Chapter 1 (Prologue)

"There has not yet been word as to the explosions that occurred in the Hoenn region roughly a week ago. As far as the media has been made aware, current Hoenn Champion Matthew is currently pursuing the culprits, revealed a few days ago to be a few rogue Team Magma members, but no new information has been leaked to us. Stay tuned to Channel 4 International News for all the latest developments."

As the TV switched to the results of the Pokémon Contests from a few days ago, Mark leaned back in his chair, hand resting on his chin. As the mass of people in the Lilycove Club buzzed with activity, he couldn't help but think to himself, while making himself seem inconspicuous.

It had been about a week and a half since the three secret caves in Hoenn had exploded, revealing three supper-ancient Pokémon from their dormant state. Unfortunately, the culprits of the explosions were a few radical members of Team Magma, who had vowed to expand the landmass by any means necessary. Originally, they had targeted 'smaller' measures, like trying to blow up Mt. Chimney, an active volcano, and destroying the Space Center in Mossdeep. Eventually, they had resorted to stealing the Blue Orb in order to resurrect Groudon, the deity and creator of the Earth and landmasses. Matthew, along with Nicole and Emily, succeeded in defeating Team Magma AND their counterparts, Team Aqua, thereby saving the region and the world. Unfortunately, it seemed as Team Magma wasn't truly taken down just yet. It appeared that a few members had broken off (despite quite a show that Matthew made), and began to act independently, and they had stolen Legendary Pokémon in the process. Luckily, Matthew was able to get some inconspicuous help from some friends, so there was no need to send in any other Sages.

He kicked his feet over the side table he was sitting at. It was remarkable, really, this whole Sage business. He was still getting used to the concept. He wouldn't be so concerned about it, except for that incident with Catherine…

"Excuse me…" a voice said. "I think you dropped your focus again."

Looking up, he could see a young woman with long, dark brown hair looking at him with bright sapphire eyes. She sat down at the other end of the table, slipping out of her formal coat, revealing her thinner, light-blue tank, flashing a small grin. Mark grinned in reply.

"Ah, Nicole! Good to see you again. How was your swim competition?"

"It was fine," she replied, flipping her hair to the side. "I didn't do as well as I could have, though. I guess I was distracted…"

"I don't blame you." He took a glance around him, and lowered his voice a bit. "What's the word?"

"Well, you know that relations between the Pokémon Union and Sinnoh opened up a month ago, right?

"Yeah, I heard about that, considering I was in the meeting."

"Oh, right…" She smiled shyly. "I keep forgetting that.

"Anyway, Red has doing his Plate research thing, and he thinks Sinnoh could hold the final answers he's been looking for."

"What does that have to do with us, exactly?"

"Well, it so happens that he has found evidence pointing towards a Legendary Pokémon." She leaned in closer, her voice now but a whisper. "One that has been named as the 'Original One.'"

"Oh." He pulled himself upright in his seat. "That does sound interesting. Interesting, but why the urgency, exactly? We're the only ones who know about this, correct?"

"He believes that that is not the case, at least not yet. Remember the news about Galactic Corporation opening its doors in Sinnoh earlier this month? He said that it sounded like a familiar ruse, that this 'Galactic' might spell trouble. He's currently getting passes for us to travel to Sinnoh within the week."

"How long's the ride?"

"About two to three days. Not too bad, really. Once they join the Union, we can set up airways, but for now, that's all we got to work with."

"Is he already there?"

"He's arranging a series of smaller boat trips as we speak. The plan is to have two or three of us go at a time, for secrecy reasons."

"Got it. Have you heard from Matt yet?"

Her gaze dropped.

"No, he hasn't radioed in for about 24 hours. Should I be worried?"

"You know him better than I do. Should we?"

She smirked at him.

"If he didn't radio in, he has a good reason, or he knows I'd blow his brains out, one cell at a time."

"You two are so cute together." He climbed out of his seat. "Well, then, shall we?"