If all eight islands were scanned using modern surveying technology, one would discover that their outlines bore an astonishing resemblance to the shapes of the eight Gym Badges of Kanto.
In the distant ancient civilization of old, humanity had modeled the original badges precisely after the forms of these eight islands.
Upon the central island, the Kanto Elite Four were all present.
Some sat cross-legged atop stone slabs.
Some stood quietly along the rocky cliffside.
Though there were four of them, the atmosphere was eerily silent—so silent that it seemed as if they rarely spoke to one another at all.
"According to our covert intelligence… he's already heading toward Cerise Island."
Lorelei closed the communicator disguised as a cosmetics compact, lifted her head, and glanced at Lance—and at the massive black dragon with wings outspread behind him—before speaking calmly.
"Mm. Judging by the time, he should be arriving soon."
Lance sat high within a stone cavern, leaning against the smooth rock wall with his eyes closed.
Although Lorelei had referred only to "him," Lance knew exactly who she meant.
Looking at Lance's composed expression, Lorelei couldn't help but speak again.
"…Lance, he's not weak. Don't underestimate him. One miscalculation and our entire plan could be ruined."
The Lorelei of the past had been arrogant.
Even as the weakest member of the Elite Four, she had once possessed enough strength to look down upon every Gym Leader in Kanto.
But after suffering defeat at Logan's hands time and time again, after repeatedly being crushed by him, that arrogance had long since vanished.
To remain arrogant before someone stronger than yourself was nothing short of foolish.
Lorelei understood the gap between herself and Logan—
just as clearly as she understood the gap between herself and Lance.
"Who said I'm underestimating him?"
Lance's eyes snapped open sharply, coldly locking onto Lorelei.
Her body trembled slightly under that gaze, and she lowered her head in instinctive fear.
Agatha and Bruno might not feel it so deeply—
but Lorelei followed Lance with genuine loyalty.
And she feared him more than anyone.
"…But Giovanni hasn't appeared."
Lorelei clenched her teeth and continued speaking under Lance's chilling stare.
"I know."
"Giovanni leaked Cerise Island's location to Sabrina. He knew that, given her relationship with the Saffron Gym Leader, she would inevitably pass that information on. He's using her to probe us—using him as a vanguard to test our strength."
Their grand design still lacked one critical piece—Giovanni.
But the hidden mastermind of Team Rocket was no ordinary Gym Leader.
Even the Elite Four had failed to trace his whereabouts.
"Do you really think he's ignorant of that?"
Lance said faintly.
Lorelei's eyes widened.
"…You mean… he already knows it's Giovanni's scheme?"
"For the League's intelligence network to fail for so long to uncover Cerise Island's exact location, and yet Team Rocket somehow succeeds? Even if they have their own channels, there's no way they surpass the League."
Lance slowly rose to his feet.
Behind him, Zekrom opened its draconic eyes.
"My dear younger brother must have guessed it long ago. There's only one explanation for how Team Rocket obtained the information—because we deliberately let it leak."
He stepped forward, cloak rustling.
"I leaked it to lure Giovanni here. Giovanni passed it on to him to make him test us."
"Then why would he still come?" Lorelei asked, confused. "If he knows it's a trap?"
"Because he's just like me," Lance replied calmly.
"Arrogant enough to possess absolute confidence in himself."
He looked at Lorelei deeply.
"That is what you lack—the unwavering belief in yourself."
"No matter how intricate the scheme, in the end strength decides everything. He believes in his power and does not believe he will fail. Just as I believe my plan will succeed."
"…Besides, Giovanni and he now stand on the same side. Whether he reaches Cerise Island first or Giovanni does, they will both launch an assault against us. Though they have not met, those two already share a tacit understanding."
Lance let out a cold laugh beneath his cloak.
Though his tone remained confident and proud, Lorelei could hear something different beneath it—
Gravity.
For the first time, the Dragon Tamer—
the commander of the Elite Four, who had never seemed to regard anyone as an equal—
was treating Logan and Giovanni as true opponents.
"When I saw the way he looked at Zekrom," Lance continued,
"I sensed his ambition. I sensed his 'ideal.' My dear younger brother… his aspiration may be even greater than mine—perhaps even beyond reach."
He lifted his head toward the sinking sun.
"From the first moment I saw him, I knew he was like me. A man who would never bow beneath another. And yet… I still foolishly hoped he would choose to follow behind me."
A faint sigh escaped him.
"I did not expect him to grow so quickly. While I pursued my 'ideal' and remained in place… he has already caught up."
Even Bruno couldn't help but look up at Lance.
For such a proud and self-assured man to admit this…
he had truly been shaken.
"Heh heh heh… I don't concern myself with all that,"
Agatha suddenly spoke, her voice low and dry.
"As long as the plan proceeds as arranged."
"It will," Lance replied.
"I used the news of Giovanni's son to draw him here. That man will step into the trap even knowing it's one. And neither he nor my dear brother will anticipate this—"
"When Giovanni sets foot on Cerise Island… that will be the moment of their defeat!"
Unmatched confidence radiated from his words.
"What your plan is doesn't matter to me," Agatha said indifferently, leaning on her cane as she turned to leave.
"I'll carry out my role."
"Should we deploy the wild Pokémon stationed on the other seven islands?" she added casually.
"There's no need," Lance shook his head slowly.
"They won't be able to stop him. It would only be meaningless sacrifice. If possible… I would prefer not to waste innocent Pokémon."
Agatha let out a sharp laugh.
"Disgusting hypocrisy. You had no hesitation when you sent those Pokémon to attack cities."
Ignoring her sarcasm, Lance turned back to the others.
"Intercepting them will be your task."
"Among those coming to Cerise Island… there is one person I wish to meet alone."
"There is power within her—power I seek."
"If I obtain that power… my strength will ascend to yet another level."
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