"It's Alain! Why are you here?"
"..."
"When did you come to Kanto?"
"..."
"Answer me!"
"Give it up, Ash," Alain finally replied.
"Give what up? Do you even know what you're saying?"
"You're no match for That Person."
"Where's Serena?"
"..."
"I asked you where Serena is!"
"Don't worry. She's safe right now."
"I'm done listening to your nonsense!" I pulled a Poké Ball from my belt.
"Ash, I don't intend to battle you here." Alain made no move to take out a Poké Ball.
"Listen to me, Ash. After we parted ways ten years ago, I kept searching for ore with a composition similar to a Key Stone's, and I met That Person."
"So what?"
"That Person found that ore and discovered its true secrets and power. That power is enough to destroy the world. What's happening in Vermilion City now was caused by just a fraction of it."
"Whatever that power is, Pikachu and I will overcome it!"
"Go ahead and keep being arrogant. You'll soon learn just how insignificant you are. Anyway, she's in this cruise ship's cargo hold." Alain took a key from his pocket and placed it on the floor.
After putting down the key, Alain vanished before my eyes in an instant.
I picked up the key, hurried to the cargo hold, and rescued Serena. At the same time, the scenery outside the ship suddenly returned to normal.
I motioned for Serena to stay in the captain's cabin, then went outside and took off the Protective Suit. That feeling of being unable to breathe didn't return.
Meanwhile, Professor Oak and Gary were on shore...
"That Person actually went around us and ordered Alain to contact Ash directly. Could they suspect us?" Professor Oak whispered into Gary's ear.
"And we went through so much