"Be careful." Arceus's warning still lingered at the edge of Lin Hao's mind, but he had already packed his backpack.
At five thirty in the morning, Cynthia stood before the terrain model in the lobby of the League command center in Coronet City. She was still wearing yesterday's black coat and looked as though she hadn't slept all night either.
"I've arranged your flight to Hoenn," Cynthia said, handing him a boarding pass. "A commercial flight. It leaves at seven and lands in Lilycove City at noon."
Lin Hao took the boarding pass. "Not flying military?"
"The point is to avoid drawing attention." Cynthia looked at him. "You're famous now. Everyone knows you have Lugia. Leaving from a military airfield would be as good as announcing it to the world."
"Fair point."
May came down the stairs, neatly dressed for travel, with a small bag slung over one shoulder. "I checked. This flight has one connection. Four and a half hours total."
"All right."
Red approached from the far end of the corridor, his face still covered by a mask and a cup of hot milk in his hand. He stopped in front of Lin Hao and got straight to the point. "Contact me when you reach Hoenn."
"Okay."
"One message a day is enough. It doesn't have to be long."
"Understood."
Red nodded and handed the milk to May. "Drink this on the way. The airport coffee isn't any good."
May blinked, then took it. "Thank you, Red."
Red had already turned to leave. After three steps, he stopped without looking back. "Lin Hao."
"Yeah?"
"If you come across any ruins associated with Groudon or Kyogre in Hoenn, don't touch anything recklessly."
Lin Hao's face twitched. Inside the System Space, Groudon abruptly raised his head. "What does he mean?