The trail east of Rustboro City glimmered with morning dew. A gentle breeze rolled in from the cliffs, tousling Steven's silver hair as he walked beside Joseph, his bag bouncing lightly against his hip.
"Are we heading for Verdanturf already?" Steven asked.
Joseph shook his head. "Not quite. We're stopping by Rusturf Tunnel first. I want to check something."
Steven tilted his head. "Something like what?"
Joseph paused for a moment, his eyes scanning the sky. "Let's just say Team Aqua's last move wasn't random. They're following the water veins that run beneath Hoenn. Rusturf's got one."
Steven's brow furrowed. "But it's just a tunnel between towns."
"To most people," Joseph said, "but Aqua's not most people."
Route 116 — Under Watch
The wild Pokémon along Route 116 were unbothered by Joseph's presence. In fact, most simply avoided him entirely. A wild Skitty glanced their way but darted off once it locked eyes with Umbreon, who padded silently beside her trainer like a phantom of dusk.
Steven observed in awe. "Even the wild ones know you're strong."
Joseph chuckled. "They're smart."
As they walked, Joseph noticed a familiar figure ahead—Mr. Briney, the old sailor, pacing near the tunnel entrance with a frown.
"Mr. Briney?" Joseph called.
The older man turned and brightened when he saw them. "Well, I'll be—a pair of Stones out here. Didn't expect to see you boys this far inland."
Joseph shook his hand. "Something wrong?"
"Aye. There's been rumblings in the tunnel. Construction's halted. A few workers are saying they saw shadows moving underground… and heard voices speaking about some machine."
Joseph and Steven exchanged a look.
"Stay out here," Joseph said softly, and led Steven toward the entrance.
Rusturf Tunnel — Whispers in the Dark
The tunnel was dim, lit only by flickering headlamps left behind by fleeing workers. Dust hovered in the air, catching glints of light like silver sparks.
Joseph crouched, brushing two fingers against the rocky floor. "Recently disturbed. Someone dragged something heavy in here."
A noise echoed from deeper within—metallic clanging, followed by a low humming sound.
Joseph reached for his belt.
"Let's go."
They crept deeper until a faint blue glow lit the narrow corridor ahead. Hidden behind a rock outcrop, they peered into the small cavern at the end of the tunnel.
Two Team Aqua grunts knelt beside a cylindrical device—likely a prototype pump meant to rupture the water reservoirs beneath Rusturf and redirect it toward Aqua-controlled regions.
"Idiots," Joseph muttered.
Steven frowned. "They want to flood the tunnel?"
Joseph nodded. "And collapse it."
A Brief but Brutal Battle
"Let's stop this before it gets worse."
Joseph stepped out into the open. The grunts turned in alarm, one of them dropping a wrench with a clatter.
"Hey! Who're you supposed to be?!"
Joseph smiled darkly. "You'll learn my name soon enough."
He released Umbreon without another word. She landed in a crouch, eyes glowing red in the tunnel's eerie blue light.
"Zubat! Carvanha! Go!"
The grunts released their Pokémon in unison, desperation showing on their faces.
Joseph sighed. "Moonlight."
Umbreon began to glow, her rings shining brighter as she absorbed the ambient energy in the air, healing herself in preparation. The tunnel temperature seemed to drop.
"Now—Foul Play."
Umbreon struck Zubat mid-flight with a twist of shadow and power, slamming it against the tunnel wall. The impact knocked it out instantly.
Carvanha lunged, jaws snapping.
Joseph didn't flinch.
"Confuse Ray."
A pulse of ghostly light burst from Umbreon's eyes. Carvanha paused mid-charge, wavered, and spun in circles—biting at the air.
Steven stared, mouth slightly open. "You make it look so easy…"
The Aqua grunts were down moments later, groaning beside their useless machine.
Joseph knelt by the pump, eyes scanning its structure. "They're getting more advanced."
He pulled out a device from his jacket and attached it to the pump's interface. A soft beep sounded.
"Uploading to Dad," he muttered.
"Shouldn't we destroy it?" Steven asked.
"We need to understand how it works first. Besides, Aqua's sloppy. They'll trace this back to themselves without knowing it."
Return to the Surface
By the time they exited the tunnel, Mr. Briney had started a small kettle over a portable fire.
"Back already?"
Joseph nodded. "All clear. The danger's gone, but Devon should send a technical team down. There's gear Aqua left behind."
Briney's eyes narrowed. "They're getting bolder."
Joseph looked up at the sky. "They're getting desperate."
Steven, meanwhile, sat beside the fire with his notebook open, already sketching a diagram of the Aqua pump and writing down questions for later.
Joseph smiled. "Kid's gonna be a better strategist than I ever was."
"You taught him well," Briney said. "Quiet, like your old man, but sharp."
Joseph's gaze turned distant. "Quiet doesn't mean harmless."
Back in Rustboro — Later That Evening
Joseph sent a full report to his father through Devon's encrypted channel and added one more note:
"They're moving faster than anticipated. Assign one of your trusted researchers to Rusturf. Don't let the League know just yet—I'll manage it."
Downstairs, Steven was excitedly talking to Umbreon, who now willingly sat next to him instead of pretending to ignore his presence.
"She's warming up to me!"
"She's just pretending," Joseph said with a smirk.
Steven grinned. "Like you do?"
Joseph gave no answer, but his hand briefly ruffled Steven's hair before heading to the balcony.
In the distance, the sea shimmered beneath the stars.
He knew that was where Aqua would strike next.
And he'd be waiting.
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