They left Rustboro at dawn, the city still quiet as they passed through the northern gates onto Route 116.

  Jason walked with a lighter step than he had in days. The Stone Badge sat in its case in his pack, a tangible reminder that he could actually do this—that he wasn't just playing at being a trainer, but actually becoming one. Sprigatito trotted beside him, her movements loose and eager, clearly happy to be back on the road. Ralts rode on his shoulder, still too small for extended walking but growing more comfortable with travel every day.

  Hana fell into step beside him, Ren perched on her own shoulder. She'd been quieter than usual this morning, checking her Pokégear frequently with a small furrow between her brows.

  "Everything okay?" Jason asked.

  "Ranger update." She didn't look up from her device. "There's been increased activity near Rusturf Tunnel. They're advising travelers to be cautious."

  "Team Aqua?"

  Hana's eyes flicked to him, sharp and assessing. "Where did you hear that?"

  "Store clerk at Devon mentioned rumors. Said people in 'weird uniforms' had been spotted near the tunnel."

  "Mm." She tucked the Pokégear away, her expression carefully neutral. "The official line is 'unusual activity.' Rangers are monitoring the situation. We should be fine as long as we don't do anything stupid."

  Jason caught the warning in her tone. Don't go looking for trouble.

  "I wasn't planning on it," he said honestly. "I've got one badge and two Pokémon. I'm not exactly equipped for confronting criminal organizations."

  "Good. Some trainers get hero complexes early. It usually ends badly." Hana's gaze softened slightly. "Just stay alert. If we see anything suspicious, we report it and move on. That's how civilians survive these situations."

  Civilians. The word stung a little, but she wasn't wrong. Jason was a civilian—a very new trainer with minimal combat experience. Whatever Team Aqua was doing, it wasn't his fight.

  Not yet, anyway, a treacherous part of his mind whispered. But someday...

  He pushed the thought away. One step at a time.

  Route 116 was different from the routes Jason had traveled before.

  Where Routes 101 and 102 had been forests and fields, Route 116 was defined by the mountains rising to the north. The path wound through foothills, rocky terrain giving way to scrubby vegetation and the occasional hardy tree. The air was drier here, carrying the faint smell of dust and stone.

  Wild Pokémon were visible everywhere. Whismur huddled in the shadows of rocks, their sensitive ears twitching at every sound. Nincada burrowed in the loose soil near the path's edge. A Skitty darted across the road ahead of them, chasing something only it could see.

  "The tunnel's about four hours at this pace," Hana said, consulting her mental map. "We'll pass through, then backtrack to the coast for Mr. Briney's place. Should reach him by evening."

  "We're going through the tunnel? Even with the activity warnings?"

  "The tunnel's the only direct route to Verdanturf. If we want to reach the coast path to Briney's, we need to at least enter the tunnel and take the side passage that leads to Route 104 North." She paused. "Unless you'd rather take the long way around? Add two days to the journey?"

  Jason considered it. Two extra days wasn't nothing—that was food, supplies, time away from his next gym challenge. And the warnings were just warnings. People were still using the tunnel; it wasn't closed.

  "Let's stick with the plan," he decided. "But if things look wrong when we get there, we reconsider."

  "Agreed."

  They stopped for lunch in a small clearing off the main path, a spot where previous travelers had worn the grass flat and left behind the remains of old fire rings.

  Jason released Ralts from her riding position so she could stretch, and she immediately began exploring the area with cautious curiosity. Her psychic senses were always active now, reaching out to feel the emotions of nearby Pokémon. She was getting better at it—more range, more detail, less exhaustion afterward.

  There's something underground, she sent through their bond. Small. Sleeping. Lots of them.

  "Nincada probably," Jason said aloud. "They live in colonies beneath the soil."

  They feel... patient. Waiting.

  "For evolution, maybe. Nincada evolve into Ninjask eventually—Bug and Flying type, incredibly fast." He pulled out travel rations and Pokémon food, distributing portions. "They also leave behind Shedinja when they evolve. It's this weird ghost thing that looks like their shed skin."

  Ralts processed this information with visible fascination. Pokémon can become two things?

  "Just that one species, as far as I know. Pokémon evolution is strange." He paused, struck by a thought. "You'll evolve too, eventually. Into Kirlia, then Gardevoir."

  What will that feel like?

  "I don't know. But we'll figure it out together when the time comes."

  She sent a pulse of warmth through their bond—trust, gratitude, the quiet certainty that he would be there for her.

  Sprigatito, meanwhile, had finished her food and was prowling the perimeter of the clearing with predatory focus. Her movements had changed since the gym battle—more confident, more controlled. She was learning to be a fighter, not just a Pokémon who could fight.

  "How's her stamina?" Hana asked, watching Sprigatito stalk an unfortunate beetle.

  "Better. We've been working on movement drills—attacking while running, changing direction mid-strike. She's not there yet, but she's improving."

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  "Good. The gym leaders get harder from here. Brawly uses Fighting-types—they're fast and hit hard. You'll need speed to keep up."

  Jason nodded, filing away the information. He'd researched Brawly, of course—the anime and games had given him a foundation—but Hana's practical knowledge was invaluable.

  "What's his style? Beyond the type specialty?"

  "Aggressive. He believes in overwhelming offense—hit hard, hit fast, don't let the opponent recover." Hana considered. "Your Sprigatito might actually match well against that. She's quick enough to dodge, and her attacks hit hard. Ralts might struggle more—Psychic beats Fighting on type, but she's not strong enough yet to take many hits from his team."

  "I was thinking the same thing. Sprig takes point, Ralts provides support if needed."

  "Solid plan." Hana stood, brushing off her pants. "We should keep moving. I want to reach the tunnel before the afternoon crowds."

  The entrance to Rusturf Tunnel was exactly what Jason expected—a dark opening in the mountainside, framed by wooden supports and illuminated by electric lights that flickered slightly in the wind. A sign nearby announced:

  RUSTURF TUNNEL Connecting Route 116 and Verdanturf Town Travel Advisory in Effect - Exercise Caution

  Several other travelers milled near the entrance—a family with young children, a merchant checking his cart, a pair of trainers comparing notes. A uniformed officer stood nearby with an Arcanine, eyes scanning the crowd.

  "More security than usual," Hana murmured.

  "The advisory?"

  "Probably." She approached the officer, Ranger credentials already in hand. "Excuse me—Ranger Candidate Miyamoto. What's the current status?"

  The officer relaxed slightly at the credentials. "Tunnel's open, but we've had reports of suspicious individuals deeper in. Nothing confirmed, no confrontations. We're advising groups and encouraging quick passage."

  "Any restrictions on the side passages?"

  "The Route 104 cutoff is clear. Most of the activity's been further in, toward the Verdanturf side."

  "Thank you." Hana rejoined Jason, her expression thoughtful. "We should be fine. Our route branches off before the problem area."

  Jason looked at the dark tunnel mouth, feeling Ralts tense slightly on his shoulder. Through their bond, he sensed her unease—too many emotions nearby, some of them anxious, some of them wrong in ways she couldn't articulate.

  Something bad in there? he asked silently.

  Don't know. Just... doesn't feel right. Far away, though. Not close.

  "Ralts senses something," Jason told Hana quietly. "Nothing immediate, but she's picking up unusual emotions deeper in the tunnel."

  Hana's eyes sharpened. "Psychic types are good early warning systems. If she says something's wrong, we pay attention." She considered for a moment. "We'll move quickly. Stay close, stay quiet, take the cutoff as soon as we reach it. If she senses anything getting closer, we turn back immediately."

  "Agreed."

  They entered the tunnel.

  The inside of Rusturf Tunnel was cooler than the outside air, the temperature dropping noticeably as they moved away from the entrance. The electric lights cast pools of illumination separated by stretches of shadow, creating a rhythm of light-dark-light that took some getting used to.

  The tunnel was busier than Jason expected—other travelers moving in both directions, their footsteps and voices echoing off the stone walls. Zubat roosted in the upper reaches, their small forms clustered together in the darkness above the lights. A Whismur scurried across the path ahead of them, apparently startled by the foot traffic.

  "The cutoff is about ten minutes ahead," Hana said, keeping her voice low. "There's a side passage that leads to a maintenance exit on Route 104. We'll come out near the coast, then follow the beach path to Briney's cottage."

  Jason nodded, one hand resting lightly on Sprigatito's head as she walked beside him. She was tense, her ears swiveling constantly to track sounds, her body low and ready. Not afraid—alert. Ready to fight if necessary.

  You okay, Sprig?

  A flick of her tail. Fine. Don't like this place. Too dark. Too closed.

  Fair enough. Grass-types probably weren't fans of underground spaces.

  They walked in silence, passing other travelers without incident. The tunnel curved slightly, following the contours of the mountain, and the sounds of the entrance faded behind them. Ahead, Jason could see a branching point—the main tunnel continuing straight, a smaller passage angling off to the right.

  "That's our exit," Hana said, pointing.

  They were maybe fifty feet from the junction when Ralts suddenly stiffened on Jason's shoulder.

  Something's wrong.

  Jason stopped. "Hana—"

  "I see it."

  Ahead, near the junction, two figures had emerged from the shadows. They wore matching uniforms—dark blue, with a distinctive pattern that Jason recognized immediately even before he saw the stylized wave logo on their chests.

  Team Aqua.

  The two grunts—a man and a woman—weren't blocking the passage exactly, but they'd positioned themselves in a way that made the junction feel watched. They were talking to each other in low voices, occasionally glancing at passing travelers.

  "What are they doing?" Jason whispered.

  "Watching. Waiting for something." Hana's voice was tight. "They're not stopping people, just observing."

  "Should we turn back?"

  "That might draw more attention than just walking past." Hana took a breath. "We're going to act normal. Walk to the cutoff, take the side passage, don't engage. They're not here for random trainers—they're looking for something specific."

  Scared, Ralts sent through the bond. They feel... cold. Determined. They want something.

  Stay calm, Jason thought back. Just stay calm and we'll get through this.

  They started walking again, keeping their pace steady and unremarkable. Jason's heart was pounding, but he forced himself to breathe normally, to look like just another traveler passing through.

  The Aqua grunts glanced at them as they approached—a quick assessment, eyes flicking over Jason, Hana, their Pokémon. The woman's gaze lingered on Sprigatito for a moment, curiosity flickering in her expression, but she didn't say anything.

  Twenty feet. Ten feet. They were almost to the junction.

  "Nice Pokémon," the male grunt said casually, nodding toward Sprigatito. "Don't see that species around here much."

  "Thanks." Jason kept his voice neutral, kept walking. Almost there.

  "Where you headed?"

  "Dewford." No point lying—it was the obvious destination for trainers on this route.

  "Mm." The grunt seemed to lose interest, turning back to his companion.

  Jason and Hana reached the junction and turned into the side passage without looking back. The smaller tunnel was less maintained—fewer lights, rougher walls—but it felt like salvation after the tense moment behind them.

  They walked in silence until the main tunnel was out of sight, and then Hana let out a breath.

  "That was too close."

  "They're watching the tunnel. Looking for someone or something."

  "Yes." Hana's jaw was tight. "I need to report this. The Rangers need to know Team Aqua has people actually inside the tunnel, not just near it."

  The bad feeling is fading, Ralts sent. Getting further away.

  "Ralts says we're clear," Jason relayed. "The Aqua people are behind us now."

  "Good. Let's keep moving. The sooner we're out of this mountain, the better."

  The maintenance exit opened onto a rocky slope overlooking Route 104's northern coast.

  After the darkness of the tunnel, the afternoon sunlight was almost blinding. Jason shielded his eyes, taking in the view—the ocean stretching to the horizon, waves breaking against the rocky shore below, the distant shapes of boats moving across the water.

  "Beautiful," he murmured.

  "This way." Hana was already moving, following a narrow path that wound down the slope toward the beach. "Briney's cottage is about an hour south along the coast."

  They descended carefully, the terrain treacherous with loose rocks and sudden drops. Sprigatito picked her way with feline grace. Ren leaped from rock to rock, seemingly enjoying the challenge. Jason moved more cautiously, very aware that a fall here could mean broken bones.

  When they finally reached the beach, the sand soft beneath their feet, Jason allowed himself to relax slightly.

  "That could have gone worse," he said.

  "Much worse." Hana was already composing a message on her Pokégear. "I'm letting the Rangers know about the Aqua presence inside the tunnel. They need to increase security before someone gets hurt."

  Jason watched her type, thinking about what they'd seen. Two grunts, watching travelers, looking for something specific. Not random harassment—targeted surveillance.

  What are they looking for?

  He didn't have an answer. And right now, he wasn't sure he wanted one.

  "Come on," Hana said, tucking her Pokégear away. "Let's find Briney and get off this coast before dark."

  They started walking south, the ocean on their left, the mountains rising on their right. Somewhere ahead, a ferry waited to carry them to Dewford Island.

  And somewhere behind them, Team Aqua continued their mysterious watch.