Heya, Companions. Sorry for the delay on this chapter update. My family and I took the day to celebrate my graduation and I didn't have time to finish the chapter. If you are following PokéUniverse - Sapphire Version, Chapter 11 for that story may be delayed as well. So sorry for the inconvenience. I hope to catch up on time before the next update for PokéUniverse - Ruby Version.

UPDATE - I will be taking a break from PokéUniverse until I can catch up on writing chapters. For further updates, check my profile for when PokéUniverse may return. Thank you all for enjoying PokéUniverse and for your patience.

Ruby looked up at the doorway, taking a deep breath as she stepped through. She felt a surge of pain in her chest, frowning as she tried to keep her head high. All of this wasn't meant to happen, she though. She needed more answers, but there wasn't enough time. In just a few moments, Groudon would be awakened and a drought will come over Hoenn once again.

Ruby looked over her shoulder, watching Courtney follow her. She needed time to stall. "S-So, what will awakening Groudon accomplish?" Courtney looked down at Ruby, brow raised as she started to smirk. "By awakening Groudon, we can expand the landmass. A better world for Pokémon and people alike. At least, that's what Leader Maxie says." Ruby nodded, looking down at the floor. "Well, hear me out. What if... What if it doesn't work? What will you do, then?" Ruby heard Courtney laugh from behind, one that made her feel a little too uneasy. "What do you mean? We know this plan will work! Don't be silly, Ruby."

"Ahaha... R-Right...!" Ruby muttered, chuckling as she turned the corner to her left. She couldn't stall for much longer with her. If Sapphire was there, they could easily distract her together and stall with as much time as they needed. The plan seemed a little perfect until Ruby remembered about Maxie. He wasn't a very patient man. He'd probably get very mad at them for taking so long. As they entered the large room, Ruby's eyes fell on a large statue that seemed to rest atop a pool of lava as they approached the room. They must be near the center of the volcano.

Maxie stood just by the edge, holding a crystallized red orb in his hands. He glanced over at Ruby, his glasses reflecting the glow of the lava as she approached. "Thank you, Courtney. Be on your way." The Admin saluted to their leader before turning and heading for the door. Maxie removed a hand from the orb and gestured to Ruby, nodding to the statue. "Come have a look, Ruby. I think you'll want a better look." Ruby gulped, approaching Maxie slowly. She stopped by the edge, staring at the statue.

It was a large Pokémon with sharp-like claws and teeth that looked like it could smash gems of any kind, from ones as big as Diamonds to ones as small as Pearls. Ruby felt a lump in her throat as she stared, jumping as a hand touched her shoulder. "Magnificent, isn't it? The Legendary Pokémon I had been searching for. Groudon. All my research finally paid off." Ruby nodded, watching Maxie take out a device that beeps to life. "Groudon. The Continent Pokémon," it stated. "Groudon is said to be the personification of the land itself. Legends tell of its many clashes against Kyogre, as each sought to gain the power of nature."

"So, all we have to do is awaken it, right?" Maxie chuckled, nodding. "That is correct, Ruby. However, we have a few things we need to discuss before we finally accomplish this goal." Ruby looked up at Maxie as he turned the Orb in his hand, staring at it. He started to frown, though it a barely noticeable at first until Ruby saw his eyes glisten. "Ummm... L-Leader Maxie...?"

"Why?"

Ruby turned to look at him, shaking her head in confusion. "I-I'm sorry, I didn't catch that.." Maxie turned his gaze from the Orb to her, the glow of the lava reflecting once again. Ruby stared up at him, gasping as she noticed the Orb glowing. The glow wasn't from the lava. It was the Orb. The more she looked, the more she started to notice his eyes were glowing a faint red color. "No... That's impossible..."

"Why did you ruin his life, Ruby? He was an Admiral! He had a perfect life until you interfered!" Ruby stepped back, stopping when her foot was just on the edge. If she stepped back any further, she could fall into the lava. Ruby took a deep breath, staring up at Maxie. He knew what happened, but he had the facts mixed up. "Maxie, listen. You've got it all wrong. I wasn't responsible for Maxime's fall. I came to Hoenn with Rose Quartz to stop any Homeworld gems that were going to take over the Region. There were thousands of Rubies and Sapphires. How are you certain it was me?"

"Because the office with all the files went missing. It's no mere coincidence that it disappeared AFTER I showed you when we first met." Ruby frowned, shaking her head. "What are you implying? That I took it?" Maxie chuckled, shifting the Orb to his other hand. "Implying? Ruby, I know you took it. It's hard to fool the Great Maxie. Now, hand them back over. I see no reason for you to keep them" Ruby bit her lip, looking down. She needed to snatch Orb away. "I..."

"Wait! Maxie!" Ruby and Maxie turned as Tabitha ran into the room, trying to catch his breath. "Tabitha..?!" Tabitha stood up straight, finally catching his breath. "Sir, do stop that now. Please! Maxie! You just don't understand! What Groudon will bring about upon awakening is an end to the world!" Ruby gasped, watching Maxie grit his teeth. Tabitha must've found out what Groudon was capable of. She wasn't sure how, but at least she knew she wasn't alone.

"Did you think I had not noticed? That I had somehow failed to realize you were after my spot? Such a sad development indeed. To be betrayed by my number two..." Now was her only chance! Ruby ran forth and jumped up, wrapping her arms around the Orb to snatch it. A sudden jolt of pain shot through her body, a strong force pushing from it as she's thrown across the room. "Ruby!" Tabitha shouted, hurrying over to help her up. "Are you alright?"

"I-I couldn't grab it... I don't understand… Unless… THAT'S what happened to her..."

"You little brat...!" Ruby looked up, eyes wide as Maxie glared down at her, gripping the Orb tightly. "Now I see what's going on. You don't want to repeat your past mistake. Well, it's too late to fix your mistakes." Ruby shook her head, standing up as she threw her hood back. "Maxie, please listen! I know you think I'm responsible for what happened to Maxime, but I assure you it was a different Ruby. I'm trying to stop you from making the same mistake HE made!"

"I won't make any mistakes, Ruby. The only mistake he made was trusting you." Maxie turned to face Groudon, holding the Orb up high. "In the end, there is only one being upon which I can depend! Now, Groudon! Absorb all of the power resting in this Red Orb, and reclaim yourself! Revert to your primal form! This is the time to take back the great Evolution you lost in the ancient past! Reclaim the possibility you once held!"

Ruby shielded her eyes, looking away as Tabitha picked her up and stepped back. A blinding light filled the room, forcing Tabitha to shield his eyes. The statue started to crack in place, pieces falling into the lava until Groudon was free. The Pokémon slowly turned its head and looked up, letting out a roar that shook the room. Groudon shifted its entire body, moving a little in the lava as it roar again and launches itself up, disappearing through the volcano top. Maxie started to grin, chuckling under his breath until he threw his head back, letting out a loud cackle.

"At last... AT LAST! I've finally done it! A new world for human evolution will be born! We shall stride forward!" Ruby frowned, shaking her head as she stared at the spot where Groudon once stood. "No… No…! This can't be happening! No!" Tabitha stared in disbelief, letting go of Ruby slowly. "Leader Maxie…" Maxie turned to face the two, a sickening grin on his face as his eyes glowed a bright red and faded out. "See, Ruby? It worked perfectly. No mistakes."

"Maxie, you don't understand! By awakening Groudon, you've brought a never-ending drought upon Hoenn!" Tabitha placed a hand on her shoulder, eyes wide as she turned to look at him. "So, it's true… A heavy drought will consume all of Hoenn with Groudon awake. The information we received from the Weather Institute is all true…"

"Yes…"

"What are you two talking about?" Maxie pulled a small earpiece from his pocket and placed it on as it beeped, pressing a finger up to it. "What is it? So, the sun has turned mercilessly fierce in its heat. I should expect so. This is what I have long- No, what WE have long wished for..!" The grin on his face started to fade as he listened carefully, looking down at the Orb.

"What?! The heat is greater than simulations predicted? It will be a risk to our own safety if it continues?! That cannot be... It has only just awoken... Where is it getting so much power from? And how much more will it gain when it does undergo Primal Reversion…" He shot a look at Ruby, seeing the look in her eyes. "C-continue your readings! Then report back!"

"Leader Maxie..?! What is happening on the surface..?!" Maxie placed the Orb in his jacket, looking at Tabitha. "All that matters is… That I have used the Red Orb to awaken Groudon. And now… I will transform this planet to a land ideal for humanity." Ruby gritted her teeth, stepping forth as tears started to form. "You're wrong! Groudon's Primal Reversion will only make him too powerful to control! With this drought, he'll destroy the Hoenn Region!"

"You have no right to speak to me in such a manner, Ruby. You only joined this team to gather information. To discard any and all proof that you were responsible for my ancestor's downfall." Ruby growled, pointing a hand at his jacket where the Orb was. "You want to see the gem who ruined your ancestor's life?! Go ahead and look at her! She's been with you ever since you took her from Mt. Pyre!" Tabitha took Ruby's hand, frowning as she yanked it away.

"I figured out what happened that day! 300 years ago, Sapphire and I encountered Admiral Maxime and that captain with him. She and I took the Orbs and tried to destroy them. Instead, the two of us were poofed. When I saw that Orb, I noticed it was crystallized. It wasn't like that years ago. Now I know why. Somebody had placed the remains of the Ruby who took and ruined Maxime's life and placed them with that Orb. She's trying to reform. She's been trying for-"

"Leader Maxie, what about the surface?!" Maxie looked up at Tabitha, eyes wide as he suddenly hurried past the two. Ruby looked up at Tabitha as he took her hand, nodding to the door. "Let's hurry! We need to see what happened! You can tell us about that Ruby later!" Ruby nodded, running ahead a little as she and Tabitha tried to hurry to the top of Mt. Chimney, hoping it wasn't too late.