N bit his lip. He did not know how to face Ghetsis, but he still answered the phone.
"Father."
"N, did you get Colress?"
Ghetsis asked. He had heard that the base where Colress worked was under attack. He told N to go and get him.
In Ghetsis's eyes, Colress was just a weak researcher. He had strange technology, but he was easy to catch for a strong trainer.
But it could not happen yet!
Colress was very important to Ghetsis. It was not just because Colress brought back Genesect. That made Team Plasma much stronger.
It was also because of the Colress Machine. The scientist named this invention after himself.
To Ghetsis, the Colress Machine was a great invention. It could control wild Pokémon.
This was a main tool for Ghetsis's plans.
Also, only a few people knew a secret. There were legendary dragons of Truth and Ideals in Unova. But there was another dragon. It was the strongest dragon on earth!
That dragon was Kyurem, the Ice Dragon. It was the empty shell left behind when the original Unova Dragon split.
That was the strongest legendary dragon in Unova.
However, Kyurem was in a deep sleep in a hidden place. Most people in Unova did not know it existed.
But Ghetsis knew. That was why he valued Colress. If Colress improved the Colress Machine, Ghetsis could find Kyurem.
He would have a chance to control the strongest dragon on earth! So, nothing could happen to Colress.
When that time came, Team Plasma would have Kyurem, Zekrom, and the Genesect army. No one could stop them.
"I am sorry, Father." N heard that Ghetsis was worried. He felt very guilty.
Inside the castle, Ghetsis was shocked. He had a bad feeling immediately.
"What happened?"
"Team Rocket appeared. That person you mentioned, Damian, took Colress away."
"What did you say??!"
Ghetsis's voice became very loud. He was purely furious.
N was surprised. It was the first time he heard Ghetsis lose control like this.
Ghetsis realized his reaction. He tried to stop his anger. He tried to make his voice sound calm.
"What exactly happened? N, didn't you bring Zekrom with you?" Ghetsis still sounded very angry even though he tried to hide it.
He did not understand. How did Damian take someone from N?
Did Team Rocket attack the base?
Those invaders!
"Zekrom was injured by Damian. The injuries are very serious. That Damian... he controls Primal Kyogre."
"..."
Ghetsis's face became dark and ugly. He looked very angry.
Primal Kyogre?
N and Zekrom were not a match for Damian? That guy.
"I understand. Where are you now? I will send someone to pick you up."
Ghetsis took a deep breath. He spoke to N in a low voice.
He was still thinking clearly. He believed N would not lie to him.
Ghetsis sat on his throne after the call. He looked very dark.
"Useless! Truly useless!! Good-for-nothing!"
Ghetsis screamed to let out his anger.
N had the legendary Zekrom, the Dragon of Ideals. But he could not beat one person from Team Rocket? He had to run away?
He lost to that young man!
Ghetsis thought N was useless. He had raised N for ten years for nothing!
Ghetsis breathed quickly because he was angry. But being angry did not help. He had to find a way to get Colress back.
He decided to try something. He called Colress's phone.
Colress was a prisoner, so his phone should be gone. But maybe Colress hid it.
If they could talk, it would be easier to save him.
The call went through. Someone answered.
"Hello? Ghetsis?" Colress's voice was smooth.
"Colress? Are you okay?"
Ghetsis was very happy.
"Me? Of course I am fine. I am doing great."
Colress smiled. He had finished dinner with Damian. He was going to his room to rest.
"Did you escape from Team Rocket? As expected of you, Colress."
Ghetsis thought Colress had escaped because he was smart.
"Actually, no." Colress laughed.
"?"
"Ghetsis, I wanted to find you too. I am leaving Team Plasma," Colress said calmly.
"What did you say?" Ghetsis was shocked.
"I am leaving Team Plasma. Also," Colress's voice was cold.
"Ghetsis, do not contact me again. I am afraid Lord Damian will misunderstand."
"Colress!!"
Ghetsis was shaking with rage. He understood now.
Colress had betrayed him and joined Team Rocket!
"Colress! I treated you well, didn't I? How can you betray me like this! Don't forget who took you in when you were a runaway wanted by the Unova League!"
"It was me!! I was the one who took you in!"
Ghetsis was shouting.
He could not accept it. He was sincere with Colress, but the man joined Team Rocket.
Colress even called Damian "Lord."
Colress never called Ghetsis "Lord" before!
"Please do not make it sound so ugly. I never said I was loyal to you." Colress frowned a little.
"Ghetsis, our partnership was always about getting what we needed. I gave you my research results, and you gave me equipment and subjects."
Colress spoke plainly. He did not feel like he owed Ghetsis anything. He felt he gave more to Team Plasma than he received.
"The three Genesect I already sent are enough to pay back all your support. Ghetsis, let's just say goodbye."
"Colress! You ungrateful wolf, you—"
Ghetsis started swearing at Colress. But Colress hung up the phone.
Ghetsis called again.
The phone rang once and stopped.
He tried again. He was blocked.
"Colress!"
Ghetsis was incredibly angry. His mind was exploding.
He threw the phone and broke it into pieces. He roared the scientist's name.
"COLRESS!!!"
The name echoed through the castle.
In Nimbasa City, the heavy rain ended. The storm was short.
The sun was out. The light hit the streets. The air felt fresh.
Damian was in a very good mood. He walked on the streets of Nimbasa City.
Caitlin was at the hotel pool with Baby Lugia. Zinnia was training.
So, Damian was walking alone. Well, he was almost alone.
"Damian, Damian! Fini wants to eat that!"
"I want to eat too! I want to eat too!"
Tapu Fini pulled on Damian's coat. She pointed at an ice cream stand. Jirachi was sitting on Damian's shoulder and acting cute.
"Fine, fine."
Damian could not say no to them. He walked to the stand.
"Three vanilla ice creams, please." Damian ordered.
"Sure thing! Please wait a moment." The owner was friendly.
Damian looked around while he waited. He saw a beautiful woman.
"Oh... what a coincidence."
Damian smiled.
She had black hair and headphones. She was very tall and wore cool clothes that showed her legs.
It was Elesa, the Nimbasa Gym Leader. They had seen each other earlier.
Elesa was going back to her Gym. She stopped. She looked at Damian in shock.
He had black hair and black clothes. He was easy to recognize. He had the star-headed Pokémon on his shoulder.
That was the Mythical Pokémon Jirachi. Elesa knew it.
So this person was the Team Rocket member who beat Zekrom!
Elesa was stunned. She did not expect a Team Rocket member to walk in the city openly.
Did he have a plan?
Elesa was not sure what to do. Should she call Officer Jenny? Should she stop him?
But she was not as strong as him. If he got angry, he might attack the city.
Elesa felt lost.
Then the Team Rocket officer waved at her.
Elesa hesitated, but she walked toward Damian.
"Want some ice cream?"
He asked her when she got close.
Elesa was a famous model. She did not usually like ice cream because of the calories.
However...
"Sure," Elesa said. She nodded.
"Owner, one more vanilla ice cream," Damian said.
"You got it! Oh! It's Leader Elesa!"
The owner looked up. He was very excited.
Everyone in Nimbasa City knew Elesa. She was the face of the city.
"Hello." Elesa nodded. She was polite but quiet.
She was good at talking, but she was quiet in private.
The owner was a big fan. He kept talking.
But Elesa was cold. She was actually very nervous. She was standing next to a scary person!
They got the ice cream and left.
It was quiet. Damian looked at the city, but Elesa was worried.
"Mr. Damian... right? Why did you come to Nimbasa City?"
Elesa finally asked him softly.
"About that." Damian smiled. "It depends on how much you cooperate, Miss Elesa."
"Elesa, you wouldn't want anything bad to happen to Nimbasa City, would you?"
Elesa was shocked.
-------------
Want to read way ahead?
The story is already available up to Chapter 350 on Patreon — 136 chapters ahead of the public release.
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/Serenabunny
If you've been enjoying the story, subscribing is the best way to support it and you'll unlock a huge batch of extra chapters immediately.