Team Magma had temporarily established its headquarters in an unexplored cavern at the summit of Mt. Chimney.
Inside the largest cave, Maxie sat in a chair with a dark expression, watching Tabitha stand below him with his head bowed in silence.
"Have your injuries healed?"
A bead of cold sweat slid down Tabitha's forehead, and he hurriedly answered in a respectful tone,
"Boss! I'm fine now!"
"Oh my~"
Standing to one side, the curvaceous Courtney gave a soft laugh.
"You were hurt quite badly this time, weren't you, Tabitha? Looks like you ran into some serious trouble~"
Tabitha cursed inwardly but ignored her on the surface, remaining respectful.
"Boss! Something unexpected really did happen this time. We originally planned to take advantage of the unrest at Mt. Pyre to obtain information on the Ancient Script, but... but for some reason, the seal on Ninetales suddenly broke..."
"Those are nothing but a failure's excuses..."
Maxie lightly adjusted his glasses, the red volcanic rock behind him reflecting a fiery glow across the lenses.
"Or are you questioning my decision?"
"I wouldn't dare!"
Tabitha dropped to his knees with a thud and spoke urgently.
"Boss! Give me one more chance! I promise I'll get the information on the Ancient Script!"
Maxie did not respond. Beside him, a slight man wearing a red hood spoke quietly.
"Boss, I've heard that a phantom of Kyogre appeared at Mt. Pyre... and that it possessed considerable natural energy..."
"Do we know what caused it to appear?"
"We have too little information. After Ninetales's rampage was suppressed, the Pokémon League sealed off a vast area centered on Lilycove City and Mt. Pyre. Our people can't get in, and 'Poison' hasn't sent any news either..."
Below them, Courtney glanced warily at the man and remained silent.
Maxie said nothing.