Night.
"Mm~"
A clear and melodious orchestral tune drifted faintly through the room.
After a long while, the music gradually came to an end.
"Recently… the League should've sent people to Alola, right?"
Lucas held Lusamine in his arms, feeling the warmth of her body. After lighting a cigarette, he suddenly remembered something and casually asked.
"Mm. Just as you told me to, once I submitted the information about the Ultra Beasts, the Pokémon League immediately sent people over."
Lusamine snuggled into Lucas, lightly inhaling the faint scent of his sweat on him as she softly replied.
Although she had been strongly against it at first—after all, she was the president of the Aether Foundation, and even though her husband had been missing for so many years, she was still technically a married woman with two children…
But now, after so long, she had gradually begun to accept everything.
Besides…
Once she truly let go of everything, she realized that there was nothing particularly unacceptable. At the end of the day, she was a lonely woman.
After her husband went missing, she alone had to bear the burden of supporting their household, developing the Aether Foundation, and raising both a son and a daughter.
Yet because of her husband's disappearance, her personality had slowly transformed over the years, drifting into obsession and rigidity.
Her children couldn't understand her, and even began distancing themselves.
But now, everything was slowly changing for the better. Her obsession with Ultra Beasts had faded, her daughter had begun caring for her again, and her son had returned to Aether Paradise.
She genuinely felt that since Lucas's appearance, her life had been completely transformed.
"You should get closer to Kukui, and while you're at it, build good relationships with the powerful trainers in Alola."
Hearing her response, Lucas's eyes flickered slightly as he reminded her.
"Aether Paradise's reputation in Alola has always been good, but… what exactly are you trying to say?"
Lusamine blinked, momentarily stunned. As the head of Aether Paradise, she was always sharp.
"Alola doesn't have an official Pokémon League because of the Ultra Beast crisis. Now that the truth behind the Ultra Beasts and Ultra Space has been revealed…"
"I believe the Pokémon League will take action soon."
Lucas explained. Kukui had traveled to Kanto countless times over the years to request the establishment of an official League, only to be rejected repeatedly due to the Ultra Beast threat.
In both the games and the anime, a proper Alola Pokémon League was only formed once the mystery of the Ultra Beasts had been unraveled.
"You want me… to take control of the Alola League?" Lusamine furrowed her brows. Lucas's ambition was even greater than she had imagined.
"Alola's overall strength isn't very high. Without outside challengers, Kukui would be the only viable candidate for Champion."
"And if you want, you could even compete for an Elite Four position. With Aether Paradise's reputation, you could easily secure a high-ranking political seat within the League."
Lucas extinguished his stick, turned to face Lusamine, and gently tapped her forehead as he spoke in a warm voice.
It was only a pity that Lusamine's battle strength hadn't reached champion-tier yet—otherwise, Lucas truly intended to elevate her into the position of Alola's Champion or Elite Four.
Kukui's dream was to build the Alola League. As for being Champion? He didn't care that much.
"I understand. I'll handle it."
Lusamine's eyes deepened with thought. She hadn't planned anything like this originally, but since Lucas wanted her involved, she was willing to take part.
Aether Paradise was one of the most influential forces in Alola, and since their darker secrets had not been exposed, their reputation remained extremely strong.
Now was the perfect time to reach out to the strong trainers who might become the future Alola Elite Four.
Lusamine silently went through the list of potential candidates in her mind, planning to invite them to Aether Paradise when she returned.
"And also—stop doing those things in private. Even if outsiders don't know now, there's no such thing as a wall without cracks. In the future, it'll only become a weakness that people can use against you."
Lucas's gaze lingered on Lusamine's thoughtful expression. He had to admit, even at thirty, her beauty was still overwhelmingly striking.
"I've already cleaned everything up," Lusamine replied with an exasperated roll of her eyes.
You've got some nerve reminding me about that.
Why do you think I'm lying here all clean and obedient in your arms?
Isn't it because you used those leverage and threats to force me into this?
Even with her normally deep and calculating nature, Lusamine couldn't help feeling frustrated at his words.
Lucas chuckled but said nothing more.
"Again?"
"You… I really can't anymore… Let me rest… Please…"
"..."
…
The Next Day — Inside the Airport
"It looks great. Lillie, make sure to take good care of this little one, okay? I'm sure it'll surprise you someday."
Lucas bent forward slightly to play with the Cosmoem in Lillie's arms, smiling gently at her.
"Okay~ Big Brother Lucas, you must come visit Alola when you have time!"
Lillie's delicate face lit up with a bright smile as she spoke sweetly.
She had already liked Lucas from the start, but after personally watching his battle yesterday, she admired him even more.
The calm, confident, and overwhelmingly powerful presence he displayed in battle shocked her deeply.
She never imagined that the handsome, youthful Lucas would be such a monstrously powerful trainer!
Even the world-renowned next Unova Champion, Iris Aurelian, was utterly no match for him. Even in a full-team battle…
Lucas only used three of his main Pokémon to completely sweep her entire team.
"Don't worry. If I have time, I'll definitely visit."
Lucas smiled warmly—so gently that he looked almost like a caring father.
"Then… Big Brother Lucas, bye-bye~! You were so handsome yesterday! And you have to keep doing your best in the ranking battles!"
Lillie blinked her large eyes and made a cute cheering gesture for him before waving goodbye and following Lusamine toward the Alola gate.
"Stop staring already. So… what are we doing next?"
Seeing Lucas's gaze lingering on Lusamine and Lillie's backs, Green pouted with a bit of jealousy.
But honestly—Lusamine and Lillie were both stunningly beautiful.
"Let's go back to Kanto and rest for a while."
"You're not continuing the ranking battles?"
"Of course I will. A few days from now, I'm going to challenge my cousin Lance."
Lucas grinned.
Yes, he planned to directly challenge Lance. And once he defeated him, he intended to head to Kalos—do some traveling, and search for the Valley of Creation.
But well… the cousin he was referring to right no…
…
A Few Days Later
Johto Region, Mahogany Town.
Though called a town, Mahogany's fame was no less than a small city.
The reason was simple:
Johto's official Ice-type Gym, the Mahogany Gym, was located here.
And the Gym Leader, Pryce known as the "Eternal Ice Wall," a man who had long embraced the harshness of winter—was its master.
Pryce was frail, needing a wheelchair to move. Because of events from his youth, he had become somewhat withdrawn, spending most days inside the gym carving lifelike ice sculptures.
Even so, the townspeople greatly respected him.
Of course, today Pryce was still quietly carving ice inside the gym.
But several uninvited guests had arrived in Mahogany Town.
…
Mahogany Town Shop
The largest shop in town.
A disguised Giovanni and Archer entered the shop and used a hidden passage in the corner to descend into the underground base.
Yes—this was one of Team Rocket's secret Johto bases.
"How is the evolution experiment progressing?"
Inside the laboratory, Archer asked a researcher.
"The electromagnetic wave research is still ongoing, but… we've already made some initial breakthroughs."
The researcher answered respectfully. They were studying strange electromagnetic waves—waves that, when mastered, could force Pokémon to evolve.
"Take us to see it."
Giovanni's eyes shifted slightly. If progress had been made, he naturally wanted to see it firsthand.
"Yes, please follow me. The experiment site is at the Lake of Rage."
The researcher nodded and led them out of the base toward the lake.
But not long after the trio left—
A cloaked figure with fiery red hair appeared. Lance cast a cold glance at the shop, a sinister arc curling at his lips as he silently followed behind Giovanni's group.
…
Lake of Rage, North of Mahogany Town
The lake wasn't far, but reaching it required passing through a field and a forest.
However—
Giovanni suddenly sensed something. Without warning, he grabbed a Poké Ball and threw it.
"Twin Needle!"
Beedrill appeared instantly, taking a defensive position above Giovanni's back. Its twin lances flashed white—
—and collided head-on with a sudden Dragon Pulse.
BOOM!
The Dragon Pulse was stopped by the Twin Needle!
Archer's face twisted in shock and fury.
He hadn't sensed anything at all.
Someone had attacked them—no, someone had tried to blast all three of their bodies with a Dragon Pulse.
Who was this vicious?!
"Found you… you filthy rat."
A cold voice rang out.
A dark-cloaked figure with crimson hair slowly stepped into view, eyes icy and merciless, sending chills down one's spine.
Beside him stood a massive Dragonite.
"So that's who it is."
Giovanni calmly removed his black bowler hat, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"So, it's our Champion Lance the loyal little lapdog of the Pokémon League."
"No wonder someone would stoop to such cowardly ambush tactics."
Giovanni laughed softly, mocking him.
"Hmph! Filthy rat—you're not escaping today."
Lance's expression twisted into something feral. His icy gaze regarded Giovanni as if he were already a corpse.
"Oh? Your habit of talking big hasn't changed at all, Champion Lance."
"But I must praise you… your sense of smell truly is unexpectedly keen."
Giovanni signaled Archer and the trembling researcher to step back. A Poké Ball appeared in his hand.
He didn't know how Lance had found them, but clearly—there would be no peaceful ending today.
Giovanni knew better than anyone that Lance hated Team Rocket with unmatched intensity.
"Living in the sewers for so long… the stench on you rotten rats is nauseating. I could smell you from half a region away."
Lance grinned—a cold, murderous grin that sent shivers through the air.
"Today… I'm burying every one of you here."
Lance grabbed another Poké Ball and hurled it.
A thunderous crash shook the ground as his massive Dragonite landed behind him.
An overwhelming tidal wave of pressure rolled out, making Archer's face drain of color.
"None of you are leaving!"
Lance's icy gaze swept across the three, his expression looking almost demonic under his blood-red hair.
"And who gave you that confidence?"
Giovanni's expression didn't change. His calm smile remained.
"You only beat me through numbers in Saffron City. Now, it's just you alone?"
"One person is more than enough. Filthy rat—let's see what tricks you still have left."
Lance sneered.
Yes, Mewtwo was extremely powerful but Lance believed in the strength of his dragon legion.
Giovanni specialized in Ground-types. Only Mewtwo and Beedrill could fly.
Meanwhile, every one of Lance's main Pokémon flew.
In an aerial battle, Lance was certain of his victory.
After all—that was how he defeated the Black Dragon.
But Giovanni was not N.
"That line should be mine."
Giovanni chuckled. His eyes darkened.
Then—
A chilling, monstrous, blood-curdling malicious aura erupted from his body.
Giovanni's previously straight posture twisted slightly, giving him an eerie, sinister air.
"Lance… today we settle everything between us."
The warmth faded from Giovanni's eyes, replaced by a cold, venomous hatred.
Lance despised him.
But Giovanni also despised this arrogant Dragon Master just as much.
Again and again and again—
Gnawing at Team Rocket like an unrelenting hound.
Did Lance really think Giovanni would tolerate it forever?
(End of Chapter)