"I'm honored to hear that. I never expected your ace, Annihilape, to be so powerful that even my Garchomp couldn't defeat it."
Cynthia's gaze rested on Annihilape, which still had a fair amount of strength remaining.
Mega Garchomp had certainly expended a great deal of stamina fighting Articuno, but under normal circumstances, it should at least have been capable of taking Annihilape down with it.
Yet Annihilape did not look like it was desperately clinging to consciousness. It genuinely had that much stamina left.
That alone allowed Cynthia to understand the difference between Garchomp and Annihilape.
"No, if Articuno hadn't defeated Togekiss with Sheer Cold and preserved enough stamina to weaken Mega Garchomp, the final clash probably would've ended with both Pokémon going down. The battle would've been a draw."
Grey shook his head, offering a different assessment.
He understood the condition of his own Pokémon better than anyone, so he had no intention of exaggerating Annihilape's strength.
Cynthia merely smiled without arguing further.
The viewers, however, eagerly voiced their opinions.
[Gym Leader Grey is being way too humble. That was part of his strategy, and the final result speaks for itself. Why is he bringing up some imaginary alternate outcome?]
[You don't understand. He's helping Cynthia save face.]
[One thing is true, though. This is the first time a Trainer has defeated two of Grey's Pokémon in a single battle. Before this, did anyone even manage to defeat one?]
[Cynthia was definitely no pushover, but it's still a shame. It would've been amazing if Mega Garchomp had pulled off a comeback sweep.]
[Grey is already the Legendary Pokémon guy. The battle looked difficult because he used Annihilape, Articuno, and Mega Blaziken. Had he sent out Reshiram, Cynthia's entire team probably would've been swept.]
[You're right. I completely forgot that Grey has a whole collection of Legendary Pokémon.]
Only after someone in the chat reminded them did the other viewers remember.
They were all jealous of the man with the Legendary Pokémon.
"All right, everyone, I'm ending the stream here. For a while, neither Gym Leader Sabrina nor I will be at the Fighting Dojo. Bumiao will serve as the acting Gym Leader, so don't come looking for us and find the place empty."
Grey informed everyone of his upcoming plans.
[Is Gym Leader Grey going on a honeymoon with Gym Leader Sabrina? Make sure the two of you enjoy yourselves!]
[This is fantastic news! If Bumiao is the acting Gym Leader, doesn't that mean the Fighting Dojo's difficulty is about to drop drastically? Everyone, this is our best chance to obtain the Fighting Dojo Badge! Don't let this opportunity pass!]
If Grey's difficulty was S-rank and Sabrina's was A-rank, Bumiao's was only B-rank.
For challengers hoping to take on the Fighting Dojo, Bumiao serving as the acting Gym Leader would make obtaining its Badge considerably easier.
According to Grey, he and Sabrina would be traveling for an indefinite period, with their trip lasting at least one week.
That meant challengers were guaranteed a full week to challenge the Fighting Dojo while Grey and Sabrina were absent.
[Everyone, I've already reserved my challenge slot!]
[Gym Leader Grey, you and Gym Leader Sabrina should stay away for an entire month! Don't come back until all of us have our Badges!]
Grey did not know whether to laugh or cry after reading those comments.
"Is all this really necessary? It's only a Badge. If you just want one as a keepsake, I can eventually make commemorative replica pins without registration codes. You won't be able to enter official competitions with them, but they'll look the same."
"This wouldn't be happening if your Gym weren't so difficult," Green said with her arms folded. "Had you made your challenges a little easier, they wouldn't be reacting like this."
"I can't help it. I'm simply following Gym Leader Giovanni's example."
Grey immediately used Giovanni as a shield.
Giovanni was the true representative of high-difficulty Gyms.
Grey was merely learning from an experienced senior, so no one could blame him.
"That's true. Still, it feels like we haven't heard anything from Giovanni in a long time," Green said.
She thought about the messages she had seen recently.
Giovanni used to occasionally appear in the Gym Leaders' group chat, but lately he had vanished completely.
"Really? I haven't been checking the group much."
Grey had not realized that Giovanni had stopped posting.
Green was currently helping manage the Fighting Dojo's official account, so her observation surprised him.
Grey took out his phone and attempted to contact Giovanni.
[Dojo Annihilape: Good afternoon, Gym Leader Giovanni. The last time we spoke was at the airport before I left for Hoenn. Have you returned yet?]
Giovanni replied moments later.
[Giovanni of the Earth: I'm currently away handling some important business. Is there something you need, Gym Leader Grey?]
[Dojo Annihilape: Nothing urgent. I'm planning to travel again in a few days and thought I might catch up with you. I also wanted to ask whether you've heard anything about Team Rocket.]
[Giovanni of the Earth: Team Rocket? I have received some information. They've been running wild in Alola and making life miserable for the local population. Coincidentally, I'm also in Alola right now. Contact me when you arrive, and we can meet.]
Grey raised an eyebrow when he saw Giovanni's answer.
Giovanni had actually told him where Team Rocket was operating without the slightest hesitation.
Was he attempting to distance himself from Team Rocket?
Or was he planning to lure Grey into Team Rocket's base and torture him for information?
Grey inhaled sharply.
Then again, Giovanni would have a difficult time torturing him now.
Grey had an entire collection of major Legendary Pokémon at his disposal.
When the time came to surround Giovanni, Grey would summon every major Legendary Pokémon he knew and make absolutely certain that Giovanni was captured and brought to justice.
With that thought, Grey replied.
[Dojo Annihilape: In that case, I'll gladly accept your invitation. I'll contact you after I arrive in Alola.]
[Giovanni of the Earth: Excellent. I will await your arrival in Alola.]
[Dojo Annihilape: Then it's settled. Sorry for contacting you so suddenly and causing trouble. ScratchingHead.jpg]
[Giovanni of the Earth: Not at all. I'm unfamiliar with Alola and was hoping to find someone to talk to. You've helped relieve my boredom, so I should be thanking you.]
[Giovanni of the Earth: By the way, how is Silver doing at your Dojo? Is he well?]
Giovanni had suddenly redirected the conversation toward Silver.
Grey was about to answer when Giovanni sent several messages in succession.
[Giovanni of the Earth: I don't mean anything by it. I simply believe that the boy has talent. Please give him this file when you have the opportunity.]
[Giovanni of the Earth: Secrets_of_the_Earth.zip]
[Giovanni of the Earth: The archive contains some of my personal experience and training methods for Ground-type Pokémon. It includes PDF files, Word documents, and several videos. Please give everything to him.]
Grey raised an eyebrow.
Secrets of the Earth.
That was genuinely valuable information.
However, Silver did not currently train any Ground-type Pokémon.
Grey considered Silver's current team.
Ursaring might eventually evolve into Ursaluna, but none of his other Pokémon had anything to do with the Ground type.
Still, Giovanni was Silver's father.
He probably understood that Grey's purpose in traveling to Alola was to launch a genuine operation against Team Rocket.
Perhaps Giovanni was entrusting Silver's future to Grey in case he did not return.
Grey found the situation regrettable.
Had Giovanni shown even a little restraint and avoided committing so many unforgivable acts, Grey might have considered showing Team Rocket mercy.
Unfortunately, Team Rocket's crimes were too numerous to list.
Grey had no right to forgive Giovanni on behalf of the people he had harmed.
The Pokémon League would pass judgment.
Grey's responsibility was to bring Giovanni back so he could face that judgment.
Grey silently lowered his head and typed a reply.
[Dojo Annihilape: No problem. It's getting late, and I still have some matters to handle at the Dojo, so I won't take up any more of your time. I'll pass the archive along to Silver, so you don't need to worry.]
[Giovanni of the Earth: Thank you, Gym Leader Grey.]
Grey replied with a reaction image and ended the conversation.
He then said goodbye to the viewers and triumphantly ended the livestream.
At that moment, Sabrina pushed open the door while carrying several bags of groceries.
A smile appeared on her face when she saw that Grey had returned.
Grey walked over, wrapped an arm around Sabrina's waist, and brought her to Caitlin.
"Come on. From now on, the three of us will be living together."
Caitlin looked somewhat embarrassed. She lowered her head before speaking softly.
"Sabrina, from now on, we're family."
"All right."
Sabrina nodded gently, accepting Caitlin.
Cynthia watched them from the side in silence.
I feel like I shouldn't be here.
Meanwhile, inside a Team Rocket base in Alola, Giovanni was meeting with a visitor.
"Faba, are you certain that an entity far stronger than the major Legendary Pokémon of other regions exists beyond the Ultra Wormholes?"
The visitor was a man wearing a white research coat and green glasses.
He was Faba, Branch Chief of the Aether Foundation and the man responsible for the creation of Type: Null.
"Hohoho! The information is completely genuine. I wouldn't have appeared before you without reliable intelligence, would I, Giovanni?"
Faba stroked his beard and smiled maliciously.
"However, there is one Pokémon that is absolutely essential if we wish to open an Ultra Wormhole or bring Necrozma into our world."
Faba narrowed his eyes and spoke each word distinctly.
"That Pokémon is Cosmog, the creature known as the Child of the Stars! As long as we seize Cosmog, Necrozma will unquestionably descend into our world!"
"When that happens, have your Beedrill attack Necrozma and weaken it. We can then use the Beast Balls we developed to capture it!"
"Once Necrozma belongs to us, a single major Legendary Pokémon will mean nothing. Even if that man named Grey sends every major Legendary Pokémon he possesses, none of them will pose any threat to Necrozma."
Faba adjusted his glasses, a sinister light gleaming in his eyes.
"Giovanni, opportunities like this do not come twice. Judging by your situation, Grey will probably arrive soon. When he does, we must find an opportunity to steal Cosmog from Lillie and summon Necrozma as quickly as possible."
"Then everything will belong to Team Rainbow Rocket!"
"I'll consider it. The information you provided is important," Giovanni said with a slight nod. "However, the Aether Foundation is probably short-handed right now. Lusamine must be getting impatient."
It was a polite order for Faba to leave.
"Oh, right. The Aether Foundation barely has anyone competent. Other than President Lusamine, Wicke is the only useful person there."
Faba found the situation deeply frustrating. After hearing Giovanni's reminder, he slipped suspiciously out of the Team Rocket base.
Once Faba had left, Colress emerged from the shadows.
"Leader, that man is extremely ambitious. Are you certain you want to work with someone like him?"
"Aren't you worried that he'll eventually report us and have the entire organization rounded up?"
"That doesn't sound like you, Colress."
Giovanni looked at him with an amused smile.
"I don't remember you being someone who worried about such things. What's wrong? Have you been with Team Rocket so long that you're afraid of eventually being arrested and punished?"
"No, I'm not afraid of being captured. On the contrary, if someone defeats and arrests me fairly one day, I'll accept the outcome without complaint."
Colress looked toward the direction in which Faba had departed and slowly exhaled.
"However, being sent to prison because someone reported me would be humiliating."
"Utterly humiliating!"
"I imagine you feel the same way, Leader."
"Correct."
Giovanni nodded in agreement.
"If I were arrested only because someone betrayed us to the authorities, I would never accept it."
"Enough. Let's stop discussing that."
Giovanni waved his hand and changed the subject.
"Colress, what do you believe the chances are that Faba's plan will succeed?"
"If you're asking about finding an opportunity to steal Cosmog from Lillie, the probability is practically zero."
"However, if you're asking about Necrozma defeating Grey, the probability of success is fifty percent."
Colress sounded somewhat emotional as he continued.
"I'm not certain whether Grey's strength is simply that overwhelming or whether Necrozma surpassed our original estimates. Even I was surprised when I obtained that result."
"Fifty percent."
Giovanni's eyes narrowed.
"Did your calculation include Rayquaza?"
"What?"
This time, Colress was genuinely shocked.
"Rayquaza? I didn't know about Rayquaza."
Giovanni fell silent.
This was bad.
Grey might not have caught Rayquaza, but it was still a Pokémon he could summon whenever he needed it.
Giovanni rubbed his forehead.
"Recalculate it with Rayquaza included. Assume that it can also Mega Evolve, and then tell me the result."
"Let me calculate it."
Colress entered a long string of code.
Half an hour later, he finally obtained the answer.
"Leader."
His tone had become unusually grave.
Giovanni casually waved his hand.
"Go ahead. Whatever the result is, I can accept it."
"The probability of victory is two percent."
"That's all?"
"That's all."
//Check out my P@tre0n for 30 extra chapters on all my fanfics //[email protected]/Razeil0810.