As Goldenrod City trembled.
Suddenly, the temperature across the entire area began to plummet.
Gradually.
The water vapor in the upper clouds was affected by the sudden drop in temperature, and sparkling snowflakes slowly fell.
Natsuhiko spread his palm out, a hexagonal ice crystal landing in his hand.
Though autumn in Goldenrod City was drawing to a close, due to the regional influence where Goldenrod City is located, it hadn't seen snowfall in many years.
But now.
Even though winter had just begun, it started to snow.
This was clearly not caused by a natural change in the environment, but by...
In the distance.
An elderly figure, standing on thin psychic powers with a cane, was seen in midair as his white scarf fluttered in the wind. It was only when he appeared that the weather suddenly turned cold and snow began to fall.
If you look carefully, you can see a brown Pokémon accompanying him.
Soon.
The light snow gradually turned into heavy snow, eventually forming chunks of ice.
However, the ice was concentrated outside Goldenrod City, while inside the city, only snow fell.
"Ice-type Elite.... Uncle Liu!"
So, this is the power of the Ice-type Elite?
Just the strength of a single Pokémon could change the weather of an entire city, even covering the surrounding areas.
And, that brown Pokémon, is it Swinub or Piloswine?
Because the distance is too great, it's hard to see clearly.
But the hail environment was already constructed, and the whole of Goldenrod City had become the domain for Uncle Liu's Pokémon.
Natsuhiko and his companions could already sharply feel the drastic temperature change from where they stood.
It's hard to imagine the impact on the wild Pokémon outside of Goldenrod City.
"The Elite Four... no, the old Elite Four members are really terrifying."
This is just Uncle Liu.
By himself, he nearly managed to control the sudden outburst of Pokémon.
What about Agatha?
"This is just the beginning," Ann Ci said.
However, because of Uncle Liu's appearance, his serious expression eased somewhat.
Snow piled up everywhere, covering the entire city with a thin layer of snow.
As if Goldenrod City wore a new coat of plain white.
The ground tremors also stopped.
"Hurry and restore the Pokémon's state. Though I believe in the strength of the two Elites, many matters must ultimately depend on oneself."
Leaving a word, Natsuhiko headed towards the villa without turning back.
Ann Ci stood stationary for a moment before following suit.
For now, he couldn't return to his villa.
But his Pokémon needed recovery.
Once Natsuhiko entered, he didn't bother to close the door, as if deliberately leaving it open for Ann Ci.
Meanwhile, the petite silhouette on the rooftop had disappeared.
...
...
Elsewhere.
The tallest building in Goldenrod City, at the top floor of the Silver Company building, in an office with a manager's plaque.
Giovanni was sitting in front of the massive floor-to-ceiling window, watching the snow outside, while a very affectionate Persian rubbed against his feet.
Enjoying the blend of fabric and fur, it comfortably squinted its eyes.
One hand rested on its head, gently smoothing its fur.
"Meow—"
A soft sound echoed in the office.
Giovanni took a small sip from the wine glass, a smile appearing on his face.
"Not old yet, why so eager to retire?" Giovanni chuckled.
He slowly stood up.
Walked to the front of the floor-to-ceiling window.
From here, one could see Uncle Liu's figure and the changes outside Goldenrod City.
Gradually.
The smile on Giovanni's face slowly faded.
"Not wanting to waste precious time dealing with you doesn't mean Goldenrod City is a place for you to run riot."
The faint voice made the nearby Persian stiffen its movements.
It arched its back, fur standing on end.
"That experiment is important, but you've already impacted it..."
As this sentence fell, Persian walked to the desk and gently pressed a red button beneath it.
As the button was pressed.
Members of the Rocket Team throughout Goldenrod City received the signal and became active from their dormant state.
Meanwhile.
Giovanni walked over to a tall cabinet.
"Click—"
The cabinet door slowly opened, revealing neatly arranged Pokeballs.
Nearly a hundred Pokeballs quietly lay in the compartments of the cabinet.
With a blank expression, he casually picked up six of them.
Behind Giovanni, three people dressed in Rocket Team uniforms, suddenly appeared kneeling on one knee.
He casually tossed these six Pokeballs to them.
Each of the three received two without speaking, just heavily nodding their heads before striding out of the office.
Giovanni, with head lowered, his eyes flickered.
...
...
In a dim, narrow, rugged rocky cave.
"Lord Tamechi, Uncle Liu has already made his move." The leader under a black cloak, Bajie, respectfully stood below the high platform of the cave, with an expression full of fervor.
Behind him, there were more cloaked figures.
Each of them feverishly gazed at Tamechi on the high platform, or rather, at the rock wall behind Tamechi.
This was the result of their struggle over several months.
It was also their pursuit.
"What about Agatha?" Tamechi's face remained calm, gently rubbing the ring on his hand, he said slowly.
"...I don't know." Bajie's expression froze.
"Don't underestimate the Elite Four as fools, Agatha will quickly find this place."
Though there was no evidence, Tamechi seemed very sure.
With so many people present disappearing in Goldenrod City, it's impossible for Agatha to have no suspicions; finding this place was only a matter of time.
He certainly knew Uncle Liu and Agatha were looking for them, even willing to let Goldenrod City descend into chaos for this.
Knowing full well it was a trap laid by the opponent, yet he still jumped in.
Because his plan was just one step away from completion.
Whether Goldenrod City was in chaos was no longer important; what mattered was collecting what he needed amidst this final chaos.
"Then we..."
"Collect the last batch of items." Tamechi waved his hand.
Then walked down the high platform, revealing in front of him an arm-thick tunnel leading to an unknown place.
Following the command, Bajie signaled to the cloaked figures below to toss various sized crystals into the rocky passage.
If Natsuhiko and Ann Ci were here, they would recognize these crystals of varying sizes as "Life Crystals"!
And as each "Life Crystal" rolled into the passage, a sudden crimson flame flickered inside the rock wall, penetrating the thick layer of unknown substances that made up the rock wall, illuminating with firelight.
Seeing this firelight, the cloaked figures' expressions became increasingly excited.
Descending from the high platform, Tamechi came across someone wearing a black robe and a white, grim mask.
Tamechi raised an eyebrow, with a hint of teasing:
"'Breeder' Mr., no no no, perhaps now it should be... Advanced Breeder Kilboy, the first disciple of Master Suzuki."
Kilboy took off the mask, a calm expression as he glanced at the wall that continued to emit firelight.
"Titles don't matter to me, I only care about results."
Upon hearing this, Tamechi laughed.
"Indeed, if not for Master Suzuki's theory on 'Life Crystals,' this plan wouldn't have gone so smoothly."
Upon hearing "Master Suzuki's theory," Kilboy slowly clenched his fists, a flicker of cold light in his eyes, but he concealed it well.
In a cold voice, he said: "The Rocket Team has already made a move, do as you will."
After speaking, he turned and left directly.
Tamechi's expression slowly darkened.
After a moment, he gave a slight smile.
"No worries, I've prepared quite a welcoming gift for them."