After stopping Team Magma, hopefully for the last time, at the Mossdeep Space Center, Lapis and his group decided to learn more about Regice in case Weldon's newly acquired Legend Guardian skills need to be used. They encountered the heat wave due to Groudon's influence but were able to arrive on Dewford Island, the nearest potential location of the Legendary Pokémon. The group then flew to Island Cave along Route 105 and found something helpful to Weldon's case. Due to the natural disaster, Harry decided to help his dad, Brawly, and stayed behind. Lapis then evolved Amethyst into a Vileplume but received some devastating news about Jade. Will Lapis be able to help her in time?

Lapis' Pokémon:

Zuli (Lvl. 46 Swampert, male; Item: Soft Sand): Impish Nature, Torrent Ability, moves: Tackle, Strength, Mud Shot, Surf

Bixbite (Lvl. 44 Camerupt, male): Bold Nature, Oblivious Ability, moves: Rock Slide, Tackle, Ember, Earthquake (currently in PC)

Onyx (Lvl. 47 Mightyena, female; Item: King's Rock): Mild Nature, Intimidate Ability, moves: Take Down, Rock Smash, Crunch, Bite

Pearl (Lvl. 47 Grumpig, female): Lax Nature, Thick Fat Ability, moves: Psychic, Psybeam, Shock Wave, Confuse Ray

Celestite (Lvl. 45 Altaria, female): Gentle Nature, Natural Cure Ability, moves: Fly, Safeguard, Take Down, Dragonbreath

Amethyst (Lvl. 47 Vileplume, female; Item: Miracle Seed): Quiet Nature, Chlorophyll Ability, moves: Petal Dance, Acid, Poisonpowder, Moonlight

Pokémon sent to the PLA: Tiger Eyes (Linoone, male), Citrine (Makuhita, female), Kyanite (Electrike, female), Moonstone (Swellow, female), SmokyQuarz (Numel, male)

Chapter 40: Scouring the Seafloor

Lapis dropped his PokéNav onto the floor. K-Kidnapped?! Jade's been kidnapped?! And by Team Aqua?! Wh-Why would they even-?

{Lapis! Are you still there?}

The teen hurriedly grabbed the device. "Yeah, Detective Kei… Still here."

{We will be organizing a team to infiltrate the Team Aqua Hideout near Lilycove City and rescue Jade. It will take a couple of days, but we want to be prepared as possible in case they fight back}

"I-I'll join you at the Team Aqua Hideout and-"

"Lapis. I know you're worried about Jade, but we can handle her rescue on our end. You have to stop Kyogre's awakening on yours.}

"But…"

{Please, Lapis. I know you don't trust law enforcement, but you can put your trust into me and Magma.}

He's right. They've been the most helpful since I've been here. "All right. Don't let me down, Detective. Please…save Jade."

{I will. Good luck, Lapis.}

After he hung up, Lapis realized Trinity was standing there. "Wh-Where's everyone else?"

"They're coming up with a strategy to navigate the currents to that Sealed Chamber, so we can go back to finding Seafloor Cavern and the rest of Team Aqua as a diversion."

"Wait, how did you-?"

She replied, "Didn't mean to eavesdrop, but it sounds like someone you know's under Team Aqua's clutches."

The Nuzlocker clenched his fists. "Yeah…but I gotta trust those coppers right now..."

To his surprise, the woman smiled. "It's nice to hear you say that. You're definitely changed since we first met."

Smirking, he replied, "Let's find Seafloor Cavern once and for all."

"All right. Let's fly on Munin. It'll be much faster."

The two left Dewford Town on her Charizard. Due to the extreme heat invigorating him, Munin was able to make it to the sea route in record time. From above, Lapis noticed a strange submerged shape. After pointing it out to Trinity, she motioned Munin to get closer.

"Is that?" she muttered. "I don't believe it… It's the stolen Submarine Explorer 1!"

"Guess that means we found Seafloor Cavern."

Lapis jumped into the ocean with Larimar by his side. He waited for the woman to switch Munin with her Dratini, Kiara, and they dove underwater. They watched the submersible enter a large cave, and the group followed it from a safe distance. Once they saw the coast was clear, they emerged from the water and found themselves on a strip of sand.

They returned their Pokémon and saw a carved opening leading deeper into the cavern. Trinity sneaked by the entrance and motioned the Nuzlocker to stay close to her.

"It looks like nobody's around, but there are a lot of small and large rocks blocking the path," she whispered. "Most likely their defense system."

"Hmph. That's all they got? Zuli and Onyx have got 'em covered."

After letting out the two, he confidently stepped into the next room, only to be mobbed by wild Zubat. Arceus damn it! I thought there wouldn't be any wild Pokémon in an underwater cave! How could I forget to buy more Max Repels?!

The Swampert and Mightyena chased them away, but the commotion already caught the attention of two male Team Aqua Grunts.

"Hey, it's that landlubber the Captain warned us about! Get him!"

This feels like dejá vu, Lapis mentally noted as his opponents let out a Level 36 Poochyena and a Level 36 Carvanha.

"Zuli, help Miller move the large boulders with Strength!" he commanded. "We'll come help in a bit!"

"Got it!" his starter acknowledged as Trinity led the way.

"Onyx, Rock Smash both of 'em!"

She slammed both opponents into the ground with the super effective move. The Water type instantly fainted while the pure Dark type barely survived.

"Ha!" the Poochyena's Grunt laughed as his co-worker returned his Carvanha. "Poochyena, Roar!"

Despite being a higher level, Onyx was forced to return to her ball. Pearl took her teammate's place.

"Yes! I definitely got lucky! Your Psychic type moves won't be able to touch my Poochyena!" the man boasted.

Lapis and the Grumpig smirked. "Pearl, Shock Wave!"

The Grunt was speechless as the Electric type move knocked out his partner.

"D-Damn it! Why did most of the crew have to be back at the hideout?!"

"Shut up! We gotta tell First Mate Shelly!"

The defeated pair took a shortcut that led further into the cave.

Lapis sighed as the opening closed. Stupid Nuzlocke rules…

He switched Pearl back to Onyx, and the latter started to remove the small rocks with Rock Smash. As Onyx cleared the last one, they rejoined Trinity and Zuli.

"Good work, Eurig," she praised.

"Oh, I ain't done anythin'. My Pokémon deserve all the credit. Wait, why aren't the wild Zubat swarmin' you?"

Smirking, she replied, "I sprayed myself with Max Repel. It's a very useful item, you should try it next time."

"I would, except I ain't got any more…" he responded, his eye twitching.

To his surprise, Trinity inched closer to him. "Guess we got to stay together. Can't have you slowing me down if we run into any more wild Pokémon."

"Just keep sprayin' the Max Repel."

The two Trainers continued deeper into the cavern, removing more rocks, surfing along swift currents while trying to avoid the Tentacool in the underwater pond, and battling a few Grunts. Finally, they reached a room similar to the antechamber beneath Mt. Chimney but with the stairs leading down rather than up.

There, a Grunt and the Team Aqua Admin member, Shelly, waited for them.

"Well, well, well," she said with an evil smirk. "If it isn't the landlubbers who've been interfering with us. I had a feeling you'd show up sooner or later. But how did you manage it without a submarine?"

"Divin'," the Nuzlocker replied bluntly. "Can we get this over with? I have somethin' I need to say to your 'Captain'."

"How dare you mock his title!" the Grunt scolded.

"Enough, sailor," his superior rebuked before turning her focus on Lapis. "We can't let you see the Captain at any costs. Besides, I want a little payback for what happened at the Weather Institute. Feel our wrath, pup!"

She sent out Jaws, her now Level 37 Sharpedo, while the Grunt sent out a Level 35 Mightyena.

Seeing Trinity was trying to sneak around the Team Aqua members, Lapis was fine with being the distraction. "Onyx, use Rock Smash on the Mightyena! Celestite, use Safeguard!"

After being released from their balls, Onyx slammed her fellow Mightyena into the ground as the Altaria set up the translucent blue barrier.

Shelly stayed focused. "Jaws, Scary Face that Altaria!"

"Mightyena, you use Scary Face on that landlubber Mightyena!"

Both Dark types gave their opponents a dark blue glare, lowering their Speed greatly.

"Now we have the speed advantage, pup!" the Team Aqua Admin boasted. "Jaws, free your comrade by using Crunch!"

The Brutal Pokémon clamped onto Onyx with her sharp teeth and threw her back to Lapis' side. Though it looked painful, she didn't take much damage.

With his Pokémon free, the Grunt shouted, "Mightyena, use Odor Sleuth on that flyin' menace!"

The Bite Pokémon narrowed his gaze onto Celestite, concentrating on her individual scent.

That Sharpedo will become a problem if we don't take her out now. "Onyx, Celestite! Attack Jaws with Rock Smash and Dragonbreath!"

Onyx ran towards the Water type and slammed her into the ground. After withstanding Sharpedo's Rough Skin Ability, she jumped out of the way, allowing Celestite to finish off Shelly's Pokémon with the green flames.

Shelly gritted her teeth as she returned her limp Pokémon. "Go, Maugrima!"

The familiar aggressive Pokémon snarled at her counterpart. "So, you're still alive, meadow scum … Looks like fate has given me another chance to kill you."

Onyx smirked, surprising her rival. "I won't make it easy for you, Maugrima."

"Maugrima, use Take Down on that Mightyena!"

Snarling, Shelly's Pokémon charged at Lapis', but the higher level Dark type easily evaded the move. The Grunt supported his Admin.

"Mightyena, Odor Sleuth!"

He focused on Onyx's unique scent, increasing her chances of getting hit.

I need to take out Maugrima first. She'll kill Onyx if she gets the chance. "Onyx, Celestite! Attack Maugrima with Rock Smash and Dragonbreath!"

The Bite Pokémon smashed her weaker counterpart into the ground then jumped out of her teammate's way so the Humming Pokémon can hit Maugrima with the Dragon type move. The Mightyena was able to return to her feet and growled as her Defense dropped.

"You'll regret that, meadow scum!" she snarled as she charged at Onyx with another Take Down attack.

Lapis' Mightyena tried to dodge, but the Grunt's Mightyena lowered her Speed again with Scary Face. Maugrima slammed into Onyx, but the higher level Pokémon withstood the attack.

"Regret this, Maugrima," she retorted as she hit her opponent with another Rock Smash, knocking her out.

Shelly bit her lip as she returned her last Pokémon, but she continued to stand by her subordinate. The Grunt felt the additional pressure as his Pokémon was overcome by several Dragonbreaths.

After he sent out his last Pokémon, a Level 35 Golbat, Onyx and Celestite quickly took him down with a Take Down, Dragonbreath, and Bite combo.

The Team Aqua Admin weakly chuckled as she watched the Nuzlocker heal his Pokémon. "You're stronger since we last battled, pup. Too bad you're not one of us."

"Please, like I'd join you weirdos," he replied as he walked past the pair. "Besides, your 'Captain' has done somethin' he shouldn't have."

He headed to the next room without giving them a chance to reply. There, he saw Trinity confronting Archie in front of a large pool of deep blue water, surrounded by a light fog.

"You ain't gonna change my mind, lassie! Kyogre will soon awaken and be mine to control!"

"Not if we have anything to say about it!"

"We?" The Team Aqua leader frowned when he saw Lapis. "So, looks like we meet again, pup. I'm not sure why we keep runnin' into you."

"Like I had a choice with you wantin' to wake up a Legendary Pokémon that'll flood the world, kidnappin' an innocent girl-"

The man was taken aback. "Hold on there, pup. I agree with the first part, but what's with this about me kidnappin' someone?"

"You know what I'm talkin' about, Archie! I never thought you would stoop this low to not get me involved!"

Despite his confusion, Archie readied a Poké Ball. "I still don't know what you talkin' about, and I won't let you rattle my nerves any more, pup! For the realization of my dream, you must be defeated! Make 'em walk the plank, Yōsuke!"

His Level 41 Mightyena snarled at the teen. Although Lapis knew Onyx would be fine with another Mightyena tussle, he decided to give her a break.

"Go, Celestite!"

The Altaria flew over her opponent, handling the Attack drop from the Intimidate Ability well.

Her Trainer shouted, "Celestite, Dragonbreath!"

The Dark type shuddered as he was hit with the green flames. His Trainer gritted his teeth when he saw sparks coming out from Yōsuke's fur.

"Paralysis won't stop us, pup! Yōsuke, Scary Face!"

He glared at Celestite with a blue aura, lowering her Speed greatly.

"Hmph," Lapis scoffed. "I expected as much thanks to your lackeys."

"I got plenty of surprises where that came from," Archie remarked as he healed his Pokémon with a Super Potion. "Scary Face again!"

As the Mightyena tried to do so, Lapis commanded, "Celestite, attack with Fly then use Dragonbreath!"

She flew over the blue glare and slammed into Yōsuke. He struggled to stand but flinched from the paralysis. A strong Dragonbreath finished him off.

The Team Aqua Leader chuckled. "Shelly's intel was right about you after all. But you ain't getting' the upper hand. Make 'em walk the plank, Kaito!"

A Crobat zoomed out of his ball, eager for an aerial battle. But Lapis had other plans.

"Return, Celestite! Go, Pearl!"

The Grumpig watched her flying opponent carefully, but Archie made the first move.

"Kaito, Confuse Ray!"

The white rays of light hit the Psychic type, making her confused.

"Come on, Pearl! Use Psychic!"

She tried to raise her arms, but she slapped herself instead.

"Bwahahaha!" Archie laughed. "Looks like you're sufferin' the torrent of status condition! Air Cutter!"

The Poison type flapped his wings one at a time, releasing sickle-shaped slices of air. They struck Pearl, lowering her health to about half. Not wanting to take a risk, Lapis healed the Manipulate Pokémon with a Hyper Potion. He thought she would be able to snap out of the confusion this time, but she hit herself again after Kaito landed a critical hit Air Cutter.

The Nuzlocker clenched his fists. Pearl's health was still green, but it was possible she couldn't withstand another critical hit. As he debated on his next action, Lapis noticed the Grumpig was starting to regain some her senses.

"Kaito, finish off that landlubber Pokémon with Wing Attack!"

Well, guess I'll have to take a risk. "Pearl, Psychic!"

The faster Pokémon landed the Flying type move, but it only chipped Pearl's health down to yellow. Her eyes became focused, and, she controlled the Bat Pokémon with her power. After slamming him into the ground, Kaito twitched, unable to return to the air.

Archie returned his second Pokémon, his face beginning to fall. "So, it all comes down to this. My dream will not end here! Make 'em walk the plank, Takumi!"

A Level 43 Sharpedo dove into the pool containing the sleeping Kyogre, eyeing the teen angrily.

Lapis returned Pearl. "Then let's make it a Water type Pokémon brawl. Go, Zuli!"

The Swampert appeared in the water, and the two fully evolved Pokémon prepared for the final battle.

"Takumi, Swagger!"

The Brutal Pokémon smirked at Zuli. "So, you really think you can best me in my element? You have some nerve, half-lander."

"Half-lander?! I'll show you!" Zuli's eyes were filled with rage, increasing his Attack greatly. However, he ignored Lapis' command and hit himself from the confusion.

"This confusion's workin' better than I hoped. If that ain't a sign of my destiny, I don't know what is." Archie pointed at Zuli. "Now, Takumi, hit that half-landlubber with Slash!"

The Sharpedo darted at the Swampert and slashed him. That attack immediately snapped Zuli out of the confusing trance.

"Zuli, Strength!"

He grabbed the Brutal Pokémon with his hands, enduring the Sharpedo's Rough Skin Ability. Then, Zuli hurled his opponent at the opposite wall. Takumi fell into the water and floated lifelessly.

Archie reluctantly returned his last Pokémon. "I lost…to that annoyin' pup…"

"It's over, Archie," Trinity said. "Please, don't wake up Kyogre. You have good intentions, but this isn't the way to achieve them."

The man hesitated. But then, he grabbed the Red Orb from his pocket and glared at the two. "No. Not while I'm so close. I need Kyogre for my dream to become a reality!"

He moved the orb towards the pool, and it glowed. The fog disappeared, symbolizing Kyogre's awakening. The shadow below the water emerged, revealing the Legendary Pokémon.

But before Archie could talk to it, Kyogre dove down and never resurfaced.

"Wha-? Where did Kyogre go?" He glared at the intruders. "Did you two have anythin' to do with this?!"

Not you too… Lapis sighed. "Course not. You have the orb, not us."

Archie frowned but was interrupted by his communication device. "What is it?" he angrily answered.

Lapis couldn't hear what was being said, but the Team Aqua Leader's shocked face gave it away.

"H-How could this be? We predicted heavier rains, but not to this magnitude. Hold your position and keep monitoring the situation…"

Archie ran out of the chamber, forcing Lapis and Trinity to use an Escape Rope to return to the surface. When they did, they were immediately drenched by a strong downpour.

First intense sun, now intense rain… I don't know which is worse…

The Team Aqua Leader stared at the stormy atmosphere, ignorant of the water soaking into his clothes.

"I-It can't be…"

"So, have you also realized your folly, Archie?"

The familiar voice made him furious. "Maxie! How dare you show your face to me again, you scurvy landlubber!"

The Team Magma Leader, flanked by his Admin Tabitha holding a stormproof umbrella over them, rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Believe me, I did not want to see you either. But the situation has changed. I unleashed the creator of the continents and you unleashed the creator of the seas to achieve our foolish dreams. And now, we have brought ruin to the Hoenn Region."

"N-No, you're wrong! I'm doing this to help Pokémon…"

"Only half of them!" Trinity retorted, the lightning and thunder reflecting his emotions. "You may be helping the water-based Pokémon but not the ones who rely on the land. And if you flood the region, there won't be any food or oxygen for you to survive!"

Lapis added, "I can't believe you're just as stupid as that Maxie guy."

Their words shook Archie. "I…I made a horrible mistake…"

"Yes, you both have." Steven arrived on his Skarmory. "It looks like now both Legendary Pokémon are awake. We have to move to our backup plan, Trinity."

She didn't respond, but her letting out Munin answered Steven's statement.

"What about them?" Lapis asked, pointing to the crestfallen villainous leaders.

"I already informed the International Police. Maxie promised full cooperation, but it is up to Archie if he wants to do the same."

Lapis looked at the two men, filled with remorse, and nodded. "Okay, let's go."

The three flew west on their Flying types, hoping to find a spot where the weather wasn't in conflict.

Questions for the Chapter:

Will the International Police save Jade?

What did you think of the Seafloor Cavern events?

Will Lapis' group be able to stop the Groudon and Kyogre in time?