"Leader Giovanni seems to have plans for territorial expansion; I suspect it will be announced publicly soon."
"We can use this opportunity to grow our own influence. Once we become the most powerful faction within Team Rocket, we won't have to answer to anyone else," Sird whispered to Chakra, her voice laced with manipulation. She had long ago identified Chakra's ambition and knew exactly how to fan the flames of his desire for Giovanni's seat.
Chakra rolled his eyes cunningly, his mind already spinning with possibilities.
The New Viridian Nursery
Feng Che had successfully settled the Nido-clan on the back mountain of the Viridian Gym. Through communication with the Alpha King, he learned that the clan had long suspected they were being watched by humans. They had already chosen the Gym's backyard as their next migration target—not just for the Toxic Orb, but because they wanted to turn the secluded highlands into their permanent sanctuary.
It took Feng Che three days to construct a reinforced steel perimeter to keep the clan secure. After a discussion with Fox Princess and Parker, he decided to build the Viridian Nursery on a vacant lot adjacent to the Gym.
The new facility would focus on four core pillars: Pokémon sales, medical treatment, boarding services, and high-grade Pokéblock production. Feng Che intended to sell a portion of the Gym's thriving population to eligible local trainers. To sweeten the deal, he offered free starter Pokéblocks to help them grow. His ultimate goal: bolster the number of strong trainers in Viridian City to act as a volunteer force whenever the forest grew restless.
"Feng Che, the Beldum egg has finally hatched."
Mewtwo released a silver-white Beldum from its psychic sub-dimension. Beldum was a robotic lifeform, resembling a heavy barbell with a single, massive claw at one end and a singular, glowing red eye at the other. Its cells were entirely composed of magnets; powerful magnetic pulses replaced blood, circulating through its metallic frame.
"Finally," Feng Che said, eyes gleaming with excitement.
"It absorbed the psychic resources in my dimension during incubation," Mewtwo explained. "Its psychic power is already comparable to that of a fully matured Metagross."
Suddenly, Beldum generated a small magnetic singularity—a Black Hole—from its claw. The force pulled in various metal scraps from around the room. The metal was twisted and compressed within the void until a small, shimmering ingot fell to the floor.
"High-purity alloy?" Feng Che gasped. "It can refine minerals?"
He quickly pulled several chunks of raw, black iron ore from his storage. "Beldum, can you purify these for me?"
Beldum nodded. It conjured another singularity, swallowing the ore. Moments later, a heavy, high-grade steel ingot hit the floor with a satisfying thud.
Name: Beldum Gender: Genderless Aptitude: Epic (Cyan) Ability: Light Metal Level: 22 Type: Steel + Psychic Moves: Take Down, Iron Defense, Zen Headbutt, Iron Head Evaluation: Newly hatched. Absorbed Mewtwo's psychic essence. Its mental capacity is astronomical for its stage.
"This is perfect. It'll be a core member of my team," Feng Che decided, recalling the Beldum. Aside from Mewtwo, he lacked a dedicated Psychic/Steel powerhouse.
The Double Summons
Just then, a message flashed on his communicator. The Kanto League was summoning all Gym Leaders for an emergency summit at Indigo Plateau.
It's starting, Feng Che thought. The cross-region exchange tournament between Kanto and Johto. This is where Pryce (the Masked Man) makes his move with the GS Ball to enter Celebi's shrine.
Beep, beep, beep!
A second, high-priority alert arrived. This one was from Team Rocket:
Subject: High-Level Executive SummitTo: Master Feng Che
Leader Giovanni has called for an immediate gathering of all High-Level Executives at Headquarters. Those currently outside Kanto may attend via encrypted video link.
Giovanni is calling a meeting at the same time as the League? Is he planning to sow chaos during the tournament?
Feng Che donned his smiling mask and black cloak. He released his Flygon and set off for the Rocket base.
The Leader's Resolve
At Team Rocket HQ, Giovanni stared at a top-secret file concerning Sakaki Tsuna. After a long silence, he leaned back in his leather chair, his face unreadable.
"So, Tsuna has defected to the Pure Heaven Sect," Giovanni muttered, a mix of disgust and pity in his voice. "To give up being human just to serve a monster... the moment you joined them, you surrendered your destiny."
"Keep a close watch on that fool. He wants to use the Sect's power to seize my organization. I may be a criminal, and I may wish to topple this corrupt League, but I am still human. I will not commit atrocities against my own kind for the sake of a 'God.' Those fanatics in the Sect are a different breed of madness."
"Leader, the Executives are waiting," Matori said, knocking on the door.
"I'm coming."
The Council of Shadows
Feng Che was the first to arrive. Soon, Sabrina, Lt. Surge, the Four Generals, and the Three Beast Warriors filed into the room.
Feng Che looked with particular interest at the blonde Sird, who wore a star-patterned mask. He knew her secret—she was a mole from Team Galactic who had infiltrated the Rockets. Meanwhile, on the large monitor, Koga appeared via video link from Johto.
Giovanni entered the room, the air instantly turning heavy with his presence.
The meeting has begun. Should Feng Che's Mewtwo use "Telepathy" to listen to Sird's hidden thoughts during the meeting, or should Feng Che speak up first to suggest a strategy for the upcoming League tournament to gain Giovanni's favor?