Three days later, Cain and Steven, flying at full speed, finally arrived at the Hoenn Alliance headquarters.
Flygon and Skarmory were exhausted, but the one who suffered the most was Kaya, who was hanging beneath them.
She had already suspected several times that Cain and Steven were torturing her. Although she didn’t have much hope of surviving, she never thought she would have to endure three days of suffering .
Now, Kaya desperately wished for Cain and Steven to hand her over to the Alliance researchers’ headquarters as soon as possible.
Once there, she would confess everything she knew, and whatever happened next—whether she lived or died—would be better than being suspended in the air, unable to move up or down, exposed to the sun, squeezed by ropes, and on the verge of despair.
After showing their advanced researcher badges, and under the envious gazes of the guards, both continued towards the headquarters, riding their Pokémon.
The Hoenn Alliance headquarters consisted of five large buildings. The biggest one was the Alliance’s main tower. On its sides were the Hoenn Pokémon Center and the Alliance police headquarters. Further beyond were the Pokémon Beauty Contest headquarters and the researchers’ base.
Cain and Steven immediately headed to the second floor of the researchers’ base, where they found numerous trainers with varying levels of skill and power.
An important detail: To save time, the Hoenn Alliance allowed flying within its headquarters, so trainers flying overhead was a common sight.
Each region set its own rules. For example, in the Alliance headquarters on Mt. Silver, flying was prohibited.
Here, all kinds of flying Pokémon could be seen, such as Fearow, Pidgeotto, Aerodactyl, and Salamence. However, trainers with more powerful Pokémon usually carried badges of high-ranking Alliance officials or lead researchers.
The advanced researcher badges worn by Cain and Steven were already eye-catching enough, drawing many curious glances as they passed.
Being so young and holding that rank was not common.
After recalling their Pokémon and entering the base, they were greeted by an assistant. Though technically they didn’t need a guide due to their rank, both were still relatively new to the position.
With a restrained smile, the assistant helped them complete the mission submission paperwork.
When they left headquarters, both sighed in relief.
Although being a researcher seemed glamorous and offered many rewards for completing missions, what most people didn’t see was the danger behind the role.
While Cain and Steven were submitting their mission, they saw multiple groups rushing back with severely injured members, hurrying toward the Pokémon Center for treatment.
Many risked their lives for more resources. Some, however, saw the role of a researcher as their calling, contributing to the harmonious development of the Pokémon world.
In short, it was a job that seemed brilliant on the outside but held a bitter reality only its holders knew.
After leaving headquarters, Cain received a good amount of Alliance points on his identification card, which could be exchanged for various resources.
As the two headed toward the Alliance’s main building, they encountered two "fatherly figures" conversing in the lobby.
Matsuda Takashi and Joseph Stone, who clearly already knew each other, were chatting while waiting for Cain and Steven.
Seeing them return, they paused their conversation and gestured for them to come over.
"Brat, you’re really something now, huh? Advanced Alliance researcher? Feeling incredible?" were the first words out of old Matsuda’s mouth as he scolded Cain.
After calming the old man down a bit, he started asking about what happened with Volcarona.
Cain recounted the entire story, omitting almost no details.
Upon hearing everything, old Matsuda’s expression turned complex.
As an experienced Pokémon Trainer, he knew very well what it took to reach Champion level—immense sacrifice and effort.
It was hard to believe that a Champion-level Volcarona had remained underground for so long without being discovered.
Had it been found years earlier, perhaps it would have had a chance to survive.
Even so, old Matsuda nodded in satisfaction, patted Cain on the shoulder, and said:
"You did well. A Pokémon of that magnitude shouldn’t die in such a pitiful way. Its final radiance allowed much of Hoenn to learn of its existence. That is enough."
Old Matsuda had no objections to Cain’s decisions, as they aligned with his own values.
On the other hand, Steven and Joseph Stone discussed similar matters. The expression on patriarch Stone’s face clearly showed his appreciation for Cain’s actions and his sorrow for Volcarona.
Both veterans, accustomed to adversity, quickly recovered from the emotional impact.
"It looks situation will give the Alliance plenty of material for propaganda. Prepare yourselves mentally," Joseph Stone joked with a smile.
Cain and Steven exchanged glances, sharing a feeling of resignation.
Once more, they were going to be the faces of promotional campaigns. The praise was always exaggerated, to the point that even Cain felt uncomfortable reading it.
Could so much adulation end up being counterproductive?
"Please, don’t overdo it," Cain murmured to himself, concerned.
"Master, you called us here for something else, right? I don’t think it was just for this," Cain asked after thinking for a moment.
Old Matsuda and Joseph Stone nodded.
Indeed, there was something more important. Otherwise, Joseph Stone—the patriarch of the Stone family and a key figure in Hoenn—wouldn’t have come in person.
Both the Stone family and Devon Corporation had enough influence to shake Hoenn whenever they wished.
Old Matsuda, while not as powerful as Joseph Stone, played a crucial role in the relationship between the Alliance and the Breeders’ Guild. He also held a prestigious position within the Hoenn Alliance.
In fact, both held similar honorary titles: personal advisors to the president of the Hoenn Alliance, Juan.
A high-ranking title that sounded quite impressive!