Chapter 124: Accidentally Entering Team Aqua's Base

Rex and Ash walked for another ten minutes, finally reaching the pier on the other side of Muscle Island. With less than ten minutes left before the boat to Mossdeep City departed, they hurried to buy tickets and board the ship, not wanting to miss it.

"You guys enjoy the breeze on the deck; I'm going to rest in the cabin for a bit."

"Alright, go rest!"

Having overexerted himself and not using his abilities to heal his sore muscles, Rex decided to rest in the cabin while Ash and the others enjoyed the sea breeze and scenery on the deck.

Once in the cabin, Rex quickly found his room, a small space of just a few square meters, but it felt adequate.

"Phew, much better!"

After closing the door, Rex eagerly used his life energy to heal his body. As the energy coursed through him, soothing his muscle pain, he couldn't help but let out a comfortable sigh.

Once the healing was complete, Rex clenched his fist, feeling as though he was even stronger than before, though he couldn't be sure without a strength meter. He hoped that his strengthening exercises would continue to make him stronger, at least enough to prevent him from being easily pulled into the water while fishing.

"Someone's fallen overboard!"

Rex, drifting off to sleep, was startled awake by a woman's shout. He immediately ran to the deck to check. Upon arrival, he found a group of passengers gathered.

"I saw two groups fighting over a Pikachu. The Pikachu, unable to bear it, released a large amount of electricity, causing an explosion. Both groups were blown away, and now we can't see anyone," recounted an excited middle-aged woman, wiping non-existent tears as if mourning the overboard victims.

Rex realized that the ones blown away were likely Team Rocket and Ash's group. He had two choices: fly Swellow to find Ash and then continue to Mossdeep City together, or ignore the situation and take the boat to Mossdeep City.

Concerned for their safety despite their protagonist luck, Rex decided to find them. Not helping would reflect poorly on his character.

Releasing Swellow amid the astonished passengers, Rex mounted it and flew off. Unsure of their exact location, he had Swellow search the nearby sea.

As darkness fell, making it hard to see the sea, Rex decided to rest on Lapras's back, planning to resume the search at dawn.

"Come out, Lapras!"

With the night fully dark, Rex couldn't see the sea from above, so he settled on Lapras's back, trusting it for the night. He also had Haunter to keep watch, ensuring their safety.

Morning came, and after a restless night nearly falling into the sea, Rex resumed the search on Swellow. Half an hour later, he spotted Ash's group clinging to wooden planks, floating on the sea.

"Rex, you finally found us! I was about to bloat from soaking in the water!" May cried weakly, her spirits lifting at the sight of Rex above.

"Are you guys alright?"

Rex rescued them onto Lapras's back. Seeing them soaked, he asked with concern.

"Good thing you found us, or we'd be in big trouble," Brock said, relieved. In the vast sea, not being found would have been disastrous.

While they chatted, a massive black shadow rose from the water below. Soon, they saw a large red submarine surfacing. Retrieving Lapras into its Poké Ball, Rex and the others watched as a member of Team Magma emerged, looking around.

"Why are Team Aqua here, and how did we end up on their submarine? We've had such bad luck lately," May complained, dejected.

The submarine moved toward a huge steel ship, entering a dock. Surrounded by Team Aqua members, Rex and the group were discovered and, not wanting to provoke a fight, they raised their hands in surrender.

"I'm Archie, the leader of Team Aqua. I don't intend to harm you. Stay on the ship quietly, and you won't be hurt," Archie said with a smile.

Archie, unconcerned about a few kids, planned to detain them temporarily until his plans succeeded.

Ignoring them, Archie discussed battle plans against Team Aqua with his subordinates, letting Rex breathe a sigh of relief, glad they wouldn't have to fight.

Strangely, Archie seemed to take a liking to Ash, discussing his grand vision for Team Aqua and revealing that they had captured the ancient Pokémon Kyogre. He even showed them the Blue Orb, said to control Kyogre.

During their heated debate, a subordinate reported that Team Magma had infiltrated the ship. Soon, alarm lights flashed, and Archie received news that the container holding Kyogre was compromised.

Even Maxie, usually calm, was alarmed. Releasing Kyogre could spell disaster, something they struggled to prevent.

(End of Chapter)