The championship that year was won by Ethan Cross from Westvale, while Lance only made it to the top sixteen. The next tournament will be held in the Galar region, where Dynamax battles will be a major focus. Many believe that Leon has a strong chance of claiming the championship title.
Leon has always been close to the Westvale region and often clashes with Chairman Rose, who supports other leagues. Analysts speculate that if Leon wins, Galar might follow the example of the Kalos region and adopt special policies to join the Westvale league.
Lillie meticulously researched the lineup of competitors for the tournament, not even sparing Cynthia's team from scrutiny.
"You're right, now can you tell me the types of these six Pokémon?" Cynthia asked with a smile.
"Types?" The question seemed too simple to those present.
Lillie quickly answered, "Two Dragonites are Dragon and Flying, Charizard is Fire and Flying, Gyarados is Water and Flying, Aerodactyl is Rock and Flying, and Flygon is Ground and Dragon." As she finished, she suddenly sensed something was off.
Grace, holding back laughter, asked, "So, how many of these six are Flying types, and how many are Dragon types?"
Lillie was stunned. Serena took over, "Five are Flying types, three are Dragon types... huh?" She too became puzzled after saying it.
Cynthia finally couldn't hold back her laughter. "Exactly, in Lance's main team, five are Flying types and three are Dragon types. Even if he swaps a Dragonite for Salamence, Flygon for Hydreigon, and Mega Evolves Charizard to gain Dragon typing, the ratio is still five to four. That's why we prefer to call him the Flying-type Master rather than Dragon Master Lance."
Grace also couldn't stop laughing. Lillie and Serena, initially dumbfounded, soon joined in the laughter, infectious as it was. Even Sabrina, who usually remained aloof, showed a hint of a smile.
Carl watched them helplessly, thinking how mischievous Cynthia and Grace were, considering Lance had never offended them.
Meanwhile, in the Kanto region.
Lance suddenly sneezed.
"Are you alright?" President Damalan asked with concern.
"Maybe I caught a chill flying all the way from Havenport," Lance said, adjusting his cloak.
Last night, Lance was still in Havenport, monitoring Team Rocket's movements when he received an urgent call from President Damalan, asking him to rush to Fuchsia City. Although unclear on the specifics, anything that caught the attention of both the League President and Professor Oak was certainly not simple. He raced there on Dragonite, feeling the cold bite through his cloak as they passed through the Silver Mountains.
"Don't catch a cold; there are important tasks ahead," President Damalan reminded him with concern.
"What's so urgent?" Lance asked with a frown. "I've already tracked down Bishas in Johto."
Bishas, a high-ranking Team Rocket officer, was notorious for using dark Poké Balls to forcibly control Pokémon, employing extremely cruel methods. The league had long sought to eliminate this menace but never found the right opportunity.
"Bishas," Professor Oak mused at the name, then confidently smiled, "won't be a problem for much longer. What we're dealing with now is far more important."
"Indeed," President Damalan agreed. "A mere Bishas can't compare to Team Rocket's leader, the Four Generals, or Snake Instructor. Not to mention potential infiltrators within the league itself."
"No wonder we were all summoned," came a cold voice from behind Professor Oak. Agatha appeared, her presence making Oak's expression slightly awkward.
"You're here," Agatha stated, leaning on her cane, her tone icy. "If this old man who spends all day in the lab is here, how could I, one of the Elite Four, possibly not show up?"
Professor Oak gave an awkward smile, choosing not to respond.
"Still the same old coward," Agatha grumbled disapprovingly.
The others wisely remained silent, aware of some past between the two but not daring to ask.
Blaine, wearing sunglasses, chuckled, "You two haven't changed a bit."
"Mind your own business," Agatha shot him a glare. Blaine immediately shut his mouth. After all, he was just an ordinary Elite Four-level trainer, while Agatha was a bona fide Elite Four champion, a specialist in the tricky Ghost type. He'd never dared to cross her, and still didn't.
President Damalan stepped in to mediate, "Let's leave the catching up for later; we have important matters to discuss." He looked at Lorelei and Bruno, saying seriously, "While investigating in Fuchsia City, Oak and I discovered that Team Rocket forces, which should have withdrawn, have all gathered here."
"Why are they here?" Bruno asked.
"We're not sure yet," President Damalan shook his head.
Meanwhile, in Team Rocket's secret base in Fuchsia City.
Snake Instructor asked Giovanni for instructions, "Boss, why summon everyone suddenly?"
"Because fortune still favors me," Giovanni replied, stroking his Persian, his gaze sharp. "You all know that Mewtwo destroyed my base and escaped. I initially planned to establish a temporary base in Fuchsia City to track it down."
"But before the base was even completed, we received word that Mewtwo was spotted on New Island. I've gathered you all to recapture it."
Giovanni stood up, resolute. "This Pokémon, with the potential of a legendary, must be reclaimed."
"This time, I'll play my trump card!"
In the league's Fuchsia City division building, the atmosphere was tense.
"None of you know?" President Damalan asked.
The group exchanged glances, understanding the gravity of the situation. They knew Damalan and Oak had stumbled upon something significant during their investigations here.
Lorelei crossed her arms, adjusting her glasses. "President, what were you originally investigating?"
"Mewtwo," President Damalan said gravely.
The room fell silent.
As frequent opponents of Team Rocket, they were well-versed in the revelations brought forth by the "Pokémon Leaf Green Fire Red" game. Even those who didn't play it studied its plot and information thoroughly. They knew about Mewtwo's existence.
Lorelei confirmed, "The one mentioned in the game? Created using Mew's genes, claiming to rival legendary Pokémon?"
"Correct," President Damalan nodded, turning his gaze to Blaine.
Blaine reluctantly stepped forward. "Seeing Oak give up being a trainer for research, I followed suit."
"Foolish," Agatha remarked coldly, gripping her cane.
"All because of youthful indiscretion."
No one spoke further, and Agatha closed her eyes, losing interest.
Blaine's smile was bitter as he continued, "The Mewtwo project really existed. I was one of the three main researchers, responsible for gene fusion. Two other scientists, as capable as Oak, were involved."
"We truly created Mewtwo."
Faces around the room changed.
On one hand, they were shocked by humanity's ability to create Pokémon by fusing Mew's genes. On the other, they were alarmed by the accuracy of the game's narrative.
Bruno couldn't help but ask, "Can this Mewtwo really stand against legendary Pokémon?"
Everyone eagerly awaited Blaine's answer.
"Hard to say," Blaine hesitated. "I can only provide some data; you'll have to judge for yourselves."
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