primal Groudon evaporated entire rivers, transforming them into barren earth. Undaunted by the vast ocean ahead, it marched relentlessly toward Rustboro City's eastern shores!

Compared to Primal Kyogre's path, Groudon had the advantage - awakening practically on the battlefield's doorstep.

One might suspect the ancient siblings had coordinated this.

During their last clash at Sootopolis City, Kyogre only needed thirty minutes to arrive... while poor Groudon had to trek across the entire Hoenn region.

What an exhausting journey that had been...

But today? Today Groudon would fight on home turf!

"ROOOOAR!!!"

Beneath the blazing sun, Primal Groudon's crimson markings pulsed with molten energy. It threw back its head and roared at the heavens.

"Alert! Primal Groudon entering Grid H17! Approaching central zone!"

HISSSSS—

As Groudon stepped into the sea, the waters instantly vaporized, leaving a path of flaming obsidian in its wake.

From a helicopter circling above, Steven gripped the doorframe, his blue hair whipping in the turbulent winds.

Strangely, his gaze wasn't fixed on Groudon itself - but rather the obsidian path forming beneath it.

"Mr. Steven!" Alain shouted over the rotor noise. "Groudon's coming!"

Steven finally tore his attention from the mineral formations, glancing toward the coastal town.

Since Primal Groudon had beelined straight here, casualties were remarkably fewer than Kyogre's eastern rampage...

"My apologies... but I must quell your wrath!"

Steven's eyes hardened as he touched his Key Stone pin. His suit billowed as rainbow light erupted around him.

"Metagross—MEGA EVOLVE!!"

"Metagross!"

The white Metagross clanged its steel fists together. In a flash of light, four interlocking claws splayed open as an X-shaped crest gleamed upon its forehead - the mark of Mega Evolution.

Steven's ace: Mega Metagross!

"Respond to my heart, Key Stone! Transcend evolution!!"

Simultaneously, Alain's Charizard took flight - its form shimmering as it evolved midair into the blue-and-black Mega Charizard X.

With a powerful beat of its spiked wings, Charizard X dove toward Primal Groudon, its wings gleaming like polished steel.

"Charizard! STEEL WING!"

Alain clenched his fist and roared the command.

Primal Groudon slowly looked up... and blinked in genuine confusion.

"Rooar...?"

This creature... has no sense of self-preservation?

Then—it stomped.

The earth shattered. Cliffs erupted from the ground like swords stabbing skyward—

PRECIPICE BLADES!!

"GROOO—"

Mega Charizard X's eyes widened in shock as a flaming obsidian spike impaled it clean through the abdomen.