Up in the stands, as the Brock battle was ending, Lance and the Elite Four members were watching, nodding along.
Then another voice came in from behind them. "It looks like the new generation is even stronger than before."
When Lance turned, he saw Agatha, and, surprisingly enough, Oak, walking up from behind them.
Damian looked over and gave a polite bow. "Lady Agatha, you're here."
Agatha gave a small chuckle, her gnarled cane clicking softly on the stairs as she walked up beside them. "Did you think I'd miss a good fight? Please. Watching these kids push themselves is far more entertaining than sitting around the League halls… or retirement."
"Well, that is true, I guess," Karen said with a shrug. "But it's good to see you, and just in time. The next match should be starting soon."
Oak finally cleared his throat. "Well, I'm also here, and I brought a few people along, if you don't mind, as a favor to Professor Willow."
From behind him, Spark bounced in. "Yo, sup everyone, it's me!" Behind him, Candela and Blanche walked in much quieter.
Tempest perked up at seeing Spark, waving his hand excitedly and running over. "Spark! It's you!"
Spark also lit up as he ran over and gave her a high five. "Tempest! How's Uncle Surge? Is he still grumpy?"
"He's always grumpy, don't worry about it. But anyway, how have you been? I've been, like—" Tempest started rambling on.
Spark and Tempest were friends, and Surge wasn't actually Spark's uncle, that's just what he called him since Surge was the one who basically helped raise Spark after Zapdos 'chose' him. But that's a different story altogether for another time.
While Spark and Tempest were catching up in the background, Lance looked at the others. "I see… so are you all feeling better?" Of course Lance knew about the incident, well, at least what they told him.
Blanche nodded. "Yes, although the separation still seems to have some effects. But overall, we've regained most of our connection with… 'them.'" Blanche spoke carefully, since other people were in the room who didn't know.
"Right. Well, I'm glad to hear that. Things have been a bit out of hand since you three left," Lance explained. After the Orange Islands arc, Blanche, Candela, and Spark had to go out to get their marks back, which wasn't exactly a walk in the park. But for the Legendary birds, it was manageable.
They hadn't been in Kanto or Johto, so they hadn't taken action against the things that had happened. And besides, they were only working with Lance, not for him. Their priority was still helping Professor Willow.
Speaking of which, Candela finally spoke up. "Yeah, sorry to just drop in, but we couldn't miss the League. The research is far too valuable."
Then again, they heard a light chuckle. At the door, a certain man with a large white beard stood there, Charles Goodshow. He chuckled. "Oh, believe me, I understand how exciting Pokémon battles are."
"Ah, Mr. Goodshow!" Lance said, walking up to offer him a hand. "I was wondering when you would arrive. It's not like you to miss the League, especially not the Gym Leader exhibition matches."
"You are quite right. But no need to worry, I did watch them," Goodshow said. After all, he was the one who set this whole thing up. Goodshow wasn't just the head of multiple leagues' committees, he was also the main person funding the tournaments for the League, such as the Indigo League, Silver Conference, Ever Grande Conference in Hoenn, Lily of the Valley Conference in Sinnoh, Vertress Conference in Unova, and Lumiose Conference in Kalos.
He's actually the one who set up the whole age requirements for each region to ensure the safety of trainers, which is also why there's only an age requirement up until Kalos. After that, he no longer has any authority in other regions. Alola doesn't have one at all, in Galar you only need a recommendation from someone in authority, and in Paldea it's reserved for students, all of which can be done at any age, from as young as eight all the way up to ninety or so.
Anyway, back to the main story, Goodshow looked back at Lance. "I was delayed because I seem to have been sidetracked with an old acquaintance. I hope you don't mind that I invited her to come sit with us."
As he said that, he gestured to the door, and from it, a familiar blonde-haired girl in a black outfit walked in, waving and smiling. Cynthia.
"Good evening, everyone," Cynthia said calmly.
Everyone looked a little surprised at why the Champion of Sinnoh was here, but they didn't linger on it. Lance nodded, fellow Champion to Champion. "Hello, it's nice of you to join us."
Cynthia stepped up into the stands, her calm, composed presence turning a few heads. Even among Champions, her reputation preceded her.
"I hope I'm not intruding," she said as she found a seat beside Agatha.
"Not at all," Agatha said with a smile.
"Yes, it's always nice to have company, especially from another fellow researcher," Oak nodded. Although Cynthia was technically an archaeologist, that still fit under the umbrella of "researcher."
"Quite. And if you wouldn't mind, after this is over, I have a few questions of my own about some ruins, if you don't mind me asking. I already spoke to Professor Elm, and he said you might know more."
Oak smiled softly. "Of course, I'd love to help in any way that I can." But before he could continue and go on a tangent, Lorelei cleared her throat, getting their attention.
"While I appreciate wanting to learn more, the next battle is about to commence. This one seems exciting, Blaine vs. Clair."
"Ah, good point," Oak said, rubbing the back of his head. "I apologize."
"No, it is really my fault. Let's continue this after," Cynthia said.
Lance, however, looked down and saw his cousin step up to the plate. He frowned, but not in a disapproving way, she almost seemed happier. Which was a good thing. A very good thing, actually. It seemed like she had finally stopped trying to be him.
As everyone was focused on that, no one was paying attention to the control room. In the control room, the two officers in charge of controlling the stadium… well, here's the thing, most of the Gym Leaders had to get to Johto via the Magnet Train. For that reason, the Magnet Train was connected to the stadium underground.
But that also meant one thing: it could transport other people as well. And that was the problem, because while this entire tournament was going on and everyone was distracted, Sham and Carl had snuck into the back room.
It didn't take much, just a quick attack from their Pokémon, and they knocked out the two League members inside before beginning their work. In the back, leaning against the door, D was watching. As this was happening, he narrowed his eyes. He could stop this… but that would blow his cover, and it would cause more problems. He still needed to stop the main problem.
If this part failed, then the Masked Man could still release all the Ho-Ohtwos and Lugiatwos. No, he needed them to do this so that they got separated. But one good thing was that, because he was seeing this, it was all being sent back to Ash.
Ash, who was just sitting casually with Pikachu and Vee on his lap, got the information. While keeping a neutral face, despite the fact he was frowning inwardly, he knew this meant he had prep time.
Ash stood up and stretched his arms, looking over to his friends. "Hey, I'm gonna go get some more snacks."
"Ah, you sure? The next one is about to start," Gary asked, raising an eyebrow. He knew Ash better than anyone here, and him missing this wasn't really something he would do.
"Yeah, what can I say? I need to feed my little sister," Ash shrugged casually.
Molly, who was halfway through a cookie, looked up at Ash. "But I still have snacks, I—"
Ash cut her off. "I hear there's funnel cake."
"I want one with everything!" Molly immediately tossed the cookie behind her, but Chuchu caught it and started nibbling on it.
Ash waved as he walked, but he looked at Yellow. "Hey, come on, Yellow, you should come too."
Yellow blinked in surprise. "I–uh, y-you want me to go?" she stammered.
"Yep," Ash said almost too quickly, with a smile.
Everyone blinked at that as Lyra pouted and pointed to herself. "Hey, why don't I go with you too? I mean, I can help!"
"No, I just need an extra pair of hands, and Yellow seems good to go. Besides, I wouldn't want to interrupt you guys. Come on," Ash insisted. Then he reached out, took Yellow's hand, and pulled her along, making Yellow yelp and blush as he led her away.
Everyone blinked, and Green narrowed her eyes and slightly pouted. She said nothing, maybe if Molly wasn't sitting on her lap she'd have inserted herself, but it was too late now. So she just huffed and kept watching.
Meanwhile, with Ash and Yellow, Ash was pulling Yellow along, but he hadn't let go of her hand yet, which was making Yellow look down, blushing. Chuchu jumped back on her shoulder, narrowing her eyes, wondering what was going on.
The hallways were mostly empty; everyone wanted to watch the battle. That made things easier for Ash. He let go of Yellow and looked at her, stepping closer and putting a hand on her shoulder. "Yellow."
Yellow was completely taking this the wrong way and blushed like a tomato. "A-Ash, w-what are you doing…?"
She was so distracted she didn't notice something teleporting behind her. Ash looked at her and held her firmly. "Yellow… sorry."
Yellow blinked, not understanding what Ash meant. Then he pushed her. She felt like she might have fallen, but instead, she landed in Abby's arms, who was now behind her. Yellow looked around frantically, then back at Ash. "Ash, what's going on? What are you doing?"
Ash gave her a sad smile. "Sorry… you're too valuable. Stay safe. After this is over, I'll take you out to dinner." As he said that, he snapped his fingers, and Abby teleported Yellow away.
Ash's smile fell. He didn't like what he'd just done, but he had to. Yellow was too valuable, because she had the Rainbow and Silver Wings. Sure, Ash had them too, actually, he had two pairs, but his were safe in his dimension. Yellow's weren't. After he became the Rainbow Hero, he'd found out that Yellow had them hidden inside her hat.
He couldn't tell Yellow that, though, because for one, he'd have to explain how he knew this, and two, he didn't want to tell her everything, even if he liked her. Three, he needed her safe and away from this fight. Who says it's just Yellow he was planning on teleporting?
Ash had a plan. Ash always had a plan. And he would protect everyone, even if it cost him himself.
Ash kept walking, he still had more prep work to do. Abby returned, and Ash nodded at her to get ready.
—
Back in the control room, Sham and Carl finished everything and commenced the override.
"It is done. I do love to see a plan come together," Carl said with a smile beneath his mask.
"Quiet. Let's report back to the boss and get ready for the invasion. He will need us," Sham said with a smirk, holding up a Poké Ball. "And it's a good thing the boss gave us these, maybe we can get some payback on the brats who beat us before."
D, who was standing behind them, knew exactly what was in the Poké Balls. Of course, he also knew what was happening. So, as Sham pressed the button to activate the train, D decided it was time to move. While they turned away from him, D stepped forward and raised his arms.
"Playtime is over," he said coldly, grabbing each of them by the head and slamming them together before they could react.
They collapsed to the ground like sacks of wet potatoes. D looked down at them, then raised his boot and stomped on their masks, breaking them apart before turning to leave.
As far as Ash knew, once the masks were broken, the mind control would break. And while Sham and Carl were doing this willingly, the one programming them through the flute would no longer be able to control them. At least, that's what D assumed, because as he ran out, Carl and Sham opened their eyes, their irises glowing faintly.
—
Back in the stadium, as Clair and Blaine took their sides, the announcer raised his arm to introduce them.
"Next match! From Cinnabar Island, the hot-blooded veteran of fire, Blaine! Versus, from Blackthorn City, the proud Dragon-type specialist, Clair!"
The crowd erupted in cheers. As they reached for their Poké Balls, the stadium suddenly began to split apart, making Blaine and Clair nearly lose their balance. They caught themselves just in time.
Everyone watched in shock as the battlefield split down the middle. From the opening, train tracks rose up, and the sound of a train's approach filled the air. The Gym Leaders from both regions quickly moved out of the way, jumping aside just in time as the Magnet Train burst through and screeched to a stop, now raised above the arena.
As everyone stared, the train doors opened, and from it poured countless Team Rocket members, masks covering their faces. They ran in every direction, some throwing out Pokémon, others causing pure chaos.
The Gym Leaders were stunned. What was Team Rocket doing here? And why were there so many of them? The truth was, no one actually knew how big Team Rocket had grown. They had been lying low for that reason. Normally, a mission would involve, at most, a hundred members, and even that was rare. But here? There were easily over a thousand members, and more still inside the train.
And before anyone could react, whether it be the Gym Leaders preparing to fight back or the audience starting to run, the screens flickered. Then, on them appeared the Masked Man, who looked down and laughed.
"Champions, Elites, Gym Leaders… all gathered in one place. And yet…"
He gestured off-camera, the sound of distant machinery whirring behind him. "Look at you now, scrambling like ants under my feet. That's all it took. One crack in the walls you thought were unbreakable… and I am inside."
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Even the strongest Trainers in the stands found their hands tightening around their Poké Balls.
"You pride yourselves on your rules, your order, your League. You built this coliseum as a monument to your strength. But every fortress… every kingdom… has a gate. And today, I walked through yours."
He chuckled, low, deliberate, letting the sound hang in the air. "You think you know who your enemy is? You think you've fought Team Rocket before? No. Let me show you my Team Rocket."
"And make no mistake…" His voice cut through the static, sharp and certain. "I have already won."
The screen shifted, revealing tubes, maybe ten of each, housing Ho-Ohtwos and Lugiatwos. He pressed a button. The tubes hissed open, and the creatures opened their eyes and took flight. Then the screen went dark.
Brock, Falkner, Misty, Bugsy, Whitney, Surge, Morty, Erika, Chuck, Janine, Jasmine, Sabrina, Clair, Blaine, Pryce, and even Giovanni, looked stunned as Grunts began mobilizing to surround them.
Giovanni, especially, looked up in disbelief, clenching his fists so tightly and grinding his teeth so hard it seemed like he might break them. He knew one thing: he was fighting with his arms tied. If he used his own Team Rocket members, he'd risk his own skin. He knew he could beat the Masked Man… but he didn't know where he was. And worst of all, if the Masked Man had been planning this for so long, then that meant he was right
He had already won.
Because Giovanni knew the Masked Man wasn't improvising. He had probably already planned for all the known variables, Champion Lance, the Elite Four, the Gym Leaders.
That meant Giovanni was about to fight a losing battle. And if the Masked Man had gotten this far… what did that mean about Archer?
Right now, that wasn't a question he could afford to ask. He would figure that out when he got there.
---
Ok boys and girl, funs over, from now on we are going back to the old uplode scedual, of Mon-Wen-Fri, since i'm gonna start college again, but i'm not stoping, i'm having way to much fun, anyway see ya guys next time