"How could this possibly harm the people of Kanto? Your targets have always been the elite families that manipulate the League," Feng Che said, his voice steady as he dismantled Lance's hesitation.
"You are doing this to purge the League of its toxicity and establish an order that actually serves the citizens. Team Rocket is about to launch a massive offensive. When that happens, why not simply strike the corrupt families under the guise of 'fighting Team Rocket'?"
"If the elite estates are razed by 'Rocket agents,' everyone will see it as a natural tragedy of war. You, meanwhile, act as the righteous savior, leading your four legions to secure civilian safety. If the elite families happen to be wiped out because 'reinforcements couldn't arrive in time,' how is that your fault?"
Feng Che's words were a masterclass in shifting blame. He was essentially handing Lance a shovel to bury the elite families while dumping the dirt on Team Rocket's head.
"I see... I understand now. My perspective was wrong from the start," Lance murmured. His eyes brightened, and a sharp smile played on his lips, the gloom vanishing instantly. "I believed this rebellion would hurt the civilians. But if Team Rocket 'does' it... as the League's righteous force, we protect the people in their hour of need. As for those families? We were simply spread too thin to reach them."
"Exactly. You win the prestige of a hero, clear out the parasites, and keep your hands clean. Why wouldn't you do it?" Feng Che continued to nudge him. "As long as your legions don't march on the cities, you'll be hailed as the guardians of Kanto. Team Rocket takes the fall, while you emerge as the messiah."
"Yes, that's exactly how it should be. With that reputation, I could finally claim the seat of Champion," Lance mused.
"No. Do NOT become the Kanto Champion," Feng Che interjected firmly, catching Lance off guard. "The Kanto treasury is likely deep in the red—burdened beyond repair. You mentioned before that even your Elite Four stipends were being delayed, didn't you?"
Lance nodded slowly. "That's true."
"Exactly. Kanto is drowning in a massive deficit. If you take the throne now, you fall right into Goodshow's trap. Your first day on the job, you'll be expected to pay half a year's back-wages to a hundred thousand League employees. You'll find the coffers empty. The moment you take office, the elite families will hunt you; you'll be blamed for the mess the previous administration left behind. If you can't solve it, your popularity will plummet. You'll eventually be forced to step down in disgrace, and Goodshow will use the chaos to reclaim power."
"Instead, I suggest you take the Johto Championship," Feng Che proposed.
"Johto? Isn't that Bell Tower territory?" Lance raised an eyebrow, confusion clouding his gaze. "The High Priest Shamon runs things there. Wouldn't I be tied down by their influence?"
"On the contrary. Johto is where you can truly spread your wings. Precisely because Shamon controls it, it's a sanctuary from Goodshow's reach. You and the Blackthorn Clan have a long-standing alliance with the Bell Tower. If you become the Johto Champion, Shamon will support you fully. You can build your strength there, stay away from the Kanto debt, and wait. Once Kanto finally collapses under its own weight, you return as the 'King of Two Regions' to save them. Your main legions are already in Kanto; keep them stationed there to keep Goodshow in check."
Feng Che stepped back. "That's all I'll say. Even though I'm with Team Rocket, my goal is the same as yours: a better world for Pokémon. If you trust me, go discuss this with Lorelei and the others. 'Rebellion' is a dirty word that the public won't support. But 'Protection' is something they'll die for."
"Before you go, train your Pokémon to wear a simple, recognizable mark. When Rocket attacks, broadcast to the cities: 'Find the marked legions for sanctuary.' You can even have some of your own men disguise themselves as Rocket members to finish off the elite estates."
Feng Che signaled his Corviknight. "I have a flight to catch. Good luck, Lance."
"Feng Che is truly an extraordinary man," Lance whispered, watching the steel bird vanish into the night. If he could, he would have made Feng Che his chief strategist in a heartbeat. "I need to speak with Agatha and Lorelei immediately. We need to watch Team Rocket's movements... this is our chance to seize the moral high ground while purging the rot."
I just played Lance like a fiddle, Feng Che chuckled to himself as he flew toward Viridian. But it's for the best. He won't be forced into the tragic 'Johto exile' of the past. This time, he's choosing it as a strategic move. In the original timeline, even Shamon was assassinated by Goodshow's schemes. Not this time. Goodshow's failure is my happiness.
Team Rocket Laboratory
The "Mewtwo" sitting in the stasis tank looked lazy and bored. The researchers had no idea it was a Ditto in disguise. Dr. Fuji was too preoccupied with the Triple-Bird fusion to notice "Subject 13" acting strangely.
Eventually, the Ditto's genetic structure—unable to sustain the complex Mewtwo form—collapsed, and it "died." Dr. Fuji reported the failure to Giovanni, and the Mewtwo project was shelved indefinitely as a lost cause.
As Feng Che traveled, a purple silhouette suddenly materialized in the air before him. It was a Pokémon resembling Mew but several times larger, radiating an aura of absolute power.
"Feng Che. I have come as promised," Mewtwo spoke directly into his mind. "Will you accept me as your partner? I now possess the power to reshape the world." A sphere of concentrated psychic energy flickered in its hand.
"Of course," Feng Che smiled. "But Mewtwo, I don't want you to be a tool for war. You aren't a clone or an experiment; you are Mewtwo, my partner. I want us to grow together until we are the pinnacle of this world. One day, you will stand in the light, respected by all. Groups like Rocket, Magma, or Aqua will be nothing but dust before you."
"I have prepared this for you." Feng Che held out a Master Ball.
"Thank you for my freedom," Mewtwo replied, its voice softening. "I look forward to our journey." It touched the ball and was drawn inside in a flash of red light.
Feng Che fashioned the Master Ball into a pendant and hung it around his neck, hidden beneath a layer of psychic illusion so it looked like a common ornament. "See the world with me, Mewtwo."
Team Rocket Base
Feng Che arrived and was immediately summoned to a strategy meeting.
"Feng Che, you're here," Giovanni said, leaning back in his chair. "I have an urgent mission for you. You know of the Indigo Prison beneath the plateau?"
"The one they say is impossible to break into?" Feng Che replied.
"Exactly. It houses the League's most dangerous life-sentences—vicious criminals and political enemies of the state. I need you to break in, rescue a man named Augustus, and then release every single prisoner. Their hatred for the League is a resource. Once they are loose, they will tear into the League's defenses from the inside, making our final victory much easier."
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