By the rocks along the shore, Shuichi and Lugia were happily playing in the sea. The boy and the Pokémon splashed water at each other, looking carefree and happy.
On a large boulder beside Shuichi, Xia You and Ash sat leisurely watching them.
Everything seemed so normal and harmonious, like a simple bit of after-dinner entertainment.
Strangely, though, there was no sign of anyone else!
Erika, Misty, Brock, and Ritchie all seemed to have vanished!
Meanwhile, beneath the sea ahead of them, a massive submarine lay silently in wait.
In the submarine's control room, the captain stared at the large screen displaying the footage sent back by the video equipment, his brow unconsciously furrowing.
A Team Rocket Member asked impatiently, "Captain, we've already waited over ten minutes. Isn't it time to act?"
The captain considered it for a moment, but rather than give an order, he said hesitantly, "According to our intelligence, there are seven people in this group. Why are there only three left now? Where are the others?"
"We haven't found any sign of the others nearby." The Team Rocket Member shook his head and ventured, "Could they have left already? After all, this is just a deserted island. There's nowhere much to go. I think the others probably went back to town?"
Had they left...?
The captain rubbed his chin, seemingly agreeing with that assessment, and immediately relaxed a little. "If they really have split up, that undoubtedly weakens their strength considerably. That man named Xia You who's still there may be difficult to deal with, but this is certainly a rare opportunity to capture Lugia!"
He glanced at the member and ordered, "No time to waste. Surface immediately and send out the Action Team!"
On the rock, Ash looked around at the calm surroundings. With