Was that a slip of the tongue?
Lillie blinked her big eyes, but she quickly pushed the thought aside, she must have misheard him.
"But since it evolved, Nebby seems a bit listless… It just stays so still all the time," Lillie said, her delicate face creasing with worry as she looked down at the Cosmoem in her arms.
After the last time they used Cosmog to open an Ultra Wormhole, Cosmog had been flickering all over, and after they returned from Ultra Space, Lucas had told Lillie that it was a sign Cosmog was about to evolve. Lillie had been half skeptical but half hopeful.
And then at noon today, Cosmog actually evolved!
So, she rushed right over to Lucas with Cosmoem in her arms.
"Don't worry. Cosmoem is supposed to be like this. It's gathering energy to evolve again, but the process could take a long time," Lucas said, glancing thoughtfully at Cosmoem.
Unlike the lively, curious Cosmog, Cosmoem was very quiet now. Its appearance was peculiar: the center was a patch of star-like light; at the core a black face; around that, a golden cocoon. But right now that black core had its eyes tightly shut. If you didn't know the situation, you might even think Cosmoem was dead — it lay motionless and gave off an unnervingly lifeless aura.
"Although it may stay like this for quite a while, don't worry — Cosmoem isn't dormant. It's awake and calmly absorbing light and energy," Lucas said with a smile to reassure Lillie. Indeed, Cosmoem was awake. Otherwise, how could Lillie have been holding it so easily?
Cosmog is one of the lightest Pokémon, but Cosmoem, though small, has an astonishing mass: it can weigh as much as 999 kilograms. That's the kind of figure we're talking about — its weight mostly comes from the energy stored inside. Going from a practically useless weakling to a high-level legendary takes enormous energy.
"Ah? Cosmog is going to evolve again?" Lillie's eyes widened at that.
"Yes, but without external help, it will take a long time," Lucas nodded. "But when it does evolve, it might give you a very big surprise."
Lucas's teasing made a bright look come into Lillie's watery, clear eyes. She watched Cosmoem for a long time, still amazed. She'd searched every Pokédex she could find and hadn't found any entry for Cosmog like hers — it was truly special.
Since Lucas was staying on Aether Paradise island now, her life had become happier and more exciting; she liked him a lot. He was handsome, kind, and treated her well.
"All right — I'll go keep Cosmoem company. Thanks, Lucas-oniichan. Bye!" Lillie gave him a polite curtsy and bounded away, clutching Cosmoem.
"Such a sweet, well-mannered girl," Lucas murmured, smiling slightly as he watched her run off.
He wondered, with a half-amused tilt of his lips, how she would react if she ever learned about her mother's situation. Then he reclined back into the beach chair and took another sip of coconut juice. "Why wasn't I invited to see Cosmoem earlier?" he asked.
"No reason. Its memories haven't awakened yet," came a low inner voice in his mind — it was Lunala, speaking through telepathy. After three days of treatment and rest, Lunala's wounds had healed.
"So it really was the Cosmoem that devolved from Solgaleo?" he asked.
"Mm," came the reply.
"How curious your species is," Lucas said with a raised brow. Solgaleo had once been revered by ancient Alola, and yet it could devolve back into a Cosmog — the phenomenon was strange indeed. He was curious about why Solgaleo had regressed, but Lunala didn't seem inclined to answer.
A quiet, leisurely life suited him. He glanced at the two girls — Lillie's friend and the other girl — playing in the water, and thought maybe a little downtime now and then wasn't so bad.
…
In Lusamine's villa, a soft, almost pleased moan echoed in one of the rooms.
After a while the room calmed again.
"I'm returning to Kanto tomorrow," Lucas said, flicking a cigarette and looking toward Lusamine, who propped herself weakly on the table.
"Tomorrow… do you want me to prepare a private jet?" Lusamine said as gathered back her cascading golden hair and walk towards the bathroom.
This devil was finally leaving!
Lusamine didn't know how to describe her feelings. It had already been an entire month since…
And they tousled for the whole month like newlyweds.
Lusamine could not figure out where he got all that energy. Every time things finished, she barely had strength to stand; her back felt as if it might break.
"All right. Prepare a plane to take me to Kanto's Goldenrod City. It looks like it will be lively there," Lucas said. He stubbed out his cigarette and stood up, then picked Lusamine up in his arms.
"Wait! I truly can't anymore!" Lusamine cried in panic.
Is this guy born in the Year of the Ox? Damn it! "But I haven't..."
This man was relentless, she thought, struggling feebly. "I can help you in other ways!" she said, cutting him off; another round with him would likely finish her off.
…
The next morning.
As the airplane gradually disappeared into the horizon, Lusamine's body swayed slightly, her balance faltering for a moment.
"Mother! Are you all right?"
Standing beside her, Lillie immediately reached out to support her mother, worried that Lusamine might fall. Her voice carried obvious concern.
Over the past few weeks, Lusamine's attitude toward her had softened considerably. She was no longer as domineering or controlling as before. She often spoke to Lillie with warmth and even showed genuine care.
Because of that, their relationship had improved significantly.
"I'm fine, dear. You don't have to worry."
Lusamine gave her daughter a gentle smile of reassurance. Her slender hand subconsciously rested on her waist, as if trying to ease an ache there.
Last night… she had nearly been sent straight to heaven by Lucas's "enthusiasm."
Even getting up early to see him off this morning had drained all her strength.
"Mother, you should rest for the next few days," Lillie said softly, her expression full of concern as she looked at her mother's tired face. "Your health is what matters most."
Although she didn't know what exactly had happened, Lusamine's weakened state deeply worried her.
"My daughter's grown up," Lusamine replied with a tender look, her tone carrying a trace of emotion. "You've learned to worry about your mother now."
Lillie blushed slightly and lowered her head in embarrassment at the praise.
Seeing that expression, Lusamine's smile deepened even more. Yes… she truly had been too obsessed with Ultra Beasts before, so much that she had ignored the feelings of her own children.
But from now on, she would not make that mistake again.
Even if I've been… toyed with, I won't let Lillie or Gladion ever look at me with disappointment again!
Determination flashed in Lusamine's eyes.
She refused to see that look of disgust or disillusionment in her children's eyes ever again.
This—this was the resolve of a mother.
So what if I've had to submit to a rogue? I, Lusamine, will endure it!
…
Saffron City.
"Haaah—Kanto! I'm back!"
Stepping out of Saffron City Airport, Green stretched her arms and shouted dramatically, drawing several curious stares from passersby.
After spending an entire month in Alola, returning to Kanto again filled her with a strange sense of nostalgia.
"Let's go to the Silph Co.'s Building," said Lucas, ignoring Green's antics entirely.
He held Marnie's hand and walked toward the towering skyscraper that loomed in the city's center.
It had already been a full month since the occupation of Silph Co.. Just as Giovanni had told him, even though the Pokémon League had long known that Team Rocket had taken over Silph Co., they still hadn't made any direct move.
Reassigning personnel took time.
Evacuating civilians took time.
Waiting for Team Rocket to fully gather their forces… also took time.
And now, that time had passed.
The atmosphere between the two sides—the League and Team Rocket had reached the breaking point.
…
Indigo Plateau – Conference Chamber
At that very moment, the grand meeting room of the Indigo League Headquarters was completely filled.
Every seat was occupied by League officials: senators, Officer Jenny's chief commander, Nurse Joy's regional director, and the Indigo Elite Four—all were present.
"Everyone, I've called this emergency meeting to inform you of a critical situation. Please, take a look."
The elderly Loki, seated at the head of the long table, rarely looked this solemn. He motioned to his secretary.
The secretary bowed respectfully and began handing out documents to everyone in the room.
Moments later, silence fell—followed by a sharp, collective intake of breath.
Lance's expression immediately darkened. Lorelei's face went cold, while Agatha frowned deeply, her sharp eyes fixed on the papers before her.
"This… this can't be true!"
"They've gone too far! Do they take us for fools?!"
"Team Rocket truly is the root of all evil in Kanto! President, I strongly urge that we mobilize forces to crush those criminals immediately!"
The room exploded into chaos, filled with angry voices and pounding fists.
And the document before them was exactly what they feared—
A detailed report confirming that Team Rocket had completely taken over Silph Co.
"An attack is inevitable," Loki said gravely. "Silph Co. is too influential. We cannot allow it to remain under Team Rocket's control."
"However," he continued, "Silph Co. is located within the heart of Saffron City. And according to our latest intelligence, Team Rocket has also attacked the Cerulean, Pewter, and Celadon Gyms—seizing their original badges by force."
"They must be plotting something far more dangerous than we know."
Officer Jenny Zero the head of the Jenny clan in the Kanto region frowned deeply, analyzing the report. "Given their movements, they're clearly preparing for something. It's not just random violence."
"Trap or not," Lance said coldly, "Silph Co. must be liberated. I'll personally lead the operation. Every last one of those filthy rats will be exterminated."
Though his tone remained calm, everyone present could sense the sharp, killing intent radiating from him.
"Team Rocket's crimes this time are unforgivable," said the Head Nurse Joy, speaking up for once. She nodded in firm agreement with Lance's words.
"Over the past month, Team Rocket has been steadily smuggling more members into Saffron," Loki continued. "Therefore, this operation must not fail, failure is not an option."
"Team Rocket has trampled on the League's authority," he said, slamming a fist lightly on the table. "They must be made to pay!"
"Zero," he turned to Officer Jenny Zero, "dispatch forces to Saffron City. Seal off the entire city and begin evacuation of the citizens. Do not allow a single member of Team Rocket to escape!"
"Yes, sir!" Officer Jenny Zero replied, standing and saluting smartly.
"The evacuation will draw attention," Loki went on. "Team Rocket will notice. So—Lance, I want you and the other three Elite Four to move out early. Surround the city from four directions. If any of them attempt to break through…"
"Arrest them on the spot!"
He looked each of them in the eye, issuing his orders firmly.
"Not a single pest will escape," Lance said coldly. His voice was steady—but the gleam in his eyes was lethal.
It was exactly the kind of mission he wanted.
"In addition," Loki said after a pause, "I've invited several powerful allies from other regions to assist us."
He rose slowly to his feet, his aged figure suddenly radiating an overwhelming presence.
"No matter what, this time…"
"We will eradicate Team Rocket from Kanto's soil!"
"Such a blight has no place in this world! Is that clear?"
The pressure of a true leader filled the room, forcing everyone to sit up straight.
This battle wasn't just about victory—it had to be absolute.
The League had to win cleanly, decisively, and utterly destroy Team Rocket.
They would show the world once again that—
The authority of the Pokémon League is beyond question.
Its power is unmatched.
For that, Loki had summoned the full might of the Indigo Elite Four—and even invited top trainers from other regions to join.
The goal was simple: to cast Team Rocket into the abyss forever.
"Yes, sir!"
All the representatives responded in unison, their voices echoing through the chamber.
Lance glanced at them from the corner of his eye, a faint, disdainful smirk tugging at his lips. Then he turned toward the window, his gaze sharp as ice.
Team Rocket… this time, you won't escape.
And as for you, my dear cousin…
Saffron City will be the stage for our long-awaited battle.
(End of Chapter)