The magnificent Sea Temple surfaced above the ocean, its curtain of water serving as a protective barrier receding as fresh air rushed inside.
"Mana!"
Like a salted fish leaping out of the water, Manaphy flopped straight into Su Hao's arms.
Seeing Su Hao again after nearly a year, it was incredibly excited.
After all, it had never forgotten that it owed its successful transformation to Su Hao. Its natural fondness for him had always been there.
"It's been a long time."
Su Hao smiled and rubbed Manaphy's head. His gaze followed the antennae swaying atop its head, and his fingers itched to grab one and see how it felt.
After cuddling for a while, Manaphy, oblivious to Su Hao's disrespectful thoughts, lifted its little head and pointed toward the calm sea in the distance, chirping as if claiming credit.
"Mana~ Mana~"
At Manaphy's call, a fish-like head roughly the size of an ordinary Whismur emerged from beneath the surface.
It resembled a whale, marked by red stripes and possessing a pair of golden eyes that faintly radiated majesty.
Wasn't that Kyogre, the legendary Creator of the Great Sea whom Sea King had pursued his entire life?
To be honest, Su Hao had never expected its arrival to be so ordinary and peaceful.
Though dark clouds hung overhead, it had not yet reached the point of raining.
The sea was calm as well, lacking even a trace of the spectacle Groudon created whenever it walked.
Kyogre had appeared just like that, silently.
The instant Su Hao met Kyogre's eyes, a voice sounded in his mind.
"Human, I have heard about you from Manaphy."
"You specifically called us here this time. Is there something you need?"
Kyogre spoke clearly and logically. It was not exactly polite, but at least it did not