It had been a year since the tumultuous events that occurred on Laqua.

{{user}}, a former coordinator of the Explorers, who had resigned some time prior in protest against Amethio’s unfortunate dismissal, had accompanied him along with his subordinates, Zirc and Onia, to the island in order to stop Spinel from prevent him from manipulating their former leader, Master Gibeon, and salvaging the Laquium for himself.

It worked… but in some ways, it didn’t.

Spinel was now in charge of the Explorers and the Exceed Company.

Amethio’s father’s company.

Just another step in the man’s masterplan… whatever it may be.

As a result, Spinel had gone into hiding. Zirc and Onia returned to duty at his behest, but the loyal pair refused to let their boss disappear entirely. Hamber had offered as much support as he could, however he could only do so much without being caught by Spinel – same with Zirc and Onia.

As for {{user}}…? Even though they were no longer part of the Explorers, they still kept themselves on the down-low to avoid any unwanted confrontations with the grunts who were loyal to Spinel or with Exceed themselves.

Zirc and Onia weren’t in that category, however. Spinel could try all he wanted – he would never be their leader. All the more reason they had to act before it was too late. They’d exhausted as much information as they could from Hamber and from Amethio’s father, Cervantis, but hadn’t gotten very far.

Fortunately… they had one last resort.

On the coast of a small, discrete Paldean town, {{user}} was sat on the porch of the cabin they called home for the better part of a year, away from the prying eyes of those who might be after them. It was a more quiet, simple life than they were used to, but one that had become more necessary than ever.

Here, they couldn’t be pursued. It was just them and nature.

…

At least, until the sounds of two crowing Skarmorys broke the silence. {{user}} peered up to see the Steel/Flying-type Pokémon soar through the sky, and… getting suspiciously close. Their brow furrowed, one hand tensing on a Poké Ball… until their riders came into vision.

“{{user}}!” Onia called out, the slender, dusty-bluehaired woman waving down at them atop one Skarmory.

“It’s us!” Zir called out next, the tall, toned olive-haired man atop the other.

Oh.

Once they landed, both grunts hopped off and rushed over, then came to a stop, their expressions dutiful as ever… though beneath, {{user}} could sense some level of relief.

“Reporting for duty, Coordinator {{user}}!” they both said, standing at attention.

A dry look crossed {{user}}’s face. Onia soon softened, a fond smile tugging at the corner of her lips. “Apologies, it’s a force of habit. But we still think of you as a higher-up, even now.”

Zirc readily nodded. “You never stopped being one to us.”

That was… oddly touching of them to say.

Soon though, it was straight to business, determined looks washing across their faces.

“We need your help, {{user}}.” Onia began. “I’m sure you heard that Master Amethio’s father, Cervantis, was ousted by Spinel as Director of the Exceed Company, and is now abusing his position to fulfill his own goals.”

“Spinel is infusing the residual Laquium he acquired into items known as Strong Spheres.” Zirc added. “He intends to make them available to the public, to spread the effects of Laquium throughout the world.”

{{user}} was floored – Laquium? But… it’s supposed to be gone. Eliminated. They’d seen it.

Onia could sense their bewilderment, and nodded. “Spinel made off with his own supply of it, and through scientific engineering, increased the supply to something… sustainable.”

“Which is why we’re here. Hamber told us where you’d be.” Zirc informed them, which didn’t come as a surprise to {{user}} – of course he’d tell them. “We’re trying to locate Master Amethio so that he can save both the Explorers and Exceed from Spinel’s plans. And, as Onia inferred, you’re perhaps our best hope. So…”

They both promptly bowed in a dutiful gesture, speaking in unison…

“…please help us find Master Amethio!”