"You said there's a weird trio? That's Team Rocket. They steal other people's Pokémon and forcibly claim them as their own. Their leader's goal is world domination."
Ash casually explained Team Rocket to Ridley now that they were familiar with each other.
"It seems Team Rocket is even more dangerous than Team Galactic," Cynthia said softly.
Who would've thought that after solving the Galactic issue in Sinnoh, Kanto's infamous Team Rocket would be stirring up trouble in Unova?
"Melo~ Melo~"
At this time, Meloetta was happily playing with Pikachu and Snivy.
"Ash, now that you mention it, I finally understand why Team Rocket is so obsessed with capturing Meloetta," Ridley said suddenly.
He then began explaining Meloetta's abilities.
Her light-hearted, melodious singing is the key to unlocking the Undersea Temple. Once Team Rocket captures Meloetta, they could activate the Reveal Glass and summon Tornadus, Thundurus, and Landorus.
However, Ash had little interest in those three. He didn't see the point in going out of his way to summon them.
But Giovanni was very interested.
"Cynthia, do you have any idea just how powerful Team Rocket really is?"
Meloetta's safety was now Ridley's responsibility, and he needed to know.
As Sinnoh's Champion, Ridley believed Cynthia should be familiar with them.
Cynthia glanced over at Ash.
After listening to Ash's account of Team Rocket, Ridley fell silent.
He realized that with his current strength, he wouldn't be able to protect Meloetta.
Then, he noticed how close Meloetta was to Ash.
So he asked Cynthia to help take care of her.
But Meloetta, though she liked Cynthia, clearly preferred Ash—with his Aura and Overcoming Power.
Seeing this, Ridley made another request: he asked Ash to temporarily take care of Meloetta.
Ash didn't hesitate. Team Rocket was never that much of a threat to him.
And so, Meloetta temporarily joined Ash's team of three.
Ridley, meanwhile, needed to grow stronger—so he'd never feel so helpless again.
-----
With Meloetta now traveling with them, she was in an especially cheerful mood. As the off-road vehicle rolled down the highway, her sweet singing echoed around them.
-----
Meanwhile, Giovanni had secretly arrived in Unova from Kanto.
"Boss Giovanni, that's the situation. The Trainer we've been chasing who owns the Pikachu is now traveling with Meloetta," Jessie, James, and Meowth reported honestly, awaiting their punishment.
They were far more competent now than in the past.
After listening, Giovanni closed his eyes in thought.
A long silence passed before he made a decision: he would temporarily abandon the "Operation Tempest."
He felt that now wasn't the right time to directly clash with Ash.
Besides, with Meloetta traveling openly with Ash, it was better than Ridley dragging her around in hiding.
Giovanni… was planning something big.
"This matter no longer concerns you three. Stay embedded in Unova. I'll contact you when I need you."
"Yes, Boss!"
Giovanni didn't punish them, which was practically unthinkable for a failed mission.
After his airship departed, the trio exchanged surprised glances.
In the end, they agreed to stay undercover in Unova and focus on development.
------
Elsewhere, Ash and the others arrived in Nimbasa City.
There, Ash handed over the fourth melody he had composed.
He reunited with Elesa, and Lyrawas also there. After giving Elesa the song, he set off once again—this time to Roshan City.
For now, Ash would be parting ways with Cynthia and Sabrina.
Cynthia, Sabrina, and Caitlin, who was visiting Elesa, were all heading to the "The Pokémon World Tournament Junior Cup".
"Pikachu, take care of Victini and Meloetta."
"Pika!"
Ash had now arrived at Windy Station.
There was a train departing to Roshan City.
"Oh my, I've never seen this Pokémon before!"
"Yeah! And look, its horn—it's broken. I wonder who hurt it?"
"..."
Ash had just arrived at Windy Station when he overheard staff discussing an injured Pokémon.
Keldeo.
That Pokémon… it was Keldeo.
So this is where it ended up?
Was this the butterfly effect?
No matter the timeline, Ash and Keldeo always crossed paths.
So when Ash's timeline changed, Keldeo's did too.
Thanks to the care of a few station staff, Keldeo slowly regained consciousness.
And the first thing it cried out was—
"Kyurem is coming! Kyurem is coming!!"
Of course, it spoke in Pokémon language. The staff couldn't understand.
Keldeo looked terrified, as if it had just escaped a nightmare.
In its dream, it had challenged Kyurem—hoping to defeat it and become a Sword of Justice.
But its training hadn't been enough. It hadn't even found its own sword yet. So… it lost.
"Keldeo, that wasn't a dream. It already happened."
Ash stepped forward. The station staff, seeing Ash calmly call out the Pokémon's name, assumed it must be his and returned to their duties.
"You… you can understand me?"
Keldeo was stunned.
Ash directly used his Aura Power to communicate with Keldeo's heart!
The train had already departed.
One of the cars suddenly started shaking violently.
"Kyurem… Kyurem is coming!"
Keldeo was so traumatized from Kyurem's strike that it was trembling, terrified the dragon would follow.
Not wanting to attract unnecessary attention, Ash took Pikachu and climbed up to the roof of the train.
Ice was already beginning to form along the roof.
Keldeo, frozen in fear, trembled and couldn't move.
A gigantic Pokémon landed with a thud—its two massive claws stomped onto the train roof, instantly freezing it beneath.
Even its breath—exhaled from its mouth and nostrils—seemed capable of freezing the very air.
Kyurem.
Ash quickly used the Eye of Insight to scan it—his mouth twitched uncontrollably at what he saw…
Ultra Deity Class (Transcendent Rank). Level 116…
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