"Doctor, how confident are you in the signal stability system?"
"Not confident at all!"
"Alright, then I'll choose to go down myself!"
Facing Dr. Akihabara's straightforward response, Baimu decided to give up on the idea of the micro-submarine. If there was an incident like last time, where they had to come up and go down again only to find the sea cave was gone, it wouldn't be good.
Of course.
Going down in person undoubtedly carries certain risks, but considering that Lugia's temperament is relatively more gentle compared to other Pokémon, and relatively friendly to humans, the danger exists but shouldn't be too great.
Even if it comes to a fight, with the Ocean Team's technology, they should at least be able to ensure their safety.
With this in mind, under Aquan's guidance, he arrived at a simple dock located at the bottom of the large ship, where a small submarine resembling a Carvanha was quietly moored.
It looked fierce and cool.
"The Carvanha submarine can accommodate up to ten people. Based on the measurements of the entrance's width and length by the micro-submarine, it can surely squeeze in."
Aquan opened the submarine hatch and was the first to crawl in.
Baimu followed closely, and what first caught his eye was a narrow passage, but after taking a couple of steps forward, he saw a slightly spacious interior.
Aside from the driving position at the front, the rest was filled with soft seats similar to those in a sightseeing bus, with semi-transparent glass around that allowed viewing of the outside environment—or rather, was it a large screen transmitting the contents from the camera outside?
He recalled seeing the steel plate resembling Carvanha upon entry and thought that the Black Technology of the Pokémon World probably hadn't reached the level of seeing through metal.
"Prepare to launch!"
Aquan gave orders to the Ocean Team member steering the submarine.
Then.
A humming sound was heard, a slight vibration was felt underfoot, and the surrounding waterline gradually rose, completely enveloping the submarine as the bright surroundings grew further away.
"Feeling a bit nervous?"
Aquan, sitting beside, smiled and asked.
"A little," Baimu nodded, after all, Lugia was one of his traveling tasks. If he confirmed that it's the one from the Ore Region, the task would be half-completed.
Aquan continued, "If that Lugia is indeed from the Ore Region, would you attempt to capture it?"
"Capture it? Definitely not."
He decisively denied it, "Not to mention whether I have the capability, forcibly taking it back without its consent is essentially the same as doing harm, even if the intention is good."
"I see..."
"As long as I can successfully communicate with it, I'll try to persuade it. Even if Lugia is unwilling, I will still have a clear conscience."
Baimu had already considered this aspect.
Perhaps Shanren would promote and spread the word afterward, and some might pin their hopes on him, hoping he could bring back the Legendary Pokémon to improve the environment in the Ore Region.
But in reality, both he and Shanren would prefer the Ore People to slowly, generation by generation, build up the Ore Region themselves and rely on human effort to create a home.
At that time, the sense of belonging the Ore People have to the land beneath their feet cannot be expressed in words.
It would no longer be the prison where the Shadow Team confines the Ore People but a genuine soul's home, a place the Ore People yearn for.
The assistance of the Legendary Pokémon can exist, but it shouldn't foster a sense of getting something for nothing among the Ore People.
Aquan looked at the calm and composed Baimu, and although she had already felt this young man was extraordinary, she found him suddenly shining like a bright beacon.
Just like the time she saw Archie in her youth.
Aquan understood that those with great ideals and aspirations always radiate a dazzling and warm light, guiding all those who are lost towards them.
What she didn't know, though.
Was that in the distant Ore Region, there was a night filled with fireworks and stars.
Countless people with great ideals stepped fearlessly into the darkness, illuminating the path of hope and future, finding a better road for everyone.
And the light on Baimu was just one of those.
——
The submarine continued to dive deeper.
Before long.
They found the micro-submarine parked before the sea cave as they submerged into the trench.
"Destination reached."
The Ocean Team member steering the submarine signaled.
"Keep moving forward!" Seeing Baimu nod, Aquan waved her hand.
The Carvanha continued forward, diving into the pitch-black cave, and as they advanced a certain distance, the surrounding screen suddenly flickered, as if the video signal was unstable.
"We've lost contact with the Walrein!" The Ocean Team member handling the signal immediately warned.
"Expected! Don't stop, keep going!"
Aquan's voice remained steady.
It's evident that the leader's mindset in such an unknown environment is very crucial, especially in battles and operations like those led by Aquan, who has immense authority. As long as she remains calm, the Ocean Team members will not be nervous.
They continued forward for two more minutes.
The Carvanha encountered a "dead end," but undoubtedly, a new path appeared above them, with sonar indicating a wide space above.
The submarine quickly ascended, breaking through the surface in the expected way, into a pitch-black cave.
"Oxygen levels sufficient!"
"No toxic substances detected!"
An Ocean Team member loudly reported the system checks.
"We've arrived at Lugia's cave."
Aquan was again the first to stand and head out.
This operations team leader can be described as daring and meticulous, having once infiltrated the Magma Team's ship alone to break the chains confining Kyogre, showing both bravery and care.
Baimu followed her, with one leap landing on the ground.
Even with lights shining ahead, it was still pitch-dark, vast and silent, and the stones overhead kept dripping water, making a drip-drop sound, and standing in place, one could inexplicably feel a strange aura.
Buzz, buzz, buzz—
The low hum by his ear made Baimu turn his head, finding that the micro-submarine had switched to land cruise mode, apparently intending to join in going further.
Thinking of the low-frequency wave speaker on this thing used to drive away Pokémon, he inexplicably felt somewhat reassured.
Under Aquan's command, a team of ten left four behind on the Carvanha, while the remaining five, including her, ventured forward to explore.
Each released their Pokeball.
Bam, bam, bam!
A series of white lights flickered, and several large and seemingly tough Crawdaunts landed.
Seeing this, Baimu followed suit and released his Galarian Corsola, tapped its shell a couple of times to wake it up, and let it stay on his shoulder.
"..."
The Galarian Corsola silently observed the surroundings, glanced at the tough-looking Crawdaunts, and knew it was time to work.
The group moved deeper into the dark cave.
However.
The route was shorter than expected, leading to a massive stone cave with a faintly glowing blue entrance, large enough to accommodate Lugia's size.
Baimu and Aquan exchanged a glance and proceeded forward.
In an instant.
As he stepped into the cave, a cool sensation like passing through a water film brushed his hand and face, while at the end of his sight appeared a... gigantic waterfall?
The luminescent blue glow emanated from the waterfall, but for some reason, the waterfall didn't emit a roaring sound, instead, it was very quiet.
And as they entered, a silver shadow slowly emerged from within the waterfall.
"Chirp—"
A long, whale-call-like cry sounded.
Everyone's eyes widened, watching that beautiful figure, except Baimu, who wore a puzzled expression.
"...Huh?"