Professor Birch paused for a moment before continuing,
"In truth, what the League is worried about is that Groudon has been asleep for far too long, without any trace or news of it. Such prolonged silence is simply too abnormal.
Is it truly sleeping peacefully, or has it discovered some kind of special energy or object and is secretly absorbing and digesting it?
If it were to awaken with greatly increased power and develop ambitions it should not have, seeking once again to expand its territory and clash with Kyogre over dominion…
The consequences would be unimaginable.
If we could use your Volcarona to determine its location in advance, or even understand its intentions, then even if it really were to clash with Kyogre, the League could evacuate the population early and minimize losses.
That is what the League truly hopes to achieve."
So that was the case. Theo fell into thought.
"I have seen in Devon Corporation's records that the Sootopolitan have worshipped Kyogre for generations, and the Draconid People revere Rayquaza… but what about the Volcanic Descendants?
Are there really no traces of them left within the League? No information about Groudon at all?"
Professor Birch gave a bitter smile and slowly shook his head.
"There truly are none. Not only the Volcanic Descendants, even the Draconid People are now reduced to just a few scattered lines in the League's archives.
Otherwise, the mural that recorded the secrets of Mega Evolution would not have remained hidden until you discovered it and brought it back into the light."
He paused, his voice tinged with regret.
"Across all of Hoenn, the only ancient people who have managed to continue their lineage are the Sootopolitan on Sootopolis Island. The rest have all disappeared into the river of history."
Theo's thoughts stirred slightly. In his previous life, it seemed that Zinnia had only appeared in the games as a member of the Draconid People, and the anime had never really mentioned their existence.
There had only been references to Sky Pillar and the worship of Rayquaza. As for the so called Volcanic Descendants who worshipped Groudon, he had never heard of them at all.
"You just left Mossdeep City not long ago, so you should know that its establishment was mainly due to the space center located there.
Through satellites and spacecraft from that center, we have captured images of Rayquaza appearing in outer space. Before the secrets of Mega Evolution were uncovered, the space center was one of the League's most heavily supported projects.
On one hand, it was to guard against the threat of extraterrestrial meteorites recorded in history. On the other hand, and more importantly, it was to reestablish contact with Rayquaza.
We must always be prepared for danger even in times of peace.
As long as we can maintain stable contact with Rayquaza, only then can the Hoenn League truly rest easy."
Professor Birch let out a soft sigh, his gaze fixed solemnly on the distant sky.
Hearing all of this, Theo finally gained a clear understanding of the true situation surrounding Kyogre, Groudon, and Rayquaza in this world, as well as the concerns of the League.
He then turned to Volcarona and asked softly,
"Can you feel the power of the mark on your forehead? Can you sense anything similar to it?"
Volcarona tilted its head, then closed its eyes, as if trying hard to draw out that power.
After quite some time, it finally opened its eyes and shook its head vigorously, clearly unable to activate that force.
It tried several more times, but still nothing happened. After lying still for so long, Volcarona began to feel uncomfortable, its wings flapping more and more energetically as it showed an increasing desire to fly around and play.
"Alright, alright, do not force it."
Professor Birch waved his hand with a smile.
"It has just evolved. Let it adapt to its body properly first.
Later, I will consult the Weather Institute and see if they have any new findings. If the need arises, we can ask for your Volcarona's help then.
For now, just let it enjoy itself."
Professor Oak also chimed in,
"That is right. The League has been studying Groudon for so long without progress, so there is no rush. Larvesta has just evolved, it must be eager to experience its new body. Let it go play."
"The examination is complete. Volcarona, you may go now. Go on, go on."
Professor Oak and Professor Birch each patted one of Volcarona's wings. Finally "freed," Volcarona immediately flapped its wings and took to the air.
After circling twice in midair, it suddenly swooped toward Theo's backpack and rummaged through it with the four claws on its chest, pulling out a small mirror.
It was very curious. Just now, both the professors and its trainer had been staring at its forehead. It wanted to see what exactly was there.
Volcarona held up the mirror and looked left and right. When it finally saw the dark red Omega shaped mark on its forehead, its eyes lit up instantly.
The more it looked, the more it liked it. The mark was like a crown resting upon its head, even more impressive than the "crown" on Tyrantrum's head.
With that thought, Volcarona excitedly flew over to Tyrantrum, deliberately lowering its head and bringing its forehead close as if to show off.
"Look at my crown. It is much cooler than yours, right?"
Tyrantrum stared at the dark red Omega mark on Volcarona's forehead and let out a disdainful snort.
Volcarona immediately became annoyed, and the two began arguing and playfully bickering, determined to decide whose "crown" looked better.
They even dragged Milotic, Metagross, and Professor Oak's Charizard and Dragonite into it, asking them to act as judges and give a verdict.
"You two…"
Theo watched the scene unfold and rubbed his forehead helplessly.
Metagross and Milotic had both become much more steady after evolving, so why had this little Larvesta, even after evolving into Volcarona, not changed its personality at all?
Theo walked over to Volcarona and Tyrantrum, who were pestering the others, and said with a helpless smile,
"They both look good, both look good. Stop arguing, alright? Your crowns are equally beautiful."
With Theo's authoritative judgment as their trainer, the two finally calmed down.
Volcarona then turned and flew to Theo, flapping its three pairs of wings as if continuing to ask, "Then what about my wings? Are they beautiful too?"
What else could Theo do? His own Pokémon had to be cherished. Of course, he nodded repeatedly, affirming that they were beautiful.
At the same time, he reached out and gently touched Volcarona's body.
Unlike the soft, fluffy texture it had as a Larvesta, Volcarona now felt much firmer, with a slight warmth to it. The sensation was quite pleasant.
"Welcome back, Volcarona."
Theo said softly. He tried to hug it, but realized its body had become far too large. He could no longer wrap his arms around it as before, only managing to embrace a portion of it.
"Vol~ Voool~"
With a soft and gentle cry, Volcarona noticed that Theo could not fully hug it, so it took the initiative instead. It wrapped its wings around him, nuzzling his cheek affectionately and acting spoiled.
After playing around with Theo for quite a while, Volcarona finally turned its attention to its two "little daughters."
The two small Vulpix were staring curiously at its three pairs of wings, their eyes filled with admiration.
(End of Chapter)