The time was the next morning.
Inside a meeting room at the Indigo Plateau.
President Goodshow sat in the head seat. The Kanto Elite Four sat to one side, and Officer Jenny Mio stood in front of a projection screen.
Lance, with red hair and a cold face, had his arms crossed over his chest. Lorelei sat with her left leg crossed over her right, also crossing her arms with an indifferent expression.
Agatha was still flipping through an old book, while Bruno leaned his chin on his hand, looking bored.
"Everyone is here. Mio, you may begin," President Goodshow said to Officer Jenny Mio.
"Yes. According to the report from the Sinnoh League yesterday, they have reached a conclusion through discussion. They now recognize the legality of Team Rocket's businesses in the Sinnoh region."
Officer Jenny Mio's face was solemn, and her tone was heavy.
"Because of this, a total of four regions have already passed laws to legalize Team Rocket's enterprises."
"Four?" Lorelei's eyebrows narrowed.
"Yes. The Hoenn region, the Sinnoh region, the Unova region, and the Alola region, which was the first."
"The Alola region is where Team Rocket's branch has developed the best. The Alola League was newly established there, so they were unable to target Team Rocket effectively from the start."
"It is said that the Arceus Company Entertainment City created by Team Rocket has already become the landmark entertainment venue of Melemele Island," Mio said in a low voice.
"Heh... that guy Damian really has some skill," Lorelei scoffed coldly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
"So, what is the point of today's meeting? To discuss starting a war with Team Rocket?"
Agatha looked up from her book and spoke with a raspy voice.
Lance remained expressionless, making it impossible to guess what he was thinking.
"The President and I went to find Damian before, but the conversation was not pleasant," Mio replied.
"Oh? What does Damian want?"
Agatha gained a bit of interest.
To be honest, she was curious about Damian. This young man was very impressive.
As the son of a Gym Leader, he joined Team Rocket and started from zero, constantly developing and growing through his own abilities.
Finally, after his wings were fully grown, he killed the original leader of Team Rocket and replaced him, becoming the leader of a large-scale power in this world.
If you ignored Team Rocket's previous actions, his story was inspiring.
"Team Rocket can promise not to do evil. However, they want the management rights to the underground world. The Pokémon League must not interfere or intervene," Mio replied briefly.
"Hehehe... he wants to split the management of the light and dark worlds with our League. He truly is an ambitious young man."
The corners of Agatha's mouth curled up. Her elderly face looked chilling as she laughed.
"But this child has such a large appetite. Isn't he acting a bit too hastily?"
"It isn't strange. That guy is indeed very arrogant," Lorelei snorted coldly.
Actually, she didn't have much of a bad feeling toward Damian. Although he was arrogant, he restrained Team Rocket members, forbidding them from stealing other people's Pokémon or harming Pokémon, along with a series of other acts.
Because of this point alone, Lorelei's dislike for the current Team Rocket was not that strong.
In the end, the reason she had hated the old Team Rocket so much was because they didn't treat Pokémon as living beings. They only treated them as tools and experimental subjects.
But Damian respected Pokémon.
"Team Rocket wants to rule the underground world and not be under the League's jurisdiction. Letting Team Rocket completely break away from the League's control is absolutely unacceptable," Mio said seriously.
"We cannot guarantee that Team Rocket will always remain as stable as they are now. Also, an inability to restrain them means they are out of control."
"What if Team Rocket develops even greater ambitions in the future?"
Hearing what Mio said, the several people present fell into thought.
For over a hundred years, the Pokémon League had gradually become the main authority of this world. Under the League's management, although villain teams and hunter groups still inevitably existed, they were a minority. The world remained stable.
But now, Team Rocket had risen and wanted to stand on equal footing with the League, and they wanted to take away the management rights of the underground world.
This naturally caused worry.
However, what President Goodshow and Mio were worried about was not the League's influence becoming smaller. They were worried about the hidden risk that Team Rocket could become unstable.
Ultimately, a unified order was the best way to maintain stability. Once there was an uncontrolled existence, that stability would become fragile.
Especially since Team Rocket wanted to manage the underground world themselves and demanded that the League not interfere, which was even more concerning.
"So, what does the President think?"
Agatha laughed quietly and looked toward President Goodshow.
"I cannot agree to Damian's demands. No matter what, giving Team Rocket such broad authority is definitely not a good thing."
President Goodshow shook his head.
"The President is actually being tough for once," Agatha teased with a smile.
Goodshow gave a forced laugh. He knew Agatha was being sarcastic about some of his past actions. However, the two were old partners, so a few teasing remarks like this didn't matter.
"I also agree with this view. Although Team Rocket is now led by Damian and has changed from an evil organization into one with discipline and systems, letting them manage the underground world carries great risks," Agatha said while leaning on her cane.
"To put it bluntly, if we start this trend, the League's prestige will inevitably fall. The effect on long-term stability will definitely not be positive."
"And we have no way to suppress Team Rocket."
"Is there no way to negotiate this matter?" Agatha asked President Goodshow and Mio.
"Damian's attitude is very firm," Mio shook her head.
"Then things are a bit difficult. If we are to go to war with Team Rocket, the losses will likely be beyond calculation," Agatha said.
"Team Rocket's confidence simply comes from Damian as an individual. If we have a way to defeat Damian, we will have the initiative in the conversation," Lorelei said calmly.
Yes, in the end, the reason Team Rocket was so bold and firm was because Damian believed Team Rocket was stronger than the League's side.
If the League could defeat Team Rocket, Damian could not be so arrogant. Damian certainly wouldn't want both sides to suffer heavy losses either, there would be no benefit in that.
After all, Damian's Team Rocket did not want to rule the world.
"The area where Team Rocket is strong now is not just Damian himself, though he is indeed the most important factor."
President Goodshow sighed. He never expected they would be so troubled by a single Team Rocket.
"It still comes down to Legendary Pokémon. If Lance could also have a Legendary Pokémon, we wouldn't have to be so wary of Team Rocket."
Mio felt very helpless.
Lance remained silent, his sharp eyebrows merely twitching slightly. Although he was proud by nature and believed his Dragon team was matchless, Damian's battle record was indeed terrifying.
"We have them. Legendary Pokémon, we can have them too."
At this moment, Agatha grinned.
"?!"
Hearing this, everyone else in the meeting room was stunned.
"I found a method to obtain a Legendary Pokémon in this old book. I think we can try to let Lance gain that Legendary Pokémon," Agatha said slowly.
"Well done, Agatha!" President Goodshow said with joy.
"Is this information accurate?" Lorelei was a bit skeptical.
"It shouldn't be wrong. However, we still need to prepare other items: the eight special badges of the first generation," Agatha said with certainty.
"I can do that. I will notify Gym Leader Giovanni and the others to send the first-generation badges over."
President Goodshow trusted Agatha very much.
"If Lance has a Legendary Pokémon, plus Gym Leader Giovanni's Primal Groudon, and then we deploy combat forces from other regions..."
"We can fight Team Rocket!"
Mio calculated the winning chances of starting a war in her mind. Although Team Rocket was exceptionally strong, the League also had a chance.
This wasn't a fight to the death, but a fight to seize power.
If the League could suppress Team Rocket in this battle, they would have the confidence to reject Team Rocket's demands. Otherwise, they would have to accept even more excessive demands from Team Rocket.
"If it can be settled through talk, that would be best..." President Goodshow hesitated for a moment.
"President, there is no room for talk in this matter. We must show our force to Team Rocket. Otherwise, Team Rocket will only become more and more firm," Mio reminded him seriously.
If they wanted to eliminate Team Rocket, it was basically impossible given the current situation.
But the League had to maintain its voice and prestige in front of Team Rocket. Otherwise, if Team Rocket wants the ruling rights of the underground world today, what if they want the Pokémon League to change its name tomorrow?
Strength is the only logic.
Only if the Pokémon League could crush Team Rocket's current momentum could they suppress them.
"Fine." President Goodshow sighed in his heart. Actually, if possible, he really hoped for a peaceful resolution.
But in this situation, Damian definitely wouldn't back down, and the League wouldn't back down either. So, the only way was to have a real fight.
Only the winner could get what they wanted.
Near the Tree of Beginning.
"Wow, the Pokémon here feel so strong."
The teenager wearing a cap watched in amazement as a Kangaskhan fought fiercely with his Dragonite.
Although his Dragonite had just evolved and hadn't been caught for long, its strength was still excellent. And the opponent was a wild Kangaskhan.
"Indeed. The levels of the wild Pokémon here are generally very high. I didn't notice this place before," Brock also remarked with emotion.
After defeating the wild Kangaskhan, Ash's group continued forward. The environment here was very good. Moreover, fruit trees were everywhere. It was clear that resources were very abundant.
"So sweet~"
"Pika chu!"
Ash picked a large apple. After wiping it, he took a bite, and his eyes immediately lit up. Pikachu, standing on Ash's shoulder, was also holding an apple, looking very happy.
Just then, the sound of a violent battle came from not far away. There seemed to be the sound of people talking as well.
"Eh? Are there people ahead?"
Ash's group was stunned and immediately rushed toward the front.
When they reached an open space, Ash suddenly saw two figures.
One was a chestnut-haired girl wearing a black dress, and the other was a boy with red hair.
The one currently battling was the red-haired boy. He was commanding an Ursaring, and the one he was fighting...
"Regirock?!"
Brock looked at the Pokémon across from them in shock. It was made entirely of rock.
Wasn't that a Legendary Pokémon?
"Huh? Someone actually sneaked in here. Eh? Red? No, you aren't Red."
The girl in the black dress turned her head. Her bright, large eyes scanned the three of them with a pleasant smile, but she tilted her head in confusion when she saw Ash.
Because the two of them looked too much alike.
"Do you know my brother?" Ash's eyes lit up.
"Oh my, oh my. So you are Red's younger brother. I am Green, a friend of Red's."
Green showed a bright smile and waved her hand at the three of them.
"And that is Silver, my younger brother. But he is currently in the middle of a capture battle," Green pointed toward Silver.
"Oh, okay."
Ash blinked his eyes, watching the red-haired boy who was commanding the Ursaring to press Regirock into a corner.
This Ursaring was so strong!
And why did he always feel that this person named Silver looked a bit familiar?
Ash scratched his head strangely. Also, this person's vibe seemed cold, as if he wasn't very easy to get along with.
"By the way, how did you guys get in here?" Green asked curiously.
"Eh? Can't we just walk straight in?" Ash was very confused by the question.
"Wait, you didn't run into the security guards?" Green was even more confused.
"No, we didn't."
"..."
-------------------------
Want to get a head start on the story?
The story is now available up to Chapter 460 on Patreon.
I'll finish it by the end of this month, so if you want to support me, now's the time.