Steven always considered himself to be a relatively mature, rational person; when he makes friends, he never judges them by identity or status. Instead, he looks at character and thought.
Though he is Devon Corporation's grand young master and Hoenn's strongest Trainer, anyone who knows Steven will understand that Steven is truly an exceptional person.
Appearance, temperament, morals, resolve, strength – it's as if Cynthia is nearly perfect a woman, and Steven could be said to be nearly perfect a man.
Even Steven could be said to be more perfect than Cynthia; Cynthia's family is just a normal, upper‑middle‑class home in a town with a history lab Gym Leader grandmother.
And Steven?
Devon Corporation is one of the world's top companies, one of the few whose output can rival it.
And Steven is the big young master of Devon, a window into that pedigree.
Even though at the status level of Steven and Cynthia, wealth isn't important to them.
But Steven is introspective at this moment.
He starts to carefully recall the past month or two, and the more he recalls, the more unsettled he becomes.
"Team Rocket really doesn't seem to have done any evil things?!"
Steven suddenly comes to such an idea.
If you don't use the excuse of "preemptive protection," after careful consideration, Team Rocket doesn't seem to have done many bad things in Hoenn Region.
Swallowing Team Aqua and Team Magma — this is the dispute between their evil organizations; for Hoenn, it's hardly impactful.
Rather, the disappearance of Team Aqua and Team Magma, those extremist eco‑groups, would be good for Hoenn, not bad.
After all…
From the current situation, Team Aqua and Team Magma are pursuing Groudon and Kyogre, and they could indeed succeed!
Because they found the Orbs, and the slumbering spots of Groudon and Kyogre; if they awaken them, Hoenn will suffer in the next several days.
Then there's the Joseph Stone matter, but based on later talks with Joseph Stone, Damian and the three went to stir trouble, but only to secure justice for Zinnia.
Damian's motive for contacting Steven at that time was probably to expose Joseph Stone's sins so he could no longer hide.
That should have been Joseph Stone's burden to bear.
As for his own artistic photos with Wallace… in hindsight, this was entirely Damian's twisted sense of fun; apart from reputational impact, there were no substantive losses.
Steven's expression changes; indeed, Hoenn Team Rocket as far as he knows seems to have done no evil.
There's no "seems" about it — they truly haven't.
"Have I been wrong?"
Steven's face pales; in the end, his fixed impression is too strong.
Kanto Team Rocket in Kanto Region has committed countless crimes; he has properly safeguarded Hoenn Team Rocket with no issue.
Is it wrong for him to want to expel Team Rocket? Of course not.
After all, Team Rocket's infamy is known far and wide; preemptive action is never wrong; now they haven't done evil, who knows what they will do in the future?
After all, the organization's name is "Team Rocket."
But at this moment Steven's mood is the most complicated; because the Primordial Sea shrouding Hoenn by Primal Kyogre makes him feel profound self‑reproach.
"Champion Steven! Don't be swayed by his rhetoric; perhaps Damian is right about the outcomes, but his starting point is absolutely not like that; what he's saying is only about outcomes."
Giovanni speaks to Steven in a low voice.
But is outcome‑oriented thinking problematic?
Cynthia frowns slightly; she thinks Giovanni's words are somewhat off.
Original purpose, process, and outcome — they each have varying levels of importance, but to her, the outcome and the process are almost equally important.
As for the "original purpose," in the face of process and outcome, it is the lightest.
Of course, Cynthia also understands Giovanni's point is not entirely wrong.
After all, Giovanni's relationship with Damian is special; perhaps he cares more about Damian's "original purpose."
"Tsk— darling Dad, you're really not holding back. Admit that changing Team Rocket isn't that difficult?"
Damian can't help but sneer.
"If you really only want to change Team Rocket, why come to Alola and Hoenn?"
Damian asks in a low tone.
"Damian, you mean to say under your leadership, Team Rocket isn't an evil organization that does nothing good? If you really want to prove that, why not change Kanto's Team Rocket first?"
"What you're saying has no real meaning; Team Rocket isn't yours!"
Admit it, Damian; you never intend to detach from Team Rocket, aren't you trying to prove yourself by Team Rocket? Prove your own existence?
Giovanni stares hard at Damian.
"This world doesn't need Team Rocket! Damian, you're very strong, but neither you nor Team Rocket can change this world!"
The dark rain clouds slowly fade, sunlight and the water renew, and the surface where Hoenn's waters have returned to calm.
But Damian's smile tightens and tightens.
"Oh?"
Damian turns the Ultra Ball in his hand slowly.
"Team Rocket's boss chair will be mine sooner or later."
His tone remains as natural as ever, that invisible arrogance as if it's only common sense.
And hearing Damian say that, the expressions of Leon and others tighten; surprised? Not really.
A person as arrogant and self‑assured as Damian wouldn't stay beneath others forever, especially with such strength now.
Indeed, it wouldn't be surprising if at some point he "finishes off" the current Team Rocket boss and takes the throne himself.
After all, by impression, Leon has never seen someone as arrogant as Damian.
To be honest, Leon wouldn't be surprised to see Damian "take down" the current Team Rocket boss and take over the throne.
Well, it would be quite exciting.
"And also, darling Dad, you're mistaken about one thing—I'm not that unsightly a person in your eyes, am I?"
"Proving your value? Hah. I don't care about that stuff anymore."
Damian's light smile; under Shadow Mewtwo's telepathic control, his figure slowly floats.
Primal Kyogre spreads its wings and flies to catch Damian.
"Damian, what exactly do you want to do?"
Giovanni asks in a low voice.
"For a higher realm!!"
Damian gazes down on the four, like a god looking down on mortals.
Primal Kyogre slowly beats its fins, glowing with a blue light and gold, gorgeous and imposing.
"What the?"
Giovanni and the others freeze.
"Know this: no one has always stood above, whether you or me, even gods."
He shifts his hair back with his right hand, becoming a slick up‑do, a cold, arrogant look.
From now on! I will stand at the top!
The boastful words echo in their ears.
Silence! The venue is completely quiet!
Steven and the others stare at the silhouette standing above Primal Kyogre's head.
What did Damian just say? What top? Where?
But soon Steven comes back to himself and gasps.
Damian this guy… is he trying to become the Gym Leader of the world?!
"No way! Damian! You're dreaming in your head!"
Leon's voice is heavy; what kind of crazy thing is this?
"This world is fine now; we don't need an ambition like yours!"
Steven also speaks; he had wondered whether Damian's leadership of Team Rocket could be accepted, but hearing this, he dumps that thought.
Maxie and Archie used to want to expand seas and land; with Damian, he wants to stand atop the heavens?
Giovanni is heartbroken.
"He's not the Damian you knew… I'm afraid the Damian you knew is gone."
Damian smiles lightly and replies.
"By the way, take this." Damian pulls a shimmering red orb from his bag; in the center is an 'Ω' symbol—the Red Orb of Groudon.
Damian tosses the Red Orb to Giovanni; Giovanni catches it and looks at Damian.
"What do you mean by this?"
"As the Son, a small gift for Dad; I look forward to our next meeting."
Damian's mouth lifts into a malicious curve.
But Steven and the others instantly understand Damian's sinister plan: allowing Groudon to go Primal would give it power beyond control!
Especially after seeing Primal Kyogre's Primordial Sea, Groudon's Desolate Land would be on par with the Primordial Sea as a top weather ability.
In Damian's words, Desolate Land could dry out all life!
Then using Primal Groudon to fight Primal Kyogre? What would be the consequences?
And… after taking back the Red Orb, would Groudon help them, or go out of control?
"Farewell, Champions; hope next time you can bring me even greater fun."
"Ooo～!"
Primal Kyogre's deep cry echoes through the skies, flying away into the distance, soon disappearing from sight.
Steven, watching the silhouette of Primal Kyogre fade, massages his temples with great exhaustion.
"It's over."
Steven tries to turn, but as soon as he moves, his legs go weak.
"Careful!"
Leon catches him quickly.
"Take a rest for a moment, Steven; you look terrible." Leon is worried for Steven's pale appearance.
He understood, the mental stress Steven is under is enormous.
"Sorry for letting you down; perhaps it's from being rained on too long; take a break and go to Officer Jenny first."
Steven forces a smile, then steadies himself after a moment.
"Champion Steven, don't rush; Wallace and Nemona are over there; nothing will go wrong."
Cynthia adds, "Go take a look; I'll take Metagross to join you."
Steven shakes his head; seeing his resolve, the three of them reluctantly agree.
Giovanni looks at the Red Orb in his hand, its glow faintly shimmering, then glances at the Ultra Ball in his other hand.
To his surprise, the seam of the Ultra Ball slowly oozes water droplets.
Groudon doesn't seem to be okay?
He thinks a moment and decides not to release Groudon yet—let it vomit out the ball first.
The four ride flying Pokémon toward Team Rocket's base island; along the way Steven has already phoned Officer Jenny's commander.
And Jenny's commander, after hesitating, decides to trust Steven, ordering a retreat and releasing the Team Rocket members who had already been captured.
Logically, this incident should end here.
But the key is…
"Steven! Steven, help me!!"
Once again Caitlin captures Wallace, who is bound and sitting on the ground in frustration, seeing Steven and the others fly away with a look of joy, and crying out to Steven.
Seeing this familiar scene, Steven finally can't stand it anymore; his vision goes dark.
Leon and the three are shocked.
"Champion Steven!"
"Steven!"
"Oh no! Steven fainted!"